YHVH Tsur (the Lord my Strength)

Psalm 144:1 (JUB) Blessed be the LORD my strength, who trains my hands for the battle and my fingers for the war:

Beloved, I will never send you into battle unarmed, unequipped, or unprepared. Behold I know the plans I have for you, and they are good. I prepare each step – both the easy and the difficult, the joyous and the trying – I prepare them all and each has purpose.

Each step builds upon the last and each step prepares you for what lies ahead. Resist the urge to rush. Resist the urge to tarry. Stay in My flow and trust My timing. Trust My leading. Trust Me to prepare you. And know I AM your strength. Continue reading “YHVH Tsur (the Lord my Strength)”

Unshakable

Nehemiah 8:10 (GW) …Don’t be sad because the joy you have in the Lord is your strength.

Beloved, when you find your joy in Me, it is unshakable. I AM the same yesterday, today, and forever, so when you root yourself in Me, you have a foundation that is solid. It cannot be moved by outside forces. When your joy is in Me, it cannot be stolen. There is strength in that foundation.

As trials in life come – and they surely will – they cannot steal your joy because it is found in Me. Draw strength from that. The winds and waves may come, but your roots are in solid ground. Draw strength from Me. I AM unchanging and unwavering. I AM the one that holds you as priceless and loves you beyond measure. Be rooted in that love.

But beloved be cautioned, you can choose to release your joy. It cannot be taken from you, but you can give it up. So refuse the temptation to give in. The enemy will lie and cheat and steal to try to release your hold on what is rightfully yours, but refuse to yield. Hold tight and be unshakable.

Burst Forth

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Beloved, no matter what you face, I AM with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you and in My presence is fullness of joy. Rejoice for you have overcome! The enemy is defeated. He has lost and you have forever gained.

Remain in joyous, steadfast assurance, and let that joy of victory reflect in your countenance. May your life be a steadfast witness to the goodness of who I AM. Refuse to be subdued, beloved, but rather burst forth in the glory of all you have been created to be.

Mighty in Me

2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

Beloved, be not defenseless in the face of your enemy, but rather having donned your armor, cling to your shield of faith and wield your sword of truth. For I have equipped you to withstand the onslaught of the enemy of your soul.

And yet, just as one would not attempt a marathon never having trained, be mindful to exercise your faith at all times to be prepared for the times of turmoil which will surely come. I AM with you to strengthen you. Do your part, for I have not left you helpless or defenseless, but mighty in Me.

Love, the Primary Focus

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) Love…extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten.

Beloved, resist the temptation to get so caught up in the gifts of My Spirit that you forget My primary focus: love. For I so loved the world that I sent My Son. Love wins the day. Love touches hearts in a way nothing else can. And in the end, love will remain when the gifts are no longer needed.

So focus on love. Be intentional to love. When in doubt, love. When you don’t want to, still love. When it’s undeserved, staunchly love. Whatever the situation, no matter how extreme, remain steadfastly in a stance of love. Be known for your love. Refuse to let it be shaken. Refuse to withhold it like a weapon or use it as a tool to manipulate, give it freely and without reserve – just as I have done for you. Continue reading “Love, the Primary Focus”

Allow Faith to Blossom

James 1:2-4 (VOICE) Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line —mature, complete, and wanting nothing.

Beloved, allow faith to blossom – bursting forth in strength and life – like a chick breaking through its shell, having found the strength required to go forth and live through perseverance gained by the hardship of the immediate challenge. Press in and persevere.

Trust Me. Trust that I will be with you to strengthen and encourage you in your moments of need. Trust that I know what you can endure and what is needful for what lies ahead. I AM the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega, I AM always mindful of what is best for My children and for My Kingdom, and I use all things for good.

So in the moments it feels like too much, focus your heart on Me. Allow Me to renew your strength, restore your joy, and give you peace. Allow Me to guide you into the fullness of all you were created and called to be. Refuse to shy away from trials, instead seeing them as tests to be conquered that your faith might increase. So allow your faith to blossom, beloved, and do so with joy.

Stand in Awe, Stand in Praise

Psalm 44:5 (TPT) Through your glorious name and your awesome power we can push through to any victory and defeat every enemy.

Beloved, no force is too strong for the King of Kings, the Lord of Heavenly Armies, God Almighty, the Great I AM. I AM your strength and your deliverer, the lifter of your head. Stand and praise, for My promises surround you like a shield, wholly reliable and forever true.

I AM awesome in holiness and My glory and power fill the earth. Stand in awe of Me. For I AM mighty in power, before Me demons will tremble and darkness must flee, and you know My name.

Radiant Royalty

Psalm 76:4 (TPT) God, you are so resplendent and radiant! Your majesty shines from your everlasting mountain. Nothing could be compared to you in glory!

Beloved, you are radiant royalty. A resplendent reflection of His glory. You know Whose you are. Just His name alone brings a hope. In the deepness of night and the brightest of day, you shine more brightly because you are His.

Your strength is in Him. Identity is in Him. Hope is in Him. You will not stray. You know He loves you. You walk in that deep intimacy with Him and have a steadfast knowledge of your true identity. You are a beloved child of God.

Reverential Awe (See Me as I AM)

Psalm 24:10 (TPT) You ask, “Who is this King of Glory?” He is the Lord of Victory, armed and ready for battle, the Mighty One, the invincible commander of heaven’s hosts! Yes, he is the King of Glory! Pause in his presence

Beloved, you know I love you and you’ve been told I call you friend, but never allow our intimacy to cause you to lose sight of who I AM. I AM the LORD, strong and mighty in battle. I AM the King of Glory and Lord of All. I AM the Lord of Hosts – the Commander of Heavenly Armies – the vast hosts of Heaven stand at My ready. I AM sovereign.

In our intimacy, do not make Me small in your eyes – a comfortable little god you can keep in your pocket and pull out on a bad day. I AM far bigger and far greater, and I AM not one to be manipulated or controlled. I fiercely protect those I love, and I will not be mocked. See Me as I AM. Worship Me and know Me. Intentionally keep your heart in a position of reverential awe. I AM worthy.

Walk in Strength and Wisdom

Romans 6:1-2 (CJB) So then, are we to say, “Let’s keep on sinning, so that there can be more grace”? Heaven forbid! How can we, who have died to sin, still live in it?

Beloved, choose wisely and walk with wisdom in the freedom you’ve been gifted. Treat with sober understanding the responsibility it brings. Sobriety isn’t an antithesis of joy, it merely prevents folly. To foolishly belittle the grace you’ve been granted dishonors and disrespects the Giver.

In holy reverence enjoy your liberty by truly being free – free from the plots of the enemy and the sins that so easily beset us. Walk in strength and wisdom, empowered by My Spirit. Reflect Me and give honor with your deeds as well as your words.