The three areas in life we must guard are our heart, our mouth and our time. Let’s look at guarding our heart. As I was evolving from child to teen to adult, no one ever taught me how to guard my heart. How about you?

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.  Proverbs 4:23 (AMP)

The heart is defined in the Word of God as the place we should guard above everything else. So what is our heart?

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7 (KJV)

You and I were “wonderfully made” by God in His Image through Jesus and empowered by His Spirit (Psalm 139:14, Genesis 1:26-27, John 1:1-4). We were created body, spirit and soul.  Our soul is our mind, will and emotions. The heart is the seat of our emotions or the “very throne of our lives”.  So you and I must control who or what we put on the “throne of our hearts”.  In other words, “guard your heart”.

Listen, my son, and be wise, And direct your heart in the way. Proverbs 23:19 (NASB)

Your heart and mine wants everything to satisfy it. When I say everything, I am not exaggerating to make a point. I mean everything. Therefore, we must guard our hearts.

Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate and willful; he who guards himself will be far from them. Proverbs 22:5 (AMP)

Our hearts were ruined by “the Fall of Mankind” and by the sin that so easily entangles us (Genesis 3, Hebrews 12:1 & Jeremiah 17:9). Here is what Jesus said about hearts that were left unguarded and lives guided by feelings instead of faith:

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” Mark 7:21-23 (NKJV)

Jesus also asked a very interesting question that pointed the way on how we are to guard our hearts.

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Matthew 9:4 (NIV)

WOW!!!  Do we entertain evil thoughts in our hearts? You and I are going to have strange and worldly and dangerously wicked thoughts enter our minds. When we have evil thoughts enter our hearts, do we entertain them or hold the thoughts in our souls so that they grow into fantasies of perversion or fits of rage? These “thought seeds” are where crimes of passion begin. However, because we are born again and have the Holy Spirit in us to override these tempting thoughts and wrong ideas that invade our hearts; we now can choose which thoughts we want to stay in our heart and those that must go.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

Yes, you and I have been given the power to crush sin where it begins as a “small thought” or desire in the heart.

But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lusts, passion).  The evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, bring forth death. James 1:14-15 (AMP)

The most dangerous thought and the deadliest phrase in the English language is “I can handle it”. This is usually not a statement that is even verbalized but one that is echoed in the heart and mind independent from God.  It is the statement that married male ministers have made before counseling an attractive female one on one instead of letting a lady counsel the lady or doing the counseling session with his wife present.  It is the statement one makes before watching a questionable movie as the scenes roll leaving “an ugly film of lust and adulterous thoughts” upon the heart and mind.  This leaves the heart saying: “I was scarred for life.” “I can handle it” is the statement made before clicking a link on the internet that presents itself as fun and “good for knowledge” but really leads to fleshly images being branded on the brain and more scars for life. This is the ego that comes out when someone has had too much to drink and without any restraint says “I can handle the drive home”. The news the next day proves the thought was a lie. “I can handle it” is a very dangerous thought indeed that jumps into our hearts often.

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered. Proverbs 28:26 (NASB)

So what are some specific empowering God directed actions that you and I can do to guard our hearts?

><> Beware of flirting with worldly ideas and thrills…

“Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.” Luke 8:18 (NIV)

><> Remove thoughts that lead to death and replace them with the Word of God… “My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22 (NIV) (Also, Romans 12:2)

><> Last and most important, keep your heart surrendered to the True King of Your Heart…(Jesus says) “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

All of God’s Love to you,

Gary and Debbie Landon

Word of the Week

John 19:30 (NLT) When Jesus had tasted it, He said, “It is finished!” Then He bowed His head and released His Spirit.

Today and everyday, we can gratefully greet the day knowing that Jesus’ Finished Work on the Cross is ours. With His completed work, Jesus provide each of us a 7 fold gift:

Jesus’ Finished Work On The Cross (Isaiah 53:4-5)

1) Complete Forgiveness (Jeremiah 31:34)

2) Removing Condemnation and Fear from Our Lives (Romans 8:1 & Hebrews 2:14-15)

3) Healing Of Our Bodies (Matthew 8:17)

4) He restored our Right Identity (Galatians 2:20 & Colossians 2:10)

5) Provided each of us a never ending friendship (John 15:12-17)

6) Gave us the Complete Inheritance (Ephesians 1:11-14)

7) Giving Each of Us Blessings Today and Forever (Galatians 3:13-14 & Psalm 21:6)

WILL AND TESTAMENT (INEHERITANCE)

Ephesians 1:11 (NLT) Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an Inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan.

When someone dies, there is an inheritance left to those who remain on earth. When Jesus died for each of us, He left each of us the Complete Inheritance. I guess you could say we were in His Will.

