An Audience of One

Galatians 1:10 (VOICE) Do you think I care about the approval of men or about the approval of God? Do you think I am on a mission to please people? If I am still spinning my wheels trying to please men, then there is no way I can be a servant of the Anointed One, the Liberating King.

Beloved, be free from the desire for the approval of man. For if you are driven by their fickle opinions, your goal will be an ever moving target. If you allow their praise to build you, remember in due season you will deal with their criticism, which often is unfounded and rooted in wrong motives, for I AM the only righteous judge. Would you give them such power over you?

Longing for their praise gives them far more influence in your life than is right or good for your heart. Focus your energy on being a God-pleaser. Play to an audience of One. Allow My praise and judgment to guide your actions, for My expectations are made clear in My word and you have the support of My Spirit to walk them out. Keep your heart fixed on Me and trust Me to rightly guide you. I will not steer you wrong.

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”

Perfect Love

1 Samuel 16:7 (NLV) But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

How easy is it to fall prey to judging someone by their appearance? Continue reading “Perfect Love”

Passionately Pursue

1 Corinthians 12:31 (TPT) But you should all constantly boil over with passion in seeking the higher gifts. And now I will show you a superior way to live that is beyond comparison!

Beloved, passionately pursue Me. Passionately pursue My gifts and the fruits of My Spirit. Refuse to settle for a lack luster, mediocre relationship with Me. What I have for you is rich and deep, it is powerful and sweet, it is life-changing, and it is worth fighting for – worth pursuing.

Don’t waste time or focus on being envious of others’ walks with Me because each is unique and special just as each person is unique and special. I meet each of you exactly where you need. You don’t need – nor should you want – a duplicate of what someone else has, but rather something uniquely wonderful tailor-made just for you. That is a superior way to live – it is beyond comparison.

True Love Endures

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) Love is large and incredibly patient…

Beloved, love is bigger than you know. It is able to withstand trials and the fires of disappointment. It stands fast in the face of hardship and even betrayal. Love is a choice. Love reflects My heart.

Will you choose to be like Me – love like Me – even in the face of adversity? Will you love patiently in the face of intentional wounding? Be My hands and feet. Love unconditionally. Love is an action not a feeling that is fickle and changes based on circumstance, true love endures. Continue reading “True Love Endures”

The Key is to Call

Jeremiah 33:3 (MSG) ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’

Beloved, the key is to call. Too many desire intimacy with Me, but don’t pursue Me. Too many long to share in My mysteries, yet never even ask. Resist the urge to leave the pursuit to Me, and ask, seek, and knock – for the door will be opened.

Make time for Me. Make space in your life and quiet your heart. Listen for My voice. You will have trouble hearing if you are forever speaking, so be intentional about being quiet. Then trust My voice. Trust that it’s My voice you hear and that I can correct you if you are led astray. Keep your heart set on Me and refuse to allow your focus to be drawn away. I AM worth your attention, beloved, and I have so much I long to share.

Remind Yourself of My Faithfulness

Genesis 9:13 (TLB) I have placed my rainbow in the clouds as a sign of my promise until the end of time, to you and to all the earth.

Beloved, I AM the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I AM everlasting and completely faithful. That which I have said will be accomplished as surely as the sun will rise on the morrow. I AM steadfast.

Encourage yourself in the knowledge of who I AM. Stir up your faith and remember that I AM true. Look to the sky and allow My rainbow to remind you that I have promised and I will always make good on My promises. Remind yourself of My faithfulness and keep your heart true. Continue reading “Remind Yourself of My Faithfulness”

Let Me clear the Path

1 Kings 19:11-13 (VOICE) Eternal One:  Leave this cave, and go stand on the mountainside in My presence. The Eternal passed by him. The mighty wind separated the mountains and crumbled every stone before the Eternal. This was not a divine wind, for the Eternal was not within this wind. After the wind passed through, an earthquake shook the earth. This was not a divine quake, for the Eternal was not within this earthquake.  After the earthquake was over, there was a fire. This was not a divine fire, for the Eternal was not within this fire. After the fire died out, there was nothing but the sound of a calm breeze. And through this breeze a gentle, quiet voice entered into Elijah’s ears. He covered his face with his cloak and went to the mouth of the cave. Suddenly, Elijah was surprised. Eternal One: Why are you here, Elijah? What is it that you desire?

Continue reading “Let Me clear the Path”

Ignite the World

Romans 12:11 (VOICE) Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work. Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord.

Beloved, ignite the world with your zealous love of Me. May your passion burn so brightly those surrounding you cannot help but catch flame. When your personal walk with Me is genuine, sincere, steadfast, and intimate; when by observation others can clearly see your love, honor, obedience, and integrity; you will win lives without a word.

Focus on your own walk with Me and the integrity of your own actions. Be intentional to obey My voice both in My word and Spirit-breathed. Refuse to be caught up in judgment and telling others how they should live. Lead by example and love without restraint. In doing so, you cannot help but ignite the world.

Zealous Pursuit

Proverbs 23:17 (TPT) Don’t allow the actions of evil men to cause you to burn with anger. Instead, burn with unrelenting passion as you worship God in holy awe.

Proverbs 21:23 (NKJV) Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

Be zealous for the Lord at every waking moment. He is the reason you have air in your lungs! He is the reason we have yet another day as a gift to bless His Holy name. That’s our purpose, to bring Glory to His name and have His light shine through us.

But be careful… Don’t let your burning passion and zeal for Him quicken your tongue. Always seek His wisdom and humble yourself first before taking a step in so called “righteous anger”. Regardless of what you witness and know, the Lord is aching over His lost children, be what Jesus called us to be… LOVE! Love conquers all! All you have to do is plant a seed.

[Zealous Pursuit originally posted on Larisa-Chirila.com, reposted in its entirety with permission.]