THE 1st of SEPTEMBER
THROUGH JESUS WE RECEIVED ALL THE BEST
- And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. - John 1:14-17
Jesus Christ, the Word that became flesh, the Son of God, the Way, the Truth and the Life is the source of eternal life, love, joy, all that is pure, beautiful, holy and all that “grace” means. Jesus is the Truth and He is the Word and that means that the Bible is also the Truth. The deeper we understand the Scripture, the more we know who God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit really are.
Apostle John has written that “we have all received” the super-abundance of Jesus' grace and truth and “grace upon grace,” which the Amplified Bible explains as: “spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift.” This is God's lavishness as His gifts are not given to us sparingly; all He is giving to us through Jesus is in abundance, always more than enough. If we are in lack, the problem lies with us, not God. We cannot benefit if we do not understand or are not aware of what is ours or know how to access what the Lord has already provided for us in Jesus Christ and His Word. Sadly, we see that not everyone lives blessed and fulfilled lives in Christ. To possess what Jesus won at the cross for us, we have to be born-again and have the desire to understand who Jesus is, know who are we in Him and the blessings that belong to us because of Him. The Holy Spirit has been sent to us to be our Helper and to reveal the truth of God's Word. That means that by asking the Lord to help us, we are more able to understand and benefit from God's grace unto us.
Suggested prayer: Praises and glory to Your holy Name, dear Jesus for the grace You made available for me not only for this life but for all eternity! I can never thank You enough for paying for my sins and for bringing me back into union with Father God! Please help me to never forget that I am blessed beyond my understanding, because You have given me spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift. Please help me live to please You and to do it all as unto the You. Only because of Your grace, dear Lord, I could become Your child and enjoy the abundant life You came to offer me. Thank You so very much, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 2nd of SEPTEMBER
GOD’S GRACE IS FOR THE HUMBLE
- Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” - James 4:5-6
Once we understand the attributes of grace that we have received through Jesus, it is up to us to be strong, and remind ourselves of what belongs to us and how wonderful the benefit of eternal life is. We must build our faith on the knowledge that we are saved by the grace of God, through Christ, and not by our works. We have to reject any traditions and teachings which say that we may gain God's love by keeping certain rules. Jesus' sacrifice is perfect, we cannot add anything to improve it. We do not live a righteous life to earn God's love, but because our hearts are transformed by Jesus, we no longer find any pleasure in sin. Salvation only comes by the inner transformation that truly changes our hearts, resulting in good works and choices.
Salvation is the most valuable and precious gift, and we should treat it with full respect. We receive it freely, Jesus paid for it in full, but in order for us to keep it, we must truly repent, crucify our flesh daily along with its lusts and live in obedience to the Lord. Living this way, in love with Jesus, we will not lack any good thing. We will have God's blessings, peace, joy and all His best as part of our daily lives. Even in hard times, we can find comfort in knowing that our heavenly Father will turn it all for our benefit (Romans 8:28). God deserves our love, respect, honor and faithfulness, for who He is and what He has already done for us through Jesus Christ.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord for the gift of Your grace! The debt for my sins is paid and I can enjoy eternal life in Your presence, because You died in my place. Please help me to fully receive Your grace, by transforming my mind and heart through Your Word so that I may live according to Your will. I am so blessed to be Your child, thank You so very much for choosing me to be Yours and please continue to help me always be true to You dear Lord, in the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 3rd of SEPTEMBER
WHAT WE THINK DETERMINES HOW WE LIVE
- Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things - Philippians 4:8
Paul has given us a valuable piece of advice here. Truthful, honorable, and respectful thoughts, words and actions should be our norm as Christians. Even if sometimes doing the right thing may cause us trouble, God will always help us to get the right results in the end, because of our obedience to Him and doing what is right in His eyes.
All that is pure, lovely, admirable and of good report bring peace to those who live by the standards of God’s Word. Did you ever notice that the people who live led by all these positive things are pleasant and we love to be in their presence? Or how much we enjoy being around those who always find something good to say about things and praise God no matter what?
We are urged to focus our minds on all the positive things listed in the above verses and to implant them into our hearts. It takes effort and determination, but we can do it. We can be way happier once we start to live like this. This lifestyle aligns with our born-again spirits and helps us become more like Christ!
Suggested prayer: Thank You Father God for all the good things You prepared for me to walk in. Please help me to always choose to fill my mind with whatever is true, honorable, respectful, right and in accordance with Your Word. Please help me Lord to seek all that is worthy of praise and choose to set my mind on and keep in my heart only what is pure, positive, admirable and glorifies You. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 4th of SEPTEMBER
LET’S LIVE WHAT WE PREACH
- The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:9
In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul wrote: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” And he truly did. By Paul’s example of faith and ministry, the church was blessed throughout history, and we are still blessed today. The more we imitate Christ, the more peace we have and the more our needs will be met by our Lord.
God is the source of all good and He wants us to have abundant lives, lacking nothing. But we are to choose to live right, fulfilling His will. By seeking to please God and following His counsel, we can avoid much heartache, stress, and the effects of bad choices.
Suggested prayer: My beloved Lord, please help me imitate You in all I do. You have set the perfect example by the way You lived while being in a human body. You have always done the will of Father God and never sinned. Father, please help me understand and learn Your Word and apply it in my life. Please help me to always remember that You are the only source for my peace and well-being. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 5th of SEPTEMBER
SPIRITUAL GIFTS SHOULD BE USED FOR GOD’S GLORY
- As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. - 1 Peter 4:10
By God’s grace, every single one of us have received at least one special talent, or an ability to do something better than most people. In case you have not discovered your gifts yet, the Holy Spirit is more than willing to reveal it to you and help you use it for God’s glory, if you ask Him to do so. We are called to use our spiritual talents to bless others, to have a positive impact in God’s kingdom.
