Even though I passed these verses days ago in my reading, the Holy Spirit kept taking me back to them. God’s word is a seed. In the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:19, Jesus gave great insight for us. It says, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.”

Have you ever heard a message and thought it was really good? Then you promptly forgot it. We heard it, but did not absorb it, so that we could apply it to our own life. Here is another part of hearing and understanding. Matthew 15:8 says, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”

We hear with our ears, but we absorb with our heart. Think now of the disciples. Jesus had just fed the 5,000. Then He told them to get into the boat. Matthew 14:24 says, “But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.”

Picture yourself in a boat being tossed by the waves because of a strong wind. The disciples saw Jesus walking on the water. He was walking with no regard for the waves and the wind. They cried out in fear and He calmed them with His words.

In verse 28 Peter asked the Lord to command him to, “…come to You on the water.” Remember that nothing had changed as far as the waves and the wind. When Peter heard the Lord (verse 29) say, “…Come…” Peter climbed down out of the boat and walked on the water. Is that amazing or what!

Verse 30 says, “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, Lord save me!” Wait. What happened? The waves and the wind were still there when he started walking to Jesus.

Here is what Jesus said to Peter, “…O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Has the Lord ever told you to do something and you started out well? Then your mind was assailed with fear, doubt, and unbelief. You were stopped in your tracks. No more forward movement.

When Peter took his eyes off the Lord, he began to fear because all he saw was the boisterous wind. How like us. Don’t look at your circumstances. Remember that satan will do anything he can to get us to veer off the path of righteousness.

Do you remember what Philip said to the Ethiopian eunuch? The Lord sent him quickly to overtake the chariot. He heard what the eunuch was reading. Acts 8:30 says, “So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, Do you understand what you are reading?”

The eunuch replied in verse 31, “…How can I, unless someone guides me?…” Romans 10:14 says, “How then shall they call on Him to whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”

We are all called to evangelize. My take away from my reading is this. Unless I clearly explain the gospel, the enemy will snatch away what I say. The person might hear what I say, meaning that the seed fell on their ears. Yet, did it get absorbed into their heart?

We are the messenger. It is up to the Holy Spirit to bring the conviction of sin for salvation. However, we need to be sure that we are fulfilling our part. Does what I say match my lifestyle? Do I speak life-giving words that are backed by character that exemplifies the Lord?

Peter addressed the Sanhedrin with boldness. He declared to them the way of salvation. Acts 4:12 says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Verse 13 says, “…they realized that they had been with Jesus.” What a commendation!

Paul’s prayer continued in verse 10. Let his words sink into your spirit and rest there. Receive them for yourself. He prayed, “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.”

When I don’t know how to pray for someone who is spiritually struggling, I use these verses. It is God’s word that will never return to Him void. He constantly watches over His word to perform it on our behalf.

Romans 8:29 says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” It is through the discipline of our trials that He works His character into us. Like a Master Potter, He works the water of His word into our heart.

The progression of Romans 5:3-4 bears out this irrefutable truth. The Amplified says, “Moreover (let us also be full of joy now!) let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.

And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character (of this sort) produces (the habit of) joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.”

Hebrews 10:36 says, “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” The Greek word for endurance is hupomone. I love the definition of this word. It is like spiritual rebar.

Note in my Bible: It means constancy, perseverance, continuance, bearing up, steadfastness, holding out, patient endurance. It combines hupo, “under” and mone, “to remain.” It describes the capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances, not with a passive complacency, but with a hopeful fortitude that actively resists weariness and defeat.

Jesus is our example of endurance. Hebrews 12:2 says, “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame…” Isaiah 52:14 says, “…His visage was marred more than any man.”

Isaiah 53:11 says, “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities.” 1 Peter 2:24 says, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

How then shall we walk in Christlikeness? Romans 6 is a great chapter to memorize and meditate on. Verse 13 says, “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

When I was in first grade we were given a coloring book. Each page was designed to help us share and not be me-centered. Why is it so hard for children to learn to share? We are born with a sin nature.

I mentioned narcissists yesterday. Psychology says that it is a personality disorder. What does the Bible say? John 6:63 says that our flesh profits nothing. A biblical definition for narcissistic behavior would be: me-centered, selfish, self-idolatry, my way is the only way, and pure ego rooted in sinful words and actions.

What is Christ-centered? I had a favorite hymn when I was young that was my theme song. It is called “Others” and is a prayer. The chorus is: Others, Lord, yes others. Let this my motto be. Help me to live for others, that I might live for Thee.”

Galatians 5:16 says, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Can a true believer in Christ be a narcissist? Yes. When we seek our own way and demand that others follow us.

