Pay Attention to What You Magnify!

Good Morning My Loves,

Last night in worship while singing the beautiful old song, “I exalt thee, I exalt thee, I exalt thee, Oh Lord…”, I suddenly saw a magnifying glass with an eye looking through it, sort of like “Inspector Clouseau,” or perhaps “Inspector Gadget.” I had planned on sharing what God had been showing me for the coming year and I sensed that this vision was part of it. One of the things God had showed me was that “A SHIFT AND FLOOD OF UNCOMMON FAVOR” is coming to those who refuse to get into strife, and that this word is directly linked to “unity.” As I was processing what I was seeing, I heard the Lord say, “Pay attention to what you are magnifying. What you magnify grows larger, and you give power too! ”

Many times we get frustrated, angry, and upset when we take our eyes off of the Lord, and begin to magnify the flaws of others or our problems.

The enemy works overtime to point out the negative in our spouse, children, boss, friends, co-workers, clients, pastors, etc… He wants us to become critical fault-finders, instead of encouragers who magnify the good in them.

“Those who constantly have a negative mindset, will constantly have a negative and strife-filled life.”

Flaw finders and “problem magnifiers” sabotage the good things that God has prepared for them by criticizing everyone and everything.

The good news is that we can change our mind-set and go into 2017 with a new attitude that says: -I refuse to talk negatively about others.

-If I need godly counsel I will seek it out and pray for those with whom I have a concern.

-I will seek to find and magnify the good in those whom I’m having negative thoughts about.

-I will not allow my tongue to become an instrument of death or get into quarreling with others.

-I don’t always have to be right.

-I can disagree without being disagreeable and quarrelsome.

-I refuse to keep putting wood on the fires of strife.

Proverbs 26:21 says, “As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.”

-I will not be antagonistic.

-I will not wear my feelings on my sleeve, and kindle the fire of strife. I will be quick to put it out by speaking kind words, and walking away when necessary. -I will repent of pride, humble myself, and let things to quicker than I have in the past.

Proverbs 13:10 says, “Pride only breeds quarrels.”

-I will not act like I know everything, because I don’t. I realize pride makes me blind to the strength of others, and hyper-focused on their weaknesses. I will not magnify the weaknesses of others. I will magnify their strengths.

-I will be quick to say, “I was wrong. I made a mistake. You were right. Your idea is right.” -I will clothe myself with humility, and because of that I will not be shamed or miss this coming shift of uncommon favor, wisdom, honor, and elevation from God.

Proverbs 11:2 (ERV)

2 Proud and boastful people will be shamed, but wisdom stays with those who are modest and humble.

Proverbs 15:33 (ERV)

33 Wisdom teaches you to respect the Lord. You must be humbled before you can be honored.

-It’s just not worth missing out on God’s uncommon favor, and the blessings that come from unity within my sphere of influence. I am going to pay attention to what I magnify! Lord you are bigger than any problem I’m facing, and I know you will give me the grace to avoid strife. If I have to confront something, I’ll do it in love. I’ll do it with your grace and mercy. I will not focus on myself or what my flesh desires, but what you desire in each situation.”

My beloved, Proverbs 23:3 says, “It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” Let’s make a conscious decision to bring agreement and unity to our relationships. You can disagree with someone and not argue with them. You can disagree and still love them. Don’t ruin friendships, marriages, and other significant relationships over your personal opinions and beliefs. Relationships and peace is more important than getting into strife. No one wins an argument. It always causes strife, and we end up missing out on an increase of wisdom, honor, and God’s uncommon favor. “Pay attention to what you magnify!” I love you all! PV