Tag Archive | Father

Swimming Lessons

Have you ever noticed that children only lose one tooth at a time? Old teeth must go to make room for new arrivals; for there will be tougher things to chew in life, but if they lost them all at once there would be no eating.

Do you see why I take you a step at a time?

You still have to eat!

If I took you into the deep too quickly, you would lose the ability to function in the natural world and you wouldn’t yet have learned to swim.

Just as kids learn to chew a little at a time–I’ll take you deeper a tooth at a time.

And

Just as the child keeps ‘working’ that tooth, I want you to get to work on your process. Pay attention when the tooth begins to loosen–you’re about to get something bigger to chew on, but first, we must get that baby tooth out.

I’ll take you into the deep.

One tooth at a time…

I’ll teach you to swim.

“–for every one who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:13-14

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40

“And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons?–“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time at their pleasure, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:5-11

“The earth, O Lord, is full of thy steadfast love; teach me thy statutes! Thou has dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in thy commandments.” “Thy hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments. Those who fear thee shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in thy word.” Psalms 119:64-66, 73-74

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents.” Hebrews 13:7-9

“Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Hebrews 13:17

“My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:13-14

“If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you be sated with it and vomit it.” Proverbs 26:16

Gifted Hands

May4

Stir up the gift that is within you by the laying on of hands.

This practice has been greatly misunderstood. Many are the novices that are too quick to impart and extend their hand to another, foolishly, speaking anything that comes to mind; often of the flesh and not through My Spirit. Others have demeaned this practice and refused it as foolishness.

My Word says not to be ‘quick’ in the laying on of hands. It is meant to be an impartation in the Spirit. The elder blesses and exercises faith over the younger in the Lord. This is not determined by age, but the impartation of wisdom in the Spirit. There are times when a child shall lead.

Exercise faith through the laying on of hands…

Impartation of the anointing
Expression of wisdom, when spoken through faith in the Spirit
Strengthening faith in the one who receives by point of contact

All are good when done in faith through the wisdom of the Spirit and spoken rightly.

Let all things be in order, by faith, and in love.

“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and went away.” Matthew 19:13-15

“And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant; and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast brought perfect praise’?” Matthew 21:14-16

“Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you.” I Timothy 4:14

“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:18-20

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor participate in another man’s sins; keep yourself pure.” I Timothy 5:22

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Proverbs 18:2

“Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who will no longer take advice–” Ecclesiastes 4:13a

“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-3

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25

“Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” I Timothy 4:11-12

“So, my brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; but all things should be done decently and in order.” I Corinthians 14:39

Come and Dine

May3

An empty and restless spirit resides in the one who refuses to study My Word. It is a craving, a cavity if you will, of a hungry heart that goes unfilled.

Blessed is the man who ‘daily’ feeds on a meal set for a king; notice I said meal and not a morsel. For if you graze and do not feast, you will be least at the table of offering. I offer you, daily, a feast of delights–Words that have tried the times.

My message is clear, if only you would hear, that a starving man ne’er will dine. For with itching ears, he only will hear, the simple are welcome here.

Waste not what I bring, be it an offering, to the one who bids you come. For He would delight, to see you each night at His table–set for a king!

It’s dinner time–

Come and Dine.

“–‘A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for all is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'” Luke 14:16-24

“And he said to all, ‘If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'” Luke 9:23

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.” II Timothy 4:3-4

“But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what person knows a man’s thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit. The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:9-14

“Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:19-20

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15 KJV

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.” James 1:22-25

“And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Luke 13:29-30

Show Your ID

May2

It is amazing, that even though I created man to be unique and individual, so many are desperately trying to be like someone else. I created you special, and put My stamp of approval on you–your fingerprint. No two are alike. Every day more are created, yet none duplicated.

Why?

Because I wanted you and no other like you. I purposed you, and none other for your purpose. Through the ages many are called, but no one has the exact same call. No duplicates means, no mistakes.

Twins look the same to the world if they are identical. You may ‘fool’ the world, as they say, but I AM not of this world and I AM not a fool. Man looks on the outward appearance–

I look on the heart.

I see who you are, not what you look like. I AM the author and finisher of your faith and the lover of your soul. I reject no one, for you are irreplaceable–uniquely you! Therefore, My question to you is…

Why?

