Corinthians-Philippians

Corinthians is Paul writing to the church in Corinth to repent from their many sins and advising how to navigate the particularly pagan culture they lived in. Galatians is Paul writing to the church in Galatia, rebuking them for drifting into false teaching and reminding them grace removes the need for legalism. Ephesians is Paul writing to the church in Ephesus about the need for Christian unity and how to achieve it.
1Co 1:1 KJV Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
If it was up to the Church, Paul would have never been an Apostle. I know that I would have never picked Paul. God knows the heart of man. As long as men pick leaders, there are going to be mistakes made. I guess that is why we need to keep praying for all leaders.
Dear Jesus! We can only go by our feelings most of the time. They might start out good but get tempted and go astray. We also can be narrow minded and think that it has to be done a certain way. Help us and our leaders to keep our eyes on You and follow You. Give them visions and revelation to bring forth the Good News. May all we seek and do bring glory to Your name. We pray for more like Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit to declare Your Word in power and love. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 1:2 EasyEnglish I am sending this letter to you Christians (the church) in the city called Corinth. God chose you for himself. He wanted you to be his special people, who belong to him. He has made you good and clean inside because he has made you join to Christ Jesus. Also, he has made you join to everyone everywhere who worships our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is their Lord, as he is our Lord.
The EasyEnglish version expressed how God sees us ” In Christ “. We keep on looking at our flesh but God looks on the inner man. The New Creation man made in the image and likeness of Christ. When we declare who we are in Christ, we are walking in the Spirit. This takes faith. When we declare who we are in the flesh, we are walking after the flesh. This doesn’t require any faith.
The next thing that we have to establish is the Word ” Lord “. The word Lord can have a very positive effect or a negative one. God came to save everyone. He wants everyone to receive Him as Lord and Savior. This is very positive because as Lord and Savior, He has been granted permission to use His power and authority to bless and protect us. Psalms 23 and Psalms 103 are just two good examples of Jesus doing that. Now when it comes to evil spirit, He comes against them with all His power and authority to destroy their evil ways.
Dear Jesus! As Lord and Savior, we are in Your mighty, all-powerful, protecting, loving hands. Psalms 91:1-2 WEB He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” In You, we are protected and cared for. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 1:3-4 WEB3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;
Jesus is the foundation of the Christian Faith. It’s all about Jesus and Faith in Him. Faith in Jesus is more than believing in His name, He is Savior and the Son of God. Until we fully believe that Jesus saves 100%, we will keep trying to obey the Law and save ourselves. This is where Grace comes in. We receive Grace by Faith in believing what Jesus has done for us. We are righteous not because we act righteously but by Faith and Grace from Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:9 WEB and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Romans 5:1-2 WEB Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Too many churches have separated Faith and Grace. Each compliment one another in our journey of walking in the Spirit. We cannot receive the promises of God, except through Faith and Grace from Jesus Christ.
Dear Jesus! You came to bring us Peace. Your message was how much the Father loves us and how we can have peace with God through our faith in You. This is just one of the many blessings that we receive by Grace and Faith in You. Thank You for Your Shalom/ Peace. Now we pray for others that need that saving Grace and Peace. 2 Corinthians 13:14 WEB The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. Shalom/ Peace. www.Shalom2u.org
ARE WE RECEIVING GRACE & PEACE FROM GOD? The LAW DEMANDS, LOVE GIVES, GRACE SUPPLIES, FAITH RECEIVES.
1Co 1:4-8 WEB 4 I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus; 5 that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge; 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ; 8 who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GRACE comes from faith in Jesus Christ. When we are Born Again, we are one with Jesus. Jesus is full of Grace and many other things. It’s in us but we can’t see it in the Flesh. We have to see it in God’s Word first. As we meditate on the Word, it will go into our souls. From our souls ( hearts) it will come out of our mouths. We can’t keep saying things like ” I’m stupid “, when God Word says that we are in Christ enrich with knowledge. It is very hard to believe because the flesh will say the opposite of what God Word says who we are.
GRACE COMES FROM FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. WHO WE ARE IN HIM.
Dear Jesus! You came so that we would have life more abundantly. When we receive You, we receive all that You are. We receive Your Grace to live as overcomers. To be able to defeat all the power of darkness. There is only Light in You. There is only the fullness of life in You. We declare Your Grace to the world. Grace and Peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Light Be, Shalom/ Peace to you
1Co 1:10 WEB Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Here we see Paul talking about division in the Church. This is the First century Church that he is talking about. This is one of the devil’s plans. He has been dividing the church for centuries. There are a lot of things that we don’t agree on; but we all should agree on the things about Christ. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is being brought down by some things that aren’t that important. Jesus and the Gospel, Good News has to be first. It’s the Gospel that saves. Romans 1:16 WEB For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
Dear Jesus! We thank You for the Gospel. We thank You for those that are preaching the Gospel. We thank You for raising up many in the Church to declare Your Name, Jesus: Jehovah Saves . Many will come to You, the light of the world and be saved. The world will see Your Light and give You glory. Light Be in Jesus name. Glory to the Lamb. www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 1:18-19 WEB18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.”
It seems that the smarter one is, the more difficult it is to believe God’s Word.
Pro 18:12 WEB Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
Everything that we are called to believe, seems foolish. In a way we are called to act foolishly because to the natural man it does make sense. It even seems like one has lost their mind. That’s the difference between ” walking in the Spirit ” and ” walking after the flesh “. Abraham and David are two good examples. Abraham called himself a father of many nations even before Issac was born. David faced a giant and declared that he was going to defeat him.
Dear Jesus! We know that Your words are true. In the natural, they are hard to believe and understand. The more we focus on You and know You and Your ways. The more we are able to see and believe. We believe the message of the Cross and how You gave Your life for us. We believe that salvation is only in You and You make us a New Creation. All praise, honor, and glory to You Lord Jesus: the Savior of the world. www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 1:28-31 WEB 28 God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don’t exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist, 29 that no flesh should boast before God. 30 Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: 31 that, as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”
When we were Born Again, we humble ourselves. We confessed that we couldn’t save ourselves but needed a Savior. This is how we should continue to live; declaring who we are in Jesus. Verse 30 tells us who we are in Him. He has made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.
Dear Jesus! You made us a New Creation in Your image and likeness. We boast about what You have done to us. We boast that You, Lord Jesus has made us wise, righteous, sanctified, redeemed and so much more. It was all Your doing , all Your Grace. The world needs Your Grace. We pray that Your Grace be upon all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 WEB The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 2:1-5 WEB 1 When I came to you, brothers, I didn’t come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith wouldn’t stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
We have many preaching the Gospel. They sound pretty good but is it the wisdom of God or the wisdom of men? Paul’s preaching was based on Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It is the heart of the Gospel. Even still, the power of the Holy Spirit is needed to be manifested. Jesus preached the Good News but still needed the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s keep calling on the Holy Spirit to manifest His presence and give life to the Church.
Dear Jesus! When you left, you said that you would send us the Holy Spirit to help us. For years we have been deceived; believing that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were gone. The only way we are going to defeat this darkness in the world, is by the power of the Holy Spirit. We call upon You, Holy Spirit to bring birth to our words as we declare: LIGHT Be! Shalom/ Peace on earth and goodwill to all in Jesus name Amen! Glory to the Lamb! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 2:7-10 WEB7 But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.” 10 But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
We must be open to hear wisdom from God. It’s not easy to get. One must search it out. Pro 2:4-6 WEB 4 if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures: 5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
So we must seek it. We do this by Meditating on the Word. We can’t read the Bible just like any other book. There is always something that is hard to understand and hard to believe.
Isa 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Dear Jesus! Your Word is hard to understand and believe but we keep our eyes on You. We keep seeing how great thou art : full of love, grace, and mercy. We see how much You sacrificed for us and so we believe. We pray that all would come and see. We command that the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, unclean be made clean, and the captives set free in Jesus name Amen! Glory to the Lamb! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 2:14 KJV But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
YOU CAN NOT RECEIVE BY YOUR SENSES : WHAT YOU SEE WITH YOUR EYES, HEAR WITH YOUR EARS, BELIEVE WITH YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING . YOU RECEIVE BY FAITH; BELIEVING GOD’S WORD, IT’S THE NEW MAN, THE BORN AGAIN MAN, THE SPIRIT MAN THAT RECEIVES.
Col 3:10 KJV And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Rom 8:4 KJV That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Holy Spirit please help us not to look on and reply on the natural man but the born again Spirit man. When we meditate on the word of God and focus on Jesus, bring revelation to us so that we will believe, declare and you will manifest it in our lives. In Jesus name Amen.
1Co 2:14-16 WEB14 Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one. 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind.
You can not receive by your natural senses: what you see with your eyes, hear we Your natural ears and believe with your natural understanding. We receive by Faith, believing God’s Word. It’s the New Man, the Born again Man, the Spirit man that sees with spiritual eyes.,hears with spiritual ears, and believes with their heart/ soul.
Col 3:10 KJV And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Rom 8:4 KJV That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Dear Jesus! When we received You as our Savior, You made us a New Creation. We became a New Spirit, one with You. As we meditate on Your Words, we now can see the things that are hidden of God. Colossians 1:26-27 WEB the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints, to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;
We thank You Lord Jesus for revealing these mysteries to us. Now we pray that others might see. We command that the blind see, the deaf hear, that the unbelieving hearts would receive in Jesus name Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 2:12-16 WEB12 But we received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. 14 Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolish to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one. 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind.
We have to be sensitive to the NEW MAN, the New Creation, the spiritual man. As long as we rely on the Old Man, the flesh we can not understand what God is trying to tell us. It won’t make any sense. Now as the New Man , the New spiritual Creation meditates on God’s Word, he will receive revelation and understanding.
Dear Jesus! When we receive You into our hearts, You made us a New Creation. Now as we abide in You, You give us wisdom and understanding. We are now able to see Your great love for all mankind and how much You want to save them. Your Amazing Grace did it for us and so we declare Grace, Grace, Amazing Grace to all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 WEB The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
FREELY GIVEN: SALVATION, GRACE, PEACE, JOY, WISDOM, RIGHTEOUSNESS, SANCTIFICATION ETC.
Col 3:10 KJV And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created
1Co 3:1-4 WEB1 Brothers, I couldn’t speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you weren’t yet ready. Indeed, you aren’t ready even now, 3 for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren’t you fleshly, and don’t you walk in the ways of men? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you fleshly?
We seem to have too many immature Christian. Jesus has to be the foundation of our faith. It’s only by focusing on Jesus. His sacrifice for us and who we are in the spirit will help us grow in the Spirit. There are many differences in the faith but it’s about our faith in Jesus that’s really important. Are we receiving the Grace we need from Jesus to live the Christian life? Remember that we are saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus, not by works.
Dear Jesus! When we focus on You, we are receiving spiritual food – meat. Your Words gives us life more abundantly. They help us grow from babies to mature sons and daughters. We pray that You continue to open up our eyes, ears, and hearts to Your Gospel of Grace. Again we pray: 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 3:8-11 KJV 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
In the body of Christ, we all are called to build up the “Body “. Not everyone has the same function but all are called to build on the same foundation. Jesus is the cornerstone. Everything must have its roots in Him. Jesus came to fulfill the Law so that we would be under His Grace and not the Law. Some are building on the Law instead of Grace. Phi 3:9 KJV And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Dear Jesus! You want Your body to grow. You want Your Kingdom to grow. We will continue to lift you up and You will make it grow. John 12:32 WEB And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” We declare You Jesus, the Savior of the world. You are the Light of the world, the Prince of Peace and so we declare Light Be and Shalom/ Peace on earth in Jesus name Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 3:12-15 KJV Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Isn’t God great! He saves us by Grace not works. Yet when we work for His Kingdom, we are rewarded. The main thing is to build our works on the foundation of Jesus Christ. I think that Mother Theresa and Billy Graham are two great examples of working for the Kingdom of God. They both dedicated their lives to share the Grace and love of God and Jesus our Savior. They were rewarded here on earth but used it for the Kingdom of God. I am sure that God has a special place for them in heaven.