Colossians 1:12 (NIV)…and giving joyful thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the Inheritance of His holy people in the Kingdom of light.

So exactly what did you and I receive when Jesus died for us. What is our Inheritance? There are two dimensions of our Complete Inheritance…the Spiritual and the Visible.

OUR SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV) And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Who is a deposit guaranteeing our Inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His Glory.

On the Cross Jesus became our righteousness and when He “released His Spirit,” His Holy Spirit sealed His righteousness in each of us who believes. (1 Peter 3:18)

2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP) For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].

It is impossible for you and I or anyone to live up to God’s standards on their own. This is what the Word of God says about our righteous acts or good deeds apart from Jesus’ Finished Work on the Cross:

Isaiah 64:6 (NIV) All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Since you and I and no other human being can ever live up to God’s standard, Jesus’ lived God’s high standards for us. Then Jesus took our unrighteousness upon His body on the Cross and replaced our lack of righteous with His righteousness. Because of Jesus’ Finished Work on the Cross, you and I were forgiven of ALL our sins, ALL our condemnation and manifestations of guilt were completely removed and we were made righteous. This means by the Cross you and I became what we ought to be, approved and accepted by God, and in right relationship with God. All of this was accomplished by His Goodness and Love toward us.

II Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) For He made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

You and I can proclaim that we are as righteous, right or as holy as God “in Christ Jesus”. Because you and I have been made righteous neither the world, our own thoughts or

the devil can lay “a guilt trip” or negative accusations upon us ever again (1 John 3:19-22 & 1 Corinthians 4:3-5). God’s righteousness in you and me is a great weapon as it allows each of us to refute any lie and accusation of the evil one as well as to take our own self-condemning thoughts captive.

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV) “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord , And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord .

THE VISIBLE INHERITANCE

By Jesus’ Finished Work on the Cross, we have been made righteous which qualifies each of us for God’s Richest Blessings and Favor upon our lives. Only by the Cross we were made righteous and through the Covenant established at the Cross, we are blessed.

Psalm 5:12 (NIV) Surely, Lord , you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

The Lord blesses the “righteous”. You and I have been made righteous by what Jesus did on the Cross. Therefore, we are blessed and His favor rest upon us today and every day. By faith in Jesus’ Finished Work on the Cross, the blessing Jesus gained for us touches every area of our lives.

Galatians 3:6 (NIV) Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM

Galatians 3:13-14 (NAS) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us– for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”– in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles (you and I), so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. ALL the Blessings Abraham enjoyed are yours and mine today because of the Cross.

Genesis 24:1 (NAS) Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in every way.

Because of Jesus’ Finished Work on the Cross you and I will be blessed in every way just as the Lord blessed Abraham in “every way”. This is our heritage in Jesus. May we not disqualify ourselves by our words and fears from ALL that Jesus’ has gained for us on the Cross. Jesus’ Finished Work on the Cross has provided you and I the Great Inheritance…Righteousness and All the Blessings of Abraham.

All of God’s Love to you,
Gary and Debbie Landon
wowwordoftheweek.co.nr

The Word says that V-I-C-T-O-R-Y is stamped over my life and yours.

I Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV) But thanks be to God, Who gives us the V-I-C-T-O-R-Y through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today and everyday, the Word of God must be our weapon for V-I-C-T-O-R-Y.

Ask yourself “what is your greatest fear right now?” Whatever that fear is, God has crushed that fear by the finished work of the Cross. God has V-I-C-T-O-R-Y stamped over that fear. The Word of God stimulates faith. The Word of God aligns us completely with V-I-C-T-O-R-Y.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (GW) But I thank God, Who always leads us in V-I-C-T-O-R-Y because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It’s like a fragrance that fills the air.

Each of us is in a spiritual and mental tug of war. The world wants us to be so filled with the world that there is no room for Jesus. In the Kingdom of God here on earth, we have to be so filled with Jesus that there is no room for the world. We are talking about the world’s ways, the world’s attitudes, the world’s desires and the world’s fears. In the world “it is all about ME“ and my fears. In the Kingdom of God, it is all about others. To love God and to love others as you love yourself. The goal is to be so filled with Jesus that there is no space for the world or my fears. It begins with being so filled with the Word of God that there is no room for the world. When we are filled with the world, fear will reign over our minds and mouths because we will take on the fears of this fearful world.

Ephesians 6:17 (NLT) Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

The covering for our minds and lives is the Word of God. Carry the Word in your heart and speak the Word of God with power and authority over your fears and all areas of your life.

Revelation 19:13, 15 (NLT) He wore a robe dipped in Blood, and His title was the Word of God. From His mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a wine press.

