Cultivate Good Fruit

1 Corinthians 13:1 (TPT) If I were to speak with eloquence in earth’s many languages, and in the heavenly tongues of angels, yet I didn’t express myself with love, my words would be reduced to the hollow sound of nothing more than a clanging cymbal.

Beloved, to reflect My voice you must also reflect My character. One cannot speak of humility and have that word be well-received if one is steeped in pride. So be mindful to cultivate the fruit of My Spirit. 

It is more important that you accurately reflect My character than that you repeat My words. When the fruit of your character is sour, your words will taste sour too. So cultivate good fruit and flow from that place. 

Unhindered – Naked and Unashamed

Genesis 3:8 (KJV) And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Beloved, My desire is and always has been to walk among you and to talk with you. My desire has always been for you to be naked and unashamed, with nothing hindering our intimacy and communion. This is still My desire today. 

So choose wisely, beloved, in what you say and do. Be intentional not to choose things that bring shame that would cause you to hide from Me. And in the moments you realize you have, quickly repent and move on. Let nothing separate you from Me or cause you to want to hide, for you are Mine.

Fruit of Your Lips

Hebrews 13:15 (TPT) So we no longer offer up a steady stream of blood sacrifices, but through Jesus, we will offer up to God a steady stream of praise sacrifices—these are “the lambs” we offer from our lips that celebrate his name! 

Beloved, may the fruit of your lips pour forth in praise to the One who is worthy. You have a choice of whether or not you bring forth fruit, and what kind of fruit it is. Will you withhold that which I AM worthy of? Or will you give it to another?

Surely as you nurture a heart full of gratitude, you will find yourself unable to hold back your praise. So cultivate a heart of thanksgiving and release your song of joy and love that the fruit of your lips might be sweet.  Continue reading “Fruit of Your Lips”

Refuse to Walk in Fear

Isaiah 43:2 (VOICE) When you face stormy seas I will be there with you with endurance and calm; you will not be engulfed in raging rivers. If it seems like you’re walking through fire with flames licking at your limbs, keep going; you won’t be burned.

Beloved, refuse to walk in fear. No matter what you face, I face it with you. Your journey will always include hardships – for everyone’s does, but as you walk in confidence with Me at your side, you will prevail. 

Resist the urge to be overwhelmed by troubles as they come. Instead look to Me for the path through the flames. I AM with you to guide you. So refuse to walk in fear because you walk with Me.

Trust Me to Do What is Best

Matthew 3:17 (VOICE) Voice from Heaven: This is My Son, whom I love; this is the Apple of My eye; with Him I am well pleased.

Beloved, there is nothing I wouldn’t do to bless you. You are the apple of My eye – more precious to Me than words can express, such is the depth of My love for you. But I will not thoughtlessly give you that which will harm you.

So ask Me for what you will without reservation, but then trust Me to do what is best. Resist the urge to assign negative motives or heart intentions to My decisions, and instead remember that I see all and I know all, therefore My judgment is perfect. And above all, remember I move from love. 

Allow My Spirit-Wind to Move You

John 3:5-6 (TPT) Jesus answered, “I speak an eternal truth: Unless you are born of water and Spirit-wind, you will never enter God’s kingdom realm. For the natural realm can only give birth to things that are natural, but the spiritual realm gives birth to supernatural life!

Beloved, pursue Me. Seek hard after the things of heaven, and expect the wind of My Spirit to blow. Be intentional to cultivate your spiritual senses. That which you focus on, you make room for. If you want more of My Spirit, make room by focusing in, and hone your senses so that you might receive.

I AM always eager and ready to interact with My children. If you press into Me, I will press in to you. The depth of relationship available to you with Me is fathomless. So spread wide your arms and throw back your head, and allow My Spirit-wind to move you.  Continue reading “Allow My Spirit-Wind to Move You”

Continually Increase Your Pursuit of Me

Matthew 5:6 (GW) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God’s approval. They will be satisfied.

Beloved, when your heart is fixed on Me, nothing you say or do can pull you from My grasp. This is not to say you will be perfect, nor that you will be sinless, simply that if your heart is fixed on Me, My heart will stay fixed on you. 

I’m not afraid of your imperfection. Your flawed choices don’t surprise Me or scare Me off. I AM for those who are for Me, and as you seek to yield your path to Me, I will lead you on. So cultivate your hunger, and stir up your thirst. Continually increase your pursuit of Me, and trust Me to light your way. 

Face the Flames

Hosea 6:1 (VOICE) Come on, let’s renew our loyalty to the Eternal One! He tore us like a lion, but He’ll heal us; He wounded us, but He’ll bandage us.

Beloved, My love for you never changes – no matter what you do or say. And I AM never cruel or unfeeling towards you. I will, however, allow hardships into your life to shape and mold you, and to build your character. 

I do not do this to be unkind, though in the moment it may feel that way. The contrast of “bad” gives “good” a greater fullness. Just as the contrast of sorrow brings joy more depth. If a child is given everything they want and they experience no hardship, they will be spoiled and self-focused. I will not do that to My children, for My love for them is too great. 

Therefore, I allow hardships and trials, but I walk through them with you. I AM present – ready to give support and strength as you reach for Me. Then as you come out the other side, I bring healing and restoration. And just as a scar strengthens the area where there has been a wound, I will strengthen you in the areas you’ve been tried. 

So face the flames of testing unafraid, knowing I AM with you and will walk you through, knowing you will be stronger for doing so, and knowing challenges are simply part of life. And, beloved, life is worth embracing in all its fullness.  Continue reading “Face the Flames”

Ask Boldly

Luke 11:8 (GW) I can guarantee that although he doesn’t want to get up to give you anything, he will get up and give you whatever you need because he is your friend and because you were so bold.

Beloved, ask boldly. For you know My throne of grace is there and approachable. You have but to come to Me and ask. I consider each and every request you bring. I give all of them the weight and consideration they deserve. 

I will never disparage you or your thoughts, so have no fear. I never think your requests are below my notice. Nor do I find you audacious for dreaming big. I love to know everything that is on your heart. So don’t hold back. Ask, seek, and knock, and then eagerly expect the door to open. 

Take the Limits Off of Me

John 16:24 (TPT) Until now you’ve not been bold enough to ask the Father for a single thing in my name, but now you can ask, and keep on asking him! And you can be sure that you’ll receive what you ask for, and your joy will have no limits!

Beloved, I AM a good Father who loves His children. Do you think a young child hesitates from asking their beloved earthly parent for anything their heart desires? Or that the parent of the cherished little one doesn’t weigh each request with reverence, desiring deeply to bless the child they love?

So beloved one, ask! Resist the urge to edit your requests, and instead pour out your heart’s desires to Me – trusting Me with those secret thoughts. If I withhold, it is not from a place of rejection or any lack of love, for My desire to bless you is beyond your comprehension. So take the limits off of Me and ask.