Weekly Devotion

A couple of years ago, God showed me something concerning the branches of trees that I found very interesting, and that is that the branches of almost all trees fork where it forms a new branch, so that the fork looks like a Y. Since I realized this, I see these branches everywhere. Most of the time, even when I see dead branches on the ground, I still see the Y shape. Nature is filled with this Y shape! I read a book titled Laat U Naam Geheilig Word by Este Geldenhuys about the Names of God and the different meanings of His Names, which I found very informative for our study. I will highlight just a couple of things that I learned from her book.

Interestingly enough, the most holy Name for God is YHWH, and as you can see, it starts with a Y. The Name is so holy that the Jews don't even want to pronounce it out of the deepest respect for Him. In the Hebrew language, they only have consonants and no vowels. And with this Name of God, the Jews see it almost as bad as blasphemy to pronounce this Name of God. With translations, Christians, however, put in the vowels, so through the years we have come to know the Name to be pronounced by fellow believers as Yahweh or Jehovah. You might have heard these Names spoken of. Yahweh or YHWH is the Name of God that is used the most of all the Hebrew Names of God. It is used about 7,000 times in the Old Testament.

YHWH means "the great I AM, the self-existing One." That means He is the One Who now is and always will be. He doesn't change, and therefore He is trustworthy and His promises can be claimed.

YHWH is also the covenant Name of God. YHWH made a covenant with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. YHWH also made a covenant with the Jews at Mount Sinai that He will be with them to conquer the Promised Land, as well as with King David that his throne will stand forever. All His covenants stood the test of time. Our God can be trusted.

YHWH is also the One Who gives breath to us, not only in the flesh, but also in the spirit. Without Him, we cannot breathe and we will cease to exist.

Also, interestingly, the Name YHWH consists of four consonants in the Hebrew language, namely, Yod, Hey, Vav, and Hey. If you take "Yod, Hey," it forms Yah, and Yah means the judgment of God, or rather the character of God Who is always righteous. And "Vav, Hey" refers to the grace of God. So, when the two are combined it gives a beautiful picture of a God Who is righteous and should judge His people, but Who instead by His grace punished His Son on our behalf so that we can be righteous in His sight. A God worthy of all the praise we can give Him! And therefore, we have the word Yah in Hallelujah too!! Praising God for all His might.

So for me, it is extraordinary that we are all surrounded on a daily basis by trees that have the Y everywhere in their branches. I believe God designed it that way to remind us of Him on a daily basis. It is a reminder for us that He is the great I AM, the One Who is always there for us. He is infallible, reachable, always the same in His character, trustworthy, the One who gives breath to our lungs. He is the covenant-keeping God Who looks out for us, always and in all things.

(Excerpt from The Tree of Life by Ilze Henderson)

Interestingly enough, the Old Testament also often refers to trees when speaking of the life of true believers. There are many references, but I just chose those Scriptures that I felt best describes believers' lives in relation to trees. Here are a couple of them:

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in season, whose leaf shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper" (Psalm 1:1-3).

"The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him" (Psalm 92:12-15).

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its root by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit" (Jeremiah 17:8).

Isn't it just wonderful how God compares the righteous, His children, to trees? I believe that one of the reasons why there are trees all around us today is to remind us of all the promises that God reveals to us through trees.

Let us have a look at the amazing promises revealed in these passages:

• He promises that we will have water, our daily provision, no matter what comes our way.
• He promises that we will bear fruit, filled with His life in order to be able to fulfill His will for our lives, even in old age.
• He promises that we will not wither; thus, we will not run out of strength and we will not stop growing.
• He promises that we will be fresh and flourishing; thus, we will be vibrant, ready for any challenge, filled with renewed life.
• He promises that we will prosper, that we will be successful, following His will for our lives.
• He promises to look after us, that we needn't fear drought or lack, He will always provide us with more than enough.

Aren't these promises just amazing? What more can we wish for? We can go on with our lives truly trusting God that all things will work together for our good. He will be with us, and we will be fresh and flourishing, prosperous, provided for, with enough water, bearing His fruit. We simply need to take our relationship with Him seriously and love Him with all of our hearts, souls, and bodies.

(Excerpt from The Tree of Life by Ilze Henderson)

Last week we had a look at the Tree of Life in Genesis. Today we want to have a look at the Tree of Life in Revelation:

So let's continue and see what the word life in the tree of life means in Revelation.

The New Testament was written in Greek, and the Greek word for life is zoe. According to the Strong's dictionary, it means:

"life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last forever."⁴

Zoe is thus real and genuine life, active and vigorous, accessible now already, lasting forever. To me, it is thus the same life that was available in Genesis 2:9, except that there are no more fences. God is presenting it again to His beloved. He wants people close to Him, devoted to Him, adoring Him, being blessed in the process, and experiencing the wonders of the world to come.

