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Obedience Strategy: Confidence in God – Part 1

Nearly two weeks ago, on the morning of October 5, 2020 (hours before President Trump returned from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center), The Lord showed me a vision of a big, bold eagle high in the sky.

It expanded as I continued to gaze. 

Behind the eagle were several curly contrails, depicting strength and velocity. 

When I asked The Lord what this represented, He showed me the Word “America.” 

He impressed my heart with the understanding that the USA is making a powerful comeback by His fire and wind and that He is making it happen swiftly. 

The scripture The Lord gave to me was Psalm 103:5 TPT, which says, “You satisfy my every desire with good things. You’ve supercharged my life so that I soar again like a flying eagle in the sky!”

The AMPC version says, “Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]! [Isa. 40:31.]”

God will continue to raise up His yielded (and trusted) ones for His glory.  

God reminded me that He looks for those to bless and that He is about to re-seat them in new, impactful roles. 

For those who have lost jobs, especially due to this year’s economic crisis, this is good news. 

God is turning circumstances. As His yielded ones continue to rise spiritually, they will be met with offers—some coming through a trickle-down effect—both spiritually and naturally. 

The Lord reminded me that much provision is on the other side of defeating the enemy of the soul. 

Think spoils—rewards for overcoming—done God’s way (2 Co 10:3). 

Biblically, it happened for David and for Joshua and Caleb, each of whom outgrew the purpose of their enemies, which was to drive them closer to God to accomplish His mission with Him.

God’s training arenas were their own families and communities.

These wholehearted leaders learned to hold onto God’s promises until they became their outward reality.

These leaders learned to overcome their enemies by trusting God to give them unique strategies and grace-power for each battle as they obeyed Him (2 Co 10:3).

They learned to step forth with God and take dominion by their obedience to His instruction.

Likewise, when we run to God in trust and reliance—our hearts made willing to receive the seeds of His Word as truth—God can produce exponential fruit through us to the point of outward multiplicity. 

This strong, intimate connection with God is one of dwelling in the blessed, fertile life—authentically living above lesser things—by the power of Holy Spirit.

We must come to know that God has us in an ascended position, able to receive His manifest blessings on an above-and-beyond level. 

We know He has our best interest at heart.

We know His compassion.

And we trust Him implicitly as Mercy and Justice on our behalf. 

This is the beginning of expanded living that goes beyond what we’ve known to reach others.

And it’s done by His Spirit.

It’s what Jabez prayed for in 1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV, which says, “‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain’…”

We can sync with God in Word and deed: Obedience to the heart of God, confidently remembering what He has already done for us and expecting Him to do more through us. 

We can know that He caught and carries us. 

Deuteronomy 32:11 NASB says, “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spreads His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions.”

Exodus 19:4 NLT says, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”

Isaiah 40:29, 31 ESV say, “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

God is lifting us to arise and advance. He is restoring honor within our nation and among His people.

He is manifesting God-size dreams. 

Are you in position to receive God’s finest blessings?

If you’re not there yet, you can choose to ask God for a fresh perspective (to see as He sees). 

You can trust God and let Him carry you to a place of freedom and strength. 

You can put your confidence fully in Him, as your sufficiency comes from Him (Philippians 4:13). 

His way is a sure win. 

Romans 15:13 NIV says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

To God be the glory.

Join me next week for Part 2 of Obedience Strategy: Confidence in God.

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

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Fire Arising – Part 2

What is God revealing to you now?

Proverbs 30:5 NKJV says, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”

God’s Word brings a truth test, intended to infuse His Spirit of Truth more into souls who will trust Him to receive and live out His truth. 

God is love, and His Words have the power to purify us as fire: Consuming fire to eliminate confusion brought on by a mixture of enemy lies. And passion-fire as we run to Him in tests to experience His deliverance and become more established in His higher order. 

God proves Himself as a shield to those who respond to Him in love. As He produces greater righteousness and holiness in our lives, we see His goodness blossom (Ps 66:12). Our eyes are opened to see as He sees from a higher level. 

Luke 1:78 NLT says, “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us.”

Friends, our vagabond season is over.

The Lord has new assignments now to bring greater prosperity to His Kingdom (Ze 9:12).

They’re springing up. Do you see them (Is 43:19)?

