Tag: flourish

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Desert Bloom

Isaiah 35:1 (GW) The desert and the dry land will be glad, and the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Beloved, I have created you to flourish in rough terrain. Refuse to let the rocks and desert deter you from making progress, for I have equipped you to succeed – to flourish even in hostile territory. Nothing can hold you back. I AM on your side.

There is strength in your beauty, beloved. Put it on display for all to see. Don’t hold back. Expand to the left and the right – stretch out your reach and stake more territory, for I AM with you, My heavenly hosts surround you, and I AM protecting you at every turn. Listen for My voice and respond. It is time to bloom. Continue reading “Desert Bloom”

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Stronger Together

1 Corinthians 12:12 (VOICE) Just as a body is one whole made up of many different parts, and all the different parts comprise the one body, so it is with the Anointed One.

Beloved, be one as I AM One. Whole, but unique. Individual, but connected. Separate, but the same. An eye can see much, but without the legs to take it places and the brain to process its vision, it is without greater purpose. In the same way, remember you are stronger and more effective together.

And in the same way an eye, an ear, and a nose process the same situation differently, understand that your unique perspective may seem foreign to some. So extend grace and patiently educate, helping others to understand what is different from them just as you should seek to do for things that are unusual to you.

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Strengthen the Body

1 Corinthians 12:27 (TLB) Now here is what I am trying to say: All of you together are the one body of Christ, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.

Beloved, be intentional to strengthen the connections within the Body. The enemy seeks to divide, so resist the urge to allow your focus to remain on differences or areas of possible offense. Instead look for ways that giftings and strengths can best compliment one another. There is room and purpose for all within the Body of Christ. Each person is vital to success. Because each person is different, it is easy to become tempted by feelings of loneliness, discouragement, or despair. So be vigilant to create connection and build one another up.

Beloved, in the same way that a puzzle cannot be completed if you lose even one tiny piece, so you must ensure that your brethren in Christ are not lost or stolen. Each of you is vital to the whole. Each person is worth the time and effort to draw in and strengthen. And even as your iron sharpens iron and the sparks fly, simply wait for those sparks to fade and choose to live in peace and harmony as one—one strong one. Continue reading “Strengthen the Body”

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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.

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Oasis of Serenity

Genesis 2:8-9 (VOICE) The Eternal God planted a garden in the east in Eden—a place of utter delight—and placed the man whom He had sculpted there. In this garden, He made the ground pregnant with life—bursting forth with nourishing food and luxuriant beauty…

Beloved, My heart’s desire has always been to tarry with you in the cool of the day. To provide you with a place of restful refreshing where we might sit together and commune. Dwell with Me. Choose Me as I have chosen you. Drink from the sweet water of My Spirit and be refreshed.

In the midst of chaos, the peace of My presence carves an oasis of serenity – that deep knowing place of calm tranquility that can only be found in Me. I long for you to tarry there. The enemy would keep you hectic, creating a mental static so loud it keeps you from hearing My voice and in far too much upheaval to find rest or peace.

But beloved, shalom is the peace that wars against chaos and I AM the Prince of Peace, so find your rest in Me. Find your peace in Me. Quiet your soul and tune into Me. My children know My voice. Hear Me, beloved. Find rest and hear Me. Continue reading “Oasis of Serenity”

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Flourish

Psalm 18:2 (TPT) You’re as real to me as bedrock beneath my feet, like a castle on a cliff, my forever firm fortress, my mountain of hiding, my pathway of escape, my tower of rescue where none can reach me. My secret strength and shield around me, you are salvation’s ray of brightness shining on the hillside, always the champion of my cause.

Beloved, I AM your firm foundation, your covering and protector, the One who nourishes your soul. Abide in Me. Rest in Me. Like a tree planted by rivers of living water, I will refresh you and give you life abundantly as you tarry with Me. May your roots go deep.

Trust that My covering will protect you from the harshness of your environment, and know that My Son’s rays will warm you and coax forth life. I declare that you will flourish, and My word will never return void, it accomplishes all it sets out to do. Flourish, beloved. Covered in My love and watered by My Spirit, flourish.

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Burst Forth

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Beloved, no matter what you face, I AM with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you and in My presence is fullness of joy. Rejoice for you have overcome! The enemy is defeated. He has lost and you have forever gained.

Remain in joyous, steadfast assurance, and let that joy of victory reflect in your countenance. May your life be a steadfast witness to the goodness of who I AM. Refuse to be subdued, beloved, but rather burst forth in the glory of all you have been created to be.

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Drink Deeply

1 John 1:1-7 (TPT) …This Life-Giver was made visible and we have seen him…

Beloved, I make Myself known to those who love Me. My handiwork surrounds you. Choose to have eyes to see, hearts that expect, and minds that believe. Encounter Me. Without air and water, you have no life, but beloved, I AM the life-giver, how much more vital is relationship with Me?

I AM essential. Drink deeply. Be saturated and thoroughly satisfied in My presence. Refuse to waste your efforts on that which profits nothing, choosing instead to place your focus on Me. Flourish under My loving hand. Continue reading “Drink Deeply”

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Reflect the Son Brightly

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love… finds no delight in what is wrong…

Beloved, the world would have you believe that doing what is right is boring. It paints sin as lush and exciting – experiences meant to indulge in and enjoy. But beloved, the world doesn’t have your best interests at heart nor is it accurately accounting the truth.

One could paint touching a hot stove as exciting and an act of freedom, but without acknowledging the resulting burn and the amount of painful time spent healing (the momentary “positive” act of freedom weighed against the lengthy negative), the truth is not being reflected.

By painting sin as fun, joyous, and exciting, others are drawn into the trap. Refuse to bring others into bondage or needless pain by delighting in that which is evil.

Choose instead to walk in a manner that aligns with My word knowing it is the path of light. True joy and fulfillment are there. And any hardships along that path are for your benefit, to grow and be refined. You are a child of the day, so walk in the light and reflect the Son brightly. Continue reading “Reflect the Son Brightly”

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Walk in the Fullness of Freedom

2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Beloved, refuse to remain in bondage in any area. Allow nothing to have undue hold over you and the ability to influence you beyond what it wise and good. Ask Me for wisdom to find every toehold so that each and every one can be eradicated.

The price for your freedom has already been paid. Choose to walk in the fullness of that liberty so you might be all I’ve created and called you to be. Refuse to settle. Refuse to be content with mostly free and be complacent about walking out the rest of your freedom. The cost has been paid, and beloved, it is worth the effort.