As we shall see later in this book, the fruit of the tree of life presented in Revelation is not for all people though. It is a very interesting study, and we will have a look at it. But for now, know that the word zoe is mentioned an amazing 126 times in the New Testament according to Strong's concordance. So the principle for us here is that this zoe life is already available to us from Jesus's life until the here and now as well as forevermore.

The New Testament often mentions how we already have zoe life through His Spirit Who lives within us. I believe God mentions it often so that we can know that we are blessed and have part of this tree of life in this world already if we put our trust in Christ and if we are devoted to God. Isn't that just great news? We can experience the fullness of what Adam and Eve experienced, but in an exciting and different way. We can experience the world to come even though we are still living here on earth. We can be focused on our eternal life, already feeling it pulsating lively within. It is all possible.

The two trees thus represent the same life that we can receive from God. The fruit of both trees can transport us to be part of His future world now already. The only difference is that the tree of life in the New Testament doesn't have a fence around it. We are free to enter in.

All of this is possible because of what Jesus came to do for us.

(Excerpt from The Tree of Life by Ilze Henderson)

The Tree of Life is mentioned in Genesis and again in Revelation. Let's have a look at the Tree of Life in Genesis this week and then next week we will have a look at the Tree of Life in Revelation:

In Genesis 2:9, life in Hebrew is Chay, and it means, according to the Strong's Concordance, "happiness in the king's presence, God is the God of my life."¹

The word Chay in Hebrew is also made up of two Hebrew letters. Now, I don't know if you know this, but there are twenty-two letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and each letter has a name, a numerical order, a meaning, and a sign. It is truly an amazing language, and the more you study it, the deeper the meaning will be revealed to you. The Bible is really rich in discoveries and hidden gems that can take you a lifetime to unravel, which makes it the most exciting book ever written.

But for now, back to the word Chay. The word has two Hebrew letters, namely Chet and Yud. Let us have a closer look at both these letters and see what we can glean from them:

Chet is the eighth letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and it represents a fence as well as new beginnings. According to the book The Beauty of the Hebrew Language by Nathalie Blackham,² she refers to the Hebrew word for life, which includes Chet:

"The word for life in Hebrew is the grammatical indicator of plurality. We are not granted one life, but two. This one life on earth and then our second eternal life. We should live our life here not losing sight of our eternal life."

Isn't this just exactly what the tree of life was all about? It was about humans living their lives here on earth, but at the same time having access to a heavenly life whilst they are here. And all this is represented in this one letter Chet.

Then the letter Yud is the tenth letter in the Hebrew alphabet and represents a hand. Once again, I would like to refer to what Nathalie Blackham says about Yud:

"The Sages explain that God created the universe with the letters Yud and Hey, which stands for the divine Name 'YAH.' With the letter Yud He created the world to come, whilst with the letter Hey, He created this world. Thus the Yud is used several times in the Bible as a reference to life in the world to come."³

Once again, how wonderful is the Hebrew language? This one letter that forms part of the word life gives us an indication that the tree of life gave humans access to the world to come. This shows that God allowed them to be a part of that exotic world even then already. His heart of love wanted them to be part of it, from the beginning. God wasn't withholding anything from them. He is a God Who wants to share all of Him and all that He has with His creation.

So, if we take these two letters together, along with the Hebrew meaning of Chay, we see an extraordinarily beautiful picture. Allow me to paint the picture for you: within the fence of God's will was His hand, giving life that will last forever, even into the world to come. It was a new beginning, with Him at the center of it. He was already granting Adam and Eve eternal life, access to heavenly life. Thus, in the King's presence they could be happy, they could live forever with God as their life. Hand in hand they could have literally experienced heaven on earth, already part of the world to come, breathing in exceptional encounters.

Unfortunately, this didn't happen. They violated the single and only rule that God gave them. So instead of keeping them within the fence of eternal life, He had to place them outside of it, keeping their sinful natures away from it. He had to do it; otherwise, the whole earth would have become a severely evil place with vile sinful men living forever, becoming even more evil the older and more mature their sinful natures got.

The rest of the Bible is therefore the love story of how God masterminded a plan to bring people back inside the "fence" where eternal life is. It is the beautiful story of how He didn't just allow them back inside the "fence", but how He finally destroyed the "fence" and infiltrated their bodies with this everlasting life.