THE TRUTH OF THE WORD IS OUR WEAPON THAT CRUSHES OUR FEARS. KEEP THE WORD OF GOD ALWAYS AT YOUR SIDE READY TO BE USED AT ANY SECOND. WE MUST PUT THE WORD IN OUR MINDS DAILY SO THAT WE HAVE THE WORD ALWAYS WITH US LIKE A WARRIOR READY FOR BATTLE HAS HIS TRUSTY SWORD AT HIS SIDE.

Ephesians 6:16 (NIV) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish ALL the flaming arrows of the evil one.

THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR SHIELD OF FAITH (FAITH OVER FEAR)

We have to pick up our shield in order for our shield to protect us from the fears and lies from the enemy of mankind. When we are shielded by faith, it is very hard for fear to sneak into our lives.

Romans 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

In prayer and in the Holy Spirit, we can speak to our fears the Word of Faith.

To the lies that surround us, we can speak the Word of Truth. God’s Word brings joy, strength and V-I-C-T-O-R-Y.

Jeremiah 15:16, 19 (NLT) When I discovered Your words, I devoured them.

They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your Name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. This is how the Lord responds: “If you return to Me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve Me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be My spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!”

Jeremiah 1:6-9 (ESV) Then I said, “Ah, Lord God ! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Then the Lord put out His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.”

As we read the Word, speak the Word aloud and pray the Word over ourselves, we begin to see V-I-C-T-O-R-Y crushing our fears. The Word stimulates faith in our hearts, minds and even in our bodies. Every verse we read in the Bible contains 2 dynamics:

1) FACT…that is the Truth of God. Jesus came to bear witness to the Truth. Jesus is called the Word of God. There is a fact of Truth in every verse you and I read.

2) PROMISE…the FACT tells us what has occurred. The Promise tells us what is coming. Whenever we read any verse from the Word of God, there is FACT and there is PROMISE. Abundant Life comes when we read the FACT and speak the PROMISE.

For example, in Isaiah 53 the FACT is that Jesus suffered on the Cross. The Promise is that from that FACT we have salvation, peace of mind and healing from His finished work on the Cross. The Word of God focuses our minds on the V-I-C-T-O-R-Y Jesus has already won on the Cross. The FACT is that we have V-I-C-T-O-R-Y . We have complete V-I-C-T-O-R-Y over sin, death, disease, the devil and a long list of other foes, fears and failings. He gained V-I-C-T-O-R-Y for you and I at the Cross. The PROMISE is that anything you are going through you already have V-I-C-T-O-R-Y over it. In the Name of Jesus, by the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross and because His Word promises it, you have V-I-C-T-O-R-Y . You have His Word on it.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV) But thanks be to God! He gives us the V-I-C-T-O-R-Y through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (GW) But I thank God, who always leads us in V-I-C-T-O-R-Y because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It’s like a fragrance that fills the air.

All of God’s Love to you,

Gary and Debbie Landon

wowwordoftheweek.co.nr

Because we have surrendered our lives to Jesus, you and I are “in Christ Jesus.” What exactly does that mean in the here and now?

1 Corinthians 15:22 (NASB) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ (Jesus) all will be made alive.

A funny thing happened at church the other day that got me to thinking about being “in Christ Jesus“. We were walking to the car after the service when a lady I had not seen for quit a while passed us on the sidewalk. I greeted her and asked how her son the musician was doing. We talked a few seconds and then I said to her, “you remember my wife, Debbie”. She laughed and said “I thought you were with another woman!!!” For you see, when she met Debbie years ago, Deb was a blonde and on that day recently Deb was a red head. We all laughed and went joyfully on our way. Debbie and I have been married almost 31 years now. Through the years, Debbie has had many different hair styles including her being a blonde, brunette and most recently a red head. Even though she has had many different hair styles, she is still Debbie. Likewise, you and I go through a lot of changes in life with a variety of situations being experienced that we consider both good and bad. However, no matter what we go through in life, we still remain in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are always a dearly loved child of God. The changes we experience in life does not change the Covenant we have with Him. The Lord has paid a huge price for you and I. He has adopted you and I. You and I are in His care and have a very large inheritance that will not be taken away. His favor surrounds us. We have been made royalty in Christ Jesus.

John 14:20 (NIV) (Jesus says) “On that day you will realize that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.”

My favorite verse which talks about being in Christ Jesus is John 14:20. This verse paints a clear picture that we are in Jesus plus His Holy Spirit is in us and our Heavenly Father has His loving arms around all. This is the Word that Jesus spoke to us about being in Him. When Jesus came into our lives, we became immersed in God. This is the only way we can live a good, abundant and satisfying life. Notice that in John 14:20 that the Spirit of Jesus or the Holy Spirit is in us. The Word also says we are one with the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:17 (NIV) But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in Spirit.

