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Key to the Kingdom: A Foundation of Faith Grounded in Gratitude

Colossians 2:7 (VOICE) Let your roots grow down deeply in Him, and let Him build you up on a firm foundation. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always spill over with thankfulness.

Beloved, be firmly rooted in a foundation of faith overflowing with gratitude. For your faith will serve you well when the attacks of the enemy inevitably come, but the tenacity of your faith will stand fast when tested when you are rooted and grounded in Me and the joy of your salvation. 

As your faith remains steadfast and your gratitude unfailing, nothing and no one can shift your gaze from Me. Gratitude protects your heart from bitterness and sorrow just as faith protects your mind from fear and unbelief. So stand fast, beloved, and let your deep roots hold as the winds of trial come – you will see that you cannot be shaken. 

Ephesians 6:16 (VOICE) Don’t forget to raise the shield of faith above all else, so you will be able to extinguish flaming spears hurled at you from the wicked one.

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Mighty Praise

Psalm 149:9 (TPT) Praise-filled warriors will enforce the judgment-doom decreed against their enemies. This is the glorious honor he gives to all his godly lovers. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Beloved, draw strength from the fullness of joy you’ve received having been freed from fear by My infinite love. Allow praise to overflow from your heart of joy, and gratitude for My immeasurable love. No greater weapon can you wield than a heart of praise for Me. 

Praise Me for My holiness and praise Me for My mercy. Without a word of criticism, the enemy is slain. Worship Me for My goodness, adore Me for My love – stand in awe and know that simple, singular focus is more mighty than you know.  Continue reading “Mighty Praise”

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Wrapped in My Lovingkindness

2 Chronicles 7:3 (TLB) All the people had been watching, and now they fell flat on the pavement and worshiped and thanked the Lord. “How good he is!” they exclaimed. “He is always so loving and kind.”

Beloved, I wrap you in My lovingkindness. I embrace you in My love. Lean into Me and rest in Me, I AM your rock and shelter, your safe place in the storm. Give thanks for I AM good. 

Don’t be like a thoughtless child – feeling entitled and therefore never grateful and always asking for more. Instead in humility and with gratitude lift your holy hands in praise, and know I AM good. 

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Hold Fast and Give Thanks

Psalm 34:1 (VOICE) I will praise the Eternal in every moment through every situation. Whenever I speak, my words will always praise Him.

Beloved, choose to stay in a place of praise at all times, not simply because I AM worthy, but also because doing so maintains your focus on what is good and perfect and true. Dayenu (it would have been sufficient). The blessings received so far are worth giving thanks for so refuse to be tempted to bitterness or anger. 

Resist the urge to allow grief or frustration to overwhelm you, instead fixing your gaze on the truth that in all things I AM both good and sovereign. I bring beauty from ashes and joy from mourning. Beloved, I AM enough.  Rest in Me and trust that I AM working all things for good even in the moments that doesn’t seem possible – because still it is true. Hold fast and give thanks that I AM good.  Continue reading “Hold Fast and Give Thanks”

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Let Your Joyous Exaltation Ring

Psalm 84:4 (VOICE) How blessed are those who make Your house their home, who live with You; they are constantly praising You. [pause]

Beloved, lose yourself in an atmosphere of worship and praise. Be overcome in awe of who I AM. Meditate on My goodness. Saturate yourself in My presence. Soak in Me, and abide in that place, rest in that place, and make your dwelling in that place.

Those who abide in Me are blessed, and the understanding of the blessing found by dwelling in My presence brings forth a heart full of praise. The welling up of gratitude bubbles up and overflows in joyous exaltation. “Holy is the Lord God almighty! Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” Abide in that place, beloved, and let your joyous exaltation ring.

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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.

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Stones of Remembrance

Joshua 4:7 (GW) You should answer, ‘The water of the Jordan River was cut off in front of the ark of the Lord’s promise. When the ark crossed the Jordan, the river stopped flowing. These stones are a permanent reminder for the people of Israel.’”

Beloved, there are moments worth capturing in a way that fosters remembrance. Moments that bolster your faith and remind you who I AM and that I AM faithful and true. Don’t lose sight of those moments or allow them to simply pass by with the emotions of that instant quickly fading and moving on. Take the time to establish a method of remembering that you might be able to stand strong in the days of hopelessness and opposition because you know that you know I AM good.

Be intentional about acknowledging My good works, and thankful about each blessing. I love to lavish My children, but refuse to do so at the cost of their character. So keep your heart humble, refuse to operate in entitlement but rather in childlike trust. Take the time to place “stones of remembrance” that you will always remember who I AM and how I move. I AM a good Father and I love My children. Continue reading “Stones of Remembrance”

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A Generous Heart

1 Timothy 5:18 (AMP) For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain [to keep it from eating],” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages [he deserves fair compensation].”

Beloved, refuse the temptation to operate in a poverty mindset – constantly trying to get something for nothing. Surely you remember that the silver and gold are Mine? When you’re living a lifestyle submitted to Me, you can rest in the knowledge that that which I desire you to have, I will provide for.

So rather than trying to cheapen the value I have placed on someone’s work or by trying to rob them of their wages, be excited about the opportunity to sow into their lives, trusting that fertile soil will bear fruit and rejoicing that you get to have some small part in it.

Be wise with whatever I’ve entrusted you with – be it great or small. This means being obedient to use it in the ways I direct you, not working so hard to stretch it that you’re actively cheating others (whether intentionally or not). Remember I love a cheerful giver, I love a generous heart. Refuse to have that stolen by a fear of lack, or be tempted into greed or envy – constantly desiring that which I have not provided for.

Trust Me. Trust that I have reasons for what I’ve provided for and what I have not, and that those reasons have nothing to do with whether I love you or not – for that is never in question. Be thankful for what you have and find contentment there.

Rest in Me and look to Me. Trust Me to provide for your needs. Refusing to accuse Me of shortchanging you, regardless of circumstance. I AM faithful, and I love you – always. Stand fast in your belief that I AM good.

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The Glory Yet to Come

Haggai 2:9 (GW) This new house will be more glorious than the former, declares the Lord of Armies. And in this place I will give them peace, declares the Lord of Armies.”

Beloved, don’t be disheartened by things that have gone wrong and resist being discouraged by circumstances not to your liking, instead maintain a sense of expectancy for what I have in store as well as gratitude for all I’ve done.

I have saved the best for last, so make ready for that which is to come. I AM the Lord of Hosts and nothing is beyond My reach nor will you slip through My grasp. You are My delight and My joy. Prepare for the glory yet to come.

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Being a Grateful Child of Mine

Psalm 107:8 (VOICE) May they erupt with praise and give thanks to the Eternal in honor of His loyal love And all the wonders He has performed for humankind!

Beloved, what I have done is more than enough. That’s not to say I won’t do more, but it is a reminder to choose gratitude over greed, thanksgiving over longing. Choose to be content with what you have already been given.

Refuse to operate from a place of spoiled entitlement. There is difference between standing in faithful expectation and pouting like a child because your prayers haven’t yet been answered.

Choose well. Who would you bless: someone you’d already gifted who quickly cast aside their blessing to extend their hand for more? Or the one grateful for your gift and appreciative of its blessing in their life?

You woke up this morning, that is a gift. You are breathing, that is a gift. Look around you, see and acknowledge all I’ve done, for I love My children. Bless Me by seeing and acknowledging the outpouring of that love, by being a grateful child of Mine. Continue reading “Being a Grateful Child of Mine”