Come sit around the fire

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:10 NIV

Seems like you have a lot on your mind lately...

You know, walking up and down just makes you more anxious. Come and sit around the fire with Me. I created you to have continuous fellowship with Me around the fire of My presence. There are so many voices that are trying to win your attention over. Be still and know that I am your God. That’s it, just breathe Me in and breathe anxiety out. Do you know that you can build your life around this fire? You never have to depart from My presence (Kari Jobe - Rest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxHV1OaylWQ).

I want to share something with you so that you can understand what it means to live in victory.

For a lot of people living in victory is like a destination that they strive towards, a quote to put on a wall. They think that they will experience joy and peace constantly when they take that step into victory. But when pain or sickness comes, they believe victory just goes out of the door and that they need to work hard again to live in that peace and fulfillment.

Always striving, always working towards a life full of peace and satisfaction. A never-ending story.

My child, living in victory isn’t like wearing a jacket now and then, it is more like wearing a ring constantly, a reminder that it isn't something you should strive for because I have already overcome pain and sickness. Victory has been won (John 16:33), it's here, although not everyone feels victorious in their current situation. Do you remember the words that I spoke to Israel in Isaiah 43:2? “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Victory is with you (1 Corinthians 15:57), not something to work for, but to live in.

Do you understand my child? When you represent Me here on earth, I want you to live in the fullness of My Spirit. I know that you want the mountains to be removed from your life, but when the surface remains flat, how will you become stronger? How will you be able to help other people around you if you’re weak and lack knowledge and perspective that only I can reveal to you in the mountains and the valleys of life?

Remember what you read the other day about Paul. The writer said it so well: “Paul learned that the fruit of contentment is developed when we are thankful for what God has provided whether we like it or not. That’s because peace isn’t the absence of pressure. It’s the presence of God and our attitude toward His provision during our stress. By expressing gratitude, Paul experienced the richness of being, not having.” (https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2011/06/03/the-secret-of-contentment-2)

I want you to look around and just start praising me. Even if it might feel like you only have a few things to be grateful for, just start with one, and the rest will follow. Praising me in the hallway of life will open doors and opportunities for you that you never thought possible (Hebrews 13:15-16). When you bring praises to my name, it brings joy to my heart, and I cannot help but bless you because you understand that I am your source and your provider. Dance, sing, laugh, you can even just sit in stillness around the fire of My presence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVNcfQFWzpc).

Victory is humble, it draws people in, it speaks truth and it stands for what it believes in. You know that if you sit around a fire for quite some time, your clothes, skin, and your hair will smell like smoke afterward. I want you to be so full of me that when people spend time with you, they will be able to smell the aroma of my presence on you (2 Corinthians 2:15).

I have so many campfire stories to tell you, my child. I enjoy your company more than you can ever imagine.

Love Dad