When people give their hearts to the Lord, they’re like new born babies. That’s why the Bible says as new born babes they should desire the sincere milk of the Word that they may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2). They need to grow and be established in Christ. So, you must continue to teach them the Word, encourage them and travail in prayer until Christ is formed in them as Paul said in Galatians 4:19.

God’s plan is that He’ll gather all things in Christ. The Bible says, “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him” (Ephesians 1:10). Christ is eternity! Now that you’re in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), you live in eternity. You have eternal life. You’ve passed from time into timelessness. Glory to God!

The Bible says “…they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped” (2 Chronicles 20:24). Hallelujah! When you face difficulties and adversities, praise the Lord in the beauty of holiness; bless His Name and affirm that His mercy endures forever. In the midst of that seeming hardship, declare that His faithfulness is unto all generations. This is your office as a priest unto Christ; you’re to offer sacrifices of worship and praise to God always: “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” (Hebrews 13:15).

However, when you believe the prophetic word, you’ll be blessed; more so, when the word of prophecy concerns you for your benefit. For example, when Mary received the prophetic words about the birth of Jesus, she said, “... Be it unto me, according to thy Word ...” (Luke 1:38).

Today, everywhere you go, you carry His presence in you, and with you. Now you can better understand the words of the Apostle Paul in Acts 17:28: “For in him we live, and move, and have our being….” We’re not apart or separate from Him. We don’t seek or look for Him; we’re in Him and with Him, and He’s in us, with us and about us! Wherever you are, wherever you go, you live and move in Him.

You’ve already been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). The totality of the character and nature of the man Jesus, all that He represents—His life, power, wisdom, majesty, glory and grace—are all tabernacled in you. This is the blessing of the New Testament. Praise God!

Now that we’re in Him, seated together with Him, we must live by and through Him. We must live and walk in the Name of Jesus. How do you live and walk in His Name? It evidently conveys to you that His Name is a place, an environment. When you were born again, you were born into Christ; you were immersed, baptized into Christ; therefore, you’re in Christ.

Glory to God! The theme verse today foretells of a phenomenon previously experienced by Israel, a reference to the pillar of a cloud and of fire which attended them in their exodus from Egypt. They were under God’s divine protection, provision, love and care. Exodus 13:21-22 says, “ And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire.... ”

First, it’s important to understand that your real life—your spirit—came from the Word. So, beyond the physical frame, you have in you the life and nature of God, the life of the Word. God’s Word is seed (Luke 8:11), and the seed is the life-carrying faculty of a living thing. The life of God is transferred or transmuted through His Word, which is His seed.

The Jerusalem that is above is the mother of us all; that’s the one to which we belong; we’re there now! Hebrews 12:22 tells us, “ But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem ....” In Isaiah 60:14 (MSG), Zion refers figuratively to Israel as the people of God: “ The descendants of your oppressor will come bowing and scraping to you. All who looked down at you in contempt will lick your boots. They’ll confer a title on you: City of GOD, Zion of The Holy of Israel. ”