The disciples didn’t really understand what was happening as Jesus hung on the cross. There, Christ took our sin and gave us HIS life in return! We became God’s righteousness on earth—the habitation of His Holy Spirit! We are enabled and empowered to act as Christ in the earth, because He now lives IN us. The disciples saw a man, but God saw humanity!

Jesus is our example. He destroyed the works of the devil, and He had power over sickness, disease, lack, oppression and everything else that comes from sin and darkness. You and I today have that same power! It doesn’t matter how long or how difficult the situation is in your life—Jesus lives in you and gave you His authority to change things!

To the religious leader of Jesus’ day healing was easier, even acceptable. To the religious in our day, forgiveness of sin is easier, acceptable. But we can read in God’s Word that Jesus bore away both our diseases AND our sin! The moment you were born again you entered the kingdom of God, where in His eyes, you are completely forgiven and healed. When you begin to say what God says, regardless of how you may be feeling, and allow the Holy Spirit to renew your mind to the truth of it, it will become your reality!

Is the Kingdom of God in disorder? Is it confused? Is God nervous? No! The first thing that Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection was “Peace.” Regardless of the current turmoil, lawlessness and uncertainty we are witnessing in our nation and in the world, the kingdom of God is in order. The kingdom of God is at rest. God is not nervous. He has a wonderful plan that is being worked both in us and through us in the earth!

I believe Elijah stood in front of the battles before him and was able to call down fire from heaven. He was able, when necessary, to stop the rain. He was able to speak the will of God over his situations and over an entire nation of people. Elijah’s prayers prevailed, and now, with the very life and power of God living within us, how much more so should ours!

What you focus on is what will impact your life. When Peter overcame the fear-filled boat by looking at Jesus and acting on His word, Peter walked on water. For a moment he was the happiest man alive—until he diverted his focus back to the wind and waves, and fear regained its dominance over him. Keeping your focus on God’s Word renews your mind and transforms you from faithless to fearless! (Romans 12:1-2)

Don’t waste your precious gift of speech by declaring that you’re in agreement with evil, failure, depression, sickness, or fear. Regardless of how bad circumstances may look in the natural, you aren’t required to participate in them. Why? Because you are redeemed and are now in Christ, and the curse has no claim on you anymore! Spend some time in your bible and allow the Holy Spirit to renew your mind to the truth!

Each and every day of our lives we should arise acknowledging our identity in Christ, not our old man! We don’t come crying to God telling Him who we used to be, we come to Him thanking Him for who we are now, hidden with Christ in the Father! (Colossians 3:3)

Paul had an interesting view of himself. He thought of himself as a man who had died and awakened to a new life in Christ. He considered himself a dead man, yet still breathing. Dead men do not get offended at people. Dead men do not scream back when they are screamed at. Dead men can be poked, kicked, mocked and spit upon, and they still do not respond. The devil and his followers have no weapons left when Christians do not respond in fear or anger to their evil threats and actions!

Joy is an important part of life and is something God wants His children to experience and live in every day.  It’s a fruit of the Spirit and a strong feeling of the heart. In this very negative world where bad news is screamed at us from all sides, joy must be encouraged, protected, and cultivated. How do we find it? God’s Word is full of truths for you that produce joy! Believe them, meditate on them and speak them over yourself!