Category: Video-Devotions

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Ascended Mountain – Part 2

Ascension Day commemorates Jesus’ ascension to Heaven on the 40th day that He ministered to His disciples after His resurrection (Mk 16:19, Lk 24:51, Ac 1:9-11). This Holy day is usually held on a Thursday and will be officially celebrated in several countries this year on May 13th.

Ascension Day is not an official federal holiday in the U. S. But many Christians, especially Catholics, are faithful to acknowledge and celebrate it.

It is a wonderful time to thank God for the invitation and provision to live an ascended life with Christ on earth and beyond. Of course, this kind of life is done in active submission to His gracious Spirit and Word by faith.

Recently, our Lord revealed to me, during quiet time, that He has many of His proven leaders on the mountaintop right now, who have been prepared secretly and are now ready, willing and able to fulfill divine assignments with Him. These are assignments that have been revealed and promised years ago and have felt like a long time coming. 

God has come alongside these high-performance individuals, who went deep with Him in intimate devotion during past years of intense persecution, to help them hit their mark and go long in this now season of super-abundance to help others.

These transformed, titan-like leaders, who were developed by God in the hidden place, are now refreshed, filled and equipped by Holy Spirit to be launched farther into their destiny to impact nations with His explosive grace-power.

Think miracles.

Think Great Commission with the power of Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which was given 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection (Ac 1:8, 2:4; Mk 16:20). 

Are you one of God’s titan-leaders?

Dictionary.com defines a titan as “A person or thing of enormous size, strength, power, influence, etc.” or “… a two-stage, liquid-fueled…intercontinental ballistic missile…designed for launch from underground silos.

Interesting, too, is that titan is the root word for titanium, a lightweight and noncorrosive metal alloy used in the production of strong, heavy duty, high quality aircraft and ship parts, as well as in surgical repairs for fractures (Dictionary.com). The scientific sign for titanium is “Ti,” which has an atomic number of 22.

The number 22 is also the Biblical reference for personal revelation.

So, by coming more into God’s truths, God’s titans have been delivered from issues that once weighed them down to then help others take up their positions to soar and sail through their God-ordained missions of life. 

Think Peter, who received and preached Christ’s truth to the point of seeing miracles manifest after denying Jesus three times (Ac 2-3, Jn 18:15-27). Because, like Peter, these leaders have been made lighter and freer in Christ, they are able to express and lead others into the true power and authority of God by sharing His Word and Spirit to free them from any catch-22 disorder so they can move onward in life (Ac 3:1-10).

Isaiah 22:22 AMPC says, “And the key of the house of David I will lay upon his shoulder; he shall open and no one shall shut, he shall shut and no one shall open.”

Just as Nehemiah was given permission to return to the land of his ancestors (Jerusalem) to lead a supernaturally-powered rebuilding of city gates and walls with God as an act of worship, so too will God use His titans to complete projects that have weighed heavily on their hearts (Ne 2, Ps 122:3 MSG). 

God is sending them out to work, produce maximum value and finish jobs for Kingdom’s sake (Jn 17:4).

I love what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:4 ESV, which was that “…he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but…we will live with him by the power of God.”

So, friends, the way to this higher power is through humility. 

Throughout scripture, we see that high places point to God meeting His appointed leaders with provision for miraculous work.

Acts 2 reveals the story of Pentecost, which occurred 50 days after Christ’s resurrection in the Upper Room, 10 days after His ascension and on the same day that Moses received God’s written Word on two tablets after he ascended Mount Sinai 1470 years earlier (Ex 24:12, 31:18).

Acts 2:2-3 in the TPT version say, in reference to the Upper Room experience, that “Suddenly they heard the sound of a violent blast of wind rushing into the house from out of the heavenly realm. The roar of the wind was so overpowering it was all anyone could bear! Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes…”

Friends, what Kingdom assignments will you fulfill by God’s miraculous dunamis power of atomic proportions (2 Co 13:4, Strong’s #1411)? What strategies has our Lord revealed to you on your mountaintop sanctuary as He has equipped you with His very life and breath for your assignments (Matt 4:4, He 4:12, Jn 20:22)? 

Whatever it is, go forward in Him and with Him to do the work of His Kingdom, always remembering that Jesus is alive and is the same yesterday, today and forever (Jn 17:4, He 13:8). His faithfulness reaches to the skies (Ps 108:4).

As His titan-leaders, if we remain submitted to our Lord, we can’t miss, even as we launch out into “the remotest places on earth” (Ac 1:8 TPT, 2 Sa 22:22).