Proverbs 10:17 Amplified showed the contrast between being Christ-centered or self-centered. It says, “He who heeds instruction and correction is (not only himself) in the way of life (but also) IS a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof (not only himself) goes astray (but also) causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.”

Paul wrote to the Corinthians to follow his example. 1 Corinthians 11:1 says, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Paul patterned his life after the life of Christ. As we read the four gospels, we can watch Jesus in action.

A person who lives in their flesh refuses all correction. They see nothing wrong in their behavior, because they are deceived and do not know it. Hebrews 3:13 warned, “…lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Romans 8:5 says, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 6:11 says, “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Self-denial is a high watermark of an authentic follower of Jesus. I encourage you to read chapter one of 1 John. Jesus’ disciples personally walked with Jesus. Verse 1 says, “…which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life.”

John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” 1 John 2:6 says, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as Jesus walked.”

We gain our understanding of how Jesus walked as we daily read our Bibles. It is through His word that we become acquainted with Him. As we abide in Him, He abides in us, and draws us into intimate communion with Himself. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 says that as we gaze upon the Lord, we are transformed, “…into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Colossians 1:9-11 was Paul’s prayer for the folks in the Colosse church.

It is our template for being Christ-centered. Verse 9 says, “…that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” I will continue this tomorrow.

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True inner freedom says NO to our flesh. It is called self-denial. It comes up constantly in our journey of progressive sanctification. Matthew 16:24 says, “…If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Following in Jesus’ footsteps looks like Psalm 85:13. It says, “Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway.” That does not leave any room for our flesh. It is a narrow path. 

In Genesis 4:7 God instructed Cain. We do well to heed His words. It says, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well,  sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

We were given dominion. That means that we are not to allow anyone or anything to rule over us. Years ago I heard a definition of the Jezebel spirit: controlling another through a spirit other than the Holy Spirit. What did Jezebel do? She took away Naboth’s inheritance through her witchcraft (1 Kings 21:1-16).

1 Samuel 15:23 says, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…” The devil is crafty. He looks for those he can use against another. His goal is to permeate the body of Christ and bring division.

We each have a holy calling. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” The Holy Spirit within us is our Leader. When we follow Him, we will be equipped to do the work the Lord has called us to do.

Beware, lest anyone try to usurp His place. We sin against God when we allow someone or something to take dominion. This pops up in interpersonal relationships in our families and within our local church. 

False teaching can creep in and lead us astray. In my lifetime, there have been numerous high profile men who created a dominated following through false doctrine. Matthew 15:8-9 says, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me,

And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.” Verse 6 says, “…Thus you made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.” What tradition of man have you been sucked into? It makes me think of Tevye in “Fiddler On The Roof” singing, “Tradition!”

Remember the broken cisterns from Jeremiah 2:13? It is a great description of our flesh. It says, “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

I recently read a book for a friend about narcissists. Their main goal is to control others through their self-centered demands. When we receive satan’s lies, we will be controlled by them. Remember, that he seeks to divide. He uses others’ fleshly desires to control our freedom of choice.

An authentic follower of Jesus seeks to be controlled only by the Holy Spirit. He is our Fruit Producer. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”

On the 4th of July, America celebrated the freedom of our nation. The Declaration Of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. 13 American colonies celebrated their independence from Great Britain. 

The moment we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we severed our allegiance to the prince of the power of the air. All control was broken through Jesus’ death for us. We entered into our freedom through dependence on the Lord.

John 8:36 says, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” This verse followed a very important truth for Jesus’ disciples—that’s us. John 8:31-32 says, “…If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Paul warned his readers about how not to use their freedom. Galatians 5:13 says, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

We lose our freedom when we critically judge another. Romans 2:1 says, “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.”

We have many choices in our freedom in Christ. I’m reading through the book of Matthew as I type this. We still have a free will. When we veer off our progressive sanctification path, we will sin against the Lord.

Matthew 7:13 says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” The wide gate holds no restriction for our flesh.

Verse 14 says, “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Narrow to me means a tight squeeze, restriction on both sides, tunnel vision, and no way to turn back. It reminds me of being inside an MRI machine.

Romans 14:4 says, “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” Each one of our hearts is open before the Lord. Nothing is hidden. Every thought is known by Him even before we think it.

Therefore we will continue to walk in our freedom when we are attentive to the Holy Spirit. He will ‘check’ us when we are still in the thought stage. At that moment we have a choice. We can submit to His way, or chose to go our own fleshly way. More on this tomorrow.

We were once controlled by the prince of the power of the air, according to Ephesians 2:2-3. We lived in sin with no thought. We were born with a sin nature. We were programmed to sin.

