Win Them Without a Word

Ephesians 6:13a, 15 (AMP) Therefore, put on the complete armor of God…  and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].

Beloved, share My word. Speak My truth. Speak it in actions birthed from obedience and love. More are watching you than you realize, so never forget Who you host and let the light, joy, peace, and love of My Spirit pour out from within you. Snatch others from the grip of the enemy with My strong love.

For it is a gospel of peace; that peace that surpasses all understanding that is your inheritance. Cultivate it. Cherish it. Refuse to allow the enemy to steal it. Let it surround you so as you step close to others, they feel it and want it for themselves. You will win them without a word, beloved, simply through the peace and love in your presence that come from Me.

Love Takes Action

James 1:22 (VOICE) Put the word into action. If you think hearing is what matters most, you are going to find you have been deceived.

Beloved, knowing My word is vital. You know this to be true. And knowing it is useless without putting it into action. Knowledge puffs up. Love takes action. Love chooses to obey and trust. Love chooses to extend mercy and forgiveness. Love seeks to bless and care for others. Love is reflecting Me.

The enemy will always seek to distort My will. He will twist My word and try to bring confusion. Rely on My Spirit to guide and direct, and to bring clarity and discernment. Do not expect perfection because even I don’t expect it from you. Be quick to correct your course if you find you’ve stepped off My path. Repent and realign with Me. I AM patient and slow to anger, and I extend much grace. Receive it and walk well with Me. Continue reading “Love Takes Action”

Trust Me to Guide and Provide 

Haggai 2:8 (NIV) ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.

Beloved, the silver and gold are Mine. Wealth and honor come from Me alone. Cease striving in your flesh and look to Me – the Author and Finisher of your faith – to meet your needs. Don’t seek man’s favor or approval, seek relationship with Me and I will give you favor where I would have you have it. I will open doors that cannot be shut for you to walk through, and close the ones where you should not go so that none can open them.

Trust Me to guide and provide. With joy give, and gratitude receive. Follow My lead. Nothing is to hard for Me. Quiet yourself and listen for My voice to instruct you, “this is the way, walk ye in it.” I will not lead you astray, trust My plans and My purpose. Trust Me. I AM mindful of your needs without you saying a word. I AM a good Father.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12 (TLB) Yours is the mighty power and glory and victory and majesty. Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from you alone, and you are the ruler of all mankind; your hand controls power and might, and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength.

Equip Yourself 

Ephesians 6:13 (AMP) Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger]…

Beloved, being dressed for battle does not ensure it will come, it simply ensures you’re ready and equipped if (and when) it does. Yes, I protect you, cover you, and fight for you, but you must also be prepared to fight for yourself. Beloved, you still choose what thoughts you entertain and what things you welcome into your space, so you must choose wisely. And when the enemy comes, stand and resist. Then we can stand together – united – working toward a common cause.

When the enemy lies, recognize it for what it is and reject that lie. When he tempts you to compromise, see the slippery slope for what it is and stand fast. Be alert for his ploys and thwart them at every turn. The more you know the truth – My word – the easier it is to see his evil manipulations. Equip yourself, beloved, and be prepared, but know I AM with you always.

Secured in Truth

Ephesians 6:14 (AMP) So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist…

Beloved, My word is truth. Just as you cannot decide to wear “part” of a belt, it is fruitless to choose which parts of My word you will obey while discarding parts you don’t like, want, or understand. It leaves you defenseless. Choose ALL of Me. ALL of My word. My Holy Spirit will guide you in walking out that choice, but you must be the one to choose.

Everything hinges on this choice. Just as all other pieces of the armor connect to and rely on the belt, so every part of your life and walk hinges on your choice to secure yourself in truth. It is a central, foundational, core choice. Will you choose Me – My word – without exception or compromise? And if you already have, will you be steadfast in walking that choice out? For this choice takes courage and dauntlessness of heart. Choose wisely, beloved. Arm yourself well.

Blessing the Upright 

Psalm 84:11 (TLB) For Jehovah God is our Light and our Protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will he withhold from those who walk along his paths.

