Paul told the Corinthians that he didn’t come to them with persuasive words. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 was the reason. It says, “…but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Every born again believer has that power. Ephesians 1:19-20 says that it is the same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead ~ within us! Verse 19 says, “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”

Ephesians 3:20 was an expression of His resurrection power at work in us. It says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Note that He is doing a hidden work through His ability ~ certainly not ours.

I like to think about the word ‘work’ as illustrated in wheel pottery. The potter has to work water into the dry clay before it can be molded into the desired vessel. So the Holy Spirit works God’s word into the fabric of our being, to help us bear His image before others. 

Isaiah 32:17 expressed it another way. It says, “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” Righteousness, according to Hebrews 12:11 Amplified is, “…in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God).”

Francis Schaeffer wrote a book called “How Should We Then Live?” I often ask myself that question when the Holy Spirit fingers a verse and causes me to ponder it. How do I live this out? What is my practical application?

Living out the Gospel helps us conform our thoughts, purpose, and actions to God’s will and ways. We died with Him, and were raised up into newness of life. Romans 6:12 says, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you would obey it in its lusts.” Walking in righteousness is His way for us to emulate His character. 

Consider the Gospel as His sculptor’s chisel and hammer. Each verse we take into our heart, chips away the debris that hides what He has designed us to be. The debris are the sinful patterns we lived in without any thought of God. Salvation sets us free, but it will take His experiential truth to keep us free. Read John 8:31-32.

Nothing from our past’s thought patterns changed the moment we were saved. That is why we are instructed in Romans 12:2 to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. The J. B. Phillips says, “…but let God re-mould your minds from within…” Ephesians 4:23 Amplified says, “And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude).”

Hebrews 4:12 says that God’s word penetrates, and discerns our thoughts and intentions. As we read His word, observing how to apply it in our lives, old patterns of thoughts are exposed. At that point we have a choice. We can ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit, or we can stop and consider what He has fingered.

Strongholds oppose God’s ways and will. Therefore they block our progress in spiritual maturity. Paul wrote about a condition for our progressive sanctification. Colossians 1:23 says, “IF you indeed continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard…”

Verse 27 explained the mystery of our hope. It says, “…riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 3:3 says that our life is hidden with Christ in God.

1 Corinthians 2:7-8 says, “…the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Through Jesus’ death on the cross, He made the way for us to have intimate communion with Him. Enemy planted strongholds are designed to hide lies that will control our life. Our spiritual growth depends on our abiding in Christ.

In my own life, I keep going back to visit John 15:1-8. It is an essential reminder for me, that apart from Christ I can do nothing. Not only that, fruit for His glory is borne as we abide. It comes from being and not doing.

A plant grows in soil. As vegetation around it decomposes, it creates nitrogen that feeds the roots. In that analogy, think of our strongholds. Their lies block the truth that our roots need in order to thrive. When we confess them as sin, renounce and tear them down, truth takes over and we flourish.

Thoughts undergird our obedience or disobedience. Here is a verse that denotes being fully satisfied. Jeremiah 31:14 says, “I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.”

Here is a passage that might cause us to pause before we choose to disobey. As I read Psalm 81:13-14, I hear the Lord’s heart of deep lament. It says, “Oh, that My people would listen to Me…I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries.”

Their disobedience caused them to walk away empty from the promise in verse 16. It says, “He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; and with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.”

A certain man of Bethlehem, Judah took his wife and sons to Moab. You can read the narrative in Ruth 1. What was the result? Naomi’s words were spoken from a bitter heart. She blamed God for the consequences of walking away from His way. 

As you read her words, listen for her bitter lament. Ruth 1:21 says, “I went out full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

The path of disobedience is strewn with grief, hardship, loss, and utter soul emptiness. The path of obedience, on the other hand, is strewn with an abundance of grace, mercy, joy, and a spirit that is satiated through God’s word.

Yesterday I read Deuteronomy 28. I have no idea how many times I’ve read it over the years. However, this time I cried. It was so sad for me, knowing what was ahead for the children of Israel’s disobedience.

Verse 15 was spoken after all the blessings for obedience were spread out before them. It says, “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you.”

Reading the curses was like watching a horror movie. They had a choice to be fully satisfied through obedience, or to be emptied through their disobedience. We have the same choice moment by moment.

Joshua 1:8 says that as we read God’s word, we are to observe to do. The Hebrew for observe means to keep, guard, give heed, have charge of, keep watch, protect, retain, treasure up (in memory). 

We observe His words to us so that we can put them into practice. 1 John 1:6 says, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” The Amplified says, “…live and practice the Truth (which the Gospel presents).”

John 3:21 Amplified says, “But he who practices truth (who does what is right) comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—wrought with God (divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon Him).”

