The Work I prepared for you in advance

Luke 22:7-8
Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lambs were sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, "Go and prepare the Passover Meal, so we can eat together."

The work I prepare for you is done in advance.
What I call you to is never by chance, and because of that I am with you always.
You do what I call you to in My strength, not yours.
Trust Me.
Trust My promises.
When I sent Peter and John, I prepared the place for them in advance.
And they went in obedience and prepared the lamb.
Do you think that was insignificant or by accident?
Of course not!
They prepared the lamb so that later they could see I was the perfect lamb sacrificed for them.
Every place, every task, every ministry I call you to, I have already prepared for you!
Sweet daughter, surrender to me and rest in that knowledge.
Rest in Me.
My peace I give you.
I have you covered in more ways than one, but The One is all you need!

Faith, Belief, Trust

An insight given to me by my beloved, Jesus... (November 2009)

Faith is when belief marries trust. When I truly believe I am valued and loved by God so much that he gave his one and only Son for me, and when I trust that God keeps His Word, then I can act on that belief and trust in obedience allowing Him to transform me from the inside out. Acting on belief and trust, living out God's great love for me by sharing it with others - that is faith.

Hebrews 11:1 "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot see."
Confident assurance is trust and what we hope for is going to happen is belief- again faith is when belief marries trust.
Evidence of things we cannot see, yet when we look for the things we cannot see and believe... when we are prayerful and watchful we see glimpses of eternity and we learn that believing is seeing! When we believe we see. We see Jesus, we see love, we see His Kingdom. Praise God!

A Prayer from 11-26-09

a prayer based on Ephesians 3:14-21

Father God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, I drop to my knees and start talking to you, praising you for the wisdom and breadth of Your Plan. Lord, I pray that you will give us mighty inner strength from your glorious, unlimited resources through Your Holy Spirit. Christ Jesus, I ask that you make yourself more and more at home in our hearts as we trust in You. Our desire is for our roots to go deep into the soil of your marvelous love. Father, give us the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, how deep your love really is. Your love is so great we will never fully understand it. So Lord, help us to experience and receive it! Fill us with your Life and Power that comes only from You so that all glory is yours. We know that only by your mighty Power at work in us are you able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or hope. Lord, may all honor, power and glory be yours in your people and Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.

God's strength

I am reading a book by Donna Partow called Becoming a Vessel of God's Power and she writes about letting God tell you what and who to pray for... so yesterday I did just that - started with a blank piece of paper instead of a "prayer list" and God led me to pray for a sister in Christ. First He led me to His Word and then the prayer follows. Feel free to substitute your name :)

Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives the power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Daddy, I come before you as your humble daughter.

I praise you for your power and your love. Your mercy. Your strength.

You are the king of kings and lord of lords.

Thank you for all your good gifts.

Precious Father, I lift up my sister, Jan, to you.

You give power to the tired, overwhelmed and the weary.

You freely give your strength to those who are weak.

Lord, I submit Jan to you as one who is tired and weak. As one who needs and deeply desires Your power and strength.

Your call is for her to wait on You so that You may give her new strength -

Your strength.

May she feel as if she is flying high on eagle's wings.

She will provide meals and love to her family and not grow weak.

She will serve You with tasks for Emmaus and her church family - all the things that need to get done and not grow faint.

Lord, I pray that she fully surrenders to you.

Further I ask that what you need her to do will get completed and what she does not get completed she will rest in the knowledge that it was not hers to complete.

Help her to live in Your Freedom and Love.

May all she accomplishes, in Your strength, be for your glory for I know that is her deepest desire.

Beyond the tasks and cooking, Lord, I pray that Jan finds rest for her soul.

Help her to sit at your feet even as she goes through busy days.

Father, be her Shepherd, so that she will not be in want.

Make her lie down in green pastures.

Lead her beside still waters and restore her soul!

Lord, we know that your yoke is easy and your burden-light.

Jan comes to you weary and with heavy burden so that you can give her rest for her soul even in the midst of busyness.

Help her to hear your invitation to learn the rhythm of Your grace.

Your grace is more powerful than her work and our Enemy.

Help her trust your Love more than her own efforts.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.

Truly Free

Galatians 5:1,6,13
So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
For you have been called to live in freedom - not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.

I have set you free.

The chains of sin and law have been broken.

Run to Me.

Pursue Me.

When you pursue Me you pursue love and My way, which is to die to self.

You are a new creation.

Seek new revelation of Me.

My freedom is in Love.

Surrender.

Trust.

Believe.

Live.

Live free from unbelief.

For My promises are for you - not just for everyone else, but you.

Live.

Live free from guilt.

For I did not come to condemn you, but to free you to live now for Me

and for others.

Live.

Live free from worry.

For if I am for you, and I am, who can be against you?

Live.

Live free from fear.

For I did not give you a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love

and self-discipline.

Live boldly.

For a righteous person's prayers are powerful and effective.

Believe and act on - KNOW that the power that raised Jesus from the dead -

My Power - lives in you.

Move towards perfection, completeness, wholeness.

Grow into forever.

Love is the key.

I am the answer.

Be Love.

Live as a saint not a sinner.

For you are free!

Character not comfort is what I am growing in you.

A life surrendered to Me.

A life spent with Me.

Free to serve others in love and humility is a life lived in freedom.

Be complete and whole in Me.

Ask Me in - allow Me to transform you into

who you are meant to become in Christ.

When you are willing to suffer for Christ then I will know

you have decided to stop sinning.

Rather than wasting your life chasing after your selfish desires

be anxious to do My Will.

I anxiously wait for you to be finished with being satisfied with things

that bring godless people pleasure and be satisfied in Me alone.

You are Mine and I am yours.

Give as freely as you have received.

I dare you to try to outgive Me!

I will never fail you

1 Peter 4:19

"So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you."

