Legacy Faith

Abraham is one of my most favorite Bible characters. We know he was known for his great faith, even faith for God’s promises that would extend beyond his lifetime on earth; and especially for a restored family for God and himself.

In this light, I believe Holy Spirit has been highlighting some promises to me that He’s about to fulfill in my own family lineage, including for those who have gone before me. And I believe this is also for whosoever is willing to receive.

Our Lord highlighted Isaiah 55:11-13 TPT, which says,

So also, will be the word that I speak; it does not return to me unfulfilled. My word performs my purpose and fulfills the mission I sent it out to accomplish. For you will leave your exile with joy and be led home wrapped in peace. The mountains and hills in front of you will burst into singing and the trees of the field will applaud! Cypress trees will flourish where there were only thorns and myrtle trees instead of nettles. These will stand as a testimony to Yahweh’s renown, everlasting signs that will not be cut off.

These passages describe the goodness of God in motion. We know from Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP that “He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart…”

God is taking us from captivity to captivating. This is grace for reward for those who patiently endured and follow Jesus (He 11:6). What used to be barriers will no longer be. We can enter into His promises with peace, rejoice and wisdom. We can experience God’s beauty for ashes in many forms as He brings us into a more complete freedom with expressions of restored beauty—even material beauty—that stand as testaments to His extraordinary goodness. Reflections of Him.

These material things are divinely purpose and will be important to our hearts, because they are important to God’s and necessary for our assignments. Some of these material things were important to those who lived before us and are now gone—things that they did or didn’t receive in their lifetimes, for which they held faith in their hearts, like Abraham, believing God would deliver as promised.

Hebrews 11:1 MSG says that “The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.”

Romans 8:14 AMP reminds us that “For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” As sons and daughters of God, we have a blessed heritage.

Our God doesn’t forget His promises yet to be fulfilled (Nu 23:19). His way for us is always prosperous. His restoration includes gracious and miraculous multiplicity as He calls us out of former places through His wide-open doors for expanse that will require an Abraham kind of faith for restored legacy in our families and in God’s family-at-large.

As God fulfills these desires of the heart, He will establish greater grace in our lives and extend family legacy for our benefit and His glory.

Are you seeing God work in your life this way?

We know that Abraham grew in faith. He was commanded by God to come away from his father’s unholy house and go where God would send him.

The irony of it all was that God miraculously led him into an increase of family and blessings that he couldn’t contain or attain through his first family, only through God.

As God graciously removed Abraham from hindrances and facilitated miracles, Abraham soared, including as a father of many nations (Ro 4:18).

Like Abraham, as we extend faith, we can expect some big shifts for greater legacy beyond what we’ve previously known.

Just as mountains of the soul have been removed, and hope has been restored, God’s redeemed ones are now beginning to enjoy an increased expanse of freedom to live in the full purpose of His manifest plans for their futures unafraid (3 Jn 1:2).

God is reminding us of Jeremiah 29:11 AMP, which says, “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”

So, let us pray…

Dear Lord,

Thank You that in Your Presence is fullness of joy (Ps 16:11). Thank You for bringing us to a place of captivating beauty in You. Please continue to help us to engage with You and let lesser things fall away. Continue to show us Your glory and experience it in new ways to us.

Help us to remember who we are as in 1 Peter 2:9 TPT, which tells us that we are Your “chosen treasure—priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones.” Thank You for calling us “out of darkness to experience” Your “marvelous light.” Thank You for claiming us as Your very own. Thank You for Your purpose, which is to broadcast Your “glorious wonders throughout the world.”

Let us be a showcase of Your mercy and grace. Thank You for making all things new.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen.

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

Private Selection

In mid-November, when I ask Holy Spirit to reveal what was on His heart to share, I saw, “Trust God for Private Selection.”