We cannot be good stewards of “God’s multi-faceted grace” if we bury the talents and abilities that our Lord had given us. If we waste our gifts, we are not only robbing ourselves from reaping the results of the blessed work for our Lord, but we also rob God. We cannot be happier or more productive doing anything else, than by doing what God has gifted us to do. None of us have received our gifts because of our own merits, we have them because of God’s unmerited favor, so we are to use what He has blessed us with for His glory.
Suggested prayer: Glory and honor to Your Holy Name Lord God for Your grace. Nothing I ever did would qualify me to deserve Your gifts. I have received them all because of Your love and mercy. Thank You so much for giving me the chance to serve others. Please help me be a good steward of all You have entrusted me with and use it all for Your glory. I am so blessed to be Your beloved child. Please help me Lord to use my spiritual gifts to serve and bless others and if there is another gift that I have not identified yet, please reveal it to me, in the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 6th of SEPTEMBER
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST WE ARE REDEEMED AND FORGIVEN
Once we have received Jesus as our Lord, He delivers and saves us from our sinful lives. In the Old Covenant, the sinner would bring an animal to the priest to be sacrificed, in order for its shed blood to cover their sin. Under the New Covenant, Jesus’ blood that was shed at the cross not only covers our sins that we sincerely ask forgiveness for, but removes them forever.
The penalty for sin is death and Jesus died in our place so that all of us who received His pardon, when we leave these bodies, we will be with Jesus, enjoying His presence forever. All we have to do to receive complete forgiveness is to believe in Jesus and sincerely repent, thanks to God’s amazing grace.
Suggested prayer: How amazing is Your grace and love, dear Lord! Only since I understood that Your love for me is so great that You sent Your beloved Son to die for me on the cross, have I found true happiness! Whenever I thank You for Your love, You pour it fresh into my spirit! You have no special demands about how I should receive Your love. It is up to me to communicate with You and acknowledge that You truly love me, to be refilled with Your lavishing love. Thank You Lord Jesus for all You did for me and for all You continue to offer me every day. Glory and honor to Your Holy Name! Amen.
- In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. - Ephesians 1:7
Once we have received Jesus as our Lord, He delivers and saves us from our sinful lives. In the Old Covenant, the sinner would bring an animal to the priest to be sacrificed, in order for its shed blood to cover their sin. Under the New Covenant, Jesus’ blood that was shed at the cross not only covers our sins that we sincerely ask forgiveness for, but removes them forever.
The penalty for sin is death and Jesus died in our place so that all of us who received His pardon, when we leave these bodies, we will be with Jesus, enjoying His presence forever. All we have to do to receive complete forgiveness is to believe in Jesus and sincerely repent, thanks to God’s amazing grace.
Suggested prayer: How amazing is Your grace and love, dear Lord! Only since I understood that Your love for me is so great that You sent Your beloved Son to die for me on the cross, have I found true happiness! Whenever I thank You for Your love, You pour it fresh into my spirit! You have no special demands about how I should receive Your love. It is up to me to communicate with You and acknowledge that You truly love me, to be refilled with Your lavishing love. Thank You Lord Jesus for all You did for me and for all You continue to offer me every day. Glory and honor to Your Holy Name! Amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 7th of SEPTEMBER
WE ARE SET FREE SO THAT WE LIVE FOR GOD’S GLORY
- For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. - Galatians 5:13
In Jesus we have found true freedom. He is the author of freedom and every single one of us can be truly free only in Jesus. The devil enslaves many people, as they believe his lie that they are free, and that they would become God’s slaves if they became Christians. The truth is exactly the opposite. God does not force us to be His, but the devil is the one who truly enslaves those who sin. True freedom is not living in sin but being set free from its power. Our sinful nature is selfish, worldly and uses any opportunity to get us back to the old sinful life we had before being born-again.
Since Adam chose to disobey God and sin, mankind stopped being in God’s image, as we were created. The fallen nature seeks sinful pleasures and its own benefits, leading to self destruction. God created us in His image and that means that we need to love, as our Lord loves. In Jesus we are freed of the power of sin, so we can live holy lives for God’s glory. The more we love the easier we forgive, the more gladly we serve and seek the best for one another.
Suggested prayer: Thank You so very much my Lord for Your love! Please help me understand Your love and fill me more and more with it every day. Thank You Lord for the true freedom that I have found in You. Please help me use it right and remain free from the power of sin. I do not want to ever go back to my old sinful life, where the lusts of my flesh were causing me to sin. Please give me the strength to fight the good fight of faith daily and truly repent when I sin so that I may keep my heart pure. Please help me love You and people more, so that I will always please You, in the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit..
THE 8th of SEPTEMBER
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES?
- For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! - Galatians 5:14-15
Love is the essence of Mosaic Law and it continues throughout the rest of the Bible regarding human relationship. While the Law was uniting Jewish people together, the Gospel unites all men, from all nations to God. What does “to love our neighbor as we love ourselves” truly mean? As the Amplified Bible explains, we are called to care for others and not be selfish; we should do things for their benefit out of love, without hidden motives, with a pure heart and a good conscience. In essence we are called to treat others as we would like others to treat us.
