“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” John 16:33 Amplified Bible

I came across the following exhortation in my 2019 journal, and because it has similar language to my last post (click here if you missed it), I’m sharing it with you. I pray that these thoughts will spur us on to action.

From the Father’s Heart:

Go forth. Push. Push past the compromise and comfortable.

Push.

There will be pain. Transition is always painful and disorienting. Your eyes will need to be on Me.

Make Me and My Word, My truth, My Power, My love, and My divine enablement your focal point.

Eyes up. Eyes on Me. Look up. Your redemption draweth nigh. 

Troubling times are coming for the body of Christ. Church, will you be ready? You need to be equipped so that the stumble will not throw you headlong. You will need to view what you see with your eyes from the heavenly perspective: What is happening in the heavenlies? What is true? Who is winning? Who is more powerful? Don’t just take things at face value.

And plug in. This is totally doable. See the strategy from heaven. Look for what I am doing, My purpose, and My ways. Keep looking for the spiritual reality behind the evil and the good. What is really happening?

KNOW Who wins, Who has the victory; and therefore, don’t despair.

Many will despair even of life. Look up!
Let the people hear where to look
what is truly happening
what I have already fortold.

I am fulfilling My Word and being true to My Promises – not to leave or forsake you, but to pursue My people in righteousness, in holiness, in purity – to produce a pure bride.

Revival will come out of the Refiner’s fire.

Cooperate with Me. Agree. Choose the transition, that you may be equipped and ready, built up and prepared, for all that is ahead.

—— Would you take some time before the Lord and ask Him to show you any areas where you have given your life over to compromise or settled for what is “comfortable” but not of Him for your life? Have you made Him, His Word, His truth, His power, His love and enablement your focal point through these troubling times? Allow Him to rearrange anything as necessary. Pray that you may see everything going on around you through the lens of His eternal plan.

From the Father’s Heart:

I have come to set the captives free. And they are turning to more and more captivity instead. 

Rather than enjoying their freedom and using the authority I have afforded them, they turn to the world (right back to “Egypt”). 

Pray. 

Fast and pray for the Church. 

This world needs the Church. It needs the Church (the people of God) recognizing and utilizing their calling on the earth. 

Rise up. 

This is no time to sleep or be slack. 

Believe that I do the impossible. 

My church sits in hopeless despair because of the news (the news that only reports the problems)!??

Bathe your minds in the Answer – The Truth. And yes, the truth is that in this world you will have trouble (John 16:33), but TAKE HEART! I have overcome the world. 

And you, Church, heirs of the Kingdom, have overcome. 

Who are you listening to that have caused you to give up and give into hopelessness? 

Be careful who you are listening to.

For I am coming on the clouds…with My judgment and My power. Be ready. Be ready. Eyes on Me. And be about your business. Do your job. 

The team doesn’t quit and leave the field when it “looks” like they are going to lose. So what are you doing? Especially since I’ve told you that you are going to win. 

Do you quit and give up the positive outcome? Don’t quit on My assignment. 

Walk by faith and not by sight. I have too many children walking by sight right now. Things are not as they seem! Be ready.

Be ready. A shift is about to take place that can’t be explained. You can’t explain it away. The only answer will be that My people prayed. So pray…take on the assignment and pray. Pray the big prayer of faith to your big God. I need to become greater and greater in your eyes and the obstacles smaller and smaller. Grow your faith.  Let it grow. Don’t allow the enemy to snatch it away as soon as your eyes see the contrary. 

Eyes on Me. 

Eyes on Me. Look up. Your redemption is drawing near. 

Come and know. 

Taste and see. 

I give the gift of faith to those who will take it. Will you? Will you take of what is yours and freely given? Taste and see. 

Taste and see. Put Me to use.

“Oh taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8

from my journal 3/22/21

Oh, that the church would awaken to our assignment. There’s a “sleeper army” (a sleeping church) out there that this world desperately needs awakened to do our job. Would you join me in fasting and praying for the church?

If you want more encouragement and exhortation for a people struggling with hopelessness, click here.

Hi Friends,
I am praying that this speaks to your heart in a profound way and that in the daily-ness of today you will seek Him for specific ways to take Him up on the invitation. 

From the Father’s Heart:
Come. Come and see (Psalm 66:5). Open your “eyes” and let your “wings” take flight (Isaiah 40:31) – in My goodness, in My mercy, in My victory and power.
 
Taste and see (Psalm 34:8) that I am good (Psalm 107:1) and that My mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). 
 
It’s a new day. Forget the past (Isaiah 43:18, Philippians 3:13), the fears, the wins and loses – lay it all aside, and come. 
 
