Faith Time – Part 2

The Lord revealed to me that He is completing some assignments to bring His beloved into a higher perspective—one where wholeness resides—a beautiful, anticipated end to longings of the heart (1 Co 15:24). 

The image He gave to me was of a choir director bringing a choir to the close of an impactful song, where the glorious power of harmony comes to a punctuated end to position us anew. 

God is opening doors to places of beauty, revealing His greater goodness, the abundance of John 10:10. And there is such deep appreciation of these manifest opportunities, because they have felt like a long time coming. 

God has been breaking us into these places step-by-step, giving us a new perspective little-by-little; and in so doing, has increasingly made us insiders.

Suddenly, where we used to walk and wonder what it would be like to be in “that” position—in “that“ company, in “that” home or family or on “that” level—God is fulfilling a multiplicity of promises that He placed in our hearts. 

He is turning our reality.

Instead of being on the outside looking in, in a moment, we will find ourselves positioned on the inside looking out. With deep calm and gratitude in our hearts. 

We will experience a gentle exhale of “finally.”

God is bringing us onto His mountain to experience the solidity of His holiness, His glory and goodness. We will experience what we have prayed for for so long.

As we continue to fasten the gaze of our hearts on God, He will re-seat us higher with a firewall of protection around us (Ze 2:5).

Zechariah 2:5 NLT says, “And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.”

Psalm 91:9-10 MSG say, “Yes, because God’s your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door.”

So, friends, in God bringing us up higher, things that used to pull us down will not even phase us. They will simply become a nonissue.

Drive-bys intended to harm will turn into by-passes as evil is turned away.

Are you willing to exercise the faith God put in you for His resurrection life to stream like a fountain upward and out of you?

If so, we must remember, too, that as we transition into these higher places with God’s perspective, we have to entrust Him, as our rear guard, with what’s behind us (Is 52:12).  

We must believe, by faith, as we take hairpin turns with Him, that He has better forward.

It’s time. And it’s right in front of us. 

We can renounce all lies of the evil one and continue forward, no matter what. Because when our assignments are complete, evil departs from those assignments (1 Co 15:24, 1 Sa 30-31).

Here are a few Bible characters who took a hairpin turn toward God and His will and, as a result, received a great harvest of restoration:

Ruth and Naomi, who returned to Naomi’s beloved Bethlehem (and God), received the security of a new husband and a new son, respectively (Ruth 1:16, 4:13-17).

Elijah, who sought God on Mt. Horeb when he was greatly troubled, heard from God; then returned the way he came, with a fresh victory-strategy and three new assignments from God that were destined for victorious outcomes (1 Ki 19:15-18).

David, who sought God before returning to Ziklag, the place of his assignment, recovered all (1 Sa 29:4; 30:3, 8, 18-20). Then, immediately afterward, when he shared his plunder generously, the evil assignment against him (through Saul) cancelled out (1 Sa 30:21-31; 1 Sa 31).

Notice, in each of these Bible character’s lives, their livelihoods were threatened. But they were led by The Lord into exponential new life; and they became conduits of new life for others.

Each of these Bible characters chose to seek God and a path of victory. 

Life didn’t end in tragedy, even though the enemy of their souls would have them believe otherwise. They kept going until they received their manifest victory.

They were surrounded by large and wide-open doorways of opportunity. They had to make pivotal decisions in a moment that would set their course higher in resurrection life. 

This should encourage us to make room for God’s truth and grace when making life-impacting decisions. He will be faithful.

Everywhere God leads us, we can walk on higher ground, because of the higher level of holiness God has brought us into by His Spirit and His dominant strength over His promises to us. 

The way these Bible characters got there was to turn to God first to seek and know His will for themselves and their circumstances. Then walk it out.

