Demonstrate Fruitfulness

John 15:8 (TPT) When your lives bear abundant fruit, you demonstrate that you are my mature disciples who glorify my Father!

Beloved, you have the choice to bear fruit or not. However, it is not enough to choose to “bear fruit,” then do nothing to cultivate fruitfulness. In the same way you can’t decide to grow a crop, but never plant or tend it; or desire a healthy body, all the while resisting exercise and indulging in poor eating. The decision – the desire for a specific outcome – is not enough. You must align your actions with the outcome. 

In the same way, if you decide you want to be fruitful, you must nourish yourself in my Word and be watered by My presence. Then bearing fruit won’t even be a conscious decision because it will be inevitable. It will come springing forth as a natural result of being fed and saturated in Me. It demonstrates maturity. You won’t need to tell anyone that you’re fruitful, for it will be clearly visible for all to see – your fruit giving glory to the One who has nurtured it.

So demonstrate fruitfulness, beloved. Abide in My presence and meditate on My Word. Choose Me and watch as you overflow, bearing fruit and doing so abundantly. 

A Beautiful Display

Matthew 5:14 (NLT) You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

Beloved, light and life have been deposited in you. I exhort you to be intentional about sharing it. I do not bestow gifts upon you simply for your own benefit and pleasure, but rather for your use to further My Kingdom. 

So shine and shine brightly. Boldly demonstrate the life that comes from one who has surrendered to Me. Death to self is life in Me – and life more abundant. So let it burst forth in glorious clarity, a beautiful display of My life-changing love at work in the hearts of men. 

Key to the Kingdom: Guard Your Mouth

Psalm 141:3 (VOICE) Guard my mouth, O Eternal One; control what I say. Keep a careful watch on every word I speak.

Beloved, a fool can be known by the volume of His words, so be slow to speak and weigh each word knowing you will have to answer for each one. So choose to bless rather than curse, to build up rather than tear down, and to speak life rather than death. Resist the urge to indulge in careless or needless words, for you often may not understand their impact until it is too late. 

The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart, so tend the garden of your heart well. Refuse to allow bitterness, anger, or judgment to take root there. Meditate on that which is good. Choose joy and hope and love. Flow from that place and spread life to all those around you from the wellspring of your heart. 

Key to the Kingdom: Receive Correction

Psalm 141:5 (AMP) Let the righteous [thoughtfully] strike (correct) me—it is a kindness [done to encourage my spiritual maturity]. It is [the choicest anointing] oil on the head; Let my head not refuse [to accept and acknowledge and learn from] it; For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds.

Beloved, I chasten those I love. Those who are humble and wise will receive it without complaint knowing it ultimately is given for their benefit. My sheep know My voice, beloved, so if correction comes without My breath on it or if you simply aren’t sure, ask Me and I will lovingly make My will known. I break down to build up. I wound that I might heal. I will not tear you down and abandon you or leave you hopeless. None who seek me are beyond My reach. 

So willingly – even joyously – seek that which will grow and strengthen you. Godly correction not only shifts things into place, but it builds good character, so embrace it without fear or hesitation. It is not an indication that you are hopeless or worthless, but rather that you are loved and you are Mine. 

Rest and Know You Are Mine

Psalm 68:6 (NLT) God places the lonely in families…

Beloved, you are not alone. I AM with you and I will never leave you. Though there may be times your earthly family lets you down, I will never leave you or forsake you. I have chosen you and will never let you go.

I hold you close in your times of need, and I send others to be a blessing on My behalf. Beloved, embrace those I put in your life. Allow those divine connections to nurture your spirit and build you up. Allow them to reflect My heart to you and speak life over you. Allow them to clearly reflect back to you the truth of who you are rather than a distorted perception.

But even in these special friendships that are a gift from Me, remember that though they may reflect Me and act on My behalf, they are not Me and cannot act as a replacement. I work through them, but ultimately the love you seek is found in Me.

I know the truth about you and believe it unwaveringly. I know that you are precious, you are worth knowing, and you are worth loving. You are beautiful, cherished, and My heart for you is steadfast. But most of all, I have claimed you and called you My own. So, beloved, rest and know that you are Mine.

Key to the Kingdom: Keep Godly Company

Psalm 1:1 (VOICE) God’s blessings follow you and await you at every turn: when you don’t follow the advice of those who delight in wicked schemes, When you avoid sin’s highway, when judgment and sarcasm beckon you, but you refuse.

Beloved, be wise in the company you keep. Be intentional in fostering life-giving relationships that are rooted in a shared love of Me that you might grow together in the way I have intended.

Be mindful not to pull one another off course and be quick to restore each other in love when you stumble. Encourage one another to be your best self and to intentionally make choices that are righteous and pleasing to Me, for that is the path of life.

There is a time to connect with those who walk in a manner that opposes Me, but do so with the intention of releasing My light and love rather than allowing your own light to be diminished. You have been called for such a time as this. Shine brightly and love well.

Correcting Light

Ephesians 5:13 (TPT) Whatever the revelation-light exposes, it will also correct, and everything that reveals truth is light to the soul.

Beloved, My correcting light is a blessing worth embracing. I chasten those I love, so to reject My chastening is to reject My life-altering love. Embrace Me. Embrace My love. Welcome My correction without fear or shame. You have no need to defend yourself because you are not under attack. I understand your every heart motivation long before you do, and My grace is sufficient for you.

The wise embrace truth and see it as My wisdom, while the foolish reject it and seek to believe falsehoods and perversions. Refuse to allow pride to keep you from the benefit of wisdom, or for fear to create barriers from receiving My love. No one is beyond redemption. No one is incapable of change when empowered by My Spirit. Embrace My loving correction and allow the light of Truth to have its way. Yield to the shaping of the Potter’s hands, and become the glorious vessel you’ve been created to be.

Sabbath Rest

Leviticus 23:3 (NLT) “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the LORD’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.

Beloved, I created you and I know well your inner workings. Just as a car comes with a manual so you know how to take care of it in a way to keep it in the best condition, so I have instructed you in My Word about how you should live. I have not created this structure to exert needless control, but rather because having made you, I know what you need in order to be your best, and I have instructed you accordingly.

Resist the urge to neglect the rest you need. I have instructed you that six days you may work, but should set aside the seventh for rest. It is not wasteful to observe the sabbath. It is needful. Pause for times of refreshing in My presence. Pause for times of fellowship with the Body. Pause simply to rest. Make time for sabbath rest and see how you flourish.

Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

Job 28:28 (CSB) He said to mankind, “The fear of the LORD –that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.”

Beloved, as you see Me as I AM, you cannot help but be moved by My holiness and respond in kind. In reverential fear, choose to reject that which is evil and turn your back on sin. Resist temptation.

Allow your heart to be so tender that a gentle whisper from My Spirit brings conviction and change. Willingly yield to My Spirit, beloved, and choose to flow in the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord.

Flow as One

Ephesians 4:3 (AMP) Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful].

Beloved, flow as one, for you are one. The Body of Christ. One body. United in purpose: bringing glory and honor to Me. Refuse to be distracted by personal agendas and selfish goals or motivations. Stay focused on Me – My plans, My direction, My kingdom.

Just as a physical body works together to keep the air that maintains life flowing through the body, work together as one to allow the flow of My Spirit throughout the Body of Christ – My breath invigorating and quickening.