Rest in Joy

Romans 12:12 (VOICE) Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer.

Beloved, choose to rest in joy. There is always something for which to have gratitude. At all times and through every experience, you can choose to maintain a state of joyous appreciation for My goodness to you. Joy is a choice. 

So choose to rest in joy even as you persist in prayer – trusting Me to move rightly, for I AM good. Your concerns are important to Me and never out of My thoughts. I never treat your heart lightly, beloved. So resist the urge to indulge in worry, and rather choose to be steadfast in joyful gratitude. 

Relentlessly Pursue the Mystery of Me

Job 36:26 (GW) Certainly, God is so great that he is beyond our understanding. The number of his years cannot be counted.

Beloved, seek out My mysteries. Continually seek to plumb My depths. Simply because I AM so great I defy full understanding doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. There is much beauty both in knowing Me and the pursuit of doing so. And though you might seek Me all of your days, there will always be more of Me to ferret out. 

So endeavor to know Me, the unknowable God. Seek to understand, and refrain from wrongly judging Me in moments you do not comprehend My ways. I AM omnipotent and all-knowing. I AM also merciful and good, slow to anger and long suffering. Trust My character, and relentlessly pursue the mystery of Me. Continue reading “Relentlessly Pursue the Mystery of Me”

El Shaddai (God Almighty)

Exodus 33:15 (AMP) And Moses said to Him, “If Your presence does not go [with me], do not lead us up from here.

Beloved, let your heart be so taken with My presence that you refuse to move without Me. Remember that I AM El Shaddai (God Almighty), and the source of all life and power. Nothing good is accomplished without My hand. 

Look to Me. Be steadfast in your gaze. Resist the urge to be distracted or to wander out from under the shadow of My wing. Allow Me to lead and accept no substitute. For I AM God, and there is none like Me. 

Deep Assurance

Proverbs 18:10 (GW) The name of the Lord is a strong tower. A righteous person runs to it and is safe.

Beloved, those who know Me, know My name. My name reflects My character. A part of intimacy is having a deep assurance about another’s character that is unshakable regardless of circumstance. Having that foundation with Me brings an enormous amount of peace.

If you know Me, you know I AM always with you. If you know Me, you know I take care of My children. If you know Me, you know I’ll use each hardship you encounter as a force for good. Knowing Me is about trusting and releasing control into My hands. It’s about allowing Me to be your strong tower and your firm foundation. So, beloved, run to Me and be safe.

Hear and Obey

John 15:14 (TLB) and you are my friends if you obey me.

Beloved, hear and obey. Hear and obey. Don’t delay. Resist being sidetracked. Refuse to be derailed or dissuaded. Know My voice so well, that nothing can shake you. Know My Word so well, that your foundation is completely secure. 

Be willing. Be yielded. And be obedient. Abide in the secret place with Me. Know My heart that you might accurately reflect it in your words and actions. Hear and obey, beloved. Hear and obey. Continue reading “Hear and Obey”

Carried on My Breath

Proverbs 25:11 (VOICE) A well-spoken word at just the right moment is like golden apples in settings of silver.

Beloved, be slow to speak and seek Me for wisdom, for I will richly grant it when asked. The right word in the right moment can have life-changing impact, but the wrong word – or even the right word in the wrong moment – can result in resistance and hurt. 

So seek Me for wisdom – both on what to say and when to say it. It’s more important for change to occur than it is for you to be able to say you were right. So lay down your pride, refuse to be offended, and simply operate in loving humility as a one whose words are carried on My breath.

Hear and Follow Me

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (GW) After having heard it all, this is the conclusion: Fear God, and keep his commands…

Beloved, when all is said and done, obey and revere Me. You can consider the wisdom of man, and you can spend time deciding what you think is right, but ultimately not one person on earth has the understanding and insight I do with heavenly, eternal perspective. 

This is a matter of trust. Whose judgment are you going to trust and act on? Your own? With your limited view and biases, your judgment is imperfect, beloved. Wisdom is found in a multitude of counselors because you learn to listen for My breath among the words. 

Beloved, My sheep know My voice and another’s they will not follow. Are you Mine? Then demonstrate that in your heart and actions. Hear and follow Me. 

Make My Deeds Known

Psalm 105:1 (AMP) O give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the people.

Beloved, you know My name, and you’re well familiar with My nature. Will you tell the world who I AM? Give thanks to Me, and make My deeds known among the nations. Share unashamedly about how I have moved in your life. 

Testify, beloved. Share the truth of My character, for so many have a skewed and false view of who I AM. It isn’t your job to change their minds, but it is your job not to hold back from speaking truth – the truth of who I AM, how I move, and the power of My love.

Run, Rest, Rely

Proverbs 18:10 (TPT) The character of God is a tower of strength, for the lovers of God delight to run into his heart and be exalted on high.

Beloved, I AM sovereign, and I AM strong. I AM YHVH Tsur – the Lord your strength, and YHVH Misgab – the Lord your Strong Tower. I AM unchanging – the alpha and omega, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Rest in Me.

My character is infallible. It creates a safe and stable foundation for you – a place you can rely on. Rest in Me. My name reflects My character, for I AM that I AM. Remember, beloved, run to Me, rest in Me, and rely on Me, for I AM wholly faithful and ever true.  Continue reading “Run, Rest, Rely”

Song of Joy

Psalm 30:4-5 (TPT) O sing and make melody, you steadfast lovers of God. Give thanks to him every time you reflect on his holiness! I’ve learned that his anger lasts for a moment, but his loving favor lasts a lifetime! We may weep through the night, but at daybreak it will turn into shouts of ecstatic joy.

Beloved, keep an attitude of gratitude in your heart and a song of joy on your lips. Pause and reflect, and you will see there is always something worth praising Me for. You are alive. You are breathing. You are loved. Dayenu – what I have done already is sufficient. 

Resist the urge to focus on that which discourages and tears down – that which inspires fear and disappointment. Rather be intentional to look at the beauty I’ve placed in your life – even if it is something as simple as a lovely night sky or the kindness of a stranger. May your eyes be open and alert to My goodness, and may your heartsong always be one of joy.