Two scriptures have captured my attention today.

The first scripture is 1 Corinthians 15:20-22  which says:

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Looking up the words “. . .in Christ shall all be made alive” in the Strong’s Concordance.

The word “alive” is the Greek word zōopoieō (zō-ah-poi-e'-ō) (G2227) and it means:

“to cause to live; by spiritual power to arouse and invigorate; to give increase of life; or of seeds quickened into life, i.e. germinating, springing up, growing.”

As I read the definitions the Lord quickened several things in my spirit.

First, He wants you to live.  There is more to living than just inhaling and exhaling oxygen, occupying space and going through the motions of a daily life.

God saved us for a purpose. . .that purpose wasn’t to look at today as just another day that the Lord has made.  Yes, we are to have that viewpoint . . . but so much more is involved in it.

He clearly wants us to anticipate the dawn of a new day with expectancy.

Greet each day with anticipation and expectation of what God is going to do in and through us.

God does not want us to just settle for whatever and whoever comes our way.

He does not want us just sitting around biding our time waiting for Jesus to return.

We should be more concerned about growing up in Jesus than going up to Him.

As the definition of alive says, He wants us aroused and invigorated by His spiritual power working in and through us.

He never wants us to experience rigor mortise of the mind or spirit to where our lives are hardened unto a death life or catatonic state.

God wants us alive and about His business of occupying wherever we are and whatever we’re doing.

He has given us the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18) so that we can be a blessing to others.

We can’t bless anybody else if we’re broke, just getting by or hoping that the rapture will come before the first of the month since we don’t have money to pay all the bills.

God wants us producing fruit in our lives. . .manifesting the gifting and blessings of the Lord.

God wants us to greet each new day realizing that we have the opportunity to plant “seeds quickened into life, i.e. germinating, springing up, growing.”  God wants us to attempt great things for Him.

Without question, God us to understand that “the thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. . .” (John 10:10)

However, I don’t feel that God wants us focusing on the first part of that verse. . .where the emphasis is on the attacks of the enemy.  God wants you and I to grasp, manifest and make alive the last part of John 10:10 in our lives.

“. . .I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

The last part of John 10:10 in the New Living Translation says:

“. . . My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

The last part of John 10:10 in the Amplified Bible says:

“. . . I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”

When you and I become alive in Christ. . .we realize that we “might” have life. . .that was our first choice and that we “might” have it more abundantly. . .that’s another choice.

In order to have life and experience it more abundantly . . .  we must be ALIVE in Him occupying until He comes again.  We must be about His business. . .which is also the business of the world.

We’re the ones. . .who should be controlling the financial markets, the banking system and the businesses of this country and the world.

If you don’t feel prepared to assume this scriptural mantle, then PREPARE yourself.

Remember, the New Living Translation of John 10:10 says “. . .My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

You can’t enjoy the rich and satisfying life He has in mind for us. . .by just going along . . . to get along . . . so you can just get by.  That’s not what being “alive” means to your Lord and Savior.

As I was writing these words. . .and this teaching Jeremiah 20:9 rose up in my spirit.

“. . .that his word was felt in his heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones.”   

For some we’ve become so content with where we are. . .that we need a fresh fire stirring in us.

Jeremiah 20:9 in the Amplified Bible says:

“If I say, I will not make mention of [the Lord] or speak any more in His name, in my mind and heart it is as if there were a burning fire shut up in my bones. And I am weary of enduring and holding it in; I cannot [contain it any longer].”

A burning fire shut up in my bones. 

Jeremiah 20:9 in The Living Bible says:

“. . .then his word in my heart is like fire that burns in my bones, and I can’t hold it in any longer.”

Here are 7 ways to ignite fire in your bones.

1.  Be spiritually alert.

There is a tendency for believers to fall into a spiritual comfort zone. . .as long as things are going along with no major bumps in their life’s journey.

Believers can be lulled into an inactive state. . .but according to the scripture we’re to always be spiritually alert and ready for Kingdom business.

Ephesians 6:18 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).”

Prayer keeps you alert and focused on your purpose.

1 Peter 1:13 in the Amplified Bible says:

“So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.”

Be ever alert to think on right things.

1 Corinthians 16:13 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!”

Strong faith will keep you alert and growing in strength.

Now it’s time to shout!

Jeremiah 1:12 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.”

Now listen to Jeremiah 1:12 in the Message Bible which will make you shout.

“And God said, “Good eyes! I’m sticking with you.  I’ll make every word I give you come true.”

2.  Be about Kingdom business.

God saved us for a purpose . . .that purpose was to look at today as a day the Lord has made … not just another day.  A day the Lord has made involves so much more.

He clearly wants us to anticipate the dawn of a new day with expectancy.  Greet the day with anticipation and expectation of what God is going to do in and through us if we just let Him.

He does not want us to settle for whatever and whoever comes our way.

The scripture in Luke 19:13 says we’re told to “. . .occupy until I come.”

I looked up the word, occupy, in the Strong’s Concordance (G4231 – pragmateuomai) and it means:  “to be occupied in anything; to carry on in business” and “to carry on the business of a banker or a trader.”