Trials come from events that you are excited about as well as those that cause you pain.
Your heart races as you anticipate everything leading up to it.
Remember I am in the details.
I love you and I bring you good things.
Keep on doing what is right and true and holy.
Be holy as I am holy.
Live for Me and through Me, and I will give you strength.
Anxiousness, worry and stress I can dissolve when you trust Me.
I am the Creator of ALL.
I am the Creator of you.
I know the number of hairs on your head at any given moment.
Don't you trust that I know the plans I have for you?
I will never fail you.
No matter how circumstances may appear to you, I will never fail you.
You can stand on my promises.
Am I not your God, the Lover of your soul, and your Creator?
Trust Me in everything.
I will never fail you.
Stand still and see this great thing I am about to do before your eyes!

The Lord's Favor

Luke 4:14-21
¹⁴ Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. ¹⁵ He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. ¹⁶ When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. ¹⁷ The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:
¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, ¹⁹ and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” ²⁰ He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. ²¹ Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

Poor in spirit, this is who I preach the Good News to.
Remember you are but one beggar showing other beggars where the banquet is. I am the feast.
Feast on Me daily so that your life will be rich and full.
Your healing takes time as I stitch My Redemption into your wounds and make you whole and complete in Me.
I proclaim your freedom.
It is an open invitation and offer, not something I impose upon you.
Accept the freedom I give and live within My Freedom.
The blindness I speak of is spiritual blindness.
With Me, living in your heart, the veil is lifted so that you can be a mirror to brightly reflect My glory.
But even if smoke comes to hide Me from your sight, know that I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not mistake the Enemy's form of brokenness for the way I break you.
My brokenness is to have you yield your will and submit to Me and My will.
It is My desire to bend your stiff knees and your heart, not to bring total emotional wreckage.
My desire is for you to take on My yoke so that you may have an effective, abundant life, not to be so broken that you cannot function.
Be alert and watch for this false brokenness, for the Enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
The year of My Favor is now.
Embrace My Salvation and Freedom now.
I am not bound by time as you are.
A day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are as a day.
I am patient for your sake.
My desire is for ALL to come to repentance so none will perish.
You are a part of that promise.
I am counting on you and all believers to do your part.
Go, sow and reap a harvest.
Give generously of your time, energy, resources, love, goodness, forgiveness, and prayer.
Do it now.
When you are comfortable, reach out and make those who are uncomfortable comfortable.
Stretch and grow your character not your comfort.
When you accepted me you died to yourself so I could live in you.
Now live like I live in you.
Own it.

Doing good things

Ephesians 2:8-10
God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Always remember the joy of your salvation, but don't stop there.
Your joy is made complete in Me.
Walk with Me. Daily.
I have had plans for you since before you were in your mother's womb.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
You are My Masterpiece.
When you received your salvation as a gift from Me, I made you new.
I gave you secondbirth, spiritual birth, so that the old could be redeemed and the new be lived.
I am counting on you to do the good things I have planned for you since the beginning of time.
Trust Me to show you, then follow Me.
My plans are to give you a hope and a future.
I call you to share that hope and future with others.
You alone can do what I have gifted you to do.
My plans for all my children cannot be fulfilled without your active trust and participation.
I love you.
Walk in my daily sufficient grace.
Trust Me.
Love Me.
Love others.
My daughter, I love you with an everlasting love.
Now go forth and share that love with everyone.
I created you for this time, this place, for just such a time as this.
Be still and know Me, and you will trust that I am with you always.
Never weary in doing good for my special favor lies with you.
You are a new creation wholly and dearly loved.

Your becoming

James 1: 2-4
... whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

Strong in character.
Ready for anything.
That is where I am leading and guiding you.
In life, find joy, my joy.
Bring your troubles to Me, and let Me carry you.
Trust Me to bring you through everything...
troubles and triumphs,
failures and victories.
Listen
Hear
Obey
Follow
Trust
for that is faith.
Know that I am with you always.
I will never leave you nor forsake you.
You are my beloved.
I grow your character so that you may influence and draw others to Me.
I want to set you apart so that you are holy as I Am holy.
Just remember that when trouble comes I am there to help you and to grow you!
I love you, and I am in your becoming.
So persist and endure and your joy will be complete in Me.

The likeness of Jesus

John 14:30-31
I don't have much more time to talk to you, because the prince of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come let's be going.

Obedience.
Belief is lived out in obedience.
Loving Me means doing what I ask.
It is a hard and narrow path, but so much easier than going your own way.
For my yoke is light and my burden is easy.
Peace lines the path of obedience.
Chaos and frustration lines the path of disobedience.
You cannot say you have faith nor does the world believe you when you do not follow My Path.
The prince of this world holds no power over My Son- His power came in His love for Me and doing what I asked.
His obedience showed the world His love for Me.
Believers obey and the obedient believe.
It is not enough to want to obey.
Allow Me to transform you into a person who naturally obeys.
Know Me.
Let My grace fill you with the inward character of Christ so that His Love reigns in your life.
Your witness is only as powerful as you allow My Power to transform you into the likeness of My Son.
So, come let's be going.

God is Powerful

Ephesians 3:14-21
Paul's Prayer for spiritual empowering
"When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you the mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more that we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen."

