The Bible is a mirror, not a book of rules. When you look in a mirror you say, “This is who I am.” When you look at a book of rules you say, “This is who I’m supposed to be.” As you speak out the truth of God’s work in you and His promises to you from His Word, you’re rehearsing what is in the mirror and are being transformed. Your thinking is being changed from the old nature habits of thinking to a life that reflects the truth of who God has created you to be!

The same Holy Spirit, with the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead, also indwells you as a believer. What does that mean for you? It means the very light and life of God resides in you—giving His life to your spirit, soul and your body too (Romans 8:11). It means there is no longer anything in you that belongs to the devil. (Colossians 1:13) It means all the authority and power that Jesus walked in on the earth now dwells in you to do the works that He did (John 14:12). What is your part? Enter into the rest of faith and receive it all as a gift of His grace to you. Stay connected to the power source, and you’ll be a walking light bulb everywhere you go!

Jesus said that we will have trouble in this world, but to stay happy! Why? How? He overcame everything that could keep you down, sick, weak, or poor! If you’re born again He lives within you, giving you the strength and wisdom you need to overcome in any situation. “I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 emphasis mine).

We are equipped with the indwelling Spirit of God to focus on solutions, not problems. We are equipped to speak what we want, not what might be currently happening. We are equipped to experience joy in the expectation of answers, rather than the stress of waiting for them!

People spend half their life trying to feel worthy to be God’s representative, then the other half wondering if they’re doing it right. Jesus isn’t calling you to do something beyond you, because you aren’t doing it in your own ability, you’re doing it in HIS. HE qualifies you and equips you by putting HIS Spirit IN you!

Say what God says! Reciting His promises and thanking Him for all the amazing things He has done for you in Christ is the heart of true praise and worship. “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).

Since the fall of Adam the image of God has been distorted little by little, like a photocopy where each copy is a little less clear than the copy before it. Eventually the image is barely recognizable, until fresh toner is installed and the image becomes crisp and clear again. If your walk with God has become faded and lacking clarity, only the Word of God can give you fresh perspective and a clear view of the exciting, limitless life that has been set before you in Christ!

We don’t come into the throne room telling God about who we used to be in Adam and crying for things He’s already given to us. No! Speaking the Word of God from our lips about who He has made us to be and how He sees us, what He has done for us, accomplished and given to us is the TRUE and SINCERE praise and worship that the Father desires from us! “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).

When the Israelites brought an offering to the priest to atone for their sins, the priest didn’t inspect the people to see if they were worthy, he inspected the offering they presented. If you have received the gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus, God isn’t inspecting you to see if you’re worthy of His forgiveness and blessing—He looks at the perfect offering—His Son!

“Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:5-6). You can come to the place where no matter what is happening around you, you are not shaken. How? By taking time and meditating, speaking and growing in the truth of this and other scriptures like it. You’re not ignoring what’s going on around you, you’re just becoming more confident and focused on things above, where you’re seated with Christ!