Character Building

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) Love is not… quick to take offense…

Beloved, I AM slow to anger and rich in mercy, my grace knows no bounds; and you were crafted in My image. Refuse to allow your flesh to mandate your responses. Refuse to indulge pride or self-righteousness. Instead be steadfast in humility, grace, and compassion, allowing the fruit of My Spirit to be manifest in your walk as you submit your character to the fiery trials of testing.

Remember, beloved, My Spirit is at work in each of you. It isn’t your job to ensure someone learns a particular lesson, that role is Mine. Leave it to Me, knowing if I desire your assistance, it will never be when you’re operating in the flesh, so persist in dying to it daily that the beauty of Me in you might shine brighter day after day. Continue reading “Character Building”

Choose What is Right

Colossians 3:16 (VOICE) Let the word of the Anointed One richly inhabit your lives. With all wisdom teach, counsel, and instruct one another…

Beloved, take the time to know My word so that in the day your counsel is needed, you might advise and instruct from a foundation of wisdom rather than opinion. Let Me shape your ideals rather than the media and world around you. Refuse to be swayed by fear and popularity, instead choose what is right in My eyes.

Resist the urge to impose your views, and rather lead by example – living a life that is rich with fruit and demonstrates Who I AM. Share wisdom when it is sought, and even then give more than just counsel (which demonstrates your own wisdom) and instead explain the reasoning behind it from My word (thus helping them learn more of Me).

Joyful Expectations

Philippians 1:4 (NLT) Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,

Beloved, be not influenced by the ebb and flow of the circumstances around you, but rather stay firmly rooted in Me and the joy found in My presence. With hope-filled persistence, bring your petitions to Me, trusting Me to hear and respond in My great wisdom (which may or may not align with your request).

I AM always good. I always hear you. Refuse to be discouraged or to allow bitterness to take root. Remain in joyful expectation, trusting fully in Me. Allow your steadfast trust to set the spiritual climate surrounding you, shifting others into that space rather than allow people or circumstances to pull you from it. Stay faithful and persistent, and wait on Me.

Be a Living, Breathing Testimony

Colossians 1:10 (VOICE) May their lives be a credit to You, Lord; and what’s more, may they continue to delight You by doing every good work and growing in the true knowledge that comes from being close to You.

Beloved, draw near. Come close and abide. Fix your heart on Me and hold Me close, meditate on My word – delight in Me. Make Me your filter, see everything through Me and My heart. Refuse to experience the world simply through the reactions of your flesh or be slave to your fickle emotions, but rather be firmly rooted in Me.

May your life be a testament to Me. You are a child of the day. Shine, beloved, reflect the Son. May the peace in your heart be the evidence of your time dwelling in My presence. Let My joy pour forth and infiltrate everything you do. Bear fruit. Give evidence of your relationship with Me. Be a living, breathing testimony.

Take the Time to Notice

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance…

Beloved, trust Me to highlight your successes and showcase your strengths in the moments I deem right. Rather than trying to build your own esteem, focus on seeing and exposing the strengths and virtues of those around you.

Take the time to notice when others’ do good. Recognize My hand at work. Be quick to encourage and support those thoughts and deeds. Be intentional about building others up without thought of it being returned, but simply because it is a beautiful thing to do. Continue reading “Take the Time to Notice”

Be My Love with Skin On

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love is gentle and consistently kind to all…

Beloved, refuse to allow pride (or any fleshly response) to bait you into responding rashly or causing hurt to another. A fool vents his emotions, and you are no fool. You are master of your emotions (for My Spirit empowers you) and have no need to thrust them on someone else for a moment’s pleasure.

Bring those feelings to Me. Bring all your hurts and frustrations, all the injustices and woundings. I AM the healer and restorer, I will tend your heart. So be intentional about reflecting Mine.

Walk in kindness and compassion. See past someone’s poor response to the heart of why they’re reacting the way they are. Are they immature? Demonstrate good behavior. Are they having a bad day? Encourage them. Are they frazzled and on edge? Seek to bring peace. Use the discernment of My Spirit, beloved, and be My love with skin on. Continue reading “Be My Love with Skin On”

Ignite the World

Romans 12:11 (VOICE) Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work. Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord.

Beloved, ignite the world with your zealous love of Me. May your passion burn so brightly those surrounding you cannot help but catch flame. When your personal walk with Me is genuine, sincere, steadfast, and intimate; when by observation others can clearly see your love, honor, obedience, and integrity; you will win lives without a word.

Focus on your own walk with Me and the integrity of your own actions. Be intentional to obey My voice both in My word and Spirit-breathed. Refuse to be caught up in judgment and telling others how they should live. Lead by example and love without restraint. In doing so, you cannot help but ignite the world.

Choose Humility and Love

Proverbs 3:34 (NLT) The LORD mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.

Beloved, choose this day how you would live. Will you choose to walk in sarcasm and mockery? Or will you walk in compassion and humility? Be intentional in your choice. Then walk in the fruit thereof.

I extend My grace to those who choose humility and love. For they are the ones who have chosen to walk in My image. Expect My grace. Expect My favor. I see your choice to die to your flesh and to extend grace to others in a moment that costs your pride. Your actions bless and honor Me. I will repay.

Uncontainable Blessing

Genesis 15:5 (NET) The LORD took him outside and said, “Gaze into the sky and count the stars – if you are able to count them!” Then he said to him, “So will your descendants be.”

Beloved, My promises for you are plenteous and steadfast. Just as the rainbow is a reminder of My promises, may the stars be a reminder of the overwhelming blessings in store for those who love Me. For just as I promised Abraham more descendants than there are stars in the sky, so My promises for those who love Me are an uncontainable blessing.

Fix your gaze on Me and make Me your first choice. Throughout the ages My heart-cry remains the same: that I would be your God and that you would be My people. I hold nothing back from those who hold nothing back from Me. So delight in Me, beloved, and let your zeal be unmatched. May your passion be a flame that burns so brightly those around you can’t help but be ignited. May it serve as a lighthouse that guides the way to unfettered access to Me and the fullness of My love, which knows no bounds.

May the Overflow of Your Heart Mirror Mine

Ephesians 4:2 (TLB) Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Beloved, see with My eyes the motivations of man. Refuse to be affronted, but rather allow the fruit of the Spirit to pour forth from you as you move in patience, grace, and forgiveness. Act in a manner that you would have someone act towards a loved one in their moment of weakness.

Refuse to allow disunity, resentment, or anger to take root. Release any feelings of frustration and instead allow compassion to well up from within you. May the overflow of your heart mirror Mine that others may see and know Me by your actions alone.