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Authority Submission

As I prayed over this Word, Holy Spirit brought to mind the community of Israelites who tried to gain His promises their way. 

Their story reveals how they shrunk back in fear when faced with the spy’s report and basically held themselves back in their own unbelief.

I can’t imagine what it felt like when a few were sent by God to enter in and they got left behind. And then to learn that they had adversely affected generations . . . because that’s what sin does.

To make matters worse, they devised a plan of their own doing, against Moses’ authority, to battle on their own without God on their side. As a result, they got pushed back and killed by enemy forces (Nu 14:40-45).

So, at first, they thought they were too small. Then they thought they were too big. And the single consistent element here is that their minds were deceived by not considering God first. And this wasn’t the first time.

In this light, what is God saying to us today as we stand before Him and His promises? Which direction will we go based on His truth, our beliefs and our faithfulness to Him?

I’m continually inspired by the courage of Joshua and Caleb. Known for their careful obedience and wholeheartedness, they submitted to God’s commands and gained victory over opposition battle after battle.

Holy Spirit gave me a dream one night very recently, with two main themes:

First, God is supernaturally freeing up hearts from troubles and fears as they continue to be faithful and lean into Him. Many will come to know Him on a whole new level in this way as their hearts are set free at an accelerated pace.

Secondly, God is bringing a shepherd of powerhouse-authority to help many live out their destinies. This shepherd will have big shoulders and will serve a key role in the areas of protection and connection. This diligent shepherd will serve both as a guard and a conduit. For some, this will be a covenant relationship that will involve abiding and support. 

Deliverance in hearts and relationships will work one after the other as God moves powerfully by His Spirit in growing His faithful ones in submission to Him. 

It’s important that we fall in line quickly with what God has put into place and serve in roles, like our lives depend on it. It’s time for our greatest adventures yet, and there’s freedom in God’s power and legal structure. 

Submission means surrender. It means to be humble and compliant. Godly submission is life-facilitating. We know this from the Israelite’s example.

I was reminded of God’s sovereignty in 1 Corinthians 15:27 TPT, which says, “The Father has placed all things in subjection under the feet of Christ. Yet when it says, ‘all things,’ it is understood that the Father does not include himself, for he is the one who placed all things in subjection to Christ.”

Holy Spirit highlighted Titus 3:1 ESV, which says, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.”

Romans 13:1 TPT tells us that “Every person must submit to and support the authorities over him. For there can be no authority in the universe except by God’s appointment, which means that every authority that exists has been instituted by God.”

And Hebrews 13:17 TPT says, “Obey your spiritual leaders and recognize their authority, for they keep watch over your soul without resting since they will have to give an account to God for their work. So it will benefit you when you make their work a pleasure and not a heavy burden.”

Also, it’s important to watch our words. Paul was all about building up the Kingdom, such as in 2 Corinthians 10:8 TPT, where he says, “I am not ashamed, even if I’ve come across as one who has overstated the authority given to us by the Lord. For it is the authority to help build you up, not tear you down.”

“For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers…” (Ti 1:10 NKJV).

So, it’s time to humble ourselves and choose to grow beyond foolishness. Time to break through limited knowledge, fears and apprehensions. It’s time to take the hand of Jesus in child-like faith and live more fully, trusting and believing Him. 

This would be a good time to ask Holy Spirit to search our hearts for any and all insubordination issues. Forgive authorities who have hurt us past and present and pray deliverance and blessings over them. 

Because, even as I write this devotion, I feel Holy Spirit speaking to my heart once again that He will bring us into circles with new authority figures that will require our respect and that these divinely-assigned relationships are to facilitate destiny. 

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen.

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

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Divine Connection

The path of obedience is rewarding. Doing the right thing successively leads to awards. 

God longs to reward us but we have to contend His way in order to receive a merit-prize or judicial recompense for service or achievements related to our divine assignments.

2 Timothy 2:5 TPT says, “An athlete who doesn’t play by the rules will never receive the trophy, so remain faithful to God!”

In this verse, the word “athlete” means one who contends and wrestles (Strong’s 118). The word “trophy” means crown of honor (Strong’s 4737). 

God knows it isn’t easy for us and He has prizes stored up for those who finish their fight of faith. These prizes are the fulfillment of His promises and many involve joining new relationships that will help His faithful ones move into their next phase.

During quiet time with our Lord, Holy Spirit revealed to me that there are divine connections, and even some covenant blessings, awaiting His faithful ones in this regard. When they join together, life won’t be as it has been but better and far better.

