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Seen Well

Right now, God is releasing grace to end our torment and destruction from the last season by bringing us into more of His understanding and truth of what happened.

This fresh perspective offers us greater peace and freedom, as Holy Spirit removes our confusion and un-resolve. In doing so, He’s restoring, preparing and enabling us to move full circle into locations and relationships better and wiser. To move into the new life that He promised. And to pour out His living water through us.

God works to unclog the deep wells of our understanding in different ways.

For example, He gave understanding directly to the suffering prophet, Jeremiah, saying, “You have seen well, for I am [actively] watching over My word to fulfill it” (Je 1:12 AMP). 

In this verse, to have seen (Strong’s #7200) means that Holy Spirit opens our eyes of understanding and gives us sure access to experience and display whatever He reveals to us. This is a key promise, as His governing spiritual laws are set in place to work on our behalves. 

In Acts 8:25-40, the curious and worshipful Ethiopian man, who worked as the minister of finance for the queen of his country, gained understanding through a disciple of Christ.

God sent him Philip, to “walk alongside” him in his journey and help him understand more about the Gospel of grace to the point where he could more fully accept it (vs 29). 

This happened while the man read passages from Isaiah 53, which say:

He was led away to the slaughter like a lamb to be offered. He was like a lamb that is silent before those who sheared him—he never even opened his mouth. In his lowliness justice was stripped away from him. And who could fully express his struggles? For his life was taken from the earth (Ac 8:32-33 TPT; Isaiah 53:7-8).

The Lord touched the Ethiopian man’s heart and sent him Philip, who led him to his confession of faith, baptism and indwelling of Holy Spirit (vs 36-38). 

Acts 8:39 TPT tells us that “The man never saw Philip again and that he returned to Ethiopia full of great joy.” 

So, the complete work of Jesus gave this man a new beginning, as he sought to understand Jesus more, while he traveled full circle, back to the physical location from where he came. 

This is our Gospel of Hope, which is certain to be fulfilled (vs 25).

We can only imagine the reach this man had when he returned to his nation. I wonder how he influenced Ethiopia’s Queen Candace (vs 27).

As in this man’s story, once the door of Christ is opened, Holy Spirit brings understanding, which, by invitation, lifts us out of frustrating limitations into a new attitude. So, we can be freer in Christ and with Christ to run and help others, like Philip.

Jesus is the God of Justice, who gives us beauty for ashes to build His Kingdom, beginning with our salvation. And when we seek Him for greater understanding, He’ll bring it. 

When we receive greater understanding, we can know our Lord better and do better for His Kingdom. 

As a well of understanding, we become fortified to overcome our previous lack of knowledge that worked against us to destroy (Ho 4:6; Is 5:13). And we are re-positioned for rivers of living water to flow through us outwardly.

For the Ethiopian man, it came in the form of a disciple of Jesus, who was directed by The Lord’s angel (Ac 8:26).

For Jeremiah, understanding was given directly by the Word of God (Je 1:4-19).

And God will do the same for us. 

So, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for seeing us and our needs and for sharing Your Spirit of Understanding that knows all things. You command us to get perfect understanding with truth, discernment and wisdom as in Proverbs 4:5. Therefore, we seek You for understanding and invite You to open the eyes of our hearts to see what You would have us see and know right now. What gift of understanding would You like us to experience and display for Your glory? Open Your deep well of understanding Your truths to us, Lord. Help us to apply it and carry out Your mission wisely. Help our unbelief. Thank You for leading us from our certain hope in You to complete fulfillment. Thank You for helping us overcome our lack of knowledge that destroys, thus ending our torment. Thank You for purposely growing us in the knowledge of You and Your Kingdom. May Your rivers of living water pour out of us like a flood at Your will as You order our steps.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen.

