I AM Your True North

1 Peter 1:25 (TLV) But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed as Good News to you.

Beloved, My word endures forever. From everlasting to everlasting I remain. I AM steadfast and sure – unchanging and completely dependable. You can rely on Me. I AM the same yesterday, today, and forever. Those around you may disappoint and shift like sand, but I remain the same.

I AM your true north – your touch point, your anchor. Let Me be your firm foundation in a world ever changing. Fear has no place as you put your trust in Me for I AM El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, and I fiercely love and protect My children. My heart towards them – towards you – is unchanging and wholly loyal. Rest in the shadow of My wings for there you will find peace.

Make Love Top Priority

Galatians 5:14 (TLB) For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: “Love others as you love yourself.”

Beloved, make love your top priority. Make love your first response. Be filled with My love that you might pour forth from your overflow. Be saturated by My love as you abide in My presence. Be restored, renewed, refreshed, and healed.

Choose love, refusing to indulge your pride with fleshly responses, but rather seeking to be like Me – loving without reserve, loving with no thoughts of self-preservation. Let your love change those around you. Let it be a window to My heart that they might see Me. Choose love, beloved, choose love.

Recognize I AM a Gift

Psalm 37:4 (VOICE) Take great joy in the Eternal! His gifts are coming, and they are all your heart desires!

Behold I love to give good gifts. I love to bless My children. I delight in giving them the things their hearts long for (as long as those things won’t be harmful to them). But beloved, you must know that I won’t allow you to lift anything in your heart higher than me. I cannot help you make idols because to do so would hurt you, and I love you far too much to permit that.

Recognize that I AM a gift – My love, My presence, and relationship with Me. Cherish this gift and take delight in it (in Me). Make Me the center of your world – your deepest joy, your heart’s desire. Watch as I pour forth My blessings when you lavish your love on the Gift Giver rather than focusing on the gifts I give. Beloved, recognize Me as the greatest gift of all.

I AM the Good Shepherd

John 10:14 (AMP) I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]

Beloved, you are My precious child. You are My very own. You are a part of Me and I know you intimately. You can rely on Me and trust Me to lead and counsel you wisely, for I AM the Good Shepherd and I care deeply for My sheep.

And My sheep know Me. They know My voice and listen (and obey) My instructions. They know My touch and follow My leadings. They choose to rest in Me – relying on Me to provide, protect, and prepare. I AM faithful and I love My little ones, not one escapes My notice. I AM good, rely on Me.

Love Extravagantly

Colossians 3:14 (GW) Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly.

Beloved, love extravagantly. Love without reserve. Love like you’ll never get hurt. Love sees with My eyes. Love expects the best and forgives when someone falls short. Love is long-suffering, staying true beyond what logic dictates and through the ridicule and persecution of others. And love forgives those others their self-righteous judgment, choosing not to take offense and simply continuing to strive to be like Me.

Love without concern for your own heart, trusting I will heal it when it’s wounded and that the moments of deep pain simply allow you an opportunity to know My heart better. True love is sacrificial, not selfish. Beloved, be known by your love. Love and love well.

Lose Yourself in the Ocean of My Love

Isaiah 43:2 (TLB) When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you.

Beloved, regardless of the trials you face, I AM always with you and will never leave you. The waters that feel as though they might drown you cannot rend you from My grip. Release yourself to Me and allow the water of My Spirit to saturate you with the depths of My love.

Focus on My heart for you. Refuse to be distracted by the troubles and worries on every side for My love is larger than, grander than, bigger than anything else. Let it fill you and overwhelm you. As you’re lost in the ocean of My love everything else will pale in comparison. Allow the magnitude of all I AM to right-size everything else for, beloved, everything is small when compared to the vastness of Me. There is nothing to fear. You will not drown nor will flames overtake you, only the beauty of My love will overwhelm you, and that is a safe place to rest.

Rest in the Knowledge You are Mine

Isaiah 43:1 (TLB) But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says: Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.

Beloved, can you hear Me calling you? Your name on My lips – sweet as honey and precious to Me. You are Mine. I have called you My own. I have ransomed you. The price has already been paid. Let your heart rejoice in the grace extended to you. Revel in it, beloved, for My mercy is a gift – an extension of My great love for you.

My perfect love leaves no room for fear. When you truly know Me, you know I fiercely love My children and jealously guard them. I stay close in times of trouble, and comfort in times of mourning. I will never leave you. I created you for My pleasure, beloved, and you do please Me. Rest in the knowledge you are Mine.

Love, Patience, and Grace

Colossians 3:13 (TLB) Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Beloved, refuse to allow your frustrations to dictate your responses. Deny the fleshly indulgence of venting, and rather choose to respond in love, patience, and grace. Quietly extend forgiveness in moments where no offense was intended and truly release any feelings of annoyance leaving no room for bitterness, hurt, or anger to take root.

Refuse to harbor ill will. Operate from a place of love and peace with an expectation of good and a heavy measure of kindness and forbearance. Choose to be like Me. You are My child, made in My image – reflect My character that others may know Me by knowing you. Let your walk be your testimony as you walk in grace, patience, and love. Continue reading “Love, Patience, and Grace”

Choose Compassion, Humility, and Kindness

1 Peter 3:8 (AMP) Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit;

Beloved, remain humble – intentionally choosing compassion and kindness – and truly operate as brothers and sisters in Christ. You are one Body, called to be known by your love; therefore, lavish it liberally just as I do on My children.

Be intentional about staying in unity. Laying down any need to be right or desire to watch out for your own benefit in lieu of harmony and seeking alignment with Me and My plan. Allow trying moments to build and shape your character, while trusting your heart and needs into My capable hands.

Refuse to Relinquish Love

1 John 2:9 (VOICE) Anyone who says, “I live in the light,” but hates his brother or sister is still living in the shadows.

Beloved, be known by your love. Love is an action. Love costs you something. Love brings light and disperses darkness. Look to Me to see how love is defined “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NLT).

Refuse to withhold your heart, beloved. Love is always the right choice, but true love is not always gentle, so ask Me for wisdom on how to love and let Me teach you. And in the moments of sacrifice, heartache and longing; remember I have felt that pain as well, and press into Me – knowing that you are sharing My sufferings and understanding My heart more deeply, but refuse to relinquish love for it is always the right choice.