My strength I give you if you are humble and ask.
My strength is most powerful in your weakness.
When you ask for My desire in something and you take on My desire, it will not falter or fail.
My resources and My strength are unlimited.
Trust in Christ and more and more you will feel Me living in your heart.
The question is do you trust Me to be powerful in your life?
You have tasted it - believe it - trust it - that is when you see Me-
powerfully active in your life.
Moving mountains.
Saving souls.
Loving people - my people - through you- yes you!
Let your roots grow deeper yet in My Love.
The depths of my love never end.
When you experience and trust My Love, then you can give it away.
You cannot give what you don't have, so grow in me from the inside out.
I don't send you troubles, but I can use your troubles, your sorrows to grow you.
Let Me grow you in My Love.
Fear Not!
Let troubles be your opportunity for joy. For it is when you are tested that you learn to rely on My Power, My Strength, not yours.
It is when you are tested that you grow - your character- that is what I am growing so that you may imitate My Son.
For it is when you imitate My Son that you draw others to Me.
I want everyone to come to Me - so that noone will perish. My children- all My children- drawn to Me through My love.
Ask and hope, for I Am able to do infinitely more that you ever dare to imagine.
Imagine though, for I Am your hope, your strength, your power.
I Am for you, who can possibly be against you?
Remember My Promises are more powerful than your circumstances.
I Am the same yesterday, today and forever.
My Word brings hope and life where there is none.
Rest in Me for I fill the gaps between your prayer asked and My fulfillment of your prayer.
Your prayer may not always be answered the way you expect, but I always answer your prayers in My Time.
My Peace I leave you with, as well as My Strength, My Power.
Trust Me to be powerful in your life!

My response to God is the song by Hillside called
Desert Song

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here!

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on his promise I'll stand

All of my life in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here!

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow.

Two Growths

Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)
And now just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigourous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.
(KJV)
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him; rooted and built up in him..."

Two growths.
Down and up.
Down for the roots - your foundation in Me.
Up for the fruit and flower of our relationship that spills out in abundance through your life.
There cannot be tall flowers and much fruit without a deep root system. Abide in Me as I abide in you.
Receive Me.
Meet with Me.
Be with Me.
Always.
This is your life, become who I want you to be.
It's never too late.
How can your life overflow with Thanksgiving if you don't know Me?
How can you know Me if you don't spend all day living and walking in Me?
Yes, we need time together apart from the world, but I am with you always.
Remember.
Your strength comes from Me - let your roots gain nourishment from Me.
Pride must fall away.
Anger must be controlled.
I am your ever-present Help.
Remember My Love - Trust My Love and Joy and Peace are yours- my gifts to you!
Grow Up in Love.

Clinging to the "right" to be God's child

Philippians 2:5-8

Your attitude should be the same that Jesus Christ had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.

Philippians 3:7-11

I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him. I no longer count my own goodness or my ability to obey God's law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. As a result, I really can know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that, somehow, I can experience the resurrection from the dead!

Romans 8:16-17

For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God's children. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures- for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Many rights I ask you to give up.
The right to be unforgiving.
The right to be unloving.
The right to be selfish.
The right to be fearful.
The right to be greater than others.
The right to be right.
But the right you never have to give up, the right you must cling to and lean on is the right to be My child.
You are My child and noone can take that from you.
Be transformed by that truth.
Be transformed by My Love.
Only when you cling to this Truth, can you possibly give up the other "rights" I ask you to give up.
In your weakness is My Strength and in My Strength is your joy.
When My Son went to the cross, it was nothing less than Love.
A decison and an action- do you think he "felt" like dying on a cross?
No! But he had made the decision to love you long before the cross was before Him.
Make that decision with Him - love others as I love you.
Cling steadfastly to the knowledge that you are Mine and My Love is not swayed by human emotion for My thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways.
In that knowledge is the freedom to be forgiving, loving, selfless, fearless, and one who gives up their "rights."
Let's go chase lions!

Never Ending Supply

John 16:13-14

"When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives me from me."

Matthew 5:16

"Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

More Love, More power is waiting inside you.
The Holy Spirit is not just with you, He lives within you!
Ask with right motives and you shall receive.
My supply to you is without end, so ask for what you need so that your spirit-filled life will shine.
Ask so that when My light shines through you others will see Me and know Me.
The gifts of the Spirit are waiting inside you.
Ask for more of Him and and My gifts will become more apparent.
Pursue Me as I pursue you.
My desire is for your life to be abundantly full.
I send the Holy Spirit to live in believers so that we can be in sweet relationship together.
I am the never ending supply of love, joy, and power.
I am the bread of life, the fount of living water and the way, the truth and the life.
You are invited to experience the fullness of Me through the Holy Spirit living inside of you.
Celebrate!
Celebrate Me.
Celebrate us.
Celebrate life and living!
Dance with Me!
Let your soul be satisfied and find rest in Me, and then My Glory will be revealed in you and through you!
Your future is secure in Me!

Ideal or real?

Wow! It has been a while. I am not sure if anyone is reading or has noticed, but for me it has been looming over my head. Why? because when I am not writing these it is blatantly obvious to me anyway that I am not spending time alone with God on a regular basis. I have had friends praying for me and I have asked some to keep me accountable, but still nothing. Then this morning, God woke me up with something on my mind. It is, of course, relational. It is something that came up about 6 - 8 weeks ago- about the same time I stopped having my quiet time with God. I did not even equate the two until after I wrestled with God regarding this issue from about 5:30am until 7:15am. I have felt like I was having a block from hearing God, even when I tried to have quiet time during these past weeks, I could not meditate. Well praise God that he did not leave me, and I thank him for bringing this to the forefront of my mind. Now I have to follow through and speak the truth in love with two Christian friends and ask forgiveness. Truly God has been teaching me about love and humbleness. For those who read this blog, I thank you and I hope that you find these meditations encouraging in your walk with our Lord and Savior! Below is the still small voice that I heard this morning- yeah God!

Romans 12:1 (The Message)
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday ordinary life- your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around-life- and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.

