Are you risen on High with Christ Jesus?

Christ has indeed been raised, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE(s)…
Being eternal is nothing new, we’ve always been an eternal spirit, created by God in His likeness and image, God is Spirit. Being like Jesus, having our glorified bodies will be new. But when the moment of glory hung in the balance as Jesus was revived from his sleep of death by the power of the Holy Spirit of God, we too were given the assurance that death no longer claims us. The only death that really matters is our death to sin with Jesus on the Cross and in His baptism. If we have shared in the death of the cross and have been baptized in death with Him, we will most certainly share in His resurrection (Romans 6:1-14). For if the same Spirit that raised Jesus from death dwells in us then we too shall be raised from death unto life everlasting. If Jesus was first fruits, then there are many more fruits and I for one am one of them. Are you in there somewhere also?

MY PRAYER…
Almighty, Most Powerful Father God. Because of Your grace and Your Mercy and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, I know I will see You face to face. Help me now, however, to live that resurrected life, being more like Jesus today than any day ever before and even more so tomorrow. Father, let the power of Your Holy Spirit fill me afresh each day of my life, that through Your power that dwells in me by the Holy Spirit I may live the life that pleases You. Through my Risen Lord, Jesus, I pray.
Amen

Is Jesus your mediator before the Father?

There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE(s)
We do not need another person, no matter how mighty, how pious, how religious, how saintly, or how special; to intercede for us before God. We do not need a priest and a confessional box, that is NOT scriptural according to the Bible. We do not need Mary or some other saint, that is NOT scriptural according to the Bible. After all every Christian is a ‘saint’ according to God’s Word! All we need is Jesus as our Lord and our savior. I didn’t say that, God did in His Word (see scripture above.) As His children, bought by the precious blood of the Lamb, Jesus, we can go freely before our Father God, knowing that God Himself has provided the perfect mediator between us and Himself. That mediator alone is Head of THE Church and Chief Priest before God for us. His name is Christ Jesus, our Lord. NO other person is worthy enough to stand before God Almighty on our behalf except Him. No One period! I didn’t say that, God did in His Word. You need not direct your prayers to anyone except Father God, but always through the name of Jesus. He is our only link to God the Father! There is NO OTHER WAY, NONE! To understand this you must understand God’s Word and not some doctrine of man given as church history. WE are warned in God’s Word about men deceiving the saints through doctrines of demons.

MY PRAYER…
Father God, You and You alone are my God, and I praise You for making Yourself so available. I know that in my own power and ability, I have no right to approach You. Yet in Your grace and by Your mercy You not only provided a ransom for my sin, sickness, disease, and poverty, but a mediator and an advocate to stand before You and make my approach to You possible. Jesus, I thank You as well, for paying the price and staying at the Father’s side to intercede and speak for me on my behalf! Thank You for representing me before the Father as one of Yours. Thank You for making this prayer known to the Father. For truly no man comes unto the Father, except through You, Jesus.
In Your name, Jesus, I pray.
Amen

Do you understand the Covenant Jesus Made for you?

Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though [it is] only a man’s covenant, yet [if it is] confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. And this I say, [that] the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
Gal 3:15-17 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
We are partakers of a covenant that was confirmed in Christ Jesus, a covenant that cannot be annulled or made of no effect. Notice that I didn’t say that, God did in His own Word! Even the ‘Law’ (the commandments & laws given to Moses, all 613 of them) did not, will not, and can not change the terms of the covenant God made with Abraham 430 years before He gave Moses the Law & the Ten Commandments. I didn’t say that, the WORD of God did! Look it up for yourself, don’t believe it just because I reprinted it here. The ‘Old Covenant’ really is the second covenant God made with mankind, not the first.
The commandments & the rest of the Law (all 613 of them) were given to Moses because of a people who had turned from God. They were given to be as a teacher to them to point the way to Jesus. They were given to show mankind the sin they were in so that they might turn from sin to God.

MY PRAYER…
Father, my prayer is simple. Impart by revelation unto me and all your people the full meaning of Your new covenant to me and to them, a covenant made with Abraham and his seed before the ‘Law’ was. I know that we are partakers of that covenant also through the blood of Jesus, but instill in us the full meaning of this covenant. Show us Lord each and every benefit of this covenant. Show us Lord what we have, who we are, and What we can do being in Christ. Also Lord show us our part in keeping this covenant and what the penalties are for breaking it. In the Holy name of Jesus, Lord I ask this.
Amen

Which Covenant are you living under?

