Weekly Devotion

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.

From God

Give over into My hands. Do not continue to analyse everything. Rather give over to Me. Give Me your disappointments. I know that you wanted things to work out in a certain manner. I know that people have promised you many things and yet disappointed you once more. I know you thought that your dreams will be accomplished in a much more elaborate and quicker fashion. I know that you expected more of your children. I know that your career is not advancing as quickly as you would have hoped. I know that you are not satisfied with your efforts. Disappointment has taken hold of you. It is around every corner.

But do not embrace it. Do not cherish your disappointments as a long lost friend coming for a visit. Acknowledge the feeling as it comes, but let it pass by. Do not allow it to infiltrate into your heart. Do not allow it to sit in your inner most being, sucking out all the joy that you have in your heart. Do not participate in its pity party that it is trying to drown you in. There will always be disappointments, especially where other people are involved. They are fallen creatures and mostly act out what is best for them. Treat disappointments with a different attitude.

First of all, do not put your trust in mankind. As I have said, they are prone to disappoint you. Do not trust in them to market your product, do not trust in them to advance your career, and do not trust in them to stand by you when the going gets tough. Who is in charge of your life? Who decides your outcome? Is it not I, the Lord? Then why do you trust in men? Rather trust in Me and know that I will work out all things for your own good, if you follow Me with all your heart and do your best with what I have blessed you with.

Secondly, do not trust in your own abilities to achieve things. Yes, I have given you those abilities, but rather trust in Me to work through your abilities to achieve your goals. There is a difference. Your abilities, combined with the knowledge of your authority that you have in Me over situations, will give you the confidence you need to prosper and set into motion what needs to be done. You need to stand up in all that you are in Me. Proclaim My Word, speak My truth and see how things change. And in the process use your abilities to bring about the victory already ordained by Me.

Thirdly, do not give up. When you are mature in Me, you will know the road. Then walk in it. Standing up in your authority as My son, you will achieve much. Just do not give up. Most of My children give up and wait for Me to act. That is not how it works. You need to sow, so that I can bless you with reaping. You will reap what you sow, and if you sow nothing, nothing will come up. My children need to realise that. You need to keep on walking, keep on working, keep on trying, then the blessings will not be left behind, and the manifestation of your victory will start to materialise.

Fourthly, do not expect more of people than what I have placed in them. For example do not expect your children to be achievers and force them to excel in something. I have a perfect plan for them and I do not want you interfering with it. Of course give them all the opportunities that you can, give them nudges in the right direction, pray about it and listen to My voice leading you. But do not just jump ahead and force them into directions I didn't plan for them. Pray and allow Me to lead the way. And if the only thing your child ever achieves in worldly eyes is to know Me and love Me, and exalt My Kingdom, then he/she has done very well.

Lastly, if what you have done, glorified My Name, then all is well. If it wasn't an earthly success in the eyes of the world, that doesn't matter. It was a huge success in Mine. But of course, if you worked only to glorify yourself and disappointment comes in the eyes of the world, then it was a dismal failure, not only on earth, but in heaven as well. Remember always to exalt Me, to glorify Me, to advance My Kingdom, then whatever you do in My Name will be a huge success. It will, that is a promise. But do not expect to always see the success manifesting in your realm. The manifestation might be spiritual, but it is there and the rewards won't be left behind.

Spare yourself the agony of disappointments. Do not give it a hold over your life. You will lose so much more than you can ever dream or think. Walk in the success you know materialised in Heaven. As My child I want control over your whole life, and when I do, I will flow out and set the course for you. I will flow out and give you the stage to stand on and proclaim My authority over your situations. Please allow Me to; you will never be disappointed with Me. I am your Rock, your fortress and I will never be shaken. Lean against Me and let the past go. Allow Me to take control; you will never regret the day you did. From now on, walk from the stance of victory, knowing that you are royalty with a purpose. When you point a broken world to Me, success is a given.