The real life with all of what you think are imperfections is where I want you to live.
Even when you walk away from our special time together know I am with you.
When you start wishing for the ideal, remember that in itself is an idol, and I am not there.
I am in your real life with all the bumps, valleys, mountains, triumphs, and trials. That is where I live in you.
I know you are sad that you haven't been committed to our quiet time, but you need to know I have been with you every minute of every day.
I never leave you.
You can't make me leave.
Oh, but I have been waiting to tell you some great and unsearchable things, so I am rejoicing and celebrating our time together!
Remember that what you may see as imperfections I am working to My Good.
Live, Laugh, and Love.
Forty days of love is just the tip of the tip of the iceberg.
I have so much more for you to learn and live regarding love.
Don't stop here.
Come with me, and I will reveal so much more!
I am excited we are on this journey together.
You have tasted and you have seen that I AM Good!
Everthing starts with Me and ends with Me. Rely on Me and My Strength.
I am in the big and small details of your life, and I just want you to bring your real life to Me.
That is the best offering you can give - your real life.
Then celebrate what I am doing in you and through you!
Come dance with Me as if no one is watching!

Demonstrating your love for God

John 4:19-20

We love because God loved us first. But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see?

Your heart hurts from others and so now you're wondering how do I love people who hurt me?
Jesus was hurt and rejected by the ones who claimed they loved him the most. He was betrayed, denied and deserted at a time when he really needed a friend.
The secret was he kept his eyes on Me.
Peter walked on water until he looked at the waves instead of Me.
Keep your focus strong and sharp on Me.
It's so easy to look at the waves, but your load will be easier if you can just remember to look at Me.
I love you!
I will give you the strength to be patient, kind, humble, giving and persevering.
Come to Me when someone hurts you. For I always speak Truth in Love.
I will help you face your hurts. Don't draw back. Don't build walls. Don't refuse to call to Me.
I know you want to run and hide, but don't!
Come to Me quickly and then go forth and love.
The only way you can show Me love is by loving others, this is why the one command follows the other.
Guard your heart for your words follow and guard your words for your heart follows.
Jesus laid his life down.
Follow Him and lay your life down.
Submit your life to Me.
Take the crown off your head and let Me be King of your life.
Love is in actions not words.
What do you think about?
Where do you spend your time?
Where do you spend your money?
Bring My Kingdom to your life.
Love others and then I will know you love Me.

By Invitation

Another devotion I wanted to share- I wrote this in 2006...

Read Galatians 2:16-21


“Let it be so with me!” Luke 1:38

It arrives in my mailbox, linen white and crisp, with striking calligraphy addressed with my full name. I open it with anticipation and inside I find an invitation to attend a party. My heart and mind race as I think about the night, what I will wear (a twirly dress of course), how beautiful the night will be and how I will dance the night away. I quickly send my RSVP back letting my host know that I say, “YES!”
This invitation reminds me of other invitations that I have heard about through stories told to me. Cinderella was invited to a ball and despite incredible obstacles her answer was, “yes,” and it changed her life forever. Mary was invited to be the mother of the Messiah and again despite incredible odds her answer of “yes” forever changed her life.
The most important invitation I have ever received was and continues to be the invitation to be in relationship with God through Christ. My first “yes” to His invitation forever changed my life, and it took me almost thirty-three years to say. As I look back to that time, I realize God was wooing me to come to Him and asking me to allow him to make a home in my heart. He gave me an incredible dream, Christian people in my life and the desire to seek Him. I wrestled with Him fiercely and it physically felt as if my heart would break in two. Then one night as I was discussing my distress with my husband, he asked me why I was fighting what I knew to be true in my heart. The veil was lifted! I finally said, “yes,” and accepted the gift God had been waiting my whole life to give me and my life was, is and is being forever changed.
Recently, I have heard another invitation from God. His gift of grace never ceases to amaze me! He has asked me to be His Beloved. He has invited me to admit my weariness and stop my striving so that I can make my home in Him. He wants me to stop hiding in “less wild lovers” called service and discipline and to seek his heart and trust in his goodness. He has waited for me to embrace what he is doing and who I am in him rather than what I do and who I try to be apart from him.
I hear Him saying, “Kim, I have more for you! Won’t you trade in your dime store pearls for the real ones I want to give you? Your activity is not your identity. I am your identity. I have made my home in you, but you still have other lovers you go to for comfort. When will you stop looking to yourself and your personal gifts for redemption? I love you just the way you are! Come make your home in me!”
I say, “YES!” Yes to the Romance with my Love. I am only at the beginning of this journey. He has not promised it will be easy, but he has promised to be with me every step of the way. I won’t pretend that I am healed, restored and redeemed just because I have agreed to take the journey, but I know his grace is sufficient for me. I can tell you I feel hopeful, excited and amazed at the grace my Beloved pours out on me. My prayer is that you consider if you have truly made your home in Christ. He waits for your, “yes.”

Prayer: Gracious Lord, Lover of my soul, I thank you for the gift of your treasured Son who has bought me and sought me with his redeeming blood. Thank you for making your home in my heart. Beloved, I am ready to faint in my weariness into your loving arms. I ask you to bring down the walls that I have built to hide my pain. Help me remember that you are my Comforter, and I can trust you and make my home in your heart. Thank you Precious One for your gifts of grace, faith, hope, and love.


Thought for the day: Invite God into your heart daily and allow him to be your Comforter, your Beloved.

Prayer focus: Those who have yet to say, “yes” to God’s invitation.

Love your neighbor as yourself

Acts 3:1-10
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. when he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently and Peter said, "Look at us!" The lame man looked at them eagerly expecting a gift. But Peter said, "I don't have any money for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man's feet and anklebones were healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet and began to walk! Then walking, leaping and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. All the people saw him walking and praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!

