Times of rest and patience are required of those who wait upon Me.

For I do not drive My sheep; I lead and I know when you need rest and when you simply need sleep. Therefore do not fear if it seems that I AM absent at times or the quiet is too loud, for I AM right here and you have done nothing wrong.

• I lead you to green pastures.
• I make you lie down.
• I restoreth your soul.

Trust that I will never leave you, and I may at times correct, but I don’t punish—I direct.

“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?” Hebrews 12:5-7  *please see comment below*

Lavish Love—that’s what I AM♥

I wait for you too.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.” Psalms 123:1-3a

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do  not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:4-5

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” II Thessalonians 3:5

*Note: I was troubled at first, when in this message He said, “I do not punish”, it seemed contradictory to the scriptures as you see in Hebrews 12:5-7. It is important that all messages are verified in scripture. King James uses the word ‘chastisement’, and Strongs Concordance defines this as education, training, discipline (by punishment), teach, learn and nurture.

I don’t want to confuse anyone, but my heart concludes that, just as in training your children, at times you must discipline to guide, the Lord must discipline us. He is not about the ‘punishment’ of His children, but to ‘direct’ them. In His great Love for us, He turns our ways to love, as He Loves. He already took our punishment and therefore does not punish us, but trains—directs.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Those of this world, who choose not receive His great Love and sacrifice, will indeed be punished and it will be everlasting. May that never be you.

L.J.O’Neil