For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Hebrews 8:7-8 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE(s)…
The reference here to the first covenant is to the Old Testament or more specifically to the law of Moses (The Ten Commandments plus, for a total of 613 actual commandments or laws). When God, seeing that mankind would not and could not keep them ALL, He proceeded to make (to actually establish & ratify) a new covenant with the house of Israel (Note here the house of Israel does not mean just the country or people of Israel, but the entire church of God including ALL who are born again through faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son.) A covenant that had actually begun 430 years before the law (including The Ten Commandments, plus) was given to Moses for the people of Israel. A covenant made with Jesus through Abram (Abraham). Through Abraham, God would finally be able to get His son into the earth to help mankind! Through Jesus, God’s Son, God was able to establish and ratify (put into effect) the “New Covenant” with mankind. A Covenant actually started before the Law! A Covenant of Mercy & Grace through faith in Jesus. A Covenant of forgiveness. The religious still live under the ‘Old Covenant’, but the Christian, those who are in Christ Jesus live under His ‘New Covenant’ of Grace and Mercy. Which covenant are you living under?

MY PRAYER…
Father God, thank You that You foresaw the future of mankind. Knowing full well our beginning and our end You prepared a way for the coming of Jesus long before the time would come for Him to be sent. Lord God, I thank You for Your Son and for Your promises made to Jesus through Abraham so many years ago. Promises that have been fulfilled at the cross. Father, in the name of Jesus I praise and thank You.
Amen

Can you praise God with the same zeal you use at sporting events or rock concerts?

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
We sing when we are happy. We sing when we are heartbroken. Today we should sing out of gratitude to our God. God is not only worthy of all of our praise, He is worthy of all of our thankfulness also. But the basis of all our songs should be Jesus and what He has already done for us through His death on the cross. His death, burial and His resurrection and ascension to the throne. We should be making a proclamation of the good news that brings life to us through Him. We should be preaching about that redemptive power. As that message, that Word of Christ fills our hearts, we are tuned to be thankful children of the Most High God. There is none higher or none more worthy of our praise than Him. It is Christ’s Spirit living in us that brings forth God’s Love through us. You don’t have any trouble being loud and boisterous at sporting events, why can’t you show the same enthusiasm when you praise God?

MY PRAYER…
I am so thankful, Lord, for all the many blessings You have poured into my life. Your love, Your grace, Your mercy, and Your forgiveness, all give me hope for the future. Your gift of Jesus gives me life today and promises life eternal with You. The incredible physical blessings, as well as the blessings of a new family and friends, are wonderful. But the greatest of all blessings is the assurance that I will one day see You face- to-face and share Your glorious presence forever.
In Jesus name I pray.
Amen

In the “Secret Place” of the Most High God no evil can befall us, no foe can touch us.

A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
Psalm 91-7 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
No matter how we are attacked or persecuted if we are in that “Secret Place” of the Most High God no evil can befall us, no foe can touch us, no plague can get anywhere near us. It doesn’t say they won’t try to. It, God’s Word, just says they can’t get to us! We must learn to dwell, abide, to constantly live in that “Secret Place.” We must abide there, for if we are abiding there He will cover us with His feathers and even if ten thousand fall at my right hand none of them shall come near me! For He is my God and my Fortress and His angels have been given charge over me to keep His word concerning me. These are all promises God has made to His people and God is not a man He should lie! Promises that we must learn how to receive into our lives. How do you receive a gift when it is given to you?