This is God’s reward of expanse in Kingdom-building (2 Sa 22:20).

And for all of this, we thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen (2 Co 1:20 NLT).

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Ascended Mountain – Part 1

Friends, we serve a resurrected, ascended, seated and glorified Christ, who constantly intercedes for us from Heaven and is with us on earth in Spirit to empower us.

Who could ask for more?

The same Christ who makes Himself known to us and instructs us in our valleys is the same Christ who meets us on the mountaintop to set us above our enemies.

It’s where God, as Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, brings us to the end of our suffering and lifts us overcomers to a new beginning as His strong leaders.

It’s where God’s provision of refreshing, understanding and strategy meets His faithful climbers to bring rest, definition and expansion (Josh. 15:5).

It’s a vantage point as God sees and releases His fresh vision and new wine to us. 

A pinnacle of truth, where our souls align even more with His reality of reconciliation.

A place to know Him beyond tombs of darkness and to begin new Kingdom work in His glorious light (Ps 97:11 TPT). 

And it can draw an army.

It did for Jesus.

They were called His disciples and apostles.

Saints.

His forgiven ones. 

Redeemed.

Made even stronger in Him as they devoted themselves to Jesus for worship that included faithful actions of service.

Matthew 5:1 AMPC reveals that Jesus, “SEEING THE crowds…went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him.”

They seemed to understand the song of ascent in Psalm 121:1-2 TPT, which say, “I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help. But then I realize that our true help and protection is only from the Lord, our Creator who made the heavens and the earth.”

Jesus helped His disciples ascend to help others ascend—by walking out the Great Commission empowered by Holy Spirit, as He instructed them after His resurrection (Ac 1:1-10, Matt 28:18-20, Judges 4:9-10).

Acts 1:2-3 TPT reveal that “Just before he ascended into heaven, Jesus left instructions through the Holy Spirit for the apostles he had chosen. After the sufferings of his cross, Jesus appeared alive many times to these same apostles over a forty-day period, proving to them with many convincing signs that he had been resurrected. During these encounters, he taught them the truths of God’s kingdom.”

A study note for Acts 1:3 in the TPT Bible says, “Spiritual fruit and power” are the signs to the world that we have been spiritually resurrected.

Therefore, it’s important that we are progressively active in our faith, like the apostles and even like Deborah, who once sat and ruled as a judge, then sent Word for others to march into battle, then got up and went with an army herself to fight from victory (Judges 4:5-6, 10).

So, friends, “Who, then, is allowed to ascend the mountain of Yahweh? And who has the privilege of entering into God’s Holy Place” (Ps 24:3 TPT)?

The truth is God’s born-again believers, whose confidence is in God because of the finished, gracious work of our Lord Jesus. By His powerful grace from on high and from within, we can live out our redemption process beyond resurrection life into an ascended life, just like Jesus and His leaders. 

The way there is to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior and His truths as commands for life, as we trust and obey them.

To live an ascended life with Christ is for our benefit and the benefit of His Kingdom-at-large, because He can be in more places than one by His Glorified Holy Spirit in us as we devote ourselves to serving Him.

1 Timothy 3:16 TPT tells us, “For the mystery of righteousness is beyond all question! He was revealed as a human being, and as our great High Priest in the Spirit! Angels gazed upon him as a man and the glorious message of his kingly rulership is being preached to the nations! Many have believed in him and he has been taken back to heaven, and has ascended into the place of exalted glory in the heavenly realm. Yes, great is this mystery of righteousness!”

In Matthew 13:11-12 TPT Jesus explained, “You’ve been given the intimate experience of insight into the hidden mysteries of the realm of heaven’s kingdom…For whoever has [spiritual knowledge], to him will more be given and he will be furnished richly so that he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

So, friends, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

Thank You for dying on the cross for me. Thank You for Your resurrection and ascended life. Thank You for the promise of Your second coming (Ac 1:11). Thank You for Your Holy Spirit inside of me. Help me to serve you honorably as I devote my life to You. I trust You, the Name above all Names, to lead me to lead others. Show me the way, Lord. 

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen

Friends, may we always remember that our “…help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth” (Ps 121:1-2 AMPC) as we co-labor, rule and reign with Him.

And now I pray “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ep 1:17-18 NKJV).

To God be the glory.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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God Our Avenger – Part 2

I love how King David celebrated what surely felt like final victory over all his enemies, including Saul. David sang unto our Lord in 2 Samuel 22:48 NIV, acknowledging that God was the One who avenged him, who put the nations under him.

