Month: October 2026

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JESUS HAD NOT YET BEEN GLORIFIED / JOHN 7:39

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) John 7:39

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

The Pathway to Living Water: Understanding John 7:39

In the Gospel of John, Jesus extends a beautiful, radical invitation to a crowd gathering for the Feast of Tabernacles: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” He promises that rivers of living water will flow from within whoever believes in Him.

But right after this promise, John offers a crucial theological footnote in John 7:39:

“By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”

This short commentary contains profound truths for the early Church—and for our individual walks with God today. Let’s look at what it means that Jesus had not yet been glorified, and how that impacts our lives right now.

The Divine Order: The Cross and the Spirit

When John talks about Jesus being “glorified,” he is pointing directly to the cross, the resurrection, and the ascension. In John 12:23-24, Jesus explains that a grain of wheat must fall into the ground and die to bear fruit.

The cross was not a defeat; it was Christ’s ultimate hour of glory and honor, where sin was conquered once and for all.

God established a perfect divine order. Jesus had to complete His earthly mission, paying the penalty for our sins, before the Holy Spirit could be poured out to launch the Church age. The work of Christ on the cross breaks down the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity, paving the way for the Holy Spirit to make His home inside of us.

Making Room in Our Hearts Today

This divine order isn’t just historical fact—it is a spiritual reality for our individual lives today.

Just as Christ had to deal with sin on the cross before the Spirit could be given to the world, we must deal with sin in our own hearts to truly experience the fullness of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is holy. He cannot comfortably dwell where sin is actively tolerated, hidden, or coddled. To experience the “rivers of living water”—which include spiritual rebirth, daily renewal (John 20:22), and the empowering baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4)—we must actively align ourselves with Christ’s work. This means:

  • Confessing our sins honestly to Christ.
  • Receiving His free forgiveness.
  • Abandoning our old ways to walk in His light.

When we clear away the debris of unconfessed sin, we open up the floodgates for the Holy Spirit to saturate our lives, bringing fresh power, joy, and peace.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the perfect plan of salvation. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for enduring the cross and being glorified so that we might live in freedom and receive Your Holy Spirit.

Search our hearts today. We confess the areas where we have allowed sin, pride, or compromise to take root. We ask for Your forgiveness, and by Your grace, we turn away from those things today. Cleanse us and make us a holy dwelling place for You.

Holy Spirit, fill us afresh. Let Your rivers of living water flow out of us to a dry and thirsty world. Renew our minds, guide our steps, and empower us to live lives that bring glory to Jesus.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. AS THE SCRIPTURE HAS SAID – STREAMS OF LIVING WATER / JOHN 7:38
  2. GAIN HONOR FOR HIMSELF / JOHN 7:18
  3. IF ANYONE CHOOSES TO DO GOD’S WILL / JOHN 7:17
  4. IT HATES ME / JOHN 7:6-7
  5. FEAST OF TABERNACLES / JOHN 7:2-3
  6. JESUS HAD KNOWN FROM THE BEGINNING / JOHN 6:64
  7. EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD / JOHN 6:54
  8. THE FATHER … DRAWS HIM / JOHN 6:44
  9. MY FATHER’S WILL / JOHN 6:40
  10. I WILL NEVER DRIVE AWAY / JOHN 6:37
  11. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE / JOHN 6:35
  12. DON’T BE AFRAID / JOHN 6:20
  13. JESUS PRAYS ALONE / JOHN 6:15
  14. THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND /JOHN 6:7
  15. MIRACLES / JOHN 6:1-2
  16. DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT HE WROTE / JOHN 5:47
  17. ACCEPT PRAISE FROM ONE ANOTHER / JOHN 5:44
  18. YOU DILIGENTLY STUDY / JOHN 5:39-40
  19. YOU HAVE SENT JOHN / John 5:33
  20. THOSE WHO HAVE DONE GOOD – RISE TO LIVE – THOSE WHO HAVE DONE EVIL / JOHN 5:29
  21. HAS GRANTED THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF / JOHN 5:26
  22. HEARS … BELIEVES / JOHN 5:24
  23. MAKING HIMSELF EQUAL WITH GOD / JOHN 5:18-24
  24. PERSECUTED HIM / JOHN 5:16
  25. STOP SINNING / JOHN 5:14
  26. THE MAN WAS CURED / JOHN 5:9-10
  27. THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS / JOHN 5:5
  28. SIGNS AND WONDERS / JOHN 4:48
  29. CROP FOR ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:36
  30. LOOK AT THE FIELDS / JOHN 4:35
  31. SURPRISED TO FIND HIM TALKING WITH A WOMAN / JOHN 4:27
  32. TRUTH / JOHN 4:24
  33. WORSHIP … IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH / JOHN 4:23-24
  34. SAMARITANS WORSHIP WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW / JOHN 4:22
  35. WATER … ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:14
  36. SAMARITAN WOMAN / JOHN 4:7
  37. WHOEVER REJECTS / JOHN 3:36
  38. GIVES THE SPIRIT WITHOUT LIMIT / JOHN 3:34
  39. LOVED DARKNESS INSTEAD OF LIGHT / JOHN 3:19
  40. GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD /JOHN 3:16
  41. JUST AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SNAKE / JOHN 3:14-15
  42. THE WIND … THE SPIRIT / JOHN 3:8
  43. BORN OF WATER / JOHN 3:5
  44. BORN AGAIN / JOHN 3:3
  45. TEMPLE / JOHN 2:19
  46. DROVE ALL FROM THE TEMPLE AREA / JOHN 2:15
  47. SIGNS / JOHN 2:11
  48. CHOICE WINE – HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK / JOHN 2:10
  49. WINE – THEY HAVE NO MORE WINE / JOHN 2:3
  50. YOU SHALL SEE HEAVEN OPEN / JOHN 1:51
  51. CEPHAS … PETER / JOHN 1:42
  52. THE FIRST THING ANDREW DID / JOHN 1:41
  53. THE TENTH HOUR /JOHN 1:39
  54. WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / JOHN 1:33
  55. LAMB OF GOD / JOHN 1:29
  56. PHARISEES / JOHN 1:24
  57. GRACE AND TRUTH / JOHN 1:17
  58. THE WORD BECAME FLESH / JOHN 1:14
  59. BORN NOT OF … HUMAN DECISION / JOHN 1:13
  60. RECEIVED … BELIEVED / JOHN 1:12
  61. THE WORLD DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM / JOHN 1:10
  62. GIVES LIGHT TO EVERY MAN / JOHN 1:9
  63. HIS NAME WAS JOHN / JOHN 1:6
  64. LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS / JOHN 1:5
  65. LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN / JOHN 1:4
  66. WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING / JOHN 1:2
  67. THE WORD / JOHN 1:1
  68. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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AS THE SCRIPTURE HAS SAID – STREAMS OF LIVING WATER / JOHN 7:38

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) John 7:38

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Streams of Living Water: Living Out the Promise of John 7:38

In moments of exhaustion, dryness, or spiritual fatigue, we often look for something to fill our empty cups. We look for encouragement, rest, or a brief escape from the chaos of life. But in John 7:38, Jesus offers us something far greater than a temporary refill. He promises a permanent, overflowing source:

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Jesus isn’t just offering a sip to quench your thirst for the day. He is promising to transform your entire life into a starting point for an endless, rushing river.