Ponder this:

1. Write down everything that you are disappointed about.
2. Be honest with yourself: Did you put your trust in mankind instead of in God? Did the disappointment occur because you wanted praises for yourself?
3. Have you done your best? Did you stand up in the authority that you have as God's son?
4. Have you been lukewarm and not done all that God has placed in your heart? Resolve today to start doing your best and to follow in His footsteps with total obedience.
5. Think back on disappointing times, did you give up? If yes, write down the action plan on how to start sowing again.
6. Read and meditate on the following Scriptures this week:
   1. Put your trust in God rather than in mankind - Jeremiah 17:5, 6
   2. Ponder on Moses' disappointments at the beginning of his ministry, and remember how wonderful everything worked out as he continued to trust in God - Exodus 5:22, 23, 6:9-12
   3. Martha and Mary was disappointed that Jesus came 'too late' to heal their brother, Lazarus. And we all know how Jesus raised him from the dead - John 11:17-32
   4. Be strong and courageous and do not be disappointed - Joshua 1:9

(Excerpt from God Breathes by Ilze Henderson)

From God

My Kingdom exists amongst the weeds. Even though My Kingdom will exist for all ages to come, it is for now growing amongst the weeds. Do you understand that? Due to the Fall, it is the way that it has to be for now. But My wish for you is to grow stronger than the weeds surrounding you. My wish for you is to outgrow them and to stand tall as the harvest I am coming for. I long for My people to tower over the evil of this world. I want you to loosen yourselves from the grip of the weeds trying to smother you. Shake off their influence and rather draw nutrition from the fertile ground you are standing on.

I came to provide you with all the nutrition you need. Never drink in anything the weeds feed on, but rather nourish yourself through the faithful Word of God. Only through taking in your daily bread and spending time in My presence, can you outgrow the weeds around you. Only through being spiritually minded, can you expel all things carnal in your life.

Spiritual weeds are just like ordinary weeds. They try and steal your nutrition, they try to take over your life, they try to strangle your life from you and they will trample over you in order to take the shine. Don't allow them to do that. I have given you every spiritual tool there is to fight them. Put on your body armour of righteousness, your helmet of salvation, your belt of truth and your shoes of peace. Take up your shield of faith and arm yourself with the Word as your sword. Give My Spirit free reign and stand up as the spiritual giant that you are.

Don't allow the weeds to get their tentacles around you, but cut them off in My Name and with My Word. Stand firm in who you are in Me. Proclaim the truth that you are spoken for and part of My Kingdom. Go out and act righteously in all your dealings, have revelation knowledge that you are saved, live close to Me, the Prince of Peace and proclaim your faith in Me, despite seemingly desperate situations. Take up your sword and sever the roots of the weeds and their deathly tentacles trying to lure you in.

I am in control; My Kingdom WILL grow into the biggest tree of all, expanding the whole earth. My Kingdom is the rock that smashed the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. That rock will become a mighty mountain covering the whole earth. But for now, My Kingdom lives within your heart already. It might be small now, like a mustard seed, but the principles and the truths about My Kingdom are yes and amen! True and mighty already, equipped to change this world for the better.

In My Kingdom there is joy and laughter, in My Kingdom there is healing and praise, in My Kingdom love overflows in abundance to all. My Kingdom is where you belong. Live in the reality of that now already. Claim all the promises for yourself and walk with your head held high, as the royal son of God that you are.

Live in the spiritual manifestation of My Kingdom on earth and keep the weeds out. Keep Satan at a distance and don't allow him to influence you through alluring whispers. You are part of something wonderful. Pray that you receive My Spirit of wisdom and revelation and grow in your knowledge of Me. Then you will start to experience My Kingdom amongst the weeds and you will start to grow out above it all, where the Son will shine on you, giving you the strength you need to grow in power and in stature. You are Mine forever and ever.

Look forward to our wedding reception, the age is drawing to a close. One day soon the rock will be loosened by the hand of My Father and you will see the evil nations of this world smashed to pieces and all that will remain is you, living close to Me in My Kingdom, with the evil cry of this world a distant memory.

Place your hope in Me, strive to live for My Kingdom. At the end of the day My Kingdom is all that matters, nothing is as valuable as that. I long that you will understand that, digest that, and start living for that today. I died to give you the freedom to choose. Internalise that and start walking in the truth of it all. I am right beside you, every day drawing closer and closer until the day that we are literally hand in hand, breathing the same air, experiencing a better day.

