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Connected Life

When I sat before our Lord a couple of weeks ago and asked Him what He would like to share with us, He showed me these Word-visions: “Connected lifestyle. Survey gathering, community” in this order. 

As it happens so often, Holy Spirit had me search out the deeper meaning of each Word. And what He led me to see were meanings that I never would’ve seen had I not made the effort to do so. 

If you’ll take these Word definitions before Him in prayer, I believe He’ll reveal specifics to you for your own life. I believe they’ll be unique for each individual and so fitting you wouldn’t want to miss them.

So, here are the definitions:

The Word “connected” means the point of place, time, purpose, or result that has been reached or entered (Strong’s). It implies motion, penetration and union (Helps). It means joined or linked coherently in sequence. It can mean related by family ties. Or having “social or professional relationships, especially with influential or powerful persons” (Dictionary.com). It means “having a connection.”

Going deeper, the Word “connection” means “all-around (on every side); encompassing, used of full (comprehensive) consideration where ‘all the bases are covered’ (inclusively)” (Helps). Connection can be translated as “all about.” 

The Word “lifestyle” means “conduct, life, behavior, manner of life” (Strong’s). It also means to turn from down to up, an up-turn (Helps). It can mean a “change of outward behavior from an ‘up-turn’ of inner beliefs.”

If we break up this compound word, we see that life has numerous meanings beyond a basic existence for growth, resilience and elasticity. “Life” can mean breath of life, eternal life and the quickening of life that we partake of through our faith and trust in Jesus Messiah. This kind of life is “equivalent to the gospel” and is expressed in moral conduct (Vine’s). “The sign of life is movement,” and it “can be enhanced by loving and serving God, by experiencing God’s deliverance, and by receiving divine blessings” (Tyndale).

“Style,” as in lifestyle, can mean a particular “form, appearance or character” (Dictionary.com). And a distinctive mode of action.”

Moving on, the Word “survey,” has a variety of definitions, according to Webster’s. It means “to examine, as in condition, situation, or value; appraise.” Also, “to determine and delineate the form, extent and position of (as a tract of land).” It can also mean to see, to view comprehensively, or to inspect or scrutinize.

When we think of the Word “gathering,” so often a meeting or assembly or an attraction comes to mind. But, according to Webster’s, gathering can also mean a collection or compilation. It can reference contributions or an intuitive conclusion. As a verb, gathering can mean to pick, to harvest, to haul in or to amass. It can mean to summon, to prepare, to gain by gradual increase or control. And it can also mean to bring together parts of something or to draw about or close something.

The Word “community” can be defined as “a unified body of individuals,” who share common character or likeness as well as joint participation or ownership (Webster’s).

Now that we have all the definitions, I believe the general interpretation to be this: 

God has released a time of grace to now move synergistically and powerfully into the manifestation of His promises He put in your heart. He has brought you to the place and purpose of an up-turning in outward behavior, resulting from the restoration of a renewed mind.

He is now positioning you outwardly as a joint owner, an heir, with shared character and the likeness of Himself to participate correctly alongside Him. You will work to complete your divine assignments with Him now, not in your own strength, but by His powerful Spirit.

In so doing, it’s time to survey that which has been gathered, during a period of gradual growth. It’s time to examine the elements comprehensively, to compile them and sequence them into a delineated form and bring them to the point of conclusion.

“This time,” says the Lord of Hosts, “you will do it in communion with Me and it’s going to come together; because My grace has now met your faith and I AM in it with you. Because we will do it synergistically, there will be momentum.”

Holy Spirit highlighted Amos 9:13 in The Message version, which He has many times before. It says, “Yes indeed, it won’t be long now…Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills.”

To God be the glory. 

Amen.

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

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Disappointment Disappears

A couple of weeks ago, during quiet time with our Lord, I felt led to ask Him a particular question, which was this: Knowing what my earthly father knows now that he lives in Heaven with You, what would he like for me to know?

I knew whatever it was would have to align with God and that it would help me as his daughter.

Holy Spirit showed me a string of Word-visions, one of which was “truth.” And the verse He highlighted was 3 John 1:4 TPT, which says, “It is the greatest joy of my life to hear that my children are consistently living their lives in the ways of truth!”  

Another Word I saw caused me to seek God the most. It was the instruction to “consume glory.” 

And I thought, “Of course! Dad has a glorified body now. So, that would make sense. He’s worshipping God, who is Glory, in glory. It’s all about glory!” 