David must have felt a tremendous relief as God brought completion to this stage of his kingship process, because David, who feared God, was now proven obedient (Ps 34:7).

Herein lies a secret of God’s vindication.

When we follow God to complete obedience, He releases His vindication on our behalf as well as His vengeance on our enemies.

In other words, we need to obediently follow God into 2 Corinthians 10:6 AMPC, which says, “Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete.”

Friends, God has no problem releasing vindication and punishment simultaneously to individuals and nations (De 32:43 AMPC, 1 Pe 2:14 AMPC).

Hebrews 10:30 AMPC says, “For we know Him Who said, Vengeance is Mine [retribution and the meting out of full justice rest with Me]; I will repay [I will exact the compensation], says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge and determine and solve and settle the cause and the cases of His people. [Deut. 32:35, 36.].”

We must never forget that God is a God of complete justice and that He “reserves wrath for His enemies” (Na 1:2 AMPC).

God even wears garments of vengeance.

Isaiah 59:17 AMPC says, “For [the Lord] put on righteousness as a breastplate or coat of mail, and salvation as a helmet upon His head; He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and was clad with zeal [and furious divine jealousy] as a cloak. [Eph. 6:14, 17; I Thess. 5:8.].”

God can use a sword of vengeance to make His point to those disobedient to His Word of authority (Le 26:25 AMPC, Ro 13:1-5). 

And this is not just Old Testament.

Romans 13:4 AMPC reminds us, “For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer.”

Friends, God does not mess around. He has destinies to fulfill in our lives. And He has ways of getting His point across, even to His people.

Hebrews 2:3 AMPC asks us, “How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]? For it was declared at first by the Lord [Himself], and it was confirmed to us and proved to be real and genuine by those who personally heard [Him speak].”

This “great salvation” here is described in 2 Corinthians 5:21 TPT which says, “For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God through our union with him.”

2 Thessalonians 1:8 AMPC confirms that God will “…deal out retribution (chastisement and vengeance) upon those who do not know or perceive or become acquainted with God, and [upon those] who ignore and refuse to obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, friends, we want to be on the side of righteous behavior. As such, not following Jesus is not an option. We are to know God’s truth, know our identity in Him and faithfully act on His precepts and strategies.

We don’t have to worry about the opposition along the way, because God assures us that He will release vengeance on our opposition, even in our promised land, as we courageously obey Him, like Joshua and Caleb (Jo 10:13 AMPC)!

It’s when we act in opposition to God’s ways and stop following Him out of cowardice, or for any other reason, that we should be concerned (Jo 22:23 AMPC).

If you follow Jesus and maintain a fear of God, you will see God’s justice and abundance of promise fulfilled (Pr 9:10 TPT, Ps 94:1 TPT). Like David and Joseph, God will make you known, and you will have your say when God brings completion to your kingship process (2 Sa 22, Ge 45).  

So, friends, let’s be encouraged by and trust in God’s truth of Word and Spirit.

Vengeance is actually a time of God restoring order, of “rendering full justice or satisfaction” (Lk 21:22 AMPC, Is 26:9). As such, this is cause for the vindicated to rejoice.

Revelation 18:20 AMPC instructs us to, “Rejoice (celebrate) over her, O heaven! O saints (people of God) and apostles and prophets, because God has executed vengeance for you upon her! [Isa. 44:23; Jer. 51:48.].”

So, don’t give up, friends. Keep moving forward in your divine assignments. Just as God can send His avenging angel to His enemies, He can send an army of angels to help vindicate you, like King David (1 Ch 12:22).

So, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your righteous justice. You tell me in 1 Chronicles 12:22 AMPC that “day by day men kept coming to David to help him, until there was a great army, like the army of God.” You instruct me, Lord, in Proverbs 12:22 TPT to “Live in the truth and keep” my “promises, and” You “will keep delighting in” me. You say that You detest “a liar.” 

So, Lord, I thank You that You are no respecter of persons and that You say those who fear you lack nothing (Ps 34:9). I ask You to help me keep my promises to You by sending me a great army to help me run my race and complete Your assignments in my life. Strengthen me, Spirit of Grace, to be unwavering and faithful as You are faithful (Ps 26:1). 

Thank You for freeing me from the burden of vengeance and for bringing completion to this kingship process in my life as You have established me to live out divine rulership with You. “…O God, You to Whom vengeance belongs, shine forth” (Ps 94:1 AMPC)!