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

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Complete Definition

On the morning of October 11, 2022, three days before our Lord relocated me out of state, He gave me this Word. It’s not solely for me but also for those who are willing to hear and receive it by faith. Here is the Word:

We are in a time where those who know Christ as their true power and authority will excel even more. Everyday citizens of Heaven on earth will see God’s explosive power and authority manifest in healings, miracles and deliverances instantaneously and in great measure.

Where the enemy has tried to push back authority in our streets as a visual to intimidate My righteous ones, says The Lord of Hosts, I AM revealing Myself in full-on power and authority through my aligned ones in a rising, the scale of which this world hasn’t seen.

To My people, says The Lord, when the stones start to be thrown, know that Heaven will break open for you even more as conversions happen all around you. Many of the most desperate people, who are caught in impossible snares, will acknowledge My grace and receive freedom.

Those empowered with My truth and love will come on the scene courageously, stand for what is right in My eyes, reach out to others and see it manifest. They will be a witness to those who have deep un-resolve in their hearts toward authority—the ones who exalted their false ways out of fear and envy, says The Lord. As a result, many who didn’t know better will come to know Me and live. Others will self-destruct in their stubbornness.

There is a definitive line between good and evil, says The Lord. I have drawn it and am making it known again. People must choose this day whom they will serve–darkness or light. For I have raised a standard. More than ever, the world will see black and white in a new way. For there is no in-between, says The Lord. To those who are bent towards destruction, there will be no more grace for in-between. It is not about you. It is about Me. It is not about race. It is about running your race with Me. It is not about who is right. It is about My righteousness, says The Lord of Hosts. I AM exalting My righteousness on the earth.

My higher standard will be even more obvious as I make Myself known to this world on a heart level, both to individuals and at large. I will send My beacon-people to those in need of true authority. They will bring the deliverance needed to those who are willing. This move will not be a stretching, like in times past, says The Lord, but will include My righteous expectations and involve a series of definitive and deliberate choices they will now have to make. It will happen in rapid succession. Once choice after the other, they will have to decide whose side they are on: Mine or theirs. Mine or the evil one’s.

Gone is the grace, for those who know better, to torment others. For time is short, says The Lord. Decide this day whom you will serve and live or die by your choices of grace or no grace, as there will be no more in-between allowed for those who know what to do. For I AM cleaning My houses, says the Lord of Hosts. I AM delivering, re-aligning, re-ordering and re-assigning My people. This is a time of honor and exaltation. This is time for Me to be exalted in the earth through those who have aligned with Me as their Love and Truth, their Power and Authority.

Have I not taught you? asks The Lord. Have I not trained you? There has been grace for you to learn a thing. And now, I AM adding speed. I AM increasing velocity to enable you, who choose Me, to soar. Just as My Word does not return void, My straight arrows will hit the mark in this season, as I have restored and equipped them to do so.

This is a time of lift. So, continue to lift Me up in your praises and be lifted. Watch for and experience My joy permeate your entire being, says The Lord. For I come in fullness of Spirit to deliver My promises to My beloved. Watch and see the goodness I do, for you will see My glory fill the earth in a new and fresh way that will awe My beloved and win souls for My glory.

Friends, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your Word that exalts Your nations. Thank You for freeing Your beloved from man’s snares. We choose to hold onto You as You bring Your willing ones where You desire we be at this time. Thank You for remembering us, as You continually go before us and make a way that would be otherwise impossible. We choose to trust You now and forever.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen.

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

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Sweet Devotion

What is devotion?

According to Strong’s, the noun devotion means whatever is honored as “an object of worship” (Strong’s #4574).

Webster’s defines the verb devotion to mean “an act of prayer or private worship” that is marked by dedication and loyalty.

To be a devoted lover of sweet Jesus means to faithfully and irrevocably give ourselves and all that we have to Him. Whatever we devote to Him, including our hearts, He makes holy and increases in value, according to Leviticus chapter 27.

So, God’s kind of devotion is cyclical, as He enriches all that we give to Him.

