Today as I sat down to begin writing, I wondered…as always…what does God want to say?  This time, I opened my Bible and as I was flipping toward something else, I saw this portion of scripture and was struck…

I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago.  All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.  In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses.  All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water.  For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.  Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.  These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did.  As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.”  And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day.  Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites.  And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death.  These things happened to them as examples for us.  They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.  If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.  The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.  1 Corinthians 10:1-13

We must be steeped in scripture.  Our hearts and minds must be fully immersed in what is true and what gives true direction. 

Friends, we must become acquainted with the Truth.  The Spirit of Truth…Holy Spirit.  Our Guide.  Our Comforter. 

It’s time to remember what has caused believers to backslide in years past.  It’s time to remember what those who walked close with God did to remain in that place with Him.  We have a plethora of examples in scripture…examples of what is good to do and what is bad to do. 

History is necessary.  True and honest history is massively important.  Where can we get the real history of the world?  The Bible. 

My children had a high school teacher once say that the Bible isn’t a history book.  That is a lie.  It is the most accurate account of history. 

Read the Bible.  Stay away from what has led hearts astray in the past and cling to the things that draw you closer to God.  He is our only way.  We must have Him. 

But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.  I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.  I will praise You forever, O God, for what You have done.  I will trust in Your good name in the presence of Your faithful people.  Psalm 52:8-9

They say that in life, there are no sure things.  It’s true that no earthly investment is without fail.  But when we bring our faith to God and lay it at His feet, we are assured we’ve invested in a sure thing. 

God is a sure thing. 

When we decide to surrender to His plan, we can rest assured of our victory because He never fails.  When we surrender we are not left exposed and alone…on the contrary, it places us in the safest place we could ever be…within the bulwark of Heaven. 

The only times when we are defeated after putting our full hope and surrender in God…are times when we refuse to wait upon Him.  There are times in all our lives that we lay it all down…only to pick it back up again when things don’t go the way we believe they should. 

It’s an unfortunate turn of events to see a believer, walk in faith and then give up right before their breakthrough.  Imagine how many aborted faith walks there have been.  How many callings have been laid to the side because the journey to their fruition looked more unpleasant than a person wanted to handle.  Think about how many miracles were moments away from unfolding, when the church service was called to a close and everyone was sent home. 

Those are sobering thoughts.

There are sad few who are willing to follow God through all the trials and wildernesses of life, to receive the great reward.  I refuse to abort what God is trying to birth in and through me.  It’s far too valuable. 

Yes, when we place all our hope in God’s hands…we can know that if it’s not good, then He’s not done yet.  I lean into that and allow it to bring me comfort.  I am following the only One Who can see my entire journey before I take the first step.  That’s a sure thing.

A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.  God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.  From the very break of day, God will protect it.  The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble!  God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!  The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.  Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:  See how He brings destruction upon the world.  He causes wars to end throughout the earth.  He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; He burns the shields with fire.  “Be still, and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world.”  The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.  Psalm 46:4-11

I have found such joy, peace, and steadiness since I have discovered God’s love song.  He sings over me all the time…He’s also singing over you.  I have learned to tune my ear to the sound of His affections over me.  Not in arrogance, but in a reciprocated kind of love.  I don’t love a god who is distant, unloving, and requires endless amounts from me.  No, I serve a God Who created me for His own pleasure.  He created me as a love offering to the earth…just like you.  He delights in me, as I delight in Him.  He dances over me, I dance in worship of Him.  He sings over me, I sing praise to Him.  Such freedom is found when you realize every act of love and worship we give Him is a reflection of His affection poured out over us.

When is the last time you allowed God to sing a love song over you? 

This is not arrogance.  Imagine your own children, spouse, or family.  Don’t you love to love them?  Don’t you also love to hear them tell you they love you?  Isn’t it wonderful when they list all the things they love about you?  It’s fulfilling.  It gives you energy to face the day. 

I pour out my adoration on God all the time.  But true fullness was found when I also allowed Him to do so toward me. 

Reciprocated love is the best kind of love…

Beautiful words stir my heart.  I will recite a lovely poem about the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.  Psalm 45:1

Oh, my King, sing a love song over me!

I delight in hearing Your voice as You part the waters within me.

Sing!! Sing loud so I can hear, I am desperate for Your voice.

Shout and dance, sing and rejoice as I do the same toward You.

I love You with all my soul.  I give You my very breath.  Let everything within me always praise You!

And here I stand, waiting with bated breath, to hear the love songs You’ll sing over me too.

There is no love like ours.

We are one of a kind.

