Sword of the Spirit – Word Storage #1113

Posted on September 10, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1113

“Word Storage”

I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. – Psalm 119:11

Having accepted God’s salvation plan through Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and we are justified before our Father in Heaven. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Yet as long as we remain in this body of flesh we will be at war with our old sin nature.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12

Our spiritual desire is to live for Jesus – to be His disciple. But we stumble and sin on occasion.

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing; Wretched man that I am!  – Romans 7:19; 24

The Word of God reveals the example of Jesus for us, being fully God and fully man, He showed us how to navigate life in this world being guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit of God.

Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted;  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. – Hebrews 2:18; 4:15

When Jesus began His ministry the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights where Satan tempted Him and sought to trip Him up. Each time Jesus overcame temptation with the Word of God. But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4

The Living Word of God, read, spoken, memorized and stored in our hearts provides our armor and weaponry to battle the evil of this world that tries to trip us up and drag us back into sin.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness. – 2 Timothy 3:16

Make a priority of beginning each day reading, speaking, meditating, studying, and memorizing the Word of God. Feed your spirit with an equal if not greater priority than you seek to satisfy your body’s thirst or hunger.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105

Store the Word of God in your heart and the Holy Spirit will bring it to mind at the precise moment you need it to ward off temptation, to give you courage, to increase your faith, to give you peace.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word; But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh; For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. –Psalm 119:37; Galatians 5:16; Hebrews 4:12 

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Sword of the Spirit – The Good Old Days #1112

Posted on September 3, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1112

“The Good Old Days”

Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. – Ecclesiastes 7:10

Do you often lament and pine for the good old days? Looking back life seemed to be so much simpler in the 40’s, and 50’s – or were they really?

The nation of Israel had forgotten what it was like to be cruelly mistreated as slaves in Egypt and began to lose trust and faith in God and His promises and plan for them.

“Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? …would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.” – Numbers 14:3-4

God’s Word teaches us about Esther who was taken from her family to be in the king’s harem. She probably longed for the good old days as well but God used her to fulfill His plan.

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

Job pined for the good old days also as he went through a very difficult time in his life.

“Oh that I were as in months gone by, As in the days when God watched over me; When His lamp shone over my head, And by His light I walked through darkness; As I was in the prime of my days, When the friendship of God was over my tent; When the Almighty was yet with me, And my children were around me; – Job 29:2-5

During such trying times we tend to lose sight of the fact that God remains present to comfort and heal and see us through it.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. – Psalm 46:1

Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! – Lamentations 3:22-23

A windshield is a lot bigger than a rear view mirror for a reason. It is the same principle for our Christian life walk as it is for driving a car. The past is past – we need to learn from it and thrive in the present looking forward to the future trusting in God and in His love and care for us.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope; And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11

Do not look to the good old days of the past for comfort. Rejoice in today – in the present abiding presence of the Lord. Eagerly anticipate the ‘something new’ that God is bringing about in your life.

“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it?-  Isaiah 43:18-19

This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24

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Sword of the Spirit – No Record #1111

Posted on August 26, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1111

“No Record”

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you – Ephesians 4:31-32

Forgive each other.….just as…..in Christ…..God forgave you.

God’s Word is clear. We are to get rid of all bitterness. We are to forgive others with the same love that our heavenly Father showed when He forgave us through Jesus.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life – John 3:16

If we profess to be Christian, a born-again, Spirit Filled follower of Jesus Christ, saved by grace then the fruit of this profession is evident in the love we show – even for those who have done us wrong. By the grace and power of the abiding presence of Jesus in our hearts we are able to forgive and keep no record of being wronged.

Love … keeps no account of wrongs. – 1 Corinthians 13:5

How many of us religiously attend church services being careful not to sit next to ‘certain’ people for whom we harbor bitterness because of a hurt they have caused us in the past?

And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well. – Mark 11:25

How many of us are estranged from family and friends due to bitterness and unforgiveness? Oftentimes it has root in an act from the distant past that hurt us at the time but now in retrospect is really quite insignificant.