Ponder this:

1. What are the weeds in your life hindering your spiritual growth? Is it drinking too much, is it participating in grey areas at work, is it lustful relationships, is it gossiping, is it gambling, is it wrong friends, is it watching the wrong kind of movies? Or is it simply by making something in your life your idol? Write these areas down.
2. How do you plan to eliminate these weeds from your life?
3. What do you think is true of the Kingdom of God?
4. Write down how that will influence your life today. You are already part of His Kingdom, and therefore the truths of the Kingdom apply already. Write down the impact this revelation will have on you.
5. Read and meditate on the following Scriptures this week:
   1. God's Kingdom that will smash all human kingdoms - Daniel 2:36-45
   2. Jesus' parable of the weeds - Matthew 13:24-30
   3. Jesus' Kingdom is like a mustard seed - Matthew 13:31, 32
   4. Make the Kingdom of God your primary concern - Matthew 6:32, 33

(Excerpt from God Breathes by Ilze Henderson)

From God

Do you really believe that I will look after you? And if you do, then why are you so stressed when you go outside the scope of human help? Why do you go into a frantic state when doctors are not close by to assist you? Or when your future looks bleak at work? Or when you have tried every avenue possible to succeed and advance, but somehow you still come to a dead end? Or when you have tried every angle to save your marriage and it still doesn't want to work?

Why do you stress so much? I want to help you. I am always there to reach out to you. Darkness cannot remain in My presence. I am the Light of the World, and where I move, there is light, illuminating every situation and giving hope to the lost. My ways are so uniquely special, different from this world. It will arouse an expectation in your heart of the supernatural to occur.

I operate in the spiritual realm and when you were born again, a new spiritual being was born. Spirit understands spirit, and therefore I encourage you to live in the spiritual realm of which your newborn spirit is part of. Only through My Spirit, will you understand anything. Deep follows deep and the more you move in the spirit, the deeper you will delve into My Being. And the moment you start doing that, everything else will fade in comparison.

Being with Me surpasses any experience you might have on earth. And by that I am not saying that I don't regard your earthly life as important, just read the Bible and you will see how concerned I am about My children's wellbeing. I am saying that you will live your earthly life on another level. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

I know you all crave for so much more. I know you want more out of life, and this is the secret to it all. Live to glorify My Spirit, through communing with Me in your spirit. When you accepted My Son, Jesus, as your personal Saviour, your old sinful nature made way for your newly created spirit. A new spirit was born that is part of the new Jerusalem to come. A new spirit was born that can enter into My presence and drink in My glory. This spirit is sinless and pure and in this spirit lies all My values, all My strength, all that I am.

Delve into the new spirit inside, the new you. Dig deeper and discover the wealth of treasures I have given you as a gift. Discover each of them and rejoice in all that I am blessing you with. All the blessings under the heavenly realm are yours through My Son Jesus. It is yours for the taking. But, if you cling on to the 'treasures' and the 'worries' of your earthly life, you might miss it. You might miss out on a life living above the waves of this life. Wouldn't that be tragic? You will be like a traveller dehydrating and giving up in a desert, even though an oasis was just around the corner. Tragic.

Storms there will be, but you will have the ability to rise above it all and to handle it through My mighty Spirit. Are you ready to make the conscious decision and effort to transform your mind to think as I do? I hope you do, you won't be disappointed, in fact you will come running to Me for more.

Ponder this:

1. Write down what you are stressed about at the moment.
2. If you looked from a spiritual perspective on these same issues, do you still have reason to stress about them?
3. Exercise being still in God's presence. Sit still and drink in His presence, through your spirit communing with His.
4. See yourself as part of His new creation. What is true of you and how will it change your outlook on life today?
5. Read and meditate on the following Scriptures this week:
   1. Only those that have God's Spirit can understand what His Spirit is saying - 1 Corinthians 2:9-15
   2. Your new creation within doesn't sin - 1 John 3:9
   3. You were born with an evil nature, but Jesus gave you a new life - Ephesians 2:1-5
   4. Do not stress, God looks after you - Psalm 127:1, 2

(Excerpt from God Breathes by Ilze Henderson)

From God

Seasons come and go. Spring, summer, autumn, winter and again spring, summer, autumn and winter. Seasons will always come and go until the earth ceases to exist. There are several reasons why there is something like seasons and one of them is to teach you spiritual lessons. They are there to show you that there is a time for everything. There is a time to plant and there is a time to harvest, there is a time to work and there is a time to rest, there is a time to wait and there is a time to run, there is a time to study and there is a time to apply, there is a time to do something and then there is a time to simply trust. There is a time for everything in this world.

