Put Aside Any Substitute

2 Kings 23:5 (NLT) He did away with the idolatrous priests, who had been appointed by the previous kings of Judah, for they had offered sacrifices at the pagan shrines throughout Judah and even in the vicinity of Jerusalem. They had also offered sacrifices to Baal, and to the sun, the moon, the constellations, and to all the powers of the heavens.

Beloved, refuse any substitute. I AM the only true God. I AM the Lord God your Creator, the Lord of Hosts, king of Heaven and Earth. I AM sovereign. There is none like Me. Refuse to hold anything or anyone in higher esteem, for I AM the only One worthy and the only One faithful and good.

Set aside any false gods. Pause and see with new eyes that you might see them. Step away from those who encourage other gods or who who breed falsehood. Be true, beloved, and stand in righteousness. Continue reading “Put Aside Any Substitute”

Shine and Shine Brightly

Exodus 3:14 (TLB) “‘The Sovereign God,’” was the reply. “Just say, ‘I Am has sent me!’

Beloved, you move under My authority and by My command, never forget the level of authority you are operating under. There is no greater power in heaven or on earth for I AM sovereign. I AM that I AM.

I AM the Eternal One who sees all, knows all, and loves you boundlessly. Despite the vast knowledge at My hand and all the things, people, and situations vying for My attention, you, beloved, have captured My gaze. In the midst of it all I pause – to tend to My beloved. To encourage you in all I have called you to.

See by My actions how precious you are to Me. Hear with your heart My instructions and execute them without hesitation or concern knowing I AM with you. Don’t hold back, beloved. Shine, and shine brightly. Be all I have called you to and let yourself soar in My presence and on My wings.

Train Your Gaze on Me

Exodus 23:13 (VOICE) Be careful to do all that I have instructed you. Do not even acknowledge the names of other gods or let their names spill from your lips.

Beloved, refuse to acknowledge the enemy by giving him credit in your life. I AM your God and I will not share with another. Resist the urge to point at his opposition and use it as a barometer for your walk saying, “I know I am doing something right because he is opposing me.” The enemy will always oppose you because I love you. He will always lay traps to ensnare you because you are precious to me.

Look to Me, beloved, and keep your eyes fixed. Trust that I will guide you with My eye. Train your gaze upon Me never allowing it to waver. I AM the Lord your God. I AM the faithful God. Keeping My promises from generation to generation. My promise you have. My love you have. My acceptance you have. I AM all you need. Continue reading “Train Your Gaze on Me”

Cultivate a Place for Me to Dwell

Exodus 20:20 (VOICE) Moses: Don’t be afraid. These powerful manifestations are God’s way of instilling awe and fear in you so that you will not sin; He is testing you for your own good.

Beloved, be mindful not to allow familiarity to breed contempt. I AM still God. I love you and cherish intimacy with you, I’ve provided grace for you and granted you forgiveness, but at no point have I relaxed My standards on what is good and what is evil.

The enemy will tempt you to flirt with the line between sin and what is permissible, but if your heart truly knows who I AM and you love Me, you will not want to grieve Me by following the letter of the law rather than the spirit. Know My heart and strive to be like Me. Cultivate a place for Me to dwell within you.

Come Soar in My Love

Exodus 13:22 (GW) The column of smoke was always in front of the people during the day. The column of fire was always there at night.

Beloved, I AM always with you and I will never leave you. Abide with Me. Absorb the peace found in My presence and let your spirit take flight. As you soar with Me, feel the wind of My Spirit. Let Me bring you higher and higher. Trust Me.

Place your hand in Mine, beloved. Let Me carry you away. Behold, you are beautiful My love and you have captured My heart. You have captivated My gaze. You are the apple of My eye, the center of my world. Just as young lovers cannot get enough of each other’s presence, so I long to be with you. Will you abide with Me? Come soar in My love.

Far More With You

Exodus 14:19 (VOICE) God’s messenger, who had been out front leading the people of Israel, moved to protect the rear of the company; the cloud pillar moved with him from the front to the back of them.

