What Does This Look Like? A Two-Minute Devotional

What Does The Secret Place Look Like?

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matt 6:6

What does cultivating intimacy with God in the secret place look like? It is time alone with Him, experiencing His felt presence in the Holy Spirit and hearing His voice. It is being available to the Holy Spirit’s supernatural gifts in our lives. It is where we begin to feel safe enough with the Lord to invite Him to heal the wounds and strongholds in our souls (thoughts, emotions, and personality) so that He can help us walk in His fruit – love, joy, peace, and patience. It is what the New King James Version of the Bible calls the secret place in many passages.

And what does secret place mean? The New Testament Greek word Jesus used is Tameion, meaning a closet, a storage chamber, an inner chamber, and a secret room.

Possibly God calls these times alone with Him as a closet or secret place because it is where only you and He privately come together with no one else. There, He has words meant only for your ears from His heart Psalm 25:14. He wants to satisfy, refresh, and provide a bountiful meal for your soul Psalm 23:5.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20

Why are these quiet times alone with God so necessary to our lives? It is because they are where we encounter God Himself, filling, flooding, and healing our souls-and even our bodies. Where we discover the power of God to overcome and hear His voice giving us needed strength, encouragement, and direction.

This quiet time with Jesus is not where we come to Him bringing our laundry list of prayer requests. No, the Lord is calling us to be with Him for a while and be refreshed by His presence. He longs to spend time alone with us, and it is our highest privilege to respond to Him. The intimacy with Abba-Father that Adam and Eve lost in the Garden, we can regain.

What phrase or sentence did the Holy Spirit highlight to you from today’s teaching?

Remember! This seven-part study is from the 7-Day You Version Plan: Intimacy with God in the Secret Place by Sue Boldt. Adapted from the book: Refresh. Click Here!

Intimacy with God: A Two-Minute Devotional

DAY 1 – An Invitation to God’s Secret Place

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5

Someone recently asked me what the secret was to my daily effervescent joy and unshakeable peace in Jesus? They wondered why it was that in the midst of a heavy ministry and workload, the hills and valleys of life, and a stage 4 cancer diagnosis that somehow, my heart was full, and I almost always seemed to know what I was supposed to do next?

It wasn’t always this way for me as a longtime Christian. In my mid-thirties, moderate depression colored my life, coupled with an eating disorder and an uncontrollable thought life as my husband pastored a thriving church. I loved God and His Word, but somehow, my life seemed to lack much of what I read in the Book of Acts.

The answer? Intimacy with God in the secret place.

Oh no. Another thing to do. Another Christian box to check off. Nevertheless, King David from the Old Testament and Mary of Bethany from the New Testament treat us with insight into the ONE THING that genuinely matters in our lives. The one thing that our Lord Jesus places the highest priority on: meeting alone with Him.

Nope. Not your regular daily time to pray or read His Word or converse with Him through your day. This is more a scheduled, weekly or so meeting with God that is uninterrupted and long enough for you to sense His felt presence within you and for you to hear His voice speaking to you through His Word or a soft impression on your heart and mind that will always align with His Word.

Jesus reveals the way. His frequent meetings alone with the Father during His earthly ministry empowered everything He spoke and did Luke 6:12.

Let’s keep this practical. Let’s keep it sweet and simple. Because if we walk in this one thing, everything else in life will fall in place. When difficulties and trials come, we will already be positioned in His presence with a fresh word from His heart guiding us. Let’s accept His invitation to come to His feast in the secret place. We won’t be disappointed.

How were you encouraged by today’s lesson?

NOTE: Hey everyone! I thought I would post weekly, over the next several weeks, from the new 7-Day YouVersion Plan that the Lord gave me that just launched this week on the app. Let’s draw closer in our walk with the Lord Jesus together. Adapted from the book: Refresh. Click Here!

Triumph in His Praise... One-Minute Devotional

In the selflessness of the Trinity – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - our praise and gratitude not only bring Him glory but also cause us to be participants in His triumph. 

...To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.
Psalms 106:47b

Our God is not egocentric, self-absorbed, or self-centered. Honestly. He doesn’t need us. He doesn’t need our worship. We need our worship of Him. Worship positions us to see God’s face. And as we glimpsed yesterday, the enemy needs to hear us worship our Abba Father.

