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Godly Courage: Our Breath for The Race – Part 2

A fresh breath of courage begins with fellowship with God in submission to Him. The purpose of this Godly courage is for God to demonstrate His power through His beloved followers as a witness to others and to otherwise build His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.

Acts 4:13 TPT reveals to us that “The council members were astonished as they witnessed the bold courage of Peter and John, especially when they discovered that they were just ordinary men who had never had religious training. Then they began to understand the effect Jesus had on them simply by spending time with him.”

Hebrews 4:16 TPT instructs us to “…come freely and boldly to where love is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.”

Ephesians 3:12 AMPC affirms that “…because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access ( an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).”

Friends, when God graces us with His courage, we gain the ability to speak freely and boldly, void of doubt in our fellowship with God and in reliance upon His Name (Jesus). We can also speak in divinely-purposed ways publicly with perfect, bold assurance, as our confidence and demeanor remain in His Spirit, regardless of circumstance (Ac 4:29) (Strong’s Concordance). 

In Philippians 1:20 AMPC, Paul testifies, “…in keeping with my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope, that I shall not disgrace myself nor be put to shame in anything; but that with the utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage, now as always Christ (the Messiah) will be magnified and get glory and praise…”

So, we have choices to make: Will we come to God in courage, even when we can’t see the way (Mk 10:49)? And will we choose to partake of His offering of unfailing courage as true strength? 

Luke 21:19 NIV tells us to, “Stand firm, and you will win life.”

This means to be “un-swerved” from divine purpose and to be loyal “to faith and piety,” even in our “greatest trials and sufferings” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). 

God assures us victory through courage, even in a storm (2 Cor 6:4). 

When Jesus walked on water in the storm, He commanded His disciples to not fear and “have courage” as He came near to them and rescued them (Mk 6:50)!

Jesus taught His disciples to rely on and confidently demonstrate His unflinching, bold wind (breath) of courage as strength in the face of the storm. He took them beyond their own natural ability to see that, with His help, they could keep a warm heart and a good attitude as they endured victoriously. 

In this way, the disciples were strengthened in Christ.

They grew in faith. 

They learned that they could trust Jesus in the storm to bring them through. The only way they could have learned this and the only way they could have demonstrated any measure of confidence was to actually go through the storm with Jesus as He worked out their faith. 

They learned that Godly courage was the true wind in their sails.

So, we see in this example that when hostile, contrary winds oppose us, we can be met by God’s greater wind, which is His breath (or wind) of courage that strengthens us. This powerful inner bolstering, by the Spirit of Jesus (which is the Holy Spirit in us), invites us to step out and above all that rages against us with a confidence by faith that He is with us and He will sustain us to the end.  

In Philippians 1:14, God even promises His faithful followers that He will increase His infusion of courage during times of injustice.

So, will you believe God’s truth when the adversary lies to you through circumstances that try to take you down and under? Will you believe God’s goodness and take His courage?

Because of who He is and what He has already done for us, God expects us to keep a good, faith-filled attitude, even as we endure the storms of life. As we believe Him at His Word, remain in obedience to Him, reach for Him, keep our gaze upon Him, and worship Him throughout the journey, we are able. 

So, don’t get stuck in unbelief or hardness of heart. 

Endure, and you will see God’s truth come to pass in your life.

Jesus assures us in John 16:33 AMPC, saying, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

Jesus adds in John 14:27 TPT, “I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!”

To be sure, peace, heart, confidence, grace, faith, truth, obedience and endurance are closely tied to courage. 

So, Lord, we thank You for depriving the world of power to harm us. We thank You for Your gifts of perfect peace and confidence. 

In the areas where we have lost heart, we repent. We renounce all depression as a false feeling of defeat, a lie from the enemy of our soul that attempts to crush Your courage in us and render us incapable of completing our divine assignments (Pr 18:14). 

Thank You, Lord, that we don’t have to faint under pressure, but that we can come to You and receive a fresh wind of Your powerful courage that strengthens us and makes us bold in ways that honor and magnify You. 

By Your grace, and in faith, we receive Your fresh breath of courage now to effectively and efficiently fulfill our divine purposes and missions.

Thank You, Lord, that we can always be of good courage (2 Cor 5:6), that as we continue to place our heart in Yours, You will sustain a cheerful heart in us. 

Thank You for helping us hold onto our bold, courageous faith in You, Lord (He 10:35), and to continue on in victory (He 3:6), because we know that You will protect us, just as You say You will (Ac 27:25).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name that is above all names.

To God be the glory.

