Alert Messages

How is God getting your attention to help you stay on track with your mission this season?

For me, He has highlighted a couple of key relationships and reminded me to remain steady and keep in touch. Both of these relationships embody my past, present and future, symbolically, in different ways. There are key heritage elements to them that God is bringing around again to fulfill Divine purpose.

Acts 20:31 TPT tells us to “be alert and discerning.” To be alert means to be “watchful and ready” (Encarta). To be “clear-headed and responsive.” God’s alerts are intended to strengthen us. Ephesians 6:15 TPT says to “Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.”

God knows there is a lot going in our lives. He doesn’t want us to be distracted and miss sudden moments of opportunity for protection and blessing (Mk 13:36). No, He desires we be awake and attentive to His guidance.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 TPT reveals a strategy by saying that we “stay alert and clearheaded by placing the breastplate of faith and love over our hearts, and a helmet of the hope of salvation over our thoughts.”

1 Peter 1:13 TPT affirms this by saying, “…prepare your hearts and minds for action! Stay alert and fix your hope firmly on the marvelous grace that is coming to you. For when Jesus Christ is unveiled, a greater measure of grace will be released to you.”

Not only is Holy Spirit highlighting key relationships, He is also extending grace to grow. He enabled me to see and experience a glimpse of something He forewarned me about recently. I believe He’s building me up to face more of the same just ahead in greater measure.

In these ways, and many others, God protects us and works His new-wine plan to establish right priorities that bless our lives. He knows the stronger we are in Him, the better equipped we will be to follow through with His directives, especially when challenges come.

God desires that we be alert and “overcome every form of evil” (2 Ti 4:5). 1 Peter 5:8 TPT reminds us to “Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour.”

I love that God has a beautiful future for each of us, one to prosper us, not to harm us (Je 29:11). Psalm 112:7 TPT confirms this by saying, “They will not live in fear or dread of what may come, for their hearts are firm, ever secure in their faith.”

I believe that God is making old things new again, especially concerning families and that which is important to them. I believe that, as these family’s souls continue to prosper, they will be lifted into more redeemed settings—a Godlier atmosphere in Spirit and physical form. Many are relocating to places that reflect their heart’s desires. Some are returning to their roots. Others are moving to more peaceful neighborhoods.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 AMP reminds us that “to whom God has given riches and possessions, He has also given the power and ability to enjoy them and to receive [this as] his [allotted] portion and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God [to him].”

I believe God is working to share His beauty of riches with us in many forms to demonstrate and instill His goodness. Also, I’ve noticed that, as we come closer to God, His grace increases and brings it all to fruition (1 Pe 1:13).

This was true of Naomi and Ruth and their new extended family, how God swiftly restored them, in Naomi’s homeland, after suffering loss. It was also true for King Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth, who was restored to the King’s table through King David. A purposed solidity occurred for these families, a type of permanence and holy establishment.

I believe God is calling us farther into manifest, righteous legacy and is showing us that there is no place like a Heavenly home to be experienced and shared. I believe God is bringing this around to continue to pour out in new ways. And with all this going on, He reminds us to keep His instructions and encourages our preparation by alerting us.

Was there a time in your last season when God specifically instructed you to not look back? He did for me. That’s because He had us heading into a new season we’re now in. So, what do you see as you look around? I see beauty and opportunity. I see new life.

Matthew 7:11 TPT asks us, “…how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?”

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

We thank You for all of the ways You alert us to stay on track with You. Help us to continue to walk with You in every way. Help us to not drop anything that’s important to Your heart and plan for us. Help us to “remember to stay alert and hold firmly to all that” we believe (1 Co 16:13). Help us to be “mighty and full of courage.” Help us to be strong in Your Spirit above our flesh (Matt 26:41). Thank You for Your beauty of Spirit and form. Thank You for Your good gifts, even the gift of spoils. Thank You for teaching us the way we should go on the narrow path with You (Ps 32:8). May we experience it and use it for Your glory.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen.