(Excerpt from The Tree of Life by Ilze Henderson)

Summary

Always continue steadfast in prayer. Pray that My Spirit give you wisdom and revelation, pray that your understanding be enlightened and that you might know the hope of My calling. Pray that you see what are the riches of My inheritance to the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of My power toward you who believe. Pray that I will strengthen you with might through My Spirit, for I am able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think.

Pray that your love may abound more. Be anxious for nothing, but pray about everything. Pray for wisdom and spiritual understanding, all the while giving thanks to Me. Pray for your spiritual leaders that I may open doors for the word, so that they can preach. Pray that My word may run swiftly and be glorified. Pray that My leaders desire to live honorably and that they can be perfect in what is lacking in your church's faith.

Pray that you may stand perfect and complete in My will and that you can accomplish all My good work, fulfilling the work of faith with power. Pray without ceasing and give thanks in everything. Pray also for all in authority that you may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness.

If you are sick, let the elders of the church pray over you, anointing you with oil in the Name of Jesus. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and I will raise him up. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man has a lot of power.

(Excerpt from The New Covenant by Ilze Henderson)

Detailed verses to support the summary, plus it will help if you want to delve into the Word yourself

Always continue steadfast in prayer (Romans 12:12). Pray that I may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you can increase in your knowledge of Me. Pray that the eyes of your understanding be enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of My calling. Pray that you see what are the riches of My inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of My power toward you who believe (Ephesians 1:17-19). Pray that I will strengthen you with might through My Spirit in the inner man. Pray that Christ may dwell richly in your hearts through faith and that you really and fully know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge, that you may be filled with all My fullness (Ephesians 3:14-19). For I am able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think, according to My power that works in you. To Me be glory in the church by Christ Jesus for all generations forever and ever (Ephesians 3:20, 21).

Pray that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and all discernment, so that you may support the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense untill the coming of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are yours in Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:9-11). Then you will be anxious for nothing, instead in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your desires known to Me; and My Shalom peace, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:6, 7).

Pray and ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of My will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of Me, fully pleasing Me. Pray that you be fruitful in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of Me, strengthened with all might according to My glorious power, so that you can have patience and longsuffering with joy. Continually give thanks to Me who has qualified you to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints walking in the light (Colossians 1:9-12). Continue sincerely in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for your spiritual leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:25, 2 Corinthians 1:11, Philemon 1:22). Pray that I would open doors for the word, so that they can speak the mystery of Christ, that they can demonstrate it and speak as they ought to (Colossians 4:2-4). Pray that My word may spread swiftly and be glorified and that your spiritual leaders be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men (2 Thessalonians 3:1, 2). Pray for them, that in all things they desire to live honorably (Hebrews 13:18). Pray that they can perfect what is lacking in your church's faith (1 Thessalonians 3:10).

Pray that you may stand perfect and complete in My will (Colossians 4:12). Pray that I would count you worthy of this calling. Pray that you can fulfill all the good desires that I want for you and that you can continue the work of faith with power, so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to My glorious grace (2 Thessalonians 1: 11, 12).

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is My will in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I want you to give thanks always, also for your churches (1 Thessalonians 1:2). Let all petitions, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that you may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and reverence (1 Timothy 2:1, 2).

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of My Son. And the prayer of faith will heal the sick, and I will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore go ahead and confess your trespasses to one another, praying for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, enthusiastic prayer of a righteous man has a big reward (James 5:13-16).

If you love life and want to see good days, restrain your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deception. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. For My eyes are on the righteous, and My ears are open to their prayers; but My face is against those who do evil (1 Peter 3:10-12). Husbands and wives are heirs together of the grace of life, so the husband must honor his wife so that his prayers may not be hindered (1 Peter 3:7). For I desire that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting (1 Timothy 2:8).

Be serious and watchful in your prayers (1 Peter 4:7). Pray that the sharing of your faith may become successful, powerful and fruitful by the recognition of every good thing which is already in you in Christ Jesus (Philemon 1:4-6). Regularly build yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in My Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves locked in My love, looking towards the mercy of your Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 1:20, 21). Pray for your loved ones, so that you can be filled with joy (2 Timothy 1:3, 4). Pray My blessings upon all My believers.

My ears are always open to your prayers. Men must pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting. Be serious and watchful in your prayers, praying that the sharing of your faith be effective. Pray My blessings upon all My believers. Build yourself up in the holy faith by praying in My Holy Spirit. Also pray for your loved ones, so that you can be filled with joy.

Summary

You are one body in Christ, with the same Spirit, but you have differing gifts. The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, the gift of faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues. The church moves forward with these divine gifts. However spiritual gifts do not replace My Word. It will just assist to spread My Word and help it to flourish as the fully equipped body of Christ operates in the wise use of My enabling power.

