Decision-Making Strategies

God can turn our lives around when we earnestly repent, which means to turn back to Him. And no one is too far gone.

God can regenerate dead things. We were dead in our sin, but He came down and rescued us through Jesus (Co 2:13).

Jesus even revived Lazarus, who was dead (Jn 11:43-44). And when He did, He restored all of life to him, including his relationships. Jesus brought those close to Lazarus to a new level of gratitude and awe. And He expanded their evangelical outreach.

Very recently, Holy Spirit revealed to me that He’s about to do some Lazarus revivals in people’s lives. As we continue to depend upon God, many will witness His miraculous hand bringing dead things to life again.

God has positioned us before some amazing new beginnings, so it’s important to make wise choices. Our willingness and decisions that align with Him help facilitate His strategies.

However, for anyone who thinks they can just live irresponsibly and God will erase the effects of their poor decisions by His grace, they are unaware of God’s law of reciprocity. God’s truth is that we reap what we sow.

Yes, when our beliefs and actions oppose God’s way, they will also return upon our own heads. When this happens, we can turn to God and He will be there to restore us. But perhaps you’ve figured out that God’s restoration often takes decades. So, who would want to live a messed-up life this long?

I’ve viewed countless videos and shows where guests talk about lousy decisions they’ve made and how God redeemed their lives over time; but not once have I heard any of them specifically say that they brought their consequences on themselves.

This is a blow to the ego to even consider that we brought “it” on ourselves. And that’s the whole point: The truth of humility breaks false pride—the same kind of pride that caused Heaven’s most glorious angel, Lucifer, to fall.

So, when we make ungodly decisions, we cannot point a finger at anyone else, lest we memorialize ourselves as victims, the very opposite of victorious. What we do to other people comes back to us. In this way, we can perpetuate a victim cycle of our own doing in our own lives.

Do you see how desperately in need of Jesus we are? And at some point, we must awaken to who and what our God is and intentionally commit to Him and His ways consistently.

I recall a time in my own life, many years ago, when I was experiencing a long, dark night of the soul season. I asked God what was at the root of it all. He revealed a few specific actions in a previous season that brought heaviness into my then current season. I listened to His still, small voice, as He clearly listed a few root causes to me, one by one. And I understood Him perfectly.

Yes, I repented of each sinful cause, but God’s restoration for me was slow, deep and consistent over time. He knows how to correct and restore lasting character in us, so we don’t keep making the same mistakes.

Anytime we think we can get away with doing life our way and still be blessed by God, we are mistaken. The result of living this way is powerlessness, because God and His power are not in it.

If we want to walk in the righteousness and justice of God, we must align with Him by being open vessels to Him and His ways, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. We must decide to follow Him in Spirit and truth. Anything less than faithfulness is sin and will prove to be fruitless (Ro 14:23).

If you look up the Word “fruitless,” you will find it’s actually a type of destitution. It occurs when we leave our very Life Source (who is God), out of our decisions. Simply put, our way alone will not profit much, if at all (Jn 6:63). Ever. So, basically, not yielding to God’s ways produces a very limited yield. In God’s eyes, it’s literally counted as a no good, lifeless waste. God’s Word clearly tells us that we are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Ho 4:6).

I love the command that our Lord spoke through Joshua, which is, “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped . . . and serve the Lord. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Jos 24:14-15 NIV).

So, our decisions matter. God cares and is watching. He longs for us to draw near to Him and live out His strategies, even for our own benefit. When we seek Him, He’s faithful to lavish us with His wisdom. He will be overjoyed that we want to work with Him. He will meet us there and share His best life with us and Himself as our greatest love.

To God be the glory.

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

Keeping Secrets

I love that God reveals Himself and His secrets to us. I’ve learned that keeping them or sharing them depends on the wisdom of God in regards to purpose, people, approach and timing.

When I think of the secret that Mary, the mother of Jesus, carried and the responsibility of such divine purpose, I can barely imagine it. The life or death level of obedience that was required of her to deliver God’s big promise to the world amid threatening surroundings must’ve felt impossible at times. Not knowing exactly what would happen next, as she fled to safety, surely caused her to cling to God even more.

And, just like with Mary, God sometimes keeps details that threaten us from us.

In my own life, I’ve learned that God, in His kindness, will reveal elements of life to me to set my heart on His righteous expectations. It’s more than a holy gesture and an outreach of love. It’s His guidance for divine protection and provision to the point of life over death. It’s to help keep my focus on Him so I keep the faith and make righteous decisions amid chaos.

Even when Jesus grew up and began His ministry, as we know it in the mysterious Gospels, His identity was relatively hidden from the world until it was time for it to be fully revealed. Father God knew the impact and persecution His Son would have as He was increasingly presented to the world. Every marker was graciously timed and purposed.