Peter and John were on their way to praise Me- to be in My Presence- to worship Me.
But they weren't in such a hurry that they did not notice the needs of one.
How many times do you walk by someone in need on your way to be with Me?
Peter and John loved Me and that translated into grasping each opportunity to love My children.
In this case, a lame beggar.
Imagine being carried to the Temple gate every day of your life to eek out a bare existence of a life by begging from strangers.
Never had the lame man been into the Temple. His whole life had been spent on the outside asking for handouts. Does your heart break for him like Mine does?
This man just hoped for enough to get a meal for that day, but I wanted to give him Life.
He didn't even look at the people who gave him coins.
He learned as a child that people did not want to look straight in the face of pain.
So he took what they gave and searched for no more, until Peter said to look at them.
Then the lame man looked expecting a gift.
Come to worship expecting a gift! Come expecting to see Me!
The lame man expected a monetary gift, but he left that day with so much more! More even than a physical healing.
He found Me!
Peter and John stopped to love Me by loving this one man and allowed the Holy Spirit to work through them.
Allow Me to love others through you- one at a time.
I will bring them to you - don't look away - look them in the eyes and love Me by loving them.
I won't ask you to give what you don't have.
Imagine this man's heart as for the first time in his life he entered into the Temple. The place that had been off-limits to him his entire life.
No wonder he was leaping and praising Me!
Have I not done the same for you?
So leap and praise Me and let others be astounded by what I have done in your life!
Peter and John demonstrated loving their neighbor as themselves and they gave Me all the glory.
I provided the opportunity, in the lame man, they stepped forward in faith to love him, and I was glorified.
Open your eyes to the opportunities I give you. I am faithful to provide them them daily.
Depend on Me to turn your weakness into My strength.
Expect miracles!
Expect Me to work in your life, then eagerly wait and watch for Me.
Love everyone one person at a time.
Remember I am with you every moment to be your Help and Strength.
Never forget that I love you so much that I gave My life for you, and that I want to be with you for all eternity.
My Love will never disappoint you.
My Love is great enough for you to risk loving others the way I love you.
I know it makes your heart race from fear and excitement.
Come love others with Me.
Dive in!

Alive inside out!

from a devotion I wrote a couple of years ago...
Read Luke 6: 46-49

John 4:14
“but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”

Are you spiritually dead? Do you look alive on the outside and to others but inside you know you are anything but alive? Do you easily fall into the “going through the motions” trap or the “usefulness” trap? I can say that I have fallen into both at one time or another.

Do you ever wake up and realize you are just going through the motions in your marriage or singleness, at church, and or on the job? I have. You know how it is. You wake up in the doldrums. Then you realize when someone asks you how you are doing that you say, “great,” even though you don’t feel great, because you really don’t want to go into why you think your life isn’t great, and besides you know the other person doesn’t want to hear about it anyway. I used to get depressed when I would feel this way, but now I rejoice. I rejoice because it is a wake up call from God. He is helping me to realize this feeling as a sign that I am trying to become an island unto myself. It is time to remember who I am and whose I am and to be grateful for that. I am a child of God and I belong to Him. It is at these times that I realize that I am allowing my relationship with the Source of my being to drop out of first place.

The same effect can occur when I try to be “useful” to God. Useful service can be a subtle trap because I start to concern myself with how useful I am being for God rather than focusing on my relationship with Him. I have to watch myself from falling into this trap and remember that my relationship with Christ is above all the ways I serve Him. I have to remember to trust that God will use me when I place Him first in my life, and that I will not be aware of how my service will affect others most of the time nor should I be focused on that.

My relationship with my Redeemer takes intention and effort. When I return to the basics of prayer and study of His living Word, then I come to my foundation, Christ Jesus. When I am in right relationship with my Lord and Savior I am ALIVE! He pours “rivers of living water” (John 7:38) into me. When I return home to my Center, Christ, God transforms me into a spiritually alive being. Disciple Bible Study has been a vital method for me to remember who I am and whose I am. It always serves to waken me from spiritual forgetfulness.

I find that when God calls me to a particular ministry, His purpose is to transform me. His main purpose in calling me is for me to learn to be obedient and trust Him. He knows what I will face, what I will learn and what I need to overcome so that I can continue to place Him first in my life. In relationship, where I surrender in obedience and trust, He can transform me into the likeness of his most holy and precious son, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for wake up calls and thank you for your transforming power in our lives. Thank you for your gift of being spiritually alive! Amen.

Thought for the day: Remember that faith is much more than stating what you believe to be true. Faith is more than appearing righteous to others. Faith is relationship, which requires trust and obedience. Faith is being true to your relationship with your Lord and Savior and loving him with your whole heart.

Prayer focus: Those who do not realize that they are spiritually dead

All your soul

John 21: 7-8

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water and swam ashore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore for they were only about three hundred feet.

Matthew 26:39

He (Jesus) went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.

Love Me with All your soul- your life- your will.
Do you think the water Peter jumped in was nice and warm? No! It was cold.
But that didn't stop him loving Me with all his soul.
Jump in the water and swim with all your will toward Me.
Three hundred feet in cold water- far or not far? Peter could have waited with the others in the boat.
This time it was not about walking on water, but his extreme passion for Me would not allow him to wait.
Remember this is the one who denied Me and would not claim Me.
But then My Resurrection occurred and he was forever changed.
Experience My Resurrection every day. I am here waiting for you to jump in with all your soul.
Even in the Garden of Gethsemane I was teaching you what it means to love Me with all your soul.
To desire My Will over yours is the answer.
Even when you can't truly pray this, admit it to Me, talk to Me. I understand.
Pray daily, hourly, never cease praying that you will desire My will over yours, and I will transform you from the inside out.
My grace is sufficient for you. My mercies are new every day.
Surrender your soul- your will to Me.
For only when you find rest in Me, will your soul find peace.
My peace I give you. It surpasses human understanding.
Remember your heart is unique to Me. I miss you specifically when you don't seek Me and worship Me in the way only you can.
Don't worry or compare yourself to others. Be you. The unique you I created specifically to worship Me in the way only you can.
Do you love Me?
Feed My lambs.
Do you love Me?
Take care of My sheep.
Do you love Me?
Feed My sheep.