He is flawlessly committed to us and expresses fidelity to His bride accordingly. As we receive His invitation to commit ourselves to Him we experience His sweet fruit. This means living in submission to all that He is and does.

This Heavenly marriage-devotion is beautifully expressed by King David’s prayer in Psalm 61, where he “relies on the Lord’s promises to support his throne” (Hayford Bible Handbook). In verse 5 of the TPT version, he says, “You have heard my sweet resolutions to love and serve you, for I am your beloved. And you have given me an inheritance of rich treasures, which you give to all your devoted lovers.”

Many of God’s faithful ones, who have been stretched for a season, have kept the faith, found God in the midst and are now being rewarded outwardly. They are beginning to be released into their next assignments. Everywhere I look, they are starting and growing marriages, families, ministries and more.

They found victory deep in the valley and are now finding it in the outward expanse. They learned how to overcome, how to align with God Most High in big and small situations behind the scenes.

They laid down fear and bitterness and learned to trust in God’s truth, His promises. They learned to put higher choices into practice in new areas and have increasingly become the head (and not the tail).

They have grown in holiness, and especially in patience. They learned to “live each day with holy awe and reverence” (1 Pe 1:17). They found hope and fixed it onto God’s greater grace. They were reformed by Him, made stronger in Him and are now able to extend fresh expressions of hope to others.

Their joy is being made full, as they move further into God’s purposes now.

Some, however, have messes to go back and clean up. This is a kind of repentance, a rededication to resurrection life in specific areas. But even these beloved ones can be encouraged, because in this accelerated season, it may not take as long as some think.

These saints have the advantage of hindsight and redemptive grace. Their rewards have not been thwarted. They are simply waiting on the other side of clean-up. Also, the timing of God’s reward can be more about elements not in their control.

So, no matter where we are right now, we can be committed to God in heart and task as we continue to be prayerful, watchful and thankful (Co 4:2). It’s in this kind of devotion that Holy Spirit releases strategy and wisdom to help us become more efficient for His purposes, even in simple things. He will lift our burdens by showing us what we do not see on our own.

For me, Holy Spirit has been guiding me through an online class that I take. A few weeks ago, He directed me to re-order my sequence of tasks, which saves me a substantial amount of time each week. He has me open the quiz document first and answer the questions as I listen to the video. Then He has me read through the class notes, which involves skimming through a condensed transcript.

Before He intervened, I was reading several pages of class notes, then listening to the teaching video, then taking the open-book quiz.

But His way not only makes everything go faster and easier, it’s now more enjoyable and causes me to feel a sense of accomplishment at the outset of my day. I can hardly believe the difference it makes, both in time and attitude.

Jesus took me from daunting to doable. And He’ll do the same for you, as you reach for Him to help you in your assignments

So, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

Thank You for being my rich treasure, all that I need. Thank You for revealing Yourself and Your best to me in strategy and wisdom. Thank You for caring about the common things in my life, as well as the uncommon. Thank You for bringing me up higher and sustaining me by Your grace upon grace. I call it forth and choose to rely upon it.

“Teach me more about you, how you work and how you move, so that I can walk onward in your truth until everything within me brings honor to your name” (Ps 86:11).

Help me “do everything I’ve promised you, Lord” (Ps 56:12).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen.

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

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Last Distance

When our Lord showed me this devotion’s title in a Word-vision two-and-a-half weeks ago, He also showed me the Word-vision “Sphere.” In researching their definitions and praying about the interpretation, here is the message I believe He is revealing:

There is a separation happening now, in which some elements are unexpected. Do not fear because it is of Me, says the Lord of Hosts. Where it seems like it may be man’s idea, it’s not. They are simply following what I have put in their heart, as I work masterfully to bring you into the new.

In this process the distance you are experiencing may seem linear, but it’s actually spherical. Am I not the Source of life? Did I not design the life cycle? I AM in the midst and will bring you into My promises as you walk with Me by faith. And as you do, I will give you signs to encourage you.

