Trade your personal agendas for a heart that is abandoned. This is the only way to discover fullness of life and freedom in the Lord.
“Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life. When your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit you hinder him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your self-life from dominating you! So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self-life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:16-17 TPT
Are you willing to let the Holy Spirit hinder you?
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Matthew 16:24-25 NKJV
What has chasing after the things of this world done for you?
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].”
Matthew 6:24 AMP
“If the Spirit is the source of our life, we must also allow the Spirit to direct every aspect of our lives.”
Galatians 5:25 TPT
The upside-down kingdom doesn't make sense from the worldly perspective. But I've found that Your way is better so let not my plans hinder Yours God.
The way that we spend time with God directly impacts what we can do for His kingdom and how effective we are in ministry. Spending time with Him causes us to be surefooted (confident and competent), as we stay in step with Him at all times.
I see serving/ministry/moving in the calling as a time where I simply report for duty “Here I am for You to use God”. This causes His yoke to be easy and His burden to be light because I’ve realised that it has always about Him and never about me. The outcome of our labour is based on His sovereignty and not our own abilities.
“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””
Matthew 11:30 NKJV
“Yet we don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength, for our true competence flows from God’s empowering presence. He alone makes us adequate ministers who are focused on an entirely new covenant. Our ministry is not based on the letter of the law but through the power of the Spirit. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit pours out life.”
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 TPT
How are you spending time with God and how do you think God can use that to overflow onto others?
Worship is based not on feelings and favoured circumstances. It is about giving God what is due, what He is worth. Know your reasons, purpose, and what offering you are bringing to the altar. Choosing to exalt God in our prison circumstances is the loudest praise we can give. What is your costly everything?
“Paul and Silas, undaunted, prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God, while all the other prisoners listened to their worship. Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. All at once every prison door flung open and the chains of all the prisoners came loose.”
Acts 16:25-26 TPT
“Then David danced before the Lord with all his might… David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight.…”
II Samuel 6:14, 21-22 NKJV
“But I will rejoice even if my life is poured out like a liquid offering to God over your sacrificial and surrendered lives of faith.”
Philippians 2:17 TPT
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 NKJV
Read More: Luke 21:1-4 and Luke 7:37-38
Don't despise these small beginnings because every thing adds to the next. Be faithful in the little and God will give you the much. Then upon stewarding the much well, even more will be given because that becomes the little; a continual compounding journey. Consistent yeses causes what was once impossible to be possible, and even… easy.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…”
Zechariah 4:10 NLT
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
Psalms 119:105 NKJV
Sacrifices... toughie sometimes. But when God challenges and convicts us to give something to Him, it is always for our good. This offering story has been my most costly, yet most rewarding one!
New fruitfulness in terms of:
1. Having the time and capacity to serve more
2. Kingdom friendships and community
3. Freedom to answer every call and make pivotal decisions
4. Identity
“He noticed a very poor widow who dropped two small copper coins in the offering box.”
Luke 21:2 TPT
“For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.””
Luke 21:4 NLT
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.”
Proverbs 31:25-26 NLT
Discipline provides structure and freedom. When you seek God first at the start of your day, you'll have what it takes to live the rest of your day well, with a fully-fed spirit and increased capacity.
“Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.”
Proverbs 4:25 TPT
“You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth?”
Galatians 5:7 AMP
“And he must be hospitable [to believers, as well as strangers], a lover of what is good, sensible (upright), fair, devout, self-disciplined [above reproach—whether in public or in private].”
Titus 1:8 AMP
Anyway, my personal Instagram handle is hzl.hn (if you'd like to connect with me!)
It's been about 2 years since I first started journalling and it is now such a necessity in my life!
It helps me:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].”
Philippians 4:8 AMP
“Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 TPT
I used to struggle with a lot of performative fears and feelings of inadequacy... BIG time. But we just need to acknowledge our weaknesses and give God access to help us. He perfects our faith as we take action. Breakthrough and sure-footedness comes! Lay it all down, whatever you have as an offering, there's no waste at the altar.
“Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?”
