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Patient Decisions

Patience is critical to unlocking our destinies and fulfilling our calls. God will release us to move forward as we mature in patience. So, in patience, we find freedom.

Patience is a fruit of The Spirit, not a slow-down or a denial to our heart’s desires. It’s not a waste of time. No, impatience is what causes us to get locked down.

If there is one lesson I have had to learn (and am still growing in) it’s daily patience.

When we love God, we desire to do life His way. And this desire is our fuel to go deeper in trust. When we trust God implicitly by faith, we rest as we grow in the freedom of patience. It also helps us to know that patience will lead us to making right decisions, where we can flow like a river in God’s best. Impatience, on the other hand, provokes us to jump ahead and grab counterfeits out of fear of lack.

God’s truth is that He is enough as our Source of provision. His perfect love casts out fear. His grace is sufficient to help us where we are right now, even if it feels like goals are taking a long time. He is for us and has our best at heart.

In this season, where we’ve learned to put God first, He is opening up His windows of first-rate blessings we cannot contain. Seconds are not an option as we continue to practice our faith walk into manifest fulfillment. This requires the patience of submission so we don’t stop short.

God is leading us in small things to show us the way to go, as He brings us into bigger manifest blessings. He will consistently open our eyes to see and apprehend His best. We must continue to let faith in His Spirit be our guide. There is no reason to fear because, when we walk with Him in His ways, we will ultimately prove victorious for His glory. This, of course, requires belief.

Biblically, I believe Jacob struggled with impatience. I believe it was a big factor in him having to labor for the love of his life, Rebecca, for seven years. God used this labor of love to work the fruit of patience in Jacob. Jacob started out as an immature, selfish grabber. If he had continued along this path, he would have self-destructed. Therefore, patience was necessary for Jacob to survive. God knew Jacob had to come up higher in order to walk out his Divine lineage. God knew that the best way to re-establish Jacob’s foundation was to mature him deeply in patience through long-suffering.

James 1:4 NKJ says, “…let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

So, in long-suffering, we tend to run to God, where He proves Himself faithful to us. We come to know God as our as Provider for all we need (Matt 6:11, Ps 73:26). In this process, we turn our focus on God and come to realize that we don’t have to compete with anyone else for anything else.

We’ve all walked through various types of suffering. Holy scripture makes it clear that no one leaves this earth without going through some trouble. Holy Bible also reveals that God will use it all for good.  

Once we make it through times of testing and trials successfully and prove out a necessary level of patience, we are expected to follow through by making Godly decisions. This is how we receive God’s best outward flow of blessings like a river. Therefore, patience is part of our foundation of hope for making wise decisions.

I believe Paul demonstrated this in his release from jail in Acts 16. I believe that Paul had been prepared through long-suffering and had proven himself mature in patience to the level God required of him at that time. As a result, he was able to wisely choose to praise God and receive manifest release from bondage, rather than allow his soul to lock down in despair.

As Paul handled his circumstances wisely, he didn’t have to suffer long. He had learned what to do and didn’t hesitate to trust God, even though he didn’t know how long his release from jail would take. Paul had nothing else to prove in this regard. He only had to demonstrate the freedom-by-faith that Jesus taught him.

We see this again when Paul shook the snake from his hand shortly before he laid his hands on a man, who received supernatural healing. Paul demonstrated that sufferings didn’t control him. They only prepared him. In his patience, Paul demonstrated clarity above confusion in the crowd of onlookers (Ac 28:5-6). Paul shared a soundbite of wisdom and firmly established, by agreement with God’s way, that there was no room for despair in his life. Paul would not slow down to the counterfeit of self-pity.

In all this, we see that Paul grew to operate in a new trajectory, where he processed quickly. And we can, too. As God continues to bring us into His river of blessing, where much flows rapidly, He will continue to make us ready to process wisely.

Many have passed the patience test and are now in position to receive God’s greater manifest flow of blessings with wisdom, grace and peace. They have come into the clearing and already know, deeply in their souls, what is right. They have grown in the love of God to the point of fearlessness for the level they’re now on. They have already begun to experience and are now demonstrating having gone from lack to luster for God’s glory.