Many years ago, when I was a young girl, my dad would attempt to teach me to dance. The old-fashioned, ever so elegant dance where I placed my hand on his shoulder that I could barely reach. And with his arm around my young waist, stooping down to reach me, he led me through graceful steps. However, if I looked down at my feet, I would stumble, but when I looked up into his face and trusted his leading and guiding me – oh, what sweet moments. Our walk with the Lord is so much like this dance. Our worship is our looking directly upon His face.

Have you ever walked into a pitch-black, darkened room? You simply need to hit the switch. LIGHT! Darkness flees. That pretty much sums up what happens when we worship and praise. Triumph takes place. We sense the Holy Spirit causing faith to rise in our hearts. Yes, worship is for us. No wonder we find Paul and Silas worshipping when facing down death. (Acts 16:25).

Find a place today where you can be alone with Him. Tell the Lord how much you love Him. You will be hard-pressed to tell me that something did not happen for you: a little bit of triumph and a whole lot of darkness fleeing.

A Faith Walk... One-Minute Devotional

Circumstances are usually never what is really happening...

Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.
Joshua 9:14

When Joshua led the children of Israel into their Land of Promise, the Lord told him not to make any covenants or pledges with those who would be displaced as Israel removed nation after nation.

Out of nowhere, a bunch of rag-tag men appeared claiming to be from a distant land. Their clothes were tattered, their shoes were worn-out, and of all things, they even had moldy bread. These guys lived just around the corner; the corner God had promised Joshua and his people! Oh, my goodness. Israel did not ask counsel of the Lord.

I have been there too many times. Circumstances are rarely what they seem. We walk by faith and not by sight. The Bible clearly tells us that the unseen matters of the Spirit are far more the real deal than what we can see, taste, touch, smell, or hear.

So let's be people who consult God about, well, everything. No, not necessarily what tube of toothpaste to buy, but just about everything else. Because there is a lot more going on than we can see.

At the Start of This Week and New Year... One-Minute Devo

At the start of this week and brand new year…   

If your life seems out of sorts, off-kilter, or just plain outta-control, recognize that there is something amiss. Most likely, you have taken your heart and mind off Lord Jesus, and you have either lost your balance, lost your way, or lost your sense of direction. Don’t waste another minute of your precious life. Get alone with Him asap, and don’t get up until you have made Him the complete Lord of Your life and asked for a fresh overflow of His Holy Spirit. He will answer. You just need to say “yes” and take the time to get your priorities straight in His presence. I know this from experience!
Psalm 63

Should you already feel defeated before you have even stepped out the door, remember Paul’s words of truth: you are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you! Lean wholly into His amazing love until it drips from your life to others. Too busy? Cool your jets! Everyone around you will sense His peace when you let His peace reign in your heart.
Romans 8:37

This is a week (and year!) of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4

Merry Christmas! One-Minute Devotional...

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

For there is born to you this day in the city of David
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be the sign to you:
You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths,
lying in a manger.
Luke 2:11-12

One thing the manger reveals to us – Jesus is inclusive.

Everyone can approach a manger. Everyone can approach Jesus. Everyone.

The only folks who can’t come – those who are excluded – are the ones who think they are too good for a stable, too superior to need help, or too proud to bow their knee. These folks have trouble with Jesus. Sometimes, I am this type of folk.

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me,
and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.
John 6:37

Jesus says come, no matter your past, no matter your paygrade, no matter your persuasion about anything. Simply come. The Holy Spirit will do the transforming, and we, myself included, need to stop the judging, the doing, and the trying.

I can’t earn His love, I can’t work for His love, and it is not up to me to get it right because He is the only one who is Right. Genuine freedom begins when I stop trying so hard and lean desperately into His limitless grace.

So, wretched sinner that I am – yet, being transformed by His power – I come to the manger. I come to bow at the animals’ rugged food trough that has now turned into His throne of blazing, sovereign glory. I come with humble praise.

All because, at the manger, He included me.

(From Unwrapping Christmas by Sue Boldt)

One-Minute Christmas Devotional....

Here is Day 12 of my Christmas Devotional: Unwrapping Christmas…

“For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord,
“Let it be to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:37-38

Christmas is about God doing the impossible. These are words we cling to when our life situations seem beyond repair, rescue, or restoration. All our hope is lost, and there can be no good outcome. But with God, nothing is impossible! This truth is the joy of a life of faith in Him who holds the universe, the galaxies, and you and me intimately and handily in His Almighty hands (Isaiah 49:2). He makes all the difference.