Likewise, when God prepares us to enter into our destinies, He prepares us for new beginnings. Only after we’ve entered into a thing do we receive the sustaining grace to be developed and established in it. If you’ve ever gotten married, you know what I mean. It’s a process that happens progressively. This is why we feel like we don’t have all the answers to accomplish a thing at the forefront. It’s a trust walk above fear, where God reveals His secrets to us as we walk with Him. He also keeps secrets for a time along the way (Lk 24:16). But He has us the whole way.

When I think of Ruth, I’m reminded, especially of her courage to keep choosing life after death for a new beginning, to keep moving forward when all seemed lost. I think of the wise guidance God provided for her through Naomi and the faith it must’ve taken for her to keep believing, to keep heading into a new land to find a new life. I think of the growth and level of spiritual maturity it surely required and the days of gritty work. But the beauty of it all is that God graciously worked on her behalf the whole time to provide a kinsman-redeemer as she kept moving closer to Him daily.

Likewise, every day that we choose faith as we live our lives, God is working on our behalves to bring us into new life and greater life. As we trust Him and move with Him, He will show us which way to go, leading us to safety and fulfillment of His purpose alongside Him. The secrets we hold in our hearts fuel us. The ones He reveals to us in the secret place.

When I think of Esther, and how she risked her life approaching the king to save a nation of people. How so much was plotted against her and them. But how God took care of them all—protecting and working to give Esther overflow favor for her obedience, as she risked her life for divine purpose beyond herself.

When I drill down into Luke 8:17, I see the core of Esther’s story. The ESV says, “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.”

The word “hidden” here means “secret parts, inward nature (character),” according to Strong’s (#2927). The word “secret” in this verse means stored up and treasured (Strong’s #614).

So, from the purposed time Esther entered into and served out her role as queen, God secretly developed her character, revealed His treasure and pierced the darkness with His light (Es 7:10). God’s priority was the purity of gold and it prevailed. So, where the mixture of Vashti was banished, Esther aligned with God and reigned victorious (Es 1:19, 8:15).

Like Esther and Ruth and Mary and Jesus, we can carry God’s secret plan and make decisions that align with His will (Ro 16:25 NLT). When we know God’s secret, we can rise in His strength of truth in the midst of impurities and let Him graciously work it all out for His Glory. And we can trust Him in the areas we don’t yet understand, remembering that He makes everything beautiful in its time (Ec 3:11).

Pray with me if you will . . .

Dear Lord,

Thank You for choosing me to carry Your purposed secrets. I embrace Your ways and choose to take courage to step out into Your Kingdom assignments for Your Glory. Help me to steward Your secrets wisely, with great honor to You. Thank You for revealing Your wisdom and “remarkable secrets” to me that I didn’t know about things to come (Jer 33:3 NLT).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen.

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

Decision Words

Recently, Holy Spirit showed me the Words “Decision Words” and “strategy traits” in visions. So, as I began to prayerfully research the Words, this is what He led me to see:  

A decision can be an act or a process but either way, discernment is involved in decision making, such as a judgment in a courtroom. Decision can also mean a determination of victory by a score and not a knock-out, such as in boxing. The Word “Decision” stems from a Latin word that literally means “a cutting off” (Dictionary.com).

I’ll pause here and say, if you’re into metaphors, like I am, you’re already beginning to see some of the interpretation.

In Holy Scripture, the Word “decision” can mean firmly decided (or fixed) by God (Job 14:5). It can mean “destined for completion” by God (Is 10:22 AMP). It can mean to act in agreement with and submission to God’s decisions in battle (2 Sa 5:24). And it can reference something that has been separated out or cut away as a distinction of what is and is not acceptable to God (Ex 11:7). 

According to Strong’s, decision means to “sharpen” or “point sharply.” it means “to be alert, to decide” and to “move” promptly.

When we think about it, isn’t this what the Word of God does for us? And aren’t we, as arrows, purposed to be alert and move swiftly to hit the mark?

Hebrews 4:12 NIV tells us that “… the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

I believe that God will continue to demonstrate His delineation of good from evil in nations and individuals to the point that He will allow His law of reciprocity to work as He completes a work in each (Joel 3:14, Ph 1:6). 

I believe we will see that God is just and merciful and has compassion on those He chooses, according Romans 9:14-18.

I believe there are those of faith and noble character, like Ruth, who will go forward and be aligned and re-mantled with a restored covenant inheritance, as God reinstates borders, priorities and provision for those who continue to walk with Him.

Therefore, for new life, it’s important to align our thoughts, attitudes and words with the mind of Christ and the Word of God, quickly discerning good from evil and making Godly decisions. According to Hebrews 5:4 AMP, our senses are trained by this practice.

