Tag: James

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Believe and Obey

Hebrews 11:6 (AMP) But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.

Beloved, believe and obey. Mere faith is not enough. Your faith must prompt you to action, and that action must be righteous and pleasing. It must prompt you to obedience. For faith without works is dead. Indeed, it is a useless faith. 

And in the same way you know a tree is good by the good fruit it bears, so your faith is proved good by the sweet fruit it produces. And may your motivation for action not be to gain the rewards that come from Me (though they will surely come), but rather from a heart so full of love for Me that you cannot NOT act. 

So beloved, let your faith take form, and act in a way that brings joy and pleasure to Me. And may you relentlessly pursue Me that you might accurately know what that looks like. Continue reading “Believe and Obey”

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Be Prayerful and Expectant

James 5:16 (AMP) …The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

Beloved, allow yourself to dream and hope. You know who I AM – the God of the impossible, so don’t hesitate to bring to Me that which stirs in your heart. Resist the urge to qualify your heart’s desires to determine their “worth” because I love to hear the desires of your heart. No petition is too outlandish or outrageous – I love when you think big because I AM a big God. Nor is any request too small or insignificant. What is on your heart is important to Me, and I hear the requests of My children.

So allow your heartfelt requests to come forth in prayer and expectation. Trust Me to move. There is great power as you team together with Me. So don’t be one who “has not because they ask not.” Ask, seek, and knock; then wait expectantly for Me to open the door.

Be certain to ask in faith. What is the point of asking if you expect no response? Would you knock on a door without expectation of it being opened? Be sure to be expectant that I will hear and respond. It may not be in the way you’re hoping, but I don’t ignore the petitions of those I love (and I love you). So be prayerful and expectant, beloved, and watch as I move.

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Fiercely Jealous Lover

James 4:5 (MSG) The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find.

Beloved, I AM a fiercely jealous lover, and I will not share the heart of My beloved, for you are Mine. I AM worthy of affection and worthy of the best that you can give. I know you intimately and cherish every corner of your precious heart.

I AM worth the cost. I AM worth laying down the substitutes and idols that leave you empty anyway. Nothing is of more value than relationship with Me. My arms are open and My grip is firm, narrow your focus to simply Me. I AM more than enough. I AM all you need. Continue reading “Fiercely Jealous Lover”

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Keep Your Mind Fixed on Me

Exodus 28:36 (KJV) And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, Holiness To The Lord.

Beloved, keep your mind fixed on Me and My ways. Meditate on My word and let it so saturate who you are that your thoughts and deeds align with it without hesitation. Be so firmly rooted in My thoughts, that no suggestion that is in opposition – whether it be from human or spiritual origin – leads you astray.

Reject that which is not of Me and that which I declare evil. Refuse to give it place in your life. For beloved, the enemy will exploit any and every toehold he is granted, so refuse to give him access to torment you. Resist the devil and he will flee. Stand fast in truth, taking every thought captive, and offering holiness unto Me. Continue reading “Keep Your Mind Fixed on Me”

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Allow Faith to Blossom

James 1:2-4 (VOICE) Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line —mature, complete, and wanting nothing.

Beloved, allow faith to blossom – bursting forth in strength and life – like a chick breaking through its shell, having found the strength required to go forth and live through perseverance gained by the hardship of the immediate challenge. Press in and persevere.

Trust Me. Trust that I will be with you to strengthen and encourage you in your moments of need. Trust that I know what you can endure and what is needful for what lies ahead. I AM the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega, I AM always mindful of what is best for My children and for My Kingdom, and I use all things for good.

So in the moments it feels like too much, focus your heart on Me. Allow Me to renew your strength, restore your joy, and give you peace. Allow Me to guide you into the fullness of all you were created and called to be. Refuse to shy away from trials, instead seeing them as tests to be conquered that your faith might increase. So allow your faith to blossom, beloved, and do so with joy.

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Rooted in Me

James 1:7 (TPT) When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?