But like an invasive vine bitterness was allowed to take root and thrive to the point that the vine has become so thick and intertwined in our soul that it is seems impossible to extricate. Such bitterness and unforgiveness chokes the Life of Christ out of our soul. The fruit of the Spirit becomes less evident in our life and our testimony for Jesus is tarnished. The rivers of Living Water that should flow through us have slowed to a trickle if not completely dried up.

Are you unable to forgive someone? Are you held captive by the thick vine of bitterness that you have allowed to take root in your heart? Are you oppressed by the enemy of your soul because of your unforgiveness? Are you feeling distanced from your first love when you first came to receive forgiveness through Jesus?

Jesus began His ministry by quoting this passage from Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Repent of your past unwillingness to forgive and forget. Allow Jesus to set you free from the bondage of bitterness and be reconciled to your family and friends by the power and presence of Jesus in your heart. Forgive as God has forgiven you in Christ and keep no record of wrong.

For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:12

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Sword of the Spirit – Ask in His Name #1110

Posted on August 20, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1110

“Ask in His Name”

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. – John 14:13-14

Our reference Scripture, out of context, appears to be a blank check for us to get whatever we desire in the Name of Jesus. Far too many of us use the holy name of Jesus as some type of magical incantation without reverence for the person of Jesus Christ.

However, in the totality of Scripture we learn that, yes, there is power in the Name of Jesus, but that power originates in the person of Jesus Christ. The name ‘Yeshua’ (Jesus) was a common name in biblical times but there was only one Yeshua Nasraya – Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God, Lamb of God, the second Person of the Triune God, Our Lord and Savior.

I and the Father are one; …Whoever has seen me has seen the Father…- John 10:30; John 14:9 

It is the person of Jesus Christ that sets His Name above all other names and it is in the Name of the person of Jesus Christ that we are to ask, seek and knock.

…Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:5-11

To ask in faith and confidence in His Name we must have a personal relationship with Jesus. Religion and religious rituals are insufficient and cannot be a substitute for the continually abiding presence of Jesus in us.

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – Psalm 105:4; John 15:7

The Word of God tells us about the seven sons of Sceva who were beat up severely by a demon possessed man when they attempted to invoke the Name of Jesus by proxy. (Acts 19:13-16) Jesus also warns us of the danger of using His Name without a relationship with Him personally.

…“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ – Matthew 7:20-23

We are living in some seriously challenging times. Anarchy and political turmoil are prevalent in our country. Evil from the very gates of Hell appears to have been unleashed upon the world. We must repent of worldliness and return to our first love, Jesus, our Lord. Pray in the power and authority of the Name of the person Jesus Christ for peace and restoration of our land. Pray in His Name for protection from all evil.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you…; And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. – James 4:8; 1 John 5:14-15

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Sword of the Spirit – Called to Be Saints #1109

Posted on August 12, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1109

“Called To Be Saints”

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints – Romans 1:7

I grew up in a religious tradition where sainthood had an entirely different meaning from that of the Bible. We never thought of ourselves as saints.

The Greek word, hagios, is translated in the New Testament as saints. It means to be called and set apart by, or for God, to be holy, sacred, kind, pious, and sanctified.

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours – 1 Corinthians 1:2

If you are a Christian believer in Jesus Christ, saved by His death and resurrection, then you are called to be saints. The Christian church – The Body of Christ – is a congregation of saints called to be equipped to carry out the Lord’s ministry.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, – Ephesians 4:11-12

As a saint we are called to be set apart from this world – to be different. We are to let the light of Jesus shine through us to dispel the darkness of sin and evil in the world.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16

As saints being sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit we are to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in our everyday lives and circumstances. This is what it means to let our light shine.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law; But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. – Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:3

In the Book of Daniel we see how the enemy wages war against the saints. This is evident in our world today.