There are powerful and purposed strategies Holy Spirit has already given to us and specifics that He is revealing now and forward. Like Naomi, who was a wise and enduring strategist, they will help keep us aligned with Him, as we keep step with Him.

So, for those whose character has been marked by God, it’s time to receive His plans for next assignments and draw them up. It’s time to make firm decisions to commit to them. Because God is turning up the spotlight on His people as beacons to multitudes. 

Holy Spirit highlighted Proverbs 12:22 TPT, which says, “Live in the truth and keep your promises, and the Lord will keep delighting in you…” Through our active faith is how we please Him. 

“You will be learning some new things as you go,” says The Lord. “But I will be with you and help you learn them fast.” 

So, as we step out to boldly carry them out, His power will work through us and He will reveal more. The sequence He showed me in this process is “Decisions, wisdom, strategy, management and victory” in this order. 

Also, we are to pray for God to give us the right words, to speak boldly and travel equipped, as described in Ephesians 6:11 NLT, which says, “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”

God’s armor pieces for us are His “strategy traits.” His purposed plan and qualities, His direction and wisdom for victory in movements (Ep 6:13-19 NLT). 

In all of this, I am reminded of Romans 9:23 NIV, which asks, “What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory?”

Pray with me, if you will . . . 

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for Your rich mercy and truth that brings change. Please reveal more of Your strategies to me and strengthen me to commit to them. Help me to walk closely with You, to align tactically and swiftly with You (2 Sa 5:24). Thank You for redeeming my life on earth as it is in Heaven, for delivering me into Your promise of a blessed future (Je 29:11).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen.

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

Magnificent Joy

My husband and I went to see The Journey movie during Holy Week. I was deeply moved by the scenery, the music and the theme of the film. It seemed obvious to me that this once-in-a-lifetime journey that renown singer, Andrea Bocelli, and his wife, Veronica, embarked on was a bucket list item, especially for him.

And I was glad they shared it with us. 

The cinematography brought back memories of traveling through Rome. And the magnificence of God’s mountains and miles of vast open spaces was overwhelming, as was the musical talent. 

Much of the bucolic areas looked like they could be any number of places I’ve driven to or lived in the U. S. And I loved how each person brought an excellence of beauty everywhere they went, including to the ruins and memorials. 

I could see humility and gratitude expressed in different ways, from the first-time horseback riders, through the reuniting of family, to the race to reach home in the final stretch. Even in the delightful, intimate garden party that awaited them.

Wherever they traveled, they offered a message of “You are not forgotten.”

And I believe this is what our Lord would have us know today. 

He realizes the journey has felt long and hard for so many. But even so, He sees that they have glorified Him along the way. He sees that they’ve gotten back on their horses day-by-day to complete their missions.

And He gave us His magnificent joy as our strength.

To this point, our Lord gave me a divine appointment during this film. It involved an elderly woman, who sat beside me in the theater. 

Since the show was sold out with assigned seating, she and her two adult children could not get seats together. So, she sat beside me, and her family members sat in the row in front of us. 

The film began before this family showed up, and I was so caught up in the movie, it took me a moment to realize God put her there on purpose. 

What could have been a distraction was actually God’s direction to draw my attention to her. So, when she and her family blocked my view of the screen upon arrival, I glanced and smiled. When her phone went off, I glanced and smiled. When she needed help to recline her chair, I glanced and smiled and helped her. 

Once the woman got my attention, I noticed how much she enjoyed the film. I saw her deep, abiding joy. The music and scenery were so meaningful to her that she would hold her hand over her heart and gently shake her head. I saw deep longing on her face fulfilled.

My eyes teared to see this woman’s heart.

I wondered if she was a widow. I wondered if she was Catholic, like the Bocellis. I wondered what her story was, what her journey had been like. But since we couldn’t really talk during the film, I could only appreciate the part God allowed me to see in the little bit of light we had. 

And I came away changed. And this, I believe, is the biggest point. 

That God would move in the hearts of viewers to see something more, something magnificent that would stir us to move beyond where we’ve been and outside of ourselves. 

I believe God has some new relationships for many and that the ones we currently have are being enriched each day as we travel together along the path He has for us. 

Andrea and Veronica Bocelli readily admit in interviews that they could not have accomplished their dream journey without the help of several skilled and equipped travelers.

And neither can we. 

In a follow-up interview, Veronica said that, initially, she wasn’t sure she could complete this 200-mile journey on horseback and that, looking back, she wishes she would have enjoyed the journey more. She said that she learned a lesson about holding onto faith to complete the journey. 

And isn’t this what we can conclude when we look back at some of our own challenging assignments? That God With Us (Immanuel) offers us a magnificent joy to sustain us.

In this light, I am reminded of and encouraged by what Pastor Jack Hayford describes in his book A New Time and A New Place saying, “The summons to us in the Word of God is so magnificent. Let’s determine together to move toward a simple, humble relationship with our Savior, removed from . . . self-centeredness.”