Honestly, the Christian need never despair. We may have seasons of lament, wells of tears, and deep sorrow, but despair or hopelessness? Really, never. Certainly, there are valid and varied factors surrounding depression or melancholy. Yet, when we are tempted to go to a dark place, we must recognize that something might be amiss in the spiritual realm. Have we left our vital and intimate walk with Jesus and taken a detour? Have we opened a door for our adversary, the devil? Honest and true. Maybe this is difficult to hear, but those who abide, reside, dwell in, and soak in the Holy Spirit’s presence and His Word cultivate the fertile soil for powerful faith to be planted and grow (Luke 8:4-15). Just like Mary.

Mary, like us at times, doesn’t fully comprehend what is happening to her. What in the world is God thinking? She knows all the implications of her single-parent pregnancy messing with her future. Yet, she trusts the God of her forefathers, knowing that big plans call for big faith. Mary might not understand, but she knows there is a much larger picture, and the One who loves her wildly holds all the details and puzzle pieces (Rom. 8:28).

What are you facing today that has you questioning or takes your breath away in fear? Don’t do another thing until you draw close to Him. Quiet your heart. Wait for His presence. Open His Word. Listen for His voice.  Then respond knowing that with God, nothing is impossible.

Read the rest of the Days of Unwrapping Christmas, available on Amazon and for free on the YouVersion App as a 26-Day Bible Plan or the shortened 7-Day Plan, “A Week of Christmas Wonder.”

God Always Answers Our Prayers... One-Minute Devotional

Here is a devotion from Unwrapping Christmas that seemed to strike a chord in my online Bible Study Group…

“But they had no child,
Because Elizabeth was barren,
And they were both well advanced in years.”
Luke 1:7

There are circumstances in each of our lives where we have prayed and prayed for a particular outcome, and we have yet to see its fulfillment. Am I correct? Zacharias and Elizabeth knew this firsthand in their probably lifelong prayer for a much-wanted baby. However, make no mistake about it. Our Father always answers our every prayer: Yes, No, or Not Yet.

The yes-answered prayers are easy. It is the no and not yet petitions that require greater faith on our part. In such a season, incomparable comfort comes from knowing three truths: He loves me, He is for me, and He knows best. These are real rubber-meets-the-road times of trust for us.

When His answer to our requests appears to be a no, we find our rest in His omniscience and omnipresence. He has a vantage point to view our lives that we can’t even imagine. In the light of time and eternity, these seemingly unfulfilled requests will often make sense later. Think of the old song lyrics: some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered (no) prayers.[i]

Not-yet prayers tell us that Lord Jesus is keeping a different timetable than ours. Delaying Lazarus’ healing caused a greater story – a greater glory – to be revealed. Sometimes, we are not ready for the thing we want, like a four-year-old wishing to drive the family car on the freeway. One request of ours might involve over a thousand people – a ripple effect. Here, God may be lining the puzzle pieces up that we can’t yet see. Some prayers require us to enter spiritual warfare, or yes, the removal of some unhealthy stuff in our lives. He may be calling us to grow in Him before He answers.

Let’s follow Zach’s and Beth’s example. Their prayer was delayed, and they maybe thought it was a no. Nonetheless, they loved and waited upon their King for His answer, trusting Him completely. Let’s do that, too.

[i] Garth Brooks, Pat Alger, and Larry Bastian, Unanswered Prayers, 1990

Unwrapping Christmas... One-Minute Devotional

I love Christmas.

I love everything about this season, from the twinkly lights, the long-remembered carols, the deep blue nights, the hope and joy of family, food, memories to be made, and everything in between.

Yes, it is a season filled with wonder and generosity. Still, all its promise can be lost in our must-do lists, preparing for a celebration when provisions seem slim, or the advent of sometimes-messy family relationships. Instead of refreshment or rescue, Christmas can be a reminder of things or people lost, hopes deferred, or dreams dismantled by the stuff of life. Under the paper and ribbon can be piles of distraction about meaningless details or worry about what the coming year might bring.

But Jesus came…

The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son,
generous inside and out, true from start to finish.
John 1:14 MSG

Yes, He came and moved into the neighborhood. Your neighborhood. My neighborhood. With His first breath, everything in the world was upended – turning right-side-up and providing rescue, freedom, wholeness, and yes, salvation. 