As the Scripture Has Said

When Jesus made this declaration, He wasn’t introducing a brand-new concept. He was anchoring His words in centuries of prophetic promises. Throughout the Old Testament, God consistently pictured spiritual restoration as water in the desert.

From the life-giving trees planted by streams in Psalms 1:3, to the glad-making river in Psalms 46:4, and the prophetic visions of an abundance of rain and water in Isaiah 32:15; 44:3, God’s people knew that water meant life. Ezekiel 47 even describes a supernatural river flowing out from the temple, making everything it touches come alive.

By declaring “as Scripture has said,” Jesus reveals that He is the fulfillment of these promises. The long-awaited transformation was finally here, arriving not through external rituals, but through a deeply personal relationship with Him.

The Gift of the Overflow

What exactly is this living water? Jesus is referring to the gift of the Holy Spirit, who would be given to His followers after His ascension (John 16:7).

When you put your faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit takes up residence inside you. The Spirit doesn’t just sit quietly in a corner of your heart; He guides, empowers, and fills you to maximum capacity. This is the “abundant life” Jesus promised in John 10:10—a life so full that it cannot be contained.

As Christians, we are not meant to be stagnant ponds that collect water and keep it to ourselves. We are called to be conduits. As we respond to the Spirit’s direction and exercise His power, this living water naturally begins to flow outward to the people around us.

Becoming a Conduit of Grace

When the Holy Spirit flows through us, our lives carry the spiritually healing, life-giving message of Jesus Christ to a world desperately parched for hope. It changes how we love, how we serve, and how we speak.

  • In our families: The river flows as patience, forgiveness, and unconditional love.
  • In our workplaces: It looks like integrity, kindness, and peace in the middle of stress.
  • In our communities: It manifests as a passion for the broken, a voice for the hurting, and a bold witness to the truth of the Gospel.

You don’t have to rely on your own strength or try to manufacture this joy. Your only job is to stay connected to the Source (John 15:5). When you abide in Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes care of the overflow. Let the river run. Let the living water flow through you today, bringing life to every dry place you encounter.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the beautiful, unchanging promises of Your Word. We praise You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to quench our deepest spiritual thirst and to make us brand-new creations.

Holy Spirit, we invite You to flood our hearts anew today. Where there is dryness, bring refreshment. Where there is weariness, bring Your supernatural strength and power. Cleanse us, guide us, and fill us to overflowing.

Help us not to hold Your grace tightly to ourselves, but to open our lives as open channels. Let Your living water flow through our words, our actions, and our love so that a hurting world might see Jesus in us and be drawn to His life-giving message.

In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. GAIN HONOR FOR HIMSELF / JOHN 7:18
  2. IF ANYONE CHOOSES TO DO GOD’S WILL / JOHN 7:17
  3. IT HATES ME / JOHN 7:6-7
  4. FEAST OF TABERNACLES / JOHN 7:2-3
  5. JESUS HAD KNOWN FROM THE BEGINNING / JOHN 6:64
  6. EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD / JOHN 6:54
  7. THE FATHER … DRAWS HIM / JOHN 6:44
  8. MY FATHER’S WILL / JOHN 6:40
  9. I WILL NEVER DRIVE AWAY / JOHN 6:37
  10. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE / JOHN 6:35
  11. DON’T BE AFRAID / JOHN 6:20
  12. JESUS PRAYS ALONE / JOHN 6:15
  13. THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND /JOHN 6:7
  14. MIRACLES / JOHN 6:1-2
  15. DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT HE WROTE / JOHN 5:47
  16. ACCEPT PRAISE FROM ONE ANOTHER / JOHN 5:44
  17. YOU DILIGENTLY STUDY / JOHN 5:39-40
  18. YOU HAVE SENT JOHN / John 5:33
  19. THOSE WHO HAVE DONE GOOD – RISE TO LIVE – THOSE WHO HAVE DONE EVIL / JOHN 5:29
  20. HAS GRANTED THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF / JOHN 5:26
  21. HEARS … BELIEVES / JOHN 5:24
  22. MAKING HIMSELF EQUAL WITH GOD / JOHN 5:18-24
  23. PERSECUTED HIM / JOHN 5:16
  24. STOP SINNING / JOHN 5:14
  25. THE MAN WAS CURED / JOHN 5:9-10
  26. THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS / JOHN 5:5
  27. SIGNS AND WONDERS / JOHN 4:48
  28. CROP FOR ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:36
  29. LOOK AT THE FIELDS / JOHN 4:35
  30. SURPRISED TO FIND HIM TALKING WITH A WOMAN / JOHN 4:27
  31. TRUTH / JOHN 4:24
  32. WORSHIP … IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH / JOHN 4:23-24
  33. SAMARITANS WORSHIP WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW / JOHN 4:22
  34. WATER … ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:14
  35. SAMARITAN WOMAN / JOHN 4:7
  36. WHOEVER REJECTS / JOHN 3:36
  37. GIVES THE SPIRIT WITHOUT LIMIT / JOHN 3:34
  38. LOVED DARKNESS INSTEAD OF LIGHT / JOHN 3:19
  39. GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD /JOHN 3:16
  40. JUST AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SNAKE / JOHN 3:14-15
  41. THE WIND … THE SPIRIT / JOHN 3:8
  42. BORN OF WATER / JOHN 3:5
  43. BORN AGAIN / JOHN 3:3
  44. TEMPLE / JOHN 2:19
  45. DROVE ALL FROM THE TEMPLE AREA / JOHN 2:15
  46. SIGNS / JOHN 2:11
  47. CHOICE WINE – HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK / JOHN 2:10
  48. WINE – THEY HAVE NO MORE WINE / JOHN 2:3
  49. YOU SHALL SEE HEAVEN OPEN / JOHN 1:51
  50. CEPHAS … PETER / JOHN 1:42
  51. THE FIRST THING ANDREW DID / JOHN 1:41
  52. THE TENTH HOUR /JOHN 1:39
  53. WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / JOHN 1:33
  54. LAMB OF GOD / JOHN 1:29
  55. PHARISEES / JOHN 1:24
  56. GRACE AND TRUTH / JOHN 1:17
  57. THE WORD BECAME FLESH / JOHN 1:14
  58. BORN NOT OF … HUMAN DECISION / JOHN 1:13
  59. RECEIVED … BELIEVED / JOHN 1:12
  60. THE WORLD DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM / JOHN 1:10
  61. GIVES LIGHT TO EVERY MAN / JOHN 1:9
  62. HIS NAME WAS JOHN / JOHN 1:6
  63. LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS / JOHN 1:5
  64. LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN / JOHN 1:4
  65. WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING / JOHN 1:2
  66. THE WORD / JOHN 1:1
  67. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

GAIN HONOR FOR HIMSELF / JOHN 7:18

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) John 7:18

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Guarding the Glory: The Ultimate Test for Leadership (John 7:18)

“Whoever speaks on their own authority seeks their own glory, but the first who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth, and in him there is no falsehood.” — John 7:18

In a world obsessed with platforms, personal branding, and algorithmic reach, it is incredibly easy to confuse the kingdom of God with the building of our own empires. We live in an era where influence is currency. But thousands of years before social media metrics existed, Jesus laid down an unshakeable standard for discerning true spiritual authority.

Jesus points out an all-important standard for testing whether religious speakers and ministers are truly serving God: Do they work for their own glory, try to advance their own position, and promote their own purposes? Or do they humbly work to bring honor to God, whatever the cost to them or their own reputations?

The Heart of the Matter

The distinction Jesus makes is sharp. A self-appointed leader speaks from their own authority to capture the spotlight. A true servant operates as an ambassador, deflection-testing all praise back to the One who sent them.

When evaluating ministers, ministries, or even our own hearts, we must ask the hard question: Does this bring attention to themselves, or to Jesus?

  • Self-Glory: Seeks applause, avoids hard truths that might damage popularity, and protects personal reputation at all costs.
  • God’s Glory: Seeks transformation, delivers the full counsel of Scripture, and willingly absorbs personal cost so that Christ’s name is magnified.

True spiritual depth isn’t measured by charisma, crowd size, or communication skills. It is measured by alignment with the truth. When a leader’s primary ambition is the fame of Jesus, falsehood finds no foothold in their ministry.

Let us be a people who discern wisely, guard our own hearts against the subtle trap of self-promotion, and champion those leaders who quietly, faithfully point the world away from themselves and directly to the cross.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You recognizing that all honor, power, and praise belong to You alone. Forgive us for the times we have sought the spotlight for ourselves or quietly chased the applause of people rather than Your approval.

We pray today for our pastors, teachers, and ministry leaders. Protect them from the toxic trap of self-advancement. Grant them the humility of Christ, who sought only to do the will of the Father. Give us spiritual discernment to recognize true shepherds who preach with a sincere heart, and help us to always point the attention, the credit, and the glory back to Jesus.

May our lives be a clear mirror that reflects Your light, not our own. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. IF ANYONE CHOOSES TO DO GOD’S WILL / JOHN 7:17
  2. IT HATES ME / JOHN 7:6-7
  3. FEAST OF TABERNACLES / JOHN 7:2-3
  4. JESUS HAD KNOWN FROM THE BEGINNING / JOHN 6:64
  5. EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD / JOHN 6:54
  6. THE FATHER … DRAWS HIM / JOHN 6:44
  7. MY FATHER’S WILL / JOHN 6:40
  8. I WILL NEVER DRIVE AWAY / JOHN 6:37
  9. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE / JOHN 6:35
  10. DON’T BE AFRAID / JOHN 6:20
  11. JESUS PRAYS ALONE / JOHN 6:15
  12. THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND /JOHN 6:7
  13. MIRACLES / JOHN 6:1-2
  14. DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT HE WROTE / JOHN 5:47
  15. ACCEPT PRAISE FROM ONE ANOTHER / JOHN 5:44
  16. YOU DILIGENTLY STUDY / JOHN 5:39-40
  17. YOU HAVE SENT JOHN / John 5:33
  18. THOSE WHO HAVE DONE GOOD – RISE TO LIVE – THOSE WHO HAVE DONE EVIL / JOHN 5:29
  19. HAS GRANTED THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF / JOHN 5:26
  20. HEARS … BELIEVES / JOHN 5:24
  21. MAKING HIMSELF EQUAL WITH GOD / JOHN 5:18-24
  22. PERSECUTED HIM / JOHN 5:16
  23. STOP SINNING / JOHN 5:14
  24. THE MAN WAS CURED / JOHN 5:9-10
  25. THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS / JOHN 5:5
  26. SIGNS AND WONDERS / JOHN 4:48
  27. CROP FOR ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:36
  28. LOOK AT THE FIELDS / JOHN 4:35
  29. SURPRISED TO FIND HIM TALKING WITH A WOMAN / JOHN 4:27
  30. TRUTH / JOHN 4:24
  31. WORSHIP … IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH / JOHN 4:23-24
  32. SAMARITANS WORSHIP WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW / JOHN 4:22
  33. WATER … ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:14
  34. SAMARITAN WOMAN / JOHN 4:7
  35. WHOEVER REJECTS / JOHN 3:36
  36. GIVES THE SPIRIT WITHOUT LIMIT / JOHN 3:34
  37. LOVED DARKNESS INSTEAD OF LIGHT / JOHN 3:19
  38. GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD /JOHN 3:16
  39. JUST AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SNAKE / JOHN 3:14-15
  40. THE WIND … THE SPIRIT / JOHN 3:8
  41. BORN OF WATER / JOHN 3:5
  42. BORN AGAIN / JOHN 3:3
  43. TEMPLE / JOHN 2:19
  44. DROVE ALL FROM THE TEMPLE AREA / JOHN 2:15
  45. SIGNS / JOHN 2:11
  46. CHOICE WINE – HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK / JOHN 2:10
  47. WINE – THEY HAVE NO MORE WINE / JOHN 2:3
  48. YOU SHALL SEE HEAVEN OPEN / JOHN 1:51
  49. CEPHAS … PETER / JOHN 1:42
  50. THE FIRST THING ANDREW DID / JOHN 1:41
  51. THE TENTH HOUR /JOHN 1:39
  52. WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / JOHN 1:33
  53. LAMB OF GOD / JOHN 1:29
  54. PHARISEES / JOHN 1:24
  55. GRACE AND TRUTH / JOHN 1:17
  56. THE WORD BECAME FLESH / JOHN 1:14
  57. BORN NOT OF … HUMAN DECISION / JOHN 1:13
  58. RECEIVED … BELIEVED / JOHN 1:12
  59. THE WORLD DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM / JOHN 1:10
  60. GIVES LIGHT TO EVERY MAN / JOHN 1:9
  61. HIS NAME WAS JOHN / JOHN 1:6
  62. LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS / JOHN 1:5
  63. LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN / JOHN 1:4
  64. WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING / JOHN 1:2
  65. THE WORD / JOHN 1:1
  66. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

IF ANYONE CHOOSES TO DO GOD’S WILL / JOHN 7:17

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) John 7:17

 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

Faith isn’t just a passive agreement with a set of facts—it is a life-altering commitment. In John 7:17, Jesus reveals a profound secret about spiritual clarity: “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”

True saving faith requires an earnest desire and commitment to surrender control of our lives to God. If you want to know God’s truth, you must first be willing to obey it.

Understanding God’s Will

God’s will refers to His desires and plans, which are rooted deeply in His perfect character and eternal purposes. It is not a mystery meant to be hidden from us, but a path meant to be walked.

Too often, we want God to show us His plans before we commit to obeying them. We ask for a roadmap, but God asks for our trust. Jesus makes it clear that spiritual understanding follows a willingness to obey.

