Clothed in Strength

Proverbs 31:25 (NLT) She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

Beloved, allow your joy and trust in My faithfulness to bubble up and overflow. With YHVH Sabaoth (the Lord of Hosts) and the hosts of heaven on your side, you know you have nothing and no one to fear. Your future is safe in My hands.

Let the joy of victory ring. Let your strength be like the finest garments, and your gentle dignity – your steadfast honor and quiet assurance – be as lovely accessories, accentuating the beauty of your faith in Me as you stand assured with joy.

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”

No Toehold

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love is not easily irritated…

Beloved, purpose to walk in humility, grace, and compassion. Let little annoyances and inconveniences roll off your back without effect. Refuse to give them credence or room to have impact.

Be so thoroughly saturated in My love that pesky things don’t even annoy. Be so filled with My joy that nothing can steal it. Have your eyes so full of Me and My vision that everything else is put in proper proportion. Refuse to give a toehold for the enemy to leverage; nor allow pride, thoughtlessness, or foolishness to injure any relationship. Continue reading “No Toehold”

Be Sensitive

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is…gentleness…

Beloved, there are moments to be bold, but there are also moments to be gentle. Allow My Spirit to show you the difference. Keep your flesh in check in the moments it wants to reign free, but I’m calling you to keep it in check – remember that you rule it, not vice versa. Allow Me to lead and trust Me as I do.

In the same way My voice both thunders and is still and small, so must you be sensitive to what the moment calls for. There are some to whom a raised voice will always equal violence, and in the same way, some view gentleness as a license to walk all over you. Trust Me to know the difference and allow My Spirit to bring forth My fruit in your character as you stay yielded to My flow. Continue reading “Be Sensitive”

Stay Teachable

Proverbs 19:20 (VOICE) Heed counsel, act on instruction, and you will become wise later in life.

Beloved, stay teachable. Keep your heart in a position to receive. Recognize My voice regardless of the vessel I use to speak to you. Refuse to allow pride or arrogance to keep you from receiving from Me. You know I love to use the foolish things to confound the wise, so stay open. My sheep know My voice.

When given wise counsel, show wisdom by implementing it. It is not enough to simply hear and receive, beloved, you must respond and take action. From a place of both humility and confidence, move in the way I have counseled you. I will not steer you wrong, nor allow you to fall when you are seeking to obey Me in earnest. Rest in Me and respond.

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”

Position Your Heart

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) Love…refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else…

Beloved, resist the temptation to resent when someone else receives the blessing you desire, or to question Me as to My decision on when and whom to grant it. Trusting Me to know best and rejoicing with all in their seasons of blessing positions your heart to receive.

Resist the urge to feel overlooked or undervalued, beloved, for you are precious to Me. Walk in joy and gratitude. See and know that love all around you and reflect it back out to others even as you yourself have received. Continue reading “Position Your Heart”

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”

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.

Radiate Love and Life

1 Peter 2:1 (TLB) So get rid of your feelings of hatred. Don’t just pretend to be good! Be done with dishonesty and jealousy and talking about others behind their backs.

Beloved, refuse to indulge in satisfying your flesh by allowing hatred, bitterness, and unforgiveness to fester nor by allowing the fruit thereof to flourish. You are children of God and of the light, and knowing and having experienced Me you are inherently different than the world, no longer slaves to emotion.

You are no longer driven by reaction. Be one who chooses how to respond to any circumstance or situation with My heart and reflecting My character. Beloved, bear fruit. I have not promised it would be easy, but I AM with you and will never leave you. Let your godly character and the fruit of My Spirit shine like the sun for all to see. You have already been given what you need, radiate love and life.