The Savior who created all that is, laid aside His incomparable and inestimable splendor and majesty to move in next door and politely ask if we would simply invite Him in for dinner…

(To be continued tomorrow! This is the introduction to “Unwrapping Christmas” an interactive devotional the Lord gave me. Ladies, you can join me for the full study on either YouVersion or in a women-only Facebook Bible Study Group Click Here. Both men and women can join me on Instagram @crosspointe_biblestudy)

One More Thanksgiving Thought... One-Minute Devotional

So Jesus answered and said,

“Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
Were there not any found who returned
to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
And He said to him, “Arise, go your way.
Your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:17-19

We can’t ponder thanksgiving and worship without talking about the ten lepers. Only ONE came back to thank Lord Jesus?? Yet how often have I been guilty of the very same thing?

As we surrender our lives in greater measure to the Lord Jesus, we will find that our gratefulness will become more and more evident. A surrendered life means trusting Him fully with how He will handle the small and large concerns that we face. When we give up control to Him, we begin to recognize that God does know what He is doing. We then get out of the way to let Him reveal His love in ways we didn’t realize before. Gratefulness will become a spontaneous fountain from our hearts and lips. Trust me. I know this from my own life.

Think of gratefulness to Him as the temperature gauge of who is in control: is it me or my Heavenly Father? Ponder that for a bit…

Intentional gratefulness is the greatest cure for discouragement. It beats out the blues. It drowns out the voice of self-pity, and it can be a tool to overcome depression and anxiety. Indeed, there are many factors regarding these instances, but from personal experience and years of offering pastoral counseling, I am hard-pressed to find people who live daily in effervescent gratefulness who are down for the count for very long.

When the thankful, now-healed leper returned to Jesus, he must have immensely blessed the Lord’s heart. Let’s be people who bless our Redeemer’s heart, too.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Thanksgiving Thoughts... One-Minute Devotional

I subscribe to a bunch of home-type magazines. When the Thanksgiving season rolls around the corner, turkey and sweet potato recipes abound, plus articles on cultivating gratefulness in our lives. Yes, indeed.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
...with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Scientific research reports that those with grateful, thankful hearts have less disease, less worry, less stress, less of just about every negative in the human condition. Honest. Just Google the subject. Science is learning what God’s Word has said all along as Christian neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf often states.

Thankfulness is key.

In the passage above, Paul isn’t telling us to be thankful for the stuff in our lives that are currently testing us – but to be grateful the Lord Jesus is BIGGER than all our stuff.

When anxiety wants to rule our hearts and minds, the direct antidote is gratefulness and thanksgiving as we earnestly lay our every care and concern at His feet and leave it there. Yes, leave it there with Him and don’t get up until you sense His peace. As a by-product, this is how we better learn to hear Jesus’ voice with clarity and cultivate His felt presence in our lives.

The world on its own doesn’t really know Who to be grateful to. Honestly, it is kind of funny when I read these magazine articles about gratefulness. However, we know where every source of goodness and light in our lives comes from (James 1:17). Keeping at the forefront of our minds, the incredible works He has done in our lives, and all He has given us allow His peace to reign in our souls. Gratefulness recounts that He moved our mountains many times in the past, and He will do it again.

Yes, He will.

The Power of Thanksgiving... One-Minute Devo

There is power in our praise and thanksgiving…

...saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
Revelation 5:12

Praise and worship can open our spiritual eyes to recognize and experience our position with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) because worship interrupts our preoccupation with ourselves. And when we truly enter His presence with our thanksgiving and praise, it opens our spirit to the Biblical truth that we are already hidden in Him and reigning with Him.

Genuine worship causes our faith to rise. Honest worship gets our gaze off our stuff and onto Who He is and who we are in Him. Holy Spirit inspired worship positions us to receive from our Father what He lavishly desires to bestow upon us. When we join the chorus of the heavenly hosts worshipping around God’s throne, our true home – heaven – starts to rub off on us.

It can be so formidable for us who have schedules to keep, dishes to wash, kiddos to chase after, and cars to fix to remember that we are already living in the Kingdom of His love (Colossians 1:13). In our daily stuff, it can be so challenging to remember that we are seated with Him above principalities and powers – the devil and his minions – who would attempt to destroy our lives (John 10:10a). And amid all that assails us, it can be difficult to remember that we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8:37).

Yet, we don’t worship to get. We worship because He is Worthy. Nevertheless, worship reminds us of our actual position in Christ. His cross purchased our entrance into heavenly realms even while our feet are planted here on earth.

What a sublime gift worship is.

His Unbridled Joy... One-Minute Devotional

I grew up not far from the theme park affectionately called The Happiest Place on Earth...