As we continue to seek The Lord, his resurrection life flows outward as it continues to propel us upward. It has the power to produce fruit as luxuries and refined gifts as Holy Spirit has refined us inwardly.

Tangible expressions of His beauty, even in little things. 

Proverbs 22:17 TPT instructs us to “Listen carefully and open your heart. Drink in the wise revelation that I impart.”

God has new instructions and new blessings for us in this season.

He may give us night dreams or day visions for new inventions or even divine intelligence beyond ourselves to complete an assignment.

Are you open to His Spirit? Are you ready to move forward and do the work in full submission to Him to have His full anointing?

God anticipates our steps of faith-obedience.

So, friends, be ready to prove out a life of blessing above a life of past consequence—nothing missing, nothing broken—as The Lord’s water of repentance has washed us and we continue to sync with Him in greater wholeness.

Matthew 3:11 AMPC says, “I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He…will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

So, there is more fruit to be realized just ahead.

And, as we go, we must also remember that God is the one empowering us.

2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT tells us that “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

Philippians 4:13 AMPC reminds us that “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”

God has more glory before us than we’ve ever experienced in our past. So, we must remain in the race and rise in our hearts to take the next step as He fires the gun forward.

To arise means to stand up and abide with God (Strong’s #6965). It means to “awaken” and “to come into being, action, or notice; originate; appear; spring up.” It means to “proceed,” to “ascend.” (Dictionary.com). It means to mount up like eagles above past storms to produce good results by His Spirit (Is 40:31).

Friends, it’s time to “ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! [Zech. 8:23]” (Is 60:1).

It’s time for the mega shifts for which God has enabled us. 

It’s time to arise and take our place before and alongside our King as in Esther 8:4 NIV, which says, “Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.”

Friends, God as made us beautiful—fitting and appropriate for such a time as this. He sees us as such. He has extended an invitation of abundance to us, even beyond ourselves to impassion others. 

It’s our time for God’s deeply personal promises to us to begin to manifest. Look around. Open your eyes to see the restoration of little luxuries in your life and be encouraged. God’s manifest promises will snowball from here as we obey His instructions. 

God has brought us through fire and flood to “bring us out better than we were before, saturated with His goodness” (Ps 66:12). He has “brought us out into a place of abundance.”

Friends, let’s believe Him at His truth. 

Let’s take courage and run with Him.

Let’s hearken to Song of Songs 2:10 TPT, which says, “The one I love calls to me: Arise, my dearest. Hurry, my darling. Come away with me! I have come as you have asked to draw you to my heart and lead you out. For now, is the time, my beautiful one.”

To God be the glory. 

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

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Fire Arising – Part 1

I’m seeing fires that God started years ago, through individuals, now ignite others. Godly passion and wisdom rising through them in a new framework—streamlined, hyper-focused, targeted to make impact, like a pinpointed laser. 

Transformative, like lightning.

Whatever is thought, happens.

Whatever is spoken, happens. 

This fire is expanding as God breathes on it.  

Evil cannot stand against it as His glory-filled women and men run to fulfill their assignments with Him.

2 Samuel 10:12 NIV instructs us to “Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

Those whom God tempered behind closed doors against all kinds of false fires—by coming into His truth, avoiding strife, standing their ground, asserting the fruit of self-control and remaining in God’s Word and glory—were made ready to emerge now. 

They are God’s Ruths, Esthers and Deborahs.

His special forces developed in the secret place.

His purified, enlightened and transformed ones (2 Co 3:18).

His baptized with fire ones (Ma 3:11), made more beautiful for such a time as this (Ec 3:11).

His prepared and proven ones who carry divine purpose and power beyond themselves (Ja 1:3).

They let God do the work in them that He knew needed to be done.

They believed God, humbled themselves unto Him and received their divine exaltation (Philippians 3:14).

They came to know higher as their inheritance. 

Luke 17:21 AMPC says, “…behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].”

Ephesians 2:6 AMPC says, “…He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”

2 Corinthians 5:20 TPT says, “We are ambassadors of the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world…”

So, these good stewards—these Ruths, Esthers and Deborahs—are now ready for sudden shifts, pivotal moments that make history and set (establish) legacy that glorifies God for all time.

These frontline leaders have been trained to not jump the gun but remain in unison with God, synchronized with His power and authority for greatest impact. 

To “be ready” means to remain in a prepared state. To be pre-set, one command away from go time, like a runner in a ready position at the starting blocks. 