Come hither. Let Me just love on you a bit and soothe all the rough edges of your mind that the turmoil of this world has caused. It’s all “no big thing”. Nothing is too big for Me (Jeremiah 32:17), too impossible or “written in stone”; I am the great change-maker. It’s not about the past. It’s all about My plan for the future (Isaiah 46:10b, 11b). So, look forward. Move forward. Take this step – the next one (Proverbs 4:25, 26, 27). And stop bullying yourself, thinking that will keep you in line. 
 
Release Me to have perfect freedom in your life.
What does that mean?
Belief! Believe Me. Believe in My ability more than your lack thereof. Bottom line! Period. For I am able to DO whatever I desire with a willing vessel. 
 
Just say “yes”. 
 
I will direct your steps. Just one step at a time. That’s all. One step after another. 
 
Don’t listen to the hang-ups. They are just resistance. Don’t give into them, and don’t be surprised. Press through to the other side of this obedience – and then the next and the next. Believe that you CAN “take this land”. I have positioned you for “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Possess your possession (Joshua 18:3).
 
I will help you. I will enable you and make it divinely EASY.
You just have to take the HARD steps of faith. 
It’s ok. All of life is easy/hard.
 
“This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
The LORD’S lovingkindesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘Therefore I have hope in Him.’
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3:21-25
 
~~~~~
With pen and paper, seek the Lord’s answers to a few helpful questions. Just write until you get some clarity:
-Lord, I choose to look forward and take the next step. I don’t want to just assume I know what that is. I lay aside any preconceived notion that may not be of you and ask that you show me. What is my next step?
-Reveal to me how I bully myself. What accusations of the enemy am I currently entertaining without even realizing it?
– I believe in Your ability, and I am willing. Search me and know me, and show me any and all “residue” of unbelief that would put limits on Your work in and through my life.

Lord, I believe You!

~~~~
If someone comes to mind that would be encouraged by this, please share. And if you aren’t receiving these weekly devotionals in your inbox and would like to, let me know here. Also note that you can hover over any reference used here and see the verse in its entirety in a pop-up window. Make it a great day! I would love to hear from you! Comment below or contact me using the contact form.

“On the day I called, You answered me; 
You make me bold with strength in my soul.” 
Psalm 138:3

From the Heart of God:

I am All-Powerful. You can dare to dream with Me.

Yes, of course, you want the encouragement and affirmation, but be honest – even that doesn’t work when you get it.

What you really need is to just push through. Eyes on Me (Hebrews 12:2). Just keep moving forward. 

Pray and allow Me to make you bold.

Serve the one who wants what you have to offer, and don’t be stymied by the rest who don’t.

Be who you are. Do what I have called you to do, and don’t look back (not even to see if anyone is following).

Be relentless against any and all doubt. Don’t “invite it in for brunch”. Don’t entertain it. 

Let’s walk forward and just do the next thing.

Friend,

Name that one task that comes to mind right now, call out to Him to make you bold with strength in your soul, and go walk in dependent, bold, confident obedience.

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” 2 Corinthians 3:5

He loves to show Himself strong in His people.

I’d love to hear about your bold move!

Traci

If someone comes to mind that would be encouraged by this, please share. And if you aren’t receiving these weekly devotionals in your inbox and would like to, you can let me know by clicking here.

“O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
Psalm 34:8

From the Father’s Heart:

I am for you (Romans 8:31), not against you. You are My servant whom I have chosen (Isaiah 43:10).

I draw you near to hear Me. 

Don’t allow the enemy to distract you and make you feel “less than” and steal “this” from you—this precious time with Me. Draw near and see. See Me for who I am—high and lifted up (Isaiah 52:13) and in control. And see yourself for who you are—My child. Draw near and partake of all you have for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Enter into My REST and know that you are BELOVED. 

Beloved of God. 

Rest in that love and take delight. Then do all out of that settled-ness of spirit and mind empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Behold, I make all things new (Revelation 21:3,4,5). Nothing is impossible for Me – not a thing (Luke 1:37), so behold the greatness and the glory of your God. Look full in My wonderful face and let all of earth fade away with its fears and considerations. 

Eternity.

What matters for eternity?

This is the clarifying question, so come and seek. Come and rest (Matthew 11:28). Come for your assignment and follow Me (John 10:27)! I will lead you to lead others on the inexplicable, incomprehensible path of life laid out before you (Ephesians 3:20). 

Step by step.

Take today’s step—the step right in front of you.

Listen and Write (spend some time in prayer with pen and paper asking the following questions):
-Lord, your sheep hear Your voice. I draw near. What do you want me to hear today?
-Lord, show me how I have been made to feel “less than” and have retreated so that I can combat those lies with the truth of Your Word. Remind me of the lies that I have taken to heart, and tell me Your truth.
-Remind me of what really matters for eternity; I choose to let this set my daily priorities.
-And show me today’s next step of obedience, the one that gets me closer to
Your desired destiny for my life.

