I have come that they may have abundant life. (John 10:10b)

As I was meditating on John 10:10 I saw a vision. There was a great division between the first part and the second part of this scripture. Within this division I saw the cross.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. ////////////// I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

The first part comes as we walk in the kingdom of darkness and the second part comes as we learn to walk in the Kingdom of Light.

Along with this vision I began to hear a phrase of a song, “I will not bow my knee to another.”

After seeking the Holy Spirit to interpret the vision I began to realize that by speaking about the things the devil has tried to steal, kill and destroy in my life, I was bowing to the words of the thief. I was speaking curses.

In Deuteronomy 30:19 God decrees a law, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;”

Luke 17:21 tells me “the kingdom of God is within you.”

Proverbs 18:21 tells me that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

So, since Jesus came to give us abundant life and this life is in my tongue, I must learn to speak the life of Christ; blessings. "Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you." (Luke 6:28) 

Blessing someone is to speak into their lives your desire for them to become as Jesus created them to be.

Our choice is the one we make with our tongues; blessing or cursing, the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of darkness.

Matthew 6:33 says to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Each of these kingdoms are within us. We choose the kingdom by what we allow out of our mouth.

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34 NKJV) 

So, if I find myself having trouble choosing to speak blessings, I ask the Holy Spirit to do a heart check. He is faithful to show me feelings of anger, bitterness, mistrust, etc. that is in my heart. I confess it, yielding to the Lord, cast it out in the name of Jesus and ask the Lord to heal me in that area of my soul.

Fellowship with Jesus today! It is in His mighty loving, presence we find His peace and His righteousness. His right way of speaking and right way living. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23)

This morning the Lord woke me to this Psalm encouraging me to read it in other translations. This one is from the Contemporary English Version. I encourage you to read it out loud.

“You, LORD (JESUS), are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life.

You are true to Your name, and You lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and Your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe.

You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in Your house, Lord.”

It is all about learning to put our total trust is Jesus knowing His ability and will is to take care of us.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (CEV) instructs us, “With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not (trust) your own judgment. Always allow Him to lead you and He will clear the road for you to follow.”

We have been taught, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” When we do this we are trying to make ourselves our god.

To learn to trust God in every area of our life takes renewing our minds to God’s ways of doing things. We do this by following Matthew 6:33, more than anything else seek God and His presence first. Listen for His instruction. This is His righteousness. Then the other things will come to us when we do what He says no matter how strange it may sound.

Recently I was seeking Him on a matter I thought needed an immediate answer. He replied with, “Wait upon the Lord.” I had peace in Christ and I let it go. When and if I need to respond on this matter, I am trusting He will let me know and then I will act on it.

As you join in communion with Christ today, rejoice in His love and care. No matter what happens or how hopeless things may seem, allow Jesus to walk with you through your darkness or shadow that looks like death. It is only a shadow when Christ is with you. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen