Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

he saved us, not by deeds of righteousness that we have done, but because of his mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5

The words in this verse and in its context clearly show that there is a spiritual connotation to it. Adonai, by Grace, has renewed and regenerated our spirits through our washing by Ruach HaKodesh. Not because of anything WE did, but because He loved us and chose to sacrifice Himself for us, His beloved creation. The word for regeneration has to do with spiritual rebirth (born again) and Messianic restoration. But the word for renewal is ‘anakainósis’ (an-ak-ah’-ee-no-sis). That word means a renovation, a renewal, or a change of heart AND LIFE. It doesn’t STOP at the spiritual renewal and regeneration. It STARTS there.

Ruach HaKodesh came into our lives to bring HIS POWER into our lives. That’s a pretty simple concept, isn’t it? “And behold, I am sending out what was promised by my Father upon you, but you stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). And then Ruach HaKodesh was sent down to Earth. “And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in the same place. And suddenly a sound like a violent rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. And divided tongues like fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability to speak out” (Acts 2:1-4). Ruach HaKodesh stayed here. Period. He is inhabiting the Body of Christ. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). You will not find any verse anywhere in scripture where it tells you Ruach HaKodesh went back to heaven. He is still here. He is still inside us. His power is still with Him. It is CONTINUING. Why are we seeking to limit Him to just our spiritual renewal?

Human thinking says that all things considered, it’s a lot easier to renew and replace an ethereal concept that it is a physical body. Yet that is a total falsity. It is not based on anything substantial or even real. The fact is that the reality we see is MADE from unseen things. The WORDS that came out of the Father through Jesus, THE Word, is what is making up reality. Words that are energy released which made all the things we have studied and discovered (as well as all of the stuff we have not). We are upheld not by the continuation of a machine or algorithm, but by Jesus who spoke us into existence (Hebrews 1:3). That is the unseen creating the seen (Hebrews 11:3). What WE see is a physical object simply there, is in reality a complex and powerful utterance that Jesus keeps upheld and existent by His will. That’s a LOT more complicated than changing a stone into bread. Yet, Jesus can do that. Adonai can do ANYTHING if we will cooperate with Him. So ask yourself, why would a LOVING, GRACIOUS, MERCIFUL FATHER stop at a spiritual renewal we can’t even see and can barely perceive without practise in His presence? The obvious answer is that He wouldn’t.

The character of Adonai Elohim DEMANDS that LIFE be ABUNDANT. If we are not experiencing the physical arrival of that in every crack, cranny, and corner of our lives, we have MISSED it somewhere. I don’t care WHAT you feel in your body. Adonai wants you to accept the FINISHED work of Jesus and we well (Romans 10:9; John 19:30; 1 Peter 1:3). Salvation is NOT only the saving of your SPIRIT, but also the total renewal of everything you are. Yes, our meat suit won’t be restored until we get face to face with the physical Jesus, but that’s okay. It is hard to say whether the ungodly would still be able to see us if we were transformed – which would make witnessing to them VERY difficult. Adonai wants our minds renewed (Romans 12:2). Adonai wants us sanctified (John 17:17). Adonai wants us living in health (1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:16-17). Adonai wants us to have NO lack (Psalm 23). Adonai came to give us ABUNDANT life – the FULLNESS of the Blessing of the Father which IS life.

Why limit Ruach HaKodesh to sealing your spirit (Ephesians 1:13)? Why not accept EVERYTHING that He can do for us (John 14:16, 16:8-13)? Are you aware of the power of the Ruach HaKodesh? And that the Father can direct it through you just like He did through Jesus? “And if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also make alive your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you” (Romans 8:11). The resurrection power that raised a spirit which was in Sheol, that raised a body by renewing and restoring its cellular structure entirely, that enabled a man to return to it and use it in new ways that defy logic and physics while at the same time operating according to the laws of the world? I mean, Jesus appeared in rooms without using the door (John 20:26), but also ate fish and honey (Luke 24:42). That is a TOTAL restoration, but also a TOTAL renewal. That power is inside YOU and ME! Adonai said so and He does not lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). We’re not going to be teleporting, but why would we be sick anymore? Or depressed? Or anxious? Or lacking? Because we don’t trust. “For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as those also did, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who heard it in faith” (Hebrews 4:2).

If you will TRUST Adonai. Trust that what He says is true. Trust Him enough to obey Him. To do what He asks. To be humbly submitted to His will no matter WHAT He asks (it will accord with scripture because He NEVER contradicts scripture). If we will do that and trust like that, there is NOTHING that will be denied us because He is first and what He wants comes first. Sickness will melt away. Lack will dry up. Depression will dissipate. Anxiety will no longer speak your language. It will happen because when we seek Him FIRST, THEN the rest follows. Demand and supply. It is the culture of the Kingdom. It is how it works. And it DOES work. Jesus did it this way and He said we could too. I’m going to agree and cooperate with Him. How about you? Are you going to take the cuffs off Ruach HaKodesh, or are you going to keep chasing the pie in the sky? Eternity is always NOW. I’m going to eat what He offers right now, and not wait. He said I don’t have to.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Psalm 37:25-26

“I was a youth, but I am now old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. All the day he is gracious and lends, and his children are a blessing.” Do you know what the godly have in common? No matter which sex they are (male or female). No matter what culture. No matter what race. No matter what nationality. No matter what socio-economic status. The godly understand that Adonai is ALWAYS now. No past. No future. Now. He deals with us NOW. He meets us where we are NOW. We are taken care of NOW. The now of today is the same as the now of next Tuesday. “The Lord is not delaying the promise, as some consider slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). We might have a need that has a deadline from OUR point of view, but Adonai ALWAYS arranges it in HIS now. It comes to pass just when He arranged it through His cooperators. The godly know this and they TRUST Him. It is trust that is well-placed. It is trust that does not see time. It is trust that may acknowledge circumstances, but it is also trust that denies the right of those circumstances to affect them. The godly know this and lean into their Father. They lean into Jesus. They rely on Him and you know what? He NEVER disappoints. He NEVER misses it. He is ALWAYS good for what He SAYS He is good for. Period. No exceptions. Ever. Millions of people around the globe can testify to the GOODNESS of our God. Amen. He is FAITHFUL. He LOVES us. He PROVIDES. What a GOOD God!

Your Daily Confession of Elohim’s Goodness:

I taste and see that Yahweh is good; I am blessed because I take refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8