He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law…; Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus – Daniel 7:25; Revelation 14:12

Saints of God now is not the time to cower in fear. Now is the time for the church Body of Christ to stop playing church and be the church. Now is the time to shine the light of Christ brightly, laser focused on the evil that seeks to hinder or prevent Christian worship. Now is the time to rise up as a sanctified Body of Christ and vote to purge the evil from our government.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. – Isaiah 55:6-7

You are called to be a saint. Answer the call.

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Sword of the Spirit – My Plans His Plans #1108

Posted on August 5, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1108

“My Plans His Plans”

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:9

I first wrote on this topic in January 2018. Search for “Recalculating” at    https://b2bconcertofprayer.wordpress.com/

I made plans two years ago that this first week of August 2020 I would be enjoying a fresh caught halibut steak on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. Since I am still here in Florida I felt compelled to write on the topic again.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand – Proverbs 19:21

I could have forced the achievement of my goal – to my demise! Who could have predicted this pandemic with closed borders and mandatory quarantines? I couldn’t, but God knew.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

When our plans fail and our desired goal is missed we have two choices: Pitch a fit or praise God for His wisdom, protection, provision and love and care for us.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

Note that God’s promises are for His children – those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Far too many people live their lives with nary a thought or care about the Lord and yet they seek to claim His promises for themselves as if God were a genie in a bottle and they become angry with God when their plans and desires do not come to fruition.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths; And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. – Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 30:21

So I will continue to trust in the Lord and ‘kick the can’ down the road a bit to August 2022. I will trust that the Lord will establish my steps and that His purposes will stand – for my good and for the good of my family.

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. – Proverbs 16:3 

May the Lord bless you and keep you safe through these difficult times.

May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! – Psalm 20:4

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Sword of the Spirit – Impending Doom #1107

Posted on July 23, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1107

“Impending Doom”

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – John 14:27

We are all experiencing some sense of foreboding as we navigate through our current pandemic. One of the leading causes of a sense of impending doom is that of having persistently elevated stress levels.

The virus alone is enough to make us anxious, but couple that with the social and news media hype and hyperbole about conspiracy theories, political agendas at work behind the scenes, along with civil unrest and our stress levels and feelings of hopelessness increase exponentially.

Our elected representatives bicker like schoolchildren, and our ‘experts’ disagree on what action to take to lead us out of this quagmire. Where do we turn? To whom do we look for leadership? How do we discern truth from the preponderance of misinformation being thrust at us? The answer is found in the Word of God.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you discernment for truth.

…but test everything; hold fast what is good; casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:7

We need the abiding presence of the Lord to give us the strength to persevere and yes, thrive during this difficult time.

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. – Psalm 105:4; Psalm 16:8

It is prudent to prepare for difficult times. However we must be careful not to place our trust in our stockpile of material goods. Our trust must always be in Jesus if we are to have peace.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you; I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth; The Lord is my helper, I will not fear – Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 121:1-2; Hebrews 13:6

The devil is the prince of the air and the media is a tool he wields to instill fear and steal your peace.

Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught; And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… – Proverbs 3:25-26 Colossians 3:15

Rest in the knowledge that you are a child of God. He will keep you safe.

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one; What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. – 1 John 5:19; Romans 8:3; Proverbs 18:10

May the Lord bless you and give you peace.

Be still, and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10

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Sword of the Spirit – Weigh In #1106

Posted on July 16, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1106

“Weigh In”

…you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; – Daniel 5:27

Belshazzar had head knowledge about God. He had seen how his father, Nebuchadnezzar had been humbled before Him.

And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven…And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored. – Daniel 5:22-23

Knowing about God and knowing God are entirely different things. Having head knowledge without a heart replete with the abiding presence of God is like being an empty shell of a Christian.

When weighed in the balance scales against Jesus such a hollow Christian will be found wanting – A mere counterfeit Christian devoid of the true character of Christ.

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit; whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. – Proverbs 16:2; 1 John 2:6

As professing Christians we can do many right things but the wrong way. We can go through the motions in dutiful Sunday worship services with hearts and minds on the golf course or elsewhere.

‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; – Mark 7:6

We can proselytize in the work place but our own observed work ethic and worldly character testifies that we truly do not have the abiding presence of Christ in our hearts and we render our testimony null and void.

Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. – 1 Samuel 2:3

How substantive is your Christian character?  Does your character have depth that sustains you in all circumstances and contexts? Belshazzar was weighed in the scales and found deficient or wanting. How would your character hold up against God’s standard in the scales?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ – Matthew 7:21-23

Let us pray: Lord, God I repent of the many character failings that I have had – the words spoken, thoughts I entertained, and my actions that were more of the flesh than led by your Spirit. Forgive me my transgressions through your great mercy and love. Fill me fresh and anew with your Holy Spirit and give me the power to live in this world as a solid Christian so that when weighed in the balance I will not be found wanting for the presence of Christ in my heart. I ask in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! – 1 Chronicles 16:11

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Sword of the Spirit – Battle Ground #1105

Posted on July 8, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1105

“Battle Ground”

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12

We began our lives in this world at war with God.

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds – Colossians 1:21

Having accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, forgiven, saved and born again by His Holy Spirit we continue in the flesh with new battles to fight on new front lines. Your enemy, Satan may not be able to steal your salvation, but he can work to make you weak and ineffective in the battle to further the Kingdom of God.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

In wartime, propaganda is used to undermine the resolve of opposing forces. Tokyo Rose’s radio broadcasts worked to plant doubt, fear, and insecurity in the hearts and minds of American soldiers. Satan does the same today planting doubtful and sinful thoughts on our minds. ‘You are not forgiven.’ ‘Is there really a God?’ ‘You can’t go to heaven – live for today, go ahead and sin, you know you want to.’

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5

If he can’t entice you to sin he works to steal your peace by enticing you to fear. ‘This pandemic will never end.’ ‘You better get weapons to defend against looters.’ ‘You will lose your job and become homeless.’ ‘Your spouse will die from COVID19 and you will be left alone to fend for yourself – you can’t make it on your own.’

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears; for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – Psalm 34:4; 2 Timothy 1:7

As in any battle, we must have a good defensive and offensive strategy. One defensive maneuver is to establish a perimeter – a no fly zone if you will around your mind. Tune out the media hype and hyperbole and hone in on the Truth of the Word of God.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect; Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. – Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 1:13

Take the offense with prayer and you will have ‘peace that surpasses understanding’ in the midst of the chaos, civil unrest and turmoil in our country today.

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. – Psalm 121:7

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Sword of the Spirit – Complete in Christ #1104

Posted on July 2, 2020 by ron021950

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1104

“Complete in Christ”

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. – Colossians 2:9-10

Like a puzzle missing a piece to complete the picture do you feel incomplete in your Christian walk?

Meditate for a moment on the depth of the Truth of God’s Word in our reference Scripture: Jesus embodied the ‘whole fullness’ of God. He was and is complete in God.

“I and the Father are one.” – John 10:30

Consider then, that as born-again Christians we have been filled in Christ. We are complete in Him. To be complete is to have all that is necessary or appropriate.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

To be complete in Christ is to be made whole.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases – 1 Thessalonians 5:23;  Psalm 103:3 

Our completion in Christ makes us righteous before God.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21

Our completion in Christ gives us the promise of eternal life with Him.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life – John 3:16

Being complete in Christ is to be a joint heir with Him – a child of God.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life; But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – 1 John 5:12; John 1:12

Being filled and complete in Christ means forgiveness of our sins and freedom from condemnation.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace; There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. – Ephesians 1:7; Romans 8:1; Romans 6:14

What do you feel you are lacking? Is there an empty hole in your soul that you keep trying to fill by good works or doing penance or trying harder to be better and more deserving? You cannot fill that empty puzzle piece by your own devices. You can only be made complete in Christ Jesus through faith in Him and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Then he said to me… Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.–Zechariah 4:6

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