Beloved, refuse to be blown about by circumstances and emotions instead choosing to be quietly and firmly rooted in Me. Seek My will and trust it when I give you wisdom. Step out in faith knowing I AM faithful to guide each step. Refuse to give ear to the enemy’s lies and distractions. Stay firm.

Beloved, you know My sheep know My voice and that I graciously give wisdom to all who ask, so be at peace – knowing full well I AM more than able to steer you through any storm and quiet your heart as you allow Me to. Waiting upon Me is not a place of inaction, but rather a state of readiness. Being willing and yielded to go with My flow and allowing My Spirit to guide. Lay down the burden of “figuring things out” and seek Me. I AM faithful to lead, faithful to guide, and faithful to provide.

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Let Your Actions Declare My Faithfulness

Galatians 5:22 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…faithfulness,

Beloved, I AM forever faithful, setting the example for My children. Allow My Spirit to bring forth faithfulness in you. That you might be focused and singleminded, a picture of loyalty and steadfastness – displaying My character and nature as you reflect Me.

Bear sweet fruit, beloved. You are made in My image, empowered by My Spirit, this character is not beyond your reach. It requires trust in Me – a trust that demonstrates to the world that I AM good and worthy of trust. Your actions will speak far louder than your words ever could, so declare My faithfulness by surrendering your all to Me knowing I AM full of love and worthy of your heart. Be at peace, I will meet you there for I AM good. Continue reading “Let Your Actions Declare My Faithfulness”

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Bringing Forth the Good

2 Corinthians 12:7 (AMP) Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!

Beloved, do not think for one moment that I will not allow you to walk through trials – even in the natural, children who are indulged and overprotected become spoiled and entitled – so I will allow trials to mold character in your life and I do this for your own benefit. What I promise you is that I will be with you through them all, I will never give you more than you can handle (with Me), and I will use them all for good.

So as you find yourself in the midst of trials, look for Me there. Seek Me and ask Me what I AM working in the midst of it to grow and bless. Trust that My heart toward you is good and My plans for you are good. Refuse to allow that perspective to waver. The enemy will whisper lies to you about My character, refuse to listen and cling to Me all the more. I will never leave you or forsake you, so stand fast and allow Me to bring forth the good. Continue reading “Bringing Forth the Good”

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Strengthened by Trials

James 1:3-4 (TPT) For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.

Beloved, the trials you have walked through have served their purpose. They have stretched your faith and enlarged your ability to believe in Me for both the miraculous and the mundane. You have tasted and seen, you know that I AM faithful. Your confidence in My character is steadfast for I AM unimpugnable.

You’ve learned by experience that worrying and wondering are wastes of time and energy, and in wisdom you simply look to Me and follow My lead. As a result, I AM pouring out increase over you, for you are faithful to Me, and I cherish that. I do not take lightly the cost that was required from you to get to this point. Though I know it was needful, it didn’t make it easy to watch as you struggled, but you were tried by fire and have been strengthened for it. You are My joy.

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Bridle Your Tongue and Love Like Me

James 1:19 (VOICE) Listen, open your ears, harness your desire to speak, and don’t get worked up into a rage so easily, my brothers and sisters.

Beloved, be intentional to bridle your tongue. Resist the urge to vent your frustrations and instead cultivate peace so the frustration won’t come as easily. Like a muscle that can be trained and strengthened, you can increase your ability to hold onto your inner peace. Press into My Spirit. Allow Me to bring you shalom – the peace that wars against chaos – in every circumstance.  What you feed will grow. Will you feed the frustration or feed the peace?

Listen, beloved. Hear beyond people’s hurts and pride. Hear what is underneath them. Listen with My ears and hear with My heart. See the wounds and brokenness that cause the behavior. Be moved with compassion. Pray for them. Demonstrate My love instead of reacting to offense. Choose to love like Me, and walk in peace and unshakable joy. Continue reading “Bridle Your Tongue and Love Like Me”