The Lord is the Spirit

 and Happy Father's Day

First, I want to say "Happy Father's Day" to all of the dads out there.
     If your dad has moved on to the next life like mine has, I want you to know how much my heart breaks with you. We will all be reunited someday.
     Remember also our Father, our Creator who looks after you day and night. Give Him your praise and love always. He has sent to each of us a Helper so that we'll never be alone.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 14:26 ESV

William Newell wrote this a long time ago:

“Many sincere people are yet spiritually under John the Baptist’s ministry of repentance. Their state is practically that of the struggle of Romans Seven, where neither Christ nor the Holy Spirit is mentioned, but only a quickened but undelivered soul in struggle under a sense of ‘duty,’ not a sense of full acceptance in Christ and sealing by the Holy Spirit.”

If this sounds like you; if your "state" is one of struggle, then maybe you haven't fully accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior. Pray about it. Seek help and guidance from the Lord, and from your Pastor or Elders.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV


You may also like:
- "Father's Day" from 2015
- "Returning Home" from 2019 (my husband and I reconciled approximately 4 months later)

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Please join me this week in praising the Holy Spirit. Pray that those who consider themselves Christians yet bear no fruit come to question whether the Spirit is living within them. Let's pray that if they are not yet truly saved, they seek Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let's pray that if they are saved, they grow in their faith and strive to become more Christlike. May we recognize those who are living on either cusp and offer them discipleship. Pray for words, encouragement, and guidance to help those who are lost. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #HolySpirit #Christian #salvation #comfort #discipleship #wisdom #fruitofthespirit #bearfruit #FathersDay #helper

John 7:37-39

 

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

John 7:37-39 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praising the Holy Spirit. Pray that those who consider themselves Christians yet bear no fruit come to question whether the Spirit is living within them. Let's pray that if they are not yet truly saved, they seek Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let's pray that if they are saved, they grow in their faith and strive to become more Christlike. May we recognize those who are living on either cusp and offer them discipleship. Pray for words, encouragement, and guidance to help those who are lost. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #HolySpirit #Christian #salvation #comfort #discipleship #wisdom #fruitofthespirit #bearfruit

My writing process

 

Every morning, as soon as I wake up, one of my first thoughts is what am I going to write? Most of the time, a thought comes to me right (unintended pun: write/right, lol) then. I quickly pour my coffee, sit down at my laptop, and away I go.

     Other times I have to go through several Bible verses before I find one that speaks to me. Then, once in a blue moon, no words seem to come at all. Those are the days that I feel kind of empty like the Holy Spirit stepped away and left me alone to fend for myself. 

     I know He didn't, but I think those days serve an important purpose. They remind me that my words come from Him, that I am dependant on Him, and that sometimes, I need to ask Him for help - even though He knows what I need.

     This isn't to say that my words are God-breathed, but I think it's safe to say (and hopefully doesn't come across as boastful in any way - I'm not perfect and am very aware of that) they are God-inspired. I trust that whatever I write, God will use it to reach at least one person. I trust that it will be the exact thing that someone needs to read today.

     The Holy Spirit lives within each of His children. If He is such an integral part of our being, shouldn't we take the time to build a relationship with Him? Study the Bible and get to know His character. Ask God to reveal His presence to you. 

     Maybe you read about my big God experience, but in case you missed it, you can read it here: Faith as a mustard seed.

Luke 12:12 speaks to me (and to you):

The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them. (The Voice)

 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (NKJV)

You may also like:

- "Using our spiritual gifts" (update on this: I'm still writing her story and all of the other people's stories that God has brought to me. It's taking a lot longer than I anticipated. Stay tuned, though.)

- "Waiting for words"

Or click here for all my posts about writing 

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Please join me this week in praising the Holy Spirit. Pray that those who consider themselves Christians yet bear no fruit come to question whether the Spirit is living within them. Let's pray that if they are not yet truly saved, they seek Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let's pray that if they are saved, they grow in their faith and strive to become more Christlike. May we recognize those who are living on either cusp and offer them discipleship. Pray for words, encouragement, and guidance to help those who are lost. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #HolySpirit #Christian #amwriting #comfort #discipleship #wisdom #fruitofthespirit #bearfruit #amediting

The fruit of light

 

I couldn't figure out where to stop and start with today's scripture, so I narrowed it down as best as I could (this is all really great information. I love how Paul explains things!)