The manifestation of My Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. I distribute to each one individually as I will. Every part of Jesus' body does its share and causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Desire spiritual gifts, but only to build up the church and not for your own selfish gain. If anyone ministers, let him do it with the ability that I supply, that in all things I may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

I have appointed the five-fold ministry, dividing believers into being either apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers. The goal of this five-fold ministry is to bring all believers into the fullness of Christ. I have also placed in the church the following: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those with gifts of miracles, gifts of divine healing, gifts of revelation knowledge, gifts of leadership, and gifts of different kinds of tongues.

But remember, love is far more superior than all these gifts. Without love all the gifts profits you nothing. Prophecies, tongues and knowledge will all fail, but love never fails. Gifts cease to be important compared to love, because I am love. Therefore pursue love, for every good and perfect gift is from Me.

(Excerpt from The New Covenant by Ilze Henderson)

Detailed verses to support the summary, plus it will help if you want to delve into the Word yourself

My gifts and My calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). You are one body in Christ (Romans 12:5), but you have differing gifts (Romans 12:6), and you must use them (Romans 12:6). My gifts are far and wide and include prophecy, ministry, teaching, encouragement, giving, leading and showing mercy (Romans 12:6-8). The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, the gift of faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). These are diversities of gifts, but it is the same Spirit working in each one of them (1 Corinthians 12:4).

The church moves forward with these divine gifts. Spiritual gifts do not replace My Word, but My Word will spread and flourish as the fully equipped body of Christ operates in the wise use of My enabling power. Therefore the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all (1 Corinthians 12:7). I distribute to each one individually as I will (1 Corinthians 12:11). I have set the members, each one of them in the body just as I pleased (1 Corinthians 12:18). You are one body with many members (1 Corinthians 12:20). Every part of Jesus' body does its share and causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:16). Desire spiritual gifts, especially that you can prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1), but be zealous for spiritual gifts only to build up the church and not for selfish reasons (1 Corinthians 14:12).

I distribute different kinds of miracles that accomplish different results through each believer's gift and ministry as he energizes and activates them (1 Corinthians 12:6). As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of My manifold grace. If anyone speaks, let him speak as My oracles, a wealth of inspired utterances endowed upon him by Me (1 Corinthians 1:5). If anyone ministers, let him do it with the ability that I supply, so that in all things I may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever (1 Peter 4:10, 11). So none of you lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly await the unveiling of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:7). Let all gifts be done in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).

I have also placed different ministries in the church even though I am the same Lord (1 Corinthians 12:5). I have generously given each one of you supernatural grace (Ephesians 4:7) I have appointed some with grace to be apostles, and some with grace to be prophets, and some with grace to be evangelists, and some with grace to be pastors, and some with grace to be teachers (Ephesians 4:11). And the goal of the five-fold ministry is to bring all into the fullness of Christ. I have also placed in the church the following: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those with gifts of miracles, gifts of divine healing, gifts of revelation knowledge, gifts of leadership, and gifts of different kinds of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:28). All these gifts work together, so that all believers can be formed into the same image of My Son.

Not all of you have the same gifts (1 Corinthians 12:29, 30), but you should all constantly boil over with passion in seeking the higher gifts. And now I will show you a superior way to live that is beyond comparison (1 Corinthians 12:31)! Love. Without love all the gifts profits you nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Love is great and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not boast about one's own achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not flourish in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe harbor, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Prophecies, tongues and knowledge will all fail, but love will never fail (1 Corinthians 13:8). Gifts cease to be important compared to love, because I am love. When you were children, you spoke about childish things, for you saw like a child and reasoned like a child. But the day came when you matured, and you set aside your childish ways (1 Corinthians 13:11). Walk then in the maturity of My love developed in you.

You see now in a mirror, but one day you will see face to face, now you know in part, but one day you will understand everything (1 Corinthians 13:12). Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13), therefore pursue love (1 Corinthians 14:1). I have shone in your hearts to reveal the light of Jesus Christ. You are this treasure in earthly bodies, that the excellence of the power may be of Me and not of you (2 Corinthians 4:6,7). I bore witness of My salvation with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of My Holy Spirit, according to My own will (Hebrews 2:3, 4), for every good and perfect gift is from Me (James 1:17).

Summary

Do not think too highly of yourself and be too proud and important to serve others. Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, flee these things and rather pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness.

Do not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach, correcting others in humility so that they can escape the snares of the devil. Be compassionate to those who have doubts, be merciful, but always have a healthy reverence of Me, keeping yourself free from the pollution of the flesh. You are blessed if you suffer for My sake, for I am with you. But please don't suffer because of wrong things that you do.

