Pursue Humility with Diligence

1 Peter 5:6 (CSB) Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time,

Beloved, refuse to be concerned or dismayed in humbling seasons knowing I AM the one who lifts men up and makes men great. Glory and honor come from Me alone. So be not troubled in moments you feel overlooked, undervalued, or unseen – for I see you and am holding My hand over you to cover you. But beloved, in due season…

So pursue humility with diligence, allowing it to grow and refine you. Wear it like a mantle and be known for your selfless support of others. Love like I love – steadfastly believing the best – and continually align your vision with Mine. Trust that I AM at work and bringing things together for good. And trust that I know the perfect moment to make you shine.

I Belong to You (Moments with God)

{He whispers to my heart} I belong to you.

{He pauses, waiting for that to penetrate. As I sit trying to really “get” it, He repeats Himself} I belong to you.

{Immediately the verse in Song of Solomon (which I have in Hebrew on my ring) comes to mind} “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” Such a seemingly basic message and yet after decades of following Him, still I struggle to know. Still I struggle to feel worthy. But He reminds me His love has nothing to do with whether or not I am worthy, it has to do with the fact that He chose me anyway – regardless of my human failings and imperfections – He chose me. And He chose you. May the beauty of that penetrate your heart today. Continue reading “I Belong to You (Moments with God)”

My Ways Are Higher

Matthew 5:43 (TPT) “Your ancestors have also been taught ‘Love your neighbors and hate the one who hates you.’

Beloved, My ways are not the ways of the world. Nor do all the traditions of man align with My heart. Even the things taught in love by your ancestors may be rooted in falsehoods or misconception. My ways are higher.

Take the time to know Me directly. Be open to Me breaking the box of your expectations and understanding. Allow My Spirit to truly teach you. Beloved, call to Me for I will answer and tell you things you did not know.

Refuse to be so stuck on what you believe is right that you close yourself off to Truth. Beloved, I will guide you with My eye. Be intent to follow where I lead, even if it’s uncomfortable, even if it challenges you, even if the cost is high – trust where I lead and yield to Me. Continue reading “My Ways Are Higher”

I AM All You Need

Matthew 6:24 (MSG) You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.

Beloved, choose Me. Throughout history, My heartcry remains the same: that I would be your God and you would be My people. Refuse to give place to any idol, or to hold anything in greater reverence than Me. I will not be content to share your adoration, for I AM worthy of your singleminded devotion.

Only I bring true peace. Only I bring true contentment. Only I bring true security. Refuse the temptation to look to your own provision to offer those things remembering that even your provision comes from Me. It cannot love you nor fulfill your heart’s desires anymore than the idols made of wood and clay. Only I AM able to bring true fulfillment. Look to Me and refuse to look away. I AM all you need.

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.

Love, the Primary Focus

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) Love…extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten.

Beloved, resist the temptation to get so caught up in the gifts of My Spirit that you forget My primary focus: love. For I so loved the world that I sent My Son. Love wins the day. Love touches hearts in a way nothing else can. And in the end, love will remain when the gifts are no longer needed.

So focus on love. Be intentional to love. When in doubt, love. When you don’t want to, still love. When it’s undeserved, staunchly love. Whatever the situation, no matter how extreme, remain steadfastly in a stance of love. Be known for your love. Refuse to let it be shaken. Refuse to withhold it like a weapon or use it as a tool to manipulate, give it freely and without reserve – just as I have done for you. Continue reading “Love, the Primary Focus”

Life-Changing Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love never stops loving…

Beloved, I never stop loving you. Regardless of your choices, actions, thoughts and all the moments you fall short, My love remains the same. My hope for you is steadfast, and I find you inherently worthy of love no matter the decisions you make or whether other people seem to find you so. My love for you is eternal and unconditional, and you are made in My image.

You were created not just to be loved, but to love – without reserve. You may hate choices or be disappointed in situations, but refuse to let your love – based on the inherent nature of each person and the way I created them – to change. Be steadfast. Hold to the truth of who I made them. Expect that, prophesy it. Be relentless in prayer, and lavish love – and do so without strings or contingencies. Love like that is life-changing. Continue reading “Life-Changing Love”

Look Beyond Yourself

Proverbs 6:16-19 (VOICE) Take note, there are six things the Eternal hates; no, make it seven He abhors: Eyes that look down on others…

Beloved, I have called you to walk in humility, not to be self-focused, but rather to put others first, and to be more conscious of their importance than that of your own. Raise your eyes. Refuse to be fixated on self. Look beyond yourself, not in a neglectful way or considering yourself of no value, but rather confident in the understanding that I AM infinitely mindful of you and your needs, and that I will take care of you as you look to others. Continue reading “Look Beyond Yourself”

No One is Beyond My Reach

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love…never gives up…

Beloved, no one is beyond redemption. No one is beyond My reach. Regardless of the severity of circumstance, refuse to give up and write someone off. Always persist in prayer, steadfastly prophesying truth – My truth – over a person and situation. Nothing is too hard for Me.

Love without reserve. Love without hesitation. Love without thought of protecting your heart from disappointment. Let Me protect and heal you as you reflect My love. And in those moments when your heart feels the sting of disappointment (and sometimes that sting is a crushing blow), know you are feeling what I have felt, and seek to identify with Me and know Me more. My love will see you through. Continue reading “No One is Beyond My Reach”

Refuse to Give Up

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love never takes failure as defeat…

Beloved, there will be times when those you love will stumble and may even fall, refuse to accept these set backs as permanent shifts, but rather as momentary hiccups. Press on ahead, continuing believing and encouraging them to believe, to refuse to give up, to refuse to lose hope.

Each step and every stumble will ultimately be used for good for I use all things for good. I AM a miracle working God – never underestimate My ability to move in a situation, circumstance, or heart. Continue to lift those you love (and even those you don’t) in prayer. Ask Me to move on their behalf, contend for the miraculous – for I AM able.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Love never stops loving. It extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten.