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Fruit of the Spirit

“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)

The fruit of the Spirit is to be very evident in our lives.  When we are born again, we receive the fruits of LOVE, JOY, and PEACE.  These are for our personal enjoyment.  We experience love, joy, and peace.

In addition to these three fruits, there are three more that relate to others:  We need LONGSUFFERING in dealing with other people.  We also need GENTLENESS and GOODNESS.  Thus, not only do we enjoy personal fruit for ourselves, but we can extend His fruit to others.

Lastly, three final fruits deal with our relationship with our heavenly Father.  We give FAITH back to Him, along with MEEKNESS and TEMPERANCE.

Here is a beautiful picture of FRUIT THAT WE OURSELVES CAN ENJOY, FRUIT THAT WE GIVE TO OTHERS, and FRUIT THAT WE MANIFEST TO THE FATHER.  How complete God has made us in Jesus!  If you have Jesus, you have the seed of all nine of these fruits.  Partake of them all.

Dear Heavenly Father,

No law can win against love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance—the supernatural traits of Jesus Christ.  Thank You, Father, that these abide in us in our new birth.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen

2024-06-20T11:09:04-06:00July 8th, 2024|

Blessed is the Nation

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” – Psalm 33:12a

Did you know that the United States began its life as a Christian nation?  Our forefathers fled to this country so that they could worship God in the manner they wished.  Our constitution, our Declaration of Independence, and our Bill of Rights all mention God.  We were birthed as a nation of God, and we are blessed for it.

God has used America to bless the world.  Our confidence is in God—it is even printed on our money!  There are certainly tremendous needs in our nation today, but there are also tremendous Christians who are taking God’s Word to intercede for this country.  We are the salt that preserves this nation—let’s not lose our saltiness.  We are the light that overcomes the darkness of this nation—let’s not hide our lights under a bushel.

Let’s stand boldly in God, speak against evil, pray, and believe God for the miraculous outpouring of His Spirit upon all flesh in the United States.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You today that our nation is blessed because of the Christians who are praying and believing You.  Thank You for doing great and mighty things in our midst and raising up laborers and intercessors.

In Jesus’s Name,

Amen

2024-06-20T11:40:06-06:00July 1st, 2024|

Ask Marilyn

Question: Marilyn, I just don’t understand how someone can be truly close to God, like David in the Bible, and still sin so terribly.

Being close to God does not make one exempt from sin.  Saul, David, and Solomon certainly had the hand of God upon them, but as humans they were still given to temptation and sin.  Like each of us, these great men had a choice—each day brought new opportunities either to be defeated or to be victorious.  These Old Testament men did not have the New Testament covenant rights that we now have, which include understanding our authority and power through God’s Word.

Because all humans have a sin nature, there is no person on earth who is exempt from temptation and sin.  We have seen that in the Body of Christ when great men and women of God have been tempted and, in a time of weakness, have fallen.  You have experienced this type of temptation and succumbed to sin, and so have I. Being in a leadership position often makes a person even more vulnerable because Satan has assigned demon spirits to tempt leaders and try to cause them to fall.  That is why it is important for all of us to stay close to God through His Word, prayer, and fellowship with one another.

And always remember the good news that “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27 NKJV). The word possible refers to “miracle-working power.” The miracle-working power of God’s grace can keep you in His righteousness.

2024-06-12T11:06:26-06:00June 24th, 2024|

Restoring Your God-Given Identity

The subject of identity has become a hot-button issue in the last several years. Self-help books and blogs abound, and more and more people are consulting mental health experts to find out “who they really are.” They delve into the past, looking for clues to their identities, searching genealogy websites to learn where they came from. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to know your family’s history. However, even more important than understanding where you came from is realizing who God made you to be and that He made you in His image (Genesis 1:26).

When you were born, you had a destiny, a divine appointment, already planned for you from before the foundation of the world. As a born-again Christian, you are uniquely created to fulfill a specific purpose and you have a unique calling that only you can fulfill.

God wants you to fulfill every facet of your identity and accomplish all you set your hand to, just as He does. Romans 8:29 echoes this: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” The way to fulfill your place in His kingdom is to conform to the identity of Jesus Christ.

Many people mistakenly try to imitate someone else’s image, ministry, or calling. It’s fine to admire other people—but it’s wrong to assume that your ministry call is the same as someone else’s. Each of us need to discover our personal identity and purpose in Christ. Second Corinthians 3:18 tells us how this is done: “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Unfortunately, many Christians are discontented because they have taken their eyes off the identity that God has for them. They start looking at their circumstances or other Christians to compare themselves—but that’s not what God has called us to focus on! God is the only one who can complete or “repair” your identity.

Romans 12:2 tells you how-to walk-in God’s image: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The Word of God is the mirror of all that He has for you—when you look in it and see Him, you recognize your image. When you behold Him and fulfill His image for you, God’s perfect plan for your life will go from glory to glory!

Today’s blog post is taken from Marilyn’s new book, Rebuild Restoring Your God-Given Identity.