Love is the end of the Law. Jesus fulfilled it out of pure unselfish love for us all. He chose to pay the death penalty for the sins of all mankind. Starting with verse 13, of the same chapter we are taught that “through love serve one another.” Love is the key of having peace, joy and good relationships. If we choose strife over peace, it is more likely to hurt and end the relationships we have. If we choose to allow ourselves be offended, hurt and full of bitterness, we suffer and destroy ourselves and may negatively affect those around us.
Suggested prayer: Father God, please help me always choose to treat people right and to do unto others as I would like them to do unto me. Please fill me with Your love so that I will be able to love those around me. Thank You Holy Spirit for your fruit! Lord please help me allow the fruit of love, gentleness, kindness, peace and joy to manifest in me so that I may love and treat people right as well. I know that nothing good comes out of strife or arguments. Please help me Lord to not get easily offended, so that I won’t be bitter and then angry, being mean to others and sinning even more. Please help me solve what bothers me before it turns into negative emotions which are harder to deal with. Thank you so very much. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 9th of SEPTEMBER
ARE WE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OR BY OUR CARNAL NATURE?
- I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. - Galatians 5:16
Our sinful nature is very selfish and everything in life reduces to the “what about me?” question. God deserves all the glory, not us, so in a Holy Spirit led life, it is all about God. The apostle Paul urges us to habitually seek the Holy Spirit and obey His guidance, not only when we are in church or from time to time. Only in doing so, are we able to not respond impulsively when something offends or upsets us, but to pause, think about what Jesus would do in our place and react accordingly.
The carnal nature’s first reaction to anything contrary to its expectations, is sinful. When we carry out the desires of our carnal nature, we cannot please God. There is a constant war between our flesh and our born-again spirit, united with the Holy Spirit. The desires of flesh lead to our destruction, but all that comes from the Holy Spirit is for our best and leads to eternal life. If we want to please God, we must learn to not follow the desires and lusts of our carnal nature. It is a long process that takes much effort and by asking the Holy Spirit to help us, we can do it. The more often we choose to obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the easier it gets.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord for providing the best Helper for us, to be able to live right for You. My carnal nature causes me to feel offended whenever things are not going my way, so please help me have the right response to every situation. Only with Your help I can change and not get easily offended and stop allowing bitterness to grow in my heart. Please help me to always choose to react in love, fighting to keep my peace and calm whenever I have to deal with difficult situations. Thank You for Your perfect guidance and help that turns the bad situations for the best. Please help me keep my heart pure and full of love for You and my fellow man, in the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
The 10th of SEPTEMBER
OUR FLESH LUSTS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
- For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. - Galatians 5:17-18
Our sinful nature’s desires are opposed to the Holy Spirit. There is a constant conflict between our flesh and God’s Spirit. Our fleshly nature desires the worldly, prideful, selfish things. The Holy Spirit is God and His desires bring glory and honor to our Lord in everything He does. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit guides us “into all the truth” as He speaks not on His own authority and “will tell us the things to come” (John 16:13).
The Mosaic Law was given to the Jewish people, to guide and help them to live right for God. We are no longer under the Law, since Jesus fulfilled it by being the perfect sacrifice for all sins, once and for all. We have the guidance of the Holy Spirit as He constantly teaches us how to live right and reveals to us the truth of the Scriptures so that we may live accordingly.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Father for the salvation we have in Jesus and the help and guidance we have in the Holy Spirit. As my carnal nature is at war with the Holy Spirit, please help me Lord to constantly fight the good fight of faith, to hear and obey Your guidance. Without the Holy Spirit I cannot choose right, but I am never alone as I am the temple, Holy Spirit. Lord please help me to never quench His voice, but to always follow His advice. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 11TH OF SEPTEMBER
HUMILITY IS MORE PROFITABLE THAN PRIDE
- Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” - 1 Peter 5:5
Honoring and respecting God, as well as and our fellow man, are important for all of us as God’s children. A healthy relationship is based upon mutual respect. A relationship cannot be a good one if respect is not shown from both sides, whether it is between family members, relatives, friends, co-workers or church members. Once respect is lost it is very hard to regain. A person proves their wisdom in being humble, ready to serve, recognizing the higher rank or experience of others and seeking their counsel.
Being humble is the opposite of being proud and it is what God loves to see in us. Disrespectful, arrogant and rude people show that they have pride working in them and cannot please God, as they think highly of themselves, instead of giving God the glory for all that is good in their lives. We continue to breathe, only as long as God continues to keep us alive. The Lord is our source and strength. Only in Him do we have everything we need. Because of God’s grace, we are able to accomplish things and have success. The humble person receives God’s grace and gives God the glory, honor and respect He deserves.
Suggested prayer:Glory and praises to Your holy Name, Lord Jesus! I could have only been able to ask You to be my Lord, only because You chose and revealed Your truth to me. Thank You so very much for all You have done for me and for helping me on a daily basis. Lord, please help me to remain humble and treat people with respect, to be always ready to serve and seek the counsel of the wiser elders that You have brought into my life. I am who I am because of Your grace and love. I am so very blessed to know You and be Your child. Please help me Lord God to always honor and obey You. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 12TH OF SEPTEMBER
THE SUFFERING ALLOWED BY GOD MODELS OUR CHARACTER
- But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. - 1 Peter 5:10
I have not met anybody yet that loves to suffer. Pain is not something we like or seek, but sometimes we have to go through it, because of our bad choices or of those around us. The truth is that while going through hard times, we can hear God better and are more willing to change. Life on earth is not easy and suffering is part of it.