Which season are you in? Are you in a spring cycle where everything is fresh and new, exciting and full of promise? Or are you in a summer cycle where you are waiting for your big harvest to come in? Or are you maybe in an autumn cycle tired from the hard work of the summer and looking forward to some rest? Or are you in a winter cycle, resting from your hard work, but yet impatient that things are not happening or developing as you would have hoped it would? Where are you finding yourself at the moment?

Remember one thing; a season is not there to stay. Whether you are experiencing your current season as a highlight or a low point in your life, it is not constant and it will not last forever. Each season is there to teach you something and to lead you unto new heights on a spiritual level. Even though you might experience it as a difficult time, it is raising you unto a new level spiritually. Just keep on following My Word and be obedient, see Me walking beside you, taking your hand and guiding you to where you need to be. Seasons are there for you to learn from, to apply the lessons learned and to move forward. It needs to be applied through the principles of My Word, only then will spiritual growth take place.

Your spiritual wellbeing is of utmost importance to Me. Your newly born spirit within you is part of My royal family and so precious to Me. Therefore your growth in this new life is what Kingdom living is all about. Rejoice in the growth you experience in your soul, live your life exalting My Name and live for a Kingdom way above earthly life. Kingdom living is where I am, Kingdom living is where miracles manifest, Kingdom living is where My secrets are revealed, it is so much more glorious than any earthly thing, look up and be part of it.

My promises of protection, health and prosperity to the Israelites were based on two conditions. Number one, they had to obey and love Me. And number two, they had to live in the land that I gave them. It sounds so simple, right? But the same is true of you. For My promises to become a reality you need to firstly accept the finished work of My Son and you should love Us beyond measure. You need to see who you are in Us and accept Our righteousness as the gift that it is. Secondly, you need to live in the land that I gave you, My Kingdom. Live in the reality of it now already. Do not live for this world any longer, do not live as if this is all that you have. It is not. Your true home is with Me, live in the reality of it now already and believe only what I say is true of you according to My Word. Stop believing the lies of My enemy and start believing My truth. My truth will set you free.

I will always be there, carrying you and caring for you. I am the constant in your life, the never changing One; the One Who always was and always will be. Take My hand and walk with Me through the seasons of life. I would love to teach you My ways and help you to walk above it all. Therein lies the secret of life. Come, trust Me, I have it all figured out. My hand is outstretched, take it and walk with Me on roads paved with gold and dusted with diamonds, beautiful to see, but soft to touch. My Kingdom will amaze you, take the chance with Me, you will never be the same.

Ponder this:

1. In which season do you find yourself in at the moment?
2. What does this season that you are in say to you?
3. Write down what you think God wants to teach you about this season that you are in.
4. How are you going to approach this new season with the fresh insights that you have just received?
5. Read and meditate on the following Scriptures this week:
   1. There is a time for everything - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
   2. God will guide you on the best pathway for your life - Psalm 32:8
   3. You will become more and more like Christ, if you allow His Spirit to work in you - 2 Corinthians 3:18
   4. God doesn't tempt you, you are His choice possession - James 1:13-18
   5. God's truth will set you free - John 8:32

(Excerpt from God Breathes by Ilze Henderson)

From God

Come and sit with Me. I am your Father, the One looking after you day in and day out. Do you realise that there is nothing that I don't know about you? I know whether you are sitting or standing up. I know what you are thinking and I know what you are fearing. I know all your cares and all your worries. I know your pain and I know of every emotional tear. I know of all the stress you are carrying and I know how rushed you are.

But I also know what is good for you. I know how to care for you. I made every intricate detail of the masterpiece you call your body and therefore I know what is best. Trust Me. Give your life over to Me, every part of it, your health, your work life, your marriage, your children, your friends, your social tendencies, your hobbies, your exercise regime, everything. I want it all, I want you.