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11

Truly, it is a very happy and wonder-filled destination. However, the problem lies when I exit this theme park’s gates and wave goodbye to Mickey. I cannot take the park home with me. This Happy Place is not there for me when tragedy strikes, calamity calls, and confusion reigns.

Jesus is always there for me. His promised joy is always my portion. Yet why did I used to spend so much time feeling unsatisfied – that life was mundane, and my heart feeling flat – even in the best of circumstances? The reason lies in the verses beforehand in John 15: Abiding, remaining, dwelling, and feasting in the Vine.

Dwelling in Jesus’ presence is my life anthem. Honestly, you can read it in everything I write. Time alone with Him, drinking in His presence, saturating in His Word, and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit, is cause for joy that carries one through life’s most trying storms. I am selfish enough that I don’t want to ever lose or forfeit His joy – I lived too long the other way, and I won’t ever go back. 

Note: For the rest of November, most of our devos will be focused on thanksgiving, praise, and worship! Don’t forget, you can pick up your copy of Thirty Days of Thanksgiving, just click here.

At the Start of This Week... One-Minute Devo

At the start of this week.

If the laundry is piling up, your unpaid bills are mounting, and your joy level is plummeting, it is time to get back to the basics. It is time to get back to Jesus. Consistently. Not just a one-time meeting with Him, but make putting Him first in your life, your highest priority. He will walk you through every valley as if they were mountaintops.

If you have messed up, screwed up, and royally and epically failed, He has already forgiven you. Don’t let yourself or the devil keep you in the grasp of guilt. HOWEVER, it is time to really start doing life King Jesus’ way. Has doing your own thing ever really worked? Rarely if at all. He has a better plan, a greater adventure, and life so overflowing you won’t be able to contain it. No joke.

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4

Worship is Warfare... One-Minute Devotional

Hi Everyone!

Below is a one-day sample of a little Thanksgiving Devotional I wrote: Thirty Days of Thanksgiving-A Month of Interactive Devotions for Gratitude, Praise, and Worship. You can find it on Amazon Click Here and also as a plan on the YouVersion App. Just search for my name on the app.

DAY 3

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, 
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
Psalm 149:6

Let’s be reminded, worship is often warfare.

When we worship, breakthrough takes place in the heavenly realm that can miraculously change circumstances in our physical realm. Yes, worship can do this. There are just too many Bible stories that record this and too many life experiences to discount it.

Our enemy, the devil, and his demons can’t stand it when we worship. It is genuinely the worst sound in their ears. Our praise sends them running. Psalm 149 further tells us that the demonic are bound up. In addition, when we get our eyes off our circumstances and turn them to the One Who is Almighty and reigns supreme, our situations appear minuscule in His hand. Worship aligns our hearts with His heart to hear His battle commands for us. Worship humbles us to know that only He can fight on our behalf. And, worship positions us to win the battle of whatever we are facing.

Instead of getting angry, worship.
Instead of allowing anxiety to rule, praise.
Instead of succumbing to self-pity, lift up the One Who uplifts you.

No, we don’t worship to get. Nevertheless, when we do genuinely worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, fears cease, the enemy falters, Jesus is glorified, and His presence transforms us.

So, whatever you are facing right now, instead of contacting someone else, first go to the throne room. Remember who God is and lift your praise. Stay until you have touched heaven. Ask for a scripture to strengthen you, then see what He does next. Because truly – worship is warfare.

True Confessions... A One-Minute Devotional

In my youth I really, really, really wanted to have straight hair...

Not that I have already attained...but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Philippians 3:12

I grew up in the era of bell-bottoms, granny-square vests, and stick-straight hair. I am pretty sure some of you reading this don’t have a clue what a granny-square vest is and would wonder who in their right mind would want to wear one. Nevertheless, having straight, long locks was the prerequisite for being considered cool.

I was far from cool. Even though I dressed the part, my hair was thick, unruly, curly, and not the most attractive shade. I straightened my hair with an iron – a clothes iron. I often had dubious scars from getting the iron too close to my forehead and armpits – don’t ask. I bleached my strands into a crazy-orange tone. I duct-taped my bangs, wore curlers the size of gallon coffee-cans to bed, and endured untold teenaged angst. All for my unquenchable desire to look like Peggy Lipton from the Mod Squad – again, don’t ask.

What is motivating our life’s passion now? Really? Is it worth all that time and effort? If it isn’t Jesus, it may be time to stop chasing the wind and find all that our hearts are looking for is His heart alone. We won’t be disappointed. Ever.