Blessings to you,

Traci

If someone comes to mind that would be encouraged by this, please share. And if you aren’t receiving these weekly devotionals in your inbox and would like to, let me know by clicking here.

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9

From the Heart of God:

I am not on your timetable, but you’re definitely on Mine. You wonder at times if I even have one. Yep I do, and you know it. I hold time and eternity in My hands, and nothing slips through the cracks forgotten – no small detail, and certainly not big ones. 

I have already put all the ingredients together (before time even began), and things are always IN PROCESS. People tend to hate “process”, but it is what life is made up of.

Embrace life to its fullest; don’t allow what is “not yet” to rob you of TODAY.

Start a gratefulness journal and lean in. Put your “ear to My heart”. Hear it beat: rhythm, process, steady, dependable, strong for you, for you, My love. 

Lean in, press your ear and hear. Write it down, and give thanks for all My many blessings. 

You’re not forgotten, looked over, or taken for granted – NEVER these, in My heart. Seek My heart on things, not just how they feel, seem, appear, what’s practical, or shiny and pretty.  

Lean in and hear My heart. 

I have given you an open ear to hear it’s beating, not only for yourself but also for those I place in your path.

I invite you to lean in.

There is a process of putting ingredients together – each individual part being absolutely necessary and not to be missed! There’s then (think of bread baking) the time of kneading, of resting and rising, and cooking – when you finally smell the fragrance and know it’s almost done. Most of this process is easy as it just happens and yet hard as you must WAIT – “easy/hard”. Don’t grow weary of the work or the wait. It WILL YIELD!

