Carrier of My Presence

Romans 8:11 (VOICE) If the Spirit of the One who resurrected Jesus from the dead lives inside of you, then you can be sure that He who raised Him will cast the light of life into your mortal bodies through the life-giving power of the Spirit residing in you.

Beloved, if you belong to Me, My Spirit  dwells within you, and you are a carrier of My presence. This is no light task, but a precious responsibility, for you have been radically redeemed. Many of those around you need a touch from heaven, and you carry within you the living Spirit of the One they need. Your role is to facilitate connection. 

Walk in compassion for those who don’t yet know Me, remembering how you once were in that darkness too. Live a life that radiates the joyful light now within you that others may be drawn to Me simply by knowing you. 

Steadfast Love

Jeremiah 31:3 (GW) The Lord appeared to me in a faraway place and said, “I love you with an everlasting love. So I will continue to show you my kindness.

Beloved, regardless of where you are – regardless of how far you’ve wandered, My love for you remains the same. My heart for you is steadfast and true, and nothing in heaven or on earth can alter it one iota.

I will spend eternity drawing you closer to Myself, for the depth of My love is greater than you could imagine and My longing for you, My beloved, is unending and profound. Though you can search to the ends of the earth – exploring high and low, you will never find anything more steadfast than My love for you. Continue reading “Steadfast Love”

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.

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”

Care for Your Body

1 Corinthians 12:25 (KJV) That there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another.

Care for your Body, beloved. Whether you realize it or not, when one of you hurts, the whole is effected. Pause to minister. Pause to tend. Give help where help is needed. You are to be known by your love, and you are called to love like Me.

Be intentional to give grace. Be intentional to operate with patience. Be intentional to reject offense. Walk in love. Walk in unity. Walk in peace. Cultivate that which is good. Care for and strengthen the Body, for it is your Body, beloved, and well worth the effort. Continue reading “Care for Your Body”

Naked and Unashamed

Hebrews 4:13 (NLT) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Beloved, nothing is hidden from My sight. Everything is clear for Me to see – not just every action and word, but also every intention and thought. And yet I love you. And yet it was My pleasure to send My Son to die that you might be set free.

Be naked and unashamed. Trust My Word and My Spirit to bring to light the areas to work on (and in My timing), and allow yourself to receive My love in all your imperfections.

It is not for you to decide if you are worthy to receive My love, but rather it is up to Me to decide if I choose to give it. And I do. I choose you – imperfections and all. I love you.

Fiercely Jealous Lover

James 4:5 (MSG) The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find.

Beloved, I AM a fiercely jealous lover, and I will not share the heart of My beloved, for you are Mine. I AM worthy of affection and worthy of the best that you can give. I know you intimately and cherish every corner of your precious heart.

I AM worth the cost. I AM worth laying down the substitutes and idols that leave you empty anyway. Nothing is of more value than relationship with Me. My arms are open and My grip is firm, narrow your focus to simply Me. I AM more than enough. I AM all you need. Continue reading “Fiercely Jealous Lover”

Sacrificial Love

John 15:13 (NIV) Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Beloved, true love means sacrifice. The cost is high to give. And the higher the cost, the more difficult it can be to receive – to feel worthy of such a sacrifice. But, beloved, to focus on your worth is asking the wrong question. The question is: what will you do with what you have been given?

Respond in gratitude. Respond in power. Rather than asking if you are worthy of such a sacrifice, live in a way that is worthy. Choose to receive the blessing and walk in the fullness – not in arrogance, but rather an honored humility.

Love the Brokenhearted

Psalm 34:18 (VOICE) When someone is hurting or brokenhearted, the Eternal moves in close and revives him in his pain.

Beloved, I love the brokenhearted. I draw near to them, and I bind up their wounds that they may be healed. Are you willing to be My hands and feet? Are you willing to love like Me? To stay with someone in their brokenness and pain, asking and expecting nothing, simply lavishing life-changing love because you are able?

Resist the urge to fix or counsel, beloved, even when it seems so easy or obvious to you. If My breath isn’t on your words and My Spirit isn’t giving unction, they will not just fall on deaf ears but may cause further injury.

Rather, lavish your love unconditionally because that is how I have loved you. Love without reserve or expectation. Simply love. Freely you have received; freely give. Continue reading “Love the Brokenhearted”

Sow and See Them Grow

Proverbs 31:28 (TPT) Her sons and daughters arise in one accord to extol her virtues, and her husband arises to speak of her in glowing terms.

Beloved, be diligent and consistent in pouring forth wisdom and love, for in due season you will reap a harvest. Refuse to be discouraged by set backs regardless of how disheartening they may be. Love as if you will never be hurt. Love without reserve.

Parenting – whether natural parents or spiritual, is not for the faint of heart. It takes patience, depth, long-suffering, forgiveness, an ability to see and hold to the truth, and an abundance of unwavering love. You must learn to truly be like Me. But the fruit of it will come if you persist. Your children will flourish and rise up and call you blessed. How blessed you are to sow and then see them grow. Continue reading “Sow and See Them Grow”