Year Four
12-1
Becoming fit for the Kingdom
The theory of the survival of the fittest is true but only in reverse. Those who survive the wilderness of their time on earth are not the strong, the proud, the talented, the powerful or the attractive. Those who survive the wilderness are the weak, the humble, the needy and the insignificant.
They are the ones who want Me and do not dare to even dream about having a future on earth. In their brokenness, they survive each trial as they look longingly at Me as their real Home. They make no plans which remain elusive.
They are simple sheep who follow Me to the peaceful pasture of My Presence. They want no more. Therefore they lose nothing. Hence, they survive. They are fit for My Kingdom. The strong are not.
- Matthew 18:2 Jesus called a little child to stand among them. 3“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- Mark 10:14 When Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
- Matthew 27:27 And whoever desires to be first among you must be your servant, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
12-2
Keys to being set free
Satan is Pride. Pride has no Truth. If you want to know the Truth you must first battle your own pride. You must first realize that you are in the same boat as everyone else. You are no better. You have fallen also. Only then will you have enough humility and compassion to understand Truth.
Truth cannot be understood without humility and compassion within your heart. Pride stops Truth every time. Pride lies. Ask Holy Spirit to humble you. Then you will know Truth and the Truth will set you free. Do you want to know what is True badly enough to be humbled for it?
- John 8: 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
- 1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. 7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.…
- James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
- James 4:6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.…
- Luke 6:42 How can you say, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while you yourself fail to see the beam in your own eye?’ You hypocrite, first take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 43 No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.…
- Psalm 24:3…3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation.…
- Matthew 5:2 and He began to teach them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
12-3
Being Refined for Kingdom Work
The process of receiving humility and a compassionate spirit takes time. For those who refuse to submit to My will through the circumstances in which I place them, it can take a whole lifetime.
A heart that submits to Me and all My ways is a heart that can receive Truth. Humble hearts are more valuable in My Kingdom than all the education, talent, spiritual gifts, and power in the world.
Ask Holy Spirit to take you through the process of bringing valuable humility and compassion to your heart. Submit to My will and I will lift you up.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
- Romans 8:28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
- Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
- Matthew 20:26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave. . .
- Romans 12:1Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.…
- 1 Corinthians 1: 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 26Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.…
- Job 37:13 Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it
12-4
The path to revelation is humility
Truth comes in direct proportion to the absence of pride and the presence of humility. Humble yourself through submission to My will and I will lift you up.
- Psalm 24: 3Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face—even Jacob.
- 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. 7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.…
- Luke 14: 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
12-5
Humility, truth, then exultation
Ask Me to give you the power of humility. It is mighty for bringing down strongholds. Truth must hurt you first. Then it will heal you and lift you up.
- James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
12-6
The fragrance of humility
Self-awareness brings pride. Look at a little baby who has no awareness of herself and her abilities. She only knows dependency. Humility is so beautiful on you. Ask Me to clothe you with humble dependency.
- Matthew 5;3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
- Matthew 18:3 Assuredly, I say to you, unless you change and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
- Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
- Psalm 32:2 How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit!
- 1 Corinthians 4:4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.
12-7
Learning to listen and follow the Good Shepherd
How can I send My sheep out among wolves and expect them not only to survive but thrive and even conquer?
Because true sheep are humble followers. They consistently obey in simple Love and trust their Good Shepherd.
True sheep are not like cats who obey only when it is convenient for them. Cats will be eaten by wolves.
It is possible to herd sheep into safety and peace. It is not so easy to herd cats. Be My humble sheep who Love Me more than you love your life. Come, follow and obey Me.
- Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
- Mark 6:34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
- Ezekiel 34:30-31 In this way, they will know that I, the LORD their God, am with them. And they will know that they, the people of Israel, are my people, says the Sovereign LORD. You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!”
- Psalm 100:3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
- John 10:14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,
12-8
Sheep Among Wolves
The demons of religion will always bear false witness as they accuse and condemn the beloved in their courtroom of darkness. Forgive their hosts. Forgive the ones they work through.
- Matthew 10:16 Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 But beware of men; for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. 20 For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
- Luke 23: 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
- Acts 6:12 They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the Law.”
- Acts 7:59 While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
12-9
True worship requires total surrender
True worship is this: a soul who does everything with Me, through Me, for Me and in obedience to Me; every thought, every spoken word, every decision and desire is filled with only Me. This is true worship. I seek those souls who will worship Me within their inner being and in the Truth of My Kingdom.
- John 4: 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
- Acts 17:28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’;as even some of your own poets have said, For we are indeed his offspring.
- Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
- Psalm 100:1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
12-10
True worship is driven by Love
True worship is this: to wake every morning hungering for My Presence and My Kingdom with the same intensity as you hunger for another breath of fresh air.
- John 4: 34 Jesus explained, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.
- Psalm 42:1 As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God.
- Luke 11: 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
- Matthew 11: 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
12-11
True Worship is expensive
True worship is this: wanting fellowship with Me even if it costs you the loss of all other relationships.
- Luke 9:23 Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.…
- Luke 14:26 If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as their own lives, they cannot be my disciples. 27So those who do not carry their crosses and follow me cannot be my disciples.
- Matthew 10:37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
- 1 John 3:11 Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.
- Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to cling to, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.
