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

June 10, 2021

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” –1 Peter 5:8

I love you, my child! I know you’re lonely. But know you’re not alone. The Enemy keeps trying to divert your focus off Me. He wants you to focus on the broken relationships that this trial has caused. He wants you to focus on the uncertainty, your frustration, your loneliness, your broken heart, your fear. He wants you to focus on every negative aspect of your trial. I want you to focus on Me, but not ignore your trial. I may not take your trial away, but I will certainly walk through it with you. As we walk together, you’ll see aspects of your trial where I desire you to improve. But only with Me will you not conjure up guilty feelings, but rather be convicted to grow in faith further away from the sinful ways of the world and closer to Me. The Enemy would rather you walk through your trial alone feeling guilt and shame. He is trying to pull you away from Me so in your loneliness he can pounce on a weakened you and drive you into sin to keep the vicious cycle going. Yes, you made some mistakes. But nothing you’ve done is greater than what I did at the cross and tomb for you. My child, always remember you are forgiven. There is no condemnation for those who are in Me. The Enemy works relentlessly at making you think that your sin has angered Me once again, and that I have limits on My Grace and mercy. My Grace and mercy have no limits. If they did, Grace wouldn’t be Grace and you’d be working your tail off, in vain, trying to make up for your sins. Which means you’d never restore your relationship with Me. But that’s not how I work. Because you accepted my ultimate gift of Grace in My Son, Jesus, you have a relationship with Me through Him—for all eternity! Our relationship cannot be broken, regardless of what you’ve done or will do, which is why you’re never alone! My child, take My hand, let Me lead, and let’s walk through this dark valley of trials together. Like a shepherd walks his sheep to safety, so will I for you. I love you!

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” –Ephesians 2:8-9

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” –Romans 8:1

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” –Psalm 23:4

June 9, 2021

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” –Proverbs 16:9

I love you! Today, I desire for you to start focusing on My peace. I know you’re going through a difficult trial in your life, and My heart continues to break for you. Trials are difficult because you are unable to control the outcome. How this all unfolds will be largely determined by others. How you persevere throughout will be largely determined by you and Me, primarily, as well as others I put in your path to help you. You’ve heard of “The Prayer of Serenity.” My children wrote it and I love it! Here’s how it starts, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” You cannot control the others who are causing you this trial—what they think of you, and what they will do or will not do. You may try to influence them, but ultimately, they will make decisions often against your will. You are planning what you are unable to plan. This is what is making you sad. Rather, let Me establish your steps! My steps lead you to Me, so you can surrender your trial and let My purpose prevail. And what purpose is that? For you to be in My Presence. My child, you live in a fallen world where everyone is vulnerable to relational strife. And until you come home to heaven, such strife will continue. Instead of trying to control it, look to Me on what you can control—which is whether or not you will surrender your trial to Me. My child, truly give it to me. And when your trial keeps rearing its ugly head, let Me help you take care of what you can; but keep coming back and re-surrendering it to Me. It’s this constant surrendering is when you are able to experience My peace that surpasses all understanding. My peace exists alongside your trial and conflict, not in the absence of it. Seek My wisdom and know the difference. Follow the steps I established for you so We can be together in the whirlwind midst of your trial. You’re not alone in this. Come be in My Presence and experience My peace! This is My purpose for you! I love you!

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:7

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” –Psalm 16:11

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

June 8, 2021

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” —Matthew 19:26

I love you! It’s difficult I know, but you’re coming to grips with the reality of your trial. It’s a step in the right direction, trust Me. While I encourage you to keep praying to Me for a miracle, accepting the probable reality is what makes it a miracle. Impossibility is necessary for a miracle. And right now, what you desire seems impossible. Your miracle may or may not happen. But just know if I granted miracles all the time, they wouldn’t be miracles—and you and everyone would relegate Me as your personal cosmic genie. What kind of God would I be to you then? Rather, I desire our relationship to be as I designed—Me as your loving Father and you as my child. Like an earthly father doesn’t always grant everything that their child desires, neither do I; all in your best interest. Because I love you, I will allow a trial or a miracle to happen in your life, whichever I know will ultimately put you in My Presence and closer to Me. I know My child, you want your miracle now. You are hurting. But if I don’t grant it, have faith that an even greater miracle is happening. See, Our relationship strengthens every time you continually come to Me in your most troubled times regardless of how I respond to your prayers. That is a miracle because you are learning to trust Me more. You’re strengthening your faith not in the things I do, but in Me. Miracles are a display of My power. And My power is on display because you can talk to Me as your Father—the Creator of the universe and all that’s in it! You’re learning that through Jesus, My Grace is sufficient for you and My Power is made perfect in weakness. You’re learning that I’m all you need—the One Who will never leave you or forsake you. So keep praying to Me. I want to hear all you say, My child. Just remember when you keep praying, a miracle is happening! I love you!

