Trust Me to Keep You From Error

I am setting your heart ablaze to burn with My all-consuming fire of Love. What joy it is to burn with Love! Even the pain carries joy. 

Do not entertain any of the doubts the enemy would suggest to you. Trust Me completely to keep you from error as you test everything against My Word. Does not My Word in scripture confirm what you are learning as you listen to Me? Does it not make more sense to you now than ever before? Dare to yield all to Me and trust Me absolutely, no exceptions! 

You will see Holy Spirit fruit that will also confirm the Truth of this way of walking with Me. In fact, you are already seeing fruit!

Dynamic Life and Power

Beloved, I am teaching you to do all things from this place of Love. This is impossible for the flesh, but possible for the spirit made alive in Christ! You have a choice about how you respond in every situation - from the flesh or from the spirit. The flesh has enjoyed rulership - or at least shared reign - for too long now, but dead flesh cannot lead you anywhere except the grave! 

Your spirit is coming alive more fully each day - it is already fully alive, but it is waking up to that life! Let your spirit take the lead!

Beloved, it is for FREEDOM that I have set you free! I am thrilled that you are finally realising what this means on a consistent level. I see your sorrow that it has taken your whole lifetime as a Christian, soaked in a Christian environment to realise this experientially! But, My Darling, I say to you as Nehemiah and Ezra said to the people as they wept to hear the Law read: "Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

My godly sorrow leads you to repentance, but you are never to set up camp there. You move straight out into the wide open fields of My Grace in rejoicing and celebration! 

"Beloved ones, God has called us to live a life of freedom in the Holy Spirit...Freedom means that we become so completely free of self-indulgence that we become servants of one another, expressing love in all we do. For love completes the laws of God. All of the Law can be summarised in one grand statement: 

"Demonstrate love to your neighbour, even as you care for and love yourself."

...As you yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life. For your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit and hinder him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit's intense cravings hinder your old self-life from dominating you! The Holy Spirit is the only One who defeats the cravings of your natural life...But when you are brought into the full freedom of the Spirit of Grace, you will no longer be living under the dominion of the law, but soaring above it!" (Galatians 5:13-18, TPT)

"But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its various expressions. This love is revealed through:
Joy that overflows,
Peace that subdues,
Patience that endures,
Kindness in action,
A life full of virtue,
Faith that prevails,
Gentleness of heart, and
Strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless." (Galatians 5:22-23, TPT)

Bread of Life

Manna from heaven...these are My words for you - fresh every day! Each day, new truths for you to chew over, with perfect nutrition your spirit needs for this day. Have your ears open to hear what I have for you today...do not try to regurgitate yesterday's food. Feed on Me, the Bread of Life. 

"Jesus said to them, 'I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to me and you will never be hungry. Believe in me and you will never be thirsty.'" (John 6:35, TPT)

"...But if anyone drinks the living water I give them, they will never thirst again and will be forever satisfied! For when you drink the water I give you it becomes a gushing fountain of the Holy Spirit, springing up and flooding you with endless life!" (John 4:14, TPT)

***

Each time you feel frustrated, see it as a signal that you need to examine your attitude and lean into Me. If your kids' behaviour is frustrating you, let your spirit lead the response, not your flesh. If you catch yourself saying, "These kids are driving me crazy!" - Stop, speak out blessing over them immediately! Do not be afraid to correct yourself. There are bad habits of thoughts and speech that I am exposing as inconsistent with my Spirit-life in you. These habits have already been put to death with your flesh, with Me on the cross, so take up new habits by allowing your spirit to stay connected to My Spirit.

Speak Life

You are in training, Beloved. I am training you in godliness. I am your personal Coach. You don't always understand My methods, but you can know with joyful confidence that they are all flowing from total, complete, Perfect Love! Therefore, you can submit to all My methods with a willing and joyful spirit. 

"Be quick to abstain from senseless traditions and legends, but instead be engaged in the training of truth that brings righteousness. For athletic training only benefits you in a short season, but righteousness brings lasting benefit in everything; for righteousness contains the promise of life, for time and eternity. Faithful is the Word, and everyone should accept him!" (I Timothy 4:7-9, TPT)

"Fully embrace God's correction as part of your training, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children...God corrects us through our lives for our own good, giving us an invitation to share his holiness. Now all discipline seems to be more pain than pleasure at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it. So be made strong even in your weakness by lifting up your tired hands in prayer and worship. And strengthen your weak knees, for as you keep walking forward on God's paths all your stumbling ways will be divinely healed!" (Hebrews 12:7, 10b-13, TPT)

Daily use your "weapons of warfare-worship" that I am training you in. Sing the songs that I put in your mouth. Declare Truth in every situation. Be careful not to undo it by speaking throw-away phrases, by habit or by fear of man. Surprise those around you by your joy and peace, do not speak what they expect you to, especially in your difficulties, even if it is easier. For My words, spoken to you and through you, bring life. There is power of life and death in the tongue. 