Dear Jesus! You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. We gladly give our lives to You. You gave Your life for us. Just being a child of God and a resident in Your Kingdom is more than enough. Yet, You always do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can imagine. Holy Spirit, empower us with Your gifts that we can bring many into the Kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:3 WEB Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 3:17-20 KJV 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
When we are born again, we have a new spirit in the image and likeness of God. Our flesh, our temple of God should be holy as our new spirit is. When we abide in Christ and receive His Grace, we are able to live Holy and Righteous. It’s all about staying in the Light and having nothing to do with the Kingdom of darkness. Receiving God’s Grace keeps us out of the kingdom of darkness. If we rely on our own self, trying to live Holy, we will fail.
Dear Jesus! I can’t count the number of times that I tried to live like You wanted me to live. Here You were waiting for me to give up and come to You for Your amazing Grace. It’s so much easier now. Grace, not works. Your ways are truly amazing. Grace and Shalom/ Peace to all in Jesus name Amen! Glory to the Lamb! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 4:1 WEB So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants, and stewards of God’s mysteries.
At the end, there are just a few Scriptures that talk about the mysteries in the Bible. The Bible is a treasure full of mysteries that have to be sought out. Proverbs 2:1-5 NKJV My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear( reverence)of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.
When we meditate on the Word of God, we are seeking the treasure that God wants to reveal to us. We will come to know, believe, and declare the promises of God.
Dear Jesus! In You is the fullness of life. In You, we are more than conquerors. As we seek You with all our hearts, You reveal to us all Your love and Grace to us. You fill us with Your presence so that we can defeat the enemy of our souls. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Shalom/ Peace on earth and goodwill to all in Jesus name Amen! Glory to the Lamb! www.Shalom2u.org
Ephesians 3:3 NKJV how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
1 Corinthians 15:51 NKJV the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
Colossians 1:26 NKJV For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.I Corinthians 14:2 NKJV
1Co 4:12 WEB We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.
It’s not easy acting like a Christian. Jesus and the Apostles showed us that it can be done. Jesus was close to the Father and the Apostles were close to Jesus. You know that you are walking in the Spirit, when you can bless and not curse those that come against you.
Dear Jesus! When we receive the Love and Grace that You give us; we are more able to turn the other cheek. More able to bless and curse. We know that it’s only by Your Grace, that we are saved and act like You. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. Glory to the Lamb! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 4:20 WEB For God’s Kingdom is not in word, but in power.
Unfortunately, we don’t see much power in the Kingdom of God. There are too many Christians in the Kingdom of God sleeping. They are waiting for God to do something. God is waiting for us to act as King and Priests in His Kingdom. Everywhere that there is darkness, we need to declare “light be ” or something else to come against the darkness. Everytime we see a soul going astray, we need to declare a blessing on them.
Dear Jesus! This is Your Kingdom, here on earth. You defeated the devil and left us to establish Your Kingdom. As we declare Your Word and Your authority, we will pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will bring it to pass. Light Be and Shalom Shalom/ Peace on earth, good will to all in Jesus name! Glory to King Jesus Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 5:1-2 KJV 1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
Chapter 5 is full of condemning sin. Sin should be condemned wherever it is being taken place. There are churches today that are not condemning sin but allow it. Paul says that the sinner should be put out of the congregation until he stops sinning. Paul also says that the congregation should mourn and pray for the sinner. Today we seem to have the feeling that it’s all up to the sinner. Like he can stop anytime he wants. The fact is that he can’t without the Grace of God. This is where the church comes in. It’s important to call sin,sin but also lead the sinner to Jesus’s Amazing Grace. We also need to pray that he would have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to believe.
Dear Jesus! We are saved by Your Grace through faith. Thank you for giving us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to believe. Your Grace changes us from the inside out. It’s You working in us, helping us do the right thing. May Your Grace and Shalom/ Peace fill the earth and give You glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 6:9-11 KJV9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Paul lists a bunch of sins that if sinners keep committing, they will not enter the Kingdom of God. Today the world is constantly saying that some of these sins are okay. They are natural. Since those that commit these sins won’t enter the Kingdom of God, we can not go along like they aren’t sinning. Jesus had a way to make sinners repent without condemning them. This seems to be the challenge that we Christians are faced with. How do we let sinners know that they are sinning without condemning them. It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict them. John 16:8 NKJV And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: And so it seems that we have to work with the Holy Spirit. Our part is to pray for and love the sinner while the Holy Spirit gets them to repent. Tell them about Jesus, His Amazing Grace, love and forgiveness.
Dear Jesus! You lift us a hard task to do but what a joyful one when we see them come into Your Kingdom. As we continue to receive Your love and forgiveness, we will pass it on to others in need of it. Shalom Shalom/ Peace on earth to all mankind in Jesus name Amen! Glory to the Lamb! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 6:15-20 KJV 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Again the Apostle Paul is talking about why we should not sin. We always have that choice to go into the things of the world or stay in the Spirit where we are one with the Lord. Remembering how much Jesus sacrificed for us, will help us to continue to live in the Spirit.
Dear Jesus! You paid the price. It’s hard to imagine one suffering so much and denying all that You have, so that we could be one with You. Now You live in us and we live in You. We are more than conquerors. In You is the fullness of Grace to overcome the temptation of the world. In You we have love, peace, and joy. Thank You Jesus! Thank You Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. Glory to the Lamb! www.Shalom2u.org
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. I John 4:17 NKJV
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 NKJV
1Co 7:19 KJV Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
Under the Law, one had to be circumcised. We are not under the law but under Grace. There are two main commandments that under Grace, we can obey. The first commandment is to love God with our whole heart and soul. Most people may love God but still put other things above Him. I’m retired now so I have a lot of time to focus on God. More time to meditate on His Word. More time to worship Him. It wasn’t until then that I realized how much I was putting others things above God. God knows that you have a job and that you are raising a family but you should still be able to make time for God. I believe that He will bless your day and you will be able to accomplish more. Now when we put God first, we will be able to do the second commandment: love our neighbors as ourselves.
Dear Jesus! Your Word tells us that “love ” covers a multitude of sins. If it wasn’t for Your love, we wouldn’t be able to love You and others like we should. Like You, we don’t always like what others do but we will continually love them and intercede for them. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
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1Co 9:21 EasyEnglish With people who are without Moses’ rules, I became like someone without those rules too. (But this does not mean that I do not obey God’s rules. No, I let Christ rule me.) I became like the people without Moses’ rules because I really wanted them to know Christ.
I believe that it is easier to understand what Paul is talking about in the EasyEnglish translation. He says that he is not under the law like the Gentiles. But yet he obeys God’s rules. He says that He let Christ rule him. This is what happens when we give ourselves to Christ. Fellowship with Jesus and declare who you are “in Christ “.
Dear Jesus! You set us free from the Law but You give us life to obey the Law. It’s You living in us that enables us to live righteously. You brought us out of the darkness into Your marvelous Light. We pray for all those that are still in the darkness and come into Your Light. Light Be in Jesus name Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 9:27 KJV But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
It seems here that Paul is talking about physically bringing his body into submission to obeying the Law. There has been many that practice such things. I never practice such things. Where is Grace? Where is Faith? Where is the sacrifice of Jesus and His blood come in? I tried by my flesh for many years, to conform to the Law but never could. Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. I could only do it, the Gospel way. Rom 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. V17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. We are made righteous by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ. As I declare my righteousness in Christ, my body becomes subject to the Law and I thereby live righteously.
Dear Jesus! It’s all about what You did for us, Your sacrifice. Our flesh is weak and can’t save us. It only makes us self-righteous. Declaring our righteousness in You, gives You glory. That’s why we say: Glory be to the Father! Glory be to the Son! Glory be to the Holy Spirit! Glory to the Lamb! May Your saving Grace fall upon all. May Your Glory fall in Jesus name, we pray. www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 10:1-5 WEB1 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and all ate the same spiritual food; 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5 However with most of them, God not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Time and time again, God performed many miracles on their behalf. Yet they go forth complaining. God has done many miracles for us. A lot of them we aren’t even aware of. Those that we do see, we take for granted. Every morning and evening, we should give praise to God for His many blessings. It says: Hebrews 11:6 NKJV 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. We all have needs and trials. Do we go about complaining about them? Some Do. Do we go about begging God to do something? I know that I’m tempted to do that. What does faith do? It looks at the promises of God. It declares what Jesus has done for us by His sacrifice. It’s a battle because we don’t see the results at once. But we hang on until the words of faith are manifested. Now God is pleased.
Dear Jesus! You have fulfilled all that was required for us to once again be more than conquerors. We can come against anything that the enemy tries to put on us. We will keep our eyes on You and give You praise and thanksgiving for all that You have done. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. Glory to the Lamb! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 10:13-14 WEB 13 No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
We are continuing to be tempted in so many ways. I used to fail too many times. I just didn’t have the Grace to resist. How could I when I had so many idols in my life? I loved God and believed in Him but I put too many things in my life above Him. This is Idolatry! I had to repent. I had to flee from it. Gradually I would spend more time with God and less time doing my own thing. Eventually, God began first in my life. Now I have the Grace to resist temptation.
Dear Jesus! When we abide in You, You give us all good things. The things in life that really matter. Love, peace, joy in our hearts that come from You. These are spiritual gifts that fill our hearts so that the things of the world are not that meaningful to us. You are the treasure that our souls long for that fills us with all heavenly blessings. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Glory to the Lamb! Amen. www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 11:24-26 WEB24 When he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.”25 In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.”26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
We all need Grace to live like Jesus. For me, I found no better way than to remember Jesus as I partake of the Lord’s Supper. When I take the Bread, I declare all that I am ” in Him “. I declare that He is the Bread of Life, my Savior, Redeemer, righteousness, Healer, Deliverer. Jesus is my wisdom, sanctification, peace, joy, strength. Jesus is my Great High Priest that continues to make intercession for me. When I partake of the Blood of Christ, the wine ( grape juice), I declare that He has redeemed me from the curse of the Law. I am redeemed from the power of Satan. I am cleansed from all unrighteousness. It’s no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me. To me, this is partaking in a worthy manner.
Dear Jesus! You are all things in us. You in us is the Grace that we need to live like You. We pray that many more will receive Your saving Grace. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Glory to the Lamb Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 12:7-11 WEB7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; 10 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. 11 But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires
.Unfortunately we don’t see these gifts of the Holy Spirit being manifested in the Body of Christ today. I believe that we are at the threshold of a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit today. I already see it happening in some churches and ministries today. People are being saved, healed, and set free. This is God’s will. We must pray for our church, our community, our nation that the Holy Spirit would be manifested to the Glory of God. I expect it to happen before the end of the year.
Dear Jesus! Before You ascended into heaven, You promised that You would send us the Helper, the Holy Spirit. He has been helping us for many years but we need Him even more today. We need His manifestation stronger than ever before. We pray: send forth Your Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth. Give life to our words as we declare ” light be ” and Shalom/ Peace on earth in Jesus name Amen. Glory to the Lamb. www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 12:18-22 WEB18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now they are many members, but one body. 21 The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
This chapter is dealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Some gifts seem to be more powerful and important than others. Paul is telling us here that what seems to be the least important is necessary. Those powerful gifts of healing and faith, could not be possible if it wasn’t for the rest of the body praying for each other. So no matter where you are in the body of Christ, pray for one another.
Dear Jesus! We thank You that You are our Great High Priest, who ever lives making intercession for us. We will continually pray for one another, for that is You will. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 13:1-8 WEB1 If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, 5 doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; 6 doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.
We all know these verses and have heard them many times. The first thing that I would like to point out is: how can we love that much? The more we receive the Father’s love for us, the more we can walk in love. The second thing is that all though love is most important; it takes Faith to please God. 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.
Faith in God is how we receive all the Grace needed to live a life pleasing to God.