The word occupy also comes from the root of a Greek word meaning “that which has been done, a deed, an accomplished fact” or “what is done or being accomplished.”

As I read these definitions in the concordance, it became even clearer. . .our Heavenly Father does not want us just sitting around biding our time waiting for Jesus to return.

God wants us alive and about His business of occupying or as the definition indicates … carrying on business, getting something accomplished wherever we are and whatever we’re engaged in doing.

He has given us the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18) . .realizing that we’re blessed to be a blessing.

We can’t bless anybody else if we’re broke, just getting by or hoping that the rapture will come before the first of the month since we don’t have money to pay all the bills.

We should be more concerned about growing up in Jesus than going up to Jesus.

Occupying obviously means much more than just taking up space waiting for the rapture.

3.  Maximizing the spiritual and personal power working in us.

Ephesians 3:20 says:

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

There are seven powerful thoughts at work in this verse.

First, all glory to God is a great place to start.

Revelation 4:11 in God’s Word Translation says:

“Our Lord and God, you deserve to receive glory, honor, and power because you created everything. Everything came into existence and was created because of your will.”

Second, God is able.

Romans 4:21 in the New Living Translation says:

“He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”

Third, through God’s mighty power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 in the New Living Translation says:

“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.”

Fourth, His mighty power at work within us.

Ephesians 1:19 in the New Living Translation says:

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power.”

Fifth, we’re to accomplish. . .not be defeated or a failure.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 in the New Living Translation says:

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.”

Sixth, more than we. . .not anybody else. . .this is a conscious decision on our part.

Jeremiah 17:10 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“I, the Lord, search minds and test hearts. I will reward each person for what he has done. I will reward him for the results of his actions.”

Seventh, more than we might ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20 in the Amplified Bible which says:

“Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams].”

Ephesians 3:20 says:

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

4.  Creating opportunities not settling for what’s available.

Colossians 4:5 in the New English Translation says:

“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.”

If you’re not looking for opportunities for God to be glorified in and through your life. . .you will not recognize them when they’re right in front of you.

God wants us using every opportunity we have. . .RIGHT NOW.

1 Corinthians 7:31 in The Living Bible says:

“Those in frequent contact with the exciting things the world offers should make good use of their opportunities without stopping to enjoy them; for the world in its present form will soon be gone.”

Have you thought about why God gives you opportunities?

2 Corinthians 4:11 in The Living Bible says:

“Yes, we live under constant danger to our lives because we serve the Lord, but this gives us constant opportunities to show forth the power of Jesus Christ within our dying bodies.”

He gives us opportunities to showcase His power. 

5.  Attempting great things for Him.

On May 30, 1792, William Carey, known as the father of modern missions made a profound statement at the Baptist Association Meeting in Northampton, England when he said:

“Expect great things; attempt great things.”

Ephesians 1:19 in the Amplified Bible says:

“And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength.”

Just before his first London crusade, Dr. Billy Graham was asked by a newspaper reporter, "Are you an optimist or a pessimist?"

Dr. Graham said without hesitation, "I’m an optimist! I know God and I have read the end of the Bible and it assures me that we who are in Christ have the victory."

Now that’s what I call expecting great things.

6.  Assuming a position of leadership in our environment.

Exodus 18:20 in the Message Bible says:

“Your job is to teach them the rules and instructions, to show them how to live, what to do.”

In order to be successful in life you must have a successor . . .which means you must train those who work with you to effectively handle the things you need help in achieving.

Our youngest son is a server at a fine-dining restaurant.  He’s been asked to train new servers because his techniques are so successful.

If you’re learning a new occupation . . .you want to learn from people who have already proven themselves successful.

An effective leader should always be trying to work themselves out of a job . . .by training and developing new leaders who can assume even greater areas of responsibility.

You’d be amazed or maybe not . . .at the number of people who do everything themselves because they illogically figure that if someone else becomes good at their job. . .they may lose it to them.

Not is that faulty logic . . .it’s scripturally unsound.  Consider the success principle E68 (Ephesians 6:8).

Whatever good thing you cause to happen to someone else. . .God will do for you.

If you’re good at developing successful leaders . . .you’ll never be out of a job.  And, one more thing, you’ll never be broke again because good leaders are in demand.

7.  Invigorated for every new day.

The word invigorate does not appear as a translation in the King James Version, the New King James Version or the New International Version.  However, you do find it twice in the Amplified Bible which by amplification uses all the Greek words available to bring broader meaning to the scripture.

Colossians 1:11 in the Amplified Bible says:

“[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy.”

One more scripture.

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 in the Message Bible says:

“So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.”

Interestingly enough. . .the word reinvigorate doesn’t appear in the scriptures at all.  However, I’m mentioning the word here because I believe it describes the fire of God that lives in your bones.  According to Dictionary.Com, it is defined as: “to give vigor to; fill with life and energy; energize.”

So here’s the question. . .are you alive with spiritual power invigorating every new day that He gives you?

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