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’” —Romans 8:15

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” —2 Corinthians 12:9

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” —Romans 12:12

June 7, 2021

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” –Colossians 3:2

My child, I love you! My heart continues to break that you’re struggling with this trial. You feel like it’s a death sentence. You want so much for it to go away and for all to be restored. You keep praying for a miracle, for it to be wiped away and given a clean slate – for another opportunity to restore what was broken. I love you My child, and please don’t forget that I have provided a clean slate, the Way in My Son, Jesus, to restore what was lost in the Garden of Eden. It saddens Me that your trial is causing you great distress. But I also rejoice because I know that your distress is temporary, and that you are eternally restored to Me because you are known by My Son, Jesus. And while you feel pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down; know that because of Jesus you are not eternally crushed, despaired, abandoned or destroyed. Please keep your mind on things above and not things of the world and you’ll see that this is true. Your life on earth and the things of the world are fleeting. As earthly treasures are temporary, so are earthly trials. When this passes you will discover that you have grown closer to Me. Every trial I allow in the lives of each of My children has the ultimate purpose of drawing them closer to Me. Without trials, you will rely on yourself and the world. I want you to rely on Me at all times like never before. This is sanctification, which is to grow in holiness. To be holy means to be set apart from the world and closer to Me. I know your heart still hurts. But please remember that the miracle has been done already in Jesus Christ. You are restored to Me and are in this trial to grow in holiness. Stay focused on this and you will begin to see past the fog of your trial to this greater divine purpose. Keep praying to Me. Keep relying on Me. Keep reading My Word. Keep talking to Me. And in the end, you’ll be more than okay. I love you, my child!

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” –2 Corinthians 1:8-9

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” — 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –1 Thessalonians 5:23

June 6, 2021

“We love because he first loved us.” —1 John 4:19

I love you! And as imperfect as you do it, I love that you love Me with all your heart, mind, soul and strength; as well as others. But precious child, you must love yourself as well. Remember I made you to be relational; to love Me first, and others as yourself. Your capacity to love others is a reflection of how much you feel loved. Know My heart breaks of this trial you’re going through. You made some critical relational mistakes and are having a hard time forgiving yourself. You know I love you, but you’re not letting My love saturate your heart. You’re constantly reminded of your sin which is paving a path to your sadness further away from My love. You’ve been on this path too much today listening to the wrong voices not loving yourself. My beloved child, please get off that path and stay focused on My voice. I love you and have forgiven your sins. I know that there are people in the world who constantly remind and condemn you for your sins. Let them. They are hurt too, not loving themselves, and are in need of My love in their heart as well. So pray for them. In doing so, you are loving Me first, then others as yourself. Go ahead and do it right now. Pray for those people who are causing you this painful trial. <Pray> … How did that feel? It doesn’t change your circumstances. But it brought joy to My heart. Why? You see, loving those who love you is the easy part. But loving those who persecute you is what I desire, as that’s what I did. Even though I was and Am still often rejected, I still love all people in hopes that they believe and receive Me so I can call them My child and have eternal life with them. Whoever it is you prayed for, child of mine or not, I still love them, as should you. You see, it’s in this love for others is when you realize My true love. Even in the midst of your trial, My love for you enables you to love yourself and those that would otherwise persecute you. I love you!

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself…’” —Mark 12:30-31

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven…” —Matthew 5:44-45

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” —John 1:12

June 5, 2021

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” —1 Peter 5:7

I love you! I know my child, sleeping is difficult. You keep waking up and having a hard time falling back asleep. I know your thoughts. You are anxious about the circumstances in your life. I understand more than you know. I was fully human too, as Jesus—and I was anxious about what was about to happen at the cross. I knew what I had chosen to do because it was My will. It was the only way for My relationship to be restored to you and all of humanity. And I chose to do it because I love you! I know you know the story and you are still hurting right now. But remember that I was also hurting in the Garden of Gethsemane. In fact, I sweat blood drops. But you also know what happened three days later after I was crucified. I resurrected from the dead declaring victory on sin! Only I could do that! Jesus, as a human, obeyed My will by following through with what He knew would be a brutal experience. But He did it in faith because He knew I was the Author of His pain and His victory. So while you are hurting and anxious right now, my child, please have faith in Me. It pains Me to see you struggle, like it pained Me when My Son Jesus struggled. But like Jesus, things had to get worse before they got better. And trust Me, things will get better. I promise you that! So surrender your anxiety to Me. Now go, get some sleep. I love you!