The first verse that came to mind was Revelation 10:10 TPT, where John says, “I took the little scroll from the hand of the mighty angel and ate it. Indeed, it was sweet as honey to taste…”

This is a portrait of John receiving the gospel as life-giving revelation-knowledge, given by an angel of promise, who declared that there would be “No more delay” (Re 10:6)! And this information was to be shared with others by John (Re 10:11).

As I continued to seek Holy Spirit, He led me to the Word, which is the title of this devotion, “disappointment disappears.” And then He led me to read the many definitions of the Word “appointment.”

From there, the interpretation of this Word was confirmed in this simple truth: When we consume the Glory of God, our disappointments disappear. Consuming His glory is the antidote for all that comes against our identity, purpose and mission. It enables us to receive the life-giving power-Presence (the anointing) that breaks yokes of disappointments and readies us to move forward.

Consuming glory reverses death, doom and condemnation to reset us to abide more in Him, to stand strong with Him. It frees us to enter more into all that is of Him as our Heir of all things (He 1:2). It postures us for His goodness of service and promotion in divinely-appointed seasons. 

Holy Spirit also led me to a section of Scripture subtitled “A Father’s Warning,” where Paul says:

For although you could have countless babysitters in Christ telling you what you’re doing wrong, you don’t have many fathers who correct you in love. But I’m a true father to you, for I became your father when I gave you the gospel and brought you into union with Jesus, the Anointed One. So I encourage you, my children, to follow the example that I live before you (1 Co 4:15-16 TPT).

Paul goes on to call down their arrogance and remind them that he’s coming back. And he defends Timothy, the son whom he loves and sent to them. 

When I read Paul’s words to his church family, it was like my own earthly father speaking God’s truth to me, which brought a richer connectedness with God’s Word. I was reminded that one of the beauties of living in Heaven with our Lord—and even living here in His Glory-Presence—is that it’s an existence of purity without corruption of this world. It’s far better than all else. 

Even Paul says, at the end of his “Father’s Warning,” that “For the kingdom realm of God comes with power, not simply impressive words” (1 Co 4:20 TPT).

And if we circle back to the little scroll that John ate—the one he was instructed to consume—we see that it became a part of who he was, what he did and why he did it. It was the most perfected part in him—glorious God.

Friends, when we consume God’s Glory-Presence, in Word and Spirit, we are set for His divine appointments. Foolishness has no power over us. Any wrong-doing, any wrongful judgments, condemnations, shame or guilt spoken against us cannot stand up to God’s truth that we deeply consume.

Hebrews 7:19 TPT reminds us by saying, “For the law has never made anyone perfect, but in its place is a far better hope which gives us confidence to experience intimacy with God!”

So, my earthly father’s words to me were my Heavenly father’s Words, which are to consume the Glory-Presence of God. Remain in it and let it draw out the best in me, while every lesser thing just disappears as God continues to bring me into the fulfillment of His promises right on time, while I share His good news.

And this is the same truth for you. To God be the glory.

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

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Zephaniah Today

There is a pattern in Holy Bible’s Book of Zephaniah that I see happening today and it’s this: God is burning off the dross from the souls of people to heal and restore them. To then bring them together again in unity as one family for the purpose of serving Him (Ze 3:9).

The Message version of Zephaniah 3:9 says, “In the end I will turn things around for the people. I’ll give them a language undistorted, unpolluted, Words to address God in worship and, united, to serve me with their shoulders to the wheel.”

Purity, worship and service are key here. Because this kind of unity involves wholeness of heart and Kingdom, where we see powerful demonstrations of God as enough, as we align with Him even more on a family legacy level (Strong’s #3605).

We are beginning to experience this, as we see it play out in His revivals around us right now. We know this can only happen by the powerful Presence of God as Love, simply because it pleases Him to bless those who earnestly seek Him and to draw others in.

Many have already come through a long season of dross-burning and foundational restoration to now continue on and help others through. A fundamental spiritual precept I learned during that time is that, as we go forth to help God’s family-at-large, He helps our own bloodline families and new family members to come.

As we help the least, we help Jesus. As we help His children, He helps ours. This is one way He helps us build legacy. 

But there’s more reward coming, because God’s math is multiplicity. He gives us an exponential return on our investment of seed sowing in the purification, worship and service.