I hope you are feeling this passage. I hope you are feeling the power of this Truth that the Lord of Love has you and does not want to let go. The Lord is in us, on us and around us. Jesus says in this verse that “you are in Me.” Let’s dive into this very powerful Truth as who you believe you are in Jesus will define your level of faith of how God will work in, through and around your life.

John 15:3-5, 7-9 (NIV) “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing… If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.”

The first thing that Jesus says that we are in Him is “clean.”

I John 1:9 (NAS) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) In Him we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace…

In Christ Jesus, we have forgiveness of every sin. Everything begins here and continues here. Forgiveness of sins is the key ingredient of the Gospel. By Jesus’ death on the Cross and His pouring out of His Blood for you and I; our past, present and future sins have been washed away, forgiven and removed forever.

This Truth is foundational to the path we will walk the rest of our lives.

Matthew 26:28 (NIV) “This is My Blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”When our sins were forgiven, they were also removed from our lives now and forever.In Christ Jesus, we are forever forgiven.

Psalm 103:12 (NAS) As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Hebrews 8:12 (NIV) “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Since you are in Christ Jesus, if you have any other thoughts come into your mind that brings you shame, guilt, a feeling of worthlessness or condemnation because of your past or present; then beware as those are not the thoughts of God.

Hebrews 9:14 (NIV) How much more, then, will the Blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Romans 8:1 (AMP) Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.

In Christ Jesus, you and I are completely forgiven of our past, present and future sins. They are forever removed from us. Plus, there is no guilt, condemnation or judgment remaining in or upon our lives from those sins. Since we are in Christ Jesus, God sees the pure Blood of Jesus over our lives and nothing else.

All of God’s Love to you,
Gary and Debbie Landon

wowwordoftheweek.co.nr

1 Corinthians 15:45-48 (NLT) The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man.”

Every person who has lived, is living now or will live in the future has aligned himself or herself either with Adam or with Jesus. The question of the day is WHICH MAN? Which person will each of us align ourselves with? Will we be found in Adam or found in Christ?

IN ADAM

1 Corinthians 15:31 – For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Anyone hidden in Adam is unprotected in mind, spirit and body. Anyone hidden in Adam is easily manipulated by the evil one and others. Just as Adam was co-dependent on Eve, anyone hidden in Adam is co-dependent on people; meaning they would do just about anything to please or remain in good standing with the people of the world.

Genesis 3:6-10 (NIV) When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Outside of Jesus (relationship with God – John 17:3) and following in Adam and Eve’s footsteps, we are left naked and shame is our constant mindset as revealed in Genesis 3. Up until the second that Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they had never known fear, shame and the reality of being “uncovered” by the Presence of God. Clinging to the ways and wisdom of people and not the ways of God, our days will be filled with shame and blame.

Genesis 3:11-13 (NIV) And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me– she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Chaos and confusion reign in lives where there is separation from the Presence of God. Sin separates us from the goodness of God. Sin always leads to death in every area of our lives.

Romans 5:12, 15 (NIV) Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

IN JESUS

Colossians 3:3 (NLT) For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

John 14:20 (NIV) (Jesus says) “On that day you will realize that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.”

Those hidden in Jesus are totally protected in mind, spirit and body by the Word of God, the Holy Spirit within and by the Blood and Name of Jesus that covers the body. Those in Jesus are dependent totally on God. They seek pleasing God not man first. Those in Jesus are also connected to the powerful love of God which empowers them to love God in all areas of life and to love all people so as to direct people out of codependency to the world.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NCV) If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation.

The old things have gone; everything is made new! All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between us and Himself, and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with Him. God was in Christ, making peace between the world and Himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And He gave us this message of peace. So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is as if God is calling to you through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God. Christ had no sin, but God made Him become sin so that in Christ we could become right with God.

CLOTHED WITH JESUS

In his own fear and shame, Adam tried to cover himself and his wife with the stuff of earth (Genesis 3:7). God covered them with the “skin and blood from heaven” representing the Blood of Jesus (as Jesus was slain from Creation).

Genesis 3:21 (NIV) The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

1 Peter 1:18-20 (NIV) For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious Blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

God reacted lovingly and quickly with redemption toward the evil hearts and minds of mankind. God does not want to be separated for a second from His dearly loved children. God would pay any price to win back our love for Him and He did. Adam and Eve tried cover their shame, guilt, fear, condemnation, sin and march toward death with some leaves. God gave us Jesus to cover ourselves with as God eliminated all shame, guilt, condemnation, sin and even the march toward death on the Cross. If a person is clothed with Jesus, then the beautiful Blood of Jesus is all that God sees.

CLOTHE YOURSELF?

