Tag Archive | spiritual growth

The Best Is Yet To Come!

You are releasing the past, it flows out of you through the tears. Do you feel the release? Do not think that you are rejecting those you’ve loved or discarding who you are–no, you are becoming.

As a flower opens to the morning sun, your life opens to more.

The richest colors of the flower are revealed the times you see deep inside, but you would never see them had the flower not opened. You must open yourself again and again for others to see the rich beauty inside. You are multi-dimensional, uniquely gifted–even so that you do not fully understand who you are and what you are capable of.

Ever evolving, your personality develops with each new experience you embrace.

Do not fear my calling, but open your heart wide for more.

“Make me to know thy ways, O Lord,teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long.” Psalms 25:4-5

I have only good intentions for you. I have tolerated the choices you have made, knowing some would hurt you–ever wanting to spare you, but I don’t control.

You are the one that ultimately decides the direction of your life.

I guide, I console, I AM here to see you through, but I do not control.

“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble the way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.” Psalms 25:8-10

You choose.

Choose wisdom, for I AM here.

I will guide you to the path that will bless you if you linger to hear–more.

Much of your life has been spent undoing the choices you have made that didn’t include Me.

Let’s change that.

Let’s find your perfect fit.

There is still more.

Go ahead, cry the tears that cleanse and release, but do not close your heart–open your heart in expectation. For the best is yet to come.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul–” Proverbs 2:6-10

“Hear for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right; for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. all the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all upright to him who understands and right to those who find knowledge. Take my instructions instead of silver, and knowledge instead of choice gold for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you desire cannot compare with her.” Proverbs 8:6-11

“For thou hast delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I kept my faith, even when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted’–” Psalms 116:8-11

This Is Your Year

Mar15

See this as the beginning of your life.

Your past serves only to bring you to today; it doesn’t hold you; it no longer serves you–release it.

If you cling to your past, you will believe what has been is all there will be, for it will take hold of your heart and you will begin to let go of faith. It won’t seem so at first, but gradually, slowly, it will grip your heart.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18-19

Turn and take hold of your future.

Lay hold of it, for it contains the promises I have spoken previously to your heart. Many a time you have wondered if you had not heard correctly, for so much time has passed, but I reiterate them to you, for I have not forgotten and I do not repent of speaking them; but, rather, refresh them in your mind and heart.

“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 1:20

There is a season and a time for all things and it is to My delight when you hold a promise dear and even so you wait. For waiting cleanses the flesh, it is a selfless act–a time for humility.

You have proved faithful.

You will receive.

Continue to believe.

The non-essential cast away. Those not present, passed away.

Beneath the surface lies your future, ready to be revealed.

“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:9

Begin to take the steps as I speak them to your heart. You will soon recognize that the path is new to you, old patterns are no longer repeating, for you have grown. What you once craved no longer beckons and you stand tall.

Flex the muscle you have practiced and continue to grow, for now your ways are clear.

Clear to hear.

This is your year!

“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 1:1-8

The Production of a Lifetime

Mar3

It is for discipline–all that you are learning is for discipline of the life that is to come.

You are not waiting to ‘live’ then; you are living now in practice, much as an actor rehearses a script to get his lines ‘just right.’ He practices where to stand, inflections in his voice, body movement, pauses, all to convey what he wishes to express to the world.

“If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.” Ecclesiastes 10:10

No, you are not an actor, you are genuine, but you are learning to ‘act’ on what you know. And what you are learning from My Word, you are developing the storyline of your life.

We are co-directors, you and I…

We consult, we command together, and together we produce your future.

As you practice what you learn, you are studying to show yourself approved. You are laboring to enter into My rest and you will find your delight in Me.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15

For I AM

Come, see your future on the big screen. Often your thinking is too small–for I have big plans for you.

You will be successful in all you do. I’ve put my trust in you, will you then trust Me, to do what I’ve called you to?

Trust and Do!

“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” Hebrews 5:1-5

“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

“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

The Rule of Emotion

Feb25

Emotions were never meant to be a barometer for your day.

They were given as a gift to feel and express joy, sadness, love–releasing or receiving feelings as they come and go–flow through your life, but they are not to rule.