As I began to seek Him more and dig into this encouraging message, this is what I believe He would like for us to know:

Divinely Purposed

His key verse is Ephesians 1:11 TPT, which says, “Through our union with Christ we too have been claimed by God as his own inheritance. Before we were even born, he gave us our destiny; that we would fulfill the plan of God who always accomplishes every purpose and plan in his heart.”

So, we have been privately selected. Hand-picked. Carefully chosen. Especially gifted. And anointed to fulfill God’s callings and specific assignments with Him.

1 Peter 2:9 TPT reminds us of His identity and purpose for us, which is that we “…are God’s chosen treasure-—priests who are kings, a spiritual ‘nation’ set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world.”

Therefore, we are to see and believe in ourselves as God does, in what He has put in us to accomplish, empowered by His grace. We are to trust Him in this and choose Him and His way for the entire race.

Private Selection Defined

In regards to “private selection,” according to Strong’s Concordance, the word private (#2398) means something just for you. Something uniquely one’s own that is due. It can even refer to a home or a business. The word selection (Strong’s #1980) means to look upon, to inspect, to examine, to choose, to employ and to provide.

Just as God has chosen us and align us privately in the secret place, He will bring forth the outward blessings—beginning with us as individuals, having been made a greater blessing to others. God will even reveal to us others who are full of His Spirit and wisdom and are fit to handle responsibilities forward as builders (Ac 6:3). Therefore, we are to go forth by faith in what God has chosen, including faith in ourselves as individuals, the unique path onto which He has called us and His choice of those who will accompany us (Jn 15:16).

Realize to Carry On

We must realize that what God carried us through previously, He will carry on through us, to do good works as we finish our course with Him (2 Co 9:8). Therefore, we must have faith for God’s entire plan.

We must also come into the awareness that what God enables us to do does not originate with us, but with Him, who works in parallels and cycles that are bigger than we know. Therefore, there is a level of respect and honor due to our King as we fulfill His purpose with Him (2 Sa 9:6).

We must realize that God gives us His power of authority as we submit to Him and His ways and as we respect others along the way. We must understand that, regardless of circumstance, God’s true authority will ultimately prevail.

Mephibosheth

Our Biblical example of this joyous reward is that of Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, in regards to being chosen by King David to sit and eat at his table as a son (2 Sa 9:11). God worked on Mephibosheth’s behalf privately, even before David received his coronation or table. Even though Mephibosheth was Saul’s grandson, he was still privately selected. His selection was sealed in David’s heart when he made a private covenant with Jonathan (1 Sa 18:3-4, 23:18). As king, David looked upon Mephibosheth and sought him out to join him in his abundance as family, even though, for a time, envious Saul kept David from his family. David’s official invitation was just for Mephibosheth, a kind of lone prodigal by default, who had been carried through so much. It was time to officially feast at the king’s table to celebrate oneness (Ga 5:22-23).

This is an example of a manifest expression of God’s strength of kindness (1 Sa 23:16) and of Mephibosheth as an example of Isaiah 60:3 TPT, which says, “Nations will be attracted to your radiant light and kings to the sunrise-glory of your new day.

Your Blessed Feast

Friends, we feast at our King’s table as we align with Him by invitation. Just as God had a new day for Mephibosheth, He has a new-day table-story for each of us. One that is a perfect fit put into place by God. One to lift our status officially (2 Sa 9:12). One in which God will demonstrate His strength of kindness to us uniquely (2 Sa 9:1).

With old enemies held accountable and behind us now, He will place us in our seats alongside Him as He restores honor in families and in the land of our forefathers (1 Sa 18:2, 2 Sa 9:7, 1 Sa 20:16, Is 35:4). God will demonstrate His oneness, especially for those who have felt held back, less than and forgotten (1 Sa 19:1-2).

As kings and priests, He will extend us favor and expect us to extend it to others (1 Sa 23:16, 2 Sa 9:7). Therefore, expect God’s manifest best. Put your faith fully in His promises. Our costly seats are already reserved. It’s time to sit and sup with Him as family in a grand new way and place to us. It’s time to live a beautiful and satisfying life (Ro 12:2 TPT).