If we clothe ourselves with our own goodness or with Adam then we remain separated from God and will choose paths that lead to destruction in an attempt to find life. In Jesus, we have life and we walk in the abundance of His life.

Romans 13:14 (AMP) But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts).

All of God’s Love to you,

Gary and Debbie Landon

wowwordoftheweek.co.nr

Which Tree, Which Law, Which Man? This is the question every human must answer for themselves. The first thing we have to answer is WHICH TREE?

Genesis 1:27 (NIV) So God created man in His Own Image, in the Image of God He created Him; male and female He created them.

Genesis 2:9 (NIV) And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground–trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the Tree of life and the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:15-17 (NIV) The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

Genesis 1:28 (NIV) God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

The human race was created in the Image of God and provided with everything they needed. The Lord gave each person a purpose and only two God-given commands to follow to have life and joy. Those 2 commands were to “be fruitful and increase in number” and “do not eat from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Those appear to be pretty easy commands to keep but as you and I know the human race went into “the ditch” ruining the journey for the rest of us.

Genesis 3:1-6 (NIV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the Tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'”

“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the Tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

THE SIN CYCLE BEGINS

Isaiah 59:2-3 (NIV) But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His Face from you, so that He will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.

Today, you and I are faced with the choice of “Which Tree?“ Our minds every second are judging good and evil, right and wrong, light and darkness. Our limbs are bent toward eating from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil again and again. Of course, this is the tree of choice that got us into this mess in the first place. When Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the simple commands and lifestyle God set up for them were destroyed. Adam and Eve literally placed themselves and each of us on a path of self-destruction where fear, doubt, confusion, shame and pain reigned (Genesis 3). However, the greatest tragedy was that now people set up their own guidelines for life from their place of fear, chaos, sin and death (Genesis 4).

Genesis 4:1-2 (NIV) Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.” Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.

DEATH AND MURDER REIGN INSTEAD OF LIFE

Genesis 4:11-12 (NIV) “Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” (God’s Word to Cain after he killed his brother out of jealousy and envy.)

Romans 1:28-29 (NIV) Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice…

Everything good comes from our Good and Gracious Lord. When we set up our own standard of good and evil, we are living by the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

We kick ourselves out of “God’s garden” for this and death reigns. Shame, guilt and fear accompany our setting up our own moral creed apart from God’s definition of goodness.

Genesis 3:24 (NIV) After He drove the man out, He placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the Tree of life.

THE TREE OF LIFE

In the midst of all these bad choices and eating from the tree of death or the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil, there is some “Good News”. The Tree of Life still exist for you and I. Today, we are given life from the right Tree, God‘s Tree of Life.

Revelation 2:7 (NIV) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

THE LOVE CYCLE OVERCOMES THE SIN CYCLE

By eating from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil and setting up our own standard of right and wrong, we live under a curse. I hate to say that but it is the Truth. Also, no one can keep God’s laws by their own actions as seen in Genesis 2-4. Mankind was given 2 commands and only one “do not” but he dropped the ball (or should I say fruit). So we are under a curse without the Tree of Life.  Jesus embraced the tree of life for us so that we could be done with the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We were done with setting up our own standard of good and evil when Jesus said “It is finished.”

Galatians 3:13 (NIV) “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

Jesus is the Tree of Life and we cannot obtain life in any other place (John 14:6).

Revelation 22:1-3 (NIV) Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the Tree of Life, bearing 12 crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him.

All of God’s Love to you,

Gary and Debbie Landon

wowwordoftheweek.co.nr

May the Truth set you and I free from the emptiness of our lost identity and the fearful thought patterns fo condemnation and guilt we experience from living in a fallen world among fallen angels. May our knowing the Truth of who God created us to be give us FREEDOM.

John 10:10 (NIV) (Jesus says) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”

The Giver of Life gave us life and the abundance of His identity. Our identity is in Jesus. God is the Giver of identity. The Lord is the One Who gives you and I the breath of life.

Genesis 2:7 (KJV) And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Job 33:4 (NIV)  The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

You and I were created in the very image of God.  God breathed His very breath of life into us and we became a living soul…alive by God’s power and love. As time went on, the enemy came to ruin what God had made because the devil by his own pride and sin had ruined himself.

GRAND THEFT IDENTITY

The thief began his evil work in the garden and it continues today.

Genesis 3:1-13 (NCV)  Now the snake was the most clever of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day the snake said to the woman, “Did God really say that you must not eat fruit from any tree in the garden?” The woman answered the snake,

“We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden. But God told us, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden. You must not even touch it, or you will die.’ ” But the snake said to the woman, “You will not die. God knows that if you eat the fruit from that tree, you will learn about good and evil and you will be like God!” The woman saw that the tree was beautiful, that its fruit was good to eat, and that it would make her wise. So she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of the fruit to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. Then, it was as if their eyes were opened. They realized they were naked, so they sewed fig leaves together and made something to cover themselves. Then they heard the Lord God walking in the garden during the cool part of the day, and the man and his wife hid from the Lord God among the trees in the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said, “Where are you?”

The man answered, “I heard you walking in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” God asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat fruit from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “You gave this woman to me and she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “How could you have done such a thing?” She answered, “The snake tricked me, so I ate the fruit.”

Adam and Eve were given 2 trees to eat from: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; and the Tree of Life.  People were told not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  The devil came in the form of a snake as he never comes as who he really is. The devil told some of his first lies to mankind. The evil one questioned God. When the enemy of mankind questioned God, the devil wanted the man and woman to question God not trust Him. The devil wants us to question God. People disobeyed and sinned and thus brought death and destruction upon the entire human race.

Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.  But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions– it is by grace you have been saved.

God had a special identity and a special plan for each one of us because He loves us. The enemy came and stole that plan. It began in the garden and it continues today. The destruction upon people’s lives has been magnified today greater than ever. If we recount the story of Adam and Eve, we see that as people went their own way and as they did their lives were gripped with fear and shame. Their sin caused death to destroy their bodies and souls. Because of going their own way, there was now death and pain. Sin had opened up a whole new window of bad things that people had never experienced. Before this people had been walking with God in a state of peace and joy. Man and woman were walking in harmony with each other and with God as He poured

His love and identity into them. However, Satan stole their identity. I will tell you that satan has stolen my identity and your identity. When people have their identity stolen, they are looking for something or someone to be their identity. I turned to the “ways of this world” in an attempt to find my identity. Each of us has done the same thing.

Yet God sent His Son Jesus to restore our identity to us so that in Jesus or “in Christ” as the Word says we know who we really are.  God wants us to know who we really are and not be endlessly searching on the world’s path of self-destruction for our identity.

IDENTITY RESTORED

I John 3:8 (NIV)  He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

Jesus came to destroy all that the devil has done or is doing; and to give you and I identity and life.  His breath of life gave us identity in the beginning and the same is true today.

John 20:22 (NIV)  And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Every day the evil one tries to steal our identity. How does the evil one steal our identity? He lies to us about who God is. He lies to us about who we are. Through these lies Satan causes fear, shame, guilt and condemnation. Jesus came to free us from all these forces of evil.

Fear is a spirit (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear is also the greatest fiction writer of all time. Fear attempts to create stories (lies) in our minds all day long. In our minds, fear will draft out a story that will debilitate us. However, none of the stories are true. When the devil speaks to us, we have to forget that we know the Truth from the Word of God.

A world without sin instills identity into us. Since we don’t live in a world without sin, we must get our identity from heaven. You are a citizen of heaven.

Philippians 3:20-21(NIV) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like

His Glorious Body.

All of God’s Love to you,

Gary and Debbie Landon

wowwordoftheweek.co.nr

John 8:32 (NIV) (Jesus says) “Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.”

May the Truth set you and I free from the fearful thought patterns, bad habits and physical addictions we have picked up along the way to help us cope with our pains and the emptiness of a lost identity. May our knowing the Truth of who God created us to be give us FREEDOM (Galatians 5:1).

FREEDOM – Overcoming all 3 areas of a Bad Habit or Addiction.

1Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV) May God Himself, the God of Peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As a quick review, you and I were created in the Image of God. As the Word states in Genesis 2:7 KJV, we were created 3 parts yet 1 (Body, Spirit and Soul which is our mind, will and emotions). Because sin entered the world and brought destruction to our body, spirit and soul; Jesus willingly offered Himself up for our healing in all three areas of life (Isaiah 53:5). Healing begins in the Spirit and cures the worst addictions and habits in soul and body.

John 16:13 (NIV) (Jesus says) “But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all Truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.”

Sometimes we try to combat a habit that is deeply rooted in our spirit with our mind and our body…our own willpower as opposed to God’s willpower in us. What happens with a person that combats addiction or a bad habit with their own strength is they go through the motions of getting free but using their own willpower may only give them temporary freedom. For example, I have seen this for decades in the area of fitness. At the gym every year in January people come in with their New Year’s resolutions and they attempt to combat habit deeply rooted in their spirit such a using food or alcohol to comfort themselves against wounds of the heart. People will go through some outward motions to cure an inward problem. People say I am going to fulfill my New Year’s resolution and workout. Two weeks later you know what happens; it is done…it is over with because our human discipline without the power of God will get us two weeks and maybe 30 days if a person is super strong willed. I have experienced this in my own life as I was trying to break free from bad habits and addictions. I had bad habits that I challenged with outward motions but did not address the inward problem. However, God gives us His supernatural willpower so that we can overcome anything from the inside out.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV) “I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.”