Faith in Action

To truly believe in Christ is to be devoted to obeying God. Scripture reminds us that God requires a practical, active faith:

  • John 1:12 reminds us that receiving Him means believing in His name and becoming children of God.
  • John 5:24 assures us that hearing His word and believing the One who sent Him crosses us over from death to life.

When we choose to do God’s will, our minds are opened, our hearts are aligned, and our faith transforms from a mere concept into a powerful, living reality. If you are seeking direction or struggling with doubt today, check your willingness. Choose today to align your heart with His purposes, and watch how clearly He guides your steps.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the truth of Your Word and the clarity found in John 7:17. Lord, give us hearts that truly desire to do Your will above our own. Forgive us for the times we have demanded to see the full picture before taking a step of obedience.

We surrender control of our lives to You today. Strengthen our faith so that it is practical, active, and obedient. Open our eyes to see Your plans, and align our desires with Your perfect character. May our lives be a reflection of true devotion to Jesus Christ.

In His holy name we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. IT HATES ME / JOHN 7:6-7
  2. FEAST OF TABERNACLES / JOHN 7:2-3
  3. JESUS HAD KNOWN FROM THE BEGINNING / JOHN 6:64
  4. EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD / JOHN 6:54
  5. THE FATHER … DRAWS HIM / JOHN 6:44
  6. MY FATHER’S WILL / JOHN 6:40
  7. I WILL NEVER DRIVE AWAY / JOHN 6:37
  8. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE / JOHN 6:35
  9. DON’T BE AFRAID / JOHN 6:20
  10. JESUS PRAYS ALONE / JOHN 6:15
  11. THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND /JOHN 6:7
  12. MIRACLES / JOHN 6:1-2
  13. DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT HE WROTE / JOHN 5:47
  14. ACCEPT PRAISE FROM ONE ANOTHER / JOHN 5:44
  15. YOU DILIGENTLY STUDY / JOHN 5:39-40
  16. YOU HAVE SENT JOHN / John 5:33
  17. THOSE WHO HAVE DONE GOOD – RISE TO LIVE – THOSE WHO HAVE DONE EVIL / JOHN 5:29
  18. HAS GRANTED THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF / JOHN 5:26
  19. HEARS … BELIEVES / JOHN 5:24
  20. MAKING HIMSELF EQUAL WITH GOD / JOHN 5:18-24
  21. PERSECUTED HIM / JOHN 5:16
  22. STOP SINNING / JOHN 5:14
  23. THE MAN WAS CURED / JOHN 5:9-10
  24. THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS / JOHN 5:5
  25. SIGNS AND WONDERS / JOHN 4:48
  26. CROP FOR ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:36
  27. LOOK AT THE FIELDS / JOHN 4:35
  28. SURPRISED TO FIND HIM TALKING WITH A WOMAN / JOHN 4:27
  29. TRUTH / JOHN 4:24
  30. WORSHIP … IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH / JOHN 4:23-24
  31. SAMARITANS WORSHIP WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW / JOHN 4:22
  32. WATER … ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:14
  33. SAMARITAN WOMAN / JOHN 4:7
  34. WHOEVER REJECTS / JOHN 3:36
  35. GIVES THE SPIRIT WITHOUT LIMIT / JOHN 3:34
  36. LOVED DARKNESS INSTEAD OF LIGHT / JOHN 3:19
  37. GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD /JOHN 3:16
  38. JUST AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SNAKE / JOHN 3:14-15
  39. THE WIND … THE SPIRIT / JOHN 3:8
  40. BORN OF WATER / JOHN 3:5
  41. BORN AGAIN / JOHN 3:3
  42. TEMPLE / JOHN 2:19
  43. DROVE ALL FROM THE TEMPLE AREA / JOHN 2:15
  44. SIGNS / JOHN 2:11
  45. CHOICE WINE – HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK / JOHN 2:10
  46. WINE – THEY HAVE NO MORE WINE / JOHN 2:3
  47. YOU SHALL SEE HEAVEN OPEN / JOHN 1:51
  48. CEPHAS … PETER / JOHN 1:42
  49. THE FIRST THING ANDREW DID / JOHN 1:41
  50. THE TENTH HOUR /JOHN 1:39
  51. WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / JOHN 1:33
  52. LAMB OF GOD / JOHN 1:29
  53. PHARISEES / JOHN 1:24
  54. GRACE AND TRUTH / JOHN 1:17
  55. THE WORD BECAME FLESH / JOHN 1:14
  56. BORN NOT OF … HUMAN DECISION / JOHN 1:13
  57. RECEIVED … BELIEVED / JOHN 1:12
  58. THE WORLD DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM / JOHN 1:10
  59. GIVES LIGHT TO EVERY MAN / JOHN 1:9
  60. HIS NAME WAS JOHN / JOHN 1:6
  61. LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS / JOHN 1:5
  62. LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN / JOHN 1:4
  63. WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING / JOHN 1:2
  64. THE WORD / JOHN 1:1
  65. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

IT HATES ME / JOHN 7:6-7

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) John 7:6-7

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

The world’s hostility toward Jesus wasn’t accidental; it was a direct reaction to His holiness. In John 7:6-7, Jesus delivers a sobering truth to His brothers: “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.”

This passage cuts straight through the noise of superficial, modern spirituality and reveals the true, counter-cultural nature of the gospel.

Exposing the Darkness

Jesus wasn’t disliked because He was unkind; He was hated because He was uncompromisingly holy.

The “world”—referring to the human system, society, and mindset operating completely apart from God—is comfortable in its own patterns. Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently:

  • Confronted injustice and greed (John 2:14-16)
  • Declared that humanity’s natural preference is darkness over light (John 3:19-20)
  • Exposed the deep spiritual and moral bankruptcy of self-righteousness (John 5:30-47)

When the perfect Light of the World shines into the dark corners of the human heart, it exposes our selfishness, our pride, and our rebellion against God. The natural human reaction to being exposed isn’t always gratitude; quite often, it is hostility.

The Myth of the “Positive-Only” Gospel

Jesus’ ministry stands in stark contrast to the modern popularity of a “positive-only gospel.” We often hear messages that focus entirely on self-fulfillment, comfort, and unconditional affirmation, without ever mentioning sin, repentance, or holiness.

But a gospel that never challenges your lifestyle is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus did not come to affirm our sinful habits; He came to save us from them. True love does not coddle the disease; it treats it. His message carried a bold, godly demand for true repentance—a total turning away from our own self-governed ways to submit to God’s design and Word.

Standing in the Light

As followers of Christ, we cannot expect to be treated better than our Master. If we speak the truth in love, live righteously, and refuse to bow to the compromises of culture, we will experience friction.

But we don’t look for validation from a system apart from God. Instead, we anchor ourselves in the truth that the light heals, purifies, and brings true life to anyone willing to step out of the darkness.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the bold, unvarnished truth of Your Word. Lord, forgive us for the times we have preferred the comfort of the darkness over the conviction of Your Light. Give us the courage to examine our hearts and truly repent of our selfish, independent ways.

