Burn with Zeal

Acts 2:3 (TPT) Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. It separated into tongues of fire that engulfed each one of them.

Beloved, be engulfed in My flame, for the fire of My love – of My Spirit – is mighty and life-changing. Yield to its power. Allow yourself to be overtaken by My passion, and allow My passion to become your own. Embrace the flame, and burn with zeal.

Choose to be one who burns with zeal. And know that fiery passion doesn’t always manifest boldly from a human perspective. Sometimes that zeal manifests as a tenacious quiet – a steadfastness of faith. So whether you’re zeal manifests loudly or softly, let your passion for Me burn brightly for all to see.

The Lamb has Overcome

Revelation 12:11 (TPT) They conquered him completely through the blood of the Lamb and the powerful word of his testimony. They triumphed because they did not love and cling to their own lives, even when faced with death.

Walk in victory, beloved, for the Lamb has overcome. Live your faith boldly. Let your actions speak loudly your faith in your King. Hold nothing more dearly than your trust in Me – not life or death – for the grave does not reign supreme, I do. 

This place of bold assurance is where true power comes from. A heart that stands secure will know peace, for it knows nothing can threaten that which truly matters because victory is assured. Beloved, your eternity is in Me, and nothing can steal it away. So walk boldly in that power and the authority you have in Me, and move mightily on behalf of the Kingdom and My righteousness.

Known by Love

1 John 4:8 (VOICE) Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Beloved, I AM love. So if you truly know Me and reflect Me, you too will love – unreserved and without exception. You know those who know Me by the fruit that they bear. Those who do not walk in love do not truly know Me. So walk in love because you do. 

Those who have been given much are able to be generous. Be generous with love. Resist the urge to withhold it because someone has acted in an unloving way – that speaks to their character, but your response speaks to yours. 

Those who truly know Me, have felt the fullness of My love and know how limitless it is. They receive, and then like a vessel filled to overflowing they pour out that love to others from their abundant supply. So love and love well – refusing to withhold – knowing that you too will be recognized by your love. 

I AM Love

1 John 4:7 (VOICE) My loved ones, let us devote ourselves to loving one another. Love comes straight from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and truly knows God.

Beloved, I AM love. It is not simply that I love you without measure, but that I AM love itself. And you are made in My image. So love like Me – without restraint or limitation, without taking offense or growing impatient – love as I love. 

Love doesn’t mean always agreeing with someone, but it does mean being kind and long suffering when you don’t agree. And love doesn’t mean allowing yourself to be abused, but it does mean hoping for the best about that person and releasing them to Me.

So, beloved, choose to love and love well. For walking in love shares your faith faster and more effectively than any words could accomplish. And loving well makes you more and more like Me.

Shame is Rooted in Fear

Genesis 3:7-8 (VOICE) Suddenly their eyes were opened to a reality previously unknown. For the first time, they sensed their vulnerability and rushed to hide their naked bodies, stitching fig leaves into crude loincloths. Then they heard the sound of the Eternal God walking in the cool misting shadows of the garden. The man and his wife took cover among the trees and hid from the Eternal God.

Beloved, shame is rooted in fear, but My perfect love casts out all fear. So draw near, and receive My love in full measure. Do so that you might know what it feels like to have the burden of shame removed. I never designed you to be weighted down by shame. 

Beloved, I long for you to walk in the fullness of your freedom – naked and unashamed – with no fear causing you to hide your face from Me. I desire fellowship with you. I know you, and I love you – in all your beautiful imperfection. I accept you as you are, and I call you My very own. So resist any temptation to allow fear and shame to take root, and instead allow My mercy, love, and grace to make you whole.

I AM Listening

Psalm 77:1 (VOICE) I cry up to heaven, “My God, True God,” and He hears.

Beloved, when you cry out to Me, I always hear. No matter where you are or what you’ve done, I AM always listening. I do not turn a deaf ear to you in punishment or neglect. Those who know Me know that does not align with My character.

Just as an earthly parent uses wisdom in granting their children’s requests, so do I. In the moments I don’t respond the way you expected, know that is not a sign of My neglect, but rather of your inappropriate expectations. I’m not a genie in a bottle to call and command, so be sure that is not your expectation.

What I AM is El Chai – the Living God, and I love My children, and am mindful of their needs and their cries – of all things concerning them. So know that I AM present and listening. I will never leave you nor forsake you. So cry out to Me, beloved, for I AM listening.

Continue reading “I AM Listening”

Heart Treasures

Matthew 6:21 (TPT) For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.

Beloved, look at where you spend your time, energy, and resources, for that is what you treasure. And though it’s easy to try to deceive yourself about your focus, those things don’t lie. Allow them to reveal truth.

If you find your focus is spent on temporal things, resist the urge to be hard on yourself and simply readjust your focus. Often pursuing the things of the Kingdom is a thankless job. But remember that I see you, and let that be enough. May your heart treasure that which I hold dear. Continue reading “Heart Treasures”

Build a Lasting Legacy

Matthew 6:20 (TPT) Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures  for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value.

Beloved, leave a legacy – a legacy of love. Reflect My love that all those you come in contact with might know Me. Love well and without restraint that they might know My love. Focus on consistently staying in a place of love. Refuse to allow anything to hinder your ability to pour it out, for it is desperately-needed hope to many you will meet. You may never know the impact your love has. 

So focus on being filled with My love that you might be an overflowing vessel – able to pour out to those around you in abundance. In that way, beloved, you will leave a rich legacy – one that cannot rot or be stolen. So love and love well. Build a lasting legacy. Continue reading “Build a Lasting Legacy”

Cultivate That Which Endures

Matthew 6:19 (TPT) Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value.

Beloved, resist the temptation to waste your time and resources on things that will fade away. Though in your earthly circumstance, things in the natural may feel solid and strong – they may seem to have permanence, remember that they do not. 

Worldly possessions are temporal. Even if they aren’t stolen and don’t fade or break during your time with them on earth, they cannot follow you on to heaven. So cultivate that which endures, and keep your eyes fixed on My Kingdom. Continue reading “Cultivate That Which Endures”

Expanding Reverential Awe

Psalms 96:4 (TPT) For the Lord’s greatness is beyond description and he deserves all the praise that comes to him. He is our King-God and it’s right to be in holy awe of him.

Beloved, though it is vital for you to know your identity in Me, don’t get stuck there. Resist the urge to keep your eyes on yourself. Rather keep your focus on Me and on who I AM. Stay in a place of humility. Allow your faith to enlarge as your reverential awe expands because you are learning to see Me as I AM. 

Blessings and beauty come from My hand, so look to Me. Wait on Me to move – and wait with joy. For simply knowing Me and having a relationship with Me is worthy of gratitude. I AM beyond description, and yet I make Myself known to you. From the outpouring of My love I nourish your heart. Embrace your expanding reverential awe as you come to know Me more, for I desire to be known by you.