“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” —Luke 22:44

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” —Philippians 4:6

“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.” —Psalm 3:5

June 4, 2021

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” –Proverbs 3:11-12

You are My child and I love you! I really do. If I didn’t, you would be running wild doing what you want, when you want without repercussions leading only to an eternity apart from Me. And you know as well as I that your decision-making apart from Me often leads to selfish sin. You are My child! You know that your sin is forgiven because of what I did at the cross and tomb. However, your sin still has earthly consequences and those are often relational. Your relationship with whom you love will be adversely affected. My heart breaks because I know you know this all too well. And…your relationship with Me is adversely affected–not because I walk away, but because you walk away in guilt and shame. Because I love you, I desire this destructive cycle to stop. This is why I discipline you, because I love you! My discipline for you may appear harsh, but know that it is a necessary cleansing of your heart. I know it often will not make sense to you. And it may even appear unfair. But trust me my beloved child. It’s all about our relationship first. I desire our relationship to be close and intimate. Unfortunately, your sin stains your heart and you push away from Me. But remember as My child, My love for you is unconditional. I know you try your best to love Me with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. And I love that you do. But focus more on My love for you. The overflow of My love enables you to be in My Presence and truly love Me and others the way I desire. This is the cycle I want for you. And this is why I discipline you. Because I love you!

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” –Psalm 51:10-12

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” –Hebrews 12:11

“We love because he first loved us.” –1 John 4:19

June 3, 2021

“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” –Proverbs 3:5-6

I love you! I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but I do. You feel like your prayers and conversation with Me are hitting the ceiling. You’re wondering if I’m listening. I get it. Your heart is breaking and your world is unraveling.  You’re wondering how you’ll ever make it out of this trial you’re in. You know I’m with you, but you are trying to control your trial. You are trying too hard to make it go away. You know you need to give me the steering wheel, but you are terrified because you can’t see how this will turn out in the end. My child, I need you to have faith in Me and surrender the steering wheel and let Me drive. You have too many tears in your eyes and you can’t see the road clearly. Please just sit in the passenger seat with Me and talk to Me. Tell me everything that is on your mind, and I’ll do the driving. Every now and then take a break, look out the window, take it all in – and know Who I Am. Sometimes, the drive will get bumpy. Sometimes it will rain so hard that you can’t see out the windshield. But trust Me. I know how to navigate the rough terrain and storms of your life. I made you! And I have allowed these trials in your life so you will be more complete in trusting Me when life’s inevitable trials come again—and they will! If you trust that My Son, Jesus, died and rose for you so you may have eternal life; then trust that I will get you through this earthly trial. When you trust Me more, you will see My love more! Let go, and let Me! I love you!  

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” –James 1:2-4

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” –Hebrews 11:1

“Be still, and know that I am God” –Psalm 46:10

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

I love you. Let Me say that again – I love you! Sometimes, you forget this. And I understand why — your sin. You think about it too much. Yes, your sin creates separation between you and Me. Your feelings of guilt and regret consume you that you see this separation as too far to bridge. Your guilt has turned your back on me, but I remain where I am. Your regret cripples you where you are unable to communicate to Me with a truthful heart. Please stop walking away and creating more separation. When you keep walking you feel less of My love— and that’s when you feel so alone. But know that you are never alone because I love you. Because you have a relationship with Me, you are already forgiven. That’s why I died and rose! But I still want you to talk to me, repent of your sin and continue to believe. It’s here, in My Presence, where that gap between us is bridged and you are again able feel my never-ending love. But turning around and coming to Me isn’t always that easy. I get that. You think you aren’t good enough. I tell you My child, lift that chin up and come as you are! Tell Me everything, I want to hear you. Don’t hold back. I love you so much I’ll meet you where you are. And I love you so much that I won’t leave you where you are. I love you! Let Me say that again – I love you!  

“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.’” – Luke 15:20-23

“neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:39

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” – James 4:8