- Matthew 26:27 . . . whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
12-12
True worship is set apart
True worship is this: hiding your innermost thoughts and conversation with Us from the world and keeping Our intimacy personal, holy and set apart as sacred.
- Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- Luke 6:12 In those days, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.
12-13
True worship is sacrificial
True worship is this: following My Voice in obedience that brings you to the altar of painful sacrifice.
- Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
- Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.
- Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
12-14
True worship forgets
True worship is this: keeping your thoughts in the present, forgetting the past and remaining blind to the future by trusting in My Love to provide for you.
- Philippians 3:13…Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
- Romans 8: 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
12-15
True worship requires humility
True worship is this: remaining humbly grateful rather than licking your wounds in self-pity.
- Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
- James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing
12-16
True worship is private
True worship does not need a building, musical instruments or air conditioning. True worship cannot be scheduled on a calendar.
- 1John 2:26-27 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
- Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
12-17
True worship desires intimacy
True worship is the result of Our intimate relationship with you. It begins with wanting to be with Us with all your heart.
- 1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
- Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
12-18
True worship is in the spirit
So do not worry if there are no buildings or scheduled events. They are not necessary for true worship.
- John 4:23 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
12-19
Follow the law of Love not reason
Do not follow the law of reason. That law ends in death. Follow the law of Love. The law of Love makes no sense and it costs you dearly but it brings Life. Love is without reason. I have an unreasonable Love for you.
- Galatians 5:14 The entire Law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
12-20
Avoiding storms of offense
The offenses and anger of others will come and go like the clouds. Do not be afraid of anger. Do not make decisions based on the offenses of others.
Listen to My Voice telling you to remain calm, quiet, patient and show Love. Do as I say, not as fear says. I Am here. I Am faithful. Be still and know that I Am God.
- Proverbs 19:11 Man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
- 1 Corinthians 13:5 love . . . does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered . . .
- Psalm 46:10 Cease striving and know that I am God; . . . 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
- Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?
12-21
True worship: sacrifice, faith and Love
When there is pain involved in the sacrifice, and the offering you hold up to Me is covered in tears then the altar of your spirit becomes a holy place. Pain and tears, as you deny your flesh, cleanse the altar and make it holy. The offering of pain is acceptable in My sight because it is a true offering of sacrifice, faith and Love. This is true worship.
- Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
- Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
- 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
- 1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
12-22
Cleansing your soul
Lift each negative, fear-filled, critical, and disturbing thought up to Me as soon as they dart into your mind, and I will sweep it away without condemnation and cover you with My Love. Just say, “Papa, help me.” I will be right there.
- 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
12-23
And such were some of you . . .
Patience with others requires that you remember the days of being a difficult one yourself.
No one on the earth escapes sin and being the cause of great pain. Therefore you have plenty to humble yourself with and to give you patience with others.
I wiped your slate clean. Now you wipe theirs. No more bad memories of others. No more proud judging thoughts. No more words that put the difficult one in a bad light in the eyes of others.
You and I are on a mission to heal and join together what was separated. Remember the mission. Stay with Me. I Love you.
- Matthew 6:12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- Colossians 3:12 on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
- Ephesians 4:31 all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
12-27
You are new creation
Remember My Dear One, I see potential that you don’t see.
I see a priceless gem when you only see a rock. I see a seed of Life buried under the darkness when you see only the darkness. Trust My eyes and not your own. Keep moving forward with Me. I will give you strength. Focus on My Words and My Presence.
- Romans 8:8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
- Colossians 2:10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.
OUR LOVE FOR YOU
12-28
You are loved
You are talked about, My Beloved. I talk about you to Our Father and Holy Spirit constantly. We all Three speak of you. We do not discuss your past because it no longer exists. We do not talk about your faults. They are covered by My Blood. We only discuss your beauty and your needs.
- Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” “Then people will call them “Oaks of Righteousness”, “The Planting of the LORD”, in order to display his splendor.
- John 17:20-26 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
- 1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!
12-29
We never take Our eyes off of you
Each time you lift up your spirit to Us We rejoice Together about your existence and desire for Us. We have many plans for you and they are beyond good. We are excited about them. We notice the progress you are making every day. We celebrate each step you take toward Us and Our Kingdom.
- 1 Corinthians 2:9 Rather, as it is written: “- No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
- Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.…
- Psalm 37: 23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. 24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.…
- Isaiah 49: 16 Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.
12-30
You are our priority
We weep when you weep and mourn with you when you mourn.
We talk about Our passionate Love for you and how much We desire you.
We speak about waiting for you.
We know what help you need and We are there.
We discuss Our compassion for you and what a treasure you are to Us.
We see the Light of Our Life within you and point to it among Ourselves. We jump for joy as it grows when you desire Us.
- Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9 The LORD keeps close watch over the whole world, to give strength to those whose hearts are loyal to him.
- Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
- Lamentations 3:22 . . . The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
- Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
12-31
We talk about you all the time
Each thought you have toward Us sparks conversation between Us about you and Our Love for you.
So you see, My Precious one, you are talked about every day. You are Our favorite topic of conversation.
We cannot say enough about you and how much We Love you and how proud We are of you. That’s right, My dear, We are more proud of you than you are capable of understanding. We are your Family. We are proud of you. We are talking about you right now. We Love you. Be happy.
- Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you”–this is the LORD’s declaration–“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
- Titus 3:4-7 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
- Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.