Their steps for a victorious outcome could be summarized like this…

  1. Seek God. Receive His strategy. Take the path of victory by obediently walking out your assignment, His way, until it’s complete. 
  2. When the fiercest part of the battle is over, do the right thing and share your plunder-blessings with others. Despite opposition.
  3. The attacks that come against you will be cancelled out when your assignment is completed in victory. In other words, the stronghold against you and your assignment will be broken. So, no matter what, don’t stop until you cross the finish line.

Friends, it’s time for God’s multiple promises to come into fruition in our lives.

And, not just one promise, but many over time, especially in the next five to six years.

By the dominant strength of His Spirit, our Lord is bringing them into place.

We will see them come to pass when we open our eyes and see it God’s way. Then choose to believe by faith for our longtime heart’s desires to come into fruition beginning right now. And exercise our faith to move forward, trusting and relying upon God (Jn 3:16, 3:36).

Psalm 34:8 MSG says, “Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.”

Friends, let us taste and see and come to know that God is better than we’ve ever known.

It’s time to receive God’s priority and perspective that He has waited patiently for us to grow into.

So, if you’re willing…

  • Look up (to seek His heart and face). 
  • See Heaven above earthly things, even above the practical things He used to help build you so far along the way. 
  • Receive Him as the true revealer of mysteries who fortifies you. 
  • Praise Him for His rich mercy and patience, which He has also gifted to you as the fruit of His Spirit. 

He is wonderful, awesome God!

Lord, thank You for changing our perspective to see more of You and Your goodness in our lives. Enable us to receive all you have for us as we trust in You (Jn 3:16, 3:36; 1 Co 2:5). In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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

God’s Glory-Power: Our Righteous Boast

“Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy” (Ex 15:6 AMPC).

“You crushed the strongholds of Egypt and all your enemies were scattered at the mighty display of your glory-power” (Ps 89:10 TPT).

“You ask, ‘Who is this King of Glory?’ He is the Lord of Victory, armed and ready for battle, the Mighty One, the invincible commander of heaven’s hosts! Yes, he is the King of Glory” (Ps 24:10 TPT)!

1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT declares, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours…and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.”

Psalm 93:1 TPT says, “Look! Yahweh now reigns as King! He has covered himself with majesty and strength, wearing them as his splendor-garments. Regal power surrounds him as he sits securely on his throne. He’s in charge of it all, the entire world, and he knows what he’s doing!”

Friends, aren’t you glad that mighty God is head over all, that He knows what He’s doing and that He’s for us?

We can trust our Lord, Adonai, Sovereign and Master over the universe as He works His master plan of fulfillment.

As His masterpieces, God has “delegated to [us] mastery over all [He has] made, everything subservient to [our] authority, placing earth itself under the feet of [His] image-bearers” (Ps 8:6).

Mastery is a type of Godly power.

With this comes reverential responsibility.

First to Glorious God.

To His important Presence and mighty acts.

We are to consult Him and give thanks for who He is and what He does.

He is the “Commander of Angel Armies”…our “crown of glory and a diadem of beauty for the remnant of his people” (Is 28:5).

He empowers us by giving us everything we need.

He deserves all the credit (credit being a type of glory), as well as honor and praise, lest we think we accomplished great exploits all on our own (Eph 2:9, 3:7).

1 Corinthians 10:31 TPT instructs us to “…live your life in a way that glorifies and honors God.”

To do this, we must acknowledge our Hope of Glory, which is Jesus.

“Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it” (Col 1:27)!

Strong’s Concordance defines “glory” in Colossians 1:27 as “the unspoken manifestation of God.” This divine glory in us also encompasses God’s approval, which determines our value, as well as His excellence, dignity, splendor, honor, and brightness.

We can trust and be confident in this, according to God’s Word.

2 Corinthians 3:18 TPT reveals, “We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil, we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image, as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

As God leads and grows us from glory to glory, we realize God’s beauty and strength increases in our soul. In this way, there is a completion element in glory. Completion means: integration, perfection, fruition, and fulfillment. So, when we master one level or area of growth, by submission to the Master (Adonai), we’ve completed that portion. Then God moves us onward to the next glory, until we complete our race on earth and receive our glorified bodies for Heaven. 