Dear Jesus! The more we seek You. The easier it is to love You and put our faith in You. Your love has no bounce and as we receive from You, we are able to walk in love for You and one another. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 14:1-4 WEB1 Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. 4 He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
Paul is saying that love is great but don’t just stop there. Desire spiritual gifts. We are in a spiritual battle. We need these spiritual gifts to help our faith and fight against the powers of darkness. He says to seek the gift of prophecy. He talked to the whole church, not just the leaders. It’s a gift from the Holy Spirit that is used to build up the body of Christ. Right now there have been prophets that foretold that Roe vs Wade would be overturned. Some are predicting a great Revival; the greatest Revival of all . This encourages me. It builds up my faith so that I can pray more and expect my prayers will come to pass. Prophecies can be good news or bad. It can forewarn us to be prepared.
Dear Jesus! You told us many things. We especially like when you talk about the Father’s love and how much He is willing to forgive us. You said that whatever we need, if asked in faith; God would supply. You told us not to fear, for You would never leave us or forsake us.
We pray that all would come to know our loving Father. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 14:18-19 WEB18 I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all. 19 However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.
Paul is saying here that he talks in unknown languages more than them all. This unknown language is unknown to Paul. It is an actual language but not learne by Paul. It is a language inspired by the Holy Spirit. 1Co 12:10 WEB and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. Many Spirit filled Christian, ” pray in the Spirit “. This helps them grow in the Spirit. 1Co 14:4 KJV He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. Now the one that speaks in a know language, one that they understand, then the hearers are blessed. Both have a purpose and our needed.
Dear Jesus! You gave us the Holy Spirit to help us live the Christian life and help us spread the Good News to others. We ask for a greater filling of the Holy Spirit. Your Words declare that in the last days, You will pour the Holy Spirit on all flesh.
Joe 2:28 KJV And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: Let it be done according to thy word. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 15:1-3 KJV 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
I believed all of my life that Christ died for my sins. Most of my life, I tried not to sin. It seems to be some sort of mistake here. If Jesus died for my sins, why am I having such a hard time not to sin. It took me most of my life to understand faith and Grace. I was trying not to sin by my own efforts. Now I live by faith in what Jesus has done for me. I now believe, and declare my righteousness by faith in Jesus. Now I receive the Grace needed not to sin.
Dear Jesus! You came to give us life and to set us free. You told all Your disciples to spread the Good News. Believing who we are in You is the Good News that sets us free. We declare to all that Jesus saves. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 15:21-23 WEB 21 For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s, at his coming.
When Adam ate of the forbidden tree, all began subject to death. This doesn’t seem fair. Actually we all have a free will to eat from either Tree. Jesus died for us so that now we can eat from the Tree of Life. Receiving Jesus as our Savior is the beginning of eating from the Tree of Life.
Dear Jesus! Your sacrifice fulfilled the Law. The Father raised You up as the first fruit. Because we believe in You, we all shall be raised and have eternal life. We pray for all that are lost.
II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 15:56-57 WEB 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Gal 3:10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
Gal 5:4. You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.
As you can see there are various verses that tell us that we shouldn’t be under the Law but under Grace. Jesus gives us victory to defeat sin not through the Law but through His Grace.
Dear Jesus! You fulfilled the Law so that we would be under Grace through our faith in You. It’s Your Amazing Grace that empowers us to fulfill the Law. Not by works but by Grace. II Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. Glory to the Lamb! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 16:8-9 WEB8 But I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
It’s hard to understand why would Paul w have such opposition doing God’s will. Jesus reigns but mankind still has free will. Satan takes unbelievers free will and uses it for his kingdom and against the Kingdom of God. There’s the battle.
Dear Jesus! Even You had great opposition doing the Father’s will. You revealed the Father’s great love for us. You displayed the power of the Holy Spirit setting captives free, eye and ears open, lame walk and unclean cleaned. We thank You for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that we would go forth in faith and love renewing the face of the earth. Peace on earth and goodwill to all in Jesus name! To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
1Co 16:12 WEB Now concerning Apollos, the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
It seems that Paul and Apollos respected one another but didn’t always agree on certain things. It seems that Apollos was subject to the will of the Holy Spirit first, as so was Paul. The important thing was that they both were spreading the Gospel, the Good News. They were both putting Jesus above all things.
Dear Jesus! You are the one that we declare to all men. There is salvation in no other name. Act 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” It’s always You Lord that we must edify. Not our church, not our leaders, You are the Savior of the world. You are the Light of the world. We pray that Your Light will shine on all and that they would come into Your Light. Light Be in Jesus name Amen! Glory to the Lamb! www.Shalom2u.org
2Co 1:4-7 WEB 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. 7 Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that, since you are partakers of the sufferings, so you are also of the comfort.
The church was suffering persecution because of their faith. It seems that no one suffered more persecution than Paul. Paul never let it get him down. He always found comfort in Jesus. We must try to do the same.
Dear Jesus! The world hasn’t changed much. There are someone trying to defeat the Gospel from being preached. When faced with persecution, we look to You Lord Jesus. We find comfort and joy in what You have given us, eternal life in Your Kingdom with You. To all we declare: II Corinthians 1:2 NKJV Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Glory to the Lamb! www.Shalom2u.org
2Co 1:21 WEB Now he who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
We are” in CHRIST”. We are anointed. We hardly, if ever, are told that we are Anointed. This is one of the many promises of God. Christ means Anointed. Christians means Anointed One’s. This is hard to believe because we don’t feel it. I was baptized in the Holy Spirit at age 33. It took me more than 30 years before I came to believe that I was anointed. I had to stop relying on my feelings and declare by faith what the Word said. Nothing great happened at once but gradually as I declare my anointing things gradually began to happen. I began to be aware of my calling in the body of Christ. Through the years, I would teach but never was confident doing it. How could I when I wasn’t meditating on the Word. I would study it but meditating brings your Revelation to another level.
Dear Jesus! You gradually became aware of who you were by meditating on the Word. Then You knew who Your Father was before He declared it at Your baptism. You knew what Your calling in life was and what You were Anointed to do. Luke 4:18. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,
As we abide in You, we also will go about declaring the Good News. II Corinthians 13:14 NIV May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
2 Co 1:24 WEB We don’t control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.
I grew up in a very controlling religion. It was basically this is what you believe and that’s it. They had all the degrees, so that’s what I did. Whatever they said, I took as truth. At the age of 33, I started reading the Bible myself. I started seeing a lot of things that now I couldn’t agree with. I heard from other religions; some I disagreed with and some that I mostly agreed with. The main thing is that the church should be encouraged, exhort one to believe all about Jesus. How He saves us by Grace. The Apostle Peter explains it well: 2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
You see it’s all about Jesus. I encourage you to know all you can about Jesus and Grace and Peace will be multiplied to you.
Dear Jesus! You came to give and You came to serve. As we come to You, You serve us by giving us Your Grace and Peace. Now we can serve others. We declare to all:Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:2 NIV. www.Shalom2u.org
2 Co 3:9-11 NET For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation, how much more does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory! 10 For indeed, what had been glorious now has no glory because of the tremendously greater glory of what replaced it. 11 For if what was made ineffective came with glory, how much more has what remains come in glory!
Paul is comparing the OLD testament to the NEW Testament. The Old Testament had glory even though it could not make one righteous. Galatians 2:21 NIV I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
The New Testament, New Covenant, the Gospel of Grace has much more glory. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 NIV He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear Jesus! Thank You for redeeming us from the curse of the Law. Galatians 3:13 NIV Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”We could never keep all the commandments of the Law. You came and gave us a better Covenant, the Covenant of Grace. That’s why it’s called the Gospel, Good News. We pray that Your Good News will be heard throughout the world. 2 Peter 1:2 WEB
Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
2 Co 3:15-18 NET But until this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds, 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
There is a veil over everyone’s eyes until they receive the Lord. Even then it takes continual relationship with Jesus to receive more and more revelation to grow in the Lord. That’s why I continually declare that the blind see, deaf hear, lame walk,unclean be made clean and the captives set free. I pray for myself, as well as for others. As we continually abide in Christ, we will grow from glory to glory. We will grow into His image.
Dear Jesus! There is a saying that you are what you eat. Glory be to God, for Your Word. As we eat the ” Bread of Life “, we grow in Your image and likeness. You fill us with Your love, so that we can love others. You fill us with Your peace, so that we can declare Shalom/ Peace to all mankind. And so we pray in Jesus name: 2 Corinthians 13:14 WEB The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
2Co 3:18 NET And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
This sure is a mouth full! It seems like God is sharing His glory with believers. Now in the Old Testament we read : Isa 42:8 NET I am the LORD! That is my name! I will not share my glory with anyone else, or the praise due me with idols. Now just before this verse, God is making a prophecy about sending Jesus into the world to open the eyes of the blind , to set the captives free, and bring those in darkness into the light. Jesus as a human being was glorified. He was one with the Father. Now back to the original verse. It’s telling us that when we are one with Jesus, we will be glorified. We will be like a light to the world. God will be glorified in us. Let’s look at a few people who did receive honor by serving the Lord. Mother Theresa and Billy Graham are two that come to my mind. No matter what faith you belong to, a believer or not, most people give them great honor. This is our mission in life: to have such a close intimate relationship with Jesus that His glory with be shown in our life.
Dear Jesus ! All honor and glory belongs to you. We praise you for the honor that you would come and fill us with your presence. We hope to be a light in this world, setting captives free, opening the eyes of the blind and hearing to those that don’t hear. Come Holy Spirit, our helper. Fall upon us. Use us in this great revivals that is spreading across the land. We declare that we are anointed: 2Co 1:21 KJV Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; May it be done according to your word. To God be the glory Amen ! Www.Shalom2u.org
2 Co 4:5-6 WEB For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake, 6 seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
“Preach Christ “. Those that are preaching Christ seem to experience the things that Jesus said that they can do. My #1 preacher is from Singapore. All throughout his preaching/ teaching, he is preaching Jesus. He talks about all the things that Jesus has done for us. His great love and sacrifice for us. He tells us, how righteous we are by receiving His free gift of righteousness. Constantly telling the world all the things that He did for us so that we can become like Him and become a child of God. That’s preaching the Gospel.
When Jesus is our Lord, He owns us. We are His possession. As such, Jesus has the power over all demonic spirits. He has given us the power of His Name to cast out demons etc..
Slaves: actually servants. Jesus isn’t forcing us to do anything. We gladly give our lives to serve Him and others.
“For Jesus sake ” . Now that we are saved, it is for Jesus’ sake. It’s for His Kingdom, His honor and glory forevermore.
Dear Jesus! It is You that took us out of darkness and into Your marvelous Light. We gladly serve You and Your Kingdom. We gladly preach The Gospel so that others too would come into Your Light. We declare “Light be ” in Jesus name. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
2 Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Paul is talking to “Born Again ” Christian. What is this treasure? It’s Jesus living and working in us. In that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.John 14:20 DARBY
We should always be aware of Jesus abiding in us as we abide in Him. Without Christ, the Christian life is impossible to live; but with Christ nothing is impossible. Phi 4:13 WEB I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Dear Jesus! What an awesome honor it is to have you living in us and we living in You. Again Your ways are higher than our ways, Your thoughts higher than our thoughts. You working in us and through us, doing the things that we can +not do. Thank You Jesus! I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will continue to be very kind to you all. I pray that God’s love will be with you. And I pray that the Holy Spirit will help you to serve each other as friends. 2 Corinthians 13:14 EASY. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
2 Co 4:13 WEB But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak;
If you have been reading my devotionals for any length of time, you know how I often say: know, believe, and declare. This is what Paul is saying here and many other places in the Bible as well. Note: see the scriptures at the end. God had to speak when He created the world. Prophets speak God’s word and then when it is received into someone’s heart, it will eventually come to pass.
Dear Jesus! As the Son of man, You received the Word of God into Your heart. Then You went about declaring God’s love and Grace to the world. As we receive You and Your Word into our hearts, we will be able to declare the Gospel to the world.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2 DARBY. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
Rom 10:9-10 that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made, resulting in salvation.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the spoken word of God;
Mar 11:23* Truly I say to you, Whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and be put into the sea; and has no doubt in his heart, but has faith that what he says will come about, he will have his desire.
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 NIV
2 Corinthians 4:13 We believe! We declare! Then the Holy Spirit quickens.
Mat 12:34 KJV O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
2 Co 5:1-4 WEB For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2 For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed being clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened, not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
Oh Glorious Day! I hear a lot of people talking about how life is short. They are anxious to get in as much as they can. For the Christian, death is only the beginning of eternal life with Jesus. We groan. We can’t wait to get rid of this mortal body and put on our immortal bodies.
Dear Jesus! You have given us some exceedingly great promises. Eternal life with You, a home far greater than anything here on earth and a world that has no end in displaying Your Majesty. We pray that all would come to Your saving Grace. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NIVMay the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus name Amen. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
2Co 5:7 WEB for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Rom 8:1 KJV There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Gal 5:16 KJV This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Again there are scriptures that challenges us to walk in faith. Since we are human beings, this is hard to do. The flesh will always come against you acting in Faith. It will tell you that you are not being realistic. Faith is not being realistic. It is the very opposite and that why it is so hard to believe. If you don’t have enough money, it is hard to believe: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV. Everything in the natural will tell you that it’s not going to happen.
Dear Jesus! Scripture tells us: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV. There isn’t anything that You haven’t done for us. We need to believe. As we abide in You, help us to grow in faith and love. May we continue in the knowledge of You, and grow in wisdom, Faith, and Grace. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
2 Co 5:10 Easy English Because all of us must stand in front of Christ when he decides about us. He will decide about the things that we have done during our lives. So then, each person will receive from God as a result of the things that they have done. What each person has done while they lived in the body here may be either good or bad. And each person will receive from God what they ought to have as a result of those things.
We are saved by Grace through Faith not works. We are rewarded for the good things that we have done for Jesus. because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
Ephesians 6:8 NIV
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. Matthew 16:27 NIV
There are many more scriptures that tell us that we will be rewarded for our good deeds. When we meet the Lord Jesus, we want Him to say: well done thy good and faithful servant. Some will have great rewards and others not so much. There are two great saints that I can think of that will have great rewards in heaven : Billy Graham and Mother Theresa. They gave their all for the Kingdom of God.
Dear Jesus! You gave Your all to save us and give us eternal life. As we focus on Your love for us, we are able to live for You and have hope to be with You forever. We pray that the talents that You gave us will be used for Your honor and glory. Shalom/ Peace to all in the name of Jesus Christ Amen! To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
2Co 7:1 NHEB Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
WITHOUT JESUS WE CAN DO NOTHING; SO IT’S OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM THAT HELPS US TO CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM SIN
2Co 1:20 For however many are the promises of God, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen”, to the glory of God through us.
IT’S THE PROMISES OF GOD, THAT CLEANSES US FROM SIN. LIKE THE SONG SAYS: WHAT CAN MAKE ME WHITE AGAIN. NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS. KNOWING, BELIEVING, DECLARING THE PROMISES OF GOD WILL CLEANSE YOU AND MAKE YOU WHOLE. IT’S ALL GRACE BY FAITH IN JESUS, NOT WORKS AND NOT THE LAW. Eph 1:7 KJV In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
DEAR JESUS ! IT’S ALL YOU! IT’S YOUR LOVE, YOUR GRACE , YOUR SACRIFICE, YOUR PRECIOUS BLOOD THAT CLEANSES US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. ONLY BY WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR US, CAN WE ENTER OUR HOLY FATHER’S PRESENTS. Heb 10:19 NHEB Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, IN YOUR PRESENTS IS THERE THE FULLNESS OF LOVE, JOY AND PEACE. GLORY BE TO GOD, AMEN! SHALOM2U
2 Co 7:10 WEB For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
There are some in the church that call themselves Christian but don’t have Godly sorrow. They believe that they can still keep their sinful life style. God wants us to repent, to feel sorrow because we often Him. Now I know that there are many Christians that have true sorrow for their sins but can’t stop sinning. They try but don’t have the will power to stop. This is where God’s Amazing Grace comes in. When we repent and come to Jesus to save us. He gives us His Amazing Grace. We can only receive His Grace by Faith. By knowing, believing, and declaring who we are ” in Christ Jesus “, we will then receive His Grace and be able to overcome whatever sin entities.
Dear Jesus! You came to save us. Your name even says that You save: ” Jehovah is salvation”. You are faithful in doing what You came to do. We will continue to declare who we are in You and receive Your Amazing Grace. We will continue to declare that we are righteous in You. We pray in Jesus name: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 1:3 NIV www.Shalom2u.org
Rom 2:4 NHEB Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
2 Co 8:9 WEB For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.
Chapter 8 talks about Grace and giving. Giving in many ways because of what Jesus gave up for us. This verse brings out the Great Exchange: He began poor so that we may become rich. This takes about money. Jesus was never spiritually poor. Jesus left His immense riches and came down here to bless us. So Paul is telling us that we should share our blessings to others. We should give for the Gospel sake in our giving. There are many good charities but not all help the needy and spread the Gospel.
Dear Jesus! We thank You for giving Your all and leaving Your all. As we keep our eyes on You and receive Your Grace; we will be able to do the same. May Your will be done and Your Kingdom come. Grace and Shalom/ Peace to all. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
2 Co 9:6-9 WEB Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has scattered abroad. He has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”
There is a great need to help the needy and There is great cost in spreading the Gospel. God promises to bless us as we bless others. I like the saying: ” Blessed to be a blessing “.
Dear Jesus! It’s not always easy to give to others, especially those who we don’t really know. Yet, You left so much to come here and You gave Your all when you came. All praise, honor, and glory to You Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NIVwww.Shalom2u.org
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV
2 Co 9:15 WEB Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
Paul was encouraging the Corinthians to give to those in need. Telling them that God would bless them in their giving. Now Paul says thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.
God’s gift is indescribable . Another way of saying it. It is so great that we could go on and on describing it ( Him : JESUS) that we could never completely describe Him all.
Dear Jesus! There are many gifts that we have received in our lives. Some we hold very dear to us and others so easily forgotten. You, the Father’s gift to us is endless and His gift to us goes on and on because of You. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” I Corinthians 2:9 NKJV
Dear Jesus! Our love and praise to You can never be enough for all that You have have done. I know that one way to show our love for You is to love others. May we go about our day loving others in Your name. To God be the glory Amen!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
2 Co 10:3-5 WEB 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, 5 throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
For the most part, it seems that we act too much in the flesh instead of the Spirit. It takes a lot of effort to remember that we are now a New Creation and we are called to use the sword of the Spirit against evil spirits. We too often condemn the person in the flesh. We are really called to intercede and bless the person. It’s the evil spirit in the flesh that we fight using the Sword of the Spirit. If we don’t like our president, we need to pray for him that he would work for the Kingdom of God. Even in our own flesh, there may be evil spirits causing us to act wrongfully. Plea the blood of Jesus over yourself and your household. Declare who you are in Christ and command that spirit to go. I had to declare that I am righteous in Christ Jesus before some evil spirits would leave. Then I was set free.
Dear Jesus! You came to save us and to set us free. I tried for many years on my own but always failed. Then I learned how to receive Your Amazing Grace through Faith in You. Now it’s You living in me, sitting me free. We pray in Jesus name that the blind see, deaf hear, lame walk, unclean clean, and the captives set free. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
Ephesians. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Rom 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Gal 5:16 KJV This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
2 Co 12:7 WEB By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
We all hear of the thorn in the flesh. What was it? A messenger of Satan. To do what : To torment Paul. To keep him humble. Why? Because he received great revelation. Paul was quite an Anointed Apostle : Jesus appeared to Him. He was taken up to heaven and received great revelation that he couldn’t even talk about. Many were healed, saved, and delivered during his ministry. All these things would make anyone proud. So a messenger of Satan would do all that it could to keep Paul from preaching the Gospel. Paul was beaten several times, stone, put into prison. All these things would humble any man. It all might have slowed him down, but he never gave up. He never would quit.
Dear Jesus! Paul learned a lot from You. He knew how important the Gospel is. You knew that without You doing all the things that You had done for us, we would be eternally lost. You went to the Cross; the ultimate sacrifice for us. As we continue to receive Your love, may we also live to spread the Gospel to the end of the earth. 2 Peter 1:2 NKJV Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, in Jesus name we pray. To God be the glory Amen ! www.Shalom2u.org
2 Co 12:8-10 WEB Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
Like Paul, we must not boost in our strengths,but in our weakness. I’m a person who hates writing, can’t spell, hates anything to do with English. But here I am. I wrote about 10 book. All titled: SHALOM 2 U , with different sub titles. It wasn’t me. It was all the Lord ‘s doing. I never in my wildest dreams imagined writing a book. As God’s Word says: Philippians 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Dear Jesus! As Your word says: 1 Corinthians 1:27 NKJV But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; It seems like our own talents aren’t important but just be willing to do, what You call us to do. We humbly serve You and pray: thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name Amen! To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
2 Co 12:12 WEB Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
God has called : 1 Corinthians 12:28 NKJV And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
We hear about teachers and helpers but not much if any about Apostles, prophets, miracle workers, healers. They are still around today but not too much evident in the world today. I hear some calling themselves Apostles but I don’t particularly follow them. If I were, I would look for these signs: signs and wonders and mighty works. Personally I don’t believe that one has to give themselves a title for their actions and works will dictate who they are.
Dear Jesus! You humbled Yourself, calling Yourself: the Son of man. Only when pressed, did you acknowledge that You were the Son of God. Everything that You did displayed that You were of God. We thank You for the Apostles, Prophets, teachers, healers, miracle workers and helpers. Your work in this world is immense and so we pray that You would send many more workers into Your harvest filled with these gifts but especially filled with Your Grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. We pray: 2 Peter 1:2 NKJV Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, in Jesus name Amen! To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
Rom 15:19 NHEB in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;
2 CO 13:5-6 CHRIST IN YOU
2 Co 13:5-6 WEB 5 Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I hope that you will know that we aren’t disqualified.
Christ in you is what we are called to believe. This is our Born Again foundation for us to believe : Jesus in us and we are in Him. Paul said it so well: Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Paul says examine your self: are you in faith? Believing that Jesus is in us and we in Him helps us live righteously and not sin. It seems that some Corinthians were turning back to a sinful life and they were turning back to the Law instead of Grace.
Dear Jesus! You living in us and we living in You is the ultimate of living. You always providing what we need. Your Grace makes us righteous and empowers us to defeat sin in our lives. We keep looking on You, our Savior and our righteousness. To God be the glory Amen! Now in Jesus name: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 1:2 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
Gal 1:1-2 WEB Paul, an apostle—not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:
Isn’t God so wonderful? We would never have chosen Paul to be a Apostle, but God knows the heart of man. Paul was persecuting the Church, yet God called him into the ministry. We may be doing things that we believe are right but it is not. We might be doing things completely against His will, but He knows our hearts and calls us to Himself.
Dear Jesus! We thank You for Your love and patience. You keep calling us to Yourself no matter how far we go astray. You seek us like a Good Shepherd. No matter how far away we go, You keep seeking and calling us back. We shall act like You; no matter what they have done we will keep calling others to You.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. II Thessalonians 3:18 NKJV. In Jesus name Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
Gal 1:3-5 WEB Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father— 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Again Paul is declaring the Gospel, Good News. He starts out with Grace because the Gospel is the Gospel of Grace. Then he tells us why we can receive this Grace: who gave himself for our sins. He did this for all mankind: the good, the bad, and the really, really bad. Now he states that it is the will of the Father that all be saved. So we must ask ourselves, why aren’t all saved. The answer is because all don’t believe in all that Jesus has done for us. Some have no faith at all. Some have just a little faith. Little Faith Christian believe in Jesus but also believe that they are under the Law and so they keep trying to keep the law but fail. This is why Paul proceeds in the next couple of verses to call them foolish Galatians.
