Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your leading to begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit.
"'For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,' says the Lord of hosts, 'that will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this,' says the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 4:1-3 NKJV).
Finally! I knew there was a verse in the Bible somewhere that said "go out and grow fat!" Thank You, Lord for leading me to this verse as I prepare to head out to the Waffle House this morning!
All the advertisements, New Year’s Resplutions, family members and other social media posts say I'm supposed to go to the gym, curb my food intake, and grow skinny. But according to this verse, that would only lead me to be among "the proud" and find myself among the "stubble" instead of among the humble and hearty! Yes, Your ways are truly higher than our ways and Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts!
However, this morning as I write my morning reflection with a smile on my face, I know You are speaking something deeper. You're speaking of the blessings that come with obedience to You, flowing out of a trusting relationship with You. When we are among those with “fat faith,” "who fear (Your) name," who honor Your Word, who entrust their lives to the One who loves us and leads us in the paths of righteousness, "the Sun of Righteousness" arises in our lives. And even the enemy of our souls is trampled under our feet.
So, Lord, please forgive me for having a little fun with my morning prayer today! But after all, You are the One who said, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Corinthians 3:17) and "in Your presence is fullness of joy!" (Psalm 16:11) LOL! Forgiven and free, would You fill me afresh with Your Spirit today and in 2024! By the power of Your grace, may I go out and “grow fat in faith” and the security of my identity in You, living into the fullness of the destiny of my blessings in You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you are filled with the joy of the Lord today, and in 2024, going out and growing fat in faith and the fullness of all He has for you and desires to do through you, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
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