Pour out Your Spirit on the earth today as revelation-light to pierce the conscience of the wicked as we worship You (Ps 94:1 TPT, Pr 9:10 TPT). Thank You for sending Your Son to be pierced for our transgressions (Is 53:5).

Thank You, Lord, for vindicating “me by Your mighty strength and power” (Ps 54:1).

In Jesus’ Name.

Amen

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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God Our Avenger – Part 1

During dedicated quiet time with our Lord, Holy Spirit revealed to me that He is pouring out His Spirit to right some wrongs as our Avenger. One of our inheritances that He highlighted to me is deliverance from evil as it concerns relationships (Matt 6:13). 

This involves God’s judgment on both sides: vindication for the righteous and punishment for the wicked. As we believe God judges righteously and justly, we can agree with Him to receive His vindication His way.

He will surely bring it. 

As God pours out His Spirit, salvation increases. Not solely for new converts; but for all born again believers, who are willing to experience more victory in their lives. 

Jeremiah 1:19 AMPC says, “And they shall fight against you, but they shall not [finally] prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you.”

Since God’s salvation can mean deliverance from destruction into safety and prosperity (Strong’s #4991), we can, therefore, agree with our Lord to complete this promise in our lives. 

In 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 TPT, Paul tells us, “For all of God’s promises find their ‘yes’ of fulfillment in him. And as his ‘yes’ and our ‘amen’ ascend to God, we bring him glory! Now, it is God himself who has anointed us. And he is constantly strengthening both you and us in union with Christ. He knows we are his since he has also stamped his seal of love over our hearts and has given us the Holy Spirit like an engagement ring is given to a bride—a down payment of the blessings to come!”

According to the TPT Bible study notes, this seal that God places over our hearts is a “seven-fold seal.” This “seven-fold seal” is revealed as such: 

  1. A seal of security, sealed tightly and kept secure in God’s love (Deut. 32:34; Job 14:17; Matt. 27:66).
  2. A seal of authentication that marks us as God’s very own (1 Kings 21:8; Est. 8:10; John 6:27)
  3. A seal to certify genuineness (Est. 8:8, 10; John 3:33)
  4. A seal of ownership (Neh. 10:1; Jer. 32:44; 2 Cor. 1:22)
  5. A seal of approval (Eph. 1:13–14)
  6. A seal of righteousness (Rom. 4:11)
  7. A seal denoting a promise to be fulfilled (2 Cor. 5:5; Eph. 1:13–14; 4:30).

So, friends, we are marked and sealed as God’s very own. He is jealous for us and He won’t miss it on our behalf. 

God will not have His plans thwarted. He promises to respond with a vengeance toward those who act wickedly.

Holy scripture is clear that even God’s people can thwart His promises in their lives. They can even cut their lives short on earth by sinning against God in a way that He would judge accordingly (Pr 10:27, Ps 78:33). 

Think Moses (Ac 7:24, De 1:37).

The wrongful shedding of blood works counter to the blood that our Savior Jesus shed to restore us to His righteousness. Therefore, crooked mockeries do not go unnoticed.

Throughout scripture, God deals with murder as The Avenger, where He makes Himself known to both sides—to the righteous and to the wicked (Je 46:10 AMPC). 

The righteous, who have trusted God’s judgment in their matters, will surely see their vindication come to pass, as God punishes their opposition.

In Numbers 11:23 CEV, “The Lord answered, ‘I can do anything. Watch and you’ll see my words come true.'” 

Thankfully, God delivers us from pressing times and from pressing relationships—from those who willfully operate with the enemy of our souls to cause us harm. He delivers us from the gossip, slander and envy that work together to oppose God’s virtue of discretion to murder a person’s reputation and sound mind. 

God is able to send His avenging angel (1 Ch 21:27 AMPC). And He may avenge quickly or slowly (Lk 18:7-8 AMPC, 2 Pe 3:15 AMPC). 

So, if you feel like your vindication has been a long time coming, know that our Lord has due times for His vengeance (Rev 11:18). God will not forget. He is always with us (Matt 28:20). And He has an abundance of blessing stored up for us. 

2 Thessalonians 1:5 TPT reminds us that “…God’s judgment is always perfect and is intended to make you worthy of inheriting the kingdom of God, which is why you are going through these troubles.”

So, friends, we can rest assured that God is working to complete our rescue. He will bring His fulfillment of righteous and just judgment on our behalf. We will come to know Him as God our Avenger in profound, life-changing ways.

