The Only One Who is Worthy

Deuteronomy 13:4 (VOICE) Remain loyal to Him! Fear Him and obey His commands. Listen to His voice. Worship Him alone. Be fervently devoted to Him.

Beloved, I AM worthy of your steadfast devotion. Resist the urge to lavish your time and attention on things that are of no consequence or value. Refuse to be lulled into a sense of complacency or become so engrossed in entertainment that you become numb to real life.

The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Refuse to be taken down without resistance simply because you’ve become too lethargic to care. Ask Me to align your heart with My own, that you might know what matters and what is of no-account. Beloved, waste your life on Me – the only One who is worthy – pour yourself out like a drink offering upon My altar, wholly acceptable and highly pleasing to Me.

Speak Truth

Proverbs 6:16-19 (VOICE) Take note, there are six things the Eternal hates; no, make it seven He abhors: …a tongue that can’t be trusted…

Beloved, let your yes be yes and your no be no. Let your word be your bond – steadfast and reliable. Be true to your word just as I am to Mine, which I watch over to perform. You are made in My image, rightly reflect Me. Speak truth, and do so consistently and with love.

Remember your words bring forth life or death at your discretion, so choose life. Speak truth over those I place around you. The words of your mouth come from the overflow of your heart, so tend your heart with care, and take care to nurture others’ as well. Continue reading “Speak Truth”

I AM All You Need

Matthew 6:24 (MSG) You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.

Beloved, choose Me. Throughout history, My heartcry remains the same: that I would be your God and you would be My people. Refuse to give place to any idol, or to hold anything in greater reverence than Me. I will not be content to share your adoration, for I AM worthy of your singleminded devotion.

Only I bring true peace. Only I bring true contentment. Only I bring true security. Refuse the temptation to look to your own provision to offer those things remembering that even your provision comes from Me. It cannot love you nor fulfill your heart’s desires anymore than the idols made of wood and clay. Only I AM able to bring true fulfillment. Look to Me and refuse to look away. I AM all you need.

Palet, Your Deliverer

Psalm 32:7 (AMP) You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah.

Beloved, there is no situation so severe I cannot rescue you. I AM Palet, the Deliverer – your very present help in times of trouble. I walk with you through the storm, and I comfort you with My presence.

Look to Me. Regardless of the turmoil surrounding you, I AM your peace, your hiding place – the One who never leaves you or forsakes you. Rest in Me. Listen for the songs I sing over you, and set your mind on Me. Trust yourself in My hands, for I AM good.

Stones of Remembrance

Joshua 4:7 (GW) You should answer, ‘The water of the Jordan River was cut off in front of the ark of the Lord’s promise. When the ark crossed the Jordan, the river stopped flowing. These stones are a permanent reminder for the people of Israel.’”

Beloved, there are moments worth capturing in a way that fosters remembrance. Moments that bolster your faith and remind you who I AM and that I AM faithful and true. Don’t lose sight of those moments or allow them to simply pass by with the emotions of that instant quickly fading and moving on. Take the time to establish a method of remembering that you might be able to stand strong in the days of hopelessness and opposition because you know that you know I AM good.

Be intentional about acknowledging My good works, and thankful about each blessing. I love to lavish My children, but refuse to do so at the cost of their character. So keep your heart humble, refuse to operate in entitlement but rather in childlike trust. Take the time to place “stones of remembrance” that you will always remember who I AM and how I move. I AM a good Father and I love My children. Continue reading “Stones of Remembrance”

Singleminded Pursuit

Exodus 23:2 (VOICE) Even if the majority of people are doing evil, do not follow them…

Beloved, choose rightly regardless of circumstance or influence. Know My word so well that your compass is not shaken regardless of who is wandering off the path. Be steadfast in righteousness, and pray for those who have compromised themselves – for “there but for the grace of God…”.

Stay in a place of humility, not judging those who’ve stumbled, but gently encouraging them to right by walking steadfastly in ways that please Me. Have compassion, but don’t be tempted to concede as much as one step on a path not of Me. Refuse to be swayed regardless of who has (or how many have) chosen that which displeases Me. Make My will your focus and destination, and be singleminded in that pursuit.