Beloved, My desire to bless you is far greater than even your desire to be blessed. Walk in My ways. Read My word. Live it. Know it. Love it, for it is a part of Me. Those who know Truth are far less likely to be deceived. Arm yourself. Know Me, beloved. Position yourself for My blessings for I stand ready with more than you could possibly contain.

Grace and glory come from Me. All promotion (and even demotion) is from My hand. Trust that I AM moving according to your best interests and that of the kingdom. Continue reading “Blessing the Upright “

Develop a Taste for Me 

1 John 2:15 (TLB) Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God;

Beloved, don’t be taken in by the bright lights and sparkle of this world. It is all flash and glamour – an illusion, a spell intended to deceive you and make you believe there is something of substance there, of value, but there is not. Like trying to sustain life eating cotton candy, there is no true value there and it loses its appeal quickly in the face of true need.

You can develop a taste for anything. And doing so will mold your preferences. If you develop a taste for the things of this world, it is what you will crave. You may have even been raised to crave this world, but your tastes can change and you can change them intentionally.

My Word and My Kingdom were meant to sustain. They have true substance. I AM what your soul needs to be satisfied; anything else is just filler and an ineffective substitute. Develop a taste for Me.

Build Your Arsenal

Ephesians 6:17 (AMP) And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Beloved, if you would wield the sword of My Spirit, you must know My word. There are so many things that clamor for your attention as My word waits – unchanging and available – for you to feast. Choose to make the time. Choose to know Me – My heart, My ways, My instructions for you – for they are to protect you and bring you blessing and goodness in your life – My word is worth knowing.

The more of My word that is hidden in your heart, the stronger and more prepared you are to do battle against the enemy of your soul when he brings his onslaught. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I come to give you strength. The enemy will often twist My word, and just as when My Son was tempted in the wilderness and He refuted those lies with Truth – with the Word, so you must be equipped to do the same.

For it is not a question of IF the enemy will lie and twist truths, it is a matter of WHEN. Do not be found defenseless and weak, but rather prepare. Just as a lawyer spends time building his knowledgebase so he can make the arguments in court to win the day, likewise spend the time every day to build your arsenal and your strength. Again beloved, My word is worth knowing – I AM worth knowing.

Tune in to My Voice and Hold Fast to My Truth

Ephesians 6:17 (AMP) And take the helmet of salvation…

Beloved, the enemy is a liar and the father of lies. His desire is to debilitate you with fear and doubt and unbelief. Do not listen to him. Remember who you are to Me. Remember what I have called you to. Remind yourself of My promises and My truth. I AM love and I love you with an everlasting love that can never change, do not let the enemy tell you differently.

Do not concern yourself with the fact that you hear his whispers – of course you do, he is working at all times towards your demise – but rather focus your efforts and energies on Me and My promises that his whispers would be of no avail. Force them into a position of powerlessness by being so secure in My truth that you are unshakable.

This, beloved, is your helmet of salvation. Your mind protected from his onslaught, his thought bombs diffused by My truth. Hold fast and do not waver in your trust in Me and knowledge of the truth. Close your ears to his lies and tune in to My voice as you hold what I have said dear in your heart. I AM truth.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (VOICE) We are demolishing arguments and ideas, every high-and-mighty philosophy that pits itself against the knowledge of the one true God. We are taking prisoners of every thought, every emotion, and subduing them into obedience to the Anointed One.

Right Perspective

Ephesians 6:10-11 (VOICE) Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God.  Put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes.

Draw from Me, beloved. I AM your strength. I AM your might. I AM power and authority. You are not alone out in a storm. I AM with you, beside you. So command the storm to be still beloved in My name, and whether the external or internal landscape changes, strength and peace are yours.

Gird up your loins. Without hiding My word in your heart you are defenseless, beloved. So eat it as those it were the choicest of meats bringing you strength and stamina because it does and it will. Know Me. Encourage yourself in the faith by seeing Me more and more for who I AM. Magnify Me in your own eyes so you might realize the enemy is no match for Me. As you know Me, you will be able to quiet your soul against the taunts of the enemy because you will know – TRULY know – that I AM greater. I AM.