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,

    and arise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:6-21 ESV

(Emphasis mine)

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Please join me this week in praising the Holy Spirit. Pray that those who consider themselves Christians yet bear no fruit come to question whether the Spirit is living within them. Let's pray that if they are not yet truly saved, they seek Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let's pray that if they are saved, they grow in their faith and strive to become more Christlike. May we recognize those who are living on either cusp and offer them discipleship. Pray for words, encouragement, and guidance to help those who are lost. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #HolySpirit #Christian #salvation #comfort #discipleship #wisdom #fruitofthespirit #bearfruit

To bear fruit

 

I love this photo. When I first glanced at it, it reminded me of babies wrapped in blankets. The figs are the babies' heads, and the leaves are the blankets. It made me think of how the Holy Spirit wraps us up in His loving arms when we are babes in Christ. He protects us just as these leaves are protecting their precious fruits. Eventually, the leaves will open and the fruit will mature. It will be picked and eventually offer nourishment to a stranger.

To bear fruit is to be Christlike. The Spirit gives us this fruit. I really like what David Guzik (EnduringWord.com) wrote:

Fruit has several important characteristics.
· Fruit isn’t achieved by working, but is birthed by abiding.
· Fruit is fragile.
· Fruit reproduces itself.
· Fruit is attractive.
· Fruit nourishes.

     I often think of the barren fig trees in the Bible. One was a parable (Luke 13:6-9) and the other an event where Jesus cursed the fig tree for not bearing any fruit. (Mark 11:12-20) Non-believers watch believers. I believe they want to see that we're different, that we have special "insight" and peace. They even recognize the ways in which we're different. How many times have you had a non-believer ask you to pray for them? I think that shows that they want to believe, that they know there's truth to what we say, but they're just not quite there yet.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

You may also like:
- Bear more fruit
- My word produces fruit

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Please join me this week in praising the Holy Spirit. Pray that those who consider themselves Christians yet bear no fruit come to question whether the Spirit is living within them. Let's pray that if they are not yet truly saved, they seek Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let's pray that if they are saved, they grow in their faith and strive to become more Christlike. May we recognize those who are living on either cusp and offer them discipleship. Pray for words, encouragement, and guidance to help those who are lost. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #HolySpirit #Christian #salvation #comfort #discipleship #wisdom #fruitofthespirit #bearfruit

Learning from the Holy Spirit

 

This is really good stuff. Paul explains the Holy Spirit so well, and the fact that we can only understand God's wisdom because the Holy Spirit reveals it to us.

From 1 Corinthians 2:

9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

    nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him”—

This is what God has prepared for us in the here and now if we love Him. (It's paraphrased from Isaiah 64:4).

     Sometimes I find reading Paul's letters a little confusing, but the rest of this chapter seems crystal clear. Mankind, who doesn't have the Spirit, cannot understand the mysteries of God, but those of us with the Spirit have the potential and the desire to comprehend what He imparts on us. God shares this information with us freely, but I believe we need to actively desire to know it. In other words, we need to pray for understanding and comprehension before we dive into the word. We need to pray that He reveals wisdom to us. Sure, we have those AHA moments, but think how much more we could be understanding if we open ourselves up to receive it.

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

     Verse 15 below isn't saying that believers can't be judged or shouldn't be judged. David Guzik wrote: "Paul is not saying that every Christian is above every criticism (after all, much of this letter is criticism). The point is clear: no natural man is equipped to judge a spiritual man." (Found at EnduringWord.com) 

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

     I just love to research and learn, so all of this just feeds into that. There are so many concepts and teachings in the Bible that we, as humans, cannot comprehend because of our finite minds (the Trinity, for one), but God wants us to understand as much as humanly possible while we're here. Then, when we get to Heaven, I believe, it's going to be like, "POW" and everything else is just going to make sense. It's really exciting if you think about it!