So, Lord, Thank You for getting us fully there. Continue to lead us with Your secret wisdom. May we experience, even more, that following You brings us into Your brightness and glory as we honor You (Ps 73:24). In Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.

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

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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.

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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.

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Compromised Truth – Part 2

Compromised Truth leads to disrespect of self and others as we navigate through life our way. It’s an attack against God’s character of authenticity for us and, therefore, hinders blessings that come from stewarding God’s genuine nature in us.

We must put God first, cultivate an intimate relationship with Him and trust Him enough to make Him our supreme authority. We must hear God’s voice above all others, even above our communities with parents, spouses, bosses, friends, counselors, pastors, prophets, etc. If any people in our lives advise or expect us to do anything outside of God’s will, we can still choose God’s way. We can realize that even the well-meaning can operate in an opposing spirit to the life God has for us. Forgive them and move on.

We can choose to distance ourselves from opposing voices, if necessary, while coming closer to God. In cases where we cannot totally distance ourselves, such as in child-parent relationships or employee-boss relationships, we can still run to God in prayer, seek His protection and guidance, declare His truth over our lives and wait out greater freedom.

This is what twelve-year-old Jesus did in Luke 2:41-52 AMPC when He went and stayed in the temple of God for three days to pursue Father’s Presence, while His parents knew not where He was (vs 46). In the midst of His parents’ “custom” to visit Jerusalem, during the Passover season, young Jesus didn’t want to leave His spiritual feast. Jesus wasn’t afraid of the power of His True Father. He was drawn to Him. At the outset, Jesus chose this as His “necessary” high purpose and priority above returning home with His earthly parents (vs 42, 49). Verse 52 reveals the result of Jesus putting Father God first and pursuing His truth by saying, “And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man.” 

In this light, when we pursue God as truth above all else, He increases His wisdom in us as He grows us to be wise, like Him. And He increases our favor with Him and man (Lk 2:52). This righteous priority translates into us experiencing the increased victory of salvation, even in our families, that Jesus died to give us on earth as it is in Heaven. Luke 2:51 says that Jesus’ “mother kept and closely and persistently guarded all these things in her heart” as He explained His whereabouts and purpose to her.  

I have learned that, as I have gone out to do the work our Lord sent me to do with Him, He has blessed my family and myself in eternal ways that only He could. So, like young Jesus, when we make Father God our eternal life source above all else, including family, we will see the fullness of life He has for us and others; andunderstand it, both in practical ways and through His Spirit of Revelation.

Jesus is our best family member and our greatest champion. He looks out for us in truth and glory. He says in John 14:2 AMPC that “In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.” 

Jesus desires that we live an authentic life abiding in Him. We do this by firmly deciding He, as part of the Holy Trinity, is Lord of our lives and determine to walk it out, not letting anyone or anything pull us away, including any other relationships.

As the world around us strives to get ahead, we must look to God and align with His truth, which is that He will give us the things He put in our hearts when we come to appreciate Him first, above all else (Matt 6:33). 

So, pray with me if you will:

Dear Lord, 

Your truth is better than anything. Thank You that it sets me free from decline, as I incline my heart toward You. I humbly turn to You and ask You to deliver me from unholy compromise. Rid me of fear, of masking Your truth and authenticity in me and of the unholy mixture of man’s ways. Help me rightly divide the truth and priority of Your prevailing Word. Help me walk in it and live out the fullness of life You have for me in the earth, as I learn to rest in You, while working alongside You. Help me to walk out Exodus 33:13 AMPC, which says, “…if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight…” Lord, help me to live in a way that glorifies you abundantly and enables me to experience Your wisdom and beauty in my life-journey with You (Ep 1:17). Thank You that I don’t have to be afraid but that I can trust You to help me live out Your life-plan for me, knowing that You judge fairly (De 3:16, 1 Pe 2:23).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen.