If you’ve been suffering through tests and trials, know that God’s glory will be with you throughout, and that His glory will also be your completion. In other words, your story will end in glory.

So, don’t give up. 

Walk closely with God, who is never defeated.

Remain in His glory.

God will help you finish your race victoriously. 

Proverbs 4:9 TPT assures us that, “You will be adorned with beauty and grace, and wisdom’s glory will wrap itself around you, making you victorious in the race.”

When we put on Christ, who is our royal diadem, our crown of glory, we put on His victory of life, the finished work of the cross (Gal 3:27).

Remember, too, that God glorifies us to bring Himself glory. 

Isaiah 55:5 TPT affirms this by saying, “Look! You will summon nations you’ve never heard of. Nations, who have never heard of you, will come running to follow you because Yahweh, your God, the Holy One of Israel, has glorified you!”

Never forget that God’s glory is in and around you—His redeemed and beloved.

Psalms 62:7 TPT declares, “God’s glory is all around me! His wrap-around presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength.”

Zechariah 2:5 AMP confirms this by saying, “‘For I,’ declares the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire around her [protecting her from enemies], and I will be the glory in her midst.'”

Proverbs 31:25 TPT says, “Bold power and glorious majesty are wrapped around her, as she laughs with joy over the latter days.”

Bible characters like Esther, Joseph and David understood God’s glory-power, as protective armor and influence. They glorified God by acknowledging who He is, by seeking Him, by depending upon Him, and magnifying Him above their life-or-death circumstances, even beyond themselves. Each had a nation to consider. Each endured suffering to discover a glorious, new life with a noble promotion.

We can do the same when we lean into the nobility of trustworthy God, to live lives that bring Him glory (Ps 29:1). 

Song of Songs 5:14 TPT invites us to, “See how his hands hold unlimited power…displaying his glory. His innermost place is a work of art—so beautiful and bright. How magnificent and noble is this one—covered in majesty!”

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, “…your power and presence shines on all your lovers. Your glory always hovers over all who bow low before you” (Ps 85:9). Thank You for giving me moral power, and excellence in my soul. Thank You for enabling me to “carry this glorious treasure within” me, “so that the extraordinary overflow of power, will be seen as” Yours, “not” mine (2 Cor 4:7). I repent of every time I misused Your glory, and boasted about myself or others, in an ungodly way (Jer 9:23). Please forgive me. I choose to forgive myself. I renounce this wrong behavior. And, I command evil to go. I close the door on evil. Show me a higher way, Lord. Help me to bring You glory in everything I do (2 Cor 10:17). Help me to know and understand You “[personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing” Your “character], that” You are the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things,” You “delight” (Jer 9:24). “Thank You for letting me share in the wealth and beauty of all your lovers,” rejoicing “with Your nation in all their joys, and” for letting “me share in the glory You give to Your chosen ones” (Ps 106:5). I look forward to seeing “the Son of Man, appearing in the midst of clouds, and revealed with mighty power, and great glory” (Mk 13:26).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

And now “I pray that” God “would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power” (Eph 3:16 TPT). “…[so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for” you “who believe as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which” God “exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places]. (Eph 1:19-20 AMPC). I “…pray that you would be energized with all his explosive power from the realm of his magnificent glory, filling you with great hope” (Col 1:11 TPT). I pray that He will “rescue” you “every time” you “face tribulation and set” you “free from evil. For” God is “the King, who rules with power and glory forever…” (Matt 6:13 TPT). I pray that you will “proclaim his majesty, all you mighty champions, you” daughters “of Almighty God, giving all the glory and strength back to him” (Ps 29:1, Is 24:16)!

In Jesus’ Glorious and Powerful Name.

Amen.

This article was graciously reposted on the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.