Kingdom Identity and Honor

Rightful Place” by Meghan Williams of Dyed4you Art

Matthew 5:16 (AMP) “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Luke 20:25 (TPT) Jesus said, “Precisely. The coin bears the image of the Emperor Caesar, and you should give back to Caesar all that belongs to him. But you bear the image of God. So give back to God all that belongs to him.”

2 Corinthians 10:7, 18 (TPT) You seem to always be looking at people by their outward appearances. If someone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself of this: we belong to Christ no less than he does. So let’s be clear. To have the Lord’s approval and commendation is of greater value than bragging about oneself.

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Silk: Dark but Lovely

The name of your silk is Dark but Lovely. The colors in it are:

Dark but Lovely
  • Cream representing milk and honey
  • Burgundy representing worth dying for
  • Dark Red representing overwhelming love of God 
  • Raven representing shadow of His wings
  • Indigo representing songs of deliverance
  • Pearl shimmer representing pure heart OPT

The scriptures that go with it are:

  • Song of Songs 4:1 (TPT) Listen, my dearest darling, you are so beautiful—you are beauty itself to me! Your eyes glisten with love, like gentle doves behind your veil. What devotion I see each time I gaze upon you. You are like a sacrifice ready to be offered.
  • Ephesians 2:10 (AMP) For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above- spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God has prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set] so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]

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Minding Our Roots

Favored One” by Meghan Williams of Dyed4you Art

A few years ago, I was reading an article about the human soul from a Jewish perspective, and I was struck by the following phrase, “The root of the soul is God.” These words resonated within me as truth, particularly in light of the creation account. The Word says that God formed man out of the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and man became a living being (Genesis 2:7). While the rest of creation was formed through God’s speech, God bestowed humanity with a little piece of Himself in order to bring us to life. Continue reading “Minding Our Roots”

My Love is Unwavering

Numbers 23:19 (NIV) God is not human, that he should lie not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Precious child, I have set My love upon you. My love is sure and the most stable truth of all. My heart is not fickle like that of a human, able to be hot one moment and cold the next. I do not grow bored, weary, or impatient. My affections for you do not depend upon how well or how poorly you perform; in fact, you cannot earn what I have already given you freely. And having given you My love, know, dear child, that that love is irrevocable.

I have claimed you as My own and sealed your adoption through the Blood of the Lamb. Every time you stumble and fall, know surely that I will lift you up. I will dust you off, heal your hurts, and help you get your footing again. During the times you come face to face with your weaknesses, turn to me and allow My perfect love to wash over you and strengthen you. My love is always present and available, waiting for you to grasp ahold of it. I will give sureness to your steps again and hold your hand as you continue to walk the path of life. I will never abandon you.

If ever your fears tempt you to question My affections and intentions toward you, resist the urge to run and hide in shame. Instead, remind yourself of Who I Am. I Am your Father. I Am your Redeemer. I Am Faithful. Most of all, I Am love, and My love is unwavering.

2 Corinthians 6:18 (TPT) I will be a true Father to you, and you will be my beloved sons and daughters,” says the Lord Yahweh Almighty.

Romans 8:38-39 (TPT) So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!

Vessel of Blessing

“Blessed Beyond a Curse” by Meghan Williams of Dyed4you Art

Genesis 12:2 (VOICE) I have plans to make a great people from your descendants. And I am going to put a special blessing on you and cause your reputation to grow so that you will become a blessing and example to others.

I remember some years ago when someone gave me a word of the LORD saying, “You are a daughter of blessing.” I was surprised by how deeply these words affected me. All at once, I recognized how they bore witness as truth in my spirit, however, my mind had trouble accepting what God was saying. Me? A blessing?

I realized that, on some level, I saw myself more like God’s problem child than a vessel of His blessing. Do you ever struggle with that feeling that you are unclean and that anything you put your hand to might crumble or become cursed? Do you feel more like a bad son or daughter instead of one that is beloved and highly favored? This has been my particular “identity crisis” for many years.

As God has walked me through different seasons, I’ve come to see how negative words and mistreatment from others sent me a message that did not agree with how God saw me. As I began to look back over my life with the eyes of the Spirit, I could recognize the overwhelming love, grace, and favor of God over me even through all of the trials. Many devices of the darkness had come along in an attempt to destroy me and keep me from the truth that I am a beloved daughter of the King. Yet no power can stop the fierce love of God! No matter what word curses have been spoken or what difficult circumstances I have faced, I cannot deny the incredible favor God has given me along the way.

This pattern in my life very much mirrors the life of Joseph. Though Joseph was hated by his brothers, enslaved, and eventually imprisoned, God shone his favor upon Joseph at every step. His favor manifested in the honor Joseph received from his father and through the position of authority he was given in both Potiphar’s household and in Egypt’s prison. Finally, at just the right time, God’s favor shone so brightly upon Joseph before Pharaoh that it opened the door for Joseph’s promotion as second in command of all of Egypt. Nothing could separate Joseph from the love of God!

