Sacrificial Love

Matthew 5:46 (VOICE) It is easy to love those who love you—even a tax collector can love those who love him.

Beloved, it is good to love well those you already love. For all of us have moments where we are unloveable. So be reminded to persist in love regardless of how prickly someone you care about is being. Remember there are moments you yourself will need that same grace extended to you.

However, if the extent of your sacrificial love is only to those you already care about, you are falling short of the mark. Where the real challenge begins is in loving those who you don’t like and don’t agree with, even ones who have been hostile to you. There is the true challenge. People are prone to segregating into safe little groupings where everyone has shared belief sets. This feels safe.

However, true unity is accomplished when you are intentional to move beyond your safe place and allow yourself to be challenged. Choose to love those you may not like, and choose to seek peace with those you don’t agree with. That kind of love – that kind of harmony, reflects My heart and honors Me.

Matthew 5:44-48 (VOICE) But I tell you this: love your enemies. Pray for those who torment you and persecute you— in so doing, you become children of your Father in heaven. He, after all, loves each of us—good and evil, kind and cruel. He causes the sun to rise and shine on evil and good alike. He causes the rain to water the fields of the righteous and the fields of the sinner. It is easy to love those who love you—even a tax collector can love those who love him. And it is easy to greet your friends—even outsiders do that! But you are called to something higher: “Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Leave the Rest to Me

Psalm 86:14 (TPT) God, look at how these arrogant ones have defied me. Like a vicious band of violent men they have tried to kill me. They wouldn’t worry for a moment that they were sinning against you!

Beloved, when you live aligned with Me and walking on the path I have for you while observing My ways, those who criticize you, criticize Me. You don’t need to defend yourself, or try to hide who I have called you to be, for it is both of us they accuse.

Beloved, walk in humility and forgiveness. Allow Me to be the One to come to your defense. Trust Me to know the best way and perfect timing. All you need to do is to keep your heart right, and then leave the rest to Me.

Psalm 86:13-17 (TPT) You love me so much and you placed your greatness upon me. You rescued me from the deepest place of darkness, and you have delivered me from a certain death. God, look at how these arrogant ones have defied me. Like a vicious band of violent men they have tried to kill me. They wouldn’t worry for a moment that they were sinning against you! But Lord, your nurturing love is tender and gentle. You are slow to get angry yet so swift to show your faithful love. You are full of abounding grace and truth. Bring me to your grace-fountain so that your strength becomes mine. Be my hero and come rescue your servant once again! Send me a miraculous sign to show me how much you love me, so that those who hate me will see it and be ashamed. Don’t they know that you, Lord, are my comforter, the one who comes to help me?

Note: this Prophetic Nugget was featured on a Lunchtime Live on the Dyed4you Ministries Facebook page. You can watch a recording of the livestream by visiting: Lunchtime Live: You Do You

Be a God-Pleaser

Psalm 86:13 (TPT) You love me so much and you placed your greatness upon me. You rescued me from the deepest place of darkness, and you have delivered me from a certain death.

Beloved, there is no pit so deep I can’t snatch you from it. No trap so hidden I can’t see it. As you align yourself with Me and yield to My leading, you are empowered with My wisdom, grace, and favor.

I AM the One who lifts men up and makes them great. I AM the One who grants honor and favor. So look to Me and make the praise and criticism of men of no importance to you. Simply be a God-pleaser, and see what we can accomplish together.

Psalm 86:13-17 (TPT) You love me so much and you placed your greatness upon me. You rescued me from the deepest place of darkness, and you have delivered me from a certain death. God, look at how these arrogant ones have defied me. Like a vicious band of violent men they have tried to kill me. They wouldn’t worry for a moment that they were sinning against you! But Lord, your nurturing love is tender and gentle. You are slow to get angry yet so swift to show your faithful love. You are full of abounding grace and truth. Bring me to your grace-fountain so that your strength becomes mine. Be my hero and come rescue your servant once again! Send me a miraculous sign to show me how much you love me, so that those who hate me will see it and be ashamed. Don’t they know that you, Lord, are my comforter, the one who comes to help me?

Faithful to Restore

Psalm 86:4 (TPT) Restore joy to your loving servant once again, for all I am is yours, O God.

Beloved, receive My joy as you rest in My presence. Be refreshed in your time with Me. For all that I AM is holy and true, and I pour My love out over you. Be saturated and satisfied, and be restored.

I AM the God who makes all things new. And I AM the God who redeems. Nothing is too hard for Me, and I AM all you need. So rest in Me and release your cares – cast them all on Me. For I AM faithful, beloved, forevermore. And faithful I’ll always be.

Psalm 86:1-4 (TPT) Lord, bend down to listen to my prayer. I am in deep trouble. I’m broken and humbled, and I desperately need your help. Guard my life, for I’m your faithful friend, your loyal servant for life. I turn to you in faith, my God, my hero; come and rescue me! Lord God, hear my constant cry for help; show me your favor and bring me to your fountain of grace! Restore joy to your loving servant once again, for all I am is yours, O God.