The key is here to lean into Him and see it through to the finish, no matter what. 

2 Timothy 4:7 TPT says, “I have fought an excellent fight. I have finished my full course with all my might and I’ve kept my heart full of faith.”

So, continue to do what delights God’s heart and remember that He likes to give His children good gifts.

We can throw aside encumbrances and do our best, knowing that He’s with us and is releasing His grace upon grace to help us endure this discipline with Heaven cheering us on. 

Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT encourage us, saying: 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

This race, referred to in verse 1, is similar in meaning to the word athlete. It means “struggle” and more specifically a struggle, conflict or fight of faith in the soul (Strong’s 73). Here, the root word for race is where we derive our word “agony.” 

One commentary (Thayer’s) describes this race as “any struggle with dangers, annoyances, [or] obstacles, standing in the way of faith, holiness, and a desire to spread the gospel.”

This contest of the soul is not solely about our own growth. It’s also about harvesting souls for the Kingdom. Therefore, this race must be completed for the honorable purpose of expanding the gospel beyond our own hearts to reach others with the Gospel.

It’s that important.

We simply won’t make it if our eyes aren’t fixed on our first Love, our God of grace, who invites us higher and makes our obedient efforts possible in submission to Him.

Paul says in Philippians 3:14 TPT that he “runs straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus.”

So, all of this is about God and what He desires to do in the earth right now. And even if we see others doing similar work, we, too, must also “run the race to be victorious,” according to 1 Corinthians 9:24 TPT; because there is a unique expression and deposit that God desires to do through us.

Therefore, no matter how obnoxious the obstacles, or fierce the fight, we must keep going and never give up. God will honor our daily decisions and actions to keep pressing on. He will meet us there and power us through as we submit to Him. And, in the end, we will see that it was so worth the outcome. 

In this process, it helps us to remember who we are and whose we are. Deuteronomy 7:6 NLT tells us, “For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.”

Romans 2:10 TPT says, “But when we do what pleases God, we can expect unfading glory, true honor, and a continual peace . . . “

So, as we sow the honor of obedience unto God (our Treasure) during our agonizing races, He will honor us (His treasure) with His promises fulfilled and expand His Kingdom.

“For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh, the Anointed One” (Co 3:24 TPT)!

To Him be the glory.

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

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Celebration Power – Wealth

God gives us power to gain wealth. And it’s for His purposes (2 Co 9:11).

Deuteronomy 8:18 ESV says, “You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”

The reference to wealth here means that God empowers us to be strong and efficient. He supplies an army to help us. He gives us the character, the goods and the finances. He gives us all we need to accomplish divine assignments with Him.

1 Samuel 2:7 NASB tells us that “The LORD makes poor and rich; He humbles, He also exalts.

Many who have been humbled are coming into extraordinary blessings that are linked with those who have gone before them, including facilities and property they didn’t physically labor for—all for the purpose of advancing God’s Kingdom. 

Powerful demonstrations of God’s Presence will emanate from these properties. And the great cloud of witnesses is cheering them on. 

These are legacy properties that will be restored to them as a recompense for multi-purposes. These properties can serve families and communities locally, even into the future, and with potential for a great breadth of reach online. 

This kind of sufficiency is described in Psalm 112:3 TPT, which says, “Great blessing and wealth fills the house of the wise, for their integrity endures forever.”

All of this stems from the blessing of God and involves material wealth and beyond.

Proverbs 10:22 TPT tells us that “True enrichment comes from the blessing of the Lord, with rest and contentment in knowing that it all comes from him.”

A showcase of blessings is described in Deuteronomy 28:1-13 that I’ve paraphrased here. They say:

  1. “God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.”
  2. “All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you.”
  3. God will bless you in the city and in the field.
  4. God will bless your offspring, your land and increase your herds. 
  5. God will bless your harvest.
  6. God will bless you in your coming and going. 
  7. God will give you victory before your enemies.
  8. God will bless your stores, your endeavors and the land that He gives you.
  9. God will establish you as holy.
  10. God will anoint you and cause people to reverence you.
  11. God will cause you to prosper.
  12. God will bless your work and worth to overflowing.
  13. God will lift you and make you the head.

Friends, when God is in it, it works and blessings flow. But all of these blessings are contingent on our obedience to His will and ways. 

There may be some, right this moment, who are looking at their circumstances and wondering how in the world God will bring it together for them. But God has been working on their behalves for a long time—in ways they don’t see—to bring it together in their favor.

Before the dust settles, it may look like you’ve been left out. But remember, God is not finished. And He will not forget what He promised to you. He is not a human who would lie or change His mind (1 Sa 15:29).

