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With You in the Flames

Daniel 3:25 (GW) The king replied, “But look, I see four men. They’re untied, walking in the middle of the fire, and unharmed. The fourth one looks like a son of the gods.”

Beloved, My presence is with you always. In the midst of the trials – in the heat of the flames – I AM with you. I never leave you or forsake you, nor will I allow you to be crushed or harmed even in the fire, for you are Mine, and nothing can snatch you from My grasp.

Look for Me. When the flames feel overwhelming, look for Me because I AM there by your side. I will walk through anything with you. There is nothing that will take Me from your side. So like the fire only burned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego’s ropes, let the dross be burned away – the unneeded worldly ensnarements – and come forth beloved as pure gold. Continue reading “With You in the Flames”

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Emanate Light

Matthew 5:16 (VOICE) You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me , and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it.

Beloved, you are My ambassador, a representative of Me. Choose your actions accordingly for the world will know Me through you. May you walk in mercy. May you extend much grace. And may you saturate those around you with love. May you walk in humility and give compassion without reserve.

These fruits of My Spirit on display are a bright light slicing through the darkness surrounding you. The actions speak louder than any words could – penetrating even the hardest of hearts. So emanate light, beloved. Throw it forth liberally and without reserve that the world might see and know I AM good.

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I Will Always Receive You

Luke 15:21 (VOICE) The son said, “Father, I have done a terrible wrong in God’s sight and in your sight too. I have forfeited any right to be treated as your son.”

Beloved, no matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, when you run to Me, I will receive you. There is nothing you can do that would cause Me to turn My back when you approach Me with a contrite heart filled with repentance. You are Mine and I love you.

You are not too dirty for Me, nor too messy. I haven’t given up hope on you. I never stop cheering you on. Refuse to allow yourself to believe that anything could cause Me to demote you to a position of lower standing in My heart. You are My beloved and I AM faithful until the end.

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Cling to Hope

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Beloved, cling to hope tenaciously knowing I AM a good God who lavishes His love on His children. Even when things look bleak, remember every story has its ups and downs, pains and pleasures, moments of sorrow and rejoicing; and a happily ever after is dependent on where you stop the tale. Would Lazarus story be as powerful if it ended in the tomb?

So wait for Me to move. Trust that I AM a good author weaving a beautiful tale of glorious redemption where My grace, mercy, love, and power are on full display. My plans for you are good, beloved. So cling fast to hope and wait for Me to move. Though it may not be in the way you expect, it’s always in the way that’s best.

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Embrace Trials

Isaiah 43:2 (TLB) When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you.

Beloved, embrace the trials you encounter, knowing I have allowed them for your good. Just as building muscle in weight training requires repetition and increased opposition (weight), repeated trials give opportunity for you to grow strong and build your faith.

The question becomes will you embrace the growing and refining process with joy? Or will you complain throughout the process? Be aware that having joy in the midst is part of what successful maturation looks like. So choose wisely and choose well.

Embrace trials for the character building opportunities they are. Trust that I will never give you more than you can handle with Me at your side. Let your light shine and your character be matured. Lead by example, and demonstrate your trust in Me as you yield to the development plan I set before you by walking it out with joy.

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Dream with Me

Ephesians 3:20 (TLB) Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

Beloved, dream with Me. Your thoughts and hopes are safe here. I want to know the desires of your heart, for what is important to you is important to Me. Refuse to feel small or somehow lesser-than, for to Me you are of the utmost importance. You are the apple of My eye. You have My heart and My attention, and most importantly, you have My love.

And in the same way that when you love someone you desire to lavish them with blessings, so I love to lavish you. So dream with Me. Allow your heart to soar. Hold nothing back, and place those tender hopes in My hands trusting Me to lead you and bless you wisely. I know the plans I have for you and they are GOOD plans. Dare to dream big, for I AM the God of the impossible. With Me nothing is impossible. So stir up your faith, beloved, and dream.

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Beyond Imagination

Isaiah 64:4 (MSG) Since before time began no one has ever imagined, No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you who works for those who wait for him.

Beloved, I AM beyond imagination. I AM the only true god; the One who loves His children, acts on their behalf, fights for them, and blesses them in unexpected and beautiful ways. I AM not a genie in a bottle. You can’t control Me or dictate My actions, but I AM fiercely loyal and love you immensely.

I lavish My love on those who choose Me. So choose Me, beloved, not for the blessings, but simply because I AM who I AM and am worth loving, worth worshipping, and worth pursuing. Remember that receiving My love is the greatest blessing of all. Continue reading “Beyond Imagination”

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Conduit of Love

Matthew 5:43-48 (TPT) …What reward do you deserve if you only love the loveable? Don’t even the tax collectors do that?…

Beloved, it isn’t enough to simply love those who love you (although you should do that too, and do so without reserve). Love like Mine is sacrificial. It costs you something. If you would be like Me, your love must be the same.

So beloved, love the unlovable. Love those who are hurting and lost. Love those who are angry and lashing out. Love deeply and as if you’ll never get hurt. Love because you have been loved even when you were hurt, angry, and unlovable you were loved by Me. Be a conduit of love, for love changes everything. Continue reading “Conduit of Love”

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Closer Still

Psalm 55:1 (TPT) God, listen to my prayer! Don’t hide your heart from me when I cry out to you!

Beloved, I hear you. Your heart and thoughts are precious to Me. You don’t need to fight for My attention, you have it. My gaze is fixed on you. I can’t get enough. What matters to you, matters to Me.

So cry out knowing I AM listening. Cry out knowing I AM there with you. Pour out your thoughts and fears, your heart and tears, I want it all – the fullness of you.

Then listen, beloved, for My whispered words as I share My heart with you. As you give Me your heart, I hold Mine there for you beckoning you closer still. So come, beloved, come. Closer still.

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Stop the WHY

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Every time you allow yourself to question God or question all kinds of “why’s” it slowly diminishes hope and opens the door to unbelief. Continue reading “Stop the WHY”