Dear Jesus! In Spite of all that You did and Inspite of how many times that we hear about being saved by Grace; we continue to try to save ourselves. Thank You for inspiring Paul to write this powerful Episode. As we go through it, we pray that we will have faith to know, believe, and declare: who we are in You. We declare that it is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me. In Jesus name Amen! Www.Shalom2u.org
Gal 2:11-13 WEB11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
Now Paul is confronting Peter. Peter, who a lot believe, was the head of the church. Peter was putting himself in bondage by trying to keep the Law. The rest of the Jews followed him. They followed Peter even though he was wrong. Yes, Peter who followed Jesus and would later die for Jesus. He was sincerely wrong. We have leaders today with PhDs who are very sincere but sincerely wrong and many follow him. We need to pray for all leaders.
Dear Jesus! You are the Way, the Truth, and the Light. You Good News is unbelievable with our natural minds. As we meditate on Your Words, open up our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to believe. In the name of Jesus: we command that the blind see, deaf hear, lame walk, unclean be made clean, and the captives set free. To God be the glory! www.Shalom2u.org
This is more of the same:
Gal 2:16 WEB yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.
Gal 1:6-8 WEB I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”, 7 but there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. 8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.
Paul is really getting on their case. It’s like he is saying, how stupid can you be? Going from the saving Grace of Christ to another Gospel. Most of my life, I would hear all about the Law. How I should live but very little about believing in the saving Grace of Christ. I see today that as eyes are being open, ears are being able to hear,and hearts are believing. This is all happening ” in the Spirit “. Everything has to happen in the Spirit first. We are righteous in the Spirit by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ. As we declare our righteousness in the Spirit, our souls are renewed and it will then enable the flesh with the help of the Holy Spirit to live righteously. This is why it’s so important to preach the Gospel of Grace.Dear Jesus! There is nothing like an unbeliever who has received the Gospel of Grace. You did an awesome work in Paul. You turned him around from doing everything he could to destroy the Good News. After You touched him, he gave his all for the Gospel. Thank You for touching us with Your Gospel of Grace. We declare to all: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Philippians 4:23 NKJV in Jesus name Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
Gal 1:12 WEB For I didn’t receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 1 speaks about meditating on the Word. I wrote a book titled: meditation, revelation, transformation. It seems that Paul was alone in the desert, meditating on the Word with Jesus. What a great way to get Revelation. This is what we all need to do,bring Jesus when we read God’s Word. Like Paul we will receive revelation and be transformed into His image day by day.
Dear Jesus! When we spend time with You, You open up our eyes to see You and all the wonderful things that You did for us. You open up our hearts to believe, so that we can become a child of God. In Jesus name we pray! 1 Corinthians 1:3 NKJV Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gal 1:22-24 WEB 22 I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, 23 but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.” 24 So they glorified God in me.
Unfortunately it’s not often enough that we hear how God changed someone. It is the job of the body of Christ, to spread the Good News so that they can be changed. God has given some to be evangelists but we all have a part in spreading the Gospel. It may be given physical or financial support. It may be praying for them. It may be praying for someone you know that needs to hear the Good News.Dear Jesus! You have the magic touch. We rejoice over every lost soul that You touch. We pray Lord for a Great Revival. We want the whole world rejoicing in Your Amazing Grace. We remember You Words: where sin abound, so much more does Grace abound. We pray in Jesus name: 1 Corinthians 16:23 NKJV The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. www.Shalom2u.org
Gal 2:3-5 WEB3 But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage, 5 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.
Paul first states that Titus was not compelled to get circumcised. In the Old Testament circumcision was a foreshadow of what God would do to our hearts when we receive Jesus. Paul talks about Liberty which is what we receive by believing in Jesus. He talks about false brethren. These are those that try to keep us in bondage and under the Law. False brethren have been going on since the beginning of the New Testament and still goes on today. We all have to read the Word ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us its meaning.
Dear Jesus! We thank You for taking us out of bondage and giving us Liberty. The Law only tells us how sinful we are. When we declare that we are now in You and You are in us, we have liberty. We are set free because Your righteousness makes us live righteously. It’s all Your Amazing Grace! We pray for all in Jesus name: 2. Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen
Rom 8:21 KJV Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
2Co 3:17 KJV Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Gal 5:1 KJV Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Gal 5:13 KJV For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Jas 2:12 KJV So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
2Pe 2:19 KJV While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
Gal 2:16 WEB yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.
Even in the Old Testament, one was not justified by the Law but by Grace. You might ask, where was this Grace? It was in the sacrifice of the Lamb. This sacrifice declared them righteous for a year. It covered their sins. In the New Testament, the sacrifice of Jesus cleansed us once forever. His sacrifice is complete and eternal. Our part is to believe and declare. Everytime that we declare that we are a sinner ; we are saying that Jesus sacrifice wasn’t eternal. When I sin, I confess that it was the old man, the flesh acting up. The real me, the New Creation, the Born Again me,is in Christ Jesus and cannot sin. The only reason that I was sinning so much after I became Born Again was that I keep acknowledging who I was in the Flesh. I didn’t acknowledge who I was in Christ Jesus.
Dear Jesus! You have made us a New Creation. A Born Again Man made in Your image and likeness. We will continually acknowledge that it’s You living in us to the Glory of God. Hebrews 13:20-21 NKJV Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. we pray in Jesus name: 2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(2 Corinthians, 1) . To God Be the Glory Amen!
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. GAL 2:2O
Gal 2:20 WEB I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
God sees and declare things differently. When Jesus died on the cross, God sees all believers death with Jesus. God doesn’t look at us in our sinful flesh but as a ” New Creation “, a New Spirit being made in the image and likeness of God. As we know, believe, and declare who we are in Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit will give life to our mortal bodies, the flesh. We will live more like Christ in the flesh.
Dear Jesus! You said that You came to give us life and life more abundantly. You gave us eternal life by making us a New Creation. You gave life to our flesh by destroying our sinful nature and transforming it into Your righteousness.
All by Your saving Grace, we are alive in You. To God be the glory Amen! Shalom 2 U
Gal 2:21 KJV I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
How do we frustrate the grace of God? When we fail to believe and declare what Jesus did for us by His sacrifice on the cross. Many believe that He died on the cross but they fail to see how it effects them. For His sacrifice to effect someone, they must know in order to believe. This knowing must get into the heart so that it will come out of the mouth and speak in faith believing. Jesus died for all mankind; yet it is only to those that believe and confess their righteousness is from Jesus that receive His righteousness and are saved. This is what it says in Phi 3:9 KJV And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: It always goes back to ” Christian faith ” , faith in what Jesus has done for us. We believe, we declare and then the Holy Spirit quickens us to become more like Jesus.
Dear Jesus. I praise you everyday and declare that it is no longer i live but you living through me. You are my Savior. Amen
Gal 3:6-8 WEB Even so, Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” 7 Know therefore that those who are of faith are children of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.”
The first thing that we have to resolve in our hearts is that righteousness is a result of faith in Jesus. He is our righteousness. Now the book of James talks about Abraham work of offering his son, Isaac made Abraham righteous. This is not what God Word says here and other places in the New Testament. It’s only faith in Jesus. It’s Jesus sacrifice and the results that we receive by Faith that makes us righteous and all the other blessings that we can receive by Faith.
Dear Jesus! Your sacrifice has enabled every human being to be extremely blessed. You give us righteousness, healing, wisdom, peace, wealth and much more, when we have Faith in You. That’s all God wanted from Abraham to believe and when he did, he was extremely blessed. Thank You for the grace to believe. We pray in Jesus name that all would look to You and receive Your Amazing Grace. Philippians 1:2 NKJV Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
Gal 3:9-11 WEB 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.”
Paul is telling the foolish Galatians that if you want to be bless; you have to have faith like Abraham. If you want to be cursed, put yourself under the Law. Believing that you are righteous in Christ, will help you uphold the Law.
Dear Jesus! You give us all good things. Without Your righteousness, we would never be able to approach the Throne of Grace. Now we can come boldly unto the Throne of Grace and receive help in times of trouble. We thank You for all Your blessings. We pray in Jesus name: Philippians 4:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. www.Shalom2u.org
GAL 3:13-14 CURSE OR BLESSINGS
Gal 3:13-14 WEB13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,” 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Again we see one of the Divine Exchanges; Jesus began a curse so that we would be free from the curse of the Law. He gave up the blessing of the Father, so that we might receive the blessings of Abraham. It says ” Might “. Only when we walk in faith like Abraham, can we receive the blessings. Know, believe, and declare the promises of God. These are the blessings we receive because we are ” in Christ Jesus “.
Dear Jesus! You give us many blessings. Your righteousness is the most precious of them all. Because You made us righteous, we are now in Your image and likeness and a child of God. Another one that I treasure is that You came to give us life and life more abundantly. These blessings entail so many things in so many areas of our lives. Because of You, we can go to sleep in peace thinking of Your great love and care for us. We pray in Jesus name: 2 Peter 1:2 NKJV Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, www.SHALOM2u.org
Psa 91:10 KJV There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Gal 3:22-29 WEB But the Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ( Before Faith, before Jesus’ sacrifice, we were under the Law ) 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.
Now since Jesus’ sacrifice, we are called to live by faith. The Law reveals that we are sinners and that we need a Savior. The Law doesn’t save us, only condemns. Jesus saves! When we receive Jesus as our Savior by Faith. We are now a child of God, a New Creation in Christ Jesus. This is a spirit being that is perfect like Christ is perfect. Now we need to continue to live by faith so that our souls can be renewed and compel our flesh to act like a child of God.
Dear Jesus! What a honor to be called a child of God. You did it all by Your sacrifice. The Law showed us that we were sinners. Your Amazing Grace showed us that our sins could be wiped away and we live in You and You in us. Yes, we believe in You and Your Amazing Grace. Now we declare a blessing on all in Jesus name: 2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
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2 Co 1:20 KJV For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
GAL 4:1-5 GROW UP
Gal 4:1-5 WEB1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. 3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Paul talks about that we were in bondage but when Jesus came we could now become children of God. Does God want us to always be children? Yes and no. I always consider my children as my children; but thank God that they didn’t remain as children, but grew up. God wants us to grow up in the Faith. He wants us to act like heirs.
An heir will take control of what belongs to him. If he remains as a child, he will remain ( v1 ) a bond servant. Knowing, believing, and declaring who we are in Christ Jesus helps us grow and mature. It’s how we rule and reign in the Kingdom of God. We are failing to reign and so we have allowed Satan to reign.
Dear Jesus! We pray that Your Kingdom come. Your will be done. You came to save us and destroy the Kingdom of darkness. Holy Spirit, help us grow in the Word and who we are in Christ Jesus. Help us use the name of Jesus, the name above all names. Help us put on the whole armor of God; and use the sword of the Spirit against the kingdom of darkness. We declare: 2 Corinthians 1:2 NKJV Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. www.Shalom2u.org
GAL 4:8-9 DON’T TURN BACK
Gal 4:8-9 WEB 8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?
Paul is still displaying his dismay at their turning back to the bondage that Jesus had set them free from. It’s a fact of nature that if we stop hearing the Gospel of Grace; we will return to the bondage of the Law. Again as I have said in the past; after I became Born Again I turned back to the Law and into bondage. It took me 30 years before I heard about the Gospel of Grace and got set free.
Dear Jesus! We are so thankful for what You are doing throughout the world today. Grace, Grace, Amazing Grace is being preached and the captives are being set free. We are becoming strong in You and being able to fight against the darkness of this world. Your marvelous Light is shining and so we declare ” Light Be ” in Jesus name! 2 Corinthians 1:2 NKJV Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
GAL 4:22-24 BORN OF THE FLESH OR PROMISE
Gal 4:22-24 WEB For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman. 23 However, the son by the servant was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. 24 These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.
Paul is telling us about the two sons of Abraham. One born of the flesh and one born of the promise. We have to decide which are we? We actually in a way are both. First when we are first born; we are born of the flesh. When we ask Jesus to save us, we are born of the promise and become “Born Again “. God only recognized one son of Abraham. Genesis 22:2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” God only recognized Isaac, whom was born of the promise and not of the flesh. We have to make a choice that we are no longer born of the flesh but of the spirit. Know, believe, and declare that you are a New Creation in Christ Jesus.