So, “…be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous…” (Ps 27:14 TPT)!

God has destined “you to become a beacon light for the nations and release salvation to the ends of the earth” (Ac 13:47 TPT)!

To God be all glory, honor and praise.

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

Promised Outlook

You can see it in your mind’s eye. It’s right in front of you. The promise of God as He revealed it to you.

You carry the vision.

He carries the burden.

And He leads you by His Spirit.

Suddenly, all the pressing resistance feels far behind. You’ve been restored to joy in your work. The diligence you held to is paying off now, as The Spirit of Grace empowers you to complete the project you began with Him.

Psalm 138:8 TPT extolls God as your supreme promise keeper by proclaiming, “You keep every promise you’ve ever made to me! Since your love for me is constant and endless, I ask you, Lord, to finish every good thing that you’ve begun in me!”

You remember Proverbs 3:6 TPT, which says, “Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.”

You know God’s promises are rock solid and that He is near to guide you.

Holy Spirit reminds you of Proverbs 16:9 TPT, which says, “Within your heart you can make plans for your future, but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there.”

So, here you are—crossing over into all you’ve waited for.

All He has promised.

This final process and this time has converged into a streamlined path that leads you to new, abundant life (Matt 7:14).

Even though it narrows, you are content.

Content with Him as all that matters most.

With each new moment, you know you are arriving together.

You trust Him implicitly on your journey now.

You came to learn that it had to be God’s way (Ro 8:5-8 MSG).

You came to understand that “…the fulfillment of God’s promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God’s promise arrives as pure gift…” (Ro 4:16 MSG).

You learned to “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure,” a child “‘of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’” You knew that then you would “shine among them like stars in the sky as you” held “firmly to the word of life” (Philippians 2:14-15 NIV).

So, you came into agreement with Him, your mind renewed, even in your other relationships (Philippians 2:5).

And you believed His special promise to you—His summons, His announcement for assent, His assurance of good—was fitting and guaranteed by Him (Strong’s #1860).

Victory was your beginning and is your ending.

New wine awaits. The best wine that has been held in reserve for you.

You’ve been the faithful watchman and worker (1 Pe 5:8, Is 21:6). Now, it’s near time to be presented as His faithful witness (Ac 1:8).

As God watches over you, He extends peace and invitation to blossom—the first stage of fruitfulness.

And you know you will make it as you stay His course for you—all the way to the mature end.

Beauty is here.

You know your promise of identity and that you are on assignment with a divine purpose (Ro 9:6 MSG).

You know you are His princess, who operates in His truth.

You know you “…were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit” (Ep 1:13 AMPC).

And that you are a partaker “…of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Ep 3:6 ESV).

You remember Galatians 3:29 NLT, which says, “And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.”

You’ve proven out His law in your heart by your obedience (Ro 8:14-16 MSG).

And you will continue to do so as you diligently and victoriously prospect the mysteries of Christ into your future (Ep 3:6).

Your special promise from God, for which you’ve been set apart, for which you’ve worked and waited, is about to be made manifest, complete, in person. God will bring greater wholeness of life, a great measure of fruitfulness. As He faithfully perfects—by His Spirit of Grace—you will reach your finish line with Him (and the great cloud of witnesses) cheering you on.

Because when God is in it, a promised outlook, with the mind of Christ, will produce a fulfilled outcome and a celebration of victory.

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

Thank You for adopting me into Your Kingdom and for giving me fresh eyes with which to see Your vision forward—eyes that honor, build and glorify You. Thank You for the new wine You stored up for me and for unlocking Your destiny in me. Thank You that Your promises bring life to me and motivate me (2 Ti 1:1). Thank You for walking with me, guiding me and watching over me. Thank You for fulfilling all Your promises to me. Now, help me broadcast Your “…glorious wonders throughout the world” in even greater measure (1 Pe 2:9 TPT).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

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