Tag: commandments

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Demonstrate Your Love

2 John 1:6 (VOICE) Love is defined by our obedience to His commands. This is the same command you have known about from the very beginning; you must live by it.

Beloved, love is not flowery words and dramatic gestures. If you truly love Me, that love is made abundantly clear by the choices – both big and small – that you make each day. For those who love Me keep My commandments. A friend who claims to hold you in high esteem but betrays your confidence, allows their actions to belie their words.

Know My Word. Assess your actions. Ongoingly compare the two to ensure your claims of devotion to Me are underscored by your choices. Beloved, demonstrate your love – not out of a sense of obligation or ritual, but simply from a heart full of passion for Me.

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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.

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Shema (Hear and Obey)

Psalm 29:4 (NLT) The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.

Beloved, I spoke and the world you know was created. At My word the earth was formed, and by My breath life was given. Nothing can resist the power of My Word. What I say is as good as done. So grab hold of truth – grab hold of My Word, and believe.

My sheep know My voice, so whether it comes as a gentle whisper or as roaring thunder, My children know My voice and they will respond. Those that love Me, obey Me. So respond to My voice, beloved. Shema, hear and obey.

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Obedience: a Sweet Act of Worship

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (VOICE) …Be certain of this: that obedience is better than sacrifice…

Beloved, yielding to My voice is one of the sweetest acts of worship you can bring. It is an aroma so pleasing before Me. It is a wordless declaration that you trust Me and that I AM a worthy God. No form of sacrifice outweighs the gift of your obedience.

Partial obedience is still disobedience. It is a sign you trust your own judgment and agenda above My own. If you truly trust Me, you will obey Me. Even your need to understand is based in a desire to judge My judgment.

Release your need to understand. Release your need to determine if you agree with My instructions or requests, and simply yield. Yield out of love. Yield out of respect. Yield to give honor. Yield to bring glory. Part of “giving your life to Me” is yielding to Me, so release any need to judge or control and simply trust and obey. Continue reading “Obedience: a Sweet Act of Worship”

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My Ways Are Higher

Matthew 5:43 (TPT) “Your ancestors have also been taught ‘Love your neighbors and hate the one who hates you.’

Beloved, My ways are not the ways of the world. Nor do all the traditions of man align with My heart. Even the things taught in love by your ancestors may be rooted in falsehoods or misconception. My ways are higher.

Take the time to know Me directly. Be open to Me breaking the box of your expectations and understanding. Allow My Spirit to truly teach you. Beloved, call to Me for I will answer and tell you things you did not know.

Refuse to be so stuck on what you believe is right that you close yourself off to Truth. Beloved, I will guide you with My eye. Be intent to follow where I lead, even if it’s uncomfortable, even if it challenges you, even if the cost is high – trust where I lead and yield to Me. Continue reading “My Ways Are Higher”

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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.

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Keep My Precepts Forever Before You

Psalm 119:141 (VOICE) I may be insignificant to some and hated by others, but at least I do not forget Your precepts.

Beloved, never lose sight of the basics – the foundation of your faith. It is not a simple thing to allow My word to truly be your anchor. It takes dedication and focus over time – keeping the main thing the main thing. Focus, beloved. Be intentional and make the time.

The gifts of My Spirit are an outpouring of relationship with Me, and knowing Me through My word is foundational in that process. In the fun and excitement, don’t lose sight of the essentials. Keep My precepts forever before you. Meditate on them day and night. Seek Me in My word, for when you seek Me there, surely you will find Me. Continue reading “Keep My Precepts Forever Before You”

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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”