Walk In Love

As humans in a fallen world, it is inevitable that we will all face some form of rejection, abandonment, temptation and persecution in our lives.

But, we can take heart that God took human form as Jesus Christ and was also rejected, abandoned and persecuted. He suffered in ways far beyond what any of us will ever face or can possibly comprehend. He completely knows and understands our pain and suffering. After all, the burden of sin...OF ALL MANKIND...rested on our unblemished Christ Jesus...alone.

Yet, He loved and sacrificed...He showed mercy, grace, forgiveness and compassion, regardless of the tumultuous circumstances He faced.

To put on the attitude of Christ is to respond in love to those who persecute and spitefully use us...to forgive and pray for them, in spite of the struggle.

A Godly response...one rooted in His Truth and Grace casts Light into the darkness...soothes the sting...removes the strongholds...binds up our wounds...and heals us with His Truth and Eternal Love.

Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

John 13:34
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another.

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

Acts 7:60
Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Our Faithful Father

No matter what we face, The LORD is always near to His precious children. He will not fail, forsake or forget us. God is forever faithful, and He stands by His promises.

The LORD our God is mighty and more than capable...and He is always just a prayer away. Be assured He is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.

Let us call upon The Father for deliverance...be courageous, and find peace in the storm. May we be led to green pastures and still, living waters.

Praise Jesus for His everlasting love...and for reconciling us eternally with our faithful Father!

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.

Psalm 32:6
Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.

Psalm 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold resolutely to the hope we confess, for He who promised is faithful.

2 Corinthians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.

1 Corinthians 1:9
God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Authentic Identity

The only relationship that determines one’s identity is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Spouses, families, service, church, friends, careers, and interests all contribute to our enrichment and maturation. However, only the One who created us determines who we truly are...and the only way to The Father is through the One who shed His blood at Calvary. Salvation through Jesus Christ is the indicator of authentic identity - an everlasting identity that fills every void, offers an abundant and fruitful life, and promises an eternal inheritance.

Galatians 3:26
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:14
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 8:16
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

Romans 8:19
The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.

Romans 9:8
So it is not the children of the flesh who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.

2 Corinthians 6:18
And: "I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Galatians 3:26
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:5
He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,

1 John 3:1
Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

1 John 4:13
By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.

1 John 4:15
If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

Revelation 21:7
The one who is victorious will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.

God Fills The Void

Only the One who created our heart is meant to fill it. We were designed by God to desire, seek, and to ultimately be completed by Him.

Nothing else we attempt to occupy the void with will ever suffice because we were created by and for Him; destined for Eternity with Him. Only God can penetrate the emptiness and the longing in our hearts, and offer us true satisfaction. Jesus is the sustenance of life...and He paid an incomprehensible price to make His home in our hearts!

So let us give the LORD our whole heart, as it belongs to Him alone to fill! And, may we be blessed with the anointing of His love...as our soul-cup runs over with His fullness...born from the spring of eternal life.

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

John 4:14
But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.

John 6:35
Jesus answered, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst."

Colossians 2:10
And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Ephesians 3:19
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Psalm 63:1
...O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Colossians 1:16
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Romans 11:36
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

Doing God's Will

If God brings you to something, He has already ordained and anointed you with what you need in order to accomplish His will.

He has already blessed you with the promise of His presence. He will not desert you or allow you to navigate through this alone in your humanity. Partner with Him...trust Him...be courageous in The Father’s might and receive His provision. The power of The Cross resides within you through the indwelling of The Holy Spirit. Understand the source of your strength!

Remember all that The LORD has done for you...He has, after all, faithfully delivered you from from the bondage of sin and eternal death! He is The LORD of hosts and has omniscient, all-powerful, unlimited resources! He does NOT make false, empty promises. He WILL see His command through to completion. NOTHING can come against Him!

Do not receive any whispers except those of The Holy Spirit. Any fear, doubt or negativity is not from God. Bring any uncertainty to The Throne of Grace for exchange. Lean into Him and stand on His Word. Ask The LORD to speak to your heart...to show you how He has anointed and equipped you...and how He would have you stay the course of His authentic path.

Stay strong in Christ. Have faith in the Creator of the heavens and Earth, and the Author of humanity...be blessed and be a blessing in The Name of The LORD, according to His will!

Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Jeremiah 1:12
Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it."

2 Chronicles 15:7
But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Philippians 1:6
For I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1
You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Hebrews 10:36
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Unfailing Love & Grace

How merciful God is. He could look at our behavior and condemn us. He could read our mind and reject us. He could exact a thousand different punishments for all that we have done, but instead He has chosen to see us through the eyes of His unfailing love.
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It is so hard to imagine what that really means. It is so foreign to the way we operate. We hold grudges, seek revenge, or at least try to get even. But not God. He does not give up on us. He sees us desperately in need of His grace. And even when we are unlovely, thoroughly lost because of our willful disobedience, He shows us the way back.
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What makes this so tragic is that we don’t really believe it. We still think we need to wear the mask of our false self. You know, the self that thinks it earns God’s approval. the self that tries to please God through vain attempts at righteousness.
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Today throw the mask away. You don’t need it. God sees you through His unfailing love, and He loves what He sees. As we go forth in the New Year, commit to accepting His love and let Him direct your path.
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Lamentations 3:22-24
The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies, we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" (NSAB)
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1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (NIV)
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Psalm 25:7-8
“Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD. The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.” (NLT)

I Can Do All Things Through Christ

Father God,

I pray that today and every day we will become more aware of who You Are...Your Grace, Sovereignty, Power, Protection, Eternal Love and Mighty Mercy. May we learn to not place limits on You and what You alone can do in us and through us in order to accomplish Your purpose and perfect plan.

I pray that in those moments when we are at our weakest, we will have a willing and sincere heart to receive all that You are; to partner with You, and walk in Your unwavering peace and mighty strength.

Remind us, Lord, that we are already overcomers through the redemptive blood of Christ...and may we become more aware every day of our true, authentic identity...our sealed, eternal inheritance.

We praise You and thank You, Father God, for all that You are today and every day...for Your precious promises...and for our adoption into Your glorious Kingdom.

In Jesus Christ's holy and righteous name...Amen!

2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

Ephesians 3:16
I pray that out of the riches of His glory, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

1 Timothy 1:12
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure.

Ephesians 1:5
He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will.

Ephesians 2:19
Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens of the saints and members of God's household.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

1 Corinthians 8:3
But the one who loves God is known by God.

1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.