No Longer Think of the Former Things

Psalms‬ ‭103:12‬ ‭(AMP‬‬) As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Beloved, when you repent, I forgive. It is as simple and beautiful as that. I understand the holy sorrow you feel at having fallen short of the mark, but resist the urge to try to remind Me of your transgressions over and over again. Truly, once I have forgiven you, it is not a part of how I see you.

If a three year old child spills their milk, does the parent expect them to still be apologizing at age 10? At 20? Of course not. The parent has moved on, and no longer holds that to the child’s account. In the same way, when you repent, I move on with you. There is no benefit in bringing it up repeatedly (in fact there is much harm) even if your purpose in doing so is to apologize. So beloved, no longer think of the former things, but rather keep your eyes ahead and embrace the beauty that is to come.

Live from a Place of Love

John 15:18 (AMP) If the world hates you [and it does], know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

Beloved, when people reject you for your faith, remember they rejected me too. Their rejection is no reflection of your worth, but rather a reflection of their heart. So resist the urge to dwell in a place of hurt, and instead respond in love and understanding. 

Pray for the hearts of those who hurt and reject you. In doing so, you reflect My character and show My hand in your life. Live from a place of love, and trust that My love will heal any of your wounds. 

Extend Forgiveness

Matthew 6:12 (KJV) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Beloved, be known as some who extends much grace and who forgives quickly. In doing so, you reflect My heart to the world around you, and you leave no room for bitterness and resentment to take root. 

You have been forgiven much. I hold no record of wrongs though My memory is more expansive and accurate than anyone’s. So follow My example, beloved, and release those who wrong or slight you into My capable hands. Trust Me to act rightly, for I AM the righteous judge. Continue reading “Extend Forgiveness”

Sweet Fruit of Forgiveness

Matthew 18:22 (VOICE) Jesus: You must forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven.

Beloved, I have called you to choose forgiveness. No offense against you is so great it is worthy of holding on to and creating separation from Me. Forgive as you have been forgiven. There is no need to hold offense when I AM your champion. 

Release injustices and unkind words and acts into My hands and trust Me to be the Righteous Judge I AM. Entrusting them to Me doesn’t mean what has been done is acceptable, it simply means you’re entrusting to My judgment the most appropriate means of addressing it. So release it to Me and leave it in My capable hands and let the sweet fruit of forgiveness ripen.

I Will Always Receive You

Luke 15:21 (VOICE) The son said, “Father, I have done a terrible wrong in God’s sight and in your sight too. I have forfeited any right to be treated as your son.”

Beloved, no matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, when you run to Me, I will receive you. There is nothing you can do that would cause Me to turn My back when you approach Me with a contrite heart filled with repentance. You are Mine and I love you.

You are not too dirty for Me, nor too messy. I haven’t given up hope on you. I never stop cheering you on. Refuse to allow yourself to believe that anything could cause Me to demote you to a position of lower standing in My heart. You are My beloved and I AM faithful until the end.

Bless Without Reserve

Matthew 5:43-48 (TPT) …bless the one who curses you…

Beloved, refuse to retaliate in kind. Refuse to stoop to a level that diminishes your witness. Responding in love isn’t the same thing as receiving the curse they’ve spoken, it is simply choosing a higher path – My path.

So bless all you touch, including those who curse you or seek to do you harm. Ask Me to move in their lives. Ask Me to touch them and heal their hearts. Blessing someone isn’t you submitting yourself as a doormat, it is you refusing to shift into a negative mindset simply because someone else is. Operate in love and bless without reserve. Continue reading “Bless Without Reserve”

As You Desire to Receive, Give

Matthew 7:12 (VOICE) This is what our Scriptures come to teach: in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you.

Beloved, extend grace where you would desire to receive it. Extend forgiveness where you would hope to receive it. Extend love where you see it is needed. Refuse to withhold the blessing it is in your power to give. Generously expect the best, assume positive intent, and listen for the motivations of the heart.

Be known for your grace. Be known for your kindness. Be known as one who is fair and loving. Allow the fruit of My Spirit to pour forth from you without hindrance feeling no need to judge or criticize, but rather allowing My Spirit to be the One to convict and bring change – just as you desire to receive, give.

Be My Love with Skin On

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love is gentle and consistently kind to all…

Beloved, refuse to allow pride (or any fleshly response) to bait you into responding rashly or causing hurt to another. A fool vents his emotions, and you are no fool. You are master of your emotions (for My Spirit empowers you) and have no need to thrust them on someone else for a moment’s pleasure.

Bring those feelings to Me. Bring all your hurts and frustrations, all the injustices and woundings. I AM the healer and restorer, I will tend your heart. So be intentional about reflecting Mine.

Walk in kindness and compassion. See past someone’s poor response to the heart of why they’re reacting the way they are. Are they immature? Demonstrate good behavior. Are they having a bad day? Encourage them. Are they frazzled and on edge? Seek to bring peace. Use the discernment of My Spirit, beloved, and be My love with skin on. Continue reading “Be My Love with Skin 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.

Be Known for Your Grace

1 Peter 3:9 (TLB) Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it.

Beloved, be known for your grace. Be known for being unoffendable. Refuse to allow your pride to be pricked, but instead seek to understand the heart motives behind careless and hurtful actions and pray for those who deliver them. You need not endure abuse, but simply remove yourself quietly rather than taking issue with your assailant. I AM the Lord and I will repay.

Be quick to forgive, leaving all to My hand of justice, for I AM the righteous judge. Beloved, bless those who curse you and pray for those who spitefully use you. Keep your heart tender and trust Me to protect and heal you. Continue reading “Be Known for Your Grace”