"Sharing words of wisdom are satisfying to your inner being. It encourages you to know that you've changed someone else's life. Your words are so weighty that they have power to bring life or release death, and the talkative person will reap the consequences." (Proverbs 18:20-21)

"Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken at the right time." (Proverbs 25:11)

"For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, and it pierces more sharply than a soldier's sword. It will permeate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meat! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts." (Hebrews 4:12)

"Words of wisdom are like a fresh flowing brook, like deep waters that spring forth from within, bubbling up inside the one with understanding." (Proverbs 18:4)

"Can you bridle your tongue when your heart is under pressure? That's how you show that you are wise. An understanding heart keeps you cool, calm and collected, no matter what you're facing." (Proverbs 17:27)

"Winsome words pour from a heart of wisdom, adding value to all you teach. Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words, for they release sweetness to our soul and inner healing to our spirit." (Proverbs 16:23-24)

"When you speak healing words, you offer others fruit from the Tree of Life. But unhealthy, negative words do nothing but crush their hopes." (Proverbs 15:4)

"Anxious fear brings depression, but a life-giving word of encouragement can do wonders to restore joy to the heart." (Proverbs 13:25)

More Fully You!

I am making you attractive, Beloved. Attractive to your husband, to others who are searching for Me, and even to yourself. 

For so long, you have lived in fear of Pride. But Pride is part of a religious mindset. I am completely transforming your thinking into a kingdom mindset. Beloved, Pride has to do with fear of man and D-I-Y mode. I am cutting off fear of man and giving you a healthy fear of Me. 

I am building in you a joyful confidence in who you are in Me, as you continue to grow in seeing yourself as I see you. 

I love you! I do not want to get rid of you! I want to make you more fully uniquely you, to increase your "you-ness" that has been dulled and pushed down by false humility and false dignity (which are Pride). You really bought into that self-flagellating twisting of "I must decrease that He can increase". The cries of "Empty me of me so that I can be filled with You!"  

Well, Beloved, I won't! I will fill you and in doing so, enhance your you-ness, while dealing with sin in your life. No more of this "wretched woman that I am" business, because haven't you heard? I HAVE DEALT WITH THAT ALREADY!

"So if my behaviour contradicts my desires to do good, I must conclude that it is not my true identity doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin hindering me from being who I really am...Truly, deep within my true identity, I love to do what pleases God. But I discern another power operating in my humanity, waging a war against the moral principles of my conscience and bringing me into captivity as a prisoner to the "law" of sin - this unwelcome intruder in my humanity...So who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death? 

I give all my thanks to God, for his mighty power has finally set me free through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! So if left to myself, the flesh is aligned with the law of sin, but now my renewed mind is fixed on and submitted to God's righteous principles." (Romans 7:20,22-25 TPT)

"So now every righteous requirement of the law can be fulfilled through the Anointed One living his life in us. And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit!" (Romans 8:4 TPT)

What joy, Beloved!! You are starting to see! Your flesh is not you, your spirit is truly you! And your spirit is seated with Me in the heavenly realm. You are heaven's royalty, Beloved! 

No place for pride and arrogance, false humility and false dignity in royalty - just an acceptance of who you truly are. 

"And you did not receive the "spirit of religious duty" leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the "Spirit of Full Acceptance", enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, "Beloved Father!" For the Holy Spirit makes God's fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, "You are God's beloved child!" (Romans 8:15-16)

Love Well

You are worried and burdened about many things, Beloved. You have so many hopes for this year, so many ways you want to do better and to be better. But I want you to focus your heart and mind on learning to love well this year. This includes learning to love yourself, in spite of your foibles and failings. Learning to love your husband more fully. Learning to love your children in the ways that they need. Learning to love your friends, and truly learning to love the unsaved. 

"But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)

I want you to learn to love others more and more. This is your mission. I know it costs you to invest in people, but trust Me in this. Of course you will say yes, because it is I who asks. You know it is best!

"And now may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all as we do..." (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

"You yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that is indeed what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more..." (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10)

Love people with the tender, unconditional love you have for your babies. Love people with patience and endurance. Love people more and more, as I myself teach you. This is not a command to just "do more stuff", but to tune into Me for direction on how to love people more. I will show you what is needful, and I will clear the way. 

"Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in Christ and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

Beloved, as you let Me teach you, your love for others will increase. As you spend more time with the Lover, your love will increase. Trust Me in this. Love well!

"...your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing." (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

Love and faith go hand in hand. 

Desperate Hunger

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning." Psalm 130:5-6

Bring Me the daily sacrifice of your time, dear one. I know how dearly it costs you to carve out time to spend with Me amidst the busyness of life with young children who are so dependent on you. 

Look at your tiny baby daughter. Look at the desperation that she exhibits when she is hungry! Nothing will satisfy until she is at your breast being nurtured. There is an urgency, a "nothing else matters" quality to her hungry cry. 

I want you to hunger for My Word and My Presence with the same intensity, the same single-mindedness! I want you to need My Word and My Presence so desperately that you just cannot put it off! 

Oh, Beloved, the need is already there. You just have to realise it. Open your mind to it.

Treasure Trove

"I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil." Psalm 119:162

My Word is a treasure trove under your very nose. Countless priceless gems, waiting for you to discover and possess them! How I love to witness your joy upon encountering golden Truth and gems of Wisdom. How I love the way your heart lights up when you make a connection between My Word and your own life. 

Cherish My Word like precious treasure. Keep it close to your heart always. Spend time pouring over it, examining it in great detail. 

Love My Word. 

Eat and Be Full

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth." Psalm 119:103

Feast on My Words! They are food for your soul. Never underestimate the importance of My Words in nourishing your soul from day to day. You cannot live on scraps from yesterday. It is not my intention for you to starve. I set out a feast for you, each and every day. It is up to you to partake of it!

You are getting impatient with Verity not eating enough. You know she needs more, and it hurts you because it will be detrimental to her health. You have an abundant supply for her, and it physically hurts you to have her not eat enough! How you long for her to stay close to your heart and eat until she is full!

This is My heart for you too. Eat and be full, Beloved!

This is My Promise

"I entreat your favour with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise." Psalm 119:58

I will never leave you or forsake you. This is My Promise.
My Loving-kindness reaches to the skies, and My Faithfulness is like a mighty mountain. This is My Promise.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you walk through the fire you will not be burned. This is My Promise.
I work ALL THINGS together for the good of those who love Me. This is My Promise.
I am your shelter, and underneath are My everlasting arms.  This is My Promise.
When you wait on Me, you will renew your strength and rise up on wings like eagles. This is My Promise.
I will cover you with My feathers, and under My wings you will find refuge. This is My Promise.
If you make Me your dwelling, no harm will overtake you. This is My Promise.

Soak in My Promises. Here, there is rest. Here, there is Life. Here, there is deep refreshment for your weary soul. It does your heart good to meditate on My Promises.

Promises that Give Life

"Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life." Psalm 119:49-50

I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Me, your hope is a sure thing. Your hope is securely anchored to Me, the Rock of your salvation. Remember that your hope does not rest on the flimsy shifting sands of circumstances or desired outcomes. Your hope is securely based on Me - the Way, the Truth and the Life!

My Word is Truth. My Word is Life. My Word is not full of false hope and worthless optimism. My Promises actually give you Life, and comfort you in times of hardship. When everything else is uncertain; when everything else is unpredictable; when everything else is in a state of flux...I AM constant. My Word stands true and solid. Cling to Me, and you will not be swept away in the storm.

Your Food

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law... Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors... My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!"

My Word is your food.  You need it daily, even hourly. My Word is what nurtures your heart, helping to strengthen you to face the challenges of each day. I give your manna - nutrients for just one day.  You cannot store it up, Beloved.  Come to My Word each and every day. Come in your hunger, ready to eat and be nourished. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you can do without it. You know what happens when your skip physical meals, especially in times of busyness... You feel weak, weary, burnt out! You cannot run this marathon with no nourishment.

My Word and My Words

"In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.  I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word." Psalm 119:14-16

When the path gets rocky, you start looking down at your feet, as if that can help you avoid stumbling. That might work in the physical world, but My Kingdom is an upside-down kingdom. If you want to keep from stumbling, you must keep your eyes fixed on Me. Watching where you are going will trip you up for sure!

Store up My Word in your heart, and keep referring back to it.  My Word is the lamp to your feet, the light to your path.  Meditate on My Word, fix your eyes on My Ways, and you will keep moving forward.  Delight yourself in My testimonies as in all riches. Keep My Word at the forefront of your heart and mind. Regularly review the words I am speaking to your heart, as you forget them far too quickly!  Delight yourself in My Word and in My words.

Lamp to Your Feet

When darkness clouds your mind, you MUST draw near to Me. Fix your eyes on My Face, for I AM the source of all true Light. Keep your eyes fixed on My Face, and the darkness cannot terrify you. The enemy would strike fear in your heart, but My perfect Love covers and protects you. 

