Savoring Heaven Here on Earth By Karin Peavy Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved You can share this e-book with your friends and family. But you cannot duplicate it in whole or in part in any form. You cannot post it on a website, blog, bulletin board or in a newsletter. You cannot use it as your own content.
Greetings Beloved, God s Word is rich with benefits! If you ve made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life those benefits are yours. That's why I am delighted to present my commentary on a collection of scriptures I have titled Savoring Heaven Here on Earth. I picked that title because what you will read here is a small, although powerful taste of your inheritance. You can have all of the advantages outlined in the passages you are about to read operating in your life. But in order for that to happen, you must activate them with your faith. In other words, you must enforce what God has already provided because these advantages will not come to you automatically. So, embrace these truths by agreeing with them and speak them over your life. This is how faith is released. As you pray the Word of God, remember that God s Word is never useless or ineffective. It always accomplishes what it says (Isaiah 55:11). Love, Karin
Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. I am sure you recognize this Psalm. You may have even memorized it as a child. However, when something becomes too familiar the true meaning can be lost. So, read this Psalm afresh today and note what God has provided for you all of your days. Guidance Every need met Green pastures (abundance) Still waters (peace) Emotional and mental refreshing Paths of righteousness Freedom from fear Safety and protection Comfort Honored in the midst of your enemies Goodness Mercy The promise of living with the Lord forever. Embrace it. Speak it. Believe it..
Psalm 91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Psalm 91 is a prayer for safety and protection. In this world, where so much danger exists, Psalm 91 is a great comfort. Of course, the entire Psalm is wonderful. But let me call your attention to the verses that especially minister to me: VERSE 7 God is letting you know here and now that the evil constantly reported in the news doesn t have to come anywhere near you. VERSES 14-15 When you strive to love God each day by keeping His commandments, He will honor you; His favor will flow you re your life. Activate this Psalm by making it yours. For instance, say, I will not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day. You can make this Psalm even more personal by naming your particular fears. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Psalm 103 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; This Psalm exhorts you to not forget the many wonderful benefits God has given you. Here are just some of the ways you can profit from Psalm 103: Forgiveness from sin Physical healing Protection from destruction The Lord s lovingkindness and mercy Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the
voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul. Psalm 112 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. As a Believer in Jesus you should never worry about anything. As you read this Psalm (and all the other passages I share in this book) I m sure you ll understand why. God has your back. He has covered every need. I m going to leave it to you to go through this Psalm and pick out your advantages. I am sure you will find them comforting and encouraging. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish. Isaiah 54 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; The Lord directed me to this chapter many years ago while recovering from spiritual abuse. He said He was making a covenant with me, that He would perform in my life all that is noted in Isaiah 54. That is how God brings the Word to you. He gives you a passage that fits your individual situation. Isaiah 54 is for you as well as me. Ask Him about these scriptures and how they can apply to your life. For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for
thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
Ephesians 1:16-23 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Paul, the writer of Ephesians, speaks this prayer over the church at Ephesus. And, of course, since you are now part of the Body of Christ, this prayer is for you as well. This is an excellent prayer to incorporate into your daily time with the Lord. Say these powerful statements regularly and watch your faith, boldness and spiritual understanding soar. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 3:14-20 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Strengthened by might by the Spirit in the inner man (that s YOUR spirit), rooted and grounded in love, understanding the vastness of the love of God are just a few things Paul mentioned in this passage. You can have all this operating in your life as well, along with the other benefits packed into these verses of scripture. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Colossians 1:9-11 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; When I read a verse like this I clearly see that no member of the Body of Christ has to be weak, discouraged or confused. You can be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. You can please the Lord. You can be fruitful. What is needed is stick-to-it-ness. That is, consistently meditating on the Word of God. This action causes the Word of God to become a part of you. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness I Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Sanctify means to set apart. What are you set apart for? For one thing, to walk in peace. Remember, it s the God of peace or completeness (one of the Hebrew definitions for peace) who is doing the work of sanctification in your heart. He is complete and is bringing you to completeness. I ve heard it said this way: nothing missing, nothing broken. Say it now: I have the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Though you may not see the manifestation, continue to speak this blessing. When you do, the Lord will begin moving in your life in powerful and unusual ways.
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. This is one of my favorite Bible verses. It s empowering to know that the God of hope will fill you with hope; that you can have all joy and peace as you believe in God and His Word. About the Author Karin Peavy is a lover of Jesus, a spiritual abuse survivor and a faith writer. She has written dozens of articles targeting prayer, spiritual warfare, faith and more. Karin is the author of Beside Restful Waters, a Bible devotional that will energize your walk with God and leave you forever changed. To learn more about Karin and access more of her life-changing teaching, visit http://www.aboundingwisdom.com.