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

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Compromised Truth – Part 1

Just like a bad attitude results from the delay and disappointment of distractions, annoyances result from the false realities of lies, regardless of intentionality. Both distractions and lies are door-openers to the enemy to drain us of peace and pace in our victory runs. The enemy is all about covert and overt lies.

Walking out a false reality is where we feel like nothing good works for us. That’s because we’re working our plan, not God’s. Many times, we can be too deceived to realize we’re doing the wrong thing, especially since our ways feel so familiar.

A couple of weeks ago, our Lord gave me a revelation that some of our most enduring annoyances result from relationships in which God’s truth is compromised. Much of it is done, out of fear of man and by masking our Godly identity and character. This false shield works against our shield of faith and postures us to believe lies, speak lies and exhibit false impressions. Little wonder why we don’t get ahead sometimes.

I believe God is highlighting this issue, because He’s about to remove some of these major annoyances in our lives. I believe we are coming to the end of some sufferings, since last-season’s patient endurance has had its developmental work in us for the new season we’re in now (Ja 1:4, 1 Pe 5:9-11, Is 61:3).

God has seen us try our best to respond His way to the troubles that have come our way by trusting Him, blessing our enemies and moving forward (Lk 6:28, 1 Co 4:12). God has met us there.

This model is based on one Jesus set for us in 1 Peter 2:23 AMPC, which says, “When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.”

Jesus is “the perfect expression of the truth” in its integrity and sincerity of character (Vine’s Dictionary). His truth means what is “ideal” and “genuine” (Strong’s #228). “Unconcealed” and “manifest” (Strong’s #227). This makes sense, since we know that He was God who “came down from Heaven” and revealed Himself in flesh (living bread) (Jn 6:51).

Likewise, whenever God calls us out and away to fulfill a mission with Him for His glory, it’s also for our benefit. Even if we don’t see how, we are to just go. Abraham is a great example. God instructed him to depart from his family’s house and go to where God would send him. We are all called to the Great Commission where, as we go, God will take care of our families and deliver us from evil and into His greater promises.

This requires courage.

If we shrink back and remain in a state of compromise, not only do we live at a lower level than God intended, we live in agreement with demonic activity. Over time, this can change our personalities, as confusion and resentment settle in. Until, by God’s grace, we see the light of His truth and firmly decide to obey Him, our realities won’t change much for the better.

We see this play out in the Israelite community-at-large, who died in the desert, just short of their Promised Land. They realized too late that their unbelief in God’s truth led to death. Only a fraction of the community believed and carried the predominant Spirit of Truth into their fullness of divine promise. The former carried power in number, but it was their own power—a lesser power than God’s grace-power operating through the few who went where they were sent.

Sadly, this community-at-large brought it on themselves, even though they were forewarned by God and Moses to make righteous choices.

Deuteronomy 30:19 AMPC says, “I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore, choose life, that you and your descendants may live.”

In this light, I recall some of the best wisdom my earthly father ever shared with me, which is to think for myself and not just go along with the crowd. I’ve known for a long time that I had to make decisions as to whether I would compromise truth and follow the crowd of destruction or believe God’s truth and receive the crown of life. We can all choose righteousness as we come to know and trust God’s character, Word and guiding Presence.

His nature of truth offers us a powerful force of purity, certainty and righteous direction toward living out His eternal reality. It’s His authenticity that He shares with us, as He reveals Himself and His mysteries to us and deals faithfully with us in covenant relationship (Co 3:4). Who wouldn’t want to know God like this, especially since His truth leads to freedom, while lies lead to a less-than-abundant life?

God alone brings His best. He alone empowers the miracles we need. His is the only way that works. He will meet us in the midst of our challenges with His grace-power, and bless our obedience, to propel us beyond where we can go in our own efforts. So, as we honor Him and His ways, we will come to know Him as The One who is most for us. We will experience Him working out our salvation right before our eyes on earth as our new reality. Oh, what a wonder that He loves us so much.

I invite you to join me next week for part two of Compromised Truth.

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