Grant us the strength to stand firm in a world that often rejects Your truth. Keep us from diluting Your message just to please people or fit in. Fill us with Holy Spirit boldness to live righteously, speak truthfully, and love authentically, just as Jesus did. We place our validation and our hope in You alone.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. FEAST OF TABERNACLES / JOHN 7:2-3
  2. JESUS HAD KNOWN FROM THE BEGINNING / JOHN 6:64
  3. EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD / JOHN 6:54
  4. THE FATHER … DRAWS HIM / JOHN 6:44
  5. MY FATHER’S WILL / JOHN 6:40
  6. I WILL NEVER DRIVE AWAY / JOHN 6:37
  7. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE / JOHN 6:35
  8. DON’T BE AFRAID / JOHN 6:20
  9. JESUS PRAYS ALONE / JOHN 6:15
  10. THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND /JOHN 6:7
  11. MIRACLES / JOHN 6:1-2
  12. DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT HE WROTE / JOHN 5:47
  13. ACCEPT PRAISE FROM ONE ANOTHER / JOHN 5:44
  14. YOU DILIGENTLY STUDY / JOHN 5:39-40
  15. YOU HAVE SENT JOHN / John 5:33
  16. THOSE WHO HAVE DONE GOOD – RISE TO LIVE – THOSE WHO HAVE DONE EVIL / JOHN 5:29
  17. HAS GRANTED THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF / JOHN 5:26
  18. HEARS … BELIEVES / JOHN 5:24
  19. MAKING HIMSELF EQUAL WITH GOD / JOHN 5:18-24
  20. PERSECUTED HIM / JOHN 5:16
  21. STOP SINNING / JOHN 5:14
  22. THE MAN WAS CURED / JOHN 5:9-10
  23. THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS / JOHN 5:5
  24. SIGNS AND WONDERS / JOHN 4:48
  25. CROP FOR ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:36
  26. LOOK AT THE FIELDS / JOHN 4:35
  27. SURPRISED TO FIND HIM TALKING WITH A WOMAN / JOHN 4:27
  28. TRUTH / JOHN 4:24
  29. WORSHIP … IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH / JOHN 4:23-24
  30. SAMARITANS WORSHIP WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW / JOHN 4:22
  31. WATER … ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:14
  32. SAMARITAN WOMAN / JOHN 4:7
  33. WHOEVER REJECTS / JOHN 3:36
  34. GIVES THE SPIRIT WITHOUT LIMIT / JOHN 3:34
  35. LOVED DARKNESS INSTEAD OF LIGHT / JOHN 3:19
  36. GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD /JOHN 3:16
  37. JUST AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SNAKE / JOHN 3:14-15
  38. THE WIND … THE SPIRIT / JOHN 3:8
  39. BORN OF WATER / JOHN 3:5
  40. BORN AGAIN / JOHN 3:3
  41. TEMPLE / JOHN 2:19
  42. DROVE ALL FROM THE TEMPLE AREA / JOHN 2:15
  43. SIGNS / JOHN 2:11
  44. CHOICE WINE – HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK / JOHN 2:10
  45. WINE – THEY HAVE NO MORE WINE / JOHN 2:3
  46. YOU SHALL SEE HEAVEN OPEN / JOHN 1:51
  47. CEPHAS … PETER / JOHN 1:42
  48. THE FIRST THING ANDREW DID / JOHN 1:41
  49. THE TENTH HOUR /JOHN 1:39
  50. WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / JOHN 1:33
  51. LAMB OF GOD / JOHN 1:29
  52. PHARISEES / JOHN 1:24
  53. GRACE AND TRUTH / JOHN 1:17
  54. THE WORD BECAME FLESH / JOHN 1:14
  55. BORN NOT OF … HUMAN DECISION / JOHN 1:13
  56. RECEIVED … BELIEVED / JOHN 1:12
  57. THE WORLD DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM / JOHN 1:10
  58. GIVES LIGHT TO EVERY MAN / JOHN 1:9
  59. HIS NAME WAS JOHN / JOHN 1:6
  60. LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS / JOHN 1:5
  61. LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN / JOHN 1:4
  62. WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING / JOHN 1:2
  63. THE WORD / JOHN 1:1
  64. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

FEAST OF TABERNACLES / JOHN 7:2-3

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) John 7:2-3

Now the Jew’s feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

Walking in God’s Timing: Lessons from the Feast of Tabernacles

John 7:2-3 states: “Now the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, ‘Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.'”

This passage unfolds during one of the most vibrant and significant celebrations in the Jewish year. The Feast of Tabernacles (also known as Sukkot) was a time of immense joy, marking the completion of the harvest and serving as a tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness. For seven days, the people of Israel lived in temporary booths, tents, or tabernacles to remember how God sustained their ancestors in the desert after delivering them from Egyptian slavery.

Yet, against the backdrop of this great festival of remembrance, a hidden tension arises in John 7. Jesus’ own brothers urged Him to make a grand, public appearance in Judea. They wanted Him to showcase His miracles on a massive stage, pushing Him toward worldly recognition and immediate fame.

The Trap of Human Timelines

It is easy to look at the brothers’ advice and see the temptation we all face: the pressure to force our own timing. Jesus’ brothers looked at the massive crowds gathering for the Feast of Tabernacles and saw a perfect marketing opportunity. They measured success by visibility, numbers, and public approval.

But Jesus operated on a different calendar—one set entirely by the Father.

While the Feast of Tabernacles celebrated God’s historical guidance through the wilderness, Jesus was embodying that guidance in real-time. He knew that rushing into Judea for public acclaim was not the Father’s will. Walking with God often means resisting the pressure to rush, even when an opportunity looks perfect from a human perspective.

Sustained in the Wilderness

The temporary shelters of the Feast of Tabernacles remind us that our current season is also temporary. Whether you are in a season of harvest or a season of wandering in a dry wilderness, God’s goodness is the constant that sustains you.

Like Jesus, we must learn to trust the Father’s timing over the expectations of the world around us. When we align our steps with His will, we find that His provision is always right on time, and His presence is the ultimate shelter.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your enduring faithfulness. Just as You sustained the Israelites in the wilderness and commanded them to remember Your goodness during the Feast of Tabernacles, we pause today to remember Your blessings in our own lives. You are our shelter and our provider.