2024-06-12T10:54:19-06:00June 17th, 2024|

Names of God – Elohim

The Sovereign, Mighty Creator

Elohim is the very first title of God that you encounter in the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

The Hebrew word for the name God is actually El, or Elohim. Fascinating in its translation, this name is one of God’s more frequently occurring titles; it shows up more than 2,500 times in the Bible! It is important that we understand its meaning.

El is the root word of Elohim, and describes God’s greatness and glory; it displays God’s power and sovereignty. Although this word is composed of only two letters, it offers a glimpse into the depth of the Hebrew language, which is a language of pictures.

Consider the name Elohim, which extends the scope of El’s root meaning. Elohim brings forth a new dimension to the God of power: He becomes the God who creates! Thus far, two facets of God make up the word Elohim: (1) total power, might, and complete sovereignty; and (2) complete creativity.

Notice that in the Bible’s very first verse, God was shown as the Creator! In using the name Elohim, Genesis 1:1 makes the statement that tremendous, unimaginable power is involved in the force of God’s creativity. Elohim, in His mighty power and creativity, caused our vast universe to exist.

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:3)

God’s name, Elohim, is amazing in itself, but it bears another striking characteristic that makes it even more distinctive: the Hebrew ending for Elohim is plural! Why? Because it describes the divine trinity of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. No singular word could describe this element of God’s personality.

Several places throughout the Bible confirm this plurality. Genesis 1 says this about the creation of the first man, Adam:

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image… 27 So God created man in His own image in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)

God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit were all involved in the powerful creative process that occurred upon the earth. Genesis 1 shows that the Holy Spirit was present: “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light” (Genesis 1:2-3). Why was the Holy Spirit moving upon the face of the waters? Because He was preparing to create! Jesus was actively involved in the creation process, too:

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16)

Active, present, and full of creative power: Elohim! Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This increase the impact of Jesus’ shocking statement to the religious men of His day: “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). What an exciting infinite personality!

I like this analogy: God is the Architect, Jesus is the Builder, and the Holy Spirit is He who breathes the life of God into the structure. Elohim: those who are mighty and powerful; those who are creative and sovereign.

There is yet another facet of Elohim, making Him an active part of His creation.  It is Elohim who makes covenants with those whom He created! Later, you will study the name Jehovah, the name in which God reveals His ways. Elohim is the name in which God reveals His power. It is this very power and creativity that allows God Himself to enter into a covenant relationship with you and me. The apostle Paul had a revelation of Elohim:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

Paul said, “God’s covenant of salvation with you and me is His power!” Don’t ever speak lightly of the gospel, God’s covenant with us, because that is His power that gave us eternal life, His power that saved us now and forever! Our covenant-making God, Elohim, sustain all that He created through His own might. Throughout Genesis, whenever God created, He spoke first and then manifested His power.

Naturally, Elohim loved His creation, and He desired to preserve it. Although God was protective toward the people of His creation, they only seemed to get better and better at being worse and worse! As the people sinned, they separated themselves further from their Creator. God is merciful, but He is also holy and righteous. Sin was (and still is) offensive to Him, and something had to be done before the people destroyed themselves. Elohim observed that this growing sinfulness was spreading like cancer through each successive generation.

To read more about the powerful names of God, get Marilyn’s best selling book here.

2024-06-11T07:22:07-06:00June 10th, 2024|

The Power of a Joyful Attitude

May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.  (Psalm 119:74 NIV)

When a man of God receives grace for himself, he becomes a blessing to others.  Hopeful people bring gladness wherever they go.

What do you bring to your friends and family?  Do you remind them of all the bad things that have happened or might happen?  Do you give them a catalog of your aches and pains?  If your conversations are full of complaints, worries, and problems, then you are not testifying for God.

Your attitude alone can be a testimony to the gifts of God.  You have been forgiven!  You are assured of eternal life!  Considering the magnitude of these gifts, what do you have to complain about?

Reflect your joy and gratitude in every situation — you will be a blessing to your friends and family and, most of all, to God.

2024-06-11T07:21:38-06:00June 3rd, 2024|

One Who Serves

For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. Luke 22:27

Jesus came to serve people who are sick. Jesus came to serve people who are wounded and hurting. Jesus came to serve the brokenhearted.

That’s who Jesus is. He loves us. He wants to serve us, and actually, Jesus serves us all of our days and throughout all eternity. You say, “Well is He serving me now?” Oh, yes, He is! He lives to make intercession for you. So right now, Jesus is serving you. He knows what your needs are. He makes intercession according to the will of God. He never quits serving you, and His life is an example of how we are to live.

Think about the miracles that Jesus performed. Now, who really participated in those miracles? The servants! They got to be a part of the miracle. When Jesus turned the water into wine (see John 2), it was the servants who filled the water pots then poured wine into all the guests’ glasses. We see the same thing when Lazarus is raised from the dead (see John 11). It was the servants who rolled away the stone in front of the tomb and who removed the grave clothing from Lazarus. The ones who serve get to be part of the miracle!

Dear Heavenly Father, through the life of Your Son, I see that You always want us to serve. I declare that I will start everything with “How can I serve?” not “How can I be served?”

2024-05-15T14:12:28-06:00May 26th, 2024|
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