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Fire Arising – Part 1

I’m seeing fires that God started years ago, through individuals, now ignite others. Godly passion and wisdom rising through them in a new framework—streamlined, hyper-focused, targeted to make impact, like a pinpointed laser. 

Transformative, like lightning.

Whatever is thought, happens.

Whatever is spoken, happens. 

This fire is expanding as God breathes on it.  

Evil cannot stand against it as His glory-filled women and men run to fulfill their assignments with Him.

2 Samuel 10:12 NIV instructs us to “Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

Those whom God tempered behind closed doors against all kinds of false fires—by coming into His truth, avoiding strife, standing their ground, asserting the fruit of self-control and remaining in God’s Word and glory—were made ready to emerge now. 

They are God’s Ruths, Esthers and Deborahs.

His special forces developed in the secret place.

His purified, enlightened and transformed ones (2 Co 3:18).

His baptized with fire ones (Ma 3:11), made more beautiful for such a time as this (Ec 3:11).

His prepared and proven ones who carry divine purpose and power beyond themselves (Ja 1:3).

They let God do the work in them that He knew needed to be done.

They believed God, humbled themselves unto Him and received their divine exaltation (Philippians 3:14).

They came to know higher as their inheritance. 

Luke 17:21 AMPC says, “…behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].”

Ephesians 2:6 AMPC says, “…He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”

2 Corinthians 5:20 TPT says, “We are ambassadors of the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world…”

So, these good stewards—these Ruths, Esthers and Deborahs—are now ready for sudden shifts, pivotal moments that make history and set (establish) legacy that glorifies God for all time.

These frontline leaders have been trained to not jump the gun but remain in unison with God, synchronized with His power and authority for greatest impact. 

To “be ready” means to remain in a prepared state. To be pre-set, one command away from go time, like a runner in a ready position at the starting blocks. 

To “be” means to live, as in ready mode, filled with the resurrection life of Jesus, that enables them to take their rightful position—ascended and enthroned to rule over lesser things. To “be” means to “occupy a place or position,” (Dictionary.com) as in continuing to belong to God—spirit, soul and body—and remain where He has called and assigned them—dominating by His glory.

“Ready” means to be “completely prepared or in fit condition for immediate action or use” (Dictionary.com). It means to be “willing.” To be “prompt or quick in perceiving, comprehending, speaking, writing, etc.” To be “prompt or quick in action, performance,  manifestation, etc.” It means to be “inclined; disposed,” and “in such a condition as to be imminent; likely at any moment.” It means to be “immediately available for use.” To be “present or convenient.” To be “equipped, completed, adjusted, or arranged, as for an occasion or purpose.” 

God’s Ruths, Esthers and Deborahs operate and remain in ready mode to act on a moment’s notice when signaled, synced with the new thing God is doing.

Their hearts are filled with the light of Christ that extinguishes darkness.

They press through fear, full of courage to go and make a difference for the better wherever God commands them to go. 

They know God is with them and that they are favored by God to win through faithful obedience to His Spirit.

They mirror Christ’s image as in 2 Corinthians 3:18 AMPC, which says, “And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 AMPC says, “For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [Gen. 1:3.]”

Are you one of these glory carriers?

If you aren’t there yet, you can become one as you surrender your life—your will and ways—to God daily and let Him ready you by His transforming light.

He offers us an open-door opportunity.

Join me next week for Part 2 of Fire Arising.

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

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Surrounding Wisdom – Part 2

God has been delivering His people out from under clouds of darkness into His marvelous light to declare His praise (Ro 13:11-14, Lk 11:33-36 TPT, Ep 5:8-21, 1 Jn 1:5-7).

Psalm 71:15 AMPC says, “My mouth shall tell of Your righteous acts and of Your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is more than I know.”

God has used the longsuffering many endured in previous seasons to develop wisdom in them, posturing them for longstanding for the benefit of others (Ps 72:17).

1 John 1:7 TPT tells us, “…if we keep living in the pure light that surrounds him, we share unbroken fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, continually cleanses us from all sin.”

God’s chosen will continue to grow in His wisdom as Jesus Himself grew in wisdom (Lk 2:40, 52).

These wise ones can attest to Psalm 84:11 TPT, which says, “For the Lord God is brighter than the brilliance of a sunrise! Wrapping himself around me like a shield, he is so generous with his gifts of grace and glory. Those who walk along his paths with integrity will never lack one thing they need, for he provides it all!”