Tame your tongue, do not speak evil, do not judge and do not grumble.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, lust or greed. Rather guard your speech, forsake vulgarities and worthless insults. Let worship fill your heart and spill out in your words. Lead a quiet life, mind your own business and work with your hands. Be faithful and true in all that you do. Devour My Word, be devoted in prayer and in teaching the believers and live in peace. Give careful attention to your spiritual life and live what you preach. Be a vessel of honor, sanctified and prepared for every good work. Don't allow your hearts to grow dull or lose your enthusiasm, but follow the example of those who inherited My promises because of their strong faith and patient endurance.

Honor all people, love the brotherhood, visit orphans and widows, revere Me and honor the king. Be sober and vigilant, resisting the devil. Serve Me fervently, make it your aim to be well pleasing to Me, walking worthy of the calling with which you were called. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and let unbelievers glorify Me through your good works.

(Excerpt from The New Covenant by Ilze Henderson)

Detailed verses to support the summary, plus it will help if you want to delve into the Word yourself

Do not think too highly of yourself and become proud, rather look at yourself through the eyes of faith given to you by Me (Romans 12:3). Do not think you are too important to serve others (Romans 12:16), let no one seek his own, but rather the other's well-being (1 Corinthians 10:24). Don't be smug and think that you know it all (Romans 12:16) and do not divorce (1 Corinthians 7:10,11). Keep from idols (1 John 5:21), for you were bought with a price. Do not become slaves of men (1 Corinthians 7:23). Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11). Flee these things, rather pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life, to which you were called (1 Timothy 6:11, 12). Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate only strife. To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:17).

A servant of Mine must not quarrel, but they must be gentle to all, able to teach and correct those who are in opposition in patient humility. Then I can grant those in error repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the entrapment of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will (2 Timothy 2:22-26). Keep being compassionate to those who still have doubts, and snatch others out of the fire to save them. Be merciful over and over to them, but always couple your mercy with a healthy admiration of Me. Be extremely careful to keep yourselves free from the pollutions of the flesh, as you can so easily get entrapped yourself (Jude 1:22, 23). Rejoice if you partake in Christ's sufferings. You are blessed if you are reprimanded for the name of Christ, for My Spirit of glory rests upon you. But don't suffer because you do wrong things like being a busybody in other people's matters (1 Peter 4:12-15).

Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce My righteousness. Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with humbleness the word implanted in you, which is able to save your souls (James 1:19-21). For your religion is useless if you cannot restrain your tongue (James 1:26). Therefore tame your tongue (James 3:1-13), do not speak evil of one another, do not judge (James 4:11, 12) and do not grumble against one another (James 4:9). Rather let your yes be yes and your no be no and do not swear be heaven or earth (James 5:12).

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14)? Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, lust or greed, guard your speech, forsake obscenities and worthless insults, instead let worship fill your heart and spill out in your words (Ephesians 5:3, 4). Lead a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12). Be faithful and true in all that you do, speak the truth and live a life of purity and authentic love as you remain strong in your faith. Be diligent in consuming My Word, be faithful in prayer and in teaching the believers (1 Timothy 4:12, 13). Be of good comfort, be of one mind and live in peace (2 Corinthians 13:11). Make this your constant meditation and make it real in your life (1 Timothy 4:15). Give careful attention to your spiritual life and every cherished truth you teach, for living what you preach will then release even more abundant life inside of you and to all those who listen to you (1 Timothy 4:16).

Be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful to Me, prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 2:21). For those who believe in Me should be careful to maintain good works. You do not have to perform good works to obtain salvation, but good works flowing out of your love for Me pleases Me. These things are good and profitable to men (Titus 3:8). Let unbelievers by your good works glorify Me (1 Peter 2:12). So don't allow your hearts to grow dull or lose your enthusiasm, but follow the example of those in My Word who have inherited My promises because of their strong faith and patient endurance (Hebrews 6:12). Pursue peace with all people and holiness, without which no one will see Me. Look carefully lest anyone fall short of My grace; for any root of bitterness springing up may cause trouble, and by this many become defiled (Hebrews 12:14, 15).

Visit orphans and widows in their trouble and keep yourself unspotted from the world (James 1:27). Honor all people, love the brotherhood, revere Me and honor the king (1 Peter 2:17). Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world (1 Peter 5:8, 9). Serve Me with a fervent spirit (Romans 12:11), rejoice in hope (Romans 12:12) and be patient in tribulation (Romans 12:12). Make it your aim to be well pleasing to Me (2 Corinthians 5:9), walking worthy of the calling with which you were called (Ephesians 4:1).