Dear Jesus! You kept Your promise that You would save us, when we asked You to come into our hearts. You set us free and made us a New Creation. We shall not turn back but continue to grow in Your Amazing Grace. We declare to all in Jesus name: 2 Peter 1:2 NKJV Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
Gal 4:28 WEB Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
GAL 5:1,4 STAND FIRM IN THE GOSPEL OF GRACE
Gal 5:1 WEB Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Gal 5:4 WEB You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.
Paul doesn’t give up. This is only the fifth chapter and it seems that he told the Galatians a dozen times to stay in liberty, in Christ, in grace. He now goes so far to say that we alienate Christ when we try to be justified by the Law. When Jesus so much sacrificed all so that we could be saved by Grace through Faith in Christ.
Dear Jesus! We thank You for Your sacrifice and those that continues to preach the Gospel of Grace. The evil one always tries to make us doubt God’s love and Grace. We shall continue to declare: 2 Peter 1:2 NKJV Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
GAL 5:16-18 WALK IN THE SPIRIT
Gal 5:16-18 WEB16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
It’s so easy to just bypass these verses, but this is how we are supposed to live. Most of my life, I was doing it backwards. I was trying by my own efforts to resist the temptation in life. I would have some periods of success but eventually I would fail. It wasn’t until I started walking by the Spirit, that I was able to conquer the lust of the flesh. The more I identified who I was in the Spirit, in Christ Jesus ; the more I was able to conquer the flesh. I would continually declare that I was righteous no matter how much my flesh acted otherwise. Righteousness is received by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ. Eventually my soul would be renewed and as I declared that I was righteous; the Holy Spirit would give life to my flesh to live righteously.
Dear Jesus! What Amazing Grace you give us by just believing in what You have done for us. You came to save and not condemn. What love! What mercy! Your ways are higher than our ways. We declare now that the blind see, deaf hear, lame walk, unclean be made clean and the captives set free in Jesus name Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
Joh 6:63 KJV It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Rom 8:6 KJV For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:13 KJV For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 6:14 KJV For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
2Co 5:7 KJV (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
2Co 4:18 KJV While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Gal 5:19-21 WEB19 Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.
These are sins of the flesh. These are the result of not walking in the Spirit; but walking in the flesh. Condemning someone for these sins are not the answer. We have to remember what Jesus said: For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17 NKJV
Jesus came to save, not condemn. It’s not to say that we shouldn’t call sin, sin. There are some churches that are not calling sin,sin and this is wrong. Some churches are even allowing homosexuals to lead and teach. This is wrong and one should flee from the church. So how should we treat a sinner. We must treat them with respect but never say what they are doing is right. We must pray for them that they would repent and come to Jesus. Tell them that we too where slaves to sin but Jesus set us free.
Dear Jesus! We were lost sheep but You keep calling us. You gave us Your Amazing Grace, so that we could hear You and come to You. Now You live in us and we live in You. We pray this for our love ones and others that are still lost : The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus name Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
Gal 5:22-25 EasyEnglish22 But God’s Spirit in us causes us to love God and other people. He causes us to be happy and without trouble deep inside ourselves. He causes us to be patient, kind and good. He causes us to believe that God will continue to help us. 23 He causes us not to think that we are better than other people. He causes us to rule ourselves properly. And there are no rules against these things that God’s Spirit causes us to do. 24 Those people who belong to Christ Jesus have killed their own human power on his cross. They have killed it, so that it does not make them feel things any more. Nor does it make them want to do things any more. 25 We live by God’s Spirit. So, we must obey God’s Spirit and we must let him lead us.
Notice that Paul is telling us that it’s God’s Spirit that causes us to: love, be happy ,troubled free, be humble, patient , to believe, control our bodies, have killed our human power on the cross. He is saying that we are not doing these things by our own human effort but by the Spirit. Our part is to believe which involves knowing, believing, and declaring so that the Holy Spirit will give life to God’s Word that we declare.
Dear Jesus! Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit, our helper. He is the One that quickens our flesh to act righteously. ( It is the Spirit that gives you life. People cannot do that. The words that I have spoken to you come from the Spirit. They give you life. John 6:63 EASY ) The more that we declare what You have done for us; the more we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live that way. Thank you for giving us abundant life! We pray for others that need Your abundant life: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2 NIV. in Jesus name Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
Gal 6:5-9 WEB5 For each man will bear his own burden. 6 But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. 7 Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.
We do need to to take responsibility for our actions. If we ignore God’s good and precious promises, we are behaving irresponsibly. It’s by these precious promises that we walk in the Spirit. Verse 1 did tell us to help one another to believe and grow in the Lord. Verse 6 tells us one of the ways that we grow is by hearing good teachers. Then it goes on telling us to support them and God will bless us.
Dear Jesus! You are the best teacher of them all. You gave us the Holy Spirit to help us. The Holy Spirit has given us: 1Co 12:28 WEB God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. We thank You for all that are in the ministry and we will continually support them for Your honor and glory. We now pray for all, especially the lost.
2 Co 13:14 WEB The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus name Amen. www.Shalom2u.org
Gal 6:14-15 WEB14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Paul is telling us that its not about us keeping the Law but declaring all that Jesus did for us by His sacrifice on the cross. We are told that He bore our sins, sickness and diseases on the cross. We now can be “BORN AGAIN” by receiving Him into our hearts by faith. We now can claim that we are “Righteous ” by Grace through Faith in Jesus. It’s all about Grace and Faith in Jesus Christ.
Dear Jesus! Paul continually tells us to believe in You. Believe what you have done for us. Believe who we are when we ask you to come into our hearts and save us. It’s all about your Amazing Grace! We pray for that Grace for our love ones and all that our lost.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus name Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
Eph 1:1 WEB Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Paul was chosen and called by God to be a apostle. Man did not choose him. The apostles choose someone to take Judas place. We never really heard about him. When God calls someone to be a apostle, you see great things happen as they minister to others. Paul called the Ephesians saints. They weren’t perfect in their flesh but because they received Jesus as their Savior; they became born again saints.
Dear Jesus! We thank You for all that You have called into the ministry through the years, You have called many to proclaim Your Gospel of Grace. You have given many special anointing to The body of Christ. There is so much darkness that we need You to pour out Your Spirit over all the face of the earth. We need Your Grace. We pray for all: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus name Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
EPHESIANS 1:2 GRACE & PEACE
Eph 1:2 WEB Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace are two important gifts to receive in your Christian walk. You can only receive by faith in Jesus Christ.
The more we know about Jesus, the we believe, the more we declare, the more we will receive His Grace and Peace.
Dear Jesus! You are the source of our Grace and Peace. Receiving Your grace and peace gives us life. There are two searching for these things in there lives. We pray for them. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJVThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. To God be the glory Amen! Shalom 2 U
Eph 1:3 WEB Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Paul says that we have been blessed. When we receive Jesus into our hearts, we are blessed with all spiritual blessings. It’s not because of our works but because of faith, we receive the Grace of all spiritual blessings. We receive spiritual blessings first and then physical blessings. These blessings are in heavenly places that we receive by Faith in Christ Jesus. What are these heavenly blessings? Paul goes on through the rest of the chapter and explains what these blessings are. We are called to know, believe, and declare these blessings in our lives.
1.Blessed 2. Chosen 3. Predestined 4. Accepted 5. Redemption and forgiveness 6.Wisdom & understanding 7.Revelation 8. Established ” IN CHRIST ” 9. Inheritance. 10. Grace and favor 11. Sealed with the HOLY SPIRIT
Dear Jesus! We thank You for Your blessings which seem to have no end. You freely give to all that believe in You. We shall continue to declare that we have wisdom, favor , grace, understanding, revelation, forgiveness all by faith in You. We pray for our family, friends and the lost that they would receive the faith they need to believe in You: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus name Amen! * 2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV
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Deu 28:2 and all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you, if you shall listen to the voice of the LORD your God.
we are ” in CHRIST”
2Co 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
Deu 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
Pro 10:22 The LORD’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
To receive these spiritual blessings, we must walk in the Spirit. We must see and believe in the Spirit. We must declare these blessings and allow the Holy Spirit to quicken them, To bring them to life.
Eph 1:6 KJV To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
EVERYONE LIKES TO BE ACCEPTED. GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS. HE INVITES EVERYONE TO COME. IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW GOOD OR BAD YOU ARE. YOU JUST HAVE TO BE WILLING TO COME. GOD DOES HAVE SOME VERY HIGH STANDARDS BUT HE TAKES CARE OF THEM WHEN YOU COME. YOU CAN’T COME WITH YOUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS. YOU HAVE TO GET IT BY FAITH IN THE ONE WHO PAID THE PRICE FOR IT. Phi 3:9 KJV And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: JESUS PAID A VERY HIGH PRICE TO MAKE US ACCEPTED, TO MAKE US RIGHTEOUS ; SO TO RECEIVE YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE. BELIEVE WHAT ? YOU MAY ASK ! BELIEVE THAT YOU’RE A SINNER THAT NEEDS A SAVIOR AND JESUS IS THAT SAVIOR. WHEN YOU ASK JESUS TO SAVE YOU, HE COMES INTO YOUR HEART AND YOU ARE ” BORN AGAIN ” AND MADE RIGHTEOUS BY FAITH NOT WORKS. AS YOU CONTINUALLY ABIDE IN HIM, HE WILL SAVE YOU. IF THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG IN YOUR LIFE, ASK HIM TO SAVE YOU. DON’T CONFESS WHO YOU ARE IN THE NATURAL BUT CONFESS, WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. THIS IS CALLED ” WALKING IN THE SPIRIT ” . Rom 8:1 KJV There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. WHEN YOU SIN, CONFESS THAT ! THAT IS THE OLD MAN BUT NOW YOU ARE A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST JESUS. 2Co 5:17 KJV Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS, HIS GRACE RECEIVED BY FAITH.
DEAR JESUS ! I THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT SACRIFICE. YOUR ARE MY SAVIOR ! I AM NOT ONLY ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED BUT MADE RIGHTEOUS AND A CHILD OF GOD. GLORY BE TO GOD ! THANK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR PEACE. SHALOM2U
EPHESIANS 1:17-18 OUR EYES ENLIGHTENED
Eph 1:17-18 WEB17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
So Paul gets done telling us about God’s spiritual blessings for us. These spiritual blessings can not be received through our natural senses. Paul now prays that our spiritual senses will receive these blessings. He talks about the eyes of our hearts. That’s why I continually pray that we would have ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to believe.
Dear Jesus! We thank You for all Your heavenly blessings. You sacrificed Yourself for us and then You bless us, when we believe in You. We pray that all would come to know and believe in You. 2 Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, in Jesus name Amen ! www.Shalom2u.org
EPHESIANS 1:19-20 IN US WHO BELIEVE
Eph 1:19-20 EasyEnglish19 And you will know how very, very powerful God is to us. He is more powerful than anyone or anything else in us who believe him. God works in us by the same strong power 20 as he did in Christ. He worked powerfully to raise Christ, so that he became alive again after his death. God worked powerfully so that he caused Christ to sit at his right side in heaven.
” in us who believe ” : it’s all about faith in Jesus. We believe, we receive. We don’t believe, we don’t receive. God’s power towards us. The same power that He worked in Jesus as the son of man. When we believe, God empowers us to live like Jesus. Our natural man is transformed into a New Creation that has God’s divine power working in us, when we believe. Again we see this world as being very dark. It’s up to the body of Christ to use the power and authority given to us to make this world light. We are the light of the world. It’s really not that hard to do what Jesus wants us to do. There are many short prayers that we can say to bless others, the world, and ourselves : Psalms 103:1-5, Psalms 91, Numbers 6:24-26, 2 Corinthians 13:14. Almost all of the Episodes at the beginning and the end, have a short prayer. I don’t see that many saying them. Even declaring Shalom/ Peace and light be is better than nothing when we see darkness happening. We usually shake our heads and said that’s terrible or ask God to do something. He has given us the power and authority and we must use it.
