Keep Me as your first love. You have many things that tug at your heart strings, clamoring for your investment of attention and affection. It’s okay, – in fact, it is Good! – to love My creation. I merely ask that you seek Me, spend time with Me, thank Me, and LOVE Me first. When your attention is divided or is solely focused on something or someone beyond Me, an emptiness may prevail. I long for you. I want to bless the people and pleasures that fill your attention. Seek Me, find Me, talk with Me. See how I help you focus on what is worthy of your attention.
devotional
24-Hour Awareness
My word is a lamp unto your feet. See how clear the path is in this day. Notice how I only light the few steps in front of you, in 24-hour increments. This is to help you find your way without worry. Learn to keep your focus intentionally on Me, with a trust in the security I have promised. Delight in My ways. See how I do not overload you when you live in this day instead of the future. Be on the lookout for resounding moments when I AM. Pause, and you cannot help but notice Me present in and around you. Silence your head long enough to BE AWARE. I’ve never left your side.
Hunger and Satisfaction
What are you hungry for? Attention? Prestige? Stability? Excess? Find your ultimate security and pleasure in Me first. When you fix your eyes on Me, something happens to the appeal for other things. Your desires can be for good when brought into focus through My Lighting. You may need to release your grip for a while, allowing Me to take away that which is unhealthy for you and to re-order your priorities. Be hungry for Love, and for the Good of all. Stand ready to supply support and encouragement. Take notice of times when you need to retreat into the background. I will organize for the greater Good, and you will find satisfaction as you see My works unfold. Be filled with holy desire. We are One.
Not So Serious
Live up to MY expectations, not your own. Mine are softer than you think. Your pursuits and goals must be in line with the needs of My kingdom, and I want you to do what comes naturally and easily to you. I call you to lighten up on yourself and around others a little more. This may be at work, your home, your church, elsewhere, – reaching out in love, through playfulness and attentiveness. Find balance in rest, leisure, and quiet time – not working all the time. I expect purity of thought with helpful intentions and plenty of laughter. You don’t have to be so serious all the time. Let down your guard so that I can work in you, through you, and with you. See a playful God who accompanies you into this day. I created joy for many reasons. Find enjoyment alongside work.
Design for Good
Life: enriched and full. Bask in the Goodness I have surrounded you with. It is neither earned, nor doomed to be withdrawn or leave you empty-handed. The phrase “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away” mistakenly leaves many fearful that I am a mean God who enjoys teasing with dangling carrots, then pulls the rug out from under you. I am nothing like that! Yes, there are, and have been, and will be difficult times, – but your pain, grief, or suffering is never orchestrated by Me to make you learn a cruel lesson. No! My design is always for the GOOD. When bad things happen, I walk with you and find ways to lift you back up. I never abandon you. Nor do I want you to not enjoy an easier life, or one blessed with Good things. I delight in giving you joy and comfort. All I ask is that when you are in a balanced state with surplus, share the wealth. Be generous – of time, talent, and resources. Take notice of when I tug your heartstrings, nudging you to give or extend yourself in some way. Respond to My call. What you have been given is meant for the greater Good of all.
I Remain
I have been calling to you, – singing to you! Sometimes you hear Me so clearly, and other times I am distant background music covered by the noise and busy-ness going on in your head. I don’t fault you for that. It’s human nature to be so preoccupied that you become unaware of Me, and distant from My reassuring voice. Still, I remain. Remain faithful, holy, omnipotent. PRESENT. Loving. Patient. I wait for you, yearning to communicate as One.
Listen for My still, small voice.
You are important to me! Yes, you. I need you in this world to be My hands and feet. I need you to be the voice of tenderness and compassion. I need you to reason with the unreasonable, pardon the unpardonable, and love the unlovable. I also sing to you a love song, greater than any you have ever known or heard. Bring Me your darkest concerns, your ugliest thoughts – allow Me to shed light on them and wash you clean. Let Me bathe you in Grace. Stop striving so hard on your own. You are not alone in this world. Stop, and listen for My song to you. I have never left your side.
Unfold
There is time enough for EVERYTHING. Work will unfold, piece by piece, task by task before you. What I need accomplished may be results that you will never see. Be present fully to each task, each encounter, and the day will unfold as it should. Trust Me in that process. Go willingly into your day with this mindset. Instead of feeling like it’s “all up to you”, reach for My hand and take a walk with Me. It’s OK to take a break. Feel and notice My Presence with each door you enter. Let Me carry the load for a while. I will hand off to you small tasks along the way which you are fully equipped to handle, by My design. Let Me give you the work to do in reasonable increments. Pause to thank Me for My Presence and guidance. You can be at peace even in busy times because you are never alone! I am with you. I AM is with you.
Stop and Rest
There is a time for rest. Rest rejuvenates. Periods of rest ignite the needed energy to move on. You are anxious about many things. Devote time for rest. I use the word “devote” for you to make this into an act of worship. When you intentionally build in breaks and a slowed pace, this allows you to receive My Grace and sustenance. It opens the window to hear My voice. When you make it a choice to stop and rest out of love for Me and My guidance, it leads you to a whole new level of relationship and balance. This is part of a God-driven life, – holy and sacred; One with all things.
Consolation
Be consoling to one another. So many of My children are grieving losses that go unnamed and unattended to. If all would soften their hearts and let down their guards, it would help healing begin. There is a time for sorrow, which cannot be rushed. Some stay stuck in their anger, or remain feeling hurt, betrayed, or helpless after a deep loss. I am a God who gives and takes away, but this term has mistakenly been used. Never do I inflict hurt or pain by inflicting tragedy or loss. I am not a mean-spirited Lord. As a God who knows sorrow and grief well, I accompany, replace, and nurture out of every loss. Turn to Me. My Grace fills the cracks and binds the pieces together in a new way. Be part of that healing Grace. Listen, attentively, and with soft words and compassionate eyes, you will be a vessel of My hand touching the tender wounds. I am thoroughly attentive to all your needs, and of those around you. Be My hands and feet in the world. You are needed, and you are loved.
Here for You
True contentment lies in your relationship with Me. There is no such thing as spending too much time with Me. Yes, you must go about your day, but I can accompany you in your every activity and converse with you all the while. Bring Me with you conscientiously! Let Me be a “tag along”, if you will. I can also be present to pluck you out of the mire of things that cause you tension, annoyance, and worry. Like a hidden but handy life-preserver, reach for Me when the waters around you seem too deep. Find comfort in the way I sustain your head above water. Nothing will be too much for you to handle when you learn to rely on My ever-saving Presence. I am here for you, – all day.
Spoken to Me 