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, 

Thank You that “Through” You, Lord, “we will do valiantly, For it is” You “who shall tread down our enemies” (Ps 60:12 NKJV). “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance…” (Ps 32:7 NKJV). Please always keep me on the side of righteousness. Help me enter into Your promises as I follow You completely (De 1:36 NLT). I trust You. Thank You, Lord, for settling my heart’s matters. Thank You for establishing me in Your fulfillment of promises. In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

To God be the glory. 

Amen.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Biblical Self-Love by Guest Writer Barbara Latta

Friends, we live in a world where self-love is perpetuated in various forms of media. We may feel pressured to live up to other people’s expectations or accomplishments as the world around us attempts to define us.

Social media, entertainment, and peer pressure can determine our view of life if we allow these attitudes to penetrate our minds. 

If we use the measuring stick of comparison.

Voices such as “I’m not good enough,” “I don’t measure up,” or “I never do anything right” have often tormented my thoughts. 

But The Lord revealed to me through His Word that when we view other people through the rose-colored glasses of perfection while examining ourselves through a microscope that magnifies every fault, we are not behaving wisely. 

“We do not have the audacity to put ourselves in the same class or compare ourselves with some who [supply testimonials to] commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they lack wisdom and behave like fools” (2 Co 10:12 AMP).

Beloved friends, when we focus on self to the point of comparing our lives with another person, we are saying we want to become like they are. 

The world’s method of personal improvement conveys selfishness, because the goal is to make oneself better so others will approve. 

God wants us to respect ourselves, but we should use His guidelines and not societal and cultural attitudes. When we learn to regard ourselves biblically, we also receive the ability to accept others in an unselfish way. 

The Almighty doesn’t compare us to other people. So why should we? Why would we place life’s value on another fallen soul’s standards when we have our heavenly Father’s perfect eyes that see us through the lens of the blood of Jesus? 

We are each unique and created with a plan from our Creator. When we live in an unworthy mindset, we do not regard the power of the sacrifice of Christ.

Jesus gave us an inheritance. The gifts He put inside us are for us to use to expand His kingdom and do His works. But we can’t do this if our thoughts are on defeat and unworthiness.

We also don’t want to allow our past to define us. Our Lord tells us He has restored the years the locust has eaten (Jl 2:25). That old life is gone, and our present life and future are bright and victorious through Christ. 

“By living in God, love has been brought to its full expression in us so that we may fearlessly face the day of judgment, because all that Jesus now is, so are we in this world” (1 Jn 4:17). 

In this world, we are as He says we are. 

The reflection of a mirror shows us what we need to know about our appearance. We find out if our hair is combed or if our clothes are straight. 

Likewise, The Bible shows us God’s viewpoint. We can look through His mirror, which is His Word. This living letter reflects who we are in Christ when we have been born again. 

We are not who the world says we are. We are not who a confused mind tells us we are. We are not our past. We are who our Father says we are. We love the person He made us to be by agreeing with what His Word says.

So, here are five points to consider:

God sees us as righteous: “For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with him” (2 Co 5:21TPT).

God sees us as holy: “For He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose]” (2 Ti 1:9a AMP).

God sees us as His children: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 Jn 3:1 NKJV).

God sees us as pure: “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (1 Jn 3:3 NKJV).

God sees us as heirs: “So as a gift of his love, and since we are faultless—innocent before his face—we can now become heirs of all things, all because of an overflowing hope of eternal life” (Ti 3:7 TPT). 

Precious sisters, when the King of the universe elevates us to queenly status, what other opinion matters? The One who was willing to sacrifice Himself for us tells us that we are more valuable to Him than anything else (Mt 10:31).

He adores us so much He made us to be like Him. 

When our Father looks at us, He sees the perfect Spirit of Christ Who dwells in our hearts, not our soulish or physical flaws. 

When we diminish the desire to be like another person and replace that attitude with the longing to be like Christ, we will live in biblical self-love.

Barbara Latta is a true southerner and is transplanted from Arkansas to Georgia. She writes a monthly column in her local newspaper, contributes to devotional websites and has stories in several anthologies. She is the author of God’s Maps, Stories of Inspiration and Direction for Motorcycle Riders. She enjoys traveling with her Harley-riding prince on his motorcycle, taking in the creativity of nature. Drinking coffee on the patio while the sun comes up is her favorite time of day. Barbara shares about walking in grace and thriving in hope on her blog, Navigating Life’s Curves. She cherishes her role in life as a wife, a mom to two grown sons, and Mimi to one granddaughter.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.