Hey Garden Fam ๐๐พ
I hope you are doing well and that youโve 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.
Thereโs a subtle misunderstanding that we need to โget things rightโ so that our works may show our faith, but itโs 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 โdoing all of the right things,โ they were still under the โlaw of sin,โ 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 โlaw of sinโ does not necessarily mean living a life full of sin per sayโI mean, like I said, the Pharisees were under the law of sin, but did โall the right thingsโ (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 Godโs eyes by the power of human strength. Today, I find that showing up as striving to be a โgood Christian,โ 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 todayโs video, I talk about the importance of not returning to bondage under the law of sin (works) once youโve 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 donโt 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
Is anyone else in a wilderness season? ๐
Iโve spoken about this many times, specifically in this blog post.
This probably wonโt be the last time I speak on this, because this season is SO precious and pivotal to all who go through it. God has called (or will call) many of us out of our comfort zones, out of culture, out of the places we grew up in, out of our jobs, etc. with the intention to [eventually] bring us into our โpromised land.โ This may or may not be a physical place for each of us, but before we get there, we must be processed, strengthened, stripped, and rebuilt to look like God, walk in His ways, and to trust and obey Him completely, because there is purpose awaiting us in the promised land.
If you are in a wilderness season, just know that, even if it doesnโt always feel like it, it is a blessing. God is calling you out and calling you higher.
In todayโs video, I share a few things God pointed out to me about the Israelites journey that I, and anyone else in a wilderness season, should be sure to implement in order to remain faithful in between โEgyptโ (where God took you from) and โCanaanโ (where He promised to bring you).
Steward this season well, fam!
Focus Scriptures
I gotta give y'all some reading homework today! There's too much to capture in just a few scriptures.
Dive into the books below and let the Lord speak to you further.
Absorbing more of God's Word is a part of this season anyway ๐ค
Exodus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Video Notes
Trust & Obey God
God has brought you out of a place where you may have been comfortable.
Even if you were in bondage, you may have settled in there, thinking it would be your reality indefinitely, but God saw fit to pull you out and set you apart.
Trust God even when His directions go against your logic.
Exodus 13:18
Maintain hope in the promise
Write down and hold on to what God has promised you โ donโt make it an idol, but trust that God will come through if He said it!
Note any instructions He gives you for the promised land. Some of it may not be relevant now, but will be pertinent then.
He is retraining / reestablishing you for His Kingdom, which will be different from the world in many ways!
Exodus 20-32; 35
Fight the urge to doubt what He has said!
Embrace Godโs provision in this season
God turned bitter waters sweet for them to drink
God poured out bread from Heaven for them to eat
Testing their obedience
Exodus 16:18-30
Embrace the grace He is giving you to do more than you could on your own.
Also, embrace the times when He sends help. Carefully discern who is sent by Him and who is not.
Avoid complaining
Remember, your complaints are not against a person or a thing, but against God.
Take heed to the way God responds to your complaints & remember His heart towards you.
Donโt be a dramatic complainer like the Israelites, saying โwhyโd you bring me out of my comfortable captivity to kill me?โ Lol.
They complained and referenced Egypt every time they had a need.
They had not yet began to trust the Lord truly, even after all of the miraculous signs He had shown them.
Worship > Worry
We were built to worship
Israelites got worried / anxious when Moses was away on the mountain.
They felt like he took too long
Moses was their main connection / communication with God, so their impatience with him, was really impatience with God
They chose to worship, but instead of worshipping God, they formed an idol to worship ๐ฉ
Choose to worship God every time you feel the temptation to worry or get impatient
Be diligent in learning what God is teaching you and passing any tests that come your way.
Not for show or for accomplishments sake, but trusting that everything He is doing now is necessary for the future.
Removing some things from you, your heart, your life, etc.
Changing your traditions and habits to align with His protocols
Separating you from mindsets and practices that go against His will
Renewing your mind
Slavery to pharaoh to โslaveryโ to God
Reliance and trust in pharaoh to reliance and trust in God
Building some things within you
Exodus 20:20
Move when He says move
No matter what it looks like
If God has said the territory is yours and has given you the green light to take it, donโt delay!
Donโt be dismayed by what seem to be obstacles before you. Donโt be dismayed by people who may have negative things to say.
God has already declared you to be victorious & will give you strategy for how to carry it out.
When you finally get to the promised land, continue to obey God, to a tee!
Donโt compromise on His instructions.
Donโt leave God, or put Him in your back pocket.
Remember that God got you here & it is His wisdom & guidance that will not only keep you here, but catapult you even further.
Remember that you are here because God desires to use you for more
Itโs not even just about the promise, but about who God needs you to be in the promised land.
Israel was supposed to serve as ambassadors for living Godโs way.
We are each called to do the same
Different callings, same purpose.
Keep that in mind & know you are called to more.
Remain during the pruning, teaching, and testing process.
Itโs not about you, but what God desires to do & who He desires to reach through you! ๐
Epiphani
Happy Friday, Garden Familia ๐ธ
I hope youโve had a wonderful week! God gave me the word B.O.L.D. last year.
At the time, I thought it was just a personal word of the year. However, what I didnโt know was that this was a lifestyle that God was not only calling me to, but also all of His children. Last year was simply the training ground for how God desires us to live. God has called us to Believe, Obey, Lead, Discern. Check out todayโs video to gather more insight about what this should look like in your life, and grab your โBe B.O.L.D.โ sweatshirt or t-shirt today!
Have a healthy & wholesome weekend!
Love you bunches ๐
Anchor Scripture
Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
Video Notes
Believe
Luke 1:45
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Luke 8:50
But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, โDo not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.โ
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Obey
Deuteronomy 5:33
You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Lead
Matthew 20:26-28
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slaveโjust as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.โ
James 3:1
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Discern
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
John 7:24
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.