Drawn to the Spirit of Wisdom, like wise men, God’s chosen get to share His wisdom: their new gift of life, how to live it and its “powerful moral result” (Tyndale Bible Dictionary).

And, as these wise ones go forth, The Spirit of Wisdom shields them, enlightens them and provides for them.

Wisdom can be defined as “the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action;…discernment, or insight” (Dictionary.com). Some synonyms are: good judgment, clear thinking, discernment, solidity, understanding, balance, prudence, knowledge, foresight, intelligence and caution (Thesaurus.com). 

Wisdom is a gift from God. It is protective, powerful and creative as part of the nature of God. Wisdom can come through experience, revelation or both. It equips the saints of God with an advantage. Even the otherwise disadvantaged can be set on high by knowing and acting in The Spirit of Wisdom.

The word “surrounding,” as in surrounding wisdom, means “the act of encircling or enclosing” (Dictionary.com). Some synonyms are: girding up, encompassing, throughout, insolating, protecting and neutralizing (Thesaurus.com).

1 Corinthians 1:24-25 MSG tell us that “Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so tinny…Human strength can’t begin to compete…”

“The gospel of Jesus Christ was both the power of God and the wisdom of God,” since Jesus is the life and the way—God’s truth (Tyndale Bible Dictionary). 

1 Corinthians 1:30 TPT says, “For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.”

Part of God’s good news is that He “will make holiness bloom” (Ps 132:18 TPT)!

The Lord is blooming holiness for those who have humbled themselves in a Job journey, remained faithful in the transformation process and come out as pure gold—full of His glory, shinning brighter than ever, grateful (Jo 23:10).

Psalm 66:10 TPT says, “O Lord, we have passed through your fire; like precious metal made pure, you’ve proved us, perfected us, and made us holy.”

1 Peter 2:9 MSG says, “…you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”

As the Lord highlights His especially radiant ones, others will see them in a new light. Relationships will be reconciled more deeply, because others will be drawn to Jesus in their hearts with His hand upon them (2 Co 5:20). 

Many will come to The Lord, as He makes everything beautiful in His time (Ec 3:11).

James 3:13, 17-18 TPT offer strategy and truth forward. They say, “If you consider yourself to be wise and one who understands the ways of God, advertise it with a beautiful, fruitful life guided by wisdom’s gentleness. Never brag or boast about what you’ve done and you’ll prove that you’re truly wise…the wisdom from above is always pure, filled with peace, considerate and teachable. It is filled with love and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy in any form and it always bears the beautiful harvest of righteousness! Good seeds of wisdom’s fruit will be planted with peaceful acts by those who cherish making peace.”

1 Corinthians 1:31 TPT reminds us that “…If anyone boasts, let him only boast in all that the Lord has done!”

I believe it’s time for true justice and prosperity to reign and that we will see an increase of wise rulers take their seats in the land (Ps 72).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name. 

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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Surrounding Wisdom – Part 1

The Lord revealed to me that He is bringing His people into a new light, free from last season strongholds that blocked them from receiving greater revelations of God and once twisted communication with others. 

God has opened a portal of breakthrough, and this is a new beginning for them. 

Where there has been an appreciation of The Spirit of Wisdom, The Lord is delivering His beloved from their long-suffering into a “surrounding wisdom.”

Those who have come into God’s truth and made Him their center, will now be favorably highlighted on centerstage in their divinely-assigned areas of influence.

To be light.

To share the same revival we have received.

We must remember that we are blessed to be a blessing (Ps 72:17). 

Saved to experience God and do good works as led by His Spirit of Wisdom (Ex 31:1-11).

Deuteronomy 4:6-8 NLT remind us that God will sustain His beloved people before nations as a shining witness to His Great Name and Kingdom, as we continue to carefully obey His commands in this promised land. These verses say:

Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ For what great nation has a god as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on him? And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?

As The Lord delivered our hearts from strongholds of false pride, He postured us to receive His clarity and intelligent understanding on a new level with an outward purpose: to draw others to Him.

King Solomon understood this Kingdom-building effect.

1 Kings 4:29 MSG tells us that “God gave Solomon wisdom—the deepest of understanding and the largest of hearts. There was nothing beyond him, nothing he couldn’t handle…He became famous among all the surrounding nations…Sent by kings from all over the earth who had heard of his reputation, people came from far and near to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.”

