Walk in Full Confidence

2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (AMP) For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the latter one an aroma from death to death [a fatal, offensive odor], but to the other an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is adequate and sufficiently qualified for these things?

Beloved, resist the urge to be offended when those who don’t know Me taunt and tease you. Remember the fragrance of your life is an offering to Me, it need not appeal to them nor is it likely to. 

Your light reminds them that they are in darkness, and no matter how much they may have grown accustomed to the dark, I have placed a desire in each heart for My light. The longing for it can cause a jealous desire they themselves may not even recognize. 

So refuse to allow yourself to be influenced by the unkind words of those around you. Instead be firmly rooted in who I say you are and walk in full confidence in your identity as a precious child of Mine.  Continue reading “Walk in Full Confidence”

Soak in the Sound of Heaven

1 Samuel 16:23 (JUB) And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed and was better, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Beloved, soak in the sound of heaven, for it brings peace. The enemy hates that sound. What soothes and ministers to My children offends the ears of those who hate Me. So stay in My flow. Bask in it. 

Use your hands and mouth and whole body as a vessel for My songs to pour through. Make a joyful noise. Shift the atmosphere. Hold nothing back, and resist the urge to be caught up in skill level or lack thereof. Instead focus on what I look at: the heart. 

Keep the Flame on the Altar of Your Heart Burning

Leviticus 6:13 (JUB) The fire shall burn continuously upon the altar; it shall not be put out.

Beloved, there’s no wrong time to worship Me. When you’re feeling overwhelming gratitude, it’s the right time. When you’re overcome with sorrow, it’s the right time. When trials press in on all sides, it’s the right time. It’s always the right time. 

Be intentional to let nothing steal your praise. Make time to lavish Me with your affections, and let Me do so in return. Keep the flame on the altar of your heart continuously burning – may it never go out. 

Changed by the Power of Love

Hosea 14:4 (NLT) The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.

Beloved, I’m not angry with you nor have I turned My face away from you. There’s nothing you can say or do that will change My love for you. It is steadfast. It is unchanging. And it is pure. 

Let yourself be saturated by My love. Be healed by it. Watch Me and learn what true faithfulness looks like so that you might reflect it in kind. As My love for you knows no bounds, so reflect that unconditional love back on Me and on those around you that all might be changed by the power of love. 

Opportunities to Grow in Character

Proverbs 3:3 (TPT) Hold on to loyal love and don’t let go, and be faithful to all that you’ve been taught. Let your life be shaped by integrity, with truth written upon your heart.

Beloved, be steadfast in integrity. Be loyal in your love. Be faithful with all you’ve learned, and be one who leads by example. You have been equipped for that which lies ahead. 

Give weight to that which has been learned, for every experience of life gives opportunity to grow in character. Do so wisely. Stay focused on Me. Mirror your behavior to Mine. Be full of grace and rich in mercy, slow to anger and not easily offended, and love deeply and without judgment. Trust Me to move in others’ lives even as I move in yours.  Continue reading “Opportunities to Grow in Character”

Sweet Essence of Joy

Romans 15:13 (VOICE) I pray that God, the source of all hope, will infuse your lives with an abundance of joy and peace in the midst of your faith so that your hope will overflow through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Beloved, just as you would use an extract to infuse a baked good with flavor, so you should allow the sweet essence of joy to infuse your life. Let its pleasant and pervasive flavor penetrate every aspect of your world. Allow it to color how you see and respond – let it guide your choices and actions. 

Just as when baked goods are shared with others that they are blessed by the sweet flavors, so your life and outlook will bless those around you. You will bring sweet joy to their lives and stir up hope for their own. So surrender to joy, beloved, and watch how it changes not only you, but the world around you.

Rest in Joy

Romans 12:12 (VOICE) Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer.

Beloved, choose to rest in joy. There is always something for which to have gratitude. At all times and through every experience, you can choose to maintain a state of joyous appreciation for My goodness to you. Joy is a choice. 

So choose to rest in joy even as you persist in prayer – trusting Me to move rightly, for I AM good. Your concerns are important to Me and never out of My thoughts. I never treat your heart lightly, beloved. So resist the urge to indulge in worry, and rather choose to be steadfast in joyful gratitude. 

Relentlessly Pursue the Mystery of Me

Job 36:26 (GW) Certainly, God is so great that he is beyond our understanding. The number of his years cannot be counted.

Beloved, seek out My mysteries. Continually seek to plumb My depths. Simply because I AM so great I defy full understanding doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. There is much beauty both in knowing Me and the pursuit of doing so. And though you might seek Me all of your days, there will always be more of Me to ferret out. 

So endeavor to know Me, the unknowable God. Seek to understand, and refrain from wrongly judging Me in moments you do not comprehend My ways. I AM omnipotent and all-knowing. I AM also merciful and good, slow to anger and long suffering. Trust My character, and relentlessly pursue the mystery of Me. Continue reading “Relentlessly Pursue the Mystery of Me”

El Shaddai (God Almighty)

Exodus 33:15 (AMP) And Moses said to Him, “If Your presence does not go [with me], do not lead us up from here.

Beloved, let your heart be so taken with My presence that you refuse to move without Me. Remember that I AM El Shaddai (God Almighty), and the source of all life and power. Nothing good is accomplished without My hand. 

Look to Me. Be steadfast in your gaze. Resist the urge to be distracted or to wander out from under the shadow of My wing. Allow Me to lead and accept no substitute. For I AM God, and there is none like Me. 

Deep Assurance

Proverbs 18:10 (GW) The name of the Lord is a strong tower. A righteous person runs to it and is safe.

Beloved, those who know Me, know My name. My name reflects My character. A part of intimacy is having a deep assurance about another’s character that is unshakable regardless of circumstance. Having that foundation with Me brings an enormous amount of peace.

If you know Me, you know I AM always with you. If you know Me, you know I take care of My children. If you know Me, you know I’ll use each hardship you encounter as a force for good. Knowing Me is about trusting and releasing control into My hands. It’s about allowing Me to be your strong tower and your firm foundation. So, beloved, run to Me and be safe.