Amen.

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Godly Courage: Our Breath for The Race – Part 1

To be courageous.

It’s what God commanded of Joshua (Jo 1:1-9) and what David commanded of Solomon (2 Ch 28:20). It’s also what God commands of all His disciples (Mt 10:26). 

Therefore, it’s our duty to lay hold of Godly courage and prevail over the battle before us in bravery as we co-labor with God, to build His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. (Ez 10:4).

Psalm 31:24 AMPC instructs us to “Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you, who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!”

Psalm 31:24, in the TPT version, encourages us to “…cheer up! Take courage all you who love him. Wait for him to break through for you, all who trust in him!”

This God-breathed grace of courage empowers a trusted heart to stand firm in faith and demonstrate bravery in great exploits. It fuels us to “wo-man up” and get the job done by responsibly receiving and executing, God’s initiatives by faith (1 Cor 16:13) (Strong’s, HELPS Word-studies). 

Godly courage takes heart and shows “positive passion as it proceeds from a sound disposition” or attitude during difficulties. It keeps up “high morale” in the face of uncertainty and persecution. It is steadfast, because it’s sourced from our Lord, who never changes and is forever faithful to deliver. (Ac 27:22, Ja 5:13, Pr 8:14) (HELPS Word-studies).

This God-infused courage was demonstrated in what Jesus did for us in Hebrews 12:2, when He bravely and calmly endured the cross to overthrow darkness and set us free. 

Webster’s defines courage as “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty…strength to resist opposition…or hardship.” 

Webster’s defines courageous to mean “characterized by courage: brave,” like a courageous “soldier” or to make a courageous “decision.”

Many of us understand that courage is might and valor on battlefields (Pr 8:14).  

But it’s also essential for winning in every mighty deed. 

It’s even necessary to receive promotion (1 Ch 12:21).

Proverbs 8:14 TPT tells us, “You will find true success when you find me, for I have insight into wise plans, that are designed just for you. I hold in my hands living-understanding, courage, and strength.”

Along with faith and obedience, Godly courage enables us to lay hold of God’s promises.

God instructed Joshua in 1 Chronicles 22:13 AMPC that “…you will prosper if you are careful to keep and fulfill the statutes and ordinances with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage. Dread not and fear not; be not dismayed.”

In its many facets, Godly courage looks like victorious demonstrations of faith because faith sparks courage (He 11:34); and courage is a sign, as evidence, that the enemy is going down, and that God’s way will prevail (Ph 1:28, Ps 20:8).

So, God empowers us by with His gracious breath of courage and His in-working of faith—both of which are purposed to help us reign victorious with Him.

Therefore, as we receive Godly initiatives and grow in faith, we simultaneously mature in His courage to carry them out. 

In this journey of empowerment, we are made able to “behave courageously” as a witness, as we co-labor with God to build His Kingdom (1 Ch 19:13, 2 Ch 32:5, Pr 24:3).

Godly courage is required to possess territory—to overcome inner hindrances, to overthrow outer obstacles, and to overtake (or establish) our promised land as God’s heirs for Kingdom purposes.

Just as God breathes courage into us (Ps 138:3), depression, which is a false feeling of defeat, from the enemy of our soul, attempts to dis-courage us in order to crush our God-given courage (Pr 18:14).

But, we know that we are above the enemy, and that he is beneath us, as we obey God (De 28:13).

The grace of courage to live above and not beneath—unafraid and in peace, abiding with God as He dwells in us—enables us to experience an enthroned life (Ps 4:8).

God will even go so far as to unseat kings (by withdrawing His strength of courage from them) and emboldening his faithful followers with His courage to enthrone them in their place (Da 11:25).

To be sure, the same breath (wind) of sovereign God that makes His warriors mighty is the same breath (wind) of God that, when withdrawn, makes His enemies weak (Jo 2:11).

In so doing, Godly courage demonstrates God’s power through His faithful followers, as His witnesses, who co-labor with Him to complete divine exploits.

All along our journey, Godly courage is available to bolster us with an emboldened comfort, as in good cheer and warm-heartedness, that radiates a Spirit-produced confidence and demonstrates a good witness. This is an expression of glorious shinning from the inside out. This “social boldness” reveals a fearless trust and rest in The Lord as our countenance professes His character and truth (Jn 16:33). Showing this “unflinching,” fearless “courage means living out the inner confidence (or inner bolstering)” that is purposed for others to see in a way that glorifies and magnifies God (Ac 23:11, Jn 16:33, Mk 6:49-50) (HELPS Word-studies).  