Because God called us to be His forever, He pours His blessings and favor into our lives, even if we have to suffer for a little while. Compared to eternity, even a hundred years is just “a little while.” The Lord will use the challenges and trials that come our way, as a result of our free will or of those around us, to “complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish” us. The sufferings we go through in our lives, make us who we are and as long as we remain true to God, He will make sure that we become whoever He created us to be, so that we may join Him in heaven for eternity.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord for all Your grace and for being with me in every trial and victory. You never leave me or forsake me and I can always count on Your help. You called me to be in Your eternal glory, in Jesus and even if I have to suffer from time to time, while here on earth, You use the hardships of this life to complete, confirm, strengthen and establish me, making me to be what I should be. Glory and praises to Your holy Name, Lord God, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 13TH OF SEPTEMBER
GOD GIVES GRACE AND HELP TO THOSE WHO COME TO HIM
- Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:16
We have the most loving and merciful High Priest, Jesus Christ, who was tempted in all things as we are, but He never sinned. We have the privilege to approach the throne of God’s gracious favor without fear, being confident that our Lord understands and forgives us when we sincerely ask Him to.
God knows how weak and sinful we are in our own strength. He also knows how strong the evil attacks are against us, in the spiritual world which are invisible to our naked eye and God judges our reactions based on all these factors. We are never a surprise to the Lord. God knows everything about us. Whenever we fall into sin, if we ask Him to forgive and help us to not repeat it, the Lord will do it. In His amazing grace, God has already prepared the appropriate blessing for us, before we need it, but we have to ask for it and receive it by faith.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus, for being the most merciful High Priest. You sit at the right hand of Father God and are praying for me. You know all about me and because You are my Lord, I can confidently approach the throne of God’s grace, without fear so that I may receive mercy and the perfect help when I need it. You already accomplished on the cross, all that I need to receive from You. Please help me grow in faith, so that I may receive all that is already done in the spiritual world. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 14TH OF SEPTEMBER
JESUS TOTALLY FULFILLED HIS FATHER’S WILL
- Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” - John 8:28-29
Jesus told His disciples on several occasions, about His coming crucifixion and resurrection. If they would have truly paid attention and heard Him while He was with them, they could have rejoiced after His crucifixion instead of being fearful and hiding. How often we do the same! The Lord warns us about things to come in our lives, but we do not truly hear what He tells us. Because we do not truly hear, then when it happens, we despair instead of trusting Him to accomplish what He already told us He would do. Jesus came to earth and endured the limitations of living in a human body, into a sinful and evil world, to be lifted up on the cross dying in our place and paying for our sins.
The Lord Jesus did nothing out of His Father’s will. Every step of His earthly walk was led by His Father. Jesus knew that His Father was with Him all the time, because He always pleased God. We should want to please God too and know that He is always with us. Only our will and sin can separate us from God. Our Lord would never leave us, but if we want to leave Him, He will not force us to be His against our will.
Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so very blessed to know that You are always with me and hold me in the palm of Your hand. Please help me to always please You and never desire to leave You. Lord please help me to pay attention to Your warnings and counsel. Help me to hear You and do what You tell me to do, because I know it is the best for me. I thank You and praise You my Lord. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 15TH OF SEPTEMBER
HOLY SPIRIT HAS NO LIMITS IN WHAT CAN HE DO FOR US
- “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” - John 14:25-26
Our Lord truly knows what every single one of us need and what is best for us. Jesus was foretelling His disciples about the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, who was to come after His departure. The Holy Spirit came as God, without limitations. He is omnipresent and can help every single person, at the same time, if needed. The Holy Spirit is the best Comforter for us when we are hurt and suffering; the most knowledgeable and merciful Advocate, Counselor, and Intercessor we can ever have to plead and pray for us on our behalf. He is always there for us to counsel and strengthen us when we are weak and have no idea how to fix whatever bad situations, we find ourselves in.
After Jesus returned to heaven, God sent the Holy Spirit to continue the ministry of saving mankind. No one can come to Jesus without the conviction and direction of the Holy Spirit. Since He came, He has never stopped teaching Christians all we need to know. The Holy Spirit helped the disciples to remember what Jesus taught them and He helps us remember the right Scriptures we have learned, when we need them. We are so blessed to be the temples of the Holy Spirit and have Him in us, all the time!
Suggested prayer: Father God, thank You so very much for sending the Holy Spirit to be the perfect Helper, Counselor, Comforter, Advocate, Strengthener and Intercessor. What a joy it is to know that He lives in me, and I am His temple. Dear Lord, I enjoy being in Your presence so much. I love to learn from You, as the Holy Spirit reveals the meaning of Your Word to me, while studying it. Please help me hear You more clearly and follow Your guidance always. Thank You for all Your help, comfort, strength, and counsel. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 16TH OF SEPTEMBER
IN JESUS CHRIST WE ARE LIGHT
- For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. - Ephesians 5:8-10
While we were living in sin, we were in “darkness,” but since we belong to Jesus now, we should walk as “children of Light,” as now born to the Light. The way we behave speaks louder than our words. Sin and its bad effects cannot be hidden for long in one’s life, as the good fruit and benefits will not take long to show in the life of the one who lives right for the Lord.
Being “light” means to show the effects of Light, who is Jesus, which means the fruit of all goodness, righteousness and truth. We are called to learn what is pleasing to the Lord and then live it. Our lifestyles should express gratitude to our Lord God for saving and calling us to be His children, resulting in being an example for others.
