“Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul, and all that is [deep] within me, bless His holy name. Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits; Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you [lavishly] with lovingkindness and tender mercy; Who satisfies your years with good things,so that your youth is renewed like the [soaring] eagle.” (Psalm 103:1-5 AMP)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3 KJV)
We spent a few days talking about the benefits of the Kingdom that have been given to every believer. When I responded to the Gospel of the Kingdom, and made Jesus the Lord of my life, in my born again, recreated spirit I already possess…
…forgiveness
…healing
…redemption from the pit of destruction
…lovingkindness and tender mercies
…good things
…renewed youth.
Then we looked at the fruit of the Spirit, which were also freely given to me after I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I already have within me, without measure, just waiting to get out…
…love
…joy
…peace
…longsuffering
…kindness
…goodness
…faithfulness
…gentleness
…self control.
I have learned that the best approach to fully experiencing the benefits and fruit is Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” (BSB) I no longer work to get these things in my life. Instead, I focus on my relationship with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and seek the Kingdom. These things begin to manifest as a result of resting in my relationship with the King of kings and Lord of lords.
For the next few days I am going to share some lessons I have learned about faith. According to Hebrews 11:6, “…it is impossible to please God without faith…” (NLT) In the area of faith the Lord has once again set the bar too high for me to reach. However, once again He has given me what I need. To every believer He has given “the measure of faith.” What a Savior!
I am so appreciative of…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 51: I am equipped to succeed.