June 20, 2021

“The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him” —Proverbs 23:24

I love you, My child. Wow, what an amazing Father’s Day weekend! You spent all day Saturday with your son and some time with him today! Such joy! It was the best weekend you’ve had in many months! I loved how you started off yesterday with prayer to Me to give you strength, courage & wisdom as you continue to learn the ropes of being a daddy. I loved watching you as you cared every single moment for your son going to the zoo with your sister and brother-in-law. I loved how you smiled every time your son smiled & laughed, which was often. I loved how your heart overfilled with joy as your son played with your sister & brother-in-law. I loved how you taught your son about My animal creation. I loved how you lovingly & gently disciplined your son in those moments when he acted up. I loved how you fed him as he ran around in complete excitement not wanting to sit still. I loved how you lovingly hugged & carried your son when he ran out of strength and got tired from walking. I loved how you FaceTime’d your own dad to tell him you love him and so he can see your son. Did you see the joy in his face as he saw you two together? I just love watching you interact with your son. It brings Me such joy! Why? Because how you love and interact with him is how I often interact with you, My child. I know you would do anything for your son. And I would do anything for you; as I did—at the cross & tomb. Thereby securing that you and I will be together for all of eternity. I know you will teach your son about Me as he gets older. So he too will be with Me & you for all eternity. Honestly, I can’t wait for us three to be together! I have a mansion waiting for you—and am building one for your son in anticipation. What joy that will be! Until then, you keep praying to Me on how and what it means to be a daddy. I love you, My child!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” —Joshua 1:9

“There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place” —Deuteronomy 1:31

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” —John 14:2 (NKJV)

June 19, 2021

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” —Ephesians 3:20

I love you. It’s another day, My child. Another day to ask Me for My strength to get you through this day. And when you do ask you’re essentially asking for My wisdom, which I always give generously as long as you do not doubt and start working on your own strength. When you work on your own strength, you’re doubting Me and trying to control things apart from My wisdom. My child, you and I know this is where you often get into trouble. When you work on My strength, you are in My Presence more. And as My child, you will see things through My lens more and less of the world’s. It’s here I can continue to renew your mind. With My strength, in the midst of your trial, you will slowly gain divine perspective that your trial, while painful, is serving My purpose for you. With this mindset, you will better appreciate what has already been given to you instead of what has been taken away. And what has been given to you is immeasurably more than what you can imagine. It’s hard for you to see this because you still focus so much on the heartbreak of your trial. And I’m not discounting that. My heart still breaks for you, but know that now is the time to start focusing less on your trial and more on Me so you can start healing. It’s hard, I get it. But know that I am right here all the time ready to dispense My strength and wisdom; ready to start the healing process; ready for you to be in My Presence. Let’s do this, okay? I love you, My child!

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” —James 1:5-6

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” —Romans 12:2

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength” —Philippians 4:13

June 18, 2021

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” —Romans 8:26 (ESV)

I love you, My child. I love that you’re constantly praying to Me throughout the day. Sometimes you speak your words and sometimes you speak through the silence of your heart. Either way, I love hearing from you. And I want you to know, I hear every word! Throughout this difficult trial of yours, I’ve seen you on your knees many times repenting and begging for a miracle. I’ve seen you sit quietly for long periods of time speaking to Me with your heart so broken that your words cannot be spoken with your lips. I’ve seen you cry to Me with tears and without because you have none left to cry. I’ve seen you read My Word desperately hoping to find something that will reassure you that I will grant the miracle you’re looking for. My child, you may not fully understand your trial this side of eternity, but know that it is happening for My good reasons. But I can tell you this—your brokenness is drawing you closer to Me. Being close to Me and in My Presence is ultimately My will for all My children. Trials are often the way for this to happen. It brings you closer to Me and away from the world, as the world’s nature is to draw you away from Me. And when you’re closer to Me and further away from the world—don’t look now but you’re being “set apart,” which means you’re growing in holiness. I desire you to be holy, as I Am Holy; to grow in sanctification. Your sanctification is of utmost importance to Me until you join Me in heaven. So while My heart breaks for you as you go through your trial; know that My heart also rejoices knowing that you’re in My Presence growing closer to Me! A miracle is indeed happening beyond what you know. You’ll see what I mean one day. Until then, please trust Me. Your heart is still broken, I know. But I’m literally right here, right next to you, My child. Keep talking to Me! I hear ya and I love you!