Why in a world teeming with people, do you feel insignificant, when I know right where you are at all times? I never stop thinking about you. My eye is ever upon you. You will never have another fingerprint, and no one will ever have yours.

Why then, would you not want to leave a footprint that is just as unique?

Be you.

If you want to imitate someone, imitate Me. For I AM never the same to two individuals–I AM unique to you and My footprint I gladly give to you, as I gave you My Life.

Be uniquely you and come, follow Me. Bring along your fingerprint–you’ll need some ID.

Follow Me.

“For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.” I Peter 4:12

“–for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7b

“I have given them thy word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:14

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.'” Ephesians 4:4-8

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 3:10

“The Lord looks down from heaven, he sees all the sons of men; from where he sits enthroned he looks forth on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.” “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield. Yea, our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let thy steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in thee.” Psalms 33:13-15, 18-22

“In him, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:11-12

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:3-6

Wise Prayer

May1

Mistakes are often made when one is too eager to get the job done.

You would be wise to be respectful and use caution when advancing into the unknown. When receiving instruction to move forward, it is expected that you will be prayerful about the advance. Enlist wisdom from above. I will provide it liberally, giving direction and encouragement as well.

Enlist Me

I await your invitation. I AM respectful of your time, for it is necessary that you exercise your will in all aspects of the call. I empower you, but I do not overpower or control you.

I AM delighted when My faithful ones are ready and listening for My direction. As long as they are willing and move forward, I continue to lead. But I do not push, nor prod or pull.

It is the willing and obedient that eat the good of the land.

Are you willing?

Will you obey?

Are you hungry?

Let us prepare–Let’s pray!

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:5-8

“Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” I Peter 1:13-16

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Peter 1:3-8

“–we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:9-14

“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” Isaiah 58:10-11

“If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land.” Isaiah 1:19

Take A Bow

Apr30

Admission is the first step of action to be saved. You must admit to yourself, and then to Me that you have sinned and you need a Savior. It takes great courage to become humble. It takes great humility to become saved.

The Children of Israel were a stiff-necked people unyielding, and refusing to bow; it cost them the promised land and many, their lives. You may take a lesson on what not to do by reading the accounts of My children from long-past. The names have been recorded as a statement to the world that stubborn rebellion is a costly game to play; with stakes too high, the outcome sure death. Whereas, true humility begins with death, but the outcome is Life Eternal.

The bill marked Paid in Full!

Learn to bow before Me.

The first time comes the hardest–you feel shy, embarrassed, unsure.
The second time, you’ve stumbled–you’re defensive, nervous.
Third–you’re broken, ashamed.

With every bow you are more clear of that need of a Savior.

With every bow–that need.

With every bow–more freed.

Bow before Me in true humility. With every bow–

True kneed

“But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs which I wrought in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the proof these ten times and have not hearkened to my voice, shall see the land which I swore to give to their fathers; and none of those who despised me shall see it. But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.” Numbers 14:21-24

“Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord, and come to his sanctuary, which he has sanctified for ever, and serve the Lord your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. For if you return to the Lord, your brethren and your children will find compassion with their captors, and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.” 2 Chronicles 30:8-9

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.” James 4:6b, 10

“For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:10b-12

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment.” Psalms 51:1-4

“But may all who seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee; may those who love thy salvation say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!'” Psalms 40:16

“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4

*Please see comment below

Just Give

Apr20

“I give what I can.”

“I do the best I can but, you know, times are hard.”

These are statements I hear often, and have for many years. It seems the times are always hard, but I’m not asking you to give, just when the times are good; I am requiring you to give when the times are hard. I don’t want you to give what you can. Rather, I expect you to give what you can’t, because I ‘can‘ and that is faith.

If you give to Me first, when it would seem that there won’t be enough, but you give out of obedience anyway, because the word says to; then I, in turn, will give out of obedience, because My Word says so. Did it ever occur to you that I obey the Word too? I was obedient unto death for you. Will you be obedient unto life for Me?

For I don’t ask for your money to strip you of your lifestyle and cause you poverty. I ask you to give, to give back to you, and give you then, ability

to grow and increase
all your needs met
all My needs met
to give more

You give and are, in turn, blessed and you then bless. You’re blessed more, and you give more, until one day you’ll find that you are overtaken with blessings, and you will laugh in delight that My Word is right. What I knew all along, that it’s right where you belong…

Protected in My Blessing.

