Tag: focus/distractions

Posted on

Grace in Persecution

1 Peter 2:19 (ESV) For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.

Beloved, I know and fully understand unjust suffering. I have been persecuted, accused, and ridiculed. I know well the pain of being wrongfully attacked – even by those who matter greatly to Me – and the hurt that comes with it all is well known to Me.

When you find yourself accused, judged, and wounded, remember that I have been too. Use that moment to identify with My heart. Focus on that as you choose to respond in love and gentleness refusing to allow your pride to force you to respond rashly or in haste. Forgive those who hurt you and turn them over to My hand, trusting Me to respond as I see fit and to heal and protect your heart. Have grace in the midst of persecution and keep your eyes on Me.

Posted on

Be Undeterred

Luke 18:5 (NLT) but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!

Beloved, refuse to be discouraged. Press on and press in. Stay focused on My promises and on Truth. Refuse to accept anything less. I AM the righteous judge, Elohim Mishpat. I will mete out justice according to My wisdom, which is perfect and righteous. Trust Me. Trust My ability to protect and provide, redeem and renew.

Be undeterred. I have given you the vision, refuse to align with anything short of what you have seen. Demand that heaven invade earth. Speak forth life. Prophesy truth. Take each thought captive that seeks to oppose My word – both written and Spirit-breathed. My word is truth, beloved, and I will see it to completion.

Posted on

Recognize I AM a Gift

Psalm 37:4 (VOICE) Take great joy in the Eternal! His gifts are coming, and they are all your heart desires!

Behold I love to give good gifts. I love to bless My children. I delight in giving them the things their hearts long for (as long as those things won’t be harmful to them). But beloved, you must know that I won’t allow you to lift anything in your heart higher than me. I cannot help you make idols because to do so would hurt you, and I love you far too much to permit that.

Recognize that I AM a gift – My love, My presence, and relationship with Me. Cherish this gift and take delight in it (in Me). Make Me the center of your world – your deepest joy, your heart’s desire. Watch as I pour forth My blessings when you lavish your love on the Gift Giver rather than focusing on the gifts I give. Beloved, recognize Me as the greatest gift of all.

Posted on

Sole Priority

2 Samuel 6:14 (CJB) Then David danced and spun around with abandon before Adonai, wearing a linen ritual vest.

Beloved, refuse to let the thoughts and opinions of others cause you to stifle your words and actions. Allow the overflow of your heart to pour forth in unabashed praise. Move past simply “working through it” to a place where those thoughts and opinions no longer matter and you’re not even aware of them anymore.

Be radical for Me. Be completely sold out for Me. Make Me the center of your world. Be abandoned in your praise and intensely persistent in your pursuit. Be relentless. Don’t hold back. Be “even more undignified than this.” Focus on pleasing Me alone. Make that your sole priority. Continue reading “Sole Priority”

Posted on

An Attitude of Thanksgiving and Praise

Psalm 118:28 (VOICE) You are my God, and I give You thanks; You are my God, and I praise You.

Beloved, regardless of circumstance, keep your heart toward Me in an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. There are always reasons to rejoice. Thank Me for the breath in your lungs. Thank Me for My love. Even thank Me for the blessings to come and for being constantly mindful of you. I AM worthy of your praise and I AM worthy of your thanks.

Keeping your heart in that joyously worshipful posture positions you for more blessings while intentionally cultivating peace in your heart. Refuse to allow the enemy to steal your peace, joy, praise, or gratitude. Refuse to allow circumstances and situations to inject worry. Trust Me. Trust My love for you. Steadfastly know My plans for you are good.

Posted on

Constant Communion

Philippians 1:4 (VOICE) My spirit is lightened with joy whenever I pray for you and I do constantly

Beloved, keep your heart in an attitude of prayer always – in constant communion with Me. Stay tuned into My voice. Ready and awaiting My instruction. My sheep know My voice and another’s they will not follow, so trust that you will hear Me and hear Me rightly.

Freedom and refreshing are found in My presence. Be strengthened and restored with My joy. Listen intently for My still small voice directing you, “this is the way, walk ye in it.” My desire for you to know My heart exceeds your desire to hear, so trust that I will make clear My thoughts when you earnestly desire to know them.

Posted on

Be Insatiable for Me

Psalm 63:1 (VOICE) O True God, You are my God, the One whom I trust. I seek You with every fiber of my being. In this dry and weary land with no water in sight, my soul is dry and longs for You. My body aches for You, for Your presence.

Beloved, hunger and thirst for Me. Understand I AM your true sustenance and the only one who satisfies. Long for Me as though your thirst will never be quenched – be insatiable for Me. For though I satisfy, there is always more – new depths, new heights, fresh revelations – continuously pursue My heart.

Refuse to settle for less. Refuse to be content with weak substitutes. Refuse to let man made visions replace downloads from My throne for nothing compares to Me. I AM worth the pursuit. I AM worth the effort, worth building a relationship with. Nothing can satisfy you like I can. Refuse to settle for second best, instead only content yourself with Me.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Keep Your Heart Fixed on Me and Walk Well

Psalm 17:5 (NLT) My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.

Beloved, stay fixed on Me. My desire for you to follow Me far surpasses your own, so trust that as your heart stays fixed, I will guide your steps. I will surround you with guardrails and angels – anything I need to do to help you succeed. Trust Me to lead.

But when there are moments you stumble, trust Me to snatch your feet from the net. Trust that My hand is ever extended to you for you to grab that I might pull you free. And trust that any seeming misstep will be used for good – to grow and teach you (or others) – not one thing is wasted. So keep your heart fixed on Me and walk well.

Posted on

Lose Yourself in the Ocean of My Love

Isaiah 43:2 (TLB) When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you.

Beloved, regardless of the trials you face, I AM always with you and will never leave you. The waters that feel as though they might drown you cannot rend you from My grip. Release yourself to Me and allow the water of My Spirit to saturate you with the depths of My love.

Focus on My heart for you. Refuse to be distracted by the troubles and worries on every side for My love is larger than, grander than, bigger than anything else. Let it fill you and overwhelm you. As you’re lost in the ocean of My love everything else will pale in comparison. Allow the magnitude of all I AM to right-size everything else for, beloved, everything is small when compared to the vastness of Me. There is nothing to fear. You will not drown nor will flames overtake you, only the beauty of My love will overwhelm you, and that is a safe place to rest.