James 2:22 NKJV
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
"Come lay your broken dreams at the altar
And every victory at the altar
Fear and anxiety cannot live here
There's no waste at the altar
Let your heart sing out and tell Him you love Him
Don't make it perfect, just let it be honest
He can use anything, sit back and watch Him
There's no waste at the altar"
Biblical answers aside, I've experienced real change... lasting transformation that I know couldn't have been attained by my own strength. I used to be angry, bitter, depressed, had anxiety, lacked love, lacked joy... the list goes on. Now, I live with unexplainable peace, true contentment, freedom, joy, rest, security... the list goes on and on as God continues show up daily!
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23 NKJV
“that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
John 3:15-17 NKJV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
The best part is that salvation is FREE. So claim it!
“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
John 15:2, 4 NLT
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Romans 8:28-29 NKJV
Kill your hurried and busy spirit and learn to work out of the overflow. Consume your daily bread first so that you'll get the job done well-fed. Remember that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He desires simplicity for you!
“The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.””
Luke 10:41-42 TPT
“Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,”
Colossians 3:23 AMP
To my dear friends who struggle with a fear of the future, you have to hear this! This is a story about how God opened a great door of opportunity for me, and He is the same God who loves you too :)
““I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.”
Revelation 3:8 NLT
“Within your heart you can make plans for your future, but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there.”
Proverbs 16:9 TPT
“Give God the right to direct your life, and as you trust him along the way, you’ll find he pulled it off perfectly! When Yahweh delights in how you live your life, he establishes your every step.”
Psalms 37:5, 23 TPT
"God, who do You say that I am?"
Ask God for personal identity statements today for they will anchor you when lies invade. Stay alert and guard your identity for everything that you do flows from it!
“Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.”
Psalms 1:2-3 MSG
““And on that day, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, each of you will invite your neighbor to sit with you peacefully under your own grapevine and fig tree.””
Zechariah 3:10 NLT
“but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.”
Matthew 25:4 NASB1995
“Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.”
Romans 12:11-13 MSG
“Now, the “Lord” I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom. We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 TPT
When you feel like what you're doing isn't graced, easy, or light, that's your very invitation to realign with the purposes of God! One of the fruits from this realignment story, that I share on the episode, is the birth of this podcast! Pivoting in accordance to God's leading gave me the capacity and competency to start this passion project that I am absolutely loving!
““Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.””
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
“As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!”
Hebrews 12:1-2 TPT
“Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.”
Proverbs 4:25 TPT
Let us not be held back by our limited thinking because God truly knows what's best for us. He just requires us to act in faith and boldness, trusting that He is the One establishing our every step!
Pruning seasons are painful. But it is always worthwhile in hindsight because when God removes, He replaces! And with much greater because you can never out-give the God of abundance! The God of "more-than-enough". He loves you so much no matter where you are at, but He also loves you too much to leave you where you are at. This episode is a testimony of my 2023 prune-y but purposeful pains.
“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!”
Romans 5:1-5 MSG
You got this.
Steward the trajectory of your life with the Word of God. Cover yourself in Scripture and watch Him move. Sometimes, we place too much emphasis on prophecies and undermine the power of declaring scriptures. So let's talk about it!
“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.”
I Timothy 4:13-15 NKJV
““Here, then, is the deeper meaning to my parable: The word of God is the seed that is sown into hearts. The seed that fell into good, fertile soil represents those lovers of truth who hear it deep within their hearts. They respond by clinging to the word, keeping it dear as they endure all things in faith. This is the seed that will one day bear much fruit in their lives.””
Luke 8:11, 15 TPT
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
We're already on episode 4! Exciting times! Such is life!
The worldly, rat-race culture today pressures us to make quick decisions. Yet these decisions have to be the best, the wisest, fully thought-out, all pros and cons considered…That often leave us feeling overwhelmed and anxious right? So what if there really isn’t a need for all that? God tells us to simple yield to Him day by day because He has got it all figured out for us. Let’s get our minds renewed together today!
“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. [Rom 1:20]”
Ephesians 2:10 AMP
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
Why the podcast? Origin story explained! Who am I if not for who You made me to be God. I am so excited about these small beginnings because I know that God You're embarking on this pilgrimage with me!
1 Corinthians 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
Zechariah 4:10 "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin..."
I am so glad that you're here! The warmest welcome :>
