Jesus is our Deliverer

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. – (1 John 4:2-4, NIV)

This is how you can recognize God’s Spirit. One spirit says, “I believe that Jesus is the Messiah who came to earth and became a man.” That Spirit is from God. Another spirit refuses to say this about Jesus. That spirit is not from God. This is the spirit of the enemy of Christ. You have heard that the enemy of Christ is coming, and now he is already in the world. My dear children, you belong to God, so you have already defeated these false prophets. That’s because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. – (1 John 4:2-4, ERV)

Here’s how you test for the genuine Spirit of God. Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ – the Son of God, who came as an actual flesh-and-blood person – comes from God and belongs to God. And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that you heard was coming. Well, here it is, sooner than we thought! My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. – (1 John 4:2-4, MSG)

When we know God, and trust in the truth of who He is and how He loves, we need not fear the people and things that will try to come against us. Our confession of who Jesus is and how He lived, died, and rose again, is our protection against anyone or anything that would try to draw us away. Jesus, who dwells in the hearts of all who have invited Him in, is greater than anything that might come against us. We need not fear those who will come against us, but rather we can trust in God and rest secure in His Name, for it is only through Him that we have hope for both now and eternity. God is good and His plans are good. May we ever seek the Lord to show us more and more of Him so that we can clearly recognize what is not from Him. His heart, love, and character do not change, as He remains the same: yesterday, today, and forever.

All that choose confess,

That Jesus is Lord;

Align with the truth,

Gifts that God affords.

Yet those who do not,

Acknowledge Jesus;

Are not for our good,

And are most grievous.

So, look to the Lord,

And pursue what’s true;

Trust in His goodness,

For He’ll see us through.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You show us how to know what is good and true and a gift from You, and what is not. Thank You that You dwell in us and speak to our hearts. Forgive us for the times that we have not listened to Your leading. Teach us to ever trust in You. Show us how to walk in Your wisdom and grace, so that we might be clear evidence that You are our deliverer. Lead us to love those around us in ways that extend hope and peace and promise. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our Deliverer and the One in whom we place all our trust. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. – Ephesians 2:4-5

*If you are following along and participating in the 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer, please forgive my mix-up. I accidently did tomorrow’s study today. I will post on today’s study tomorrow. 🙂

Promoting Peace and Building Each Other Up

So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. – (Romans 14:19, HCSB)

So let’s try as hard as we can to do what will bring peace. Let’s do whatever will help each other grow stronger in faith. – (Romans 14:19, ERV)

Join us, and pursue a life that creates peace and builds up our brothers and sisters. – (Romans 14:19, VOICE)

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification. – (Romans 14:19. NIV)

This is important in every aspect of our lives, and we all are an ongoing work in progress. It requires an intentional decision to seek and depend on God to lead us to do and say things that promote peace and build others up. As we do, there is opportunity for faith to be fortified. To do this requires a never-ending cycle of seeking God, listening to Him, and a willingness to be corrected and redirected. Right now, my husband and I are on vacation. We are two very different types of people; though this is good, as it creates balance for both of us, it is an ongoing work to recognize one another’s needs and desires. For me, when I go somewhere new, I want to see and experience everything humanly possible in the short time we are provided. My husband, bless his heart, wants to slow down and simply relax. He is a champion at being willing to go out and explore, and I am learning to slow down and accept the need to rest. It is an ongoing battle, as I don’t want to miss out, yet know that if I just remain present in the moment, there will be peace and both of us will be built up. God is good, and He shows us what we ought to do to promote peace and build one another up. It is our task to listen and follow His lead. May we ever seek the Lord to show us how to best promote peace and build up those around us.

We’re called to pursue,

That which promotes peace;

Willing compromise,

As grace does increase.

Each time that we choose,

To bless each other;

Both are encouraged,

Sisters and brothers.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

To love, promote peace;

Build each other up,

As Your love’s increased.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us so much that You call us and show us how to promote peace and build each other up in Your love. Forgive us for the times that we have either not listened to You or have only sought after our own selfish ambitions. Teach us to be a blessing as we make decisions that promote peace and encourage those around us. Show us how to love and make choices as You would. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in promoting peace and building those around us up in the goodness of Your love. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11