A Generous Heart

1 Timothy 5:18 (AMP) For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain [to keep it from eating],” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages [he deserves fair compensation].”

Beloved, refuse the temptation to operate in a poverty mindset – constantly trying to get something for nothing. Surely you remember that the silver and gold are Mine? When you’re living a lifestyle submitted to Me, you can rest in the knowledge that that which I desire you to have, I will provide for.

So rather than trying to cheapen the value I have placed on someone’s work or by trying to rob them of their wages, be excited about the opportunity to sow into their lives, trusting that fertile soil will bear fruit and rejoicing that you get to have some small part in it.

Be wise with whatever I’ve entrusted you with – be it great or small. This means being obedient to use it in the ways I direct you, not working so hard to stretch it that you’re actively cheating others (whether intentionally or not). Remember I love a cheerful giver, I love a generous heart. Refuse to have that stolen by a fear of lack, or be tempted into greed or envy – constantly desiring that which I have not provided for.

Trust Me. Trust that I have reasons for what I’ve provided for and what I have not, and that those reasons have nothing to do with whether I love you or not – for that is never in question. Be thankful for what you have and find contentment there.

Rest in Me and look to Me. Trust Me to provide for your needs. Refusing to accuse Me of shortchanging you, regardless of circumstance. I AM faithful, and I love you – always. Stand fast in your belief that I AM good.

Love, the Primary Focus

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) Love…extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten.

Beloved, resist the temptation to get so caught up in the gifts of My Spirit that you forget My primary focus: love. For I so loved the world that I sent My Son. Love wins the day. Love touches hearts in a way nothing else can. And in the end, love will remain when the gifts are no longer needed.

So focus on love. Be intentional to love. When in doubt, love. When you don’t want to, still love. When it’s undeserved, staunchly love. Whatever the situation, no matter how extreme, remain steadfastly in a stance of love. Be known for your love. Refuse to let it be shaken. Refuse to withhold it like a weapon or use it as a tool to manipulate, give it freely and without reserve – just as I have done for you. Continue reading “Love, the Primary Focus”

Life-Changing Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love never stops loving…

Beloved, I never stop loving you. Regardless of your choices, actions, thoughts and all the moments you fall short, My love remains the same. My hope for you is steadfast, and I find you inherently worthy of love no matter the decisions you make or whether other people seem to find you so. My love for you is eternal and unconditional, and you are made in My image.

You were created not just to be loved, but to love – without reserve. You may hate choices or be disappointed in situations, but refuse to let your love – based on the inherent nature of each person and the way I created them – to change. Be steadfast. Hold to the truth of who I made them. Expect that, prophesy it. Be relentless in prayer, and lavish love – and do so without strings or contingencies. Love like that is life-changing. Continue reading “Life-Changing Love”

Exercise Your Self-Control

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…self-control…

Beloved, I have called you to be holy as I AM holy. Simply because you won’t be able to walk out personal righteousness perfectly is no excuse not to do your best. Not out of a sense of burden or trying to earn your salvation (which is a gift freely given by grace), but out of a place of love and honor – seeking to do that which pleases Me and aligns with My word.

I have given you self-control and empowered you by My Holy Spirit. You are more able than you believe and more able even than you’ve experienced. Like a muscle that builds strength with use, self-control becomes stronger as it is exercised. So choose not to respond when provoked. And choose not to indulge your flesh when it’s not beneficial. Choose to do that which is godly even when (and in fact especially when) it is in direct opposition with the flow of the world.

Exercise your self-control, beloved, and watch it grow and strengthen. It becomes easier to choose rightly and even the desire to choose that which is in opposition to Me (or even that which is fruitless) diminishes and loses its draw. Remain steadfast. Lean into the Holy Spirit for strength. Extend grace to yourself when you fall short, and simply start again. Be holy, beloved, as I AM holy.