Contentment is a key component in all of this as a Godly strategy for gain. Contentment averts distraction.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 ESV says, “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.”

John 1:16 MSG reminds us that “We all live off his generous abundance, gift after gift after gift.”

God will not run out of gifts before He gets to you. So, put your full trust in Him and depend on Him. Find your peace in God by keeping your eyes on Him and let all else go. This peace is, in fact, a component of His enrichment that can settle your soul. He will do what He said.

Take courage and believe in the new life God is giving to you (Phil 1:27-29 TPT). Be ready to move into all God has for you. It won’t be long now and all the chaos will settle as God establishes you into new places and roles.

He will make your joy complete.

I love what King David said in 1 Chronicles 29:12 AMPC, which is that “Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hands are power and might; in Your hands it is to make great and to give strength to all.”

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:5 TPT “What blessing comes to you when gentleness lives in you! For you will inherit the earth.” The TPT study note for this verse explains “Jesus is saying that when you claim nothing as yours, everything will be given to you.”

With this, remember to always do the right thing (Matt 5:10 TPT). Because God’s blessings come with warnings to steward them well. Remember not to boast or forget the Source from whom it all came (Je 9:23 AMPC, De 8:17 AMPC).

It’s time to celebrate as conquerors (Phil 1:27 TPT).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen. 

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

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Celebration Power

God is releasing His breakthrough power to finish action items and tie up loose ends. 

The drawn out, dreadful things that have loomed over His faithful ones will be no more. He is graciously settling matters suddenly in a single day and opening doors for them to establish a new life by His Spirit. 

Those who have remained steadfast can expect bursts of celebration (Ps 2:8). King David and his wild dance came to mind. 

A key verse here is Psalm 2:11.

The TPT version says, “Serve and worship the awe-inspiring God. Recognize his greatness and bow before him, trembling with reverence in his presence.”

The AMP version says, “Worship the LORD and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder]; Rejoice [yet do so] with trembling.”

The Word “rejoice” in this verse means to celebrate, to be glad, joyful and “to spin around” (Strong’s 1523).

God is coming into our otherwise impossible circumstances (Ps 68:4); and giving us cause to celebrate beyond our expectations for His glory (Ps 112:1). 

For God is the triumphant King; all the powers of the earth are his. So sing your celebration songs of highest praise to the glorious Enlightened One (Ps 47:7 TPT)!

His timing is right in line with entering into a Jubilee year. Psalm 81:3 TPT says, “Go ahead! Blow the jubilee trumpet to begin the feast! Blow it before every joyous celebration and festival.”

The Book of Philippians is described as “Heaven’s Joy.” In chapter 2 verse 12, Paul writes from his celebratory heart in his prison cell, saying to his congregation:

My beloved ones, just like you’ve always listened to everything I’ve taught you in the past, I’m asking you now to keep following my instructions as though I were right there with you. Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the holy awe of God—which brings you trembling into his presence.

Can you see how this verse links back to Psalm 2:11?

Paul instructs his congregation in Philippians 2:18 TPT that, no matter what, “you should rejoice in ecstatic celebration with me!” 

To rejoice in this verse means to be “favorably disposed, leaning towards…to delight in God’s grace…literally, to experience God’s grace (favor), be conscious (glad) for His grace” (HELPS Word-studies).

Celebration in this verse means “sharing God’s grace with another person, so that both rejoice together” in that they “(mutually participate in God’s favor, grace)” (HELPS Word-studies).

So, we see a cyclical blessing here, where grace as favor in one person’s life builds another in community and in Kingdom.

Paul goes on to instruct them how to push through and work out their Kingdom service to appear “as shinning lights in the universe, offering them the words of eternal life” (Ps 2:12, 15-16 TPT).

Holy Spirit gave me the revelation that there are those who were sent ahead years ago to work their missions separately and incrementally in preparation for a big convergence that is now right before them. 

In God’s time, these faithful ones will join together, as He assigns, all having worked their piece and having been made ready—to become even greater blessings to those in need.

This cycle of convergence, in itself, is reason to celebrate. But awesome God is working even greater outward transformations.

Holy Spirit highlighted Isaiah 29:19 ESV, which says, “The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.”

This coming together in Christ-union is for the purpose of miraculous restoration for all parties. This means spiritual, physical and material (including financial) outpourings of blessings to include the facilitation of people’s purposes and assignments, especially for the poor in spirit.

This will be a grace upon grace experience for both givers and receivers. 