Lord, deliver us from the rush and pressure of the world’s timing. Help us to resist the urge to showcase ourselves or force open doors that You have not commanded. Give us the wisdom and patience of Jesus to say, “My time has not yet come,” and to wait perfectly on Your perfect will. Guard our steps, anchor our hearts in Your truth, and let our lives be a harvest of righteousness for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. JESUS HAD KNOWN FROM THE BEGINNING / JOHN 6:64
  2. EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD / JOHN 6:54
  3. THE FATHER … DRAWS HIM / JOHN 6:44
  4. MY FATHER’S WILL / JOHN 6:40
  5. I WILL NEVER DRIVE AWAY / JOHN 6:37
  6. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE / JOHN 6:35
  7. DON’T BE AFRAID / JOHN 6:20
  8. JESUS PRAYS ALONE / JOHN 6:15
  9. THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND /JOHN 6:7
  10. MIRACLES / JOHN 6:1-2
  11. DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT HE WROTE / JOHN 5:47
  12. ACCEPT PRAISE FROM ONE ANOTHER / JOHN 5:44
  13. YOU DILIGENTLY STUDY / JOHN 5:39-40
  14. YOU HAVE SENT JOHN / John 5:33
  15. THOSE WHO HAVE DONE GOOD – RISE TO LIVE – THOSE WHO HAVE DONE EVIL / JOHN 5:29
  16. HAS GRANTED THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF / JOHN 5:26
  17. HEARS … BELIEVES / JOHN 5:24
  18. MAKING HIMSELF EQUAL WITH GOD / JOHN 5:18-24
  19. PERSECUTED HIM / JOHN 5:16
  20. STOP SINNING / JOHN 5:14
  21. THE MAN WAS CURED / JOHN 5:9-10
  22. THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS / JOHN 5:5
  23. SIGNS AND WONDERS / JOHN 4:48
  24. CROP FOR ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:36
  25. LOOK AT THE FIELDS / JOHN 4:35
  26. SURPRISED TO FIND HIM TALKING WITH A WOMAN / JOHN 4:27
  27. TRUTH / JOHN 4:24
  28. WORSHIP … IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH / JOHN 4:23-24
  29. SAMARITANS WORSHIP WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW / JOHN 4:22
  30. WATER … ETERNAL LIFE / JOHN 4:14
  31. SAMARITAN WOMAN / JOHN 4:7
  32. WHOEVER REJECTS / JOHN 3:36
  33. GIVES THE SPIRIT WITHOUT LIMIT / JOHN 3:34
  34. LOVED DARKNESS INSTEAD OF LIGHT / JOHN 3:19
  35. GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD /JOHN 3:16
  36. JUST AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SNAKE / JOHN 3:14-15
  37. THE WIND … THE SPIRIT / JOHN 3:8
  38. BORN OF WATER / JOHN 3:5
  39. BORN AGAIN / JOHN 3:3
  40. TEMPLE / JOHN 2:19
  41. DROVE ALL FROM THE TEMPLE AREA / JOHN 2:15
  42. SIGNS / JOHN 2:11
  43. CHOICE WINE – HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK / JOHN 2:10
  44. WINE – THEY HAVE NO MORE WINE / JOHN 2:3
  45. YOU SHALL SEE HEAVEN OPEN / JOHN 1:51
  46. CEPHAS … PETER / JOHN 1:42
  47. THE FIRST THING ANDREW DID / JOHN 1:41
  48. THE TENTH HOUR /JOHN 1:39
  49. WILL BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / JOHN 1:33
  50. LAMB OF GOD / JOHN 1:29
  51. PHARISEES / JOHN 1:24
  52. GRACE AND TRUTH / JOHN 1:17
  53. THE WORD BECAME FLESH / JOHN 1:14
  54. BORN NOT OF … HUMAN DECISION / JOHN 1:13
  55. RECEIVED … BELIEVED / JOHN 1:12
  56. THE WORLD DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM / JOHN 1:10
  57. GIVES LIGHT TO EVERY MAN / JOHN 1:9
  58. HIS NAME WAS JOHN / JOHN 1:6
  59. LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS / JOHN 1:5
  60. LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN / JOHN 1:4
  61. WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING / JOHN 1:2
  62. THE WORD / JOHN 1:1
  63. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

MALE NOR FEMALE / GALATIANS 3:28

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 3:28

 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

In Christ, All Barriers Crumble

In a world deeply fractured by division, we constantly find ourselves grouping people by categories: background, social status, and gender. But in Galatians 3:28, the Apostle Paul delivers a radical, culture-shifting truth that completely levels the playing field of faith:

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

With these profound words, Paul completely removes every barrier to our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. Whether those barriers are ethnic, racial, national, socio-economic, or based on gender, they all dissolve at the foot of the cross.

Equal Heirs of Grace

To fully appreciate this truth, we have to look at the massive scope of what it means to be “in Christ.” Paul isn’t just saying we are tolerated; he is saying we are fully, beautifully equal in the eyes of God.

All believers, without exception, are:

  • Equal heirs of the gift of life: As 1 Peter 3:7 reminds us, we are joint heirs of the “gracious gift of life.”
  • Equal recipients of the Spirit: The promised Holy Spirit is poured out on all who believe, sealing us as God’s own children (Galatians 3:14; Galatians 4:6).
  • Equal in spiritual renewal: We are all being actively renewed in the image of our Creator, a reality where worldly distinctions hold no spiritual weight (Colossians 3:10-11).

In the ancient world, a person’s worth was tightly bound to their status as a citizen, their wealth, or their gender. Christ shattered that matrix. In His kingdom, your access to God’s love, presence, and inheritance is absolute and undivided.

Unity, Not Uniformity

It is equally important to understand what this passage doesn’t mean. While Paul establishes absolute spiritual equality in Christ, he does not erase our unique identities or the beautiful order God created.

Equal standing before God does not mean our distinct callings are wiped away. Scripture consistently affirms that men and women reflect God’s image in unique ways. Our God-assigned roles within marriage, family, and society remain beautifully unchanged (1 Peter 3:1-4; Ephesians 5:22-23; 1 Timothy 2:13, 15).

True biblical unity is not uniformity. God doesn’t erase our differences; He harmonizes them. We can celebrate our distinct designs while standing shoulder-to-shoulder as absolute equals in grace.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the radical, world-changing grace found in Jesus Christ. Thank You that at the foot of the cross, all human barriers crumble. We praise You that regardless of our background, status, or gender, we are fully loved, fully accepted, and made equal heirs to Your incredible promises.

Help us to live out this truth daily. Forgive us for the times we build walls that You have already torn down. Give us the grace to celebrate our unique, God-given distinctions while fiercely guarding the spiritual unity we share in Your Son.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST / GALATIANS 3:27
  2. TO LEAD US TO CHRIST / GALATIANS 3:24
  3. WHAT THEN WAS THE PUPOSE OF THE LAW? / GALATIANS 3:19
  4. BLESSING GIVEN TO ABRAHAM / GALATIANS 3:14
  5. CHRIST REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE / GALATIANS 3:13
  6. THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH / GALATIANS 3:11
  7. UNDER A CURSE / GALATIANS 3:10
  8. HIS SPIRIT WORKS MIRACLES / GALATIANS 3:5
  9. DID YOU RECEIVE THE SPIRIT BY BELIEVING / GALATIANS 3:2
  10. GRACE / RIGHTEOUSNESS / GALATIANS 2:21
  11. I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST / GALATIANS 2:20
  12. JUSTIFIED BY … FAITH / GALATIANS 2:15-16
  13. AFRAID OF … CIRCUMCISION GROUP / GALATIANS 2:12
  14. I OPPOSED HIM TO HIS FACE / GALATIANS 2:11
  15. REMEMBER THE POOR / GALATIANS 2:10
  16. GOD DOES NOT JUDGE BY EXTERNAL APPEARANCE / GALATIANS 2:6
  17. NOT GIVE IN TO THEM FOR A MOMENT / GALATIAN 2:5
  18. FALSE BROTHERS / GALATIANS 2:4
  19. GOD WHO SET ME APART / GALATIANS 1:15-16
  20. OR AM I TRYING TO PLEASE MEN? / GALATIANS 1:10
  21. LET HIM BE ETERNALLY CONDEMNED! / GALATIANS 1:9
  22. A DIFFERENT GOSPEL / GALATIANS 1:6-7
  23. RESCUE US FROM THE PRESENT EVIL AGE / GALATIANS 1:3-5
  24. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST / GALATIANS 3:27

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 3:27

or as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Baptized into Christ: What It Truly Means to Put on Jesus

When you look in the mirror before heading out the door, what do you see? You see the clothes you chose for the day—outfits that reflect your style, your profession, or your mood. But as followers of Jesus, the Word of God invites us to look at our spiritual reflection and realize we are wearing something far more profound.