Summary

By grace I have made you alive together with Christ, raising you up and allowing you to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. You have therefore been saved through faith in Jesus by grace; it is My free gift to you. Grace, peace and mercy is now yours forever through your Savior.

There is nothing you can do to earn this grace of Mine, for you have free access into it by faith. Therefore you can now reign in life because of the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness generously given to you by Christ. Sin has no more dominion over you, for I gave you resurrection life and drew you to Myself by My holy calling on your life. Grace has revealed the anointed Jesus, who has dismantled death, eliminating all its effect on your lives, and who has manifested His immortal life in you. Sing praises always!

You were once full of sin, disobedient and deceived, living nastily, full of envy, but by grace you have been saved. Through a rebirth and renewing of My Holy Spirit, you have become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Now you can live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of your Savior, Jesus Christ.

Now because you have been saved by grace, go out and serve with an abundance of good works and let all that you say always be with grace. By grace you have access to My wealth, by grace you have My power, allow yourself to be flooded with such incredible grace, until you are full of faith and love for Jesus, the Anointed One.

Now come boldly to the throne of grace, do not be carried about with various strange doctrines. Rather continue to grow and increase in My grace and intimacy with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Have your heart grounded in grace and become partakers of the divine nature. I will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.

(Excerpt from The New Covenant by Ilze Henderson)

Detailed verses to support the summary, plus it will help if you want to delve into the Word yourself

I am rich in mercy, because of My great love with which I loved you, even when you were dead in trespasses, I made you alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. I raised you up and made you sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. And because of My kindness I will show the exceeding treasures of My grace toward you in Christ Jesus in the ages to come. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not because of anything you have done; it is My free gift to you. It is not because of your own works, otherwise you will start boasting (Ephesians 1:4-9). It is all because of Jesus that you have received grace (Romans 1:5, 1 Corinthians 1:4). Grace, peace and mercy is now yours from Me through your Savior Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:3, 16:23, 2 Corinthians 1:2, 13:14, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, 6:23, 24, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:2, 1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4, Philemon 1:3, 2 John 1:31, Timothy 6:21, 2 Timothy 4:22, Titus 3:15, Hebrews 13:25) and the communion of My Holy Spirit is with you always (2 Corinthians 13:14). The grace of your Lord Jesus Christ will be with your spirit (Galatians 6:18, Philemon 1:25) in all that you do (Philippians 4:23, Colossians 4:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:18) with peace multiplied (1 Peter 1:2).

You see today you have access by faith into grace (Romans 5:2). There is nothing you can do that can make you earn grace. That is why it is called grace, My unearned favor! Sin used to reign in death, now grace reigns through righteousness to give you eternal life through Jesus Christ your Lord (Romans 5:21). Sin and death has no dominion over Jesus and because you are one with Him, it doesn't have dominion over you either, for you are under grace (Romans 6:9, 14). Therefore you can now reign in life because of the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness you generously received through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

I gave you resurrection life and drew you to Myself by My holy calling on your lives. It wasn't because of any good that you have done. It was by My divine pleasure and marvelous grace that I confirmed your union with the anointed Jesus, even before time began! This truth is now being revealed by the unveiling of Jesus, your Life-giver, who has dismantled death, obliterating all its effects on your lives. Today He has manifested His immortal life in you by the glorious gospel of grace (2 Timothy 1:9, 10).

Your Savior Jesus taught you that you must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. He taught you to rather live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age, looking for the blessed hope of His glorious appearing. He gave Himself for you, that He might redeem you from every lawless deed and purify you for Himself, His own special people, enthusiastic to do good works. Teach all your brethren these things (Titus 2:11-15). For you were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of your Savior toward men appeared, not by works of righteousness which you have done, but according to My mercy, it is all by grace. He saved you, through the washing of renewal, a rebirth and renewing of My Holy Spirit. He poured out My Spirit on you abundantly, that having been justified by His grace you should become heirs according to the hope of a wonderful eternal life (Titus 3:3-7).

And because of My grace abounding towards you, I want you to have an abundance of good works due to your gratitude towards Me (2 Corinthians 9:8). Jesus, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich and help those in need (2 Corinthians 8:9). For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through to many, may cause thanksgiving to be raised towards Me in glory (2 Corinthians 4:15).

Therefore come boldly to the throne of grace today, do not be scared, come and obtain mercy and find unearned favor (Hebrews 4:16). Do not be carried about with various strange doctrines, divinely loved ones, since you are forewarned of these things. Be careful that you are not led astray by the inaccuracy of the lawless and lose your firm grip on the truth. But continue to grow and increase in My grace and intimacy with your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:17, 18). For it is good that the heart be established by grace (Hebrews 13:9).

