Unending Love

Psalm 52:8 (TPT) But I am like a flourishing olive tree, anointed in the house of God. I trust in the unending love of God; his passion toward me is forever and ever.

Beloved, you can never outrun My love, it knows no bounds. I AM your Creator, I knitted you together in your mother’s womb. I know every detail of your heart and each nuance of your character. I know you intimately and I love you beyond measure.

There may be moments your choices break My heart, or where I weep for the effects you bring on yourself. It is true I will not force you to love Me, nor choose to live in My presence, but there is nothing you could do or say that would cause Me to stop loving you. My love is limitless and unending. Continue reading “Unending Love”

A Time to Act

Esther 4:14 (ESV) For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Beloved, there are moments to stand fast and wait on Me, and there are moments to act. It is vital to know the difference. For keeping silent and hoping I will move on your behalf when I have positioned and ordained you to move, is fruitless and deadly.

Allow My Spirit to encourage and bolster you. Allow Me to give you the strength and grace to do that which feels impossible. Beloved, nothing is impossible with Me. Refuse to sell yourself short and the impact you are able to have when you move in My flow empowered by My Spirit. I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power…

Be My Love with Skin On

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love is gentle and consistently kind to all…

Beloved, refuse to allow pride (or any fleshly response) to bait you into responding rashly or causing hurt to another. A fool vents his emotions, and you are no fool. You are master of your emotions (for My Spirit empowers you) and have no need to thrust them on someone else for a moment’s pleasure.

Bring those feelings to Me. Bring all your hurts and frustrations, all the injustices and woundings. I AM the healer and restorer, I will tend your heart. So be intentional about reflecting Mine.

Walk in kindness and compassion. See past someone’s poor response to the heart of why they’re reacting the way they are. Are they immature? Demonstrate good behavior. Are they having a bad day? Encourage them. Are they frazzled and on edge? Seek to bring peace. Use the discernment of My Spirit, beloved, and be My love with skin on. Continue reading “Be My Love with Skin On”

Radiate Love and Life

1 Peter 2:1 (TLB) So get rid of your feelings of hatred. Don’t just pretend to be good! Be done with dishonesty and jealousy and talking about others behind their backs.

Beloved, refuse to indulge in satisfying your flesh by allowing hatred, bitterness, and unforgiveness to fester nor by allowing the fruit thereof to flourish. You are children of God and of the light, and knowing and having experienced Me you are inherently different than the world, no longer slaves to emotion.

You are no longer driven by reaction. Be one who chooses how to respond to any circumstance or situation with My heart and reflecting My character. Beloved, bear fruit. I have not promised it would be easy, but I AM with you and will never leave you. Let your godly character and the fruit of My Spirit shine like the sun for all to see. You have already been given what you need, radiate love and life.

May Your Motivations Be Pure

2 Chronicles 19:9 (NET) He commanded them: “Carry out your duties with respect for the LORD, with honesty, and with pure motives.

Beloved, I desire true relationship with you not one birthed of ritual or rote obligation. Be honest not just with Me but with yourself about what drives you. I want more than obligatory actions and feelings from you, I want your whole heart.

Give with joy. Be honest with Me about your thoughts and feelings (I can handle messy – just read the Psalms!). May your motivations be pure and rooted in love – a desire to please Me because you love Me rather than of a fear of what I will do if you don’t. Trust that My heart for you is good.

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”

Obedience Born of Love

Matthew 5:48 (VOICE) But you are called to something higher: “Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Beloved, I AM righteous just as you are you are called to righteousness. Being given the gift of grace in no way absolves you from the responsibility to walk in obedience. If salvation is your only motivation for obedience, then your heart is amiss.

Choose obedience out of your love for Me and out of a desire to please Me. I am well aware you will fall short, but your desire and efforts bless My heart and set you apart from the world. Continuing to try after you’ve failed demonstrates a keen perseverance and sends a message to those around you that I AM worth the effort. So be a person of integrity and holiness. Be like Me.

Be a God-Pleaser

Proverbs 29:25 (VOICE) If you fear other people, you are walking into a dangerous trap; but if you trust in the Eternal, you will be safe.

Beloved, refuse to fall into the trap of being caught up with what other people think. There will always be those who both approve and disapprove of your thoughts and actions so to fall prey to the fruitless efforts of people-pleasing enslaves you and distracts you from your true calling and purpose.

Seek Me. Seek to do My will and meet My approval and pleasure. The only way to truly be safe and at peace is in My will. Be a God-pleaser. Nothing will bring you fulfillment like knowing you are right with Me. That is a place a rest and peace. Find Me there.

I AM the Righteous Judge

Hebrews 10:30 (AMPC) For we know Him Who said, Vengeance is Mine [retribution and the meting out of full justice rest with Me]; I will repay [I will exact the compensation], says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge and determine and solve and settle the cause and the cases of His people.

Beloved, I AM the righteous judge. I AM Elohim Mishpat (God of Judgment/Justice). Leave exercising judgment in My capable hands and simply focus your attentions on Me. Trust Me to know your causes and see the injustices done and to address them rightly. I see fullness of every situation and the intentions of each heart. I understand why each choice and action is made. I know when to extend grace and when to bring correction (and how to do so most effectively), trust My judgment.

Yielding to My judgment in no way gives a pass to those perpetrating injustice, it simply indicates your understanding that only I know how best to address it and that you trust Me to do so. Simply taking that stand is powerful warfare, for in doing so you declare I AM trustworthy and righteous, and you acknowledge My sovereignty. This both leads others by example and sends a powerful message to the kingdom of darkness making you a warrior of light – beautiful and trusting your King.

Love, Patience, and Grace

Colossians 3:13 (TLB) Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Beloved, refuse to allow your frustrations to dictate your responses. Deny the fleshly indulgence of venting, and rather choose to respond in love, patience, and grace. Quietly extend forgiveness in moments where no offense was intended and truly release any feelings of annoyance leaving no room for bitterness, hurt, or anger to take root.

Refuse to harbor ill will. Operate from a place of love and peace with an expectation of good and a heavy measure of kindness and forbearance. Choose to be like Me. You are My child, made in My image – reflect My character that others may know Me by knowing you. Let your walk be your testimony as you walk in grace, patience, and love. Continue reading “Love, Patience, and Grace”