MY PRAYER…
Holy Father God, thank You for being my Fortress and my Refuge in life’s storms. Thank You Lord that You have covered me over and have delivered me from all evil. Lord, thank You that I can abide in that “Secret Place” with You at all times and that You are my comfort and my strength when I am weak. Thank You Lord for allowing me to be cleansed of all unrighteousness and sin so that I can fellowship with You. Thank You Lord for placing Your angels with charge over me to keep me in all my ways. Lord, thank You that when I set my love upon You, You deliver me from life’s trials and that You know my name! Through Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, I offer my thanks and praise.
Amen

You are completely protected in the ‘Secret Place’ with God

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
Psalm 91:5-6 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
No fear! If we are abiding in the “Secret Place” there He will cover us with His feathers and not even terrorists or criminals, flaming arrows from the evil one or sickness and disease or any other pestilence or peril will be able to come near us. It is impossible for any of that to come into contact with God Almighty, but we can! We can abide in His “Secret Place” and we can dwell in His shadow because He has given us mercy and grace through the Blood of Jesus. But we must come through Jesus as He has freed us of sin. We must come washed in the blood of Jesus. We can come no other way! There is NO other way! And we must remain, abide, dwell in His presence.

MY PRAYER…
Holy Father, thank You for rescuing me from all the evil things that are in this world. Thank You Lord for Your protection and for the Blood of Jesus. Father, I thank You that I can come boldly into Your throne room and receive mercy and grace from You. That You will cover me and protect me from any of the evils of this world and all You ask in return is that I love You. Father I DO love you! In Jesus name I praise You.
Amen

There is major protection in God’s ‘Secret Place’!

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:3-4 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Just look at all the protection spoken of in this simple verse! He will deliver you, He will cover you, He will provide refuge for you, and He will provide you with the truth! He will shield you and protect you. He is the one who provides your protection and deliverance, you can not do it yourself. How does He do that? He does that when we take up refuge in His “Secret Place”. We must learn to dwell, abide, and live in that “Secret Place.” Not just to go there when we feel threatened or need comfort. We must abide there, for if we are abiding there He will cover us with His feathers and His truth (His Word) will become your shield and your defense. Do you have His Word? Do you abide in His “Secret Place”? Do you even know there is a a ‘Secret Place’ in and with God?

MY PRAYER…
Holy Father, Protector of all who believe in You, take my life and my every breath and let me dwell in Your presence forever. Cover me Lord with Your feathers, let Your Word of Truth become my shield and my defense. Help me to use it for Your glory. May my words and actions from this day reflect Your truth and Your Word. In Jesus name I pray.
Amen

Do you spend time in the ‘Secret Place’ with God?

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Psalm 91:2 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
No matter how we are attacked or persecuted, if we are in that “Secret Place” of the Most High God no evil can befall us, no foe can touch us, no plague can come near our dwelling. We must learn to dwell, abide, and to live in that secret place. We must learn to trust in Him and His secret place. Can you place your trust in God, can you turn your entire life and everything that is going on in it completely over to Him and just relax in His “Secret Place”? It is the only way He can take care of all your needs. When we try to do it ourselves we will mess it up. Remember He is your all in all, He is everything you need in life. He is the “Great I AM!” Hand it over to Him and just relax in His presence.

MY PRAYER…
El Shaddai, El Elyown, Most High God, Thank You for being my All in all. Thank You for having that “Secret Place” where I can come and dwell whenever I feel like it. Thank You Lord that I can place my trust in You, that I can rely on You when all else seems dim and gloomy. Father, thank You that You are always there willing and ready to spread Your feathers over me and provide a shadow that I might dwell under. In Jesus name I offer you this prayer of thanksgiving.
Amen

Do you have a secret place with God?

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalms 91:1 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Do you dwell (live and abide constantly) in the “Secret Place” of the “Most High God” (El Elyown)? Do you dwell (live and abide constantly) under the shadow of the “Almighty God” (El Shaddai)? Look closely at this verse. My God is The Most High God, there isn’t nobody, no one, no other God that’s as High as He is! He’s the Almighty, The Most Powerful, the All in all, He’s anything and everything you could possibly want or need! He is the Great ‘I AM’. But you must abide in Him, you must live and walk in His shadow if you expect to receive from Him. That means that everyday, all day, not just on Sundays, you have to live, think, walk, and talk in the shadow of The Most High God. You must have intimate fellowship with Him, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit every day. You must put your trust in Him and rely on Him in all that you do, regardless of what is going on around you!

MY PRAYER…
Almighty God, Most High God, may I always know the comfort and safety of your “secret place”. May I always be in Your shadow and under Your grace and mercy. Precious Father, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, strengthen me and my walk that I may do that which is pleasing in Your sight. Help me Lord to be more like Jesus and less like me. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen