Let Faith Arise

Colossians 1:5 (TPT) Your faith and love rise within you as you access all the treasures of your inheritance stored up in the heavenly realm. For the revelation of the true gospel is as real today as the day you first heard of our glorious hope, now that you have believed in the truth of the gospel.

Beloved, let your faith and hope arise. Stir it up. Remind yourself of the blessings and truth you’ve been given, – the richness of your inheritance in Me. So stir it up. Let faith arise. 

Encourage yourself in Me – in My Word and in My promises. You know truth and My sheep know My voice, you know that as you yield to Me, I position you rightly. So fervently hope in Me, for it will not be in vain. 

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. 

Be Moved by Gratitude

Ephesians 5:10 (AMP) trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him–your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].

Beloved, one who is moved with true gratitude acts accordingly. Gratitude shifts your heart. It demands action. It moves you. One who gives lip service to thanksgiving but who’s actions and heart remain the same is not truly grateful. 

So check your heart, beloved. If you are truly moved with gratitude by My salvation and My love, how has it changed you and how are you reflecting that change to Me? 

Let your gratitude overflow in a life spent giving glory and honor to Me. Knowing how to please Me is no great mystery, for I’ve made My heart plain in My Word. So know Me and know My heart, and offer up thanksgiving in a life filled with obedience and praise from a joyful, grateful heart. Continue reading “Be Moved by Gratitude”

Be in Place

Isaiah 34:16 (VOICE) You can look for it and read all about it in the book of the Eternal One. None of these creatures will be missing and none will lack a mate Because His voice has given the order and His Spirit has gathered them in that place.

Beloved, I AM gathering My children to Myself. Calling you in from the east and the west, the north and the south – bringing you closer still to Me. Come, beloved. Pay heed to the call. Be mindful of the times and the seasons, for My children know – yes they know, as the time draws near. 

My Spirit is leading – will you not listen? Refuse to be caught lacking – like the foolish virgins without enough oil (Matthew 25), or out of place – like the wedding guests who refused to come (Matthew 22). Rather be perfectly aligned with Me. My sheep know My voice – YOU know My voice – follow it, beloved, and be in place.

Live Honestly and in Harmony

Malachi 2:6 (VOICE) He spoke the law of truth, and falsehood was not found on his lips. In peace and justice he walked with Me, and he turned many from iniquity by his words and example;

Beloved, resist the urge to compromise your integrity. There is no such thing as a small lie. Even what appears as minor and innocuous opens doors in the spiritual realm and shifts things in the natural. 

Be known as a person of character. Be someone who resists falsehood, and who loves justice and peace. Lead by example, beloved. Be steadfast, and live in honesty and harmony.  Continue reading “Live Honestly and in Harmony”

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. 

Make the Time

Psalm 27:4 (AMP) One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord And to meditate in His temple.

Beloved, bask in My presence. Dwell in My beauty. Make time and sit with Me. Be intentional to learn the truth of who I AM that you might be unshakable in your understanding of My character. To do that, you must take the time with Me. Just as you make time for those you love in the natural, make time for Me. 

When you’re with a dear friend, you don’t instruct them they need to be “more exciting” or you’ll go spend time with someone else. Instead you spend hours simply being together, and you find priceless moments in the quantity of time spent. So it is with Me, beloved. So it is with Me, so make the time.

The Ripple Effect

Matthew 5:16 (VOICE) You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me , and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it .

Beloved, cultivate the light and life within you. Resist the urge to do anything that dims or besmirches. Operate in a high level of integrity. Resist self-righteousness and judgment. Be transparent and lead by example. 

Walk in a way that honors Me and brings Me glory. Others will be challenged and changed simply by seeing how you live. So live in steadfast devotion to Me, and watch the ripple effect that faithful adoration has on yourself and those around you. 

Harvest Prayers

Matthew 9:38 (AMP) So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Beloved, the harvest is precious to Me. Each heart, each soul is priceless to Me. I desire that not one would be lost. There are so many to be reached, so resist the urge to be distracted by fruitless endeavors. Instead be intentional – not just being a light, but in prayer. 

Be praying for the harvest, beloved, both for Me to send workers and for hearts to be prepared. Intentionally and relentlessly pray. Allow My passion to become yours. Pray, beloved, pray. Continue reading “Harvest Prayers”

Dwell in My Beauty

Psalm 27:4 (VOICE) I am pleading with the Eternal for this one thing, my soul’s desire: To live with Him all of my days— in the shadow of His temple, To behold His beauty and ponder His ways in the company of His people.

Beloved, embrace the sweet privilege of unhindered access to Me. In the same way that you would deeply feel the honor of being invited to spend time with a president or king, even more so with the King of Kings. 

Resist the urge to allow the familiarity of unfettered access to breed a devaluing of the gift you’ve been given of intimate relationship with Me. Magnify Me. See Me as I AM. Sit in awe at the depth of love and favor I’ve bestowed upon you. Dwell in My beauty, beloved, and embrace the gift you’ve been given.  Continue reading “Dwell in My Beauty”