P.S. I really like the above photo because it has a "3" on the coffee cup. I immediately thought of the Trinity teaching us.

You may also like:

- "Seek wisdom and understanding" (This is one of those AHA moments.)

- "Know the word of truth"

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Please join me this week in praising the Holy Spirit. Pray that those who consider themselves Christians yet bear no fruit come to question whether the Spirit is living within them. Let's pray that if they are not yet truly saved, they seek Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let's pray that if they are saved, they grow in their faith and strive to become more Christlike. May we recognize those who are living on either cusp and offer them discipleship. Pray for words, encouragement, and guidance to help those who are lost. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #HolySpirit #Christian #salvation #comfort #discipleship #wisdom

The magnitude of the Holy Spirit

 

What is your perception of the Holy Spirit? I picture Him as the "comforter" (John 14:25-26) who dwells within us. Since He dwells within each one of us (believers), I see Him as my size. It wasn't until we were discussing Romans yesterday in Women's Bible Study that I realized the breadth and magnitude of the Holy Spirit. I mean, I knew He was huge, Omni-everything like our Father and Jesus, but still, I pictured this more personal, scaled-down version, too. Then I read: 

"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

Romans 8:11 ESV

     Think about that...the Holy Spirit who "raised Jesus from the dead" is the very same Holy Spirit who dwells within each of us and comforts us! Isn't that amazing?! I have no idea how many times I've read that passage, but I'm thankful that this time, it sank in. We as believers are so very blessed to have the Holy Spirit with us always. He comforts us, guides us, encourages us. He's that still small voice inside of us. What a blessing!

You may also like:

- Paul's Prayer is My Prayer

- Your body is a temple

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Please join me this week in praising the Holy Spirit. Pray that those who consider themselves Christians yet bear no fruit come to question whether the Spirit is living within them. Let's pray that if they are not yet truly saved, they seek Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let's pray that if they are saved, they grow in their faith and strive to become more Christlike. May we recognize those who are living on either cusp and offer them discipleship. Pray for words, encouragement, and guidance to help those who are lost. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #HolySpirit #Christian #salvation #comfort #discipleship 

Sword of the Spirit

 

The last article of the Full Armor of God is the sword of the Spirit.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Ephesians 6:17

David Guzik wrote at EnduringWord.com: To effectively use the sword, we must regard it as the word of God – which is the word of God. If we are not confident in the inspiration of Scripture, that the sword really came from the Spirit, then we will not use it effectively at all.
  But we must also take the sword of the Spirit in the sense of depending that He helps us to use it. Not only did the Spirit give us the Scriptures, but also He makes them alive to us (or us alive to them), and He equips us with the right thrust of the sword at the right time.

     We are taught over and over again that we must know truth in order to recognize lies. How can we know truth if we don't study it? It's so critical to be in the word, reading, studying, always learning, always gaining wisdom. If you haven't read the entire Bible, I really encourage you to do that. The Old Testament is so very important to understanding and knowing God's character. Jesus is shown throughout the Old Testament as well. Every time you read the Bible you'll find new information, glean new wisdom from it. It is one cohesive book. If you're only reading the last 23%, think about all that you're missing out on.

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:18-20 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for all Christians, with a special emphasis on those who are heavily involved in spiritual warfare. Pray that they recognize it for what it is and don't give in to Satan's ploys or deceptions. Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance. Pray that they get through the battle, shielded with the full armour of God and come out triumphant. Pray that they know God's will for their lives and that they keep their focus on Him alone.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerse #bible #SpiritualWarfare #GodsWill #Satan #battle #ArmorOfGod #Christian #Ephesians #sword #gospel #HolySpirit #blog #blogpost #blogger

Freedom in the Spirit

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:1-4 ESV

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Please join me this week in praising our Father in Heaven for this freedom He has given us in Christ Jesus so that we are no longer slaves to our sin. Pray that He gives us the opportunity and encouragement (and words) to share this great news with everyone we meet. Let's also pray that those who do not have this freedom come to know Christ and that those who do profess to know Christ not abuse this freedom as a means to sin. Finally, let's pray that we focus on all of the worldly freedoms we have that others all over the globe can't even imagine. 