I believe we’re coming into a depth and scale of unity that we’ve never known in our lifetime. I believe we’re about to experience and witness a move of Ephesians 3:16-21 in individual families and on a grand scale to build God’s Kingdom on earth. I believe we’re just beginning to enter into this right now, even as God repositions us to continue to sow life into others in new ways.

Ephesians 3:17-19 TPT reveal a strategy by saying:

Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life. Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!

Do you see here that it’s about exercising faith as we’re rooted in God’s love? Do you see that you’ll discover His multiplicity of blessings expressed as love?

One of the directives I heard very recently from Holy Spirit was to “consume glory,” meaning to worship God with a pure heart, the sole motive being to honor Him and experience Him and all He desires to do in the areas of purifying, healing and unifying.

This is especially encouraging for those who have lost loved ones, since we have an open invitation to worship the same God that our family of believers, who have gone before us, do right now. With God as our center, we can meet in the middle as we gather in Heaven and earth to worship Him. 

We can also rejoice laterally as we discover God’s everlasting love unfurling in His faithful deliverance of the fulfillment of the promises for which our loved ones contended, in addition to our own. Can you see this?

So, our hope extends forward as we go and build a legacy of family unity, which includes church family, personal family and heavenly family. 

And we can be certain of this hope, as Paul says to us in Ephesians 3:21 TPT, which is that “Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity.”

Also in Ephesians 3:20 TPT, he says to “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.”

So, friends, get ready to step into a redeemed future. Get ready for the blessings of unity from faithful God. And for the rewards of exaltation that come after purification as expressions of His love, even like the pattern we find in the Book of Zephaniah (Ze 3:15-17, 19-20).

To God be the glory.

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

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Reflections of Life

Have you noticed that God is drawing your focus more toward Him in peace as your season continues to change?

A couple of weeks ago, I looked at a clear autumn day through a newly-installed window, with a large cup of coffee in hand. A flurry of golden-brown leaves fell from a tall tree out front and I felt such joy in the air. 

Our neighbors across the street were on their third day of moving out into their new beginning. And the neighbor next to them came strolling out of her driveway, dressed in skinny athletic ware, with her white dog bouncing at her side.

God is good to place signs of our futures ever before us. 

He’s also good to clean up what’s behind, as though it never were.

Behind me was a neighbor’s tidy backyard. The debris that once lined our fence for years is now gone. God brought breakthrough when, very recently, someone else joined me in prayer. 

Have you noticed beauty happening all around you? Have you looked before and aft? Have you been contending, knowing that specific promises in your life will to come to pass, while moving forward with your eyes wide open?

You may have waited a long time, like me, to see some big shifts. But God is always working. And many have simply had to wait out their time, like Jesus, all the while doing ministry with Him in grace by faith. 

If this is you, take courage, because Holy Spirit has been revealing to me that there’s a sudden, serendipitous bloom about to occur. A fragrant one that will burst forth literally overnight. It may seem out of season, but it’s right on time. 

Where many have been growing and pressing and rising in their beliefs and tasks, over what has felt like a never-ending span, they will experience a crescendo shift, where momentum will take hold and catapult them into greater outward light. 

Look around. God has already increased your help through each day for right now and where He’s leading you. And He has brought a close to some things past. But this isn’t the last of it. 

Although you’ve seen new beginnings in small ways, there are mega and life-changing blessings to come; and they will happen in a string, one after the other. Deep in your heart, you know what God has placed there. And like Mary, you’ve treasured them over time.

For me, personally, God revealed what these mega shifts are nearly 20 years ago. 

He’s good to strengthen us in Him like this, to prepare us along the way and bring us into outward support systems in advance. Because He knows we’ll need them. 

There’s so much ahead that’s beautiful, lovely, from our Lord. Still we must remember to remain committed to Him throughout the process, even toward the end of some things, all the way into His best blessings for our lives. 

We must never forget that we’ll always need Him. Never are we, as His bride, His child, allowed to be self-reliant, only God-dependent if we’re to walk in His grace of higher blessing.

As we enter into this Jubilee year, I’m reminded of Ruth and how her story is reminiscent of God’s Jubilee for us. I see it in her sudden repentance and her rapid increase (30- 60- 100-fold) during a springtime barley harvest. I see it in her mentorship of wise Naomi walking beside her all the way. And I see the joy of Jubilee play out in her shift from limitation to freedom that she likely never knew before. 

Ruth was accepted into her new land, her new role, her new family. She was committed, presented and married. She even birthed an heir to return a blessing forward to her beloved sage, Naomi. 

Oh, what a family. 

