Children of God, Heirs of His Righteousness

Through faith in Christ Jesus, we become children of God—Born again, not of the sinful nature and its seed, but the incorruptible nature of God. Justified by faith and deemed righteous in His sight.

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

"He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." (John 1:11 and 12)

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:19-21)

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:1-3) 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8, 9)

"Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (1 Peter 1:23) See also 1 Peter 2:9 and 10.

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:16,17)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Matthew 5:6; Matthew 6:33; John 3:1-21; Ephesians 2 in its entirety; Philippians 1:9; Hebrews 11 in its entirety; Romans Chapters 4 and 5 in their entirety; First Epistle of Peter Chapter 1:22-25

Christmas Greetings & Blessings

May your hearts overflow with hope, peace and joy, as you celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, today and forever. King of kings, and Lord of lords, Hallelujah!

Bible Reading: Luke 2:7-14

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country, shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger." 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" 

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Daily Walking in the Love and Light of God

Thanks be to God who is love, and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who came into the world in human flesh, to save us from our sins, and reconcile us to God. 

He who still abides with us, by His Spirit, shines His light on our pathway, and fills us with the same. Glory to His name!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) See also verses 18-21.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it may be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:18-23)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2) See also Matthew 4:13-17.

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. (The Gospel According to John 12:46)

Related Bible Readings: Matthew 22:37-40; John 1:1-18; John 8:12; John 13:34-35; John 21:15-17; Ephesians 5:1-21; Romans Chapter 5:8; 1 Corinthians Chapter 13; The First Epistle of John in its entirety (5 Chapters); Psalm 119:105

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Spread Christmas cheer. Find Christmas eCards at www.awalkinthegardengreetings.com

 

Keeper and Preserver of Our Souls

The Keeper of our souls, the Lord Almighty, is He who loves and cares deeply for His "Vineyard." He causes it to blossom and bud, and fill the world with its fruit. He is zealous for its preservation. 

"I, the LORD, keep it, I water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day. Fury is not in Me. Who would set briers and thorns against Me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. Or let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me." (Isaiah 27:3-5)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Inspiration For Our Daily Christian Walk

God gives His people power in the valleys, to walk on the high places, to drink of His rivers and streams, to walk in the light of His Word, to walk in the Spirit. With Him is the fountain of life.

Praise His holy name!

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Psalm 23; Habakkuk 3:19; Psalm 18:30-36; Psalm 32:8; Psalm 36:5-9; Psalm 119:105; John 8:12; Romans Chapter 8 in its entirety.

Monday Blessings: The Presence of Our Faithful Lord

Having the knowledge and the assurance, that the Great God of heaven and earth is with us wherever we go, we are encouraged to be strong and of good courage. Life's journey is not an easy road we travel, but with our faithful God leading and guiding the way, and our trusting in His Word, meditating in it day and night, we can possess His promises, and enter into His perfect rest. God who commands and controls the seasons, never fails. Follow on.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Joshua Chapter 1; Exodus 13:21 & 22; Exodus 33:12-17; Numbers 9:15-23; Deuteronomy 31:6; John 16:12-15; Hebrews 4:1-11; 1 Peter 5:10 & 11; 2 Peter 1:1-11

A Glorious Life in Christ

Heart to Heart: An Altar of Prayer and Worship

Fill our hearts with Your glory, Lord God!

Related Bible Readings: Exodus 33:18-23; Exodus 34:1-10; Exodus Chapter 40; 1 Kings 18:21-39; 2 Chronicles Chapter 7; Psalm 51; Ezekiel Chapter 43; John 4:23 & 24; Galatians 5:22-26; Hebrews 13:15 & 16

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Monday Blessings: Faith is the Victory

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (1 John 5:4)

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. (See Hebrews 11:6)

A Living Sacrifice, Holy and Acceptable to God

Praise and thanks be to God, for His marvelous grace which brought us salvation, through Jesus Christ. He offered up Himself for the sins of the world, by whom those who believe are justified and sanctified.  

Daily walking with the Lord, God's finished work transforms and perfects us, as we yield to the Holy Spirit. 