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” —Genesis 28:15

“Be holy, because I am holy” —1 Peter 1:16

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified…” —1 Thessalonians 4:3

June 17, 2021

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” —2 Corinthians 12:10

I love you, My child! I know it’s not easy as this trial of yours continues. Like I’ve said before, let’s take it one day at a time. Start off today by surrendering and making yourself available to Me. And stay in My Presence all day long by constantly praying & talking to Me and reading My Word. I understand waking up in the morning nowadays is difficult. It makes Me sad as I know what you’re thinking when you first open your eyes—“I’m still here.” I know you’d rather be with Me in heaven right now. But because you woke up in your bed today means you still have My work to do. You still have many encounters with others where you will be used by Me. Despite your dejected, broken disposition, you are ripe to be used by Me. It’s when you’re weak is when you are most humble; and this is when I make you strong because you are relying on Me. Just know that some of these encounters may not necessarily be new people. They may be people you already know. These encounters can be in person, via phone or some other communication technology. So you don’t need to look for it. I’ll orchestrate these encounters. You just be in My Presence, praying unceasingly and staying available. As My willing vessel, My work is done through you. So most of the time, you won’t even know you’re doing My work. But that’s not what matters. What matters is that you’re in My Presence. And by being in My Presence, you can and will be used by Me. My child, this is the affirmation you need to get you through the day. You have a purpose because I said so! Me—the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Creator of all things—desires to use you, despite what you feel about yourself right now. Maintain your humility, My child, and I will exalt you. I promise! I love you!

“I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith” —Philippians 1:23-25

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” —James 4:10 (ESV)

“pray without ceasing” —1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)

June 16, 2021

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” —Isaiah 43:2

I love you, My child. Keep holding on to My hand. It’s tough I know. Your mind still races and wanders into the flames of your trial. And when this happens, you’re not in My Presence. This is when you’re most vulnerable and any trigger from your trial can send you spiraling even further away from Me where you’re likely to get burned. I need you to keep your eyes on Me! With your eyes firmly on Me, the flames of your trial will not consume you. The waters will not overtake you. You may not understand this now, but I am allowing this trial to draw you closer to Me as you approach your eternal destination; where trials, pain and suffering do not exist. Where you are always with Me. Your earthly life is but a vapor. It comes and goes just like that. And when it goes, because you have a relationship with Me, through Jesus, you have eternal life with Me in heaven. This is why I walk with you every step of the way in your trials and your joyful times. To remind you that this earthly life is brief no matter what it brings. And what awaits you in heaven is so glorious and wonderful that it far outweighs even your most difficult trial. So My child, keep your eyes on Me as you always contemplate this. This will give you perspective as you keep holding My hand and as we walk & talk together through your trial. The fires will eventually die. The waters will eventually calm. It may not seem like it now, but they will—Trust Me! And when they do, we’ll still be holding hands, walking & talking. It’s then we’ll look behind us and you’ll realize our relationship has strengthened like never before. All the while your perspective of eternal life with Me will have widened as you wait even more eagerly for it—all because you kept your eyes on Me! I love you!

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” —2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” —Daniel 3:25

“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” —James 4:14 (NKJV)

June 15, 2021

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” —Isaiah 41:13

I love you, My child. Hold My hand and focus on Me every second of today. Let’s just focus on today, okay? Don’t worry about tomorrow. My child, one of the main reasons you struggle in your trial is because you keep looking ahead into the vast unknown. The way you saw things happening in the future just a short time ago, you have replaced with the fear of the unknown. This trial of yours has shattered your dreams; faded your hopes; unraveled your plans. But if you stay focused on Me just for today and each day after, you’ll slowly start to see that My purpose for you is greater than what you planned for yourself. My heart breaks that this trial is painful for you. But it’s also an unraveling of your plans so My plans can take root in your life. I often allow for the tearing down so I can build things back up. Removing the deep-rooted self in your life in lieu of Me always hurts in the beginning. Unearthing and tearing apart the foundation of self is always a painful step. But that step will end and the rebuild will start. And it’s during the rebuild where you can see My plans for you starting to take shape. Until then, stay close to Me every day. Keep trusting Me every day, and you’ll see that when things are built according to My purpose—your life will prosper for Me more than it ever has before. Go ahead and hold My hand as tight you need to today, and let Me continue with the teardown. The rebuild will start soon enough, My child. I love you!

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” —Matthew 6:34

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails” —Proverbs 19:21

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” —1 Corinthians 3:11

June 14, 2021

“let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” — 1 John 3:18

My child, I love you! I can never say this enough. Let’s make sure you understand what love is and isn’t. Love is much more than a feeling. It’s more than an emotion. It’s not something we feel in the moment. Love doesn’t come and go based on circumstances. Love never fails! Which means love endures the peaks and valleys of a relationship. It’s easy to love on the mountain top. But true love grows in the valleys—where the view isn’t as nice, it’s darker, and obstacles seem insurmountable. True love has no deal breakers. It only grows despite the circumstances. Love exists within a relationship. Many have claimed to love in a relationship only to realize they only liked what one could offer at the moment. And it’s this, My child, why so many relationships have failed. I created all of humanity to be relational—to love Me first, and then others. But when sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, that relational nature now competes with self. The two are incompatible, yet somehow the world falsely intertwines them and calls it love. In this toxic mix, self often wins out and ends the relationship. That’s not love, as love cannot fail! Love is about selflessly serving another and not expecting anything in return. When both are doing this, love grows! I know you love Me. And I know you love others. You don’t love perfectly. But neither does anyone else. I’m the only One Who does. But despite your imperfections on how you execute love, I know your heart. I know your intent. You do love! Your execution of love is flawed because you’re trying to do it in a fallen world where self reigns. But it doesn’t mean you don’t love. I know you won’t quit loving Me, but don’t quit on others—especially the ones who are causing you strife. Keep loving them. Keep looking to Me as the model to love. And what model is that? Check out Romans 5:8. I love you, My child!