Beloved, you are desperately grasping for control...with mountains looming in front of you, covered by the mist of confusion and the unknown, you are urgently trying to map your course by micromanaging the details of the steps along the way that you can see. 

Stop obsessing over details, my dear one, and remember: My Word is a lamp to your feet, and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). Dwell in My Presence, speaking out My Word, and you will stay on track regardless of how much or how little you have planned. 

Expect the Unexpected!

Psalm 77

When you feel desperate for My intervention in your life, but cannot see any indication of My hand at work, you tend to slip into despair. Like the Psalmist, you may even question My Love in those dark moments. (Psalm 77:1-9)

Follow the Psalmist's example - focus your mind on who I AM and on what I CAN DO! Meditate on My works and consider all My mighty deeds. (Ps 77:10-12) Let your heart marinate in My Word - in so many examples of My Power at work in the lives of My People. (Ps 77:15-20)

Like the Psalmist, you too will shout out: "Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? YOU ARE THE GOD WHO PERFORMS MIRACLES; you display your power among the peoples." (Psalm 77:13-14)

Remember, Beloved - rarely do My miracles take the form or the timing that My People expect or hope for. I am NOT a cosmic genie or divine magician. I am SO MUCH GREATER, dear one! 

When you place your hope securely in the truth of WHO I AM, it is right to expect the unexpected. But don't expect the unexpected to show up in the way you expect it to! HA! 

My Creativity knows no bounds! Watch and see what I shall do!

Speak Out My Word

When you feel like you are under attack - beset on every side - let your response be to trust in Me, speak out My Truth, and find shelter in My Presence. 

As much as you feel like falling in a heap on the ground, whinging and moaning about how irritating it is to be attacked...this is not helpful. Resist the urge to hold a pity party, however tempting it is. When you are at the end of yourself, and just cannot find any words - speak out My Word: 

Psalm 27 

Of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked advance against me
    to devour^[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
³ Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

¹³ I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Perfect and Beautiful Truth

Hear this:

I make you to be blessed and a blessing forever! I make you exceedingly glad with the joy of My Presence. As you trust in Me, through My unfailing Love, you will not be shaken! (from Psalm 21:6-7)

Delight in these gems of promises you are finding in My Word as you read it each day. I AM always true to My Word. It is impossible for Me to lie. I AM wholly trustworthy. Believe this!! I AM the firm foundation under your feet. The Rock, in which you trust. My Truth stands, unaltered forever. Place your hope firmly in My Truth, perfect and beautiful Truth. 

Learn to love My Word more and more. As you do, you will fall more and more in love with Me, as I reveal Myself to you through My Word. You cannot know Me apart from My Word. My Word is the gateway to greater awareness of My Presence.

My Word is far more than printed text on a page. It is ALIVE and FULL OF POWER (Hebrews 4:12).  My Word is an integral ingredient in victorious living. When you face temptation, confusion, or come up against a situation in which you just have no clue what to do next...call to mind My Word, and speak out My Truth. Remember that My Word is the sword in your spiritual armour (Ephesians 6:17). Learn to wield your sword with confidence.

Rest and Rejoice

Psalm 5

Know that I hear your cries and your sighing. Lay your requests before Me and wait in expectation! Your heart is heavy this morning. Lay down your burdens, truly release them. (Ps 5:1-3)

I know that you are disappointed in yourself - how easily the doubt creeps in. Just a few well-meaning words from a caring friend or family member and you start questioning your judgement in trusting Me. Fear looms large and intimidating. You begin to cower...STOP! Remember who I AM! Take refuge in Me, your strong tower! Refuse to allow fear to lock you up in its dark dungeon again. Speak out My Word, it is living and active and has mighty power! 

Remember the truth that seeking Me is your best preparation. No amount of medical information can better prepare you to face your daughter's future. I hold her in My hand. Do not borrow trouble from tomorrow. Trust that I will help and guide you to the right information at the right time. 

Right now, it is crucial to guard against fear - the enemy of your soul. You are no longer a slave to fear, but fear will continue to do its best to entice you back into slavery. Rest here in My perfect Love. Fear has no place here. My perfect Love is full of Light, fear is darkness that cannot stand My Light. 

As you take refuge in Me, be glad! Keep on singing for joy! I spread My protection over you. I surround you with favour as with a shield. (Ps 5:11-12) You are protected by My Love, My Presence. I cover you with My protection. Rest in this covering. Rest, dear one. Rest and rejoice. This is perfect medicine for your aching heart. Rest and sing for joy.