Lovingly Pruned

John 15:2 (VOICE) My Father examines every branch in Me and cuts away those who do not bear fruit. He leaves those bearing fruit and carefully prunes them so that they will bear more fruit;

Beloved, yield to My loving pruning. I see the areas in your life that are bearing fruit and wish to strengthen those by eliminating the ones that aren’t bearing fruit (or are bearing wrong fruit). Trust Me to know the difference.

I’m not removing areas because I’m mad at you or trying to punish you, so resist the urge to cower or try to cling to that which I’d remove. This isn’t a punishment, it’s a part of healthy growing. So yield, allowing Me to lovingly prune away that which hinders or is unneeded. Trust Me have the wisdom to do so, and to do it gently and in love.

Faithful to the End

Psalm 30:11 (VOICE) You did it: You turned my deepest pains into joyful dancing; You stripped off my dark clothing and covered me with joyful light.

Beloved, I AM faithful to the end. I always see you, for I AM El Roi, the God who sees. I AM equipped and fully able. I fiercely love My children. I AM devoted, and I move on your behalf. Rejoice in that victory. Give praise and honor to My name. Let the earth be filled with the sound of your joy, and may your life testify to the goodness of who I AM.

When the daylight comes and the night has passed, do not withhold your praise – not from a place of obligation, but from an overflow of love and joy. May your heart burst forth in zealous declaration that the God you serve – the only true God – is good and worthy of all praise.

Love Without Reserve and Love Well

Matthew 5:43-48 (TPT) …How are you any different from others if you limit your kindness only to your friends? Don’t even the ungodly do that?…

Beloved, there would be no need for Me to encourage you to love someone if they were someone you found easy to love. You would do it instinctively. So be mindful not to dismiss My instruction simply because it is difficult, challenges you, or makes no sense to your natural mind.

You do not see the hearts of men as I do, but if you trust My leading, you can navigate the murky waters of their inner workings with ease as you yield to My direction. I will not steer you wrongly.

Remember that simply because things look messy does not mean they aren’t exactly as they should be. When a cook is working on an elaborate meal, it is not unusual for things to look chaotic while the creation is underway, but a masterpiece still comes forth.

Refuse to be discouraged by the work in progress and simply trust My Spirit to lead you rightly. Love without reserve and love well. Continue reading “Love Without Reserve and Love Well”

Morning Dance

Psalm 126:5 (TLB) Those who sow tears shall reap joy.

Beloved, I have promised and I will deliver. I AM good to My word. Rest in a place of joyful expectation, even when the night is long and the sky looks dark, know that I AM with you, My angels surround you, and I AM faithful. I watch over My word to perform it. Stand fast and believe. Let joyful expectation be your mien.

Dance, beloved – as in your mourning you expect your morning, dance, for the dawn is coming. Worship as you wait, knowing I AM faithful. Knowing I AM good. Knowing I AM with you. And knowing I AM worthy. Give praise, and give it freely and without reserve. Bring forth your mourning dance that it might become your morning dance. Continue reading “Morning Dance”

Hold Fast to Hope and Believe

Genesis 40:14 (VOICE) But I ask one thing. Remember me when things are going well for you. If you have the opportunity, do me a favor and mention me to Pharaoh. Perhaps he will get me out of this place.

Beloved, you need not curry the favor of man, nor look to them in your time of need. I AM the great I AM, and I AM the One to look to. I AM the One who knows each plan for you and the perfect execution of each.

Look to Me, the Author and Finisher of your faith – the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. I AM God. There is no one higher than Me. Refuse to create an idol by looking to man to “help” when you believe Me slow to answer. Though I may seem to tarry, I tarry not.

Beloved, I know the hour and the moment of your deliverance. Look to Me and trust Me to move at exactly the right time. Embrace each moment, allowing the trials to increase your strength and your faith. Hold fast to hope and believe.

I Will Respond

Psalm 107:28-29 (TPT) Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did! God stilled the storm, calmed the waves, and he hushed the hurricane winds to only a whisper.

Beloved, I do not turn a blind eye nor are My ears closed to your cries. I AM ever aware of your needs – mindful of each and every one. Like a father standing beside a tearful child, ready and waiting to pull them into his arms the moment the child reaches his way, so I AM with you, ready and waiting.

Call to Me and I will answer. Raise your voice in faith, trusting that I will respond. I AM a good Father. And I AM God Most Able and God Most High. Nothing is too hard for Me.

The Sound of Heaven

Revelation 15:2-3 (TLB) Spread out before me was what seemed to be an ocean of fire and glass, and on it stood all those who had been victorious over the Evil Creature… All were holding harps of God, and they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb…

Beloved, lift your voice and release the sound of heaven. Draw from My frequency and release it in the earth. This isn’t about perfection or even excellence or gifting, this is about a heart pursuing relentlessly after Me.

Stay in tune. Stay in My presence. Stay in My flow and allow My Spirit to guide as you pour out from the overflow of your heart. Be not afraid to release My song, open your mouth and let go just as a dove releasing from human hands takes flight and soars, so shall the songs of heaven you release.

Don’t Hide

Matthew 5:15-16 (TLB) Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.

Beloved, you are My show piece – a glorious example of My beauty and grace made manifest in the earth. Don’t hide yourself; hiding yourself means hiding the glory of My handiwork that was created to bless, encourage, and impact the world around you.

Shine brightly, beloved. Refuse to hide who I’ve created you to be by bending to the opinions of man, but instead boldly live a life of authenticity, displaying the true you in all your gloriously flawed beauty that My power and majesty might be made known.

Run to Me (Elohim Misgab)

Psalm 59:17 (TLB) O my Strength, to you I sing my praises; for you are my high tower of safety, my God of mercy.

Beloved, run to Me. When trials and temptation come, refuse to be dismayed or overwhelmed. Simply run to Me. Just as Joseph fled Potiphar’s wife, refuse to flirt with things that will hurt you or lead you away from Me. Run to Me.

I AM Elohim Misgab, God your defense. I AM ever ready and more than able to move on your behalf and protect you from that which seeks to derail you or do you harm. So run to Me – your strong tower, your fortress, your refuge, and your defense. Continue reading “Run to Me (Elohim Misgab)”

Divine Obsession

1 Corinthians 2:9 (AMPC) …as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed].

Beloved, you cannot begin to imagine what I have prepared for you. You couldn’t begin to dream up the things I’m making ready and in fact have already made. But rather than being focused on what is coming, keep your eyes and heart on Me.

Seek to obey My word. Strive to be intentional in gratitude. Overflow Me with your reverential worship and ardent affection. Make Me your divine obsession. And even as your heart and mind stay fixed on Me, wait in faithful, hope-filled expectation for Me to move on your behalf in every area of your life, for you know that you know I AM good.