   We should give thanks daily for being born in this time and this place where we can worship and praise our Father without fear of persecution. The restrictions we do face because of the pandemic are no different than the restrictions that people all over the world have dealt with or are dealing with, and these inconveniences are temporary. If the worst thing in our lives right now is having to concede to a few mandates, then we should consider ourselves extremely blessed. Praise the Lord for the countless blessings He bestows on us every single day.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #freedom #HolySpirit

Assurance of Answered Prayer

How awesome is it that our God, the Creator of the universe, provided a means for us to communicate with Him?! How incredible is it that He hears our prayers?!

     When He answers a prayer immediately, it overwhelms me because it's a reminder that He hears little 'ole me; there could be millions of people praying at that exact moment, and yet He heard my prayer and responded, just as He did with the other people engaging with Him at that very moment. It's more than I can comprehend.

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, 

that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 

And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, 

we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

1 John 5:14-15

     I believe that our Father answers all prayers. We have to keep in mind, though that the answer is sometimes "no". Plus, He answers in His time, not ours. When we ask for something: guidance, healing, strength, etc... and it's in line for His will for us, His plan, then we will receive. Some people misinterpret certain verses to mean that God will give them the desires of their heart when what they desire are earthly things. When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our prayers, we can be assured that we are praying "according to the will of God."

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27

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Please join me this week in praying for the unsaved that they may come to know the hope and assurance of a loving and merciful Father, of Christ Jesus who bore our sins on the cross that we may have eternal life. Pray for those who are fearful and anxious, that they may find peace and joy in Jesus. Pray for the lost that the Good Shepherd will call them to Him. And finally, pray for the opportunity, and then the words and encouragement to share our testimonies, our assurances as followers of Christ Jesus.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #HolySpirit #5assurances #prayer 

If I have not love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, 

I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, 

and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, 

I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, 

but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; 

love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. 

It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV

Things of the Spirit

For those who live according to the flesh 

set their minds on the things of the flesh, 

but those who live according to the Spirit 

set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:5 ESV

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Let's pray for guidance to serve God first in our lives. Ask Him how you can best serve Him. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Your body is a temple

If anyone destroys God's temple, 

God will destroy him. 

For God's temple is holy, 

and you are that temple.

1 Corinthians 3:17 ESV

Or do you not know that your body is a temple 

of the Holy Spirit within you, 

whom you have from God? 

You are not your own, 

for you were bought with a price. 

So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

The next life

Therefore we do not lose heart. 

Though outwardly we are wasting away, 

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV

Honor God with your body

Jesus paid the ultimate price for us. We need to remember that our bodies are temples which house the Holy Spirit. If we keep that in mind and take care of our bodies and our Spirit, think how well we will shine as those made in His image!

For you were bought at a price; 

therefore glorify God in your body 

and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV

Paul's Prayer is My Prayer

Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians is also my prayer for you:

Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

I keep reading this passage over and over again and realize what an awesome prayer this is! This is THE PRAYER for what I seek and for what I hope for. He will STRENGTHEN us as believers with POWER through HIS SPIRIT! We are to be ROOTED and established in LOVE.

TOGETHER with ALL the LORD'S HOLY PEOPLE. We are to work together, learn together, and grow and love together. God created us to be in relationships with one another. Through relationships, we can show the world God's love; we can be the image-bearers He intended us to be, and in so doing, bring honor and glory to Him.

Christ's love is immeasurable. To fully be able to GRASP "how wide and long and high and deep" His love is, I believe, we have to let go of the limitation of loving only with one's heart and try to understand a love that fills the entire soul. With Christ's love, we can never be alone; no earthly problem can be too big to handle, there is nothing that Christ can't do. To "know this love that surpasses knowledge" and what it feels like to "be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" is the most amazing feeling and goes beyond anything that words can describe!

Embrace it. Share it. Be that love.