To “be” means to live, as in ready mode, filled with the resurrection life of Jesus, that enables them to take their rightful position—ascended and enthroned to rule over lesser things. To “be” means to “occupy a place or position,” (Dictionary.com) as in continuing to belong to God—spirit, soul and body—and remain where He has called and assigned them—dominating by His glory.

“Ready” means to be “completely prepared or in fit condition for immediate action or use” (Dictionary.com). It means to be “willing.” To be “prompt or quick in perceiving, comprehending, speaking, writing, etc.” To be “prompt or quick in action, performance,  manifestation, etc.” It means to be “inclined; disposed,” and “in such a condition as to be imminent; likely at any moment.” It means to be “immediately available for use.” To be “present or convenient.” To be “equipped, completed, adjusted, or arranged, as for an occasion or purpose.” 

God’s Ruths, Esthers and Deborahs operate and remain in ready mode to act on a moment’s notice when signaled, synced with the new thing God is doing.

Their hearts are filled with the light of Christ that extinguishes darkness.

They press through fear, full of courage to go and make a difference for the better wherever God commands them to go. 

They know God is with them and that they are favored by God to win through faithful obedience to His Spirit.

They mirror Christ’s image as in 2 Corinthians 3:18 AMPC, which says, “And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 AMPC says, “For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [Gen. 1:3.]”

Are you one of these glory carriers?

If you aren’t there yet, you can become one as you surrender your life—your will and ways—to God daily and let Him ready you by His transforming light.

He offers us an open-door opportunity.

Join me next week for Part 2 of Fire Arising.

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

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Surrounding Wisdom – Part 2

God has been delivering His people out from under clouds of darkness into His marvelous light to declare His praise (Ro 13:11-14, Lk 11:33-36 TPT, Ep 5:8-21, 1 Jn 1:5-7).

Psalm 71:15 AMPC says, “My mouth shall tell of Your righteous acts and of Your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is more than I know.”

God has used the longsuffering many endured in previous seasons to develop wisdom in them, posturing them for longstanding for the benefit of others (Ps 72:17).

1 John 1:7 TPT tells us, “…if we keep living in the pure light that surrounds him, we share unbroken fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, continually cleanses us from all sin.”

God’s chosen will continue to grow in His wisdom as Jesus Himself grew in wisdom (Lk 2:40, 52).

These wise ones can attest to Psalm 84:11 TPT, which says, “For the Lord God is brighter than the brilliance of a sunrise! Wrapping himself around me like a shield, he is so generous with his gifts of grace and glory. Those who walk along his paths with integrity will never lack one thing they need, for he provides it all!”

Drawn to the Spirit of Wisdom, like wise men, God’s chosen get to share His wisdom: their new gift of life, how to live it and its “powerful moral result” (Tyndale Bible Dictionary).

And, as these wise ones go forth, The Spirit of Wisdom shields them, enlightens them and provides for them.

Wisdom can be defined as “the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action;…discernment, or insight” (Dictionary.com). Some synonyms are: good judgment, clear thinking, discernment, solidity, understanding, balance, prudence, knowledge, foresight, intelligence and caution (Thesaurus.com). 

Wisdom is a gift from God. It is protective, powerful and creative as part of the nature of God. Wisdom can come through experience, revelation or both. It equips the saints of God with an advantage. Even the otherwise disadvantaged can be set on high by knowing and acting in The Spirit of Wisdom.

The word “surrounding,” as in surrounding wisdom, means “the act of encircling or enclosing” (Dictionary.com). Some synonyms are: girding up, encompassing, throughout, insolating, protecting and neutralizing (Thesaurus.com).

1 Corinthians 1:24-25 MSG tell us that “Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so tinny…Human strength can’t begin to compete…”

“The gospel of Jesus Christ was both the power of God and the wisdom of God,” since Jesus is the life and the way—God’s truth (Tyndale Bible Dictionary). 

1 Corinthians 1:30 TPT says, “For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.”

Part of God’s good news is that He “will make holiness bloom” (Ps 132:18 TPT)!

The Lord is blooming holiness for those who have humbled themselves in a Job journey, remained faithful in the transformation process and come out as pure gold—full of His glory, shinning brighter than ever, grateful (Jo 23:10).

Psalm 66:10 TPT says, “O Lord, we have passed through your fire; like precious metal made pure, you’ve proved us, perfected us, and made us holy.”