I AM Still Good

Psalm 86:2 (TPT) Guard my life, for I’m your faithful friend, your loyal servant for life. I turn to you in faith, my God, my hero; come and rescue me!

Beloved, when you call to Me, I answer. And when you need Me, I AM there. I may not remove the consequences of poor choices, but I AM fully able to help you navigate challenging circumstances and work them for your good.

Choose to be faithful. Choose to be steadfast. Choose to walk with Me. But even when your actions diverge from your intent, still I AM with you and still I AM good. So cling fast to My promise, for it is bedrock.

Psalm 86:1-4 (TPT) Lord, bend down to listen to my prayer. I am in deep trouble. I’m broken and humbled, and I desperately need your help. Guard my life, for I’m your faithful friend, your loyal servant for life. I turn to you in faith, my God, my hero; come and rescue me! Lord God, hear my constant cry for help; show me your favor and bring me to your fountain of grace! Restore joy to your loving servant once again, for all I am is yours, O God.

I Don’t Desert You

Psalm 86:1 (TPT) Lord, bend down to listen to my prayer. I am in deep trouble. I’m broken and humbled, and I desperately need your help.

Beloved, regardless of the situation you find yourself in, I AM with you and I AM listening. Even when you’re in a crisis of your own making, I don’t turn my back to punish or desert you. I love you. And even when you walk through fire I AM with you – in fact, especially then.

I’m no fair weather friend. I’m not a “sometimes” god. I AM steadfast and I AM able. And whether the trap you find yourself in is one of your own making or one set to ensnare you, I AM fully able to move on your behalf, if you but yield to Me.

Psalm 86:1-4 (TPT) Lord, bend down to listen to my prayer. I am in deep trouble. I’m broken and humbled, and I desperately need your help. Guard my life, for I’m your faithful friend, your loyal servant for life. I turn to you in faith, my God, my hero; come and rescue me! Lord God, hear my constant cry for help; show me your favor and bring me to your fountain of grace! Restore joy to your loving servant once again, for all I am is yours, O God.

Hold My Heart {Moments with God}

{Crying in my heart} Please hear me, Father. I feel weighed down in spirit and troubled in my heart. So in my distress I turn to You (just as I do in my joy). In confusion I will cling to You (because You’ll never steer me wrong). I don’t understand what is troubling me, or why I’m in despair. But this is the way You’ve wired me, and so I trust my heart in Your care.

{His whispered reply} You’re beautiful, My precious one, and I’ve made you flawlessly. My design for you is beautiful, even when it’s incomprehensible for you – still then I can clearly see exactly what I had in mind, and how I see it playing out. You are exactly as you should be, a gift to the world and a joy to Me. So let Me lavish My love upon you, and let My Spirit minister to your soul. Your heart is so precious to Me, thank you for trusting it to Me to hold.

Psalm 86:1 (ESV) Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

Persist in Faith

James 1:3 (AMP) Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].

Beloved, resist the urge to hide from times of testing, for – though they are challenging – they are always for your good. So embrace the trials with joy, knowing that as you persist in faith you are cultivating beautiful character that is well worth the effort.

Just as Jesus slept during the storm, so you can find peace even in the midst of chaos and turbulence when your heart rests in Me. So embrace the peace that comes with being a child of God, and face the journey ahead with confidence knowing whether good times await or bad, it is well with your soul.

James 1:2-5 (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. If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.

Note: this Prophetic Nugget was featured on a Lunchtime Live on the Dyed4you Ministries Facebook page. You can watch a recording of the livestream by visiting: Lunchtime Live: Persist in Faith

Jehovah Cela (the Lord my Rock)

Psalm 18:2 (VOICE) The Eternal is my rock, my fortress, and my salvation; He is my True God, the stronghold in which I hide, my strong shield, the horn that calls forth help, and my tall-walled tower.

Beloved, I AM the one true God, and My strength is beyond compare. And yet with you I’m gentle, and I see to all your care. I AM the same throughout the generations, so you can rest assured. For to all who call My name, I AM the bedrock of their faith – stable and resilient.

You need never fear the trials, or worry at the unknown, for you know that I AM with you and I AM as solid as they come. I AM your strong tower, and I AM the lifter of your head. So put your trust in Me, My love, and simply choose to rest. I AM Jehovah Cela – the Lord your Rock, and I AM the same forever, so rely on Me and rest.

Jehovah Tsur (the Lord our Strength)

Psalm 144:1 (KJV) Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight:

Beloved, I AM your rock – your strength, so call on My name when you feel weak. Know that I AM with you – strengthening you. For My very nature is strength. I AM Jehovah Tsur – the Lord your strength. Behold, I AM steadfast and true.

Lean on Me in times of trouble, and come to Me when you feel weak. I know your nature intimately, and I AM what you need. For when you don’t feel able, I will carry you through. And when all hope seems gone, I move on behalf of you. So cling to Me with unrelenting resolve, and trust Me to sustain you.