In all of its facets, Godly courage is a type of en-couragement of God, who is Love, to honor and extend His gospel (Ac 28:15).

Join me next week for part 2 of Godly Courage: Our Breath for The Race.

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

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Intimacy With God: Our Perfect Union

As His beloved daughters and sons we are betrothed to, in covenant with, and enthroned with our King (Eph 1:14, 2:6).

Ephesians 1:14 TPT says, “He is given to us like an engagement ring is given to a bride, as the first installment of what’s coming! He is our hope-promise of a future inheritance which seals us until we have all of redemption’s promises and experience complete freedom—all for the supreme glory and honor of God!”

Ephesians 2:5-6 AMPC say, “…He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ…and 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).”

John 15:4 TPT adds, “So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.”

Friends, The Lord’s certain hope inside of us gives us confidence to experience extraordinary levels of intimacy with Him on earth and in Heaven (Heb 7:19)!

1 John 4:16 TPT tells us, “We have come into an intimate experience with God’s love, and we trust in the love he has for us. God is love! Those who are living in love are living in God, and God lives through them.”

So as His lovers, we are imbued with God’s loyal love, His passion of life and victory (Pr 3:3, Is 11:2).

As we abide with God, which means to be enthroned with Him (in covenant), we are able to fulfill His supreme commandment to “Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you” (Matt 22:37).

God offers us a full spectrum of covenant (His fully-affirmed, set agreement) benefits, as He makes us dwell in safety and confident trust, even when we walk through the valley with Him (Ps 4:8, 23:4).

Here’s a list of what we can experience while in close fellowship with Him:

Loyal love (Is 11:2)
Tender love (Ps 138:2)
Astonishing, extravagant and inclusive love (Eph 3:18)
Endless love (Ro 5:5, Jn 17:26)
Rich mercy (Eph 2:4)
Forgiveness (Col 2:13)
Salvation (Ro 10:1, 9; Acts 4:12)
Full salvation (Eph 4:30)
Rebirth (Jn 3:3)
Regeneration (Titus 3:5)
Redemption (Eph 1:7)
Christ in us (Col 1:26-27)
The One who is true (1 Jn 5:20).
The only true God and sent Son (Jn 17:3)
True holiness (Ro 6:22, Eph 4:30)
Compassion (Eph 2:4)
Gentleness of heart (Gal 5:22)
Goodness and kindness (1 Pe 2:3)
Constant companionship (De 31:8)
Perceiving the Lord (Acts 9:27)
Knowing Lord Jesus (Phil 3:1)
Intimate knowledge of God (1 Jn 4:7)
Intimacy with God (Heb 7:19)
Knowing God in His fullness (Col 1:10)
Complete oneness (Phil 3:11)
Perfect unity (Jn 17:23)
Co-glorification (Ro 8:17)
Glory and unity (Jn 17:22)
God’s plans for our lives (Ps 25:4)
Partnership with His divine nature (2 Pe 1:4)
Full revelation of the hope of his calling (Eph 1:18)
Full inheritance of the Kingdom (Matt 25:34)
Fulfillment of the promise (Heb 4:6)
Reality of God’s grace (Col 1:6)
All that grace has lavished upon us (1 Cor 2:12)
Marvelous light (1 Pe 2:9)
Life-giving light (Jn 8:12)
New life (Ro 6:4)
True life (Mk 8:35, Heb 10:39)
Living truth (Ps 138:2)
Flowing fountain of life (Ps 36:9)
Overcoming life (2 Tim 2:10)
Life and deliverance (Matt 10:22, 24:13)
Deliverance from oppression (1 Sam 10:18)
Dying to sin (Ro 6:11)
Resurrection life (Eph 2:5, Ro 6:5)
Overflowing power of His resurrection working in us (Phil 3:10)
Ascension (Eph 2:6, Col 3:1)
Exaltation (Matt 23:12)
Healing and wholeness (Is 53:5)
Life, freedom and satisfaction (Jn 10:9)
Complete freedom (Eph 1:14)
Complete satisfaction (Pr 19:23)
Abundant life (Pr 11:19)
Overwhelming abundance (Phil 4:2)
Harvest (Gal 6:8)
Everlasting life (2 Tim 3:15)
Eternal life (Jn 6:40, Acts 13:48)
Blessings (Ps 144:15, Ja 1:12, 25)
Favor (Ps 112:2)
Delight of our Master (Matt 25:21)
Prevailing faith (Gal 5:22)
Faith-rest (Heb 4:10-11)
Confident rest (Heb 4:3)
Full and complete rest (Heb 4:9)
Joy (Jn 15:11)
Joyous mercies (Ps 34:8)
Joyous delight (Jn 17:13)
Happiness (Jn 13:17)
Bliss (Matt 5:8)
Maturity of God’s Word (1 Pe 2:2)
Perfect understanding (insight, discernment) (Is 11:2)
Revelation (knowledge from God) (Is 11:2)
Revelation of God’s great mystery—Christ (Col 2:2)
Wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:17)
Insight into hidden truths and mysteries of Heaven’s Kingdom (Matt 11:13)
Wise strategy (guidance) (Ps 31:3, Is 11:2)
Extraordinary wisdom (skill) (Is 11:2)
Prophecy (Is 11:2)
Dreams from God (Acts 2:17)
Spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:8-10)
His defense (Ex 14:14)
His Protection (Ps 91:2)
His wrap-around Presence (Ps 16:8)
Constant intercession (Ro 8:26-27, 34)
Peace for resolution (Phil 4:7, Gal 5:22)
Strength through God (1 Cor 1:6)
Self-control and strength of spirit (2 Pe 1:6, Gal 5:22)
Immeasurable greatness of God’s power (Eph 1:19)
Mighty power (warrior) (Is 11:2)
Confidence never shaken (Ps 16:8)
Fearless confidence (Pr 10:9)
Patience that endures (Gal 5:22)
Victory (1 Jn 5:4, Rev 2:28, 3:5)
Reward (Pr 28:10)
Justice (Is 42:3)

