Tag: trials

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Sacrifice Your Ego

Matthew 5:43-48 (TPT) …I say to you, love your enemy…

Beloved, choose not to respond as the world does. Resist the urge to indulge your flesh, and refuse to take offense or seek out retribution. Put others in My hands and simply operate in love. This doesn’t mean openly and continually being exposed to abuse – for that is not My heart for you – but rather, in the moments you’re faced with adversity, respond in steadfast, life-changing love.

You never know when an unexpected response of love – a kind and gentle word – will shift someone’s entire life. Be willing to pay the cost of your pride. When your identity is in Me, your fleshly ego is a price well-paid to change a heart. And though you may not see the impact your love has, I do. I see it as a most beautiful and pleasing sacrifice, most acceptable in My sight. Continue reading “Sacrifice Your Ego”

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No One is Beyond My Reach

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love…never gives up…

Beloved, no one is beyond redemption. No one is beyond My reach. Regardless of the severity of circumstance, refuse to give up and write someone off. Always persist in prayer, steadfastly prophesying truth – My truth – over a person and situation. Nothing is too hard for Me.

Love without reserve. Love without hesitation. Love without thought of protecting your heart from disappointment. Let Me protect and heal you as you reflect My love. And in those moments when your heart feels the sting of disappointment (and sometimes that sting is a crushing blow), know you are feeling what I have felt, and seek to identify with Me and know Me more. My love will see you through. Continue reading “No One is Beyond My Reach”

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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.

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Reflect the Son Brightly

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love… finds no delight in what is wrong…

Beloved, the world would have you believe that doing what is right is boring. It paints sin as lush and exciting – experiences meant to indulge in and enjoy. But beloved, the world doesn’t have your best interests at heart nor is it accurately accounting the truth.

One could paint touching a hot stove as exciting and an act of freedom, but without acknowledging the resulting burn and the amount of painful time spent healing (the momentary “positive” act of freedom weighed against the lengthy negative), the truth is not being reflected.

By painting sin as fun, joyous, and exciting, others are drawn into the trap. Refuse to bring others into bondage or needless pain by delighting in that which is evil.

Choose instead to walk in a manner that aligns with My word knowing it is the path of light. True joy and fulfillment are there. And any hardships along that path are for your benefit, to grow and be refined. You are a child of the day, so walk in the light and reflect the Son brightly. Continue reading “Reflect the Son Brightly”

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Choose Joy

Proverbs 17:22 (NLT) A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

Beloved, choose joy for it is not based on circumstance. It is found in My presence. It is always there for you and it strengthens you. Literally. It builds you up and heals your heart – and it is even healing to your body.

Refuse to be tempted to bitterness, resentment, anger, or hopelessness. Rather shift your heart to focus on that which is good – clinging to the truth of My promises in the face of opposition and being steadfast in joy when confronted with trials.

Joy is a choice. Cling to gratitude regardless of circumstance, and shift the atmosphere with your laughter for I AM good. That truth always remains. So beloved, be intentional to always choose joy. It is contagious. A blessing that spreads. Be a catalyst. Choose joy. Continue reading “Choose Joy”

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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”

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Rooted in Me

James 1:7 (TPT) When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?

Beloved, refuse to be blown about by circumstances and emotions instead choosing to be quietly and firmly rooted in Me. Seek My will and trust it when I give you wisdom. Step out in faith knowing I AM faithful to guide each step. Refuse to give ear to the enemy’s lies and distractions. Stay firm.

Beloved, you know My sheep know My voice and that I graciously give wisdom to all who ask, so be at peace – knowing full well I AM more than able to steer you through any storm and quiet your heart as you allow Me to. Waiting upon Me is not a place of inaction, but rather a state of readiness. Being willing and yielded to go with My flow and allowing My Spirit to guide. Lay down the burden of “figuring things out” and seek Me. I AM faithful to lead, faithful to guide, and faithful to provide.

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Respect Everyone as You Respect Me

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (TPT) …Love does not… disrespect…

Beloved, give respect at all times in deference to Me. It honors Me when you treat the lowly, crass, or undeserving with respect. It calls to the hope I’ve placed within them, helping show them who they truly are. Each person is important to Me, by treating them with respect – deserved or not – it acknowledges that truth, which has a more powerful impact than you could imagine.

When you are disrespectful it speaks to the nature of your character, not the one you’re addressing. So see with My eyes and operate with My heart – call to their higher sense of right, regardless of circumstance or their response to you. Respect everyone as you respect Me. Continue reading “Respect Everyone as You Respect Me”

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Trust Your Times in My Hands

Isaiah 46:10 (VOICE) From the beginning I declare how things will end; from times long past, I tell what is yet to be, saying: “My intentions will come to pass. I will make things happen as I determine they should.”

Beloved, trust My timing. Nothing happens by accident or without My notice, and nothing is beyond My care. Regardless of the enemy’s ploys, I will prevail. Trust Me at My word for I AM faithful and I AM good.

I work all things for good, so even in the moments you cannot see My hand, trust Me to move. Trust Me to heal. Trust Me to restore. Trust Me to work through every hurt, rejection, and pain and bring forth life. Beloved, My word will not return void, rather I watch over it to ensure each and every promise comes to pass. Trust your times in My hands.

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Shaped and Purified

Colossians 1:11 (VOICE) Strengthen them with Your infinite power, according to Your glorious might, so that they will have everything they need to hold on and endure hardship patiently and joyfully.

Beloved, be patient and strong. Press into the joy and peace I’ve placed within you. I will never allow you to walk into trials you are unequipped for and I AM always with you to guide you and give you wisdom when you will but ask.

Rejoice in trials knowing they are the fire by which you are shaped and purified – your character coming forth in beautiful array when you’ve yielded to My refining. Beloved, cling to the knowledge that though sorrow may last for the night, joy comes in the morning.