Suggested prayer: Father God, please help me to be a true light that shines for Your glory in all I am and do. Please help me identify the lies of the enemy and fight against them with the truth of Your Word, so that I produce the fruit of the light and not of the darkness. Thank You Lord for all the goodness, righteousness and truth that comes from You in my life. Glory and praises to Your holy Name for ever and ever, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 17TH OF SEPTEMBER
IN THE LORD WE HAVE STRENGTH EVEN IN OLD AGE
- Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:30-31
Where is our strength coming from? Are the nutritious meals, healthy lifestyle, diet and exercise our source? Or is it from following the directions of the Holy Spirit in all the aspects of life, including the way we eat and how active we are? In Isaiah’s time, they were not concerned about eating healthy or going to the gym. But they sure understood the importance of living right for the Lord and obeying His commands.
Young age and a vigorous constitution do not always ensure strength and productivity, if the person lives in sin and has an unhealthy lifestyle. But by expecting and believing that God is always there for us whenever we need help, we will receive new strength and be renewed. The more we trust in our Lord, the closer we get to our heavenly Father, just as an eagle flies toward the sun. Living close to God, following His counsel and knowing that He is our source no matter what our needs are, we may walk, run and work without getting tired until we finish what we have to do.
Suggested prayer: Glory and honor to Your holy name, Lord Jesus. You are my strength and my rock in any storm of life. I have all I need in You and my protection is secured as long as I live for You. Father God please help me to ask Your advice and then follow it through, in all I have to do. You give me all the power I need to finish what I start. Dear Lord please help me to live a balanced life, overcoming all the lusts of my carnal nature and follow You every day of my life. Thank You Lord, for all You have done and continue to do for me, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 18TH OF SEPTEMBER
THE RESULT OF LIVING RIGHT FOR GOD IS HOLINESS AND EVERLASTING LIFE
- But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. - Romans 6:22
It may sound that because we chose to become slaves to God, we are in bondage. But the truth is that we were born in the bondage of sin and after we chose Jesus to be our Lord and we started to know the truth, we found true liberty. God respects our free will. We are free to leave Him if we want to. On the other hand, Satan forced us and kept us enslaved with the power that sin had over us. Even now the devil and his demons are trying to get us to go back to the sinful lives we had before being born-again.
The outcome of the sinful life is death, but because we belong to God now, we are free from the power of sin, and we can choose not to sin. As we live choosing not to sin, the fruit we reap leads to holiness. To be sanctified means to be set apart for God’s purposes, to be made holy, live right, not sin intentionally and to quickly repent when we sin. The outcome of living like this is eternal life, in heaven where Jesus went to prepare a place for us. This is true freedom!
Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for setting me free from the bondage of sin and making me Your child. The more I understand the truth of Your Word, the happier I am and the more freedom I can enjoy. Lord please help me fulfill Your will for my life and to truly be set apart for You. Please help me keep a pure heart and live to please You. Thank You Lord, in the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 19TH OF SEPTEMBER
THE PRICE OF COMMITTED SIN CAN BE MAXIMUM
These verses together with Hebrews 6:4-6 are often misunderstood. Their message is not about “if one falls into temptation and commits a sin,” but “if one knows something is a sin and still does it and continues to do it.” For every person that knows the truth and was once saved, then at some point in life chooses to reject Jesus and go back to living in sin, there is no more forgiveness of sin as long as they continue to reject Jesus. This is a life and death matter. For those who truly repent and return wholehearted to the Lord, salvation is still possible, but the price that the enemy makes them pay while living in sin and serving him, is very high. There is no pleasure offered by sin that would be worth going through that torment and despair!
Whoever rejected Moses’ law, was to be stoned to death based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How greater a punishment should someone deserve who forsakes the cross because they love sin more than the Son of God, who died in their place, forsaking Jesus and the blood covenant, insulting the Holy Spirit and God’s grace? We have to constantly pay attention to our thoughts, decisions, lusts, words and actions. It is up to us to remain in Jesus and keep Him inside of us, because we have the right to choose. As long as we choose to love God, live right and keep a pure heart, we are blessed and our salvation is secure. If for some reason you ran from Jesus and you wish to come back, you can do it. The Lord loves you and forgives all who sincerely ask Him to. You may read more in the article “Return to the Lord.”
Suggested prayer: Thank You Jesus, from the bottom of my heart, for saving me! Please help me to keep a thankful heart, so that I would never ever consider going back to the sinful life! I want to be with You forever. The peace and joy I found in You cannot be compared to anything I have ever experienced. Thinking of how You suffered out of love for me, humbles me and makes me love You even more. Dear Lord, please help me to never forget that You always want what is best for me and as long as I follow You, I am never alone or in lack, because You provide and take care of me. Glory and praises to Your holy Name, forever, amen.
- For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? - Hebrews 10:26-29
These verses together with Hebrews 6:4-6 are often misunderstood. Their message is not about “if one falls into temptation and commits a sin,” but “if one knows something is a sin and still does it and continues to do it.” For every person that knows the truth and was once saved, then at some point in life chooses to reject Jesus and go back to living in sin, there is no more forgiveness of sin as long as they continue to reject Jesus. This is a life and death matter. For those who truly repent and return wholehearted to the Lord, salvation is still possible, but the price that the enemy makes them pay while living in sin and serving him, is very high. There is no pleasure offered by sin that would be worth going through that torment and despair!
