No More, No Less – Simply Be

Matthew 5:13 (TPT) Your lives are like salt among the people. But if you, like salt, become bland, how can your ‘saltiness’ be restored? Flavorless salt is good for nothing and will be thrown out and trampled on by others.

Beloved, be all you have been created and called to be – no more, no less. Just as flavorless salt can no longer season, and an excess of salt simply ruins the flavor it was called to enhance, so you miss the fullness of your call by trying to be less or do more than what I’ve given you to do. So walk out the plans I have for you. No more. No less.

Remember that striving doesn’t earn you extra credit (though the enemy of your soul likes to try to convince you it does, thereby leaving you overextended and exhausted). Choose to simply be obedient. Again, no more. No less. Trust I know exactly what is right for you. Trust that you don’t need to earn My love by doing more. Simply be. 

Be Like Me

Numbers 6:25 (AMP) The Lord… be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness];

Beloved, I AM kind and good. I AM patient and slow to anger. I surround you with My love and grace. Be like Me. I extend grace where it isn’t warranted, and grant forgiveness where it isn’t earned. Be like Me.

May you so reflect My countenance that looking at your character allows a glimpse of Me. Love well. Be kind. Extend mercy. Walk in the kind of radical faith that causes the atmosphere to shift. Be My vessel to bring heaven into earth. Be like Me. Continue reading “Be Like Me”

Be a Person of Gratitude

Habakkuk 3:18 (AMP) Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!

Beloved, choose to be a person of gratitude, and be known by that choice. Set an example of a life full of thanksgiving that transcends circumstance, that others may see and know what walking with Me looks like.

Resentment and worry don’t serve you well, nor testify of My goodness and grace. So be intentional to look for My fingerprints, and be moved by My touch. For what I have done is sufficient – dayenu, it is enough. And though more is likely coming, choose to be more focused on gratitude than increase. For the contentment that comes from resting in gratitude is a blessing all its own.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (AMP) Though the fig tree does not blossom And there is no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fails And the fields produce no food, Though the flock is cut off from the fold And there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]…

Tame Your Tongue

James 3:3-4 (CSB) Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

Beloved, though your tongue may seem like a small muscle, it can wield more damage than the fiercest blow another could deliver. Tame it, for you are responsible for every word that departs from it. Just as those who have intentionally or thoughtlessly injured you, so you have done to others. So extend forgiveness even as you yourself need it.

Resist the urge to minimize the potential hurt your words may inflict. Remember that echoes of painful words may repeat and continue their damage for decades to come. So be slow to speak, weighing each word – seeking insight from My Spirit. Let Holy Spirit lead you rightly, and help guard your tongue that you might be known as a fountain of life. Continue reading “Tame Your Tongue”

Cultivate an Atmosphere of Peace

James 3:18 (NLT) And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Beloved, do more than simply walk in godly wisdom – cultivate it in those around you. Encourage them to bear fruit. Work together to walk in unity. Be intentional to inspire one another to pursue righteousness. Allow joy to be your strength, and share one another’s burdens.

For truly the Body of Christ is called to live in peace and love. You are called to strengthen one another and encourage one another towards that which is good. Create an atmosphere of peace. Reflect Me – YHVH Shalom, the Lord your peace. For living in this manner is the greatest testimony you can share and it is achieved without a word. Continue reading “Cultivate an Atmosphere of Peace”

Demonstrate Godly Wisdom

James 3:13 (NLT) If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

Beloved, lead by example, but do so as one who knows My ways that you may not lead others astray. Walk in righteousness – fully aligned with My Word. Do good and love well. Be a person of humility, and one who walks in honor.

See with My eyes and be lead by My Spirit. Be kind and long suffering. May you extend patience beyond even that which you’d hope to receive. Let all this fruit demonstrate your godly wisdom to choose to walk with Me. Continue reading “Demonstrate Godly Wisdom”

Harnessed Power

Colossians 4:6 (VOICE) When you speak the word, speak it gracefully (as if seasoned with salt), so you will know how to respond to everyone rightly.

Beloved, as you live your faith, let your life speak for itself. Resist the urge to “help” Me further the Kingdom by acting “on My behalf” without the unction of My Spirit. Passion for Me is vital, but passion alone isn’t enough. Cultivate wisdom, discernment, and understanding. 

Then use that character to temper your zeal. A sawed off shot gun and a sniper rifle both have power, but only one is harnessed and has singular accuracy, which is power under control. So lay down your own agenda, yield to My leading, and allow My Spirit to guard your tongue, in doing so you become a powerful force for Me.

Love is a Powerful Weapon

Proverbs 15:1 (TPT) Respond gently when you are confronted and you’ll defuse the rage of another. Responding with sharp, cutting words will only make it worse. Don’t you know that being angry can ruin the testimony of even the wisest of men?

Beloved, love is a powerful weapon. Just as a gentle flow of steady water can change the face of stone, so love has the power to change even the hardest of hearts. So love well, and do so without reserve. 

For you have been well equipped. I pour out My love over you – demonstrating My unconditional, limitless love for you each day. As you allow yourself to be saturated in My love, you are equipping yourself to pour it back out as you love others.

Give your love as an offering to Me. Resist the urge to love to gain an earthly response, but rather do it to My glory. Because I AM love. Therefore operating in love means you are flowing in Me. So love well. Love always. Love like Me.

Advocate for Harmony

Galatians 3:28 (VOICE) It makes no difference whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a freeman, a man or a woman, because in Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King, you are all one.

Beloved, humans have a tendency to focus on areas of difference, often because the strangeness of what is unfamiliar catches the attention. Choosing to celebrate those differences without allowing division can be a powerful tool for unity. 

There is no problem noting differences as long as they aren’t used to separate. For My heart is for unity in love. Therefore as you reflect the same thing and choose to be at ease with that which is different, you demonstrate to others that they should do likewise. In doing so you become an advocate for harmony and an instigator of peace.

Rain Love and Bring Forth Life

John 17:21 (VOICE) Father, may they all be one as You are in Me and I am in You; may they be in Us, for by this unity the world will believe that You sent Me.

Beloved, when you rain My love on the world around you, the dry, parched souls will begin to flourish. Love softens hearts. Love brings forth life. As you nurture what is good, love begets love, and life brings forth more life.

Just as a cutting from one plant can grow into a new plant, the life you nurture has reach beyond your view. It multiplies well beyond your reach. So focus on the ones in front of you knowing that I will bring the increase. Simply rain love and bring forth life.