God's Love

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Love is not a feeling, it is action.
I acted on your behalf by sending My Son, not only to save you from eternal death but to save you for Love.
Relationship with Me and with others is My higest calling for you.
Don't you think I know how hard the love I describe and prescribe in My Word is for you?
That is why I come to live in your heart.
You are right, without Me this Love is impossible, but with Me all things are possible.
Oh the joy, the blessings, the abundant Life that awaits your simple obedience to My Word.
When you learn to order your life around this value, make love and relationships your Priority, then you will live the abundant Life I have planned for you.
Love Me, Love others.
Simple words, hard action and your effort is required.
Choose the Life of Discipleship. Following hard after Me requires discipline.
Is it so much easier to pick the lesser thing, but as you have learned and are still learning you feel empty with the lesser things- choose the better part.
Yes, the words that describe the Love I call you to pierce your heart, but don't wallow in your failure. Instead rejoice that I am teaching you, bit by bit, step by step, how to love the way I love.
I have designed it to take your lifetime!
I rejoice in all the little and big ways you choose love.
I don't expect you to run until you have crawled and walked.
You are never alone.
I am with you always.
I will be here when you fail, loving you, keeping no record of wrongs, picking you up so you can continue to walk with Me.
Just never give up.
I am your Redeemer, your Lover, your friend.
It is not about striving. It is about loving Me and receiving My love for you.
It is not about trying. It is about doing and learning through success and failure.
It is about being still and knowing Me.
It is about loving Me by loving others.
Take My hand and let's walk.

The Fullness of Time

1 Corinthians 13:11-12

It's like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.

I know you completely, wholly.
I know the number of hairs on your head, I have known you since before you were conceived.
I know you in the fullness of time, for remember to Me a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day.
I exist in and outside of your time.
This is how I can know you fully, wholly and completely.
Do you think it is a coincidence that you grow weary of religious activity with no tranformation?
Just as a child wearies of his toys, so I have designed you to grow in Me and weary of religious doings without true change.
As you grow in Me you will put away these childish thoughts.
The notion that you can continue to study, pray, and worship beyond your capacity to obey must end.
Maturity teaches that to know Me, your knowledge is only as deep as your obedience to Me in that knowledge.
All spiritual disciplines are to draw you closer to Me with the purpose of loving a lost world. They are merely tools to be used to know Me, not rewards in themselves.
I am the reward.
Putting away childish things is more about how you think about such things, what your goal is in doing them? to be in activity or to be in Me?
The further you are from Me the less clear all things appear- the closer you move toward Me, the clearer they will appear.
When your human reasoning tells you I am mean or weak then Faith, my gift to you, must pull you closer to Me so that you know that I am all goodness, love and strength.
I am the Creator of ALL - my thoughts are not your thoughts.
There is a good and loving purpose and plan in all I do and in the fullness of My Time, you will see clearly, completely, wholly.
So come to Me, not out of duty or obligation, but out of true desire for relationship with Me.
Allow Me to continue to move you deeper into Me.
Whether I bring you to the Mount of Transfiguration, My death on the Cross, My Resurrection, My Appearing to the Disciples in the Upper Room, the Walk to Emmaus, or the Road to Damascus, look Me full in the face and show Me you love Me by revolving your life around Me.
Be My Follower first and let your life reflect Me.
Then you will give up childish things and you will grow in the Fullness of Me.

Obedience is faith lived out

Colossians 2:6-7
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him so you will grow in faith, strong and vigourous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.

Remember your "yes" must be a daily "yes."
As you pick up your cross and follow Me.
Daily - step after step - walk to your Jerusalem.
Know that I am with you to the end of days- that is for ALL time.
Obedience is faith lived out.
Go deep in relationship with Me so that you may draw strength from Me.
Remember, My Joy - joy in Me is your strength.
In growing deep you must reach out to others for Faith without works is dead.
Don't you see this is why death to self must occur?
Your focus is to be on Me and others and then you will grow strong in the Truth you have been taught and continue to learn.
Live your life in thanksgiving and goodness will flow from your heart.
Think on these things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praise-worthy and My Peace will be with you.
For what you think you become.
Keep your mind captive to Christ, and you will grow strong in faith.
Others will know you are Mine by the way you live and love.

Don't be afraid, just trust Me

Mark 5:22-23, 35-37
A leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, came and fell down before him, pleading with him to heal his little daughter. "She is about to die," he said in desperation. "Please come and place your hands on her; heal her so she can live." While he was speaking to her, messengers arrived from Jairus' home with the message, "Your daughter is dead. There's no use troubling the Teacher now." But Jesus ignored their comments and said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just trust me." Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn't let anyone go with him except Peter, James and John.

Humble yourself before Me.
Come to Me, even when others tell you it's no use.
You are not a trouble - the tiny and big details of your life are not a trouble to Me.
I want you to come to Me and tell Me everything.
I am in the details of your life.
I am the details of your life.
I have purpose in even the smallest details of your life.
Lean in - Lean on - Trust Me.
Don't be afraid for if I am with you, and I am with you, who can be against you?
Others may laugh at your trust in Me, but trust anyway.
Notice I stopped the crowd. Not even all the disciples were invited to see this miracle.
Peter, James and John were often with Me as they were sometimes slower to believe, to trust, to humble themselves. Sound like anyone you know?
But in the end the difference was made in our relationship.
They loved Me more than their lives - they took the road less travelled.
Will you?
Fear is not greater than My love for you.
Do not let fear paralyze you.
Don't be afraid, Just trust Me.
Resist fear by trusting Me.
Focus on Me.
Look beyond the veil of the earthly, the temporary to the heavenly, the eternal.
Remember, celebrate and praise who I am, whose you are, and what I have done, am doing, and will do in you and My Kingdom.
Remember I know who you are becoming.
I am drawing you to Me.
My purpose is to have you be My witness to others so that My Kingdom is advanced on earth.
Do not be afraid, just trust Me.