Dear Jesus! When You were on earth as the Son of man, You knew, believed and declared God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. Suicide is the number one cause of death. Evidently, we are failing to pray for others as we should. Forgive us Lord Jesus. Help us Holy Spirit. Remind us to pray for others as we go about our daily lives. We now pray for all those who are in a very dark place in their lives: light be and Shalom/ Peace to you in Jesus name. We pray for all that are lost: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus name Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
2 Pe 1:3 KJV* According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
1 Co 1:30 KJV But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
EPHESIANS 1:21-23 KINGDOM OF GOD
Eph 1:21-23 EasyEnglish 21 There, Christ rules over every other ruler and over everything else that has any authority. Christ is much, much greater than any other power or any other master. He rules over every name that any person or spirit uses to have authority. Christ rules over them now, in this world. And he will rule over them in the world that will come. 22 God has put all things under Christ’s feet (authority). God has made Christ the leader, the head over all things to his people, the church, 23 which is Christ’s body. The church is full of Christ, who fills all things everywhere.
Jesus’ name is above all other names. His name can defeat any other name or authority. He is the Head of the body, the church. He has commanded us to declare the Kingdom of God. He has given us the body of Christ His name and authority to defeat the Kingdom of darkness. We too often fight against flesh and blood. We are in a Spiritual battle. We must come against the evil spirit that is behind that person.
Dear Jesus! You showed us by example, how the Kingdom of God works. Instead of condemning the person for their actions, You cast the demonic spirit out. Holy Spirit, we need Your help to discern what spirit is behind these evil actions. Meanwhile we pray for all. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus name Amen. SHALOM 2 U
EPHESIANS 2:1-6 MADE ALIVE
Eph 2:1-6 WEB 1 You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience. 3 We also all once lived among them in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Paul begins by telling us that we were dead but now made alive. So in our sins, we were dead. Does that mean that every time that we sin, we are dead again? No! We are made alive in Christ, once and raised with Christ in heavenly places. Sin will have an effect on our walk and relationship with Jesus. We don’t use our flesh to get back to a good relationship with God. We use our faith. The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
John 6:63 NIV. We declare who we are in Christ. We declare that we are cleansed by the blood. We declare that we are righteous by Grace through Faith in Christ Jesus and we will start to live righteously again.
Dear Jesus! Oh how marvelous are Your ways! God has made us alive in You. It’s all abiding in You through Faith. Believing that we are with You in heavenly places. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We pray for the lost that You will reveal Yourself to them and raise them up also.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus name Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
Rom 4:17 KJV (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
When we believe and declare what God says; then God quickens. He gives life to it. God makes it become real.
EPHESIANS 2:8-10 WORKS BY FAITH
Eph 2:8-10 WEB 8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, that no one would boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
Paul is telling us two important things to remember and declare. First that we are saved by Grace. There is no amount of works that we can do and then says that we are righteous. Righteousness is a gift by the Grace of Jesus Christ when we believe in Him. The next important thing to declare is that we are God’s workmanship. This means that God is working in us. Yes, we do works but it’s God working in us. How does God do this work? By our Faith. If we don’t declare His word, God can’t act. The Holy Spirit gives life to the Word when we speak it in Faith. When we declare that we are righteous by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit gives life to our Words. John 6:63 NKJV It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Another example is to declare that you are anointed. This is another promise of God. 2 Corinthians 1:21 NKJV Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, Think about it.
Dear Jesus! We in You and You in us is very hard to understand. You did promise that You would send us the Helper. We thank You Holy Spirit for giving life to God’s Word when we declare them. We now pray that You will give life to these Words as we pray for the lost. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus name Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
EPHESIANS 2:13-16 IN CHRIST JESUS
Eph 2:13-16 WEB But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility through it.
Since we could not keep the Law, Jesus came to fulfill the Law for us. His blood cleanses us so now we have peace with God ( Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). We are reconciled through the cross . Paul starts with saying, now in Christ Jesus. This is how we walk in the Spirit, knowing that we are in Christ Jesus. We don’t look at our flesh but in Christ Jesus. Now we can come boldly unto the Throne of Grace. We still have to put to death the deeds of the flesh. We do this by declaring who we are in Christ Jesus and giving Jesus all the praise and glory.
Dear Jesus! We are in awe of You being in us and we being in You. By Your sacrifice and by Your Blood, You brought us back into Your Kingdom and back to Our Father. By faith, You keep giving us the Grace to uphold the Law and live righteously. We pray for the lost, so that they too would be in You. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all,in Jesus name Amen. www.Shalom2u.org
EPHESIANS 3:1-5 MYSTERY OF CHRIST
Eph 3:1-5 KJV 1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
So Paul is talking here about the Grace of God and Revelation that he received about the mysteries of Christ . These are very important to know and understand. The Gospel is Good News and it’s all about Grace. He talks about the mysteries of Christ. One can have a very basic understanding of Christ but to really know Christ; it takes Revelation. Only by Meditation will one really receive Revelation. ( check out my book on Amazon: Shalom 2 U: Meditation, revelation, transformation)
Dear Jesus! There is so much to know about You. Since You are God, You are infinite in all Your ways. The more we seek You; the more You reveal Your Majesty to us. You even reveal who we are in You. Knowing who we are in You, helps us to reign as kings in Your Kingdom. We now come against the kingdom of darkness and unrest: In the name of Jesus, we declare Shalom/ Peace and light be. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
Eph 3:20 NHEB Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER! YOU ARE ” Excellent “. THE WORD EXCELLENT DOESN’T SEEM TO DO YOU JUSTICE. WE’LL HAVE TO USE SOME SYNONYMS: PEERLESS, MARVELOUS, PERFECT, EXCEPTIONAL, SUPREME, STERLING, EMINENT. YOU DO EVERYTHING TO THE INFINITE DEGREE. YOU ARE COMPLETE AND YET OVERFLOWING WITH YOUR LOVE, GRACE AND MERCY. NO ONE CAN COME CLOSE TO YOU IN ALL YOUR ATTRIBUTES. YOU GAVE US YOUR MOST BELOVED SON SO THAT WE CAN BECOME YOUR CHILDREN. UNFORTUNATELY, SATAN HAD BLINDED OUR EYES, DEAFEN OUR EARS AND HARDEN OUR HEARTS. BUT AS THE SONG GOES: ” WHEN LOVE BROKE THROUGH ” . GLORY BE TO GOD! YOUR “RECKLESS LOVE ” BROUGHT THE LOST SHEEP BACK INTO THE FOAL.
DEAR JESUS! YOU ARE OUR GOOD SHEPHERD. THANK YOU FOR TAKEN SUCH GOOD CARE OF US. WE SHALL NOT WANT! AS WE ABIDE IN YOU, THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING US , FEEDING US, AND GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW US ALL OUR DAYS. WE PRAY FOR OTHERS THAT ARE LOST AND NEED TO BE FOUND. BRING THEM BACK TO YOUR FOLD, WE PRAY. GLORY BE TO GOD AMEN!
SHALOM2U
EPHESIANS 4:1-6 ONE BODY – ONE SPIRIT
Eph 4:1-6 KJV 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Paul is telling us that we all have a calling. No matter what our calling is, we are all called to walk in unity and love. Physically there are many different churches and beliefs. This is natural in the flesh. We are called to live in Christ Jesus, in the Spirit. In the Spirit there is only one Lord, faith, baptism, one body one Father. We are called to put aside our own personal feelings and focus on Jesus.
Dear Jesus! You continually focus on the Father and His will and plan for the lost. The more we focus on You, the more we will walk in unity and love one another. We are in unity and love as we pray for our love ones and the lost. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus name Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV www.Shalom2u.org
EPHESIANS 4:7-8 AMAZING GRACE
Eph 4:7-8 KJV7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Paul is talking about Grace again. The Gospel is the Gospel of Grace and so he should be talking about it,time and time again. The church should be also. He says everyone is giving a measure of Grace. The Bible says, everyone is giving a measure of faith. It’s up to each individual what they do with it. ( check out the parable of the Sower.) Let’s examine Grace. First of all it comes from Jesus. It is freely given but not always received. One might say that Grace is God’s undeserved favor or blessing. One can not work for it. It is only receive by Faith in Jesus Christ. By Christ sacrifice on the cross, He is entitled to give to all, as He pleases. Everything here is spiritual except Jesus sacrifice. This is why we must ” walk in the Spirit ” and we won’t satisfy the flesh. For example; one can say that they are righteous when they receive the gift of righteousness by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ.
Dear Jesus! You are all that is good and holy. You are full of so many good things that we need. You wanted to give Adam and Eve but they failed to eat from the “Tree of Life “. You want to freely give us all good things through Your Grace. In You is love, life, righteousness, healing, deliverance, peace, joy, wisdom, understanding and favor to live a joyful life. Thank you for giving us all these things through Grace by Faith in You. We pray that as Your word goes forth, many will receive faith in You to believe. We declare that the blind see, deaf hear, lame walk, unclean be made clean, and the captives set free in Jesus name! To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
EPHESIANS 4:11-15 GIFTS TO THE CHURCH
Eph 4:11-15 WEB 11 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ,
We are all well knowledgeable about pastors and teachers in the body of Christ. God has given Apostles, prophets and evangelists has well for building up the body of Christ. Some believe that Apostles and prophets are longer in the body of Christ. This verse seems to say different. Apostles today are great men of God that are building churches and performing miracles throughout the world. Prophets are those that are proclaiming what God is about to do and what will happen. Evangelists go about proclaiming the word saving souls and bringing the lost back. That also perform miracles in the name of Jesus.. All help build up the body of Christ. Of course there are false Apostles, prophets, etc. There were false teachers in the beginning of the church and also today. One has to check are they preaching the Gospel, Good News or the law. Are they preaching Jesus, grace and faith?
Dear Jesus! You were all these things in one. You went about from town to town preaching the Gospel and healing the sick, prophesies, teaching about the Kingdom of God, and bringing the lost back into the Kingdom of God. Thank you for those that are given up everything to do Your will. May we all support them in our love, prays and financial support. ” LIGHT BE ” , Shalom/ Peace on earth in Jesus name Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
EPHESIANS 4:14-16 JESUS IS THE HEAD
Eph 4:14-16 WEB14 that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ, 16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.
Paul tells us that we should not be tossed back and forth with Doctrine. When I started reading the Bible myself, it seemed that I was being tossed back and forth. My Bible is telling me about Faith and Grace in Jesus but I’m hearing more about the Law. I’m hearing about things that are not even mentioned or barely mentioned as thou it was Doctrine. I had to leave and find a church that declare the Good News, the Gospel of Grace. Now I am maturing because I’m focused on Jesus and what His sacrifice did for me.
Dear Jesus! Thank You for all that You have done for us. We could never have obtained Your high standards of living on our own. You gave us Faith and Grace to become Righteous and a child of God. We aren’t self righteousness because we declare that You did it all. As we keep our eyes on You, You continually supply the Grace that we need to live righteously. We pray for this Grace on our love ones and the lost. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
EPHESIANS 4:17-24 PUT ON THE NEW MAN
Eph 4:17-24 WEB17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts. 19 They, having become callous, gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you didn’t learn Christ that way, 21 if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Paul is telling us here and more following how we should not walk or behave. It might seem that he is putting us under the Law. He ends by saying that, that was your old nature, the Old Man. You now have a new nature, a New Man but you can only put it on ” in the Spirit of your mind “. This is what faith is about!. Declaring who we are because of faith in Jesus Christ. We are righteous and as we put this robe of righteousness on,our flesh will be controlled and act righteously. See v24
Dear Jesus! In You, we are a New Creation; created in Your image and likeness. Your ways are higher than our ways and Your thoughts higher than our thoughts. To God be the glory Amen! As the Good Shepherd, Your concern is always for the lost. We now pray for our family, friends, and all the lost. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus name Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV
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EPHESIANS 4:26-32 DON’T GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
Eph 4:26-32 WEB26 “Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 and don’t give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
There are two main ways that we can grieve the Holy Spirit. By walking in the flesh and committing all these sins off the flesh. These actions are a result of not walking in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to give life to our flesh. ( It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63 NKJV ) It grieves the Holy Spirit when we don’t declare who we are ” in Christ Jesus “, so that He can give life to our flesh.