I adore You.  You adore me.  Our love will last the span of time.

Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say.  Forget your people and your family far away.  For you royal husband delights in your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.  The princess of Tyre will shower you with gifts.  The wealthy will beg your favor.  The bride, a princess, looks glorious in her golden gown.  In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king, accompanied by her bridesmaids.  What a joyful and enthusiastic procession as they enter the king’s palace!  Your sons will become kings like their father.  You will make them rulers over many lands.  I will bring honor to your name in every generation.  Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.  Psalm 45:10-17

Our victory comes from the Lord.  Every victory.  Every time we defeat the enemy of our souls. 

Now that we face an America that we never imagined.  Things seem to be rapidly spinning out of control.  It is shocking how fast we have slidden down this slippery slope…but we must not fret!! We must not fear, worry, and sabotage ourselves with negativity. 

Now is a time to hold fast to the truth that God is victory. 

They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory.  It was Your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from Your face that helped them, for You loved them.  You are my King and my God.  You command victories for Israel.  Only by Your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes:  I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me.  You are the One Who gives us victory over our enemies; You disgrace those who hate us.  O God, we give glory to You all day long and constantly praise Your name.  Psalm 44:3-8

We’re in a moment.  A moment in history that will be remembered forever, no matter which way it goes.  The enemy is constantly over playing his hand.  It is shocking.  It can be intimidating. 

But it is NOT over.

We must, without fail, stand upon our Victory.  God is always victorious.  He can’t lose and when we partner with him, we are guaranteed a win…if we simply do not give up. 

The body of Christ cannot run scared anytime there is a sign of trouble or conflict.  We were borne for this.  We are created to stand firm on Christ.  It’s time for the church to become power lifters!! Ready to move and fight and stand.  We are created to win!!

The time to move into victory is now.  The time to live life from a position of victory is now!!

We are not victims.  We are victors.  This is our time!!!

Shout your victory!! Praise God in advance.  Praise Him before you see the victory with your own eyes.  Praise Him!!!  Declare victory.  Refuse to speak defeat.  Walk in confidence.  Don’t shrink back.  Don’t be a coward.  Be a victor!!

Put on your sword, O might warrior!  You are so glorious, so majestic!  In your majesty, ride out to victory, defending truth, humility, and justice.  Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!  Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts.  The nations fall beneath your feet.  Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.  You rule with a scepter of justice.  You love justice and hate evil.  Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than anyone else.    Psalm 45:3-7

The enemy doesn’t need to get us to stop believing in God, in order for him to have success.  All he needs to do is tweak our perception and understanding of scripture just a little to get us to begin the journey off track. 

They say it only takes a spark to get a fire burning…the same can be said of the concept above.  It only takes one little lie to run a train off the track.  It only takes a slight change of direction to run us off course. 

It’s so important to hone the gift of discernment. 

Discernment.  It’s that little nagging inside when you just know something isn’t right.  Sometimes, it is a blatant, “Don’t listen to or believe that, it’s a lie!”  Either way, discernment is invaluable in our walk with Jesus. 

Have you ever been around someone or heard someone speak, and everyone else around thinks they are so great and wonderful, but in your heart, you just know something isn’t right?  I certainly have.  It actually happens to me frequently.  One thing I’ve discovered is that when I feel that…over time it’s always confirmed as accurate.  Every.  Single.  Time.

Now, I simply lay explanation to the side and when I feel that discomfort and nagging inside, I turn away and intentionally call out to Jesus.  I recenter myself on His eyes, and just walk away.  Some things don’t need explanation…that’s the lesson God has been teaching me most recently.  As a child, I should just trust.  When He warns me, I only need to heed it…not explain it.  I can do it quietly too…it doesn’t always need to be said to everyone else.  Sometimes it does.  And that’s ok too.  I can move confidently in Him and not worry about the rest. 

Ceasing to be defined by man has been the most freeing part of my life.  Learning to lean into God, live by His standard, trust Him in all things, and give up my right to know everything…has been invaluable and healing to me. 

It all starts with little lies.  Then before you know it the enemy has you sewn into his web of confusion.  Confusion is one of his favorite weapons.  If ever I begin to feel confused, I full stop.  Stopping and then intentionally focusing on God is my saving grace.  God is never confused, so when I feel confused, I’m not walking in Him any longer. 

When this happens, stop, take a breath, ask for truth and course correct.  I promise it’s worth it. 

The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.  Proverbs 12:22

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.  He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  John 8:44

My Bible in a year has had me reading through the book of Job.  I appreciate Job a lot, but if I’m honest, I don’t love reading it because of the friends.  They give these lengthy monologues and then at the end they receive a strong rebuke from God…so sometimes I fear that I’ll glean a lie from their words and hold it in my heart by accident.  Does that make sense?