We can also experience:

The cross of Jesus (Lk 14:27, Matt 16:24, Ro 6:6)
Trouble and sorrows (Jn 16:33)
Comfort for suffering (2 Cor 1:5)
Suffering with blessing (1 Peter 3:14)
Suffering victoriously (2 Cor 1:6)
Glory after suffering (Lk 24:26)
Every kind of pressure (2 Cor 4:8)
Bearable testing (1 Cor 10:13)
Persecution (2 Tim 3:12)
Heaven’s Kingdom for persecution (Matt 5:10)
Extravagant generosity as a result of severe tribulation (2 Cor 8:2)

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, As your beloved, thank You for Your love for me. Thank You for Your gift of intimacy. Please grow me in intimacy and truth. Help me remain (abide) in You (1 Jn 2:4). Please help me to walk closely with You every moment and receive Your full inheritance.

“Let my passion for life be restored” on new levels, “tasting joy in every breakthrough You bring to me. Hold me close to You with a willing spirit that obeys whatever You say” (Ps 51:12 TPT).

Thank You for prospering and excelling me “in every season by serving” You, because I’m assured that my union with You “makes our labor productive with fruit that endures” (1 Cor 15:58).

Thank You for bringing life and victory in my heart and life through Your Word and Spirit to establish Your Kingdom!

“…For just one day of intimacy with you is like a thousand days of joy rolled into one” (Ps 84:10)!

May it all be for Your glory.

In Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

Now, “…to all the holy believers who have been united to Jesus as beloved followers of the Messiah. May God, our true Father, release upon your lives the riches of his kind favor and heavenly peace through the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One” (Col 1:1 TPT).

“I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him” (Eph 1:17 TPT).

I pray that you will crave and seek above all else “the privilege of living with him every moment in his house, finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace.” I pray that you will “live” your “life so close to him that he takes pleasure in” your “every prayer” (Ps 27:4 TPT ).

To God be the glory.

In Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

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

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Jesus The Victorious: Our Certain Win

What’s your idea of victory? Achieving all your goals in life? Beating your competitor? Or just trying to cross the finish line the best you can?

Friends, God has higher for you than any of this.

And higher begins with Him alone.

Psalm 24:10 TPT asks us, “…’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!”

In two cases of persecution, Jesus identifies Himself as “Jesus the Victorious” (Acts 9:5, 22:8, Mk 1:24 TPT).

In these two particular situations, Jesus’ persecutors were a man in the synagogue possessed by an unclean spirit (Mk 1:24), and Saul on the Damascus road (Acts 9:5, Acts 22:8).

Notice here, that even in, and especially in the face of persecution, Jesus remains in His identity and authority over all.

After identifying Himself to these persecutors, Jesus swiftly delivered them from that which afflicted Him and held them back.

Jesus made them victorious over darkness.

He truly liberated them.

Lives changed.

Jesus set each of them free on a new path for His higher purposes beyond themselves.

By His Spirit, they became more like Him.

And many witnessed this.