But it all begins with giving, when you don’t think you have enough.

In these hard times…

I haven’t changed.

Just give!

“And if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (See vs. 1-14)

“Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:10-12

“give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” Luke 6:38

“Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” Psalms 37:3-4″With a free-will offering I will sacrifice to thee; I will give thanks to thy name, O Lord, for it is good. For thou hast delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.” Psalms 54:6-7

“The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” Proverbs 10:22

“Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house; and his righteousness endures forever. Light rises in the darkness for the upright; the Lord is gracious, merciful and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered for ever. He is not afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” Psalms 112:1-7

“He who observes the wind will not sow; and he who regards the clouds will not reap.” Ecclesiastes 11:4

“The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalms 34:10

Pursue Me

Apr19

What would have happened if Moses had not veiled his face at the peoples’ insistence? Repentance would have come. For what is brought to the light is revealed, and what is revealed will be cleansed.

Sin cannot stand in My Presence.

My Presence brings forth repentance.

Moses’ face shown with My Presence for he communed with Me and when he descended that mountain, My Presence remained upon Him; for I went with him.

When you come into My Presence it is not temporary–I go with you. But it is in the active communion with Me that My anointing flows; My Glory is revealed upon you.

Stay actively seeking, actively communing; even throughout your day.

Whatever chance may come, and whatever time you pursue. And, you will find that My Glory shines ever brighter as your spirit communes with Mine.

Deep calls to deep

Go for the glow–be actively seeking.

Be aglow in the Spirit.

Pursue Me!

“When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the door of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses.” “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” “And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” Exodus 33:9, 11a, 14

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. And when Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.” Exodus 34:29-30

“And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone; and Moses would put the veil upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.” Exodus 34:33-35

“Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts; all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.” Psalms 42:7 KJV

“Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” Habakkuk 1:13a KJV

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but yield yourselves to God as men who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:12-14

“O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually!” I Chronicles 16:8-11

“What man is there who desires life, and covets many days, that he may enjoy good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry.” Psalms 34:12-15

“Thou has said, “Seek ye my face.” My heart says to thee, ‘Thy face, Lord, do I seek.'” Psalms 27:8

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3

“Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.” Romans 12:11

Sweet Nectar

Apr18

I AM about to stir My Body into action! Complacency has settled over much of the Body as if it were a blanket of sleep. This needs to change, for there is so much to be done. I have instilled a gift in each one of you, and though you enjoy partaking of Me, I have yet to partake of many of you.

There is fruit waiting to be tasted inside of you. The fruit of the vine that, when allowed to mature and ripen, will be the sweetest of nectar–a drink fit for the King!

Ripening only happens when the fruit is attached to the vine. I AM the vine and you are the branches. Should a branch be broken, that fruit will no longer grow and produce; it must be pruned. Allow Me to cultivate you. You know of your gifts and natural talents; they don’t reside in you by accident, but by design.

Stir up the gifts within and allow Me to refine them. Step out in faith, even if you don’t feel quite confident. A step of faith will be met with support and direction for the next step.

Take the adventure to see where it leads. You will be pleasantly surprised…

and

The fruit you will bear will be…

Satisfyingly Sweet!

I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.” John 15:1-9

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.” Romans 12:6-11

To the King!

Apr17

Tenacious perseverance is required to reach the maturity level I would like My saints to obtain. I find very few willing to pursue this–a level of excellence. Not a prideful stance, but a level of integrity and service that declares you to be the servant and the son of a King.

Ours is a unique relationship. You are a son and yet, like the Son who came to serve, you are a servant. A royal priesthood willing to lay down all for his brother is a beautiful and rare gift. A gift that, if acquired, will last. For when you obtain that level of maturity you will have suffered through many things

and

You will understand completely that the evil one has no power over you.

You will fully know how to utilize My Word in every situation you find yourself in.

and

You will love your brother as yourself–esteeming him highly as a prize of the King. Those who love Me to this capacity–who honor others before themselves; will wear My Crown of Glory.

True riches it will bring–

To the King!

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.” Luke 10:19

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!” Psalms 119:1-3

“If you really fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.” James 2:8

“and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:44-45

“Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory. Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” I Peter 5:2-5

“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. but the face of the Lord is against those that do evil.” Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? But even if you do suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed” I Peter 3:8-14a

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalms 84:11