Obedience: a Sweet Act of Worship

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (VOICE) …Be certain of this: that obedience is better than sacrifice…

Beloved, yielding to My voice is one of the sweetest acts of worship you can bring. It is an aroma so pleasing before Me. It is a wordless declaration that you trust Me and that I AM a worthy God. No form of sacrifice outweighs the gift of your obedience.

Partial obedience is still disobedience. It is a sign you trust your own judgment and agenda above My own. If you truly trust Me, you will obey Me. Even your need to understand is based in a desire to judge My judgment.

Release your need to understand. Release your need to determine if you agree with My instructions or requests, and simply yield. Yield out of love. Yield out of respect. Yield to give honor. Yield to bring glory. Part of “giving your life to Me” is yielding to Me, so release any need to judge or control and simply trust and obey. Continue reading “Obedience: a Sweet Act of Worship”

YHVH Nissi (the Lord my Banner) & About Flag Ministry

Exodus 17:15 (NLT) Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”).

Beloved, I AM your banner, your miracle, your declaration of victory. Lift Me high. Exalt Me and lift your hands in holy reverence for I AM worthy of your praise. I AM a sign and a symbol to any who would look that you have been set free. You have overcome.

In honor of Me, lift your hands. In honor of Me, raise high your symbol of victory. Your unabashed faith in who I AM and willingness to hold nothing back are powerful messages in the spiritual realm. You declare Me faithful – your very actions announcing to any with ears to hear that I AM God and I AM worthy of your devotion. Praise Me for I AM good. Continue reading “YHVH Nissi (the Lord my Banner) & About Flag Ministry”

Sing Precious Songbird

Psalm 104:33 (TLB) I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise God to my last breath!

Beloved, break forth in song – refuse to be made silent. For your delight is a blessing to Me and brings glory to My name. It shifts the atmosphere and declares My goodness. It magnifies Me and brings honor to My name. So sing, precious songbird, sing!

Never discount the power of your song. The sound coming forth breaks chains and sets the captives free. The angels respond to your voice – even the armies of heaven move out on the notes carried by your breath. Your voice changes things. It shifts things in the unseen realm as well as the seen. Refuse to be silent anointed songbird, release what I have placed within you for it is lovely and more powerful than you know.

Burst Forth in Praise

Psalm 5:11 (TPT) But let them all be glad, those who turn aside to hide themselves in you. May they keep shouting for joy forever! Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice. Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy.

Beloved, burst forth in praise! Like an excited child, refuse to restrain your exuberance for Me. As a good and loving father smiling over the zealous delight of their baby girl, so is My joy over you, My precious and cherished child. Stay hidden in Me.

Celebrate. Celebrate Me. Allow your joyful exuberance – your passionate praise – and your dedication to your faith to overflow in all you do. Your joy is contagious, drawing those around you closer. Stay unapologetically joyous, for it is pleasing to Me. I delight in you.

[Merriam-Webster’s Thesaurus defines “celebrate” as “to proclaim the glory of” and some of the synonyms and related words listed are “bless, praise, exalt, magnify, worship, adore.”]

I AM the Waymaker

Isaiah 43:16 (TLB) I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a path right through the sea.

Beloved, I AM the Waymaker. You need not be concerned as to how or why, just know I AM. In times of trouble, look to Me. As you do – as your faith and trust in Me is made evident in your actions and your praise – I AM lifted up. Like a standard of victory before a contending army, I AM YHVH Nissi. I AM the Lord your banner. Who can stand against Me?

I AM the Lord of the breakthrough and the restorer of your souls. I jealously guard you and love you beyond your wildest imaginings. I AM good. Refuse to be discouraged. Refuse to be impressed with the attacks that the enemy launches, refuse him the praise of acknowledgment and fix your eyes on Me, the author and finisher of your faith. Behold, I’m doing a new thing, watch as I bring the breakthrough. Continue reading “I AM the Waymaker”

Be a Fool For Me

1 Corinthians 12:7 (TPT) Each believer has received a gift that manifests the Spirit’s power and presence. That gift is given for the good of the whole community.

Beloved, allow My Spirit to empower you to operate in the supernatural. I have placed gifts within you for My glory, resist the urge to withhold them because of insecurity, doubt, or pride. Be a fool for Me. Withhold nothing. Allow My Spirit to flow like water over and through you.

Refuse to be sidetracked or derailed by comparisons or petty jealousy, I flow through each of you in a way that is unique and perfect for you. Yield to that flow, with no concerns of vanity or judgment of man, simply focus on releasing all I’ve empowered you to impart. Glorify Me. Continue reading “Be a Fool For Me”

Burn for Me

Leviticus 6:13 (AMP) The fire shall be burning continually on the altar; it shall not [be allowed to] go out.

Beloved, it is your responsibility to maintain and nurture the flame of worship in your heart. I cannot nor will not attempt to force you into a place of intimacy with Me. I simply invite you in. The onus rests on you to cultivate a heart that burns for Me.

So stir up the flames, beloved. Resist the pull towards complacency and choose instead to press in for more of Me. Refuse to settle for second best, for cheap counterfeits that will leave you unsatisfied and unfulfilled. I AM all you need. Choose to burn for Me.

Stones of Remembrance

Joshua 4:7 (GW) You should answer, ‘The water of the Jordan River was cut off in front of the ark of the Lord’s promise. When the ark crossed the Jordan, the river stopped flowing. These stones are a permanent reminder for the people of Israel.’”

Beloved, there are moments worth capturing in a way that fosters remembrance. Moments that bolster your faith and remind you who I AM and that I AM faithful and true. Don’t lose sight of those moments or allow them to simply pass by with the emotions of that instant quickly fading and moving on. Take the time to establish a method of remembering that you might be able to stand strong in the days of hopelessness and opposition because you know that you know I AM good.

Be intentional about acknowledging My good works, and thankful about each blessing. I love to lavish My children, but refuse to do so at the cost of their character. So keep your heart humble, refuse to operate in entitlement but rather in childlike trust. Take the time to place “stones of remembrance” that you will always remember who I AM and how I move. I AM a good Father and I love My children. Continue reading “Stones of Remembrance”

Pour Out from Your Overflow

Psalm 33:2 (VOICE) Worship the Eternal with your instruments, strings offering their praise; write awe-filled songs to Him on the 10-stringed harp.

Beloved, use whatever is at your disposal to make a joyful noise. I AM less concerned with proficiency than heart, so simply pour out from your overflow the joy and worship you have for Me, may your love shine forth on words and notes so sweet unto My ear. May your praise be a fragrant offering and your worship as incense before My throne.

Make your praise glorious, worthy of the King of Kings. Like the widow’s mite, your all will be enough – you and your praise will be accepted when offered with clean hands and a pure heart. Ascend the heights with Me, beloved, lost in the glory of My praise. Watch life and joy pour forth as the flame on the altar burns brightly.

Psalm 66:1-2 (ASV) Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth: Sing forth the glory of his name: Make his praise glorious.

Tremble in Awe

Psalm 96:9 (TPT) Come worship the Lord God wearing the splendor of holiness. Let everyone wait in wonder as they tremble in awe before him.

Beloved, tremble in awe as you gaze on My beauty – as the eyes of your heart become clear and you see Me for all I AM. I AM holy, rich in mercy – an awesome God, the great I AM. Meditate on all I AM. Let your heart be full. Be overtaken.

Set aside earth pursuits and distractions and make time to to seek Me. Choose to be holy as I AM holy. Offer yourself as a gift – a holy offering – an act of worship. I AM life-changing, life-giving, the author of hope. Being with Me changes things – changes you – the cares of the world will fall away as you see Me as I AM.