Anyway, as I was closing out the book of Job this year, I was struck by some things that I don’t remember noticing before…let’s read here.

When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes.  In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!  Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home.  And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him.  And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.  So, the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning.  For now, he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.  He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch.  In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job.  And their father put them into his will along with their brothers.  Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren.  Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life.  Job 42:10-17

It’s amazing that those who accused Job and misrepresented God were only forgiven when Job prayed for them.  How powerful!! The world of forgiveness and blessing is so real.  The act of forgiving and blessing also released the restoration power of God over Job’s life.  He ended up with a double portion!!  It’s just truly amazing. 

If you are praying and believing for breakthrough in your life, but are harboring unforgiveness in your heart…then don’t count on it.  We MUST forgive.  Believe me, I know it’s hard…I’ve been walking through layer after layer of extending forgiveness in this season, and it can sometimes physically hurt to do so.  But, it’s always worth it.  The lightness that accompanies it is unparalleled.  The freedom it brings has made me eager to continue extending it. 

Now when the accuser comes and tries to whisper in my head, I notice it much more quickly and then choose to say, “I forgive them, and I bless them.”

Forgiveness.  The key to the double portion, it would seem.  Are you willing?

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:37-38

I’ve noticed something that is sorely missing from a lot of sermons in this hour…Jesus. 

I can’t tell you how many sermons I’ve sat through, where the subject and star of the sermon is the pastor who is speaking.  What if we preach about Jesus…instead of ourselves? 

Let’s look at this scripture…it’s really convicting.

You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves.  We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.  For God, Who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.  We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.  This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.  2 Corinthians 4:5-7

I wonder what would happen to our churches, our ministries, our families, our cities, our states, and our country if we stopped making everything about us…and began making it about Jesus again.

Somewhere along the line Christianity became more about us than Jesus.  How is this possible? 

We must return to our first love.  We must return to Jesus.  Placing His desires above our own.  Placing our service to Him above serving ourselves.  He should be our motivation, not the praise of man.  What would happen if we started preaching Jesus again?

I listen to a variety of sermons from different churches, and the ones I glean the most from are those that are focused on scripture and our Savior.  The pastors I respect the most are the ones who can lay themselves aside and look into the eyes of our Father. 

It’s so easy to become entangled into a “fan club” church.  A church that is pastor centric and based on a flashy personality.  Believe me, I’ve been there.  Fortunately, God didn’t allow the illusion of that to last long for me.  All throughout my time there, I saw what was really going on…I just didn’t want to judge, and I wanted to give the benefit of the doubt.  But when it all boiled down, there was no real content.  And there was definitely no genuine servant attitude…it was all based on appearances, and it was a business. 

When I read the above scripture, I am reminded that not only did Jesus serve while He ministered…but so did those who were closest to Him.  They said, “We ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake,” that’s a powerful statement.  In our modern churches we are much more likely to hear, “You serve” while the pastors may or may not do the same.  Are they really serving their church body or are they serving their own pockets and agenda.

I’m sorry if you’re wondering why the devotional’s I’ve written lately are more, black and white…but this is the time we are in.  As I’ve stated before, the lines are being drawn and we are forced to choose light or darkness…and don’t be fooled, the darkness is masquerading as light.  I am grateful, however, that that masquerading light is fairly easy to discern with just a little thought and observation.  But some parts are still so subtle, and I believe those parts are largely in the existing church bodies who are not really following Jesus, rather pastor “so and so”.   

If we want to make it to the end of the race successfully, we can’t afford to follow a pastor above Jesus.  We must KNOW Jesus.  We must KNOW the true character of God.  We must have relationship with Holy Spirit.  A good pastor will continually turn you toward that.  It’s time to see more subtle discrepancies, so we can guard our hearts in truth.  The time is now. 

Sometimes honesty is hard.  For most of my life I stuffed my feelings because I didn’t want to anger those around me.  I seem to have an acute awareness of consequences and am always worried about that…even when I’m not the one who has done wrong.  For instance, someone does something wrong toward me…then I worry about confronting them because I believe that they either will not agree that they’ve wronged me and will accuse me of being wrong, or they will face a consequence that I worry is too heavy for them to handle.

This is so unhealthy.

Basically, it’s me trying to control all the outcomes and manage the people around me.  This does a few negative things…prevents Holy Spirit from moving in their hearts and lives, makes them more irresponsible because they don’t experience consequences that they should, and eventually makes me angry and can destroy relationships.