In Galatians 3:27, the Apostle Paul writes a theological masterpiece packed into a single, beautiful sentence:

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

This short verse carries a massive truth about who you are, whose you are, and how God sees you. Let’s dive into what it truly means to be baptized into Christ and to wear Him like a garment.

1. Baptized Into Christ: An Organic Union

The Greek word used here for baptism is baptizo, which literally means “to dip, immerse, or submerge.” While water baptism is a beautiful and commanded physical depiction of our faith, Paul is pointing us toward an even deeper reality here: our organic spiritual union with Jesus.

The moment you place your faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit immerses you completely into Him. You are no longer standing on the outside looking in. You are in Christ. Your old life is buried with Him, and you are raised into a brand-new existence. It is an irreversible shift in your relationship and standing before God.

2. Clothed with Christ: A New Identity

Paul uses a brilliant word picture when he says we have “put on Christ.” The phrase “put on” literally translates to “clothed yourselves with.”

In Roman culture, when a boy reached adulthood, he would trade his childhood tunic for a toga virilis, signaling to the community that he now held full adult privileges and rights as a citizen. Paul is telling us that our old rags of sin and self-effort are gone. Instead, God has wrapped us in the perfect righteousness of His Son.

When the Heavenly Father looks at you, He doesn’t see your past mistakes, your flaws, or your insecurities. He sees the perfect righteousness of Jesus covering you.

3. All One in Jesus

The beautiful consequence of being clothed in Christ is found in the very next verse. Because we all wear the same garment, the old earthly divisions fall away: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

Putting on Christ levels the playing field. It destroys pride, cures loneliness, and builds an unbreakable family of believers who share the exact same divine identity.

Walking It Out Daily

Putting on Christ has a decisive beginning at salvation, but it is also something we walk out every single day. Just as you actively put on your physical clothes each morning, consciously “clothe yourself” with the character of Jesus today. Choose His patience over your frustration. Choose His grace over your bitterness. Live out the reality of who God has already made you to be!

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the profound and staggering truth of salvation. Thank You that I am no longer defined by my past, my failures, or my own flawed performance. By Your grace through faith, You have immersed me into Jesus and covered me completely with His righteousness.

Lord, help me to walk through this day fully aware of my identity in You. When condemnation whispers in my ear, remind me that I am safely clothed in Christ. Let Your Holy Spirit empower me to live out His character—to show His love, His kindness, and His purity to the world around me. Thank You for making us one family in Your Son.

In Jesus’ beautiful and powerful name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. TO LEAD US TO CHRIST / GALATIANS 3:24
  2. WHAT THEN WAS THE PUPOSE OF THE LAW? / GALATIANS 3:19
  3. BLESSING GIVEN TO ABRAHAM / GALATIANS 3:14
  4. CHRIST REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE / GALATIANS 3:13
  5. THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH / GALATIANS 3:11
  6. UNDER A CURSE / GALATIANS 3:10
  7. HIS SPIRIT WORKS MIRACLES / GALATIANS 3:5
  8. DID YOU RECEIVE THE SPIRIT BY BELIEVING / GALATIANS 3:2
  9. GRACE / RIGHTEOUSNESS / GALATIANS 2:21
  10. I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST / GALATIANS 2:20
  11. JUSTIFIED BY … FAITH / GALATIANS 2:15-16
  12. AFRAID OF … CIRCUMCISION GROUP / GALATIANS 2:12
  13. I OPPOSED HIM TO HIS FACE / GALATIANS 2:11
  14. REMEMBER THE POOR / GALATIANS 2:10
  15. GOD DOES NOT JUDGE BY EXTERNAL APPEARANCE / GALATIANS 2:6
  16. NOT GIVE IN TO THEM FOR A MOMENT / GALATIAN 2:5
  17. FALSE BROTHERS / GALATIANS 2:4
  18. GOD WHO SET ME APART / GALATIANS 1:15-16
  19. OR AM I TRYING TO PLEASE MEN? / GALATIANS 1:10
  20. LET HIM BE ETERNALLY CONDEMNED! / GALATIANS 1:9
  21. A DIFFERENT GOSPEL / GALATIANS 1:6-7
  22. RESCUE US FROM THE PRESENT EVIL AGE / GALATIANS 1:3-5
  23. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

TO LEAD US TO CHRIST / GALATIANS 3:24

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 3:24

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The Guardian That Points to Grace: Understanding Galatians 3:24

We often view rules as a means to achieve perfection. In our spiritual journeys, it is easy to fall into the trap of believing that keeping God’s law is the ultimate path to right standing with Him. However, the Apostle Paul turns this idea on its head in Galatians 3:24, revealing the true, profound purpose of the law: to lead us directly to Jesus Christ.

Paul writes:

“So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24, NIV)

To fully grasp what Paul means, we have to look at the specific culture of the New Testament era.

The Role of the Paidagogos

In ancient Greece and Rome, families utilized a paidagogos—a Greek word from which we get the modern term “pedagogue” or educator. In those times, this person wasn’t the schoolteacher. Instead, the paidagogos was a trusted personal slave put in charge of a master’s child.

This guardian accompanied the child everywhere they went, including to school. They acted as a protector, monitored behavior, and exercised a strict degree of discipline over the child. The guardian’s job was not to be the final destination or the ultimate source of knowledge, but to safely deliver the child to the instructor and keep them on the right path along the way.

The Purpose of God’s Law

In a similar way, God’s law was put in charge of us for a season. The law served vital functions:

  • To Guide: It explicitly mapped out God’s holy ways.
  • To Guard: It protected people from the destructive paths of unchecked behavior.
  • To Discipline: It provided a clear framework of accountability.

But the highest and most critical purpose of God’s law is mirror-like: it reveals our sin. It exposes our total inability to live up to God’s perfect, holy standard on our own strength.