Even so, I wouldn’t be surprised if, through all of Joseph’s trials, he struggled to believe that he was as highly favored as his prophetic dreams suggested (Genesis 37:4-11). It would have been easy for him to believe he was God’s problem child. Like many of us, Joseph may have even seen himself as the source of all the troubles he faced.

Yet God’s hand of blessing upon Joseph is undeniable. Even more, Joseph was a vessel of God’s blessings. The favor God poured out upon Joseph overflowed onto others. Joseph was a blessing to his family, Potiphar’s household, Egypt’s prison, and eventually Egypt and all the world. God’s hand of power was seen greatly when He gave Joseph the interpretation for Pharaoh’s dreams and the accompanying wisdom that would see the world through the coming famine.

Just like Joseph and just like Christ, the ultimate suffering servant of God, we too have been created to be vessels of blessing. We have been created to be temples of the living God. When He pours His Spirit upon us, the blessings of the Spirit overflow into the lives of others. We touch the world with anointed hands, releasing the Kingdom of God in everything and everyone that we touch.

Therefore, children of God, lift up your heads. You are not broken. You are not a problem and no longer a vehicle of darkness and sin. In fact, now that you are in Christ, you are God’s solution, a child of the light in a fallen world! Remember who you are and whose you are. You are a much-loved son or daughter of the Most High God. He has placed the Kingdom of Heaven within you and has ordained that you are the vessel through which His blessings will flow.

Luke 2:52 (NIV) And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Deuteronomy 33:13-16 (VOICE)About Joseph he said, Moses: May his land be blessed by the Eternal with the best the sky has to offer—abundant rains—and with the dew and the waters that lie below the ground. May it be blessed with the best the sun can produce and the best crops of each month, With the best that grows on the ancient mountains and the everlasting hills, With the best the land has to offer when it’s filled with good things, And most of all may it be blessed with the favor of the One who appeared in the burning bush. Let all these blessings rest on Joseph’s head, on the head of this prince among his brothers.

[“Vessel of Blessing originally posted on Waiting in the Wings, reposted in its entirety with permission.]

A Father’s Love

“Unbroken Identity” by Meghan Williams of Dyed4you Art

She takes a glance in the bathroom mirror, she smiles. She’s in awe of how much she has grown in loving herself. Through her smile she whispers these words, “Papa, thank You for the beauty of Your love.”

A Father’s love has power. When a father is present and healthy, his love for his little girl speaks volumes in her life. She grows up with a healthy view of herself. She does not base how she sees herself on the lies of culture or people’s opinions. Instead, she is able to view herself through the eyes of her loving father.

1 John 3:1 (TPT) Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children.

Lately, my opinion of myself has changed. I didn’t lose weight. I’m not wearing makeup. I haven’t done anything different to change my natural appearance. I started accepting my Father’s love. When I hear His words of acceptance, love, and affirmation I receive every word. I no longer shrink back or deny who He says I am. I can see the truth of who I am through the eyes of my loving Papa.

A few years ago Papa said, “I am healing you from the abuse you suffered, and I will restore your innocence.”

{Visual} I see myself at five-years-old. I picture myself with curly ponytails, a cute little pink checkered dress, twirling around freely being me. 

Thank you, Papa, for loving me. Your love for me has opened my eyes, permitting me to freely love me.

[ “A Father’s Love” originally posted on Live Life Free, reposted in its entirety with permission.]

Favored One: Known One, Loved One

“Forever Bloom” by Meghan Williams of Dyed4you Art

Ephesians 3:14-21 (TPT) Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God! So I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on the earth. And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you. Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen!

You are known and loved. Every hidden desire, need, want, shame, disappointment, and fear are known by God and He loves every part of you. He wants you to know that He delights in you and that you are valued, treasured, and cherished. You are His child. You are His heart. He created you to be known and loved by Him.

The word “know” can have many meanings when it comes to the Hebrew or Greek context. Ultimately, it means that God knows every single part of you and loves it all, and He is calling you to know Him in the same way. Yes, there are times He may be disappointed in your choices but, oh, how many more times there are when He is ecstatic over the steps you are taking and the progress you are making to become more like Him. 

He delights in you, His Child, and He is constantly whispering in your ear, “Well done, my child, well done!” He is so proud of you and is constantly saying of you, “Here is my child, who I love beyond words and am so pleased and delighted in!” This delight and pride is revealed in the favor you receive as you walk on the path He has planned and appointed you for. Receive this love and favor and know how much your Abba Daddy delights in you and rejoices over you in every way. 

{Hearing} You were born for an appointed time. Your design, your creation was highly favored by Me. You were created for a purpose and that purpose is to be My child, My Favored One. Nothing you do, no direction you go in, no decision you make will separate you from My love. Do I have ordained plans for you? Yes, I do. Yet no matter whether you choose to follow the path I have for you or not, I love you. (Romans 8:38-39 [AMP])