For grace and peace will be multiplied to you in the knowledge of Me and of Jesus your Lord. His divine power has given to you all things that you need for life and godliness. I have given you exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:2-4). I am the God of all grace, who called you to My eternal glory by Christ Jesus, therefore I will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you (1 Peter 5:10, 11).

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Rejoice! For you are now partakers of grace (Philippians 1:7), you have been called in the grace of Christ (Galatians 1:6), therefore let your speech always be with grace (Colossians 4:6). Allow yourself to be flooded with such incredible grace, like a river overflowing its banks, until you are full of faith and love for Jesus (1 Timothy 1:14)! Continue to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1).

Summary

All things are in subjection under you, for you are Christ's and He brought you in as sons of Mine. You are now Christ's brethren, led by My Spirit. You received My Spirit of adoption, through whom you can now cry 'ABBA, Father!' For today you are heirs, enjoying the glorious liberty it brings.

You have overcome all, because of your faith in Jesus. He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Imitate Jesus by abiding in Him, for whoever abides in Him does not sin. For you see whoever has been born of Me does not sin, for My seed remains in him, he is a new creation, fresh from heaven.

You are My children in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Do not complain, but shine My light to the world, holding fast to My Word. Also do not despise My discipline, for I chasten only those that I love, in order to train you to become more like Christ. I discipline you so that you can become partakers of My holiness, bringing in a harvest of righteousness and peace. I promise that all things will work together for good for those who love Me.

(Excerpt from The New Covenant by Ilze Henderson)

Detailed verses to support the summary, plus it will help if you want to delve into the Word yourself

My Word (Hebrews 2:6-8) tells you:

"What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor. And set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet."

I therefore declared that I have put all things in subjection under you, meaning that I have left nothing that is not put under you. However I know that you do not yet see the manifestation of all things put under you. But fortunately you see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, yet by His suffering unto death He was crowned with glory and honor, that He, by My grace, might taste death on behalf of everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many of you as sons into glory, being exalted higher than all. For both He who sanctifies and you who are being sanctified are one and thus He is not ashamed to call you His brethren (Hebrews 2:6-11). For all who accept His atoning work at the cross are led by My Spirit, and are sons of Mine (Romans 8:14), and all those who acknowledge My Son has Me also (1 John 2:23). So because of Jesus you are higher than the angels, with all things in subjection under your feet.

Therefore you received the Spirit of adoption, through whom you can cry to Me 'ABBA, Father!' (Romans 8:15). The Spirit Himself bears witness with your spirit that you are children of Mine (Romans 8:16, 9:26), through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:26). And if children, you are My heirs, joint heirs with Christ, if indeed you suffer with Him, so that you can be glorified together (Romans 8:17). This present suffering for My Name is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in you (Romans 8:18). Creation awaits eagerly for the revealing of My sons (Romans 8:19). For creation will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty that My children now enjoy (Romans 8:21). Jesus is therefore the firstborn of many brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29).

You were always predestined to be adopted as sons (Ephesians 1:5), and now it has happened because you are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6). Jesus redeemed you who were under the law, so that you might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, I have sent forth the Spirit of My Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and because you are a son, you are an heir of Mine through Christ (Galatians 4:5-7). Do you truly realize what that means? Take a moment and drink in the magnitude of what I just revealed to you.

Now because you are Mine, little children, you have overcome all, for Jesus who is within you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4, 6). For whatever is born of Me overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - your faith. So if you believe that Jesus is My Son, you are an overcomer (1 John 5:4, 5). You will be just like Jesus (1 John 3:1, 2). And all of you who have this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (1 John 3:3).

Therefore be imitators of Me as dear children (Ephesians 5:1). Anyone fathered by Me does not make sinning a way of life, because My Son protects My children, and the evil one cannot touch them. Don't you know that the whole world lies under the misery and influence of the evil one (1 John 5:18, 19)? But now Jesus was manifested to take away your sins, for in Him there is no sin. And now because He is in you, whoever abides in Him does not sin and is free from the evil one. But whoever continues steadfast in sin, not planning to stop, has neither seen Him nor known Him. He who unwaveringly enjoys continuing in sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. Yet, for this purpose Jesus came, that He might annul the works of the devil. So now whoever has been born of Me does not sin, for My seed remains in him, he is newly born, one with Jesus, a new creation, fresh from heaven; and therefore he cannot sin (1 John 3:5-9).