Whoever rejected Moses’ law, was to be stoned to death based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How greater a punishment should someone deserve who forsakes the cross because they love sin more than the Son of God, who died in their place, forsaking Jesus and the blood covenant, insulting the Holy Spirit and God’s grace? We have to constantly pay attention to our thoughts, decisions, lusts, words and actions. It is up to us to remain in Jesus and keep Him inside of us, because we have the right to choose. As long as we choose to love God, live right and keep a pure heart, we are blessed and our salvation is secure. If for some reason you ran from Jesus and you wish to come back, you can do it. The Lord loves you and forgives all who sincerely ask Him to. You may read more in the article “Return to the Lord.”
Suggested prayer: Thank You Jesus, from the bottom of my heart, for saving me! Please help me to keep a thankful heart, so that I would never ever consider going back to the sinful life! I want to be with You forever. The peace and joy I found in You cannot be compared to anything I have ever experienced. Thinking of how You suffered out of love for me, humbles me and makes me love You even more. Dear Lord, please help me to never forget that You always want what is best for me and as long as I follow You, I am never alone or in lack, because You provide and take care of me. Glory and praises to Your holy Name, forever, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER
THE EFFORT TO PURSUE PEACE AND HOLINESS IS ALWAYS PAID OFF
- Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; - Hebrews 12:14-15
It takes effort on our part to have peace in us and in our relationships. To pursue holiness is not easy either, because it implies to keep ourselves separate from the world and live to please God in order to make it to heaven. God does not force us to receive His unmerited favor. His grace is a gift and once we receive it, we are to give grace to those around us too. If we choose to live in strife and not forgive others, we cannot make it to heaven.
When we treat others harshly and have no understanding of their mistakes towards us, we take offense which unresolved quickly, will develop into bitterness. A bitter heart is the source of negative emotions and words. Whenever we are upset with someone it is hard not to sin by gossiping and making negative remarks. When we do that, we express our negative emotions in a negative way and affect those to whom we talk with. We need to be quick to forgive and to ask for forgiveness, if we want to be forgiven by our heavenly Father. And Jesus forgave us so much more than we might ever forgive of someone else. The Lord offered us so much grace and we sin against Him and hurt ourselves, when we do not forgive, because we do not offer grace to those who hurt us. Our forgiveness does not resolve their sin against us, which is between them and God; but it pulls out the bitterness root and we get our peace and joy back, as we obey God. You may read more in the article: “Forgiveness: Why does Jesus command us to forgive?”
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord for the peace I have in You. When arguments with other people may arise, please help me remember how much I value my peace, so that I will choose to do what is needed to keep it. Father, please help me keep my heart pure, be quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness, offer grace to others, as You have offered me. Help me to not get offended, so that bitterness will not find any place in my heart, causing me to hurt and hurt others too. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 21st OF SEPTEMBER
TO LIVE RIGHT FOR THE LORD TO THE END IS CONDITIONED BY TOTAL SURRENDER
- Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. - 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
In order to please God, we need to surrender all to the Lord and renounce everything that God does not like in our lives. The devil will try to use any sinful habit that we used to have, to make us go back to the old sinful way of living. We must realize that since we asked Jesus to be our Lord and Savior and we became born-again, our spiritual man (inner man) is completely new and we are not slaves to sin anymore. We are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is always ready to help us, when we ask. Whenever we are tempted to sin, if we choose to resist the enemy and pray for help, the Holy Spirit will strengthen and keep us from falling into sin.
As long as we live in these bodies, we have to keep our carnal nature under control. What Paul said about himself, is true for all of us: "but I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27).
The more we seek to be in God’s presence and to feed on His Word, our minds will be renewed and we will be transformed into becoming more like Jesus. Only by doing so can we erase the old "worldly programming" that Paul called “old leaven,” which represents the life lived without Christ and replace it with the truth of God’s Word, that will start to change us into a “new lump.” Only if we feed ourselves on God’s Word and spend time in His presence on a daily basis can we change our old, “malice and wicked” behavior and become sincere and full of truth.
Suggested prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus that through Your sacrifice I received Your salvation. Dear Father, please show me if there is still something that I have not surrendered to You, that may defile me, by being “old leaven.” Lord, please help me to stop allowing my old carnal nature and habits to rule me and to glorify You by living pure, as my mind is reprogrammed by replacing the “old leaven” of the old worldly mindset with the “unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” that I find in Your Word. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 22nd OF SEPTEMBER
GOD HAS A PURPOSE AND A CALLING FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US
- Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, - 2 Timothy 1:9
God’s purpose in creating the Universe and mankind is to have a people that are truly His and will spend eternity in heaven with Him. The way we live while on this earth, determines where we will spend eternity. The Lord delivered, saved and prepared a calling for each of us that leads to a life set apart for Him, with the purpose to fulfill His will. The Lord wants us to surrender it all to Him, depend on Him in every area of life and give Him the glory that He deserves.
The reason God did all of this for us is not because of something we did or any personal merit. If any of us could save himself, Jesus would not have to die in our place. In His amazing grace, the Lord saved and called us for His purpose, to have us with Him now and for eternity. God decided to offer us His amazing and undeserved favor, in His Son, Jesus Christ, before He created the earth and universe.
Suggested prayer: What amazing grace You have prepared for me, dear Lord, before You even created the universe! I was on Your mind since You started to plan this world and all in it. I am so blessed to know that it is not for me to earn it, just to receive and keep it. Please help me to remain true to You all the days of my life and fulfill Your calling for my life. Thank You with all my heart for saving me and please help me to live holy for Your glory and to please You in all I do. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 23rd OF SEPTEMBER
HOW “AGAPE” LOVE IS?
- Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. - 1 Corinthians 13:4 (Berean Study Bible)
God is love and His nature is summed up in love, as we see in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and in many other places throughout the Bible. The original Greek word translated as love in the above verse, is “agápē” and it means “affection, good-will, love, benevolence.” It is used in the Bible to define the godly love of men to men; especially of that love of between Christians, or between Christ or Father God and men (according to “Thayer’s Greek Lexicon”).
True godly love is long-suffering and kind. We need to receive God’s love for us to be able to give it to others. We endure the faults of those whom we love much easier than of ones we care for less, and we can even respond with kindness to their bad actions. We make excuses for them, and we may even keep our composure while their behavior would normally get us angry or upset. God endures so much from each of us, every day, because He loves us, and we are called to do the same for our fellow man.
The following attributes of love are mentioned as the opposites of negative behavior. Envy and jealousy are rooted in selfishness. But love makes us rejoice in the success of our loved ones. Pride and boasting bring division and cause much hurt. All prideful talking and attitude, lifts self and puts others down, while love exalts others and humbles self.
Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me understand how much You love me and to receive Your perfect unconditional love. I cannot love others as You want me to, without having Your love in me. Lord, please help me allow the fruit of the Holy Spirit to transform me and become real in my life so that I may love You and others as You want me to. Also, please help me not to be envious or prideful, but full of patience and kindness. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 24TH OF SEPTEMBER
WHAT “AGAPE” LOVE IS NOT?
- It (love) is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. - 1 Corinthians 13:5 (Berean Study Bible)
Unappropriated, disrespectful behavior cannot come out of love. A selfish heart cannot truly love someone else and seek to do what is good for others. But love expresses itself through being respectful towards others, lifting them up and always carrying more for what is best for others than itself.
Love is the foundation of a calm, patient attitude. When we treat people right and do not expect them to only do what we want or suit our plans, we are not easily angered. We show more tolerance to those whom we love. We know that we truly love someone if we do not keep records of their mistakes. This is exactly how God treats us. Because He is just, we have to ask for forgiveness when we sin, but once we do it, our Father not only forgives us, but He also forgets our sins and erases them from His records.
Suggested prayer: Glory and praises to Your Holy Name dear Lord for Your lavishing love towards me. You did not consider that it was too much to send Your Son to die in my place, so that I may live, and You amaze me by continuing to love me despite my faults and shortcomings. I am so amazed by Your love, and I want to give it all to You, love You with all my being and live to please You with everything I am and do. Thank You Lord Jesus that in Your great love for me, You endured tremendous rejection, mockery, torture, pain and even physical death, to adopt me in Your heavenly family. Father God, please help me love as You want me to love, to be respectful and not selfish. Help me stay calm and tolerant without keeping a record of others’ mistakes, as You do for me, in the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 25TH OF SEPTEMBER
“AGAPE” LOVE REJOICES IN the TRUTH NOT in EVIL
- Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth.… - 1 Corinthians 13:6 (Berean Study Bible)
Where there is true godly love, everything good abounds. We all like to be around happy, joyful, loving people that seek the benefit of others, even if it costs them. On the other hand, we avoid the people that enjoy when they offend, upset or hurt others. If we want to please God, we find no pleasure in anything evil.
The more we understand how important it is to be filled with God’s love and seek His presence more, the more lovable and happier we become. When we rejoice in the truth, we seek to be around people like us and by doing so, we grow in integrity. As a result, not only does our behavior change, but our character changes for the good too. We might find ourselves in situations when even if for the moment it seems that if we do not sin, it would cost us too much, but the truth is exactly the opposite. Even if the truth and doing what is right may cost us our lives, it is worth not to sin and to know we will be with Jesus forever. In sinning we may not have the chance to repent and possibly lose our salvation. What happens to us for eternity matters the most, because it lasts forever.
Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, You are love itself. You love me unconditionally, in spite of my faults and there is nothing that I can do for You to love me more than You already do. Please help me to love the truth and all that is good and never take pleasure in what is evil. Thank You so very much for loving me and please fill me up with Your love and help me love others as You want me to. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 26TH OF SEPTEMBER
“AGAPE” LOVE ENDURES AND HOPES FOR THE LOVED ONES
- It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.- 1 Corinthians 13:7 (Berean Study Bible)
God’s type of love silently endures whatever it must suffer for the sake of others. It takes spiritual maturity and strong faith in Christ to have such love. The “agápē” love is the ultimate enemy of selfishness and it never seeks its own benefit, advantage, honor, or pleasure.
We must not judge others by the way we think, talk and act. We are incapable of agape love in our own nature. Neither do we have all knowledge. Agape love is what we receive through the Holy Spirit, as His fruit. We need to get our own selfish nature out of the way and allow the love of God to manifest in and through us. To do so, we need to realize that those around us are not our clones, but they have their own desires, plans and ways of doing things. Their ways might be much better than ours or they may get even better results, even if they are different. This mindset can help us to bear and endure all things, as we allow the love that comes from the Holy Spirit to manifest more through us. There is perfect hope in true love, as it trusts God to make things happen, not us.
