Keep the Flame on the Altar of Your Heart Burning

Leviticus 6:13 (JUB) The fire shall burn continuously upon the altar; it shall not be put out.

Beloved, there’s no wrong time to worship Me. When you’re feeling overwhelming gratitude, it’s the right time. When you’re overcome with sorrow, it’s the right time. When trials press in on all sides, it’s the right time. It’s always the right time. 

Be intentional to let nothing steal your praise. Make time to lavish Me with your affections, and let Me do so in return. Keep the flame on the altar of your heart continuously burning – may it never go out. 

Be Moved by Gratitude

Ephesians 5:10 (AMP) trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him–your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].

Beloved, one who is moved with true gratitude acts accordingly. Gratitude shifts your heart. It demands action. It moves you. One who gives lip service to thanksgiving but who’s actions and heart remain the same is not truly grateful. 

So check your heart, beloved. If you are truly moved with gratitude by My salvation and My love, how has it changed you and how are you reflecting that change to Me? 

Let your gratitude overflow in a life spent giving glory and honor to Me. Knowing how to please Me is no great mystery, for I’ve made My heart plain in My Word. So know Me and know My heart, and offer up thanksgiving in a life filled with obedience and praise from a joyful, grateful heart. Continue reading “Be Moved by Gratitude”

Treasured Gift

Psalm 149:3-4 (VOICE) So let the music begin; praise His name—dance and sing to the rhythm of the tambourine, and to the tune of the harp. For the Eternal is listening, and nothing pleases Him more than His people…

Beloved, your worship brings Me such pleasure – it is a treasured gift to Me. When you pour forth your praise with unreserved abandon from a heart filled with gratitude it is precious to Me – like a sweet, fragrant offering before My throne.

So hold nothing back and bring forth your sound. Lay it all out for My glory because I AM worthy. Let the cadence you set be in harmony with the heartbeat of heaven. Holy! Holy! Holy! Rejoice for I AM your God!

Cast Your Crown

Revelation 4:10-11 (AMP) the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”

Beloved, what will you do with the honors given you? What will you do with the blessings I put into your hands? Will you use them to build your own kingdom? Or will you willingly and joyously choose to lay them at My feet. 

Beloved, cast your crown before Me. Choose Me as the most valuable and precious gift of all. Find Me worthy and spend your life yielded and poured out before Me. For I AM faithful and true, worthy and steadfast – I AM the loving, righteous God. Worship Me.  Continue reading “Cast Your Crown”

Yield Yourself to Me

Psalm 95:6 (TPT) Come and kneel before this Creator-God; come and bow before the mighty God, our majestic maker!

Beloved, joyously take your place at My feet. To humble oneself is not to be humiliated, it is simply a point of surrender. It is you laying down your burdens and allowing Me to pick them up.

Find your rest, beloved, at My feet. Feel My touch upon your head as I cover you with My love. Like a precious ointment upon My feet, so you pour your heart out before Me. The sweet aroma of your offering is incredibly pleasing to Me.

You honor Me as you choose to yield. You magnify Me in your heart and on the earth – giving Me the honor due My name. Blessed are you as you yield yourself to Me.

Who is More Deserving?

1 Chronicles 16:27 (DBY) Majesty and splendour are before him; Strength and gladness in his place.

Beloved, rejoice for I AM good. Release a sound of praise as a call of victory, for strength is found in My presence and you abide with Me. Behold My majesty. Pause in awe of My grandeur. My glory is resplendent, let wonder fill your face.

Who is more deserving of your worship? Who is more worthy of your praise? I AM the God of the impossible. I AM the One who moves mountains and causes the dead to rise. My glory fills the heavens and all creation sings My praise.

Pour out your acceptable offering. Be filled with My joy and strength. I extend My hand in welcome, so let hesitation fall away. Refuse to feel unworthy, for I have chosen you, I long for you, and I love you more than words can say.

The Presence of the Living God

Psalm 96:6 (NASB) Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

Beloved, find your rest in Me. Behold the beauty of My presence. Allow the awe of My majesty to fill your heart and overflow. May that overflow pour forth as a pleasing offering before My throne.

Find strength and resolve in My presence. Allow your faith to be renewed. Recharge and refresh as you sit at My feet. Refuse to allow life to get in the way of finding time with Me, for I AM worthy and indeed your very heart cries out for Me – for the presence of the Living God.

Sacrificial Love

John 15:13 (NIV) Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Beloved, true love means sacrifice. The cost is high to give. And the higher the cost, the more difficult it can be to receive – to feel worthy of such a sacrifice. But, beloved, to focus on your worth is asking the wrong question. The question is: what will you do with what you have been given?

Respond in gratitude. Respond in power. Rather than asking if you are worthy of such a sacrifice, live in a way that is worthy. Choose to receive the blessing and walk in the fullness – not in arrogance, but rather an honored humility.

Obedience: a Sweet Act of Worship

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (VOICE) …Be certain of this: that obedience is better than sacrifice…

Beloved, yielding to My voice is one of the sweetest acts of worship you can bring. It is an aroma so pleasing before Me. It is a wordless declaration that you trust Me and that I AM a worthy God. No form of sacrifice outweighs the gift of your obedience.

Partial obedience is still disobedience. It is a sign you trust your own judgment and agenda above My own. If you truly trust Me, you will obey Me. Even your need to understand is based in a desire to judge My judgment.

Release your need to understand. Release your need to determine if you agree with My instructions or requests, and simply yield. Yield out of love. Yield out of respect. Yield to give honor. Yield to bring glory. Part of “giving your life to Me” is yielding to Me, so release any need to judge or control and simply trust and obey. Continue reading “Obedience: a Sweet Act of Worship”

Unabashed Devotion

2 Samuel 6:22 (NKJV) And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight…

Beloved, give no thought to how your complete trust and unreserved devotion to Me makes you look to others. It is of no consequence if they find you foolish, for they judge amiss. Nothing is more lovely than My beloved children lavishing Me with their affection and walking in unreserved trust. My honor is worth the sacrifice of your pride.

For I AM worthy. I AM far more important than concern over the misconstrued judgment of men. Just as David, a man after My own heart, was willing to dance before his people with abandon and who responded to censure by saying he would be even more undignified than that, so refuse to give consequence to the criticisms of others nor allow them to mute your unabashed devotion to Me.