Tag: chastening

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May Your Motivations Be Pure

2 Chronicles 19:9 (NET) He commanded them: “Carry out your duties with respect for the LORD, with honesty, and with pure motives.

Beloved, I desire true relationship with you not one birthed of ritual or rote obligation. Be honest not just with Me but with yourself about what drives you. I want more than obligatory actions and feelings from you, I want your whole heart.

Give with joy. Be honest with Me about your thoughts and feelings (I can handle messy – just read the Psalms!). May your motivations be pure and rooted in love – a desire to please Me because you love Me rather than of a fear of what I will do if you don’t. Trust that My heart for you is good.

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Submit to Authority for My Sake

Romans 13:1 (VOICE) It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth.

Beloved, I AM the one who lift men up and make them great. Position and honor come from Me, so give honor and respect to all positions of authority for My sake. Pray and ask Me to give them wisdom and help them to choose justice and mercy, but be intentional to submit in reverence to Me.

Remember you cannot see the full picture. Not understanding why someone has been given power does not give you license to thrash against it. Trust Me, honor Me, and allow My good purpose to come forth.

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Be an Influence for Good

1 Peter 1:24 (NLT) As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades.

Beloved, be mindful that your time on this earth is limited. Be intentional about your use of it. Refuse to squander it as well as the compulsion to work without rest. Seek My wisdom on both your call and the little day-to-day details of your life, for everything that pertains to you is important to Me – both big and small.

Though each human life may be as a vapor or a wisp, the impact of each has the capability of great influence – both for good and for evil. Choose this day how you will live and the influence you would have. Exercise wisdom by knowing My Word and walking in My ways. Be an influence for good, beloved, and leave a mark on this world – one that points to Me.

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Know Me in Truth

Matthew 7:23 (NLT) But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

Beloved, choose to know Me and know My ways. Choose to obey My instructions. I’ve intentionally detailed the path of righteousness in My word so there is no room for confusion. Be mindful not to deceive yourself into thinking you can do your things, your way and do it in My name.

Beloved, do not take My name in vain. Refuse to misrepresent Me – to yourself or others. Know Me in truth. Know Me by My Spirit. Intentionally align with Me and My ways that I might be able to say in that day that I know you and you are Mine.

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Put Aside Any Substitute

2 Kings 23:5 (NLT) He did away with the idolatrous priests, who had been appointed by the previous kings of Judah, for they had offered sacrifices at the pagan shrines throughout Judah and even in the vicinity of Jerusalem. They had also offered sacrifices to Baal, and to the sun, the moon, the constellations, and to all the powers of the heavens.

Beloved, refuse any substitute. I AM the only true God. I AM the Lord God your Creator, the Lord of Hosts, king of Heaven and Earth. I AM sovereign. There is none like Me. Refuse to hold anything or anyone in higher esteem, for I AM the only One worthy and the only One faithful and good.

Set aside any false gods. Pause and see with new eyes that you might see them. Step away from those who encourage other gods or who who breed falsehood. Be true, beloved, and stand in righteousness. Continue reading “Put Aside Any Substitute”

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Be a God-Pleaser

Proverbs 29:25 (VOICE) If you fear other people, you are walking into a dangerous trap; but if you trust in the Eternal, you will be safe.

Beloved, refuse to fall into the trap of being caught up with what other people think. There will always be those who both approve and disapprove of your thoughts and actions so to fall prey to the fruitless efforts of people-pleasing enslaves you and distracts you from your true calling and purpose.

Seek Me. Seek to do My will and meet My approval and pleasure. The only way to truly be safe and at peace is in My will. Be a God-pleaser. Nothing will bring you fulfillment like knowing you are right with Me. That is a place a rest and peace. Find Me there.

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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.

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Safe in My Hands

Isaiah 26:3 (VOICE) You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You, for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You.

Beloved, take your hands off the wheel and let Me drive. You don’t need to be in control to be safe, on the contrary, doing so only brings the illusion of control. Like Dumbo’s feather, the illusion of control brings you a sense of peace, but it is not founded in truth. You are a child of the Light. Truth is your inheritance.

Beloved, release it all to Me. In My hands is the only place you are truly safe. As you shift control into My capable hands, it may feel awkward and uncomfortable at first, but know that over time, the burden it has lifted from you will feel more freeing than you can imagine.

Remember beloved that I AM the first and the last, the beginning and the end. I see it all. I know what is coming and know exactly where you should be positioned and what provision you’ll need. As you trust Me and yield to Me, I make you ready. I AM worthy of your trust. Lay down the idol of needing to understand and fully release yourself in to My care, for I love you and I will never leave you. You are safe in My hands.

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Train Your Gaze on Me

Exodus 23:13 (VOICE) Be careful to do all that I have instructed you. Do not even acknowledge the names of other gods or let their names spill from your lips.

Beloved, refuse to acknowledge the enemy by giving him credit in your life. I AM your God and I will not share with another. Resist the urge to point at his opposition and use it as a barometer for your walk saying, “I know I am doing something right because he is opposing me.” The enemy will always oppose you because I love you. He will always lay traps to ensnare you because you are precious to me.

Look to Me, beloved, and keep your eyes fixed. Trust that I will guide you with My eye. Train your gaze upon Me never allowing it to waver. I AM the Lord your God. I AM the faithful God. Keeping My promises from generation to generation. My promise you have. My love you have. My acceptance you have. I AM all you need. Continue reading “Train Your Gaze on Me”

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Walk in Purity of Heart, Mind, and Spirit

1 Peter 1:15 (VOICE) Since the One who called you is holy, be holy in all you do.

Beloved, it’s time to step up to a new level. Things that were permissible in the old season must be released for you to move forward into all I’ve called you to. It’s time to let go or be dragged behind and miss My perfect will. Be holy, beloved, for I AM holy. Check your heart, your mind, and your deeds to make certain they are rightly aligned with Me. You know My voice.

Choose that which is best, not that which is acceptable. My love for you is unconditional, but the fulfillment you will experience from walking in the calling I have for you far surpasses the temporary “pleasures” of that which seeks to waylay you. Be holy, beloved. Allow the refining of My Spirit to do its work. Walk in purity of heart, mind, and spirit.