Consider this, would you bow to an emotion or honor a feeling? No, no more than you would consider bowing to the devil and yet, many do, when they allow their emotions to rule.

The pain and heartache you feel is very real, but change can happen in the twinkling of an eye. Offer your heartache to Me, knowing that I’ll take it from thee.

There is so much in store for you, but the process isn’t easy–let go to receive.

The process is in layers; if I were to bring you through, all at once, you would be undone–you would be overwhelmed. Even now, as I dole it out in portions, revealing a layer at a time, you often come crying.

My desire is not to hurt you, but there will be pain as you learn to retrain your thinking–developing new ways for old patterns that are revealed.

“A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Come align with Me

Your steps
Your thinking
Your heart

I have a purpose for you–we are partners-we work together.

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O Lord, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands.” Psalms 138:8

Now, you can continue to cry out your emotions or you may use the abilities I have given you; exercise your faith to move forward and work toward your future.

Yes, I give you seasons of rest, but there is also a season of work.

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

Stay close to Me.

Abide in My Love as I guide you through each day. Come what may, it is not by chance what you receive, but what you believe–you will receive.

“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. If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:1-11

“As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

With the Patience of a Saint

Feb17

I AM prepared to follow through with My Word, but are you prepared for the answer?

The farmer doesn’t, one day, prepare for a crop and the next day harvest. He plans, tills, plants, waters, weeds, prays and waits.

There are many that lose faith when instant answers do not come.

And, just as trees grow at different rates–some fast and some very slow–your answer may not come quickly. But, though it may take the tree many years to reach the maturity you seek, that tree is still growing and changing, even as we speak.

And so are you.

Sometimes your maturity level is a requirement for the answer to come. Sometimes I wait for you–for the conditions to be right for you to receive.

Sometimes I wait for you to truly believe.

You see, you may speak it with your mouth and think it in your head, but faith is a matter of the heart. When faith flows from your heart and matches the words from your mouth, then you are ready to receive–your harvest will come.

Are you prepared to wait for Me or should I prepare to wait for you?

“But for thee, O Lord, do I wait; It is thou, O Lord my God, who wilt answer.” Psalms 38:15

Take the steps that you know–increase them as you grow. Be an active participant–in partnership with Me.

“Give ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. Does he who plows for sowing plow continually? Does he continually open and harrow his ground? When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, and put barley in its proper place, and spelt as a border? For he is instructed aright; his God teaches him.” Isaiah 28:23-26

Prepare to believe–You will receive!

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

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 10:19-25

Sow Much Purpose!

Feb4

You are to begin sowing–sowing into your future. Everything you do is a seed, planted for a purpose.

Think of each action as individual–unique in itself. Therefore, think carefully about what you do. Ask yourself, ‘What purpose will this fulfill?’ ‘What end result might I glean?’ ‘Will it bring life or death?’ ‘Prosperity or heartache?’

My expectation for you is BLESSING, to be BLESSED and to be a BLESSING to others.

I want you to expect this of yourself as well. I will help you to plant–guide you in direction, but you must make the decisions in your life.

“Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. He himself shall abide in prosperity, and his children shall possess the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.” Psalms 25:12-15

BLESSING or cursing–you choose.

Choose LIFE!

Choose to plant seed that will set you and others free!

Choose to be anchored in Me. But don’t stay in the boat, cast out to sea and you will ‘see’ that your ‘Anchor’ goes with thee–I AM HE.

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them” Deuteronomy 30:19-20

“Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may praise thee and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to thee for ever.” Psalms 30:11-12

The Reflection I See

Jan11

Your ‘image’ of ‘you’ should not be from what you see in the mirror, but the reflection you see when you look into My Word.

When you ‘see’ yourself in My Word, then you will be pleased to see, and all those around you will know, that you’ve spent time with Me.

You’ll then see, that it’s not about the body or the color of your hair. Nor is it about the clothes that you wear. But the face I see, reflected in there, is the face of My Father–My Father is in there.

Come with Me and I’ll show you that each reflecting light, are lights from My Word shining in the night. But it’s from you that they shine–for all to see; the reflection of you, is their ‘inspection’ of Me. For when they look at you, they are looking to see, just what it is that they need of Me.

