Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus the Christ,

By the grace of God we have been given everything necessary toward life and godliness (2Pe 1:3). That is, ?God’s WORD which never returns void; ?the all-redeeming, re-creating, reconciling, pacifying, all-restoring blood of Jesus who is the Living Word (Gal 3:13; 2Co 5:17-18; Heb 9:11-12 & 24-28; John 14:27, 16:33; Col 3:15; John 10:10b; Proverbs 10:22; Phi 4:13 &19; John 1:1); ?the Living Water by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 44:3; John 4:10, 7:37-39) ; ?the mind of Christ (1Co 2:16; John 15:15); and ?Angels or ministering spirits of God (Heb 1:13-14, 2:1-3) assigned to each of us individually for “preservation, healing, soundness, and deliverance from temporal evils”.¹  Although we are born anew with every right and privilege intact, the manner in which the world has taught us to think necessarily requires ongoing renewal of the mind which is primarily through revelation knowledge by the Holy Spirit whose teachings open eyes to see and ears to hear (1 Co 2:9-10a; Eph 4:23; John 16:13). Further, the fivefold ministry gifts of Jesus: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers (Eph 4:11), which doesn’t conflict with the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Co 12:7-10), are for the edification of the Body of Christ. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving! When I consider all that God has given and continues to give, I don’t like the fact that God has to continually help me with putting my flesh in-check; that I might do that which is necessary for renewal of the mind. For example, I readily receive the promptings of the Holy Spirit in the very early hours before sunrise, spending quality time with the LORD and in His WORD; and I particularly enjoy Saturday mornings which yield bonus hours (so to speak) due to no work or church related obligations. However, ‘though it is relayed that we are to keep the WORD of God in our heart, eyes, and mouth both day and night (Joshua 1:8; Dt 30:15-20), my response to promptings of the Holy Spirit during evening hours is sluggish at best. Of course, we may know by the WORD that everything about relationship with God the Father through Christ Jesus is based on free-will, as well as the fact that in Christ Jesus there is now no condemnation (Romans 8:1). Nevertheless, upon awakening I do not like the fact that I’ve been remiss in doing that which would contribute positively to the ongoing renewal of my mind; so that it might be more in concert with the regenerated spirit; so that I might be increasingly adept at “ministration, operation, and manifestation” of that which God has (already) given through Christ Jesus. Such is akin to what Apostle Paul relays in Ro 7:14-25 which, if left unchecked, might serve to promote feelings of being unworthy except for the fact that the grace of God is undeserved favor; and I’m glad about it!

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) – “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, less any man should boast.”

2 Timothy 1:9a (NIV) – “Who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace.”

Speak the promise . . . Harriet

¹ Capps, C. (1999). Angels: Ministering Spirits. England, Arkansas: Charles Capps Ministries.