The Work of The Spirit

“I give it all, my life an offering. My heart is yours, so have your way in me.”

So I hope we’ve discovered that we’re not dirty, aren’t unclean, and aren’t carrying around the label of “sinners” anymore. We are the righteousness of God in Christ. Period.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].”

2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 AMP

Wow. What a wonderful, powerful, and doesn’t- make-any-sense kind of EXCHANGE Jesus made with us. It’s as if He says, “I’m gonna take all of YOUR SIN and give you all of MY RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

So we can’t earn it (Ephesians 2:8-9).

I’m not “trying” to be righteous; I just AM righteous. It’s what He MADE me, to no credit of my own.

So how does one LIVE righteously? Great question. I’ll tell you again that living righteously will ALSO be to no credit of your own. All you can ever bring to the table of grace is your SURRENDER.

Continue reading... the complete 3-day plan can be found on the YouVersion app.

Consumed By Fire is...

No strangers to the road life, up-and coming Contemporary Christian Music band, Consumed By Fire, are living out the name of their band in a brand-new way. Comprised of Caleb Ward (lead vocals), Jordan Ward (harmonies/percussion), Josh Ward (guitar/harmonies), the three brothers from Oklahoma are living out God’s calling for their lives, to share God’s grace far and wide through music.

“If it wasn’t this form of ministry, if it wasn’t music, it would just be something else. Ministry is what we were born to do,” Caleb says. The band’s sound, heavily influenced by the music they grew up on, is thanks in part to their father’s eclectic taste. Filled with honest truths and the band’s honed musicality, “First Things First,” the band’s current radio single, is evidence of Consumed By Fire’s family bond and the unconditional love of both their earthly and heavenly fathers.

As their single climbs up the radio charts, the band is already receiving media attention with spotlights from KLove and Air1 Radio, praising the band for their“deft lyricism and tight harmonies.” With new music on the horizon as well as upcoming tour dates, the band is ready for a new, exciting year of music.

To learn more, visit ConsumedByFire.com

Plans, Purposes, and Pursuits

“Riches and fame - and all that they can buy, I’ve come to find they never satisfy” (Lyric excerpt from “First Things First” by Consumed by Fire)

Throughout our lives, many opportunities & paths can be presented to us. When it comes to “seeking the kingdom first” in those decisions, it doesn’t mean that you’re choosing the path of whatever looks the most like “full-time ministry” or a “church job.” No. The kingdom needs people filling roles of all different facets and walks of life. It’s the only way we grow the family of God.

Understanding again that “seeking the Kingdom” is a constant state of the HEART. It’s asking ourselves the hard question of, “what is my motive on this decision?”

If all we chase are the desires of the flesh (the pleasures of our five physical senses) and the things that the world system sees as valuable, then I’d present to you that it is very likely that we can actually get all that we’re chasing. We would still feel a sense of emptiness at some point.

“The lips of the righteous feed and guide many, But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding. The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches, And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God]. Proverbs‬ ‭10:21-22‬ ‭AMP‬‬

It sounds a lot like Matthew 6:33, doesn’t it?

Continue reading... the complete 3-day plan can be found on the YouVersion app.

Consumed By Fire is...

No strangers to the road life, up-and coming Contemporary Christian Music band, Consumed By Fire, are living out the name of their band in a brand-new way. Comprised of Caleb Ward (lead vocals), Jordan Ward (harmonies/percussion), Josh Ward (guitar/harmonies), the three brothers from Oklahoma are living out God’s calling for their lives, to share God’s grace far and wide through music.

“If it wasn’t this form of ministry, if it wasn’t music, it would just be something else. Ministry is what we were born to do,” Caleb says. The band’s sound, heavily influenced by the music they grew up on, is thanks in part to their father’s eclectic taste. Filled with honest truths and the band’s honed musicality, “First Things First,” the band’s current radio single, is evidence of Consumed By Fire’s family bond and the unconditional love of both their earthly and heavenly fathers.

As their single climbs up the radio charts, the band is already receiving media attention with spotlights from KLove and Air1 Radio, praising the band for their“deft lyricism and tight harmonies.” With new music on the horizon as well as upcoming tour dates, the band is ready for a new, exciting year of music.

To learn more, visit ConsumedByFire.com

Temporal vs. Eternal

“All the things that I have held dear... the vanities that whispered in my ear... What would I do if they all disappear?” (Lyric excerpt from “First Things First” by Consumed By Fire)

Have you ever just taken a moment to think about how much of our time we can spend chasing and accumulating material things that will one day just rust, break, or wither away?? It can be a sobering reflection of the heart when you do.

We make investments daily (whether conscious of it or not). We’re either investing in our “earthly accounts,” or we’re investing in our “heavenly accounts.” Both are necessary, but Jesus pointed out that whichever gets the majority of my attention (my treasure) reveals where my HEART actually belongs. Show me where you put the majority of your time and your money - and as a result, it will show you what has your heart.

Continue reading... the complete 3-day plan can be found on the YouVersion app.

Consumed By Fire is...

No strangers to the road life, up-and coming Contemporary Christian Music band, Consumed By Fire, are living out the name of their band in a brand-new way. Comprised of Caleb Ward (lead vocals), Jordan Ward (harmonies/percussion), Josh Ward (guitar/harmonies), the three brothers from Oklahoma are living out God’s calling for their lives, to share God’s grace far and wide through music.

“If it wasn’t this form of ministry, if it wasn’t music, it would just be something else. Ministry is what we were born to do,” Caleb says. The band’s sound, heavily influenced by the music they grew up on, is thanks in part to their father’s eclectic taste. Filled with honest truths and the band’s honed musicality, “First Things First,” the band’s current radio single, is evidence of Consumed By Fire’s family bond and the unconditional love of both their earthly and heavenly fathers.

As their single climbs up the radio charts, the band is already receiving media attention with spotlights from KLove and Air1 Radio, praising the band for their“deft lyricism and tight harmonies.” With new music on the horizon as well as upcoming tour dates, the band is ready for a new, exciting year of music.

To learn more, visit ConsumedByFire.com