Fear or Faith?

Mark 5:24-34
Jesus went with him and the crowd thronged behind. And there was a woman in the crowd who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors through the years and spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she was worse. She had heard about Jesus so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched the fringe of his robe. For she thought to herself, "If I can just touch his clothing, I will be healed." Immediately the bleeding stopped and she could feel that she had been healed! Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" His disciples said to him, "All this crowd is pressing around you. How can you ask, 'Who touched me?'" But he kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the frightened woman, trembling a the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and told him what she had done. And he said to her. "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed."

Do you want to be part of the crowd or do you want to be My disciple?
Will you choose to focus on your problems, circumstances, sins or will you choose to focus on Me?
Make no mistake choosing to be My disciple will not make your life easy, but it won't be boring.
My healing is here- it's available to you.
Will you allow fear or faith to rule your life?
Faith is more than believing things about Me - it is about living out your beliefs.
It is in your behavior - but your behavior can't be your focus. I must be your focus.
Give Me your mind, your heart, your habits, your relationships, your influence.
Focus on Me. Claim My Healing in your life.
Stand out from the crowd and declare Me as the reason for your hope and I will heal you - I will change you.
Real change from the inside out.
Your "yes" has to go beyond belief.
When I say, "Follow Me," it's not about believing a set of right doctrines - it's not about religion - it's about relationship.
Believers obey and only the obedient are believers.
Does My Word say, "Well thought, good and faithful servant"? or "Well said, good and faithful servant"?
NO! My Word says, "Well done good and faithful servant."
Step out of the boat! Walk on water with Me!
Remember, just because the woman thought if she touched My robe she would be healed- that did not heal her.
She was healed when she took action on her beliefs and actually touched My robe.
Without her action, she would have stayed a part of the crowd, and she would not have been healed.
Faith is not a noun. It is an action verb.
Believe things about Me and never act on them,
OR
Believe in Me. Trust Me and live out our relationship in your life.
Be of the world,
OR
Be Mine.
Claim My Salvation and Healing,
Or
just think about it.
Never act, wait to see, and never believe,
OR
Believe, Act and See.
It is always your choice.
Hopeless life focused on Self,
OR
Abundant Life focused on Me and others.
Choose wisely.

Forgiven

Proverbs 28:13
"People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy."
Psalm 32:3-5
"When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

The Deceiver wants you to believe you can hide from Me.
He wants you to deceive yourself into thinking you are better than you are - that really the sins you commit aren't so bad after all. So why think about them?
No need to confess and seek forgiveness because then you are covered by layers of sin and are further from Me and closer to him.
He knows your strength comes from your joy in Me and he will do anything he can to steal that from you.
Throw those filthy rags off!
Confess your sins. I forgave you before you even did them!
But you won't and can't live in My forgiveness as long as you deceive yourself into thinking you're better than you are and therefore have no need to bring your sins to the light.
Each time you try to go it alone - you add another layer that separates you from Me.
Layers of pride.
Pride must be peeled back for only in humility and brokeness can you find Me.
Admit your rebellion.
Admit when you don't do what you know is right.
Boldly approach My throne of grace and mercy - you are My child and you are welcome and loved beyond compare.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
I am about to do a new thing!
I have already begun.
Do you not see it?
You have confessed.
You are forgiven.
Your guilt is gone.
Wrap yourself in My mercy and love.

God's Time

Genesis 21:1-2
"Then the Lord did exactly what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant, and she gave a son to Abraham in his old age. It all happened at the time God had said it would."

I always keep My promises.
They come in My timing not yours.
Though they may tarry, wait for them for My promises always come.
In the waiting there is purpose.
My purpose is to grow you into the promise.
If too early, you will not be ready. Too late and it would not be fulfilled.
That is why you must always be ready, open, and listening so that you don't leave Me waiting for you.
When there's a step to take, take it.
When you stay in My Presence constantly you will hear My voice and follow it.
Twenty-five years Abraham waited for a son, yet he believed and trusted My Promise.
He left his land. He obeyed and was willing to forfeit the son he had waited for. He trusted that I would provide, and I did provide. The covenant was honored.
I know you are eager to be My Hands and Feet and that pleases Me.
Right now I am working on changing your heart.
Be patient.
Know that I work all things to My purposes and for the good of those who love Me.
I am a promise keeper, a dream maker, and the fulfillment of hope.
All promises, dreams and hope are fulfilled in My Perfect Time.

The Great Physician

Mark 1: 30-31
"Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. He went to her bedside, and as he took her by the hand and helped her to sit up, the fever suddenly left, and she got up and prepared a meal for them."

Search deeply for your "high fever" - the healing you need right now.
My Healing is not just physical but mental, emotional, spiritual and relational.
You can't heal it or change it - only I can.
Simon's mother-in-law had to allow Me to take her by the hand and help her to sit up.
Allow Me to take you by the hand so that I can heal your hurts.
You can't be healed if you hide from Me.
I Am your hiding place.
But I can't be that for you when you pretend that you are someone who you are not.
Admit your brokeness and your need for My healing.
Simon's mother-in-law was willing to receive My Healing, otherwise she would not have been healed.
Do you believe and trust that I can heal you - the hurts, the brokeness?
Receive My Healing and wholeness.
Now go and love others the way I love you.
Let your heart break for them. Feel their suffering. Join them in their suffering.
Bring them to Me so that I can heal them.
Be servant to all.
Think of others as better than yourself.
Feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty.
There are the physically hungry and thirsty, but there are also those who are spiritually, emotionally and relationally hungry and thirsty.
I AM the Great Physician and I come to give abundant life.
Thankfulness and praise will lead you into the servant's life.
I AM here to change your heart.
Allow Me.
Receive Me.
Love Me.
Love others.

