Hey Garden Fam đđž
I hope you are doing well and that youâve had a wonderful week!
God has really had me driving home this topic lately, but it is soooo key to our walk with Him.
Walking by the Spirit and trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ is a foundational truth, posture, and privilege that is not only available to us as children of the Most High, but also, it is absolutely essential to living out this life as followers of Christ.
Thereâs a subtle misunderstanding that we need to âget things rightâ so that our works may show our faith, but itâs really the other way around; that when we truly have faith in and lean on Jesus, our works will reflect that. The Pharisees thought so highly of themselves for how pious and religious they were, but their works were of the flesh, meaning, they themselves were the source of their living. Their religious legalism required no trust in God and thus, shined the light and put the glory back on them, not God. Even when Jesus arrived on the scene, they not only missed the fact that He was the Messiah, but also, they failed to see their need for Him as their Savior, and worse, persecuted Him because He relied on and operated by the power of the Father. Though they were âdoing all of the right things,â they were still under the âlaw of sin,â the one Paul told us only had the power to point out what is wrong, but lacked the power to modify those wrongs (Romans 8:2-3).
What does this mean for us today?
Well, unfortunately, many of even the most well-meaning Christians still find themselves under bondage to the law of sin. To clarify, being under the âlaw of sinâ does not necessarily mean living a life full of sin per sayâI mean, like I said, the Pharisees were under the law of sin, but did âall the right thingsâ (or so they liked to portray at least). Being under the law of sin simply means living by works, trying to be made right with God and continue doing what is right in Godâs eyes by the power of human strength. Today, I find that showing up as striving to be a âgood Christian,â to avoid sin, and to represent Christ well, and overall, this IS something we should desire to do. However, it is often presented and internalized as if it is up to us to make this our reality. It is not. Our part is to choose to yield and submit to Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit, to put our trust in Him and the finished work of His death, burial, and resurrection, and the power that operates through us because of His sacrifice! It is up to us to choose to allow the Holy Spirit to lead our lives. Otherwise, even in believing in Christ, we live Christ-less lives. When Jesus died, He defeated the law of sin in the sense that through His sacrifice, we were freely made right with God through our belief in Him (Jesus). Then, after His resurrection, He left the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower us to live lives that are pleasing to God, not only in avoiding sin, but even more so to go forth and do even greater works than Jesus did while on earth, like casting out demons, healing the sick, and working miracles by His power that works in us. That power is available, but not active in us as long as we are stuck operating in the flesh, trying to produce good works, and not relying on and living through the finished work of the cross.
So, long story long, in todayâs video, I talk about the importance of not returning to bondage under the law of sin (works) once youâve been set free by Jesus to live in freedom under the law of the Spirit (grace). I discuss the misconceptions, deceptions, and misunderstandings that have led to much of the church (the body of Christ) leading lukewarm, carnal, powerless lives, which was NEVER our portion!
I believe God has me sharing this before we get into the rest of the series, because it is so important that when He sets you free from bondage, you donât submit yourself back under another form of bondage (ie. trying to get things right in your own strength). When we are delivered from bondage, it is to serve God, but we are to do so through the power of His Holy Spirit. So, Kill the flesh and embrace the grace daily to maintain your freedom in Christ Jesus!
Focus Scriptures
I definitely recommend reading the full chapters, and even the whole books for the scriptures mentioned below.
They will definitely help to deepen your understanding and strengthen your relationship with Christ!
Matthew 12:43-45
Colossians 2:20-23
2 Peter 2:17-22
Galatians 5:4, 7-18, 24-25
Romans 7-8
Watch Today's Video
Happy Faith Friday, Garden Fam đ¸
I hope you've had a wonderful week!
Today, weâre talking about the importance of writing Godâs vision(s) for you.
Honor His words by taking notes! Not only will it allow you to RUN with it when He says GO, but it will also help you to maintain faith as you wait for the vision(s) to come to pass.
Watch todayâs video or listen via podcast for more insight into Habakkuk 2:1-4 and the wisdom we can glean from Habakkukâs conversation with God!
Focus Verses
Habakkuk 2:1-4
I will stand my watch
And set myself on the rampart,
And watch to see what He will say to me,
And what I will answer when I am corrected.
Then the Lord answered me and said:
âWrite the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.â
Habakkuk 1:5
âLook among the nations and watchâBe utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you."
Happy Faith Friday, Garden Fam đ¸
Iâm sure youâve heard of the story of the Prodigal Son, the one who left home with his inheritance, squandered it all in a foreign land, and then returned home to his father with a repentant heart. Whether or not youâve heard the parable before, in todayâs video, we review this passage of scripture and I share another side of this story that God revealed to me. As a daughter or son of the Most High, donât you know that it is in the house for you?
Watch todayâs video or listen to the podcast to learn more about what that question means!
Have a healthy & wholesome weekend!
Love you bunches đ
P.S. If you want to learn more about todayâs sponsor, check out the link here.
Focus Scriptures
Luke 15:11-32
Deuteronomy 28:1-14