Friends, God loves to give us victory (Ps 44:3, 149:4).

And we are desperate to identify with His Victorious Name.

Like Jesus, we can authoritatively wage war against persecution with His powerful Name. We can be certain to overcome evil from a position of victory that Christ won for us on the cross.

Just believe, and act accordingly.

This inheritance, through the grace of Jesus, is appropriated by His indwelling persuasiveness, which is His imparted faith to us.

1 John 5:4 TPT explains, “You see, every child of God overcomes the world, for our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world.”

But do we, like Jesus, always choose to apply our victory-power of faith, in the face of persecution? Or do we tolerate unnecessary affliction outside of God’s will? Do we suffer needlessly? Do we make it better or worse for ourselves and others?

Obedience to God is a factor—both in the amount of victory we receive, as well as in the timing thereof.

Abiding with The Lord and trusting Him as the Spirit of Wisdom is crucial in victorious decision-making.

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

Psalm 118:13 TPT declares, “…I was ready to fall, but you helped me to triumph, and together we overcame them all.”

So we see here that victory is a joint effort that requires our participation.

2 Corinthians 2:14 TPT reveals, “God always makes his grace visible in Christ, who includes us as partners of his endless triumph. Through our yielded lives he spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go.”

God’s prevailing Presence stands in victory over all, as He shares His love with us (Songs 7:7).

Therefore, even though we participate, our final Authority and Ruler over all, who is God, ultimately determines our level of increase (victory) (Ps 11:14).

Proverbs 21:31 TPT tells us, “You can do your best to prepare for the battle, but ultimate victory comes from the Lord God.”

God watches over us and sees the motives and actions of every heart.

He does everything He can, by His faithfulness, to sustain victory in our lives: God brings His salvation. He defends us and preserves us. He leads us into all truth. He protects our minds and hearts with the armor of truth and holiness. And He wraps His glory-presence, which is victory, around us as a protective shield (Eph 6:14; Ps 7:10; 18:35, 43).

Sometimes, we have to “push through” to victory by God’s Victorious Name, His Glorious Presence and awesome power to “defeat every enemy” (Ps 44:5).

Even during seasons of (long-suffering) endurance, God has purposed us to be victorious: to make us stronger in Him for His Kingdom purposes (Ps 55:22).

God, Himself, is enduring of life and time. He is everlasting. He offers Himself to us as the highest-ranking Source of perpetual strength. He is always with us and constantly intercedes for us. Even when our best prayer is a humble whisper, He rescues us from trouble.

Matthew 12:20 TPT assures us, “He won’t brush aside the bruised and broken. He will be gentle with the weak and feeble, until his victory releases justice.”

I love what Isaiah 35:4 TPT says, “…’Be strong and never afraid. Look, here comes your God! He is breaking through to give you victory! He comes to avenge your enemies. With divine retribution he comes to save you!’”

God’s desire is to bring us out better than before, to saturate us with His goodness (Ps 66:12).

Psalm 92:10 TPT affirms this by saying, “Your anointing has made me strong and mighty. You’ve empowered my life for triumph by pouring fresh oil over me.”

Song of Songs 6:10 TPT assures us by saying, “Look at you now— arising as the dayspring of the dawn, fair as the shining moon. Bright and brilliant as the sun in all its strength. Astonishing to behold as a majestic army waving banners of victory.”

Even death cannot conquer a believer in Christ (1 Cor 15:54-55). One way or another, death can only cause God’s lovers to rise higher in Him, as true life is restored.

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, Thank You for Your divine gift of victory and for bringing me victorious salvation through Your finished work at the cross. Thank You that Your victory releases justice on my behalf (Matt 12:20). I repent of operating in any and all doubt, hopelessness, and injustice that leads to defeat. I renounce every spirit of defeat and lies that the enemy has tried to bring. I command depression and oppression to depart from me now, in Jesus’ Mighty Name of Victory. And I call forth, the Spirit of the Living God to rise up in me to bring new life and fresh victorious hope (Heb 3:6). I declare that I am set free, truly liberated, and positioned in great freedom and abundance. I am victorious because of You. Thank You for growing me in victory (Ps 92:12). Thank you for protecting me and guiding me in victory. Thank You for helping me reign victorious going forward. Thank You, Lord, for Your love for me and for making me “more than a conqueror” over “every form of evil as a victorious soldier of Jesus, the Anointed One” (Ro 8:37, 2 Tim 2:3). My heart is Yours, Lord. With You, I know we can do this…victoriously. Amen.

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

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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.