He says that “this place of abundance and rest” is out there and that “it’s shaping itself right now on the horizon.” He says our “Lord is looking for open-hearted, obedient men and women who will stay in His [harvest] field, walk in His way, and believe that, in Him, today can be dramatically different from yesterday.”

I believe that can happen for you and me. 

Just as our Lord re-ignited that elderly woman’s heart when she looked upon a more beautiful place and time, God is taking us to a new and better assignment we’ve never had before.

We can learn from Veronica and hold onto faith and enjoy His magnificence in the journey. 

To God be the glory. 

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

A New Song

Lately, I’ve been caught up in a book by Pastor Jack Hayford titled, A New Time and A New Place: Practical Truth for Personal Growth from the Book of Ruth

Ruth has long been one of my favorite Bible characters. But as I read Pastor Jack’s commentary, I learned something I’d never seen, which is this: 

When Ruth’s late father-in-law (and Naomi’s late husband), Elimelech, departed with his family from Bethlehem in search of provision during a famine, by default, he departed from God’s provision. 

As the story goes, Bethlehem means “the house of Bread.” It was the area, in which God had ordained Elimelech to be blessed. But Elimelech didn’t trust God at His Word to provide during what seemed impossible. So, Elimelech sought provision his own way and went outside of God’s boundaries of blessing to Moab. And, like all unbelief (sin), his own actions ended in death.

God knew what would happen to this family. He saw their end and their new beginning; and He kept His best provision for them in Bethlehem the whole time.

In His mercy and grace, God had a new song for Elimelech’s survivors. As Pastor Jack puts it, God “seeks what was lost and redeems what was forsaken.”

So, God worked through Elimelech’s wife, Naomi, to turn her back to the “house of Bread,” and Ruth was determined to go with her. I believe God put that determination in Ruth, in part, to bless Naomi forward (Ru 4:17).

I also believe God worked in both of their hearts to prepare them long before this pivotal moment, because God will not have His people enter into a prepared, purposed place of blessing unprepared. 

His timing allows for preparation of hearts. 

Just like in 2 Timothy 2:21 TPT, I believe they were “prepared for every good work” God had for them and that He made them instruments for “honorable use.” 

In this light, I believe that, right now, God is clearly and outwardly delineating those, who have come away from what is dishonorable, and is aligning them for honorable use.

I believe God is leading His submitted ones, like Ruth and Naomi, to align with those who worship Him in truth, like Boaz, and that this is imminent (Is 58:7).

Song of Songs 2:10-13 TPT describe this calling poetically by saying:

The one I love calls to me:

Arise, my dearest. Hurry, my darling. 

Come away with me! 

I have come as you have asked

to draw you to my heart and lead you out.

For now is the time, my beautiful one.

The season has changed,

the bondage of your barren winter has ended,

and the season of hiding is over and gone.

The rains have soaked the earth 

and left it bright with blossoming flowers. 

The season for singing and pruning the vines has arrived. 

I hear the cooing of doves in our land, 

filling the air with songs to awaken you

and guide you forth.

Can you not discern this new day of destiny

breaking forth around you?

The early signs of my purposes and plans

are bursting forth. 

The budding vines of new life

are now blooming everywhere.

The fragrance of their flowers whispers,

“There is change in the air.”

Arise, my love, my beautiful companion,

and run with me to the higher place.

For now is the time to arise and come away with me.

Naomi and Ruth hearkened to God’s call. 

Their heart-walk of true repentance unfolded one step at a time as they wisely stepped forward in faith, believing God still had provision in His house of Bread for them. They believed God’s Word and He ordered the steps of these prepared women right into their prepared setting (1 Co 2:9).

Their full-circle return to God’s way proved exponentially fruitful and went beyond themselves. This is what He has for us, too, when we return more fully to Him and His provision His way.

In Ruth and Naomi’s story, we see a commitment to obedience. And blessing was their reward. Their story lives on with a legacy that extends beyond even today. 

It’s marked by Isaiah 58:11 TPT, which says, “Yahweh will always guide you where to go and what to do. He will fill you with refreshment even when you are in a dry, difficult place. He will continually restore strength to you, so you will flourish like a well-watered garden and like an ever-flowing, trustworthy spring of blessing.

Their story reminds us that survivors are to come away from their former existence into the new wine God has for them. It reminds us that He has bread beyond the bread of mourning. It reminds us that God offers us beauty for ashes and true life that will prove greater than man’s deadly reasonings and traditions. 

God has a whole, new family for those who do His will. But it requires integrity of heart, courage and forward movement in His time and wisdom on how to proceed.

It’s for every willing heart that says, “Yes, Lord.”

To God be the glory. 

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