Now go forth and do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, My children, without fault in the midst of a distorted and perverse generation. In this world you must shine as lights, holding fast to the word of life (Philippians 2:14-16). And do not despise My discipline, My son, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Me; for whom I love I chasten, and I train every son whom I receive unto Myself (Hebrews 12:5, 6). Therefore come to Me, the Father of spirits and live. I discipline you so that you may be partakers of My holiness. I understand that discipline might seem to be painful and not joyful; nevertheless, afterward it produces a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been gone through it (Hebrews 12:9-11). For I allow all things to work together for good for those who love Me, for those who are called according to My special plan for them (Romans 8:28).

Summary on the full stature of Christ

If you confess that Jesus is the Son of God, I abide in you, and you in Me, you are then in Christ and Christ is Mine. Christ then becomes your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption, your hope of glory with the promise of life in Him. You then have the mind of Christ and you shall live with Him by My power towards you.

Jesus loves you, the church, dearly. He nourishes and cherishes you just as His own body, for you are part of His flesh and of His bones, for as Jesus is, so are you in this world.

You as believers have become partakers of Christ, you are in Him. That is eternal life. Become brave in Him and imitate Him, for in Him you are holy and without blame, sons of Mine with forgiveness of sins. You have obtained an inheritance and are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

So, My dear children, grow up into the full stature of My Son, Jesus. Grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, and start walking as He walked. I will give you the increase to grow, so that your faith becomes successful, powerful and fruitful by admitting every good thing which is in you in Christ. I want My Son to be revealed to the world through you, labor therefore to shape Him in all believers.

(Excerpt from The New Covenant by Ilze Henderson)

Detailed verses to support the summary, plus it will help if you want to delve into the Word yourself

My love was manifested toward you by sending My only begotten Son into the world, so that you might live through Him (1 John 4:9). For if you confess that Jesus is My Son, I will abide in you, and you in Me (1 John 4:15). You are then in Christ and Christ is Mine (1 Corinthians 3:23). And when you are in Christ Jesus, He becomes your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). You then have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), for He is mighty in you (2 Corinthians 13:3, 5). Even though you may feel weak, you shall live with Him by My power towards you (2 Corinthians 13:4). For when you were baptized into Christ you have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27), you are all one in Christ Jesus now (Galatians 3:28), called to fellowship with Him (1 Corinthians 1:9). This is the mystery hidden in times past. That the Gentiles were also brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13), so that today Christ is in all believers, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27) and the promise of life (2 Timothy 1:1).

Christ so loved the church that He gave Himself for her. And you are part of His church. He gave Himself for you so that He might sanctify and cleanse you with the washing of water by the word. Due to this He can now present you to Himself as a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, so that you can be holy and without fault in His presence (Ephesians 5:25, 26). Jesus nourishes and cherishes you just as He does His own body (Ephesians 5:29). For you are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. Love has been perfected in this, that as He is, so are you in this world (1 John 4:17). That is why Scripture says:

"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." (Ephesians 5:31)

This is a great mystery, but it reflects what happened between My Son and you (Ephesians 5:32). You have become partakers of Christ (Hebrews 3:14), with peace overflowing (1 Peter 5:14), the fragrance of Christ to the world (2 Corinthians 2:15) so that through Him you have received apostleship (Romans 1:5). Christ is the source of every human (1 Corinthians 11:3) and now you can know Him who is true; for you are in Him who is true, in My Son Jesus Christ. This is eternal life (1 John 5:20). Therefore be bold and imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1), for He who has begun a good work in you will most definitely complete it (Philippians 1:6). For in Him you are holy and without blame, you are sons of Mine, you have forgiveness of sins, you have obtained an inheritance, and as a cherry on the cake, you are sealed with My Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:4, 5, 7, 11, 13).

The fivefold ministry in the church was placed there to equip the saints for the work of ministry and to edify the body of Christ, until you come to the unity of the faith and to the full knowledge of My Son, the perfect man. It helps you to grow into the stature of the fullness of Christ. For then you would no longer be like children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every different kind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, with their dishonest conspiracies. Rather you would embrace and speak the truth in love, growing up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ (Ephesians 4:12-15). And once you grow in Him, you will walk just as He walked (1 John 2:6), rooted and built up in Him, deeply grounded in the faith, abounding in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6, 7).

Therefore hold fast to the head, from whom all the body, are nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, continually growing with the encouragement that is from Me (Colossians 2:19). Then, the sharing of your faith will become successful, powerful and fruitful by the recognition of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus (Philemon 1:4-6). I want to reveal My Son to the world through you (Galatians 1:16). Labor therefore to form Christ in all believers (Galatians 4:19) and go out and change the world.