Suggested prayer: Father God, I cannot truly love others, without Your help. Please help me understand Your love, its dimensions and magnitude. You give me so much grace, please help me to offer grace and love to those around me too. Thank You with all my heart for forgiving me, as I have wronged You and others. Please help me endure more of my fellow man and show more mercy and kindness, in the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 27TH OF SEPTEMBER
GOD IS THE FATHER OF EVERY FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH GOD IS THE FATHER OF EVERY FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH
- For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and earth is named, - Ephesians 3:14-15
When the apostle Paul realized the greatness of God’s plan of salvation that joins Jews and Gentiles together in Jesus Christ, he humbled himself and bowed his knees in reverence before Father God Almighty. If God had not chose to extend salvation to all of us, we could do nothing to become part of His people.
Every family, or body of rational beings in heaven and earth are united under God’s fatherhood, and we all bear the name of a common ancestor, as God created us all. God is the first and ultimate Father and in this sense, every rational being is His child. To be His child for eternity is possible only by salvation through Jesus Christ, but while still here, each person has a chance to be saved.
Suggested prayer: What an honor and privilege to be Your child, dear Lord! You took time to decide how You want me to look like, how to be, in what family to be born, in what location on earth, what would be the right calling for my life and so much more. I bow my knees in reverence to You dear Lord, as Paul did and praise and thank You with all my heart for the greatness of Your plan that includes my salvation and gives me the chance to be with You forever. Glory and praises to Your holy Name, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 28TH OF SEPTEMBER
JESUS CAN LIVE IN OUR HEARTH BY FAITH IF WE STRENGTHEN OURSELVES THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
- That He (Father God) would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith... - Ephesians 3:16-17a
What an amazing prayer Paul prayed for the Ephesus church! This is a great model for all of us, as we all need what Paul asked for. To be able to walk with Jesus and live right for Him, we need the strength that comes from the Holy Spirit more than anything else. We need to be spiritually energized and that is possible only when the Holy Spirit is indwelling our innermost beings. For the strength of the Holy Spirit to manifest and grow in us, we are to desire, pray and believe for it.
Once we sincerely decided to follow Jesus, we were born-again and the Holy Spirit came to live in us. Only with His help can we have firm faith in God and obey Him. By faith, Jesus truly lives inside of us. He, the Holy Spirit and Father God are One in their essence and nature, as they are the holy Trinity of God. Once Jesus lives in us, we are never alone. He is always there to strengthen, help, counsel and get us victorious through every trial of life.
Suggested prayer: Dear Lord God, please help me according to the riches of Your glory to be strengthened in my inner man so that I continue to remain in Jesus and Him in me and to follow Him no matter what I must endure. I cannot do it in my own strength and power. So please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and give me all the might I need, so that my faith will continue to grow and keep Jesus in my heart as long as I live on this earth. Thank You so very much dear Jesus for the honor of having You dwelling in my heart, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 29TH OF SEPTEMBER
ONLY BY KNOWING THE MAGNITUDE OF CHRIST’S LOVE WE CAN BE FILLED WITH ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD
- That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. - Ephesians 3:17b-19
Only while we are deeply rooted and securely grounded in love, can we begin to fully understand the dimensions of Christ’s love and even then, we can do it only with the help of the Holy Spirit. To be able to understand all the aspects of Christ’s love, we need to be a part of a group of sincerely, devoted Christians and to taste the manifested love for one another. There is no dimension that is left uncovered by Christ’s love. There is no place where Christ’s love cannot reach us. The more we pray for God to reveal and get us to fully experience the endless and perfect love of Jesus, the more we will understand and receive it. We need God’s help to comprehend Christ’s love, as it is far beyond the human capacity of knowledge, that has never experienced it.
We can receive Christ’s love only in the measure that we understand it and we continue to receive more of it as we grow in the understanding of it. There might be “rooms” in our hearts where we store old unhealed wounds that cannot be filled with Christ’s love unless we empty them first. Only the Holy Spirit can help us to free those rooms and heal our wounds, if we ask Him. After we clean and empty our hearts, we may be filled throughout all our being with all the fullness of God and only after that can we experience the fullest of God’s presence, by being totally filled with God Himself.
Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to be rooted and securely grounded in Your love so that I may fully understand the dimensions of Your perfect love for me. Please give me more holy brothers and sisters in Christ so that we may experience together Your manifested love among us. I find so much comfort in the truth that there is no place where Your love cannot reach me. Please help me address and heal my past wounds and cleanse my heart so that You may fill it with Christ’s love and to experience the fullest of Your presence. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
THE 30TH OF SEPTEMBER
GOD IS NOT DOING MORE IN US THAN OUR FREE WILL ALLOWS HIM TO DO
- Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21
God is able to do super-abundantly more than all we dare to ask or think, infinitely beyond our boldest prayers, hopes and dreams. We are the ones who limit Him by how much we allow the Holy Spirit to fill and work in us.
The Lord can do it all, but it is up to us to allow Him do it. The closer we get to our Lord, the more time we spend in His presence and the hungrier we are for more of Him, the more we can receive from God. We set the limits, not God, because He is not doing more in us than our free will allows Him to do.
God deserves all the glory and honor in the church and in Christ Jesus, for everything good in us and in our lives. His plan is perfect and everything He decides is for a reason. We can receive from Him as much as we believe for and it is for our good.
Suggested prayer: Dear Lord, You truly deserve all glory, honor, respect and veneration. I can never thank You enough for all You do for me. Please forgive me for setting such low limits, by not having enough faith and not dreaming, praying and hoping high enough. There are no limits for Your power, so please help me believe for all You have in Your plans for me and help me dare to ask for all You want me to have and do while on this earth. Thank You and praise You for everything. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Copyright 2019 Carmen Pușcaș. May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.