Today’s Reading:
Ephesians 2
It wasn’t that long ago that you lived in the religion, customs, and values of this world, obeying the dark ruler of the earthly realm who fills the atmosphere with his authority, and works diligently in the hearts of those who are disobedient to the truth of God. The corruption that was in us from birth was expressed through the deeds and desires of our self-life. We lived by whatever natural cravings and thoughts our minds dictated, living as rebellious children subject to God’s wrath like everyone else. But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy.
Ephesians 2:2-4 TPT
I heard the Spirit of the Living God of Truth say,
Graciousness, kindness and truth — that is how My heart is leading people. It’s with graciousness, kindness and truth. Not all are willing to start with the bitter taste of truth. It’s bitter to those who have been eating the sugar coating of deception. Truth needs to be gradual for some, so I Am leading many to truth by My grace, from My endless reservoir of kindness. Then they will find the taste of truth palatable. It may not be pleasing, but they will recognize it as necessary. And once they get a taste of truth — having been led there, having been led to it by My grace and kindness rather than being force-fed it or beaten over the head with it, they will find that they have a newfound hunger for it that cannot be satiated with the old diet of sugar-coated lies.
Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace! He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ! Throughout the coming ages we will be the visible display of the infinite riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:5-7 TPT
Pray for My grace and kindness to lead many to the truth — in their personal lives, in the midst of all that they see going on in the world around them. It is My truth, it is truth alone that sets people free. Pray that My Spirit leads them there by My grace in My kindness, so that the truth becomes the new sought-after meal staple, so people will transition from a steady diet of sugar-coated lies to a hearty meat and potatoes diet of truth. By this truth, they will be made strong. New life will radiate out of them, fresh hope will be upon their countenances as they receive truth, pursue truth, desire truth and exalt truth into its rightful place. This is not always an easy transition for people to make, but many will throw off their old ways, old mindsets, old habits with abandon after My grace and kindness leads them to just a taste of truth. They will know the truth, and the truth will set them free.
For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the love gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving. We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!
Ephesians 2:8-10 TPT
Pray for truth to come to the many in this way. Pray that they escape the harsh wake-up call of truth and instead can be led to it more gently by My grace and kindness. Pray that this taste of truth awakens them once and for all. My desire is that all would be set free — by My love, by Christ Jesus who is truth and by My Spirit who leads you into all truth. The truth will set men free. The truth is readily available to set all people free.
How to Respond
- Pray, Holy Spirit thank You that You lead us into all truth — through Your great grace and in Your endless kindness. I pray that many will begin to yield to the move of Your Spirit as You nudge them to the truth. I pray that none would have to suffer the harsh wake-up call of truth, but that all instead would be led by Your grace and kindness to a new diet of hearty truth that causes them to throw off old habits and mindsets and abandon their former diet of sugar-coated deception.
- Declare, the Lord’s kindness leads us to repentance. Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. It was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in Him.
- Decree, I will pursue the truth and the heart of the Lord. I will pray diligently that the grace and the kindness that Lord so lavishly pours out for each of us is not missed by any, so that all come to a knowledge of the truth. I will be praying many come to knowledge of the truth and that their desires and hunger will shift from the old diet of deception that leads to death to a nourishing, life-giving diet of truth. The truth is freely given, and it will set free all who receive it.
For more encouragement from Glory & the New Wine, check out the post from this day in years past:
2023: We Are Rescue Vessels of the Lord’s Healing
2022: Life in the Spirit is Adventure & the Unexpected
2021: A Season of the Lord’s Pleasure, Favor & Justice