Dear Jesus! You came to give us life and so You gave us Your life given Words, You also gave us the Holy Spirit. He is ” our helper ” , so that we can walk in the Spirit and declare Your live given words. Holy Spirit give life to the Words that we declare: Greater is He that is in us, then he who is the world. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Now as we pray for our love ones and the lost: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
EPHESIANS 5:1-7 BE IMITATORS OF GOD
Eph 5:1-7 WEB 1 Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance. 3 But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints; 4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks. 5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7 Therefore don’t be partakers with them.
When we are imitators of God, we are walking in the Spirit. We are walking in love. Walking in the flesh is when we ignore the promises of God and don’t rely on the Holy Spirit. For many years, I would succumb to the flesh even when I was trying to live righteously. Trying to live righteously by one’s own strength only produces defeat and self righteousness.
Dear Jesus! You are the Way, the Truth and the Light. Only by coming to You for salvation could we be saved and become “children of God”. As children of God, we can become imitators of God. Your sacrificie made it all happen. Only by Your gift of the Holy Spirit, can we walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. I know, Holy Spirit, that there is a Revival going on and so we pray that You would fill them with Your presence. May our love ones and the lost have fellowship with You and Jesus. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus name Amen! 2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV www.Shalom2u.org
EPHESIANS 5:18-21 BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Eph 5:18-21 WEB 18 Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father; 21 subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
The main reason for backsliding is that we stop our fellowship with God. We stop walking in the Spirit. We stop praising God for who HE is and what He has done for us. Praise and worship helps us to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Dear Jesus! Thank You for the Holy Spirit, who helps us to pray as we ought. The Holy Spirit helps Lus stay in the Light because we are abiding in You. There is no darkness in You, only Light. We pray for our love ones and the lost: Shalom/Peace, Light Be, and The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus name Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV www.Shalom2u.org
EPHESIANS 5:30-33 ONE BODY
Eph 5:30-33 WEB30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. 31 “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. 33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Paul is again telling us about how we are ” in Christ Jesus “. We are members of His body, His flesh and bone. As a ” Born Again ” Christian it’s important to identify with Jesus and not our ” old man “. Faith is believing and declaring who we are in Christ. We can come boldly to the Throne of Grace not by who we are in the flesh; but who we are in the Spirit, in Christ Jesus. He then talks about the mystery of a husband and wife as being one and love and respect one another.
Dear Jesus! It amazes us how much You want us to be one with You. You are so far above us in all Your ways and yet You came to bring us up in You. It’s no wonder that in You we find love, peace and joy. We pray for all those that are looking for love, peace and joy in all the wrong places. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus name Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www. Shalom2u.org
1Jn 4:17 KJV Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1Co 6:15 KJV Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
EPHESIANS 6:10-17 ARMOR OF GOD
Eph 6:10-17 WEB10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, 16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Paul begins this chapter by telling us how Christians should live: children obey your parents, honor your mother and father, fathers don’t provoke your children, servants obey your masters, masters treat your servants well. These things can be very challenging but with the Grace of God, they become a lot easier to fulfill. There is a battle in everyone’s life. Most people don’t know or believe that it exists. When I look around the world, I see these battles everywhere. The kingdom of God against the kingdom of darkness. Right now it appears that the Kingdom of darkness is winning. Why is that? It’s because Christians aren’t fighting. They expect God to do all the fighting. If that was so, there would be no need for the following verses about putting on the whole armor of God. We may be putting on the armor but I don’t hear many Christians using the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. God gives us the Sword to use against the kingdom of darkness. Again there are many short phrases and prayers that we can use against the enemy. One is the one that we declare at the end of the devotional.
Dear Jesus! You used the whole armor of God as You went about declaring the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of darkness never got the best of You. Even when he thought that he had you at the cross, You made a fool of him. Your sacrifice opened the door for us to be ” BORN AGAIN ” and become a child of God. Thank You, Holy Spirit for giving us victory as we declare the Sword of the Spirit over the lost. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus name. Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV www.Shalom2u.org
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
We are in a spiritual battle but most people don’t recognize it and even most Christians.
Mat 11:12 KJV And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. We see political battles and it can get pretty ugly. The church is in a spiritual battle and we aren’t even fighting. We pray that God’s will be done, expecting God to do it. The truth of the matter is that God has already told us His will and Jesus has defeated the enemy. He has given us His name and His authority and power but we are not using it. We are in a spiritual battle. We are called to fight. That’s why we are supposed to have the whole armour of God on. We need to wear it all the time, never take it off. Then there is the ” sword of the spirit ” ” the Word of God ” . We can never defeat the enemy until we know, believe and declare God’s word. There are a few basic things that we can do. Using the name of Jesus in a commanding way is easy and very basic. Anytime that you see darkness; call out “light be” in Jesus name. What we usually do is complain about the darkness and then sometimes ask God to take care of it . When we are confronted with turmoil; we get upset and fearful. Instead Declare “Peace ( Shalom)” in the name of Jesus. We been trying the world way and it is not working. Let’s try it God’s way and see the enemy defeated.
Lord Jesus, you are the King of kings and Lord of Lord’s. As we abide in you, help us to see with our spiritual eyes and see and declare the victory that you have won. All honor, glory and power belongs to our King. Amen. Shalom2u
PHILIPPIANS 1:1-6 SPREAD THE GOSPEL
Phi 1:1-6 WEB1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants: 2 Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God whenever I remember you, 4 always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy, 5 for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
First Paul is calling the Philippians saints. He’s not talking about their physical bodies but who they are ” in Christ Jesus “. Next Paul is saying a prayer to them that God would give them grace and peace. ( let’s follow Paul’s example and pray for one another. ) The Philippians were givers and Paul was thankful for their support in spreading the Gospel and confident that God would bless them.
Dear Jesus! We know that the spreading of the Gospel is one of Your top priorities for us to do. We get very excited every time someone receives Your Good News. You told us that all heaven rejoices when a sinner repents. We now pray for those lost sheep for the grace to come to You. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus name. Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
PHILIPPIANS 1:9-11 GROW IN THE LORD
Phi 1:9-11 WEB 9 This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Paul is praying that we abound in knowledge and understanding. When we first become ” Born Again “, it doesn’t end there. It’s not about learning all the rules and regulations. We have to learn all about Jesus. We can not learn enough about Jesus. Learn and understand all that He did by His sacrifice. Learn and understand who you are once you have become ” Born Again “. This is how we grow in Jesus. This is how we can ” walk in the Spirit ” and not in the flesh.
Paul talks about the fruits of Righteousness. The book of Romans and other epistles tells us that righteousness is a gift. It is Grace received by faith in Jesus Christ. It’s important to note that righteousness is a spiritual fruit. Like physical fruit, it only lasts for a time. This is why it’s important to stay close to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The main reason that Christians backside is because they stray away from Grace and go back to the Law.
Dear Jesus! You told us that we could only bear good fruit by abiding in You. You are ” the Tree of Life ” and Satan does everything that he can to stop us from abiding in You. He keeps wanting us to eat from the Tree of knowledge of good and evil. Thank You for all Your servants that are preaching the Gospel of Grace. Now we pray for our love ones and the lost that are in need of Your Amazing Grace. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus name. Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
PHILIPPIANS 1:27-29 BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS
Phi 1:27-29 WEB 27 Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News; 28 and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,
Paul was previously talking about the importance of proclaiming Christ. Now he is saying that if we say that we are a Christian; we should act like one. We see too many Christians not acting like they should. Why? He then tells us we must stand firm in one Spirit, one soul striving for the Faith of the Good News.
Dear Jesus! It’s so easy to take our eyes off of You and Your Good News. It seems that one has to keep failing before they give up and ask You for Your Amazing Grace. We can only act like a child of God by abiding in You and receiving Your Grace. It’s so simple but yet so hard to believe. So now we pray: In the name of Jesus, we command that the blind see, deaf hear, lame walk, unclean be made clean and the captives set free. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org
PHILIPPIANS 2:3-7 BE A SERVANT
Phi 2:3-7 WEB 3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; 4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. 5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
Here Paul is exhorting us to be humble. There are ways that we shouldn’t be humble. Jesus saved us and made us a New Creation, a child of God. This is a big deal. Jesus paid a great price to make us a child of God. And so we shouldn’t degrade ourselves by speaking negative words about ourselves. Instead let’s declare who we are ” in Christ “. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” I Corinthians 1:30-31 NKJV
That being said, we should act like Jesus who although was God, He humble himself and became a servant.
Dear Jesus! It’s hard to find someone that has followed Your example and yet we can think of some. We are very thankful for Paul, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa and so many others that became servants to the Kingdom of God. We would have never heard the Good News if it wasn’t for them. There are still too many that need to hear. We pray Father that You will send out many more to declare Your Good News. We pray for ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to believe. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus name Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
Phi 2:13 KJV For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
This is Good News! We don’t have to do the work but let God do it through us. Our part is to believe what God says about the situation: temptation, trial, storm, mountain, etc.. We know, believe, and declare; then the Holy Spirit will quicken ( give life to the word proclaimed in faith. We can’t declare, what we don’t know. God’s test us all to see if we really believe. 1Pe 1:7 KJV That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Many Christians don’t know, believe and declare. They pray that ” if ” it be thy will instead of knowing it is God’s will. It’s a battle ! To move a mountain, calm a storm, kill a giant takes unwavering faith. Only through a personal relationship with Jesus ( the author & finisher of our faith) can we be able to believe.
Dear Jesus ! Everything we need is in and comes from you. You are the source of life, love, peace, joy and faith. As Peter declared: Joh 6:68 KJV Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. Lord Jesus we shall abide in you, for you give us all things. To God be the glory Amen! Www.Shalom2u.org
Here are some more scriptures that reveal these things.
Rom 4:5 KJV But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Joh 6:29 KJV Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1Jn 4:9 KJV In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him
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PHILIPPIANS 3:3, 9 NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH
Phi 3:3 WEB For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;Phi 3:9 WEB and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith,
We hear a lot about how we should control our flesh. The Good News tells us not to have confidence in the flesh. Paul goes on to say that he could boast about all the good things that he did according to the flesh. He was very extreme in keeping the Law and yet when he persecuted Christian, he was breaking the law of love. Once he found Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ, he only sought righteousness through Him.
Dear Jesus! Many are trying to live righteously by keeping the Law. Even in the Old Testament, one couldn’t keep the Law. You gave them Grace when they sacrificed a Lamb. We thank You for a much better Covenant. Your sacrifice cleanses us of all our sins. In You we are declared righteous and a child of God. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus name. Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV. www.Shalom2u.org
Rom 4:19* Without being weakened in faith, he considered his own body as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
John 6:63 KJV It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Rom 8:1 KJV There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Gal 5:16 KJV This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8 REJOICE
Phi 4:4 WEB Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”
I guess no one knew better than Paul, that it’s not always easy to rejoice. He tells us of the many times that he was beaten, imprisoned, and left for dead. It makes our sufferings somewhat trivial. It does help a little bit but when you are going through it, it can be hard to find comfort.
Paul goes on to say: Phi 4:6-8 WEB6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things.
Dear Jesus! You suffered immensely and for over 2,000 years many have suffered declaring the Good News. We pray for those today that are suffering to spread the Gospel. I know that You have a special reward for them in heaven. Nonetheless, we pray for your peace and grace on them now. We also pray for those in a dark place for whatever reason. We pray for Your children and those that aren’t yet. We declare ” light be ” and Shalom/ Peace to all. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus’ name. Amen. II Corinthians 13:14 NKJV www.Shalom2u.org
PHILIPPIANS 4:13, 19 THROUGH CHRIST
Phi 4:13 WEB I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Paul was living proof of Jesus being the source of all that he was able to do. He wasn’t afraid of the impossible or of hindrances and lack. Later on he declares: Phi 4:19 WEB My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Dear Jesus! When we look at ourselves and the challenges that face us, we can be overcome with fear and doubt. You tell us to look to You. You want to be our source for all that we need. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” I Corinthians 1:30-31 NKJV
The greatest joy and peace in our lives comes when we put our faith in You and give You all the honor and praise. Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. Revelation 19:11 NKJV. You are faithful and true, when we keep our eyes on You. To God be the glory Amen! www.Shalom2u.org