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

Healing Power

A couple of weeks ago, after a night of suffering with a high fever, I awakened and immediately heard our Lord speak to me, saying, “Things have a way of working themselves out.”

In my circumstances, God knew that my ailments would be short-lived. God saw the big picture. He knew that my body systems, which He designed, would regulate. He was watching over me. And, yes, my husband and I prayed before we went to sleep.

We know God is our friend and shepherd, who gives us more than enough (Ps 23:1 TPT). His healing power works in many ways. Yes, there are sudden moments, where ailments end, like this morning. But I have experienced that, for every sudden moment, incremental prayers were offered in advance.

Matthew 9:35 TPT tells us that God’s power heals “every kind of disease and illness.” When we look through the Gospels, we find that Jesus demonstrated healing power differently with each person who received His touch. That power is the same today, but the demonstrations still continue to differ, as they are led by Holy Spirit. I have seen healing manifest countless times for others. And you can, too. This can be our normal as disciples of Jesus.

Healing and deliverance is for here and now, not solely in eternity, where we will have glorified bodies. In other words, we can expect and experience God’s eternal touch of healing power while living on earth when we know that healing and deliverance are part of the finished work of the cross. It’s part of our salvation package. Both Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24 tell us that, by His stripes, we have been and are healed. So, no matter what state we’re in, we can choose to believe God’s Word of truth and align accordingly.

I love how St. Peter, the disciple, was so full of this truth that, when he passed by people, they were healed. Acts 5:15 TPT tells us that “In fact, when people knew Peter was going to walk by, they carried the sick out to the streets and laid them down on cots and mats, knowing the incredible power emanating from him would overshadow them and heal them.” I love how the sick people in this scripture chose God’s prevailing power above the dark shadows that tried to overtake them (Jn 1:5). We can do the same for ourselves and others.

Our God is still that amazing, and He lives inside of us for this purpose. God’s truth is that we, as born-again disciples, have the same dynamite healing power to restore life inside of ourselves and others. Jesus, as Holy Spirit, lives in us and can reach multitudes through us, however He decides (Ph 2:13).

Jesus called this a “timeless truth” in John 14:12 TPT. He says, “The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father!”

It can be as simple as inviting Jesus’ healing touch to overtake us spirit, soul and body. Then go forward from there. We can be sensitive to Holy Spirit’s leading and follow His specific guidance on how to pray and what to declare over ourselves and others (Ps 32:8).

Philippians 4:13 TPT reminds us that “…the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.” So, seeing people healed and delivered only requires our hearts for God to see this come to pass, as well as our trust and obedience, believing that Christ has made a way.

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing God’s healing touch for many, even in impossible situations for “incurable” diseases. I’ve seen people delivered from unholy spirits that afflicted them. This has long become my normal. And it’s for anyone else who is willing.

In Matthew 10:8 TPT, Jesus commands us to “…continually bring healing to lepers and to those who are sick, and make it your habit to break off the demonic presence from people, and raise the dead back to life. Freely you have received the power of the kingdom, so freely release it to others.”

Jesus has commissioned us to go into all the world, share His Good News and make disciples of all nations (Matt 16:15). He also says in Matthew 16:17-18 TPT that “…miracle signs will accompany those who believe…they will lay hands on the sick and heal them.”

When we obey God at His Word, we can be certain He will show up. The more we practice His truth His way, the more we will see it manifest. Faithful God will help us—His believers—break through.

So, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

Thank You for making a way for Your believers to live in shalom-wellness by the finished work of the cross. I ask You to touch me now and heal me of all that ails me. I speak to my body, that You created, and command it to come into alignment with Your perfect will. I say, “Be made whole in Jesus’ powerful Name.” Thank You, Lord, for Your gift of healing for myself and others. I invite You to order my steps and show me who needs Your healing touch and how to pray for them.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

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