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light.” Luke 8:16

Some would not know Me–were it not for you.

Some would not love Me, had there not been love from you.

So when you look into the glass, whether deeply or in pass, take time to remember–therein is not broken, but the image of My Father emanating from you.

The Body that was broken–was broken for you.

The Word that was spoken, was spoken for you.

Why then do you criticize, what you see there ‘fore your eyes? Look instead into My Word–for therein are no lies.

Your body is just substance, the substance of the earth. Your spirit is eternal–of the greatest value and worth.

But the beauty of your face–as it shines in all My Grace, is the clear reflection of My Father; for you have your Father’s eyes. And therein lies your beauty–don’t hide it in disguise.

Shine!

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it does not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” I John 3:1-3

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his own Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world.” I John 4:11-17

“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

“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments and live, keep my teachings as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:1-3

“‘You are the light of the world.’ A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

The Driving Force

Jan2

Examine yourself before you decide what it is that you believe.

Would you take My Name in vain?

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

If you do not know what you believe; if you do not know what to receive, you carry My Name in vain.

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart if far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” Matthew 15:8-9

If I AM your identity–if you identify with who I AM, then you should know Me–really know Me.

I AM

Do you know I AM?

It is a dangerous thing to call yourself a believer and follower and never come to understand the depth of the Cross.

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” I Corinthians 1:18

It is like driving a car without learning how; you leave yourself wide open to being hurt and hurting others.

Think about it and then decide…

What it is that you want?

Do you want to learn how to drive or just see the car parked in your yard? That is what it is if you don’t take the time to learn of Me–a mere facade and you’re not going anywhere.

A powerless prize.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

Turn it around.

Learn to drive.

“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” I Corinthians 4:20

Abide!

“Jesus answered him, ‘If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.'” John 14:23-24

“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.” John 15:1-8

“We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:6-11

“And he said to all, ‘If any man come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.'” Luke 9:23-24

Fire Burns Within

Dec22

The dimly burning wick shall not be quenched!

I have seen your sorrows and witnessed your sadness, yet you have not turned away; your heart is not cold. You cling to what was, but that is no longer you; you have grown. Trials and hardships have matured you–strengthened what was weak.

Yet, all you see is ash–too weary to speak.

Stir up the coals, for fire burns within; all is not lost–there is forgiveness for your sin.

Stir up the gifts; fan the flame.

Reclaim your life–there’s more to gain. Ask of Me and I’ll give you the nations. Restore prayer–rebuke indignation.

YOU ARE STILL MINE and there is much to do. Stir up the fire–still within you.

Yes time is getting short, but it’s not over yet. Get off your bed of sorrow; it’s time we were moving on. There’s so much more for you to do.

So much more for you!

“–The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.”

And now the Lord says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength–

he says; “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49 1b-6

Persistent Fruit

Dec19

Love is genuine

There are those who set forth a pretense of love and yet their heart is absent. Others attempt to love, but their flesh nature of selfishness choke and block that love from flowing.

Genuine love is not pretentious nor stagnant, but flows from a heart that is pure.

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart.” I Peter 1:22

Be assured that the fruit produced comes from the root of the tree. If the roots are not planted in good soil the tree will not produce good fruit.

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Come to your right mind, and sin no more. For some have no knowledge of God–.” I Corinthians 15:33-34

A perfectly good tree needs the right conditions to produce fruit.

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall are all seasons necessary to produce fruit–yes even Winter. I don’t rush the seasons and neither should you. Learn to produce lasting fruit by learning from the seasons.

Remain firmly planted.
Allow Me to prune.
Keep your chin up and keep looking to the Son.
Seasons will change.

Love will grow.

“Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.” James 5:7

Persistence bears fruit!

“For land which has drunk the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned.” Hebrews 6:7-8

“In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble. If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work. So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.” II Timothy 2:22

“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

“And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain upon tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its time; it hastens to the end–it will not lie. If it seem slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Behold, he whose soul is not upright in him shall fail, but the righteous shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:2-4

“Though the fig tree do not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like hinds’ feet, he makes me tread upon my high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

“And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:15

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of his salvation.” Psalms 24:3-5