Don't be like a stubborn toddler that doesn't want to take his mother's hand and run in front of an approaching car. Don't be like a schoolboy that thinks it is funny to be disrespectful to authorities placed above him. Don't be like a teenager that tests his parents' patience by doing exactly the opposite from what they told him to do. Don't be like a man that neglect his elderly parents and never come to visit them. Don't be like them. My heartfelt desire is that My children will love Me, respect Me, listen to Me and spend time with Me.

Come, come and be Mine. You are My prized possession, the one I smile about. You are the one I created with so much care and with so many plans. I was so excited the day you were born, so much more than your parents were. The heavens rejoiced and the angels sang. It was a special day.

Now make My heart proud. I didn't make you a robot that must obey My every command, no, I made you special, so that every act of obedience shines out like a rainbow into this world. The world is in desperate need of rainbows and you are the one that needs to shine it out for all to see. Complete obedience to Me will radiate so much colour and light into this world, that evil will have no chance to survive.

Complete obedience equals complete surrender. Surrender to My Spirit within and dedicate your life to one being transformed by Him. Once that happens, you will walk with My authority here on earth, as My son and with the rights and privileges that come with the title.

Step by step My children will change this world. Are you ready? Come, come and sit with Me. I want to envelop you in totality with My love. I want to surround you with My grace. May you discover the secret of spending quality time with Me. You will cry out for more. Lucky for you, we will be together for all eternity to come. Come on and experience it now already.

Ponder this:

1. Write down all the areas of your life that you want to give over to God.
2. Which areas are you with holding from Him? And why? What are you afraid of?
3. Have you recently been disobedient towards God? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you.
4. What were the consequences of your disobedience? Sit still and analyse your situation. What will you do differently next time? How will you rectify the situation now?
5. Read and meditate on the following Scriptures this week:
   1. God wants to help you, obey Him - Isaiah 1:18, 19
   2. Read again the devastating effects that Adam and Eve's disobedience brought to the world - Genesis 3:1-24
   3. Decide to be as bold as the disciples were in obeying God - Acts 5:29
   4. Jesus was obedient to the end and as a result of it, He was exalted - Philippians 2:5-11

(Excerpt from God Breathes by Ilze Henderson)

Let us continue with our guidelines of growing in our new creation from last week:

1. 1. When you wake up in the morning, remind yourself to live in the new creation. This also helps me to get my mind-set right for the day. I must be honest, my thoughts run rampant once the day gets started, but a reminder now and again helps me. Maybe you can even put physical reminders all around you in your home or office to remind yourself to renew your mind. Reminders are a good way of redirecting your thoughts to where they should be.
2. 2. Be grateful for what Jesus has done. Live every day with gratitude that Jesus came and rescued you from all the evil of this world. Even if you feel that nothing in your life is going right, be grateful that you are saved. Be grateful that Jesus came for you and that you are part of the new creation. Thank Him for it every day. What a privilege to be part of it, to be able to call God your Father. What a privilege to be part of the Bride of Jesus. Thank Him for it every day; never lose the awe of what He has done for you.
3. 3. Spend time in nature. I have always found that nature has a way of reminding one of what is truly important in life. Nature has a way to calm the soul, and I have experienced God more in nature than in the concrete jungle. Take a walk along the ocean, make time to see the sun rise, stop to smell the flowers along the way, listen to the birds singing, look at the beautiful formations of the clouds, feel the wind caressing your cheeks, feel the water of the stream rushing through your hands, listen to the roar of a lion, look up to the majestic mountains, the full moon, and the stars and praise God for it all. Praise Him for this creation, but more than that, praise Him for the creation to come, where everything is going to be in harmony and at peace and so much more beautiful than the present one.

(Excerpt from The Second Creation - Ilze Henderson)

Let us continue with our list of guidelines from the previous time:

1. Listen to Christian music. I have found this to be very helpful, especially when you repeat the lyrics in your mind throughout the day. It really helps to focus your attention once again on the new creation. Music also aids in praise and worship, an essential ingredient in connecting to God and your new home.