Also know that My redemption turns what may look like scattering into expansion. So, trust Me, says the Lord of Hosts, when you feel like you cannot control all the elements of what I AM doing. You will see my higher plan unfold, as you continue to walk with Me through this sequence. I AM ordering your steps.

Just as in the Book of Acts, chapter 8, where you see My people scatter due to persecution, I turned it for good—to spread the truth and love of My Gospel. For, where there has been and is persecution, My truth is persuasive and will prevail (Ac 8:4-6). Therefore, expect my grace to show up powerfully on your behalf.

In early church times and now, where dedicated homes—even house churches—have been invaded by an anti-Christ spirit to silence, intimidate and even lock up My Spirit through My dedicated ones, My Spirit shall prevail even more to fill those spaces anew; and My people shall live in peace and blessing and power again (Ac 8:3).

Did I not say in Haggai 2:9 AMPC that “The latter glory of this house…shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place will I give peace and prosperity…”

When I show up, it all gets restored and even better than before. I come with increase! I come with abundance! You will witness expressions of My Spirit that you have not yet seen. This time around, it will be much better. And it won’t stop at the front door!

As You go, I will go with you. As I send you to re-unite with some you used to know, and used to be close to, know that My redemption is in it this time.

Your story won’t fit into anyone else’s box, especially religious leaders. But it is of Me, says The Lord of Hosts. I AM pouring out My Spirit through you; and you will see signs, wonders and miracles for which you have waited.

Did I not heal the lame and paralyzed through others who were not my twelve (Ac 8:7-8)? Did I not fill a city with uncontainable joy? I AM coming again to express Myself in these ways exponentially. My multiplicity will be like wild fire, says The Lord of Hosts.

So, keep your gaze on Me. Hold on tightly to Me when it doesn’t make sense and when you begin to feel unsure in the separation and transition. When it looks like you are losing what’s most important, reach for Me, says The Lord of Hosts. I AM with you and I AM for you. I will not forsake you.

I will restore to you what is even more valuable to your heart. For you are My treasure, says The Lord of Hosts. And as you continue to make Me your Treasure, you will surely see the fullness of My promise come to pass. I AM positioning your heart on a new path to delight in Me with the fullness of My joy.

And as I do, I will not forget those I had you leave in My care. I have a crown of life for them, too, as they continue on their paths and finish their races well. This is a last stretch for some relationships, but do not sorrow for My distance is spherical. I AM from everlasting to everlasting, the Alpha and Omega—the beginning and the end (Ps 90:2; Rev 1:9, 21:6, 22:13).

So, rest in Me, says the Lord of Hosts (Ex 13:14). Be in peace in Me. Hope in Me. I have you, and you will not fail as you ascend with Me. I will make all things new for you and you will rejoice, as I release more of My fountain of life into your life.

Declaration & Prayer

So, Lord,

We trust You at Your Word to us, and we thank You for Your provision. We declare Your truth over our lives in Haggai 2:9 AMPC, which is that “The latter glory of this house…shall be greater than the former,” and that “in this place” You will “give peace and prosperity.”

We invite You, Lord, to fill our houses, and every place and union to which You send us, with Your Spirit.

In Your Precious Son’s Name, Jesus.

Amen.

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

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Like Stephen

I was so taken with the power and sequence of Stephen’s work during Bible reading recently—His ministry of serving in the Book of Acts, chapters six and seven.

Stephen, who was commissioned by the twelve apostles, helped them to focus on “prayer and preaching the word of God” during a time of expansion (Ac 6:4).

He was one of seven chosen in his church to serve in the role of waiting tables. He was honorable and full of wisdom (Ac 6:3). He was “known as a man full of faith and overflowing with the Holy Spirit” (Ac 6:5).

Stephen was so full of supernatural power that he “performed many astonishing signs and wonders and mighty miracles among the people” during a time of quick growth and daily increase of Jesus followers (Acts 6:7-8).

