Thank you John,

Well said! I appreciate your comments, for surely we are to understand the New Covenant in a spiritual, "Spirt-filled" way. The Holy Spirit is the crowning glory of Salvation. To have a way to have a direct connection to our Creator, where He lives inside of us, is the most GLORIOUS part of the Lord's plan for us.

In that way, when Christ tells us not to lose our crowns, He is telling us to be Holy Spirit filled, always, for surely the Holy Spirit is the crown we are not to lose, as it is the mark and the seal of God...on our foreheads and on our hands, in what we think and do.

When we are in Christ and Him in us,He takes over our thoughts, and becomes our hands and feet, our blessed assurance that if we stumble, it is always for our own good. By the law we were condemned, and it is also how we condemn ourselves when we sin, so that we know to repent. The law still has value in that regard.

It's like a major appliance...say a refrigerator...that's a great thing to have, but it will not work without a place to plug it in. Jesus is that plug in to God. But, this connection is still not complete, and won't work without the electricity. The Holy Spirit is the electricity that completes the circuit from man to God and enables it to work. That is why we are never to blaspheme the Holy Spirit because it seals the deal, completes the Work.

That is what makes the New Covenant so much better than the Old! Jesus provided the Way to God by sending the Holy Spirit, and the only way to the Father is through the Holy Spirit, and the only way to the Holy Spirit is through Jesus. The Father sent the Son and the Son sent the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit leads back to the Father. It's just so incredible and beautiful and PERFECT!

We are to rest in this completed Work. Does this mean that we do nothing? No! Quite the opposite indeed! This means all things are possible and greater wonders than even Jesus did, we can now do because He died for us! Wow! We are to occupy until He comes, and like Him, be about our Father's business.

JESUS IS ALL AND EVERYTHING!!

Patti C.

Thank you Michael for commenting, your thoughts are appreciated.

Blessed Be His Name

Blessings to you Stacy,

Thank you also for your very thought provoking, encouraging and heartfelt response. TRUTH has been and should be ALL that matters in the light of the floodgate of lies that are being exposed. Once "a" lie is exposed it is imperative that all, who are called by His name, take off the warm and cozy coat of deception that cloaks our lives, that draws lies to us like a magnet. We are ALL. Vulnerable to it.

I would rather deal with them now and allow the deception to be stripped away...BEFORE I REACH THE FINISH LINE. That line is where we receive our crown, and I for one, refuse to let un-repented sin, deceit, man (the created), pride, selfish ambition or anything else prevent me from receiving what He has for me. I'd like all of us to take to heart what Stacy has presented.

Much Love to All,

Blessed Be His Name