2. Attending church and a Bible-study group has also helped me. Getting the life-giving Word through another interpretation is always beneficial. Experiencing the Spirit and unity through fellowship with other believers is wonderful. We are part of the Body of Christ and just by being together we enhance our experience and love of God. We can be there for one another, pray for one another, and praise God in unison. I have felt the presence of the Lord more readily sometimes through this unity than by being alone. Not always, I might add. Time spent alone with God is priceless, but being together as a family of faith is essential too.

3. Helping other people. Through helping other people, I have felt the constant "nagging" of my sinful nature disappear and a true love for others emerge when I got out of my comfort zone and physically reached out to help. I have seen God in the eyes of people, so grateful for the help you provide. I have experienced His love when distributing food and blankets to those who do not have. I literally feel God working through me, which is a wonderful feeling of connectedness. We are His hands and feet, and when we kneel down and help others, we literally feel His hands and feet at work. Give it a try. It is worth much more than when you receive something.

(Excerpt from The Second Creation - Ilze Henderson)

Let us continue with our guidelines from last week on how to grow in our new creation and lead a flourishing life:

1. Speak life-giving words over yourself every day out loud. Your old sinful nature needs to hear it and give way to the life-changing truths within you. I have found this to really work. My spirit seems to lift, and I can truly say that I start to believe these truths about myself. Slowly but surely, I start to live it. It truly makes a very big difference. I am going to give you examples to get your thoughts going, but this is by no means a complete list. The Holy Spirit will lead you to various new ones.
   1. I am a child of the living God.
   2. I am a citizen of heaven with all the privileges and blessings in the heavenly realm.
   3. I am a priest, ready to serve my King.
   4. I am the Bride of Christ, perfect and holy, awaiting my Bridegroom.
   5. I will share in the glory and victory of Christ because of His work on the cross.
   6. I have eternal life pulsating through my veins.
   7. I have the power of God within me.
   8. A life-giving fountain is bubbling within me, giving me new life.
   9. The Holy Spirit in His fullness is dwelling inside of me, changing me from glory to glory.
2. Stay in the present moment. When you feel yourself drifting off and worrying about the future or reliving the past, stop and acknowledge your thought. Breathe in deeply ten times, and focus on your breathing. Imagine that you are breathing in the air in the new creation now. Focus on the new creation and who you are in Christ, and force yourself to concentrate on the now. Be in the present moment and feel the Spirit's presence within you. Don't allow yourself the luxury of dwelling on thoughts that are detrimental. It also helps to recite some of the truths listed above. It helps you to focus again on who you really are and what your true purpose in life is.

(Excerpt from The Second Creation - Ilze Henderson)

I would like to give you with a few practical guidelines that I felt helped me along my journey of growing in my new creation. May this help you and lead you to life everlasting:

1. Get a time that suits you best to spend regular time with God and stick to that time. Be dedicated in spending the time with Him. Speak to Him as you would to someone close to you. Share everything that is on your heart, and make time to listen to what He has to say to you. It is a very important principle to also listen. Prayer is never a one-way street. Give Him the opportunity to speak to your heart as well. During your time spent with Him, ask Him to lead you into His place of rest. I can tell you that that is an amazing experience. I have had the privilege of entering into it, and I can confirm that the love and the rest that you find there is unequal to anything else. Ask Him to take you there. I don't want to say much more than that, as I know the experience for each person will be unique. Each person is totally distinctive, and God will know exactly what you need as you enter into His presence to rest. I cannot say how your experience will be because I am not God. But one thing I know for certain is you will look forward to your time spent with God; it is special beyond measure. Learn about His heart for you and for the world and pray about it. Your new creation was created to influence this dark world all around you.

2. Read your Bible every day, it is truly your daily bread. You will struggle to grow without it, just like you will struggle to survive without food. I once left my Bible at home when we went on holiday for a week, and that was a big mistake! I could literally feel the new life starving within me. God's Word has power without measure, and we should never underestimate it. Take it in, read it, confess it, and thank God for it. Learn from it and grow from it. Each word written there is God breathed and will breathe new life into your new creation. Crave it like a newborn baby craves milk. Never be too busy to pick up your Bible. As Christians, we should be warriors with our sword, the Bible. Without the Bible, we are in a war without weapons. Don't be caught without it. I will never go anywhere again without my Bible. I've learned my lesson.

(Excerpt from The Second Creation - Ilze Henderson)