WOW!!! This is great!!! God has given you and I a new heart and filled us with His Holy Spirit to empower us. The new heart is a new willpower.

The willpower that is in God, not in our own power and strength that fails us. The Word also says that He removes our “heart of stone.” This is our wounded heart scared by our sins and the sins of others. He heals our hearts by His Holy Spirit in us.

THE LAW OF REPLACEMENT

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

God wants to replace our bad with His good. When we remove the bad, we have replace it with God‘s good.

Matthew 12:43-45 (Luke 11:24-26 NIV) “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

Jesus can see everything in the spiritual, mental and physical realms. Jesus knows what happens if we try to clean up our “house” (lives) on our own without the Presence and Power of God. God has set you and I free from bad habits and addictions and anything else that “haunts“ us in life. We have got to combat a bad habit or addiction in our lives in mind, spirit and body beginning with the Spirit.

1) In Spirit…worship and enter into the Presence of God where you find comfort for your pain and His joy to replace our sorrows.

John 14:16-17 (AMP) “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever – The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you (constantly) and will be in you.”

Psalm 16:11 (NIV) You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your Presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

True comfort comes from the Holy Spirit not from our bad habits or addictions. True joy triumphs over our life pains in the Presence of the Lord.

2) Mentally…apply the Word of God daily to your mind. Replace the lies with the Truth. The Word is your true Identity, not the lies spoken over you and to you by the world, your flesh and the devil.

Roman 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is– His good, pleasing and perfect will.

3) Physically…Discipline (Proverbs 6:23) and Exercise (1 Corinthians 9:24-26).

Leviticus 17:11 (NLT) …for the life of the body is in its blood…

There is “power in the blood” both Spiritually and Physically. Exercise the flow of blood in both areas. Physical exercise can be a great replacement for a bad habit or addiction.Jesus has provided you and I everything we need to be victorious in this life and to set us free from fearful thought patterns, bad habits and addictions we have picked up along the way to help us cope with our pains and the emptiness of a lost identity. Be Free in Him!!!

All of God’s Love to you,

Gary and Debbie Landon

wowwordoftheweek.co.nr

Freedom comes from embracing your identity in Jesus.

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)  It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

FREEDOM – HEALING BEGINS IN THE SPIRIT.

Jesus died to heal all 3 parts of our beings or all 3 areas of life. Healing begins in the Spirit.

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

When Jesus died for you and me, He healed all three areas of our lives…mentally, physically and spiritually.  First, He was pierced so that we could be forgiven of every sin that we have ever committed or will commit in word, thought, deed or motive. This is spiritual healing.  The greatest disease or illness of our “spirit being” was sin which separated us from God and caused death to reign in our mortal bodies.

1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) – He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.

Every sin that you and I and every person that has ever lived, is living now or will live in the future was poured into Jesus’ sinless body on the Cross.

The most wicked sins from Adolph Hitler to Charles Manson to the times that you and I were unfaithful to God was crammed into the body and mind of the Precious Lamb of God.  This gross disease of the spirit was so ugly that God Himself had to look away from His Only Son Who bore our the sins of the world.

Matthew 27:45-46 (NIV)  From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”– which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Isaiah 53:3-4 (NIV)  He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.  Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted.Healing begins in the Spirit with forgiveness of sin. Therefore, these words are the great result and the great healing of our lives.

Hebrews 8:12 (NIV)  “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Second, Jesus was punished so we could have peace.  This is our mental healing.  Jesus had every ounce of God’s wrath, fury, punishment and judgment poured out upon Him as He was slapped, beaten, whipped and pierced and then nailed to the Cross.  This was the punishment, judgment and wrath that you and I deserved for the wicked things we have done in life. However, Jesus willingly took it all “the wrath of God” for us.

Romans 8:32-34 (NIV) He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all– how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies.  Who is He that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died– more than that, Who was raised to life– is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (John 3:16-17).

If Jesus willingly took it all, then how much punishment, judgment, condemnation, shame and guilt remain for you and I to carry around ???

ZERO …NONE!!!  We are free from judgment and condemnation and shame and guilt today and forever. Thank You, Jesus!!!

Romans 8:1-2 (AMP) Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being) has freed me from the law of sin and death. Bottom line is that Jesus gave us all the peace we so desperately needed and daily need.  This is peace with God, peace within ourselves and peace with those around us. Peace and harmony in every area of life…isn’t that what we really want in this life more than anything else?

John 14:27 (NIV)  (Jesus says) “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Finally, Jesus was broken so we could be made physically whole.