I have a friend who used to break his food fast by eating a huge pizza. I would always cringe. Fasting empties ~ feasting fills. The title to this devotional came this morning as I was praying for wisdom for someone I was counseling.

The Holy Spirit was not talking about fasting from food, but rather fasting from certain thoughts. Conversely He was not talking about feasting on food, but rather on the word of God. When our thoughts are centered on negativity, rather than the Lord, then it is time to fast from them.

We fast from all defeating, negative, condemning, critical, judgmental (self and others) thoughts. Thoughts that increase our worry that cause anxiety, doubt, fear, and unbelief. We feast on God’s word that undergirds and strengthens our faith. We feast on verses that affirm who we are in Christ, and that warm our heart towards others. 

Another way we feast is through memorizing and meditating on His word. Our intention is to fill our heart reservoir so that we can easily turn them into prayers. The Lord loves to hear His word spoken back to Him. 

Let me give you one example from my own life. I love Psalm 63:8 in the Amplified. I allow the words from my reservoir to first embrace an expression of longing. “Lord, I am following hard after You. I’m clinging with refusal to let go.” May we all enter into this art of fasting to feast.

A glove is useless without a hand in it. Our works are futile unless He empowers them. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” Moses’ rod was just a shepherd’s rod until God called Moses.

If you will remember, God used that rod to fulfill His purposes in the lives of the children of Israel. Yet, when Moses took matters into his own hands, the use of that rod disqualified him to enter into the promised land.

What talents has the Lord bestowed on you that you have not yet invested in His Kingdom? They were given for God’s purpose to be fulfilled through you. They are Kingdom gifts. They will not be useful unless He empowers them.

When He empowers your talent, He will use it as part of the good works He preordained for you to walk in. However, when we bury them out of fear or disinterest, that part of His Kingdom work is not accomplished through us. Job 42:2 says that no plan of God’s can be thwarted. Yesterday I learned a new word to add !! to this verse. God’s purpose is inexorable which means it is impossible to stop or prevent.

Moses forfeited what God had called him to do, and Joshua was raised up to take his place. Therefore God’s purpose for bringing the children of Israel into the promised land was fulfilled, but through another vessel.

What are you forfeiting? Note the condition of Deuteronomy 28:1. It says, “…if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.” Did they? No and they went into captivity because of their disobedience.

Joy is an everlasting gift that Jesus gave His disciples then, which includes us. Read the verses and note the condition. John 14:10-11 says, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Have you ever wondered what happened to your joy? We cover it over with our worries, anxieties, and assumptions. Abiding in His love is the fruit of obeying His word. Disobedience is sin and it breaks our fellowship with the Lord.

1 John 1:6 is a checkpoint verse for us. It says, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” Is what we say evidenced in our words and actions?

1 John 2:6 reiterates that, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” How did Jesus walk? John 5:19 says, “…Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself…” What does John 15:5 say to us? It says, “…without Me you can do nothing.” Nothing is translated as ‘not one thing.’

Psalm 16:11 says, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” As we abide in His word and obey it, we embrace the joy of intimate communion with Him.

Psalm 33:1 says, “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.”

Isaiah 61:10 says, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.”

Psalm 63:7 says, “Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.” Does that remind you of Psalm 91:1? It says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” We can commune with the Lord no matter what our circumstance is.

Habakkuk demonstrated that rejoicing is not dependent on favorable circumstances. Quite the contrary to secular belief. He described how his body was reacting to his circumstances in Habakkuk 3:16. It says, “…my body trembled; my lips quivered at the voice; rottenness entered my bones; and I trembled in myself…”

Verse 17-18 was his declaration in the midst of what was taking place. It says, “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail…Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

No matter what our circumstances are, joy and gladness are intentional proactive choices. They were rooted in our heart through His gift of salvation. They enable us to serve the Lord with diligence and purpose.

I was watching “Legacy of Lew Sterrett” who has a horseman ministry. He teaches God’s principles in a very unique way. His ministry is called “Sermon On The Mount.” He takes a wild, never before ridden horse, and tames it within 30 minutes. The crowd watches as he proclaims the gospel in motion.

He quoted a verse that captured my heart. He used it to challenge a young man who was  not “all in” as he served the Lord. Deuteronomy 28:47-48 says, “Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies…”

I took this verse two ways. One as a challenge to examine my own heart, and two, regarding our country. We have been given so much~an abundance to share with others. Every believer has the message of true abundance that this country needs.

Here is a verse that I use in prayer often for folks that I am praying for that are not “all in.” Psalm 100:2 says, “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.” Gladness is a heart attitude. It is a choice birthed from deep conviction.

Psalm 16:9 says, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.” Psalm 9:2 says, “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” Note the declaration of intent.