II Peter 1:3 ” His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

As we gain truth in Him, our physical, earthly existence is changed forever. As we gain truth in Him, our devotion towards Him grows. As we gain truth in him, we’re set free.

Job 23:10 ” But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

Our journey in life is one test after another. During this purification process, we’ll go through the fire more than once…but its within that refining that our essential character and integrity is determined. Without that testing, we would never become the people we are today.

Proverbs 14:10 “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.”

Each one of us have painful things that we carry within ourselves…things no one else knows. Many times these things are either too painful or to intimate to share…so we choose not to. In the same way, some of the most satisfying, delightful joys we experience in our lives we never tell others…these simple joys are just between the Lord and us and just too wonderful to share with anyone else.

Galatians 5:16 ” So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

By following the urging of the Holy Spirit rather than our own misguided appetites and passions, our lives will play out in harmony, peace, and righteousness. For when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead, we pass from that old person to a new creation in Christ.