Divine Connections

Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

Beloved, I have not called you to be alone in your walk. Look around you and see the divine connections I’ve placed in your life – to encourage and exhort, comfort and inspire – you need one another. Be My love to one another and build each other up in Me.

Never replace Me with the people I put around you, but recognize My voice when it is carried on their lips. There is wisdom in a multitude of counsel. Allow iron to sharpen iron, beloved. Know that I desire you to be in fellowship with each other as with Me, I AM in your midst.

Your Piece in My Intentional Design

1 Corinthians 12:18 (GW) So God put each and every part of the body together as he wanted it.

Beloved, no detail escapes My notice. I AM intricate with My design. Each gifting given with intention. Each calling bestowed with purpose. What I have planned for you is not too big or too small, nor does it matter how it compares to anyone else’s. Each piece is vital. Every person important. The primary aim being each person’s heart and obedience to Me, and secondarily their love for each other.

Gifts are given for the purpose of expanding the Kingdom. Their purpose corporate not for the building up of the one who possesses it. Refuse to allow pride. Resist the temptation to judge with human eyes remembering I AM one who leaves the 99 to chase the one.

Each detail – each gift – is important because I have designed each one with a purpose. If you reach hundreds through your flesh, but miss the one I created you to reach because you judged with human eyes rather than yielding to My plan, you will not have succeeded. Be intentional about fulfilling your part of the greater plan – My plan. The full picture of the puzzle is only complete when every piece – regardless of size – has come into place.

So let go of any expectations, refuse to allow human judgments to encourage or discourage, and simply be intentional about yielding to Me and My plans. They are good. They are intentional. And you and your piece are key.

Remain Singular in Focus

1 Corinthians 12:4 (NLT) There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.

Beloved, I AM the source, the giver of good gifts, and the endower of spiritual gifts. I created you for a call and with a purpose, and the plans I have for you are good plans – ones that honor Me and expand the Kingdom. Be satisfied with your piece and walk it out with excellence. Remain singular in focus: eyes on Me, heart aligned with My plans and My Kingdom.

Refuse the temptation to wish you were created or called differently. In the Kingdom, every person is cherished, every gift is vital, and each role necessary to complete that which I have planned. Refuse to judge through human eyes. Be firm in having a Kingdom mentality where the goal is simply: making Me known and expanding the Kingdom. Continue reading “Remain Singular in Focus”

Choose Compassion, Humility, and Kindness

1 Peter 3:8 (AMP) Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit;

Beloved, remain humble – intentionally choosing compassion and kindness – and truly operate as brothers and sisters in Christ. You are one Body, called to be known by your love; therefore, lavish it liberally just as I do on My children.

Be intentional about staying in unity. Laying down any need to be right or desire to watch out for your own benefit in lieu of harmony and seeking alignment with Me and My plan. Allow trying moments to build and shape your character, while trusting your heart and needs into My capable hands.

Who I Give Honor to is Honored

Proverbs 16:31 (GW) Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life.

Beloved, embrace the sign of wisdom and experience. It is a crown of honor. Even in moments when others refuse to give honor or bring dishonor (either in ignorance or intentionally), it does not change the fact that I honor the wisdom that comes through years spent with Me. If others choose not to align, that is an indicator of their own state, not yours. For who I give honor to is honored.

{praying} Sensing a prayer over the elders that they would have grace and patience with the younger generation – as they rush about often barely pausing to breathe and who too often in arrogance refuse wise counsel – continue to gently persist in giving it, speaking words of truth and life. As you echo the Voice of heaven and His heart, your words and actions have impact whether you get to see that impact or not. Trust it is there, and continue in obedience reflecting His heart. For it is vital to the body of Christ. Your role is vital. You are a blessing. Thank you.

Be Naked and Unashamed 

James 5:16a (AMP) Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored.

Beloved, do not let pride or shame or fear of judgement keep you from confessing your sins. The enemy desires to keep you in bondage to them, wrapping you tightly in feelings of guilt and shame because he knows your confession will usher in freedom for you and he wants to keep you from it. Don’t let him.

Be naked and unashamed, willing to be transparent and vulnerable with your siblings in Christ. Trust that I will protect your heart, and trust that I will move in theirs as they respond to you and pray for you. Allow the fullness of your healing to come. Be restored and fully transformed. Be free.

Seek Peace and Harmony

1 Corinthians 1:10 (TLB) But, dear brothers, I beg you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so that there won’t be splits in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

Beloved, seek peace and harmony among the brethren. As you consider others above yourself and extend grace and mercy – seeking to understand, assuming positive intent, and covering your brothers and sisters in Christ in prayer – you will find it easy to operate with My heart and in My love. Pray first, speak second – if at all. Trust My Holy Spirit to do the work in each other’s hearts. Each of you is responsible for your own personal growth and My Holy Spirit will show you what areas to work on next – just as you trust Me to do that in you, trust that I will do the same in others.

Resist the urge to be prideful if I’ve already addressed and area with you and you’re walking in victory in it, but your brother is not. Extend the grace you wanted to receive, use your strengths to cover one another’s weaknesses. Truly function as a body. Walking in love and tenderly caring for each other, compensating when one area is weakened or hurt, allowing time for strength and maturity to be built. Love one another and bear with one another in love.

Lead by example. Even if others walk in pride and point out your weaknesses – exploiting rather than covering – do not respond in kind, but rather walk in humility as My Son did – simply being Who I created Him to be and acting in a way that was pleasing to Me rather than retaliating or defending Himself. Trust Me to cover you when your brethren let you down, but don’t stop walking in the manner I have called you to because even if no one else sees it, I do.