Tag: chastening

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Key to the Kingdom: Receive Correction

Psalm 141:5 (AMP) Let the righteous [thoughtfully] strike (correct) me—it is a kindness [done to encourage my spiritual maturity]. It is [the choicest anointing] oil on the head; Let my head not refuse [to accept and acknowledge and learn from] it; For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds.

Beloved, I chasten those I love. Those who are humble and wise will receive it without complaint knowing it ultimately is given for their benefit. My sheep know My voice, beloved, so if correction comes without My breath on it or if you simply aren’t sure, ask Me and I will lovingly make My will known. I break down to build up. I wound that I might heal. I will not tear you down and abandon you or leave you hopeless. None who seek me are beyond My reach. 

So willingly – even joyously – seek that which will grow and strengthen you. Godly correction not only shifts things into place, but it builds good character, so embrace it without fear or hesitation. It is not an indication that you are hopeless or worthless, but rather that you are loved and you are Mine. 

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Rest and Know You Are Mine

Psalm 68:6 (NLT) God places the lonely in families…

Beloved, you are not alone. I AM with you and I will never leave you. Though there may be times your earthly family lets you down, I will never leave you or forsake you. I have chosen you and will never let you go.

I hold you close in your times of need, and I send others to be a blessing on My behalf. Beloved, embrace those I put in your life. Allow those divine connections to nurture your spirit and build you up. Allow them to reflect My heart to you and speak life over you. Allow them to clearly reflect back to you the truth of who you are rather than a distorted perception.

But even in these special friendships that are a gift from Me, remember that though they may reflect Me and act on My behalf, they are not Me and cannot act as a replacement. I work through them, but ultimately the love you seek is found in Me.

I know the truth about you and believe it unwaveringly. I know that you are precious, you are worth knowing, and you are worth loving. You are beautiful, cherished, and My heart for you is steadfast. But most of all, I have claimed you and called you My own. So, beloved, rest and know that you are Mine.

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Key to the Kingdom: Keep Godly Company

Psalm 1:1 (VOICE) God’s blessings follow you and await you at every turn: when you don’t follow the advice of those who delight in wicked schemes, When you avoid sin’s highway, when judgment and sarcasm beckon you, but you refuse.

Beloved, be wise in the company you keep. Be intentional in fostering life-giving relationships that are rooted in a shared love of Me that you might grow together in the way I have intended.

Be mindful not to pull one another off course and be quick to restore each other in love when you stumble. Encourage one another to be your best self and to intentionally make choices that are righteous and pleasing to Me, for that is the path of life.

There is a time to connect with those who walk in a manner that opposes Me, but do so with the intention of releasing My light and love rather than allowing your own light to be diminished. You have been called for such a time as this. Shine brightly and love well.

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Correcting Light

Ephesians 5:13 (TPT) Whatever the revelation-light exposes, it will also correct, and everything that reveals truth is light to the soul.

Beloved, My correcting light is a blessing worth embracing. I chasten those I love, so to reject My chastening is to reject My life-altering love. Embrace Me. Embrace My love. Welcome My correction without fear or shame. You have no need to defend yourself because you are not under attack. I understand your every heart motivation long before you do, and My grace is sufficient for you.

The wise embrace truth and see it as My wisdom, while the foolish reject it and seek to believe falsehoods and perversions. Refuse to allow pride to keep you from the benefit of wisdom, or for fear to create barriers from receiving My love. No one is beyond redemption. No one is incapable of change when empowered by My Spirit. Embrace My loving correction and allow the light of Truth to have its way. Yield to the shaping of the Potter’s hands, and become the glorious vessel you’ve been created to be.

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Sabbath Rest

Leviticus 23:3 (NLT) “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the LORD’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.

Beloved, I created you and I know well your inner workings. Just as a car comes with a manual so you know how to take care of it in a way to keep it in the best condition, so I have instructed you in My Word about how you should live. I have not created this structure to exert needless control, but rather because having made you, I know what you need in order to be your best, and I have instructed you accordingly.

Resist the urge to neglect the rest you need. I have instructed you that six days you may work, but should set aside the seventh for rest. It is not wasteful to observe the sabbath. It is needful. Pause for times of refreshing in My presence. Pause for times of fellowship with the Body. Pause simply to rest. Make time for sabbath rest and see how you flourish.

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Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

Job 28:28 (CSB) He said to mankind, “The fear of the LORD –that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.”

Beloved, as you see Me as I AM, you cannot help but be moved by My holiness and respond in kind. In reverential fear, choose to reject that which is evil and turn your back on sin. Resist temptation.

Allow your heart to be so tender that a gentle whisper from My Spirit brings conviction and change. Willingly yield to My Spirit, beloved, and choose to flow in the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord.

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Flow as One

Ephesians 4:3 (AMP) Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful].

Beloved, flow as one, for you are one. The Body of Christ. One body. United in purpose: bringing glory and honor to Me. Refuse to be distracted by personal agendas and selfish goals or motivations. Stay focused on Me – My plans, My direction, My kingdom.

Just as a physical body works together to keep the air that maintains life flowing through the body, work together as one to allow the flow of My Spirit throughout the Body of Christ – My breath invigorating and quickening.

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Slow to Speak and Slow to Anger

Psalm 106:33 (AMP) Because they were rebellious against His Spirit, Moses spoke recklessly with his lips.

Beloved, be not riled. Rather hold your tongue and refuse to be provoked – even on My behalf. There are consequences to every word that falls from your lips; therefore, guard them carefully. Refuse to be baited into fruitless arguments or allow petty bickering to incite you to stoop to its level.

Walk in humility and wisdom, being slow to speak and slow to anger. Weigh each word and seek My Spirit’s counsel, for I AM the only one who fully knows the inner workings of men’s hearts, so ask Me for instruction on what to say and when to say it, and I will advise you with true wisdom that brings harmony. Continue reading “Slow to Speak and Slow to Anger”

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My Word is Bedrock

Hebrews 10:23 (AMP) Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word];

I AM faithful from generation to generation. My Word is solid and true. My character is unimpeachable. Every promise I have given will come to pass as surely as the sun rises day after day (and in fact even more reliably).

And in the same way you would not beg the sun to rise, but rather simply wait in confidence for it to do so, so you can simply wait on My promises to come to pass without beseeching Me for them to happen. If I have said it, it is so. My word is bedrock.

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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”