I love verse 4 which says “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us.” Salvation took us from the slave block of sin, to freedom in Christ. Our moment of acceptance, of Him as our Savior and Lord, transferred us from darkness to light.

Here is a new song entitled Extravagant Oil Of Joy. It birthed something new in me, especially the line, “…knowing Your joy as You behold me.” Each time I sing this song back to the Lord, it expands the walls of my heart afresh with awe.

Extravagant Oil of Joy

I lift my unveiled face to gaze into Your face. Face to face I behold You as You behold me. No veil separates us. No fear of being known. We have intimate communion. Our hearts are knit as one.

I stand O Lord in Your presence unashamed. All guilt is washed away. All condemnation is cleansed. Through the blood. Through the shed blood of Jesus.

With joy I lift my heart in song. A song that flows through me like a river. A song that cascades and rushes to be expressed. In pure worship knowing Your joy as You behold me.

O the wonder. The marvelous wonder and awe. All my sins are cleansed in the power of Your blood. Let my joy be a fragrance that delights Your heart O God. An extravagant oil poured upon Your feet in worship.

Do you see yourself through the eyes of the Lord? Do you drink in His Presence as He delights in beholding you? What amazing grace that we can dwell in His Presence. There is comfort to know and acknowledge that He knows every nook and cranny of my heart, yet embraces me in all of His fullness.

This takes us back to yesterday’s devotional. Are the things that He delights in our delight as well? I think of Mary. John 12:3 says, “Then Mary took a pound of verse costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”

What prompted Mary to expend something so valuable. Luke 10:38 says, “…Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.” She drank in His Presence. Her heart was full of love for Him. She carried the fragrance of their intimate communion. Do you?

Psalm 107:9 says, “For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Have you tasted His goodness? 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.” Satiate means to fill to the full.

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When we answer this question, we will see other ways we can partake of His nature. Here are some verses that speak about His desire, His pleasure, and some of the things that He delights in.

I pondered Isaiah 58:13-14 as I read it. What would my life look like to call the Sabbath a delight? The Amplified says, “If you turn away your foot from (traveling unduly on) the Sabbath, from doing your own pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a (spiritual) delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and honor Him and it, not going your own way or seeking or finding your own pleasure or speaking with your own (idle) words. Then will you delight yourself in the Lord…”

Psalm 147:11 Amplified says, “The Lord takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.” Psalm 69:30-31 says, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.”

He delights in mercy (Micah 7:18). Those who deal truthfully (Proverbs 12:22). Pleasure in uprightness (1 Chronicles 29:17). Truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). A just weight (Proverbs 11:1). Blameless in their ways (Proverbs 11:20). Children obey their parents (Colossians 3:20). Prayer of the upright (Proverbs 15:8). Do good and share (Hebrews 13:16).

Jeremiah 9:24 says, “But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness on the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord.”

Hosea 6:6 says, “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Knowing Him through intimate communion is His desire and delight. We enter into His nature when we delight in the things that delight Him. The more time we spend with Him, we enter into His nature so that we also can reflect Him to others.

Here is the capstone that touches all. 2 Peter 3:9 Amplified says, “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.”

In all the above verses, I believe that He wants us to share in His utmost desire for all to be saved. We enter into His nature when we share Him with others. On June 27, 2021 I heard this and wrote it in the front of my Bible. All who know me would know Jesus.

We are absolutely dependent on the Lord. He is not dependent on anyone or anything. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God…” Psalm 90:1-2 says, “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting. You are God.” 

This takes us back to many Scriptures. Psalm 86:8 says, “Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works.” Verse 10 says,  “For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.”

Psalm 145:3 says, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.” Psalm 2:4 continually declares His sovereignty over those who seek to oppose Him. It says, “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.”

In the end, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 clearly sets the record straight—totally revealing His sovereignty once and for all. Verse 18 says, “Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who puts all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”

I love to think about His attribute of Self-Existent. It means that He has no barriers, no fences, and absolutely nothing that can limit Him in any way. When we partake of this part of His nature, we are hidden in all that He is at all times.

One day I was driving and had a full blown panic attack through a thought that flitted into my mind. I was in the left lane with trucks on my right. I had no place to get off. I felt like I was fighting for my life. I began rehearsing the Lord’s attribute of Self-Existent.

My whole trembling body came under that umbrella and calmed. I literally shared in His nature by seeing myself hidden inside the One who has no barriers or limitations. He not only sustained me, but kept me safe from harm or harming others through that unexpected attack.

He is Lord Over All. Psalm 97:9 says, “For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.” David was surrounded by Saul and his army. I often visit his words in Psalm 18. The whole Psalm speaks to and strengthens my spirit.

Verse 1-2 says, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” We could camp in each one of these attributes through our focused thoughts.