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” —Romans 5:8

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” —1 Corinthians 13:4-8

June 13, 2021

“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” — Romans 12:19 (ESV)

I love you, My child. In the midst of your trial, you are being attacked by the Enemy through other people. He is trying to discourage and rattle you. He is trying to provoke you to anger. Just remember, that your anger doesn’t produce My righteousness. The Enemy is inciting you to avenge your injustices on your own. He is trying to provoke and lure you away from My Presence, vulnerable to more of his attacks trying to smear your character such that you question your relationship with Me. Take heart, My child, nothing the Enemy can do or say will ever pluck you from My Hands. Hence, why you are My child! And don’t forget that vengeance is Mine. Anyone that unjustly attacks My children, I will repay according to My justice. I just ask that you trust My justice. Mine always includes discipline and Grace. Remember, hurt people, hurt people. And the people that the Enemy is using to attack you are hurting too. They want to inflict the same deep-rooted pain they are feeling onto others, let alone you. Hurt people need to experience My Grace through Jesus Christ. My discipline for them will be commensurate and is what will eventually convict them of their sin. It’s then My Grace is magnified. And it’s here where I need you to love and pray for those who persecute you. I know you’d rather I dole out harsher punishment. But trust Me, I love them too. As your own trial is hurting you, pray that they receive My loving Grace in Jesus Christ. I love you, My child. And this is why I need you to pray for your enemies—that they may experience what you have in Me.

“love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” —Matthew 5:44

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” —John 10:28

“where sin increased, grace increased all the more” —Romans 5:20

June 12, 2021

“The Word became flesh…” —John 1:14

My child, I love you. You’re having ups and downs; good days and bad days. This trial of yours is taking you on an emotional rollercoaster. It’s frustrating, I know. But have you noticed that your good days are linked to when you’re in My Word? It’s no coincidence. My Word is Me. So when you read it, you’re hearing from Me. When you pray, it’s when I hear from you. You’re always praying, which I love as I get to hear from you. And sometimes you will hear from Me in your prayer. But when you’re in My Word, you’re always hearing from Me. Prayer and being in My Word is when you’re most in My Presence. And I that’s where I want you always! And you’ve been in My Word quite often, up until recently because you’re realizing that the reality of your trial isn’t aligned with what you want. You don’t see it, but you’re frustrated with Me. You keep praying to Me, but your frustration has quietly led you to not want to hear from Me via My Word—in essence you’re trying to control your emotions without Me. My child, I love you and know that you need not push away from Me. I need you to stay broken and desperate for Me through My Word as when this trial first started—to not assume conclusions and take control of your emotions. Please don’t try to heal your broken heart apart from Me. It won’t work. The rollercoaster ride will only intensify. You need stability in Me. I Am your Healer, and that’s what I want to do. And that is done when you’re in My Presence and I Am in yours. Let’s do this, my child, stay in My Word. I love you!

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” —Hebrews 4:12

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” —Psalm 42:1-2

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” —Psalm 147:3

June 11, 2021

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength” —Philippians 4:13

I love you my child! You’re realizing what you’ve already known—that your trial has a purpose. What purpose that is will be revealed incrementally over time. Be patient in your affliction. Right now is the most difficult time. And for the first time since this all started, you actually heard Me say “Be courageous.” This is hard to do, I know, especially since you are still so broken. You feel so defeated and unmotivated to do anything that would advance your trial. You’re still wishing it would just go away. My child, I need you to be courageous to face your trial with Me. To do what has to be done, all the while still praying to Me for My strength to get you through this; as well as praying for the unexpected, because you never know. Praying for My strength is a surrendering of your own realizing you don’t have any to face the world, let alone your trial. I desire this all the time from you. To use your cognitive ability to always come to Me to get you through, not just your trials, but all circumstances. I just love being with and helping you. And keep praying for the unexpected. This grows your faith in Me. I don’t want things to be overly predictable. If they were, your reliance on Me would decrease. You would start to make decisions most sensible to you and slowly apart from Me, thinking you need Me less. While praying for both My strength to get you through this trial and an unexpected miracle may seem contradictory, it actually isn’t. Both can happen! I need you to be courageous to pray for both. See, staying tethered to My strength to help you face your trial leads you to a reliance on Me. And when you’re relying on Me, because of Who I Am, will often lead to something completely unexpected that would continue to confirm what I’ve been saying to you all along—that I love you!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  —Joshua 1:9

“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” —Romans 8:28

“For we live by faith, not by sight” —2 Corinthians 5:7