Fish for People

Mark 1:16-20
"One day as Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother, Andrew fishing with a net, for they were commercial fishermen. Jesus called out to them, 'Come be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!' And they left their nets at once and went with Him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee's sons, James and John, in a boat mending their nets. He called them too, and immediately they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men and went with him."

I was not along the shores by accident - it was on purpose and with purpose.
Just as I walked along your streets and sent people into your life on purpose and with purpose to call you to Me.
I call you daily - to come and be a fisher of people.
This was not the first time, nor the last time I called them to leave their plans to follow Mine.
It is the same with you.
The key is always in the response.
Compare their response to that of the rich young ruler.
They immediately followed leaving their routine behind - the ruler chose his routine, his "responsibility" over Me.
What a difference a "yes" makes.
Was it easy for them?
No.
Nor will if be easy for you.
But take on my yoke, which fits perfectly, and you will find rest - soul rest - and your burden will be light.
Ask yourself what did they see in Me that made them want to uproot their entire lives and follow Me even to death?
What do you see in Me that makes you want to uproot your entire life and follow Me even to the death of your self?
Aren't they the same?
Compassion
Understanding
Wisdom
Pure Love
Truth
Unconditional acceptance of who you are
An inkling of who you might become if you spend every day in My Presence
Peace
Joy
Comfort
Feeling like there is really no option because you were born to be in relationship with Me
A heart filled instead of empty
Your heart's one true desire
Being beloved
Being free
Your chains are gone and you are free - free to love because you are loved passionately and with wild abandon.
Come to Me and I will show you how to bring people to My Kingdom.

Being Dangerous

John 1: 35-42
"The following day, John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at Him and then declared, 'Look! there is the lamb of God!" Then John's two disciples turned and followed Jesus. Jesus looked around and saw them following. 'What do you want?' he asked them. They replied, 'Rabbi' (which means teacher), 'where are you staying?' 'Come and see,' he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place, and they stayed there the rest of the day. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who had heard what John had said and then followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother, Simon, and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which means the Christ). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus."

I did not die on the cross for you to be tame.
I died on the cross for you to be dangerous.
Find what's worth dying for and then you will finally live.
What do you want?
Do you want to follow Me?
Or
Do you think I should follow you?
You make your plans, but remember, I direct your steps.
It's when you learn to follow hard after Me that the adventure begins.
Do you want to live as if you are already dead?
Then stay tame.
Die of Boredom.
No?
Then come and see.
Follow Me.
Live for something worth dying for.
Search your heart- your soul.
What makes you weep?
What makes you angry?
What makes you leap for joy?
You see I've already planted the passion in your heart.
The passion only you can live out.
Let me reveal it to you.
Your adventure awaits.
It's going to sound impossible and irresponsible and people, especially your family, will think you're crazy.
But you're not- you're just dangerous!
Others aren't used to people picking danger over tameness.
I call it lameness.
Hold on!
Get ready when you choose to follow Me!
Teach others what you have learned and are learning about a real relationship with Me, about seeking Me with your whole heart.
Find everyone you can who will listen and even those who don't listen and tell them who I AM- the Messiah - the One who loved them before they were even born - the One who loves them despite who they are and because of who they are and who they can be in Me!
Shout it from the mountaintops and from the valleys of your life.
Invite them to come and see for themselves and then leave the rest to Me.
Are you ready for the Adventure?
I AM!

Transformation

Ephesians 3:20

"Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish more than we would ever dare to ask or hope."

My mighty power is at work in you.
You may not feel Me, but I am in you.
Growing you.
Giving you wisdom, compassion and understanding.
Dare to ask.
Dare to hope.
Even then, My plan is to do more than you can even imagine.
Each day, each step I bring you closer to the image of My Son.
I love you more fully than you can comprehend.
Thanks and praise, even in your darkest hour, will bring you encouragement and closer to Me.
Trust Me. Love Me.
Live your life so that others may see you trust and love Me.
I know you grow weary sometimes - this is when you must return to Me.
Return so that you may never grow weary in doing good.
Look with My Eyes not yours so that you may see what matters in forever versus only what matters in this world.
You are so easily distracted by the things of this world.
Day by day, morning by morning, moment by moment, seek Me and you will find Me, and I will tell you great and unsearchable things.
Every day bring your requests to Me and wait expectantly.
Remember that it is I who change you.
In My love you are transformed.
Like a tree that starts with a seed, the seed must die for the tree to grow and live. Your old self is the seed- with Christ you are the tree - a new creation.
Daily a New Creation.

The Battle is God's - show up!

2 Chronicles 20:15b-17
"...this is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march out against them... But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you... Do not be discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!"
Psalm 3: 3-6,8
"But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory and the one who lifts my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety for the Lord was watching over me on every side. Victory comes from you, O Lord."

Oh, but you are a stubborn child.
Lessons you must learn again and again.
The battle is Mine, not yours.
All you need to do is show up.
I promise that I work all things to good.
I promise that the Victory is Mine.
Be encouraged for I AM with you and I fight the battle and win the battle for your good!
Every child of Mine is a work in progress.
Remember that the enemies you fight are not just people - they are temptations, attitudes and the unseen rulers of this world.
Don't be afraid for I am with you. I have promised never to leave you, I have promised you a future, I have promised My plans for you are good, and I keep My promises.
I am your armor - I am your shield.
When you cry to Me, I answer.
My Peace I give you so that you may sleep in My assurance. Fully trusting that I Am Who I say I Am and I will do what I promise to do.
Enemies may surround you, but who are they when I am watching over you?
If I am for you who can be against you?
Remember to look for My lesson in every struggle you face. Never forget that I stand between you and whatever your circumstances you are facing.
Put My Armor on every day. The Armor of Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, Salvation, My Word, and Prayer.