God's Engagement Ring... One-Minute Bible Study from Eph. 1

He has given us so very much…

And He put all things under His feet,
and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 1:22-23

From an early encounter with the Holy Spirit in my teens, I knew that the Book of Acts was real and that His power and His power gifts were available to believers today. Yet, raising kids, co-pastoring a church with my husband, raising kids, buying a home, raising kids (do you see a theme here?) and the everyday busyness of life, plus my stuff (anybody have stuff???), caused me to drift from my passionate pursuit of Jesus revealed in – me.

It wasn’t until fifteen years ago, when I seriously studied Ephesians, that all the lights, bells, and whistles of the Holy Spirit came alive in my life. These very words that we have been reading all week in Chapter 1 were God’s Words of revival to my soul. It seemed like all the confusing dots of my life finally came together.

As we finish out Paul’s prayer in Eph. 1, His emphasis in on the power of the Holy Spirit towards the believer (vs. 19-20), and the omnipotence of King Jesus. We need to remember that the Holy Spirit is our seal and our engagement ring that WE ARE HIS (Greek: Arrabon). And in the power of the Spirit in Christ, we can find felt completeness, wholeness, and fullness (v. 23).

One thing more, because Jesus is seated in heavenly places (v. 20) and He is above everything that can be named (v. 21), we, as His church, have access to the power of His name to bring heaven down into the hellish situations in our lives.

Who doesn't need more of His Kingdom in their life!

Recovery... 30-Second Devotional From Eph. 1

The Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is the recovery of what we lost in Eden.

"…having made known to us the mystery of His will,
according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,"
Ephesians 1:9

Each of us has a God-given purpose, call, and destiny that includes His restoration. The mystery of the gospel (v.9) is Christ in us, living His life through us (Col. 1:27). The only part we can play is to say “yes,” to Him and be responsive to the Spirit’s promptings.

We can’t fix ourselves, only He can, but it all starts with a Holy Spirit paradigm shift in our hearts and minds.

I think I am less-than and don’t belong; He declares I am entirely accepted and loved unconditionally. My thoughts tell me I will never get it right; He states it isn’t up to me; the Holy Spirit will do it all. The enemy tells me I am guilty; Jesus says I am already forgiven, clean, and free (v.7). It is time for me to believe these truths with all my heart, mind, and strength.

Adapted from the YouVersion Bible Plan “Accepted” by Sue Boldt

Lavished with Blessing... One-Minute Devotional

Looking for something more?

We all long for Lord Jesus’ blessing in every area of our lives, but we must realize that we are already positioned in His blessing. We are searching for something He has already lavishly given us.

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, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…
Ephesians 1:3-4

Consider God’s grace (Greek: charis), His divine favor, and strings-free gift that saves, maintains, and transforms us. Grace, the word that means joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, and loveliness has already been bestowed upon us and is the platform we stand upon but do we live in it? 

And what is every spiritual blessing? Holy Spirit gifts, enablement, and the authority of His Name, to name a few.* Oh, my goodness.

We are chosen. We may have differing theological views regarding the word predestined. Yet we can all agree that the word here speaks to those who have responded to the gospel. It is an assurance of security for those who say yes to Jesus as Lord of their lives.

We have been chosen, because we are His children, to walk in His love with holiness and without blame. Again, this is our position in Jesus and how our Father sees us, whether we feel like we are holy or not. We see our messes; He looks at us and sees His Son. This is grace and our residency here and now in the Kingdom of His agape, unconditional, and can’t be earned love.**

*1 Cor. 12, Eph. 1:19, Luke 10:17-20
**Col. 1:13

Adapted from the YouVersion Bible Plan “Accepted” by Sue Boldt

At the Start of This Week... One-Minute Devotional

At the start of this week...

Should you be frazzled, forlorn, or feeling forgotten, even before you have rolled out of bed in the morning, remember your Heavenly Father loves you beyond comprehension. He has every hair on your head numbered. He knows you inside-out and He is your only source of joy, hope, strength, wisdom, and life. Look to Him.
Matthew 10:30

Should you be facing a circumstance that seems like a mountain, King Jesus will hold your hand as He either dismisses this burden, raises you above this situation, or holds you close as you walk through this fire together. He is the answer. Be sure to let Him rule your heart and mind. He will make your steps firm in His love.
Isaiah 43:1-2

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4