Tag: intentionality

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El Roi (the God Who Sees)

Genesis 16:13 (CSB) So she named the LORD who spoke to her: “You are El-roi,” for she said, “In this place, have I actually seen the one who sees me?”

Beloved, I see you. I AM the God who sees. Nothing is beyond My notice. In the depths of despair or deepest wounding, I AM by your side. I see, and I hurt with you. My love for you is beyond measure. In moments you have been wronged, I see, and I will hold you and strengthen you. Forgive, and trust Me to deal with the situations that cause pain or frustration and the people connected to them.

Bring your heart to Me. Share your heart – with all its hurt – with Me. Let Me share in these moments with you. Remember that I have been hurt and I have been wronged. I have been accused and misunderstood. I see you, beloved, and I understand. I AM with you always. Surrender to My love. Continue reading “El Roi (the God Who Sees)”

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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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Oasis of Serenity

Genesis 2:8-9 (VOICE) The Eternal God planted a garden in the east in Eden—a place of utter delight—and placed the man whom He had sculpted there. In this garden, He made the ground pregnant with life—bursting forth with nourishing food and luxuriant beauty…

Beloved, My heart’s desire has always been to tarry with you in the cool of the day. To provide you with a place of restful refreshing where we might sit together and commune. Dwell with Me. Choose Me as I have chosen you. Drink from the sweet water of My Spirit and be refreshed.

In the midst of chaos, the peace of My presence carves an oasis of serenity – that deep knowing place of calm tranquility that can only be found in Me. I long for you to tarry there. The enemy would keep you hectic, creating a mental static so loud it keeps you from hearing My voice and in far too much upheaval to find rest or peace.

But beloved, shalom is the peace that wars against chaos and I AM the Prince of Peace, so find your rest in Me. Find your peace in Me. Quiet your soul and tune into Me. My children know My voice. Hear Me, beloved. Find rest and hear Me. Continue reading “Oasis of Serenity”

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Unshakable

Nehemiah 8:10 (GW) …Don’t be sad because the joy you have in the Lord is your strength.

Beloved, when you find your joy in Me, it is unshakable. I AM the same yesterday, today, and forever, so when you root yourself in Me, you have a foundation that is solid. It cannot be moved by outside forces. When your joy is in Me, it cannot be stolen. There is strength in that foundation.

As trials in life come – and they surely will – they cannot steal your joy because it is found in Me. Draw strength from that. The winds and waves may come, but your roots are in solid ground. Draw strength from Me. I AM unchanging and unwavering. I AM the one that holds you as priceless and loves you beyond measure. Be rooted in that love.

But beloved be cautioned, you can choose to release your joy. It cannot be taken from you, but you can give it up. So refuse the temptation to give in. The enemy will lie and cheat and steal to try to release your hold on what is rightfully yours, but refuse to yield. Hold tight and be unshakable.

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Unabashed Devotion

2 Samuel 6:22 (NKJV) And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight…

Beloved, give no thought to how your complete trust and unreserved devotion to Me makes you look to others. It is of no consequence if they find you foolish, for they judge amiss. Nothing is more lovely than My beloved children lavishing Me with their affection and walking in unreserved trust. My honor is worth the sacrifice of your pride.

For I AM worthy. I AM far more important than concern over the misconstrued judgment of men. Just as David, a man after My own heart, was willing to dance before his people with abandon and who responded to censure by saying he would be even more undignified than that, so refuse to give consequence to the criticisms of others nor allow them to mute your unabashed devotion to Me.

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Make Me Your Obsession

Psalm 37:3-4 (AMP) Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart.

Beloved, delight in Me. Keep Me as your focus, refusing distraction, and maintaining your gaze toward Me. I AM the author and finisher of your faith. I AM the I AM. I AM faithful. I AM worthy. I AM true. Rest in Me. Rely on Me. Taste and see that I AM good.

Make Me your obsession, your hope, the fulfillment of your dreams. Allow your love for Me – and the ardent nature of your affections – to radiate from your countenance and be apparent for anyone to see. May you be known for your love for Me. Be known as My lovesick one, wholeheartedly and overwhelmingly devoted to Me. Continue reading “Make Me Your Obsession”

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Burst Forth

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Beloved, no matter what you face, I AM with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you and in My presence is fullness of joy. Rejoice for you have overcome! The enemy is defeated. He has lost and you have forever gained.

Remain in joyous, steadfast assurance, and let that joy of victory reflect in your countenance. May your life be a steadfast witness to the goodness of who I AM. Refuse to be subdued, beloved, but rather burst forth in the glory of all you have been created to be.

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Refuse to be Silent

Acts 18:9 (TLB) One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t quit!

Beloved, refuse to shrink back. Refuse to be cowed. No ploy of the enemy or criticism of man is worth bowing to fear. I AM with you. My grace sustains you. You are worthy and beloved by Me – not for what you do, but for who you are. And yet stand fast, refuse to be moved. Refuse to allow your testimony to be tarnished or stolen. You are able to withstand. My grace is sufficient.

For I, even I, have put the words in your mouth. So let them flow forth – allowing them to flow unhindered – planting seeds and watering each in their season. And watch beloved, for I will surely plant them in fertile ground and that will yield beautiful fruit. Rich is the reward.

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Sing Precious Songbird

Psalm 104:33 (TLB) I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise God to my last breath!

Beloved, break forth in song – refuse to be made silent. For your delight is a blessing to Me and brings glory to My name. It shifts the atmosphere and declares My goodness. It magnifies Me and brings honor to My name. So sing, precious songbird, sing!

Never discount the power of your song. The sound coming forth breaks chains and sets the captives free. The angels respond to your voice – even the armies of heaven move out on the notes carried by your breath. Your voice changes things. It shifts things in the unseen realm as well as the seen. Refuse to be silent anointed songbird, release what I have placed within you for it is lovely and more powerful than you know.

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Burst Forth in Praise

Psalm 5:11 (TPT) But let them all be glad, those who turn aside to hide themselves in you. May they keep shouting for joy forever! Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice. Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy.

Beloved, burst forth in praise! Like an excited child, refuse to restrain your exuberance for Me. As a good and loving father smiling over the zealous delight of their baby girl, so is My joy over you, My precious and cherished child. Stay hidden in Me.

Celebrate. Celebrate Me. Allow your joyful exuberance – your passionate praise – and your dedication to your faith to overflow in all you do. Your joy is contagious, drawing those around you closer. Stay unapologetically joyous, for it is pleasing to Me. I delight in you.

[Merriam-Webster’s Thesaurus defines “celebrate” as “to proclaim the glory of” and some of the synonyms and related words listed are “bless, praise, exalt, magnify, worship, adore.”]