There is a day coming when all that you have been waiting for will be seen. It will be right there before your very eyes, and it will be worth the wait. You will say, “This is it!” I will release that proclamation to your heart. “And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame” (Isaiah 49:23b).

~~~
Wait upon the Lord, and as you do, sing His praises.

“You keep him in perfect peace
  whose mind is stayed on you, 
  because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,
  for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV

I pray that this encourages those of you who are in any season of waiting, as many are. May we all trust Him and His perfect timing. If you aren’t receiving these weekly devotionals in your inbox and would like to, just let me know by clicking here.

What is your plan to lean in to hear His heart today? He is a “rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Believe!

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

From the heart of God:

I call forth the sun to shine… 
And the stars to display their beauty as each takes its place in the night sky.
Day and night has its own beauty… 
Things only seen in the sunshine and things only seen in the dark.

Seasons change. 

There is day and night so that you may see…
Different aspects of My beauty and love. 
Do not be afraid of the dark.
Darkness will come, but look up! 
Eyes on Me, the Author and Perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Though the earth tremble and mountains fall into the sea (Psalm 46:2), My love for you is unfailing. Look there. Trust there. And cling to hope. 

You will hope once again. 
Great light will shine forth in darkness. 
As the world cries out and screams in fear, “The sky is falling, the sky is falling” (see this here as well),
My people will have a quiet confidence in Me (that I will give – take it – you must take it to have it). 

Cling to My Word and to My Promises, that the people may know that I have done this. I cause the storm (Psalm 107:25), and I am able to make it perfectly calm (v. 29).  Be those who hear and do the Word, that your house may stand (Matthew 7:24). Be ready to give an answer for the hope that you have in the midst of the storm (1 Peter 3:15). They will see a great light. Let it be Me. Shine for My glory, that they may glorify My name.  

Arise, shine, for My glory has arisen. Be a lighthouse standing firmly in your place, letting your light shine TRUTH – proclaiming, “This is the ROCK, this is solid ground.” – as a warning to navigate carefully, as My Word is unmovable and irrevocable. It is.

The world is continually trying “to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord” (Acts 13:10), but the world does not change My ways. No matter how many times they change their opinion, My word stands true and unchanging and CONSTANT. So I will send forth my prophets to make straight the way of The Lord. Who will listen? Who will go for Us (Isaiah 6:8)? Who will hear and respond?  

Who will not just hear and give the word, but hear and live it:
– hear correctly – through “honest and good” hearts (correct filters),
and
– “hold it fast and bear fruit with perseverance” (Luke 8:15): LIVE IT, not giving out what they are NOT.
This is mentorship: personal life change.

Produce ‘change’. “Prepare the way of The Lord, make his paths straight” (Luke 3:4 ESV) and give courage to scared, intimidated Christians. I am BIGGER and stronger. Now go and act and do not fear (an instruction to be obeyed). A courage they do not even know is inside of them, a Daniel spirit within them (placed there by Me, by the power of the Holy Spirit), will rise up. They will be unafraid to be different – to be different from this culture (Luke 21:17)- because they see the PEACE reward and the eternal rewards, looking to the day ahead (Hebrews 11:26, 1 Corinthian 1:7, 2 Peter 3:12, 13, 14). They will have the courage to stand up and be resolute, to resolve ahead of time and be faithful to it, to believe and know Me and then stand with Me, not against Me. 

So-called Christ-followers are today standing up against My truth clearly set forth in My word. 
They must know the truth. The truth will set them free. Currently they are in total bondage: bondage of the flesh and mind and are truly miserable in that state.

Proclaim freedom to the captives. Freedom has come and been made available, but they prefer being fed by Egypt (their captors) and don’t seem to mind the bondage of spirit that goes along with it (Numbers 11:5, Numbers 14, Acts 7:39).

Freedom may be uncomfortable, but it comes with great Peace and Power and Promises for what is to come. Stop living for this day and live for the day to come (Hebrew 12:25, 26). 

“And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3


So, stand on the watchtower and ramparts (walls), listening for God to speak. The word IS the rampart – the outermost wall, the first line of defense. He watches His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12), so we must follow His example. Watch His Word, build the walls, do not allow the book of the law to be lost in the house of God (2 Kings 22), build up (good) walls, armor on (Ephesians 6:10-20), sword ready (Ephesians 6:17)…with a ready word (keep watch to see what He will speak- Habakkuk 2:1).

“I will stand on my guard post 
And station myself on the rampart;
And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me,…” Habakkuk 2:1

Do not live with broken down ramparts, daily walking over the rubble. Rebuild. 

How? Working together, not alone, but also not allowing the ‘tares’ (Matthew 13:24-30) to help and nullify the work and the strength of the ramparts. Refuse their offer to help as they plan to sabotage (see Ezra 4).  

How? What can we do?  Nehemiah’s example! 

One man, moved by God, organizing a movement that quickly got it done. Mission accomplished (in 52 days rebuilt broken down walls!).

There is power in one, led by the Spirit, walking in obedience.

Will we answer the call?

(Remember you can hover over the scripture references and see the verse in most cases.)

Hi friends, today’s post is much longer than most, and I wanted to explain a bit about why that is. This was originally written in my journal on April 5, 2013, and I was reminded of it this past week. I have previously posted portions of this word (and if you have gone through Watch the Ramparts* you may recognize a few lines as well), but I have never posted it in its entirety (although in September of 2015 I felt like I was supposed to post it all and never decided to be brave enough to). I pray that it speaks to your heart this week.

So thankful for you. Let me know if I can help you in any way!

And if you aren’t receiving these weekly devotionals in your inbox and would like to, just let me know by clicking  here.

Traci

*want to know more about Watch the Ramparts? Let me know. I’d love to tell you more about it. Watch the Ramparts: Rebuilding Our God-Given Protective Boundaries is a Six-Week Prayer Strategy Devotional designed to develop the strength, security, and self-discipline necessary to live without wavering in this unstable world.

From the Heart of God:

It is never too late to obey Me. There is always a fresh “yes” for each and every day, one that has all of My power (Ephesians 3:20) behind it as you obey My instructions in full dependence upon Me.

Speak the fresh “yes” with your life today. And then another, tomorrow. Day by day, step by step, simply following My lead. This is the way to where your heart truly wants to be.

Moment by moment dependence upon Me will ALWAYS serve you well.

My Word and My instructions are a lamp unto your feet (Psalm 119:105); I show you where you are currently standing, the honest truth about ‘this space’ and ‘your stance’.

And My Word is a light unto your path, the ‘path’ right there in front of you, showing you what the next step looks like.

Looking out (even past ‘the not too distant future’) will tend to trip up your feet.

Eyes on Me. Eyes on My Way, Child. Eyes on My Truth.

I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE that you long for (John 14:6), in abundance (John 10:10).

Let Me teach you to stand and take the hard steps of faith, the ones necessary for where WE are going.

We are going places.

Follow Me, even if you have to leave all your fears behind to do so. Give Me your ‘yes’. It is that ‘simply simple’.

Take the next step of faith. (And I do realize that this is often ‘simply difficult’.)

It’s ‘easy/hard’, as all of your divinely enabled life truly is: EASY, as I do it all through you, and HARD as you take each step by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Let’s take the easy/hard road of faith together. I will not leave your side.

With a heart of gratefulness for the journey (the process), let’s press on (Philippians 3:12, 14). 

Come, My beautiful one, arise and come along! (from song of Solomon chapter 2).

 

 

Listening Section:

Lord, show me if there is a current ‘it’s too late’ trap that I’ve fallen into and have given up hope for something You’ve truly called me to do.

Speak to my heart about my current state, according to the truth of your Word, and show me the next “yes” (along with the possible “no”) on my path right ahead.

I choose to have as my heart’s cry, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) and to TRUST you.

What is today’s ‘fresh yes’?

 

Remember: any scripture included in this post can be seen in its entirety as you hover over the reference.