The wisdom that God gave Solomon showcased God. It “outclassed the vaunted wisdom of wise men of the East, outshone the famous wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone…He created 3,000 proverbs; his songs added up to 1,005. He knew all about plants, from the huge cedar that grows in Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows in the cracks of a wall. He understood everything about animals and birds, reptiles and fish” (1 Ki 4:29 MSG).

God’s wisdom is a gift that gives His people—the ones who will steward it well—a favorable advantage.

Proverbs 12:28 TPT tells us that “Abundant life is discovered by walking in righteousness.”

The Spirit of Wisdom leads us into abundant life, drawing us closer to our resurrected Lord and His ways.

God alone made Solomon’s heart righteous, famous and wealthy to expand His Kingdom on earth by drawing others to Him.

Jesus was our perfect example. 

Isaiah 11:1-3 AMPC say, “AND THERE shall come forth a Shoot out of the stock of Jesse [David’s father], and a Branch out of his roots shall grow and bear fruit. [Isa. 4:2; Matt. 2:23; Rev. 5:5; 22:16.] And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him–the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord–And shall make Him of quick understanding, and His delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord…”

Moses and Joshua received and operated in this same Spirit of Wisdom.

Deuteronomy 34:9 AMPC tells us, “And Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him; so the Israelites listened to him and did as the Lord commanded Moses.”

So, we see here that the Spirit of Wisdom is linked with obedience for all followers, including leaders. Godly wisdom is what holds an obedient army together as we enter into and occupy our promised land by His dominant Spirit.

So, friends, my prayer for you is Ephesians 1:17-19 AMPC, which say, “[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength.”

To God be the glory.

Join me next week for Part 2 of Surrounding Wisdom.

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

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Keepsake Revival

When I think of a keepsake, I think of a cherished memento that brings a remembrance of what we hold dear, like people close to our hearts or special events, such as a wedding or birthing.

Dictionary.com defines keepsake as “anything kept, or given to be kept, as a token of friendship or affection; remembrance.” Some synonyms of keepsake are: favor, reminder, memorial, symbol and token (Thesaurus.com).

When searched in an online Bible, “keepsake” is associated with the word “token.”

Token in Hebrew, can mean a promise or a solemn pledge, such as words spoken from God’s heart or in the form of a sign of covenant, such a rainbow or a circumcision (Strong’s #226-oth).

Token in Greek means to have, hold or possess (Strong’s #2192-echó).

This brings to mind wedding vows and rings—symbols of covenant, where the bride is given to have and to hold, to possess God’s promises.

In seeking The Lord about “keepsake revival,” the message He revealed to me was this:

As we come more deeply in relationship with God, He will bring revival to family members we hold dear in our hearts and revival of our relationship with them. God’s desire is to re-set and re-establish family legacy for everyone’s benefit, including building next generations. God’s desire is to revive family members from false beliefs and dead ways as they reconcile more deeply with Him, then each other. The Lord will bring new life with a new perspective to old hearts and young attitudes. 

During visits with these family members, He will break open communication with one another to give us deeper understanding, lighter hearts and new memories we’ve longed for—a clearer connection, a refreshing. In doing so, God is giving us a “token of grace” (a keepsake) and a “second experience of grace” (2 Co 5:17) to hold in our hearts as treasure of His goodness. 

We will experience a renewed love and joy toward one another as we experience a distinctive before and after difference that will strengthen individual relationships and the family overall. It can happen to the extent that painful pasts will be washed away as if they never occurred. 

For those family members who are not so close, God is bringing reform that will foster deep reconciliation with Him and repair with us that will impress us with awesome wonder, knowing God alone brought the restoration.

I believe David experienced this when his family members met him in the cave of Adullam, where he was strengthened (fortified and multiplied) before moving closer to his promise of coronation (1 Sa 22:1-5). 

Let’s remember that God offers redemption and fruitfulness to even the hardest cases, like some of us. 

Think Jacob.

Psalm 44:4 NIV says, “You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob.”

No one is too difficult for God to reach.

Hosea 12:3-6, 13 NLT reflect on Jacob’s journey. They say, “Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him—the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, the LORD is his name! So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him…the LORD brought Jacob’s descendants out of Egypt and…they were protected.”

God did the impossible with Jacob. The Lord enabled Jacob to come to the end of himself, then reconcile with The Lord, then reconcile with his brother, Esau (Ge 32:24).

This is God’s order of reconciliation.

And now, it’s our time to do the same.