When we boil it down though, honesty is one of our greatest treasures.  In this world full of lies it seems, honesty is in shorter supply than anything else.

Honesty can be gentle.  It can come across with humility.  It can be unapologetic without being brazen and forceful.  Honesty doesn’t have to force anyone else.  I think many have completely misunderstood the balm that honesty can be.

Honesty can be refreshing, tender, like a drink of fresh water.  In fact, the world is craving honesty.  I truly believe the generation of kids growing up are desperate for simple honesty…not gaslighting, manipulation, and deceit for selfish gain. 

Honesty is truly the best policy.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.  Colossians 3:9

Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.  Ephesians 4:25

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.  James 3:17-18

Tenderly You lead me.  You hold my hand so gently.  We dance and sway together like a Father and a daughter who is so smitten with Him.  I look to You with such awe and reverence in my eyes.  It’s shocking when I see You look back at me this way too.  How can I bring awe to You?  I am so small.

My nothingness is felt deep inside as a reference point for Your greatness.  You are my best Friend, Father, Lover, Everything…Your heart constantly calls out to mine.  I smell You in the air around me.  You are closer than my breath. 

Oh God…how magnificent You are.

I see us in a field.  I am dressed in a gown of flowing white.  My arm is outstretched, and You are holding my hand.  As I twirl our fingertips are touching.  We are never apart. 

I find peace here.

You are my Source.  Apart from You there is no peace or joy.  I come to you as one longing to be filled.  I just want to be closer to You.  Every movement of my body and mind, is in Your direction. 

I can do anything in Your presence.  Every brave characteristic in me, comes from You.  I am nothing without You. 

Tenderly You lead me through this valley that feels like death.  Tenderly you tend to my woundedness.  You are not afraid of me.  You are not turned away by my faults and fears.  You use them all to draw me closer and teach me new parts of Your heart and affection for me. 

I now know what it is to feel truly loved.  I never want to leave You. 

Abba.  My God.  My best Friend.  Dance Partner.

We twirl.  I laugh.  You laugh.  We hold each other close and fall to the ground next to each other, looking up to appreciate the sky You painted for me to enjoy.  Everything You make is a masterpiece. 

I stand and notice flowers have bloomed all around me…the fruit of our love.  What glorious color.  What wonder in their many different forms.  Flowers remind me of the promise of good things.  I pick one and breathe deeply it’s smell.  It smells like a unique oil…the oil of gladness.  It’s then that I notice You take my hand again…You ask me to exchange with You…”Give Me the oil of your sadness, and receive the oil of My gladness.”  You reach Your hand to my face and wipe away a single tear…placing it in a jar.  The air feels electric around me now.  I stand so still…can I release all my sadness?  Oil appears on the hand You are holding…my oil of sadness.  You look upon it with understanding and affection.  It sounds strange, but I feel heard as You gaze upon the oil of my sadness.  I reach my hand out closer to You.  You cup it in Your two hands and absorb all the oil. 

Rainbows.  I suddenly see rainbows all around me and everything feels lighter.  I am empty.  Then it begins to rain… only it’s not regular rain…it’s oil.  Beautiful, shimmering oil from Heaven.  It brings an instant smile and I feel it now.  The Oil of gladness. 

Oh, thank You God for loving me so completely.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.  Isaiah 61:1-3

I keep seeing a church unwavering.  A body of Christ that stands firm on truth.  A body that believes His promises.  A body that knows miracles are for today and actively pursues them, unthwarted.  A strong body.  A body of Christ that knows its real identity…Christ.  A body who knows how to stand firm in a “Yes” and unwavering in a “No.” 

Look at this scripture…

For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.”  He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” He always does what He says.  For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!”  And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.  2 Corinthians 1:19-20

How do we stand firm in a world of people who are tossed about by every wave of new thinking?  How do we stand firm when everyone around us says flexibility is the answer to loving the body?  People now say there is no truth.  All sorts of crazy things are being said and acted upon…how do we know how to stand?

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ.  He has commissioned us, and He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us.  2 Corinthians 1:21-22

God is the answer.

In a culture that is glorifying “identity” as everything, we look to Him.  He has identified us as His own by Holy Spirit.  Never forget that.  Our identity is in Him.  That’s the only way forward.  Returning to our true identity.

America is one nation under God.  We must also return to that original identity.  He set us all apart. 

Identity.  A trigger word for the woke mob…is actually a Biblical principle…we are identified by Holy Spirit…

We belong to God. 

Don’t waver in who you truly are meant to be…and Whose you are meant to be…

God never changes.