God says in Jeremiah 31:13-14 MSG that “I’ll convert their weeping into laughter, lavishing comfort, invading their grief with joy. I’ll make sure…that my people have more than enough.”

Rejoice in verse 13 here means to have, to cheer up, to make merry, to make joyful, to make glad (Strong’s 8055). 

Philippians 4:4 TPT reminds us to “Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow!” The Amplified version says to delight and take pleasure in Him.

A key discipline here is to really keep our focus on God, lovingly obey Him, celebrate Him and celebrate with Him in what He will surely do.

When we delight and take pleasure in God, He gives us the desires of our hearts, according to Psalm 37:4.

Friends, this is such a great time of rejoice as God brings His people into manifest promises that are breaking open more each day as He continues to align us for divine purposes. 

Isaiah 25:9 NIV tells us that “In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.'”

“Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory” (Ro 5:2 TPT)!

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen.

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

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Obedience As Entryways

Obedience is the beautiful entrance to our purposed assignments in this season. The “everything“ in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that has been made beautiful in its time is now ready, and one of those things is you!

Our Lord desires that we continue to follow Him as doors close. Don’t look back but be grateful for His faithfulness. He has open-door relationships all lined up for you forward. 

And as we obey Him, He will lead us into and through.

In this light, Holy Spirit has highlighted two areas of scripture on repeat for weeks:

Deuteronomy 7:11-13a MSG and Psalm 75:10.

Deuteronomy 7:11-13a MSG say: 

So keep the command and the rules and regulations that I command you today. Do them. And this is what will happen: When you, on your part, will obey these directives, keeping and following them, God, on his part, will keep the covenant of loyal love that he made with your ancestors:

He will love you,

he will bless you,

he will increase you.

These verses point to John 15:10 and reveal to us that God is working to restore legacies of honor now and that you and I have important roles. If you don’t know what your role is, you need to pursue God and find out. This is not a time to waver or wander. This is a time to listen to God and know that you know.

In Psalm 75:10 TPT our Lord reveals, “My praises will break the powers of wickedness, while the righteous will be promoted and become powerful.”

In Psalm 75:10 CEB we see that “God says: ‘I will demolish every bit of the wicked’s power, but the strength of the righteous will be lifted up.'”

It’s important to memorize this verse because it’s applicable in so many areas right now and along the way.

Holy Spirit is revealing that He is contending with that which contends with you and me. He is reversing bondages. He is freeing us up from that which once limited us. He is removing those prior constraints so we can move forward into Kingdom expanse and accomplish, with Him, the destiny He has for each of us. 

It’s time and the only way there is through careful obedience unto our Lord. 

In this season, He will invite us into new exploits with Him, works we haven’t done before. And it will be up to us as individuals to pursue Him for specifics along the way. 

“I don’t know how” is not acceptable. So, don’t even go there, except as a humble confession before Him. Holy Spirit has all of our answers. So, commit to honor Him by pursuing Him for wisdom.

Also, it’s not solely about the tasks at hand. It’s about what will happen as a result of working those tasks. Remember, God is at work with you. He releases His power on our work to accomplish the mission, so we are not alone and do not have to feel like we have to make it happen in our own strength. We can remember to leave room for His grace to show up in our weak areas right on time.

The next steps He reveals may not make any sense. His instructions may evoke fear in you and around you because you’ll realize you have to relinquish control to Him. Nevertheless, choose to remain close with Him and do it anyway, trusting Him. This is how you’ll break through fear that tries to bind you from moving forward. 

It’s a faith walk. So, trust Him with it all.

Remember Joshua and Caleb—those two leaders, out of an entire community, who chose courage and wholeheartedness in the face of impossible. This level of submission will be required of you and me, too, if we choose to move into our promised lands with Him.

John 14:15 NIV says, “If you love me, keep my commands.”

There is no other way in and through the true victory that is within reach. His standard and strategy of obedience is the path to blessing.

Holy Spirit reminded me that He built us to be like Jesus and that we are to be strongly and openly identified with Him (1 Pe 2:4-8 NIV). 

He took me to 1 Peter to see a fresh perspective for this season. I encourage you to read 1 Peter for yourself and invite Holy Spirit to highlight what He desires you see right now. Because if you want to be blessed, you need to hear from God for yourself and do what He says. 

Notice how these key verses link with Psalm 75:10:

1 Peter 2:9 NIV says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1 Peter 3:12 NIV says, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1 Peter 1:5 NIV says, You “who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

1 Peter 4:17-18 NIV – “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

“To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Pe 5:11 NIV).

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