Closer to Cross

Called to Be Wise.  Behold,  I  send  you  out  as  sheep  in  the  midst  of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16. As it is written, “How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.” Understanding is knowing the ways of the Father. Wisdom is knowing how to walk in the ways of the Father in every moment. Ignorance is not knowing the ways of the Father, and foolishness is choosing to walk in your own ways rather than the Father’s ways. Living in ignorance and walking in foolishness will bring futility, deception, despair, and harm into your life. My Father and I have a wondrous, eternal purpose for you during your remaining time on earth. Ignorance and foolishness are terrible thieves. They will steal your attention away  from  that  which  is  most  important.  They  will  fill  your  lif...

The Right Way to Give. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be  in  secret.  Then  your  Father,  who  sees  what  is  done  in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:3–4. I know you want to be more like Me. And yet the enemy of your soul whispers to you that it’s hopeless, that you aren’t good enough and you don’t have the power to change. He’s a liar! Because you have been born of the Spirit and have the Holy Spirit with you and in you, you do have the power to be more like Me. As you abide in My words, the Holy Spirit will write them on your heart. Then He will empower you with the grace and faith to obey My words, and He will remind you of My words whenever you face behavioral choices. As you obey My words, your soul will be conformed to My image. You will become more like Me. One way to be like Me is to give to the needy secretly. Unlike hypocrites who...

Secretly Do Good Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites  do—blowing  trumpets  in  the  synagogues  and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. Matthew 6:1–2. I have called you to follow Me. I have called you to be a light in the midst of darkness so others can see your works of righteousness and glorify God. But I have not called you to be like the ancient Pharisees, who performed religious works and duties hoping to be seen by others. They performed their deeds with the intention of bringing glory to themselves rather than to God. Their reward was the praise of people. They will receive no reward from God. On the other hand, everything you do, do for the glory of My Father and Me. Let others experience My love, My kindnes...

Giving When It’s Not Deserved. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Matthew 5:40–41. So many people do only what’s expected or demanded of them. Some do even less. I do not want you to act that way. You do not belong to this world or its king or its values. You are a child of the Most High. You are My follower, and you represent Me. So your behavior doesn’t affect just your reputation.  It  also  affects  Mine.  Your  behavior  either  reflects  Me  or dishonors Me. It either magnifies Me or diminishes Me. If others can’t see Me in your life, how will they see Me at all? If they don’t experience My unconditional love in your words and actions, how can they know My love? Child, I am joyfully relying on you to represent Me! The treasures of this world aren’t important. If someone demands something from you, don’t fight them. Just g...

What to Do When You Are Wounded. But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. Matthew 5:39. My dear child, you live in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. People love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. They have become gods unto themselves, and they have no part with Me. But you need not be discouraged or dismayed, for you are with Me and you are Mine. I am the Light of the World, and because you follow Me, you need never walk in darkness. As My follower, I want you to be a light in the darkness that surrounds you. I want you to represent Me with your words of truth, but even more with your acts of righteousness, to everyone I bring into your path. Those in the world will wound you in many ways. They will speak evil to you and about you. Some will act hatefully toward you, and others will simply neglect or avoid you. But I want you to respond to their evil in the same manner that I respond...