We can extend the heart of gracious Esau and Christ, simply out of His overwhelming joy and a desire to not cause more pain.

We can experience the rich mercy of forgiveness as family prodigals reconcile with God and us. 

We can experience “better” in the form of a keepsake revival forward that God promises to extend beyond us (Ge 33:4-5).

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV assure us that “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 

May we be compelled by Christ’s love (2 Co 5:14) to minister reconciliation from a Spirit of Grace, being available to meet with family members as led by Holy Spirit. 

May we minister according to Isaiah 43:18, which reminds us to “Forget the former things;” and “not dwell on the past.” 

May we see that God is “doing a new thing.” And as it “springs up,” let us “perceive it” (Is 43:18).

Like Esau and King David, let us not stop short in the challenges, because victory is assured, just as it was for Jacob.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

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

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Obedience Strategy: Signposts – Part 2

One day, as I prayed for a prominent evangelist, The Lord showed me a vision in my mind’s eye. This evangelist was driving alone in his car along a four-lane divided highway. He was moving at a steady pace with his eyes straightforward; and there were no other cars on the road. 

Suddenly, he came upon a roadblock—an orange and white striped barricade—just before the end of the asphalt. 

He stopped and pondered.

Then he backed up and turned onto an access ramp that he seemed to miss before. This access ramp led him onto a superhighway with many lanes.

Within seconds, the evangelist merged onto a new path with countless other travelers—all heading in the same direction and moving at a much higher speed than before. 

This superhighway was a perfect fit for the evangelist. He was happier in this momentum.

So, friends, what accelerated path does God have for you in this hour?

The Lord reveals His way to us so we can know and obey Him more for our benefit and the benefit of His Kingdom.

There is an inherent value in obedience. Where there is obedience, there is an alignment of authority, order and power—first inwardly, then outwardly.

Psalm 119:117 TPT says, “Lift me up and I will be safe. Empower me to live every moment in the light of your ways.”

Psalm 119:72 TPT says, “The words you speak to me are worth more than all the riches and wealth in the whole world!”

God’s revealed Words are “joyous treasure” when we love Him (Ps 119:111).

They are our heritage.

As we obey the revelation-understanding of God’s precepts, we become increasingly established in His ways to assert power over evil and take dominion—by His dominant Spirit.

Consider Joshua and Caleb, who were best known for their careful obedience and wholeheartedness, respectively.

These two leaders understood they needed to first reconcile with God’s truth before stepping out in great exploits.

They understood God’s Word to be a life guide to fruitfulness.

They understood God’s commands to be boundless and limitless and their adherence to them to be a requirement for Kingdom expanse (Ps 119:96). 

They understood “the regenerating power of God’s Word” works as a life preserver against degenerate forces, enabling them to overrule and accomplish divine purpose (1 Pe 1:23 NSFL Bible note; Is 55:11). 

They understood that to live and not die in battle, to be successful and prosper, to receive the fulfillment of God’s promise, they had to believe (cling to, rely on, trust in) God. They also had to yield the fullness of their hearts, their will to God at every signpost—His revealed and enduring commands for miraculous victory.

Joshua and Caleb knew there was protection in obedience and that they couldn’t lose when they obeyed God’s unique strategies for each battle.

From the beginning, The Lord instructed Joshua by saying (Joshua 1:7-8 MSG):

Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed.”

So, friends, our prayer should be “Make me passionate and wholehearted to fulfill your every wish, so that I’ll never have to be ashamed of myself” (Psalm 119:80 TPT).

Every shared strategy from God to His beloved is a beacon that leads to an expanded manifest victory. We experience this when we abide in The Lord.

John 15:7 TPT says, “But if you live in life-union with me and if my words live powerfully within you—then you can ask whatever you desire and it will be done.”

God’s straight teachings affect the flow of life we receive. And our every step in light will be a step toward greater wisdom (Ps 19:7, 119:105, 107).

Proverbs 8:33-35 TPT reveal this by saying, “Listen to my counsel, for my instruction will enlighten you. You’ll be wise not to ignore it. If you wait at wisdom’s doorway, longing to hear a word for every day, joy will break forth within you as you listen for what I’ll say. For the fountain of life pours into you every time that you find me, and this is the secret of growing in the delight and the favor of the Lord.”

So, for our sake and the sake of the Kingdom of God at large, let Psalm 119:56 NIV be our prayer. It says, “This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.”

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

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