Beloved, I AM your covering. My heavenly hosts stand at the ready – guarding and protecting – alert and ready to execute My command. Our desire is to protect you from that which would seek your harm. I AM on your side and the hosts of heaven act on My behalf.

Whether you physically see My presence before you, I AM always with you. My hosts ever around you. Truly, beloved, there are far more with you than against you. Ask Me to open your eyes that you might see. Continue reading “Far More With You”

Choose Holiness 

Exodus 28:36 (KJV) And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, Holiness To The Lord.

Beloved, just as I had the high priest wear the engraving “Holiness to the Lord” against his forehead – a frontlet between his eyes – so you must keep your mind’s eye fixed on holiness. Choose it. Be intentional about it. Choose it out of love for Me, because it is pleasing to Me, and choose it for yourself, because it is good for you.

I am Elohim Qadosh, the Holy God. You are made in My image, walk like Me. I know that even as you try to be holy there will be times you fall short, but beloved, don’t allow a lack of perfection to discourage you from even trying. Not being able to perfectly execute something does not absolve you of the responsibility of trying. Choose rightly, beloved. No matter what the world says, choose well. Resist temptation – you are able. I AM with you to strengthen you. Be holy as I AM holy. Continue reading “Choose Holiness “

Watch and Wait

Exodus 14:14 (AMP) The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.”

Beloved, there are moments to take up your sword and fight, and moments to rest and watch Me fight for you. This is the moment to keep silent and watch as I move on your behalf. Am I not God? Am I not sovereign? Is My hand too small? The concerns of your heart are moving Me to action, beloved. Watch and wait.

I AM YHVH Sabaoth (the Lord of Hosts) and the heavenly hosts are at My command. The kingdom of darkness will not stand against us. We move in righteousness and light. And darkness cannot overcome the light, but rather light overtakes the darkness. So shall I, the One who created light, overtake the adversary and the kingdom of darkness. Watch and wait.

Quiet your spirit as you wait. Pray. Stand in agreement with Me. Align your heart with Me as you rest and trust. You are in My hand and there is no place safer for you. As an impassioned Father, I AM moving on your behalf. Watch and wait.

Your Life is in My Hands 

Exodus 14:20 (VOICE) The cloud pillar took its position between Egypt’s and Israel’s camps. The cloud cast darkness by day yet it lit up the sky by night. As a result, the Egyptians never got close to the Israelites the entire night.

For behold My presence protects and guards you. You don’t have to worry who has you covered because the answer is Me. It is I who will defend you. Do not step into My path to try to “help” for in doing so you are simply taking matters into your own hands. The things that concern you, concern Me. Your life is in My hands, you placed it there when you gave your life to Me. Trust Me to cover you.

Your reputation is Mine, and I have said that every tongue that rises against you will be judged (Isaiah 54:17); beloved, do not defend yourself to others – it is My job and I do it happily. Simply keep your eyes fixed on Me and My call for your life; walk it out and leave the rest to Me.

Isaiah 54:17 (VOICE) But no instrument forged against you will be allowed to hurt you, and no voice raised to condemn you will successfully prosecute you. It’s that simple; this is how it will be for the servants of the Eternal; I will vindicate them.

I Go Before You

Exodus 13:21-22 (AMP) The [presence of the] Lord was going before them by day in a pillar (column) of cloud to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they could travel by day and by night. He did not withdraw the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from going before the people.

I go before you, beloved. I make your way clear. There is no strain on you to lead, simply follow me as I mark the path. I bring shade to you by day and light to you by night. Stay in step with Me. Do not move without My presence. If the sun burns too brightly or the night looms too dark, you will know you’ve wandered from Me. I’ve made it so you can feel the difference; just pause and let yourself feel it.

I want you to follow My lead, beloved, so I’ve made doing so as easy as possible. Don’t overthink it or try to complicate matters by second guessing yourself and whether you’re accurately hearing Me or sensing Me; I will let you know if you move off course when your heart is to follow. So rest and trust Me.