During the past year, we have focused on operating in the fullness of God. If we operate in the fullness, it means the position we take but also addresses the mindset we embrace. How we perceive ourselves impacts our thinking, actions and character. Ultimately, God desires the fruit of the Spirit to become part of our character. As we embrace the fruit of the Spirit, we walk in the empowerment God intended for us!

Three Keys Of Empowerment:

God designed three keys of empowerment we are to embrace. These keys keep us in a posture of victory and position us to do battle against the enemy. What are these keys? Love, joy and peace: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (NKJV – Galatians 5:22-23).

The fruit of love, joy and peace quickens our spirit to represent Christ Jesus to those around us as well as equipping us with the inner stability necessary when unforeseen circumstances are thrown at us. Each is essential to our walk; each is an attribute of Christ but also teaches us to engage in a deeper way with the Person of Jesus. God is Love (1 John 4:8); He is our Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6); His Joy is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Operating In Love

The heart of God is that we be deeply intimate with Him. He wants us to engage and embrace the very essence of Who He is. Love is the foundational fruit God desires to implant within our very being. We cannot give away what we do not have within us. The heart of the Father is that we love Him and others. Love comes from Him and is the love He desires we use to impact our world.

When our heart is secure in the Father’s unstoppable love toward us, it births an assurance deep within; we are utterly convinced that nothing can separate us from the love of God: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NKJV – Romans 8:38-39). When we realize the love the Father has toward us, our perception changes during times of testing and trial. We don’t waiver in our thoughts, questioning, “Where are You, God?” Nor do we allow ourselves to believe the worst: “God is angry at me; this is my punishment” OR “God is disappointed in me, because I am so weak in this situation.”

His love toward us is unconditional, limitless, endless, relentless and unstoppable! The enemy wants us to believe negative thoughts, but God desires that we function from our position of empowerment. We must know the love God has for us! As we embrace His love, He starts working in our heart, changing us. We no longer do things out of obligation but from compassion and delight in Him: “‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (NKJV – Mark 12:30-31). The love He produces within us isn’t circumspect, circumstantial or limited. We embrace His love as our way of life. God gives to us, so we can give to others.

Operating In Joy

Operating in the joy of the Lord is the second key of empowerment. Joy isn’t a ‘warm, fuzzy feeling’ but a reality within our soul. There is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is often generated by circumstances; joy is the constant assurance within our heart. Joy is established when we embrace Jesus. Joy gives us the ability to endure and persevere in unforeseen circumstances. It means we rest in Him; in return, He gives us His strength to face any obstacles.

The enemy would like nothing more than to steal our joy. If he can take our assurance; he robs us of our strength. We are in a new season with God. He is teaching us to embrace His joy. When we do, we embrace His Strength. In turn, we become unstoppable! And the enemy does not like it!

Operating In Peace

The last key of empowerment involves operating in peace. Peace is not just a mindset but who we are. The Prince of Peace lives within us and wants to function through us! “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (NKJV – Philippians 4:6-7). We cannot live in peace while being anxious. We either embrace one or the other – not both.

We must always take the position, ‘God will work this out for my good and His glory.’ ‘His plans for my life are for good and not to harm me.’ If we entertain other thoughts, it removes us from our position of empowerment – our focus shifts from Him onto our circumstances. We try to figure out how to control, fix, sustain and maintain. This is not our responsibility! There is only One Savior, and His Name is Jesus! Allow Him to do His job; He will enable us to do ours!

Stand Firm:

The enemy’s objective is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He takes every opportunity to steal truth concerning the Father’s love toward us. He wants to kill our joy by not allowing us to operate in God’s rest. He wants to destroy our peace by getting us to fix our eyes on our problems. He has underestimated us! Love, joy and peace are not just words in our vocabulary. It is who we have become! It is the fruit of God’s Spirit residing within us just waiting to be unleashed. This same fruit postures us in the heart of the Father, positioning us for whatever may come our way.

Our empowerment awaits! Don’t let the enemy make you believe otherwise! We are called by God to make a difference in the lives of those around us!

In Him,
Rev. Melissa