1 Peter 2:9 MSG says, “…you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”

As the Lord highlights His especially radiant ones, others will see them in a new light. Relationships will be reconciled more deeply, because others will be drawn to Jesus in their hearts with His hand upon them (2 Co 5:20). 

Many will come to The Lord, as He makes everything beautiful in His time (Ec 3:11).

James 3:13, 17-18 TPT offer strategy and truth forward. They say, “If you consider yourself to be wise and one who understands the ways of God, advertise it with a beautiful, fruitful life guided by wisdom’s gentleness. Never brag or boast about what you’ve done and you’ll prove that you’re truly wise…the wisdom from above is always pure, filled with peace, considerate and teachable. It is filled with love and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy in any form and it always bears the beautiful harvest of righteousness! Good seeds of wisdom’s fruit will be planted with peaceful acts by those who cherish making peace.”

1 Corinthians 1:31 TPT reminds us that “…If anyone boasts, let him only boast in all that the Lord has done!”

I believe it’s time for true justice and prosperity to reign and that we will see an increase of wise rulers take their seats in the land (Ps 72).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name. 

To God be the glory. 

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

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Surrounding Wisdom – Part 1

The Lord revealed to me that He is bringing His people into a new light, free from last season strongholds that blocked them from receiving greater revelations of God and once twisted communication with others. 

God has opened a portal of breakthrough, and this is a new beginning for them. 

Where there has been an appreciation of The Spirit of Wisdom, The Lord is delivering His beloved from their long-suffering into a “surrounding wisdom.”

Those who have come into God’s truth and made Him their center, will now be favorably highlighted on centerstage in their divinely-assigned areas of influence.

To be light.

To share the same revival we have received.

We must remember that we are blessed to be a blessing (Ps 72:17). 

Saved to experience God and do good works as led by His Spirit of Wisdom (Ex 31:1-11).

Deuteronomy 4:6-8 NLT remind us that God will sustain His beloved people before nations as a shining witness to His Great Name and Kingdom, as we continue to carefully obey His commands in this promised land. These verses say:

Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ For what great nation has a god as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on him? And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?

As The Lord delivered our hearts from strongholds of false pride, He postured us to receive His clarity and intelligent understanding on a new level with an outward purpose: to draw others to Him.

King Solomon understood this Kingdom-building effect.

1 Kings 4:29 MSG tells us that “God gave Solomon wisdom—the deepest of understanding and the largest of hearts. There was nothing beyond him, nothing he couldn’t handle…He became famous among all the surrounding nations…Sent by kings from all over the earth who had heard of his reputation, people came from far and near to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.”

The wisdom that God gave Solomon showcased God. It “outclassed the vaunted wisdom of wise men of the East, outshone the famous wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone…He created 3,000 proverbs; his songs added up to 1,005. He knew all about plants, from the huge cedar that grows in Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows in the cracks of a wall. He understood everything about animals and birds, reptiles and fish” (1 Ki 4:29 MSG).

God’s wisdom is a gift that gives His people—the ones who will steward it well—a favorable advantage.

Proverbs 12:28 TPT tells us that “Abundant life is discovered by walking in righteousness.”

The Spirit of Wisdom leads us into abundant life, drawing us closer to our resurrected Lord and His ways.

God alone made Solomon’s heart righteous, famous and wealthy to expand His Kingdom on earth by drawing others to Him.

Jesus was our perfect example. 

Isaiah 11:1-3 AMPC say, “AND THERE shall come forth a Shoot out of the stock of Jesse [David’s father], and a Branch out of his roots shall grow and bear fruit. [Isa. 4:2; Matt. 2:23; Rev. 5:5; 22:16.] And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him–the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord–And shall make Him of quick understanding, and His delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord…”

Moses and Joshua received and operated in this same Spirit of Wisdom.

Deuteronomy 34:9 AMPC tells us, “And Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him; so the Israelites listened to him and did as the Lord commanded Moses.”

So, we see here that the Spirit of Wisdom is linked with obedience for all followers, including leaders. Godly wisdom is what holds an obedient army together as we enter into and occupy our promised land by His dominant Spirit.

So, friends, my prayer for you is Ephesians 1:17-19 AMPC, which say, “[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength.”

To God be the glory.

Join me next week for Part 2 of Surrounding Wisdom.

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