Galatians 3:13-14 (AMP) Christ purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the Scriptures, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified).

If you want to see the complete curse Jesus received for you and me, read Deuteronomy 21:23 and Deuteronomy 28:16-67.  If you want to see the blessing we receive because Jesus got all the curse and we receive all the blessing, checkout Deuteronomy 28:3-13 and Deuteronomy 7:15.

Psalm 103:2-3 (NIV) Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits–Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases…Jesus became a curse, a disease, a sickness, a sin and death for us so that we could receive the blessing of spiritual, mental and physical healing.  This is our identity in Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6, 8 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight…This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.Complete freedom comes from embracing your identity in Jesus.

All of God’s Love to you,

Gary and Debbie Landon

www.wowwordoftheweek.co.nr

IDENTITY – PART 1

I AM A CHILD OF GOD.  YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD.

This is critical.  It does not matter whether your parents were good to you or bad to you growing up.  It does not matter if your parents were always around or absent, God is the Father you never had. Many of us have had wounds left upon our hearts because of the circumstances of life in this fallen world. Some of us have a big pain in our lives from  neglect, abuse, rejection or betrayal we may have suffered. My identity was scared with the feeling of being abandoned.

Even to this day when I face trouble or a trial in life, in my mind I will ask “have I been abandoned?” “God have You abandoned me?” I ask myself these questions because I was conditioned with that false reality and then I allowed the accompanying lies of world, flesh and devil to take hold in my spirit. You and I have a great need to look to the Word of God for the Truth.  We must replace the lies in our lives with the Truth.  Our first identity that must be the foundation of who we know we are has to be: “I are a child of God.”

God paid a large price to adopt you and me. Jesus’ death on the Cross frees us from fear and gives an inheritance both here and now and in the life to come. His inheritance is to make us a chosen people. God chose you and I to give each of us an incredible life. God wants to give each of us back the identity that the evil one has stolen.

John 10:10 (NIV) (Jesus says) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

IDENTITY – WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT YOU AND ME?

Genesis 1:27 (NCV) So God created human beings in His image. In the Image of God He created them. He created them male and female.

When He looked at you and I, His prized creations, He said that we were very good.

Genesis 1:31 (NCV) God looked at everything He had made, and it was very good…

So God is completely pleased with you and I as His creations.  If you look at your hand and your fingerprints, there is not another person that has ever been or will ever be that has those prints or that is like you.  You have the DNA of heaven.  You are treadured.  You are awesome to God.  He made only 1 like you.  He was pleased in His making of you.

Genesis 2:7 (KJV) And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

You and I were created in the very image of God. God made our bodies from the “stuff” of the earth and He breathed His very breath of life into us and we became a human soul. Our Soul is our mind, our will and our emotions. We are made up of 3 parts yet we are 1.  We are created in the very Image of God. (Psalm 139:13-17)

Genesis 1:26 (NIV)  Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our Image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

Colossians 1:16 (NIV)  For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN CREATED THROUGH HIM AND FOR HIM.

We are sons and daughters of the Most High God.  “I AM A CHILD OF GOD.“

Let this Truth sink deep down into your spirit and soul as it is guaranteed again and again in the Word of God:

John 1:12-13 (NIRV)  Some people did accept Him. They believed in His Name.

He gave them the right to become children of God. To be a child of God has nothing to do with human parents. Children of God are not born because of human choice or because a husband wants them to be born. They are born because of what God does. (Psalm 27:10)

2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIRV) “I will be your Father. You will be my sons and daughters,” says the Lord who rules over all.

Romans 8:14-16 (NIRV)  Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. You didn’t receive a Spirit that makes you a slave to fear once again.

Instead you received the Holy Spirit, Who makes you God’s child. By the Spirit’s power we call God “Abba.” Abba means Father. The Spirit Himself joins with our spirits. Together they give witness that we are God’s children.

Our identity is no longer from the “stuff” of earth.  Our identity does not come from what we accomplish in this world.  Our identity is not based on the lies of the world, flesh or devil.  Our identity does not depend on titles the world puts on us, fame we may gain, rituals we may go through, money and possession we may earn or by us trying to please everyone around us.  God is pleased with us because of what Jesus did on the Cross.

1 John 3:1 (NIRV)  How great is the love the Father has given us so freely! Now we can be called children of God. And that’s what we really are! The world doesn’t know us because it didn’t know Him.

May the Truth set you and I free from the fearful thought patterns, bad habits and addictions we have picked up along the way to help us cope with our pains and the emptiness of a lost identity. May our knowing the Truth of who God created us to be give FREEDOM.

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)  It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

All of God’s Love to you,

Gary and Debbie Landon

www.wowwordoftheweek.co.nr