Stephen was a solution to a problem, a provision for lack, a compliment for a complaint, a friend for the forgotten and a delight for secret displeasure. He poured out grace for the disgruntled and wisdom for the hungry widows (Ac 6:1).

However, Stephen also proved to be an upset to the ugly (Ac 6:9).

His pure acts of freedom made him a target of those with a counterfeit spirit. The opposition worked through a group known as Men Set Free in Acts 6:8. This group “boasted in their freedom from all moral laws” (Ac 6:8 TPT study note).

This reminds me of the same spirit in our world today.

Still, Stephen’s best defense was Holy Spirit’s wisdom in the face of this group’s attempts to provoke argument, conspire in secret, falsely accuse and outright lie against God’s humble servant.

They tried to gather people to side with them by stirring up the crowd. Then they seized Stephen, taking “him before the supreme council” (Ac 6:12).

Even then, right before their eyes, while being falsely accused, Stephen’s “face glowed as though he had the face of an angel” (Ac 6:15)!

When being questioned by the high priest, Stephen demonstrated that he understood John 8:36 TPT, which says, “So if the Son sets you free from sin, then become a true son and be unquestionably free!” He understood his purpose for being truly set free, which was to serve and worship God (Ac 7:7).

Stephen knew who he was and where he came from. He knew Jesus as Supreme High Priest and lived above reproach. Therefore, what could man do to him?

Well, we know that Stephen’s earthly outcome from his counterfeits was a stoning.

Yet, triumphant ascension, glorification and new life awaited Stephen as Heaven broke open and he crossed into eternity (Ac 7:56).

So, what we learn from Stephen’s story is that the world lives by a different standard, which is freedom from moral law. The world sees it differently than we do, because they want their way, not God’s. They see God’s way as foolish, and they don’t understand what Stephen knew, which is that the only way to fulfill the true and greatest desires of the heart is to follow Jesus.

Stephen understood that honoring Jesus was pivotal in the process. Stephen understood that it wasn’t all about himself. He knew that it was about the continuance of building God’s Kingdom on earth. He loved God and He stood for truth.

Stephen had greater vision and integrity than those who questioned him, as he fixed his eyes on our Lord. He was aligned with God and had God’s victory working on his behalf the entire time.

Where the “high” council tried to beat Stephen down, The Most High God brought him up. Where they tried to silence him, Stephen preached a sermon in their faces that they could not refute (Ac 6:10). Where they tried to snuff out his power, Holy Spirit was in the midst, propelling Stephen before them and even opening up Heaven to receive him in glory.

What an ovation!

Have you ever felt you were the only one standing for Jesus amid false accusers, who tried to stop you? If so, did you find Holy Spirit—the very Spirit of Jesus—in the midst? Did you reach for Him to bring you up even higher? Did you fix your gaze on your Rock of Victory-Salvation?

As we enter even more a timeline of multiplicity, we must be strong and courageous like Stephen, fixing our gaze on Jesus, speaking truth to the end and praying for the mercy of others, even if disbelief and lies and rocks are being hurled in opposition.

Our gracious God of victory-salvation works to give us a good outcome no matter what others try to do. He alone is our greatest ending. And for this we can trust Him and marvel at Him, just like Stephen.

So, pray with me, if you will…

Dear Lord,

We thank You that honor is cyclical—that when we honor You, You honor us, even in the midst of hellish circumstances. Thank You that Your truth cannot be contained, that no fear of man can silence us, as we reverence You, our Most High God. Thank You for giving us the courage to speak Your truth, even in the faces of the jealously deceived. Thank You, Jesus, that, as we stand for You, You will stand for us in glory (Ac 7:55-56). Thank You, that as we experience Your overwhelming Presence, we can pray mercy on our worst afflicters, like Stephen did. And like You did, Jesus, oh Lord of my life.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen.

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