God is working day and night to bring each of us into His betterment. In unfurling His goodness, He never sleeps or slumbers, because He loves us too much to leave us where we are and where we’ve been. 

He’ll help us walk more into our identity in Him and into the blessings of the family of Abraham that He promised to us long ago. 

Do you see it? Can you feel Him drawing you near?

Look around and ask Holy Spirit to open your eyes and ears to more of His goodness and enable you to receive His full measure and ways for you. Then just believe and go with Him. He’ll never leave or forsake you. His love for you is everlasting. 

This is His promise to you that you can stand on throughout your journey with Him. 

To God be the glory.

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

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Perpetual Jubilee

Jubilee is a new beginning celebration when liberty is proclaimed, debts are cancelled, land is restored to rightful ownership and those existing in bondage can lawfully return home (Le 25:10).

It’s a holy, consecrated, dedicated and appointed time and cycle of vindication that’s acknowledged by many Christians worldwide. 

The Word “Jubilee” literally means a ram’s horn. In Holy Scripture, a horn can symbolize Christ, salvation and strength. This horn is used as a trumpet (a wind instrument) and is typically blown on the Day of Atonement to announce a year of Jubilee throughout the land, according to Leviticus 25:9.

On the Hebrew calendar, Jubilee occurs every 50 years. This command of restoration was set forth in Leviticus 25 by God to Moses on the high place of Mt. Sinai. It was purposed to establish a pattern of conduct for God’s people that would help them live in the fullness of His promises.

Depending on which calendar one subscribes to, if you search out the next, upcoming Jubilee, you’ll find that some believe it to be six months after the Day of Atonement 2023, which is March 2024. Others, such as the Roman Catholic Church, have scheduled their Jubilee for 2025 (Gregorian calendar).

Holy Spirit is highlighting this right now, because many are entering into His promises during this calendar year of Jubilee. 

With all this said, as believers, we can see that Jubilee is an expression of the blessings of Abraham received through salvation in Messiah Jesus, who is our living, Perpetual Jubilee and that the trumpet blow is a call to access and action.

Nearly 20 years ago, Holy Spirit revealed to me that there would be major, life-changing shifts in 2024 and 2025. I believe He has been preparing us for these shifts and that, as we seek Him, He’ll reveal them to us as necessary. In an effort to set Godly expectations in our hearts that align with His will for these times. 

In this light, a couple of weeks ago, Holy Spirit alerted me about an important element of promises fulfilled for His people:

While studying the Books of Daniel and Hosea, He highlighted the judgment on those who became wise in their own eyes and lived idolatrous lifestyles. In particular, He highlighted Nebuchadnezzar, who erected a golden image and lost his mind, and the people of the northern kingdom, in the Book of Hosea, who declined rapidly for refusing to repent during their golden era. 

Holy Spirit then highlighted the defining scripture of Romans 1:22 TPT, which says that “Although claiming to be wise, they were in fact shallow fools.” The TPT study note for this verse says that, in the Aramaic language, the Word “fools” means insane. 

In other words, those who are full of themselves, those who are wise in their own eyes, those who go their own way and dishonor God by not submitting their minds to Him can end up confused and even insane.

Holy Spirit reminded me that forgetting or rejecting our first Love is spiritual adultery that can reap consequences of defilement, dethronement and death. He reminded me that it’s not about any golden image or golden era. It’s about the gold inside of us, which is Him. And that we would be truly wise to remember this.

This warning involves a spiritual principle of reciprocity, where we end up with what we choose. In these Biblical cases, this would be dishonor for living a less than holy life. God’s truth is that anything we put above Him, including our own ways, is idolatry. And believers, especially, don’t get a pass on this. 

Therefore, we must remember His warning as we progress further into His promises, especially the big, golden ones right before us. This is a time to make God’s thoughts our thoughts and His precepts our lifestyle, as He is always inviting us to a higher place. 

So, right now, it’s important to turn to Jesus and make Him our Perpetual Jubilee deep in our souls, so that we can honor and glorify Him in the earth and experience the blessings of Abraham that are bigger in front of us than anything behind. 

This is a wake-up call to not miss His best in this season. It’s a call to prayer and to speak truth to others so they, too, may enter into the blessings of our Lord. And it’s a reminder to continue to abide in Him as we enjoy much more fruit of His promises.

So, Lord, search my heart and “See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps 139:24). Help me to walk in Your pure gold that is You in me.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen. 

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