The law was never meant to save us; it was meant to show us that we need saving. By demonstrating our helplessness, the law acts as that ancient guardian—grabbing us by the hand, protecting us from destruction, and pointing us directly to our absolute need for Christ and His spiritually saving work on the cross. Once we are safely delivered to Jesus, we are justified by faith, stepping out from under the strict tutor and into the freedom of grace.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your holy law, which shines a light on Your perfect character and exposes my deep need for a Savior. I confess that I cannot meet Your standard on my own power, and I thank You that the law did not leave me hopeless, but led me straight to the feet of Jesus. Thank You for the gift of justification through faith alone. Help me to live today not in the bondage of legalism, but in the joyful freedom of Your grace and love. Guide my steps and keep my heart anchored in Christ.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. WHAT THEN WAS THE PUPOSE OF THE LAW? / GALATIANS 3:19
  2. BLESSING GIVEN TO ABRAHAM / GALATIANS 3:14
  3. CHRIST REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE / GALATIANS 3:13
  4. THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH / GALATIANS 3:11
  5. UNDER A CURSE / GALATIANS 3:10
  6. HIS SPIRIT WORKS MIRACLES / GALATIANS 3:5
  7. DID YOU RECEIVE THE SPIRIT BY BELIEVING / GALATIANS 3:2
  8. GRACE / RIGHTEOUSNESS / GALATIANS 2:21
  9. I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST / GALATIANS 2:20
  10. JUSTIFIED BY … FAITH / GALATIANS 2:15-16
  11. AFRAID OF … CIRCUMCISION GROUP / GALATIANS 2:12
  12. I OPPOSED HIM TO HIS FACE / GALATIANS 2:11
  13. REMEMBER THE POOR / GALATIANS 2:10
  14. GOD DOES NOT JUDGE BY EXTERNAL APPEARANCE / GALATIANS 2:6
  15. NOT GIVE IN TO THEM FOR A MOMENT / GALATIAN 2:5
  16. FALSE BROTHERS / GALATIANS 2:4
  17. GOD WHO SET ME APART / GALATIANS 1:15-16
  18. OR AM I TRYING TO PLEASE MEN? / GALATIANS 1:10
  19. LET HIM BE ETERNALLY CONDEMNED! / GALATIANS 1:9
  20. A DIFFERENT GOSPEL / GALATIANS 1:6-7
  21. RESCUE US FROM THE PRESENT EVIL AGE / GALATIANS 1:3-5
  22. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

Posted on

WHAT THEN WAS THE PUPOSE OF THE LAW? / GALATIANS 3:19

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 3:19

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

What, Then, Was the Purpose of the Law? Understanding Galatians 3:19

If you’ve ever sat down to read through the Old Testament, you might have found yourself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of rules, rituals, and instructions. From the majestic Ten Commandments to the intricate details of the Levitical sacrificial system, God’s instructions to ancient Israel were comprehensive.

It naturally leads us to the same question the Apostle Paul asks in Galatians 3:19: “What, then, was the purpose of the law?”

If we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, why did God give the law in the first place? Was it a failed experiment? A checklist to earn our way to heaven?

To understand our freedom in Christ today, we have to understand the true, divine purpose of the law.

1. The Law Was Given “Because of Transgressions”

The word for “law” (Greek nomos; Hebrew torah) translates to “teaching” or “direction.” When Paul speaks of the law, he is referring to the entire system given to Moses—including the moral commandments and the sacrificial system.

Paul explains that God introduced this system “because of transgressions.” The law acted like a spiritual mirror. It didn’t cure the disease of sin; rather, it diagnosed it.

  • It defined offense: The law exposed sin not just as a mistake, but as a direct violation of God’s perfect character, will, and desires.
  • It awakened our need: By showing us how far we fall short of God’s perfect standard, the law awakened humanity’s sense of desperation. It forced us to realize that we need God’s mercy, grace, and salvation (Romans 5:20).

2. The Law Was Holy, But It Could Not Give Life

It is important to remember that the Old Testament law was holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12). The issue was never with the law; the issue was with human weakness.

The law was fundamentally incomplete because it could not give people spiritual life or moral strength (Galatians 3:21; Romans 8:3). You can give a drowning man a rulebook on how to swim, but the rulebook can’t pull him out of the water. In the same way, no amount of rule-keeping—even obeying God’s perfect rules—can ever put us in a right relationship with Him.

3. The Law Was Our Temporary Guardian

Before Christ arrived, the law functioned as a temporary tutor or instructional guide. It served two vital roles:

  1. Protection: It provided a boundaries-based guardrail for God’s people, revealing His standard for behavior.
  2. Prophecy: Through the blood sacrifices required to cover sins (Leviticus 16:33), the law continually pointed forward to the ultimate, sin-covering, forgiveness-providing death of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:12-14).

The law held us by the hand and pointed us in the right direction until complete spiritual salvation was revealed through faith.

Moving From the Old to the New

Galatians 3:24 beautifully summarizes it: “The law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.”

Now that Christ has come, the instructional, temporary role of the law has ended. We no longer attempt to maintain a right relationship with God through animal sacrifices or legalistic code. Instead, we live under a New Covenant—God’s “life agreement” sealed by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Today, the law still beautifully reflects God’s character and reminds us of our daily need for a Savior. But our salvation is securely anchored in Jesus, who fulfilled the law so that we could receive His forgiveness, His Spirit, and His brand-new life.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your holy word and for the perfect design of Your grand story. Thank You for the law, which mirrors Your flawless character and lovingly exposed our deep, desperate need for a Savior. We confess that we could never earn our way to You through our own performance or rule-keeping.

Lord Jesus, thank You for fulfilling the law on our behalf. Thank You for becoming the ultimate sacrifice, shedding Your blood to wash away our transgressions once and for all. We surrender our lives to You afresh today. Help us to walk confidently in the freedom of Your New Covenant, motivated not by legalistic fear, but by a heart full of love and gratitude for Your grace.

In Jesus’ saving name we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. BLESSING GIVEN TO ABRAHAM / GALATIANS 3:14
  2. CHRIST REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE / GALATIANS 3:13
  3. THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH / GALATIANS 3:11
  4. UNDER A CURSE / GALATIANS 3:10
  5. HIS SPIRIT WORKS MIRACLES / GALATIANS 3:5
  6. DID YOU RECEIVE THE SPIRIT BY BELIEVING / GALATIANS 3:2
  7. GRACE / RIGHTEOUSNESS / GALATIANS 2:21
  8. I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST / GALATIANS 2:20
  9. JUSTIFIED BY … FAITH / GALATIANS 2:15-16
  10. AFRAID OF … CIRCUMCISION GROUP / GALATIANS 2:12
  11. I OPPOSED HIM TO HIS FACE / GALATIANS 2:11
  12. REMEMBER THE POOR / GALATIANS 2:10
  13. GOD DOES NOT JUDGE BY EXTERNAL APPEARANCE / GALATIANS 2:6
  14. NOT GIVE IN TO THEM FOR A MOMENT / GALATIAN 2:5
  15. FALSE BROTHERS / GALATIANS 2:4
  16. GOD WHO SET ME APART / GALATIANS 1:15-16
  17. OR AM I TRYING TO PLEASE MEN? / GALATIANS 1:10
  18. LET HIM BE ETERNALLY CONDEMNED! / GALATIANS 1:9
  19. A DIFFERENT GOSPEL / GALATIANS 1:6-7
  20. RESCUE US FROM THE PRESENT EVIL AGE / GALATIANS 1:3-5
  21. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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