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:9-11)

Our humble gratitude is exemplified in praise and thanksgiving to God, and the way we conduct ourselves in a sinful world, from which we were called. On the altar of God, we present ourselves daily as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service. (See Romans 12:1 & 2)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings:

Romans Chapter 5; Romans Chapter 8; Titus Chapter 2; Ephesians Chapter 4; Philippians 2:1-18; 2 Timothy 3:1-17; Galatians 2:16-21; Hebrews 13:1-21; The Book of James 

A New Month Has Sprung!

The Lord be glorified, the Lord be magnified in it!
Bloom where you are planted.

This post also appears at A Walk In The Garden Greetings

Heart to Heart: Wonderful Counselor

Praise the Lord, our Wonderful Counselor! He is holy, righteous, good, true, merciful, gracious, longsuffering, just, all-wise, all-knowing, all power is in His hand. By His word, He made the heavens and the earth and everything in them, visible and invisible. Nothing or no one can stand against Him and His purposes. He executes His perfect plans without fail. Blessed be the name of the Lord God, Most High! He bids us come, seek His face and walk in His ways. From generation to generation, He is the same. Glory, Hallelujah! 

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Praise Jesus, The Author and Finisher of Our Faith

In Christ, we have a sure foundation and an anchor for our souls. He is the Captain of our salvation and will perfect all that concerns us. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Thanks be to the Father of our Lord, who strengthens us with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, that we may be rooted and grounded in His love, overflowing with thanksgiving. Amen.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews Chapters 11 and 12; Colossians 2:6 & 7; Romans 1:16 & 17; The Epistle of James; Ephesians Chapter 3

Hope Beyond The Grave

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. 

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 

For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Kingdom Work: The Ministry of Reconciliation

In His vineyard and His garden, God is fulfilling His purpose for a reconciled world to Himself. He works in and through His church, to spread the gospel of His saving grace, through Jesus Christ. 

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37 & 38)

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Glorious Living in the Presence of God

God in ages past, appointed Aaron, (of the tribe of Levi) a high priest, whose rod sprouted and put forth buds, and produced blossoms, and yielded ripe almonds. In his duties, Aaron offered gifts and sacrifices for sins, for himself and the people, and blessed them as God instructed. 

The same God caused a Rod to come forth from the stem of Jesse and a Branch out of his roots—Our Great High Priest, (of the tribe of Judah) the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior of the world, sinless Sin-Bearer, Mediator, Perfecter.

By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate, forget not: for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:15 & 16)

Experience the glory of living daily in the presence of God. Great is His love and care.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Numbers Chapter 17; Isaiah 11:1; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews Chapter 5, and a study of Hebrews in its entirety. Psalm 42;  Psalm 145; Proverbs 10:22; Romans Chapter 12; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Ephesians Chapter 2; James 4:6 & 10

Bible Verses About Peace | Bible Verses About Joy | Bible Verses About Rest | Garden Devotion: A Prayer for Today

Anointed Christ and His Church

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Jesus Christ, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power, went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil. God has also anointed His church with the same anointing, to testify of His saving grace, proclaiming His gospel to the ends of the earth, with signs and wonders following.

To Him be glory now and forever. Amen.

See Also:

Fruit of the Spirit in a Yielded Vessel
https://www.awalkinthegarden.com/2018/08/fruit-of-spirit-in-yielded-vessel.html

Monday Greetings and Blessings

Today is a gift from God. "Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah. (Psalm 68:19)

He has given us His Word whereby man shall live. His Holy Spirit to those who believe on Him, without measure. His amazing grace and a hope that anchors the soul. Strength for the journey and peace that surpasses all understanding. His deliverance, His longsuffering and His forgiveness. His correction, His mercy and His justice, all wrapped in love.

Time would fail to tell of all His benevolence. Yet, consider His works and providence in creation. Read more.

A Living Hope

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Cont'd...

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

(1 Peter:3-9)

Related Bible Reading: Romans Chapter 8 in its entirety

Easter Greetings & Gratitude

Rejoice! Christ who died, as God determined, was raised for our justification. Thank you Lord!

"Whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it." (Acts 2:24)

"Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." (Hebrews 5:7-9)

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

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Our High Priest, who rent the veil of the temple, has provided a new and living way through His blood. Praise God Almighty! Amen.

The Risen and Ascended Christ

The Gospel According to Luke | Chapter 24