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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.

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Confidence In God: Your Bold Assurance

Hebrews 11:1 TPT says, “Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.”

Friends, faith pleases God.

Faith is a persuasive power that works on our behalf.

God is faith-full. He is full of faith. God actually deposits His faith in His redeemed people as part of the fruit of His Spirit, living on the inside of us. In this way, God’s “substance of things hoped for” is made available to be received in our soul, as we trust Him.

God uses faith’s persuasive power to convince us of His will.

One Bible commentary (HELPS Word-Studies) says, “The Lord persuades the yielded believer to be confident in His preferred-will (Gal 5:10; 2 Tim 1:12).” It involves our “obedience, but it is properly the result of God’s persuasion.”

Philippians 2:13 AMP affirms this by saying, “For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.”

Friends, as we grow in faith, we walk in God’s higher ways. He gives us everything we need to be successful.

Paul says in Philippians 1:6 TPT “I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you and will put his finishing touches to it until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!”

So, friends, because of God’s unwavering faithfulness, we can choose to be fully confident in His will, His ways, and His Word.

The question is, “Do we choose obedience to His faithfulness?”

Do we even believe this?

Do we trust God?

Do we hearken to His instructions?

Do we believe He is good and that He desires His best for us?

Or do we shrink back in distrust and fear, and turn to other things for help?

Do we want our way above God’s way?

Confidence in God requires that we first be persuaded by faith that He is trustworthy.

Isaiah 30 illustrates the conflict in value between trusting and distrusting God:

Isaiah 30:7 reveals that the help the Israelites sought from Egypt, which represents wicked bondage in the Bible, is worthless. Consider this compared to the help from The Lord, who is worthy.

The outcome of choosing God’s way is guaranteed victory, whereas by-passing God for sinful bondage will lead to an outcome of disaster that shames and disgraces us, causing us to feel worthless and wanting to give up (Is 3, 5).

Friends, we are worth more than that (1 Jn 4:4).

God calls us His treasure and give us the advantage of holding our head up.

We can be confident and courageous in our decision to follow The Lord. But any action that is not founded on faith is sin and will lead to loss.

This includes fear-based decisions, where we lean toward what’s familiar to us—our own understanding—above God’s instructions.

It all resorts back to what we put our faith in.

When we put our faith in faithful God—the giver and Source of faith—above ourselves, we can rest in knowing that we can trust Him and that He will protect us as we obey Him.

We can have full confidence in our limitless, eternal God to keep us safe all the way to manifest victory.

Hebrews 3:6 TPT assures us by saying, “But Christ is more than a Servant, he was faithful as the Son in charge of God’s house. And now we are part of his house if we continue courageously to hold firmly to our bold confidence and our victorious hope.”

According to Strong’s concordance, Bold confidence, in this verse, makes reference to fearless confidence, cheerful courage, and freedom of speech. Victorious hope in this verse refers to expectation and trust.

To anticipate or welcome what is sure, what is certain (HELPS Word-studies).

Friends, this assurance of victory is our confident hope in Christ.

So, what are you trusting God for?

Is your confidence in Him above your circumstances?

It will be if your faith is in Him.

Pray with me, if you will…

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are my Treasure. Thank You for valuing me as treasure, so much so that You desire Your best for me in life. Lord, I repent of trusting my ways above Yours. I repent of leaning on my understanding, of self-reliance and self-justification. I trade in my self-reliance for Your bold assurance. I repent of all other forms of sinful bondage, and I renounce all agreement with falsehood that has come against my faith and confidence in You. Bring me deeper into Your truth, Lord. I invite You to flood my heart with Your confidence and strength (Pr 14:26). “For you are the confidence of all the earth” (Ps 65:5). Please help me to remain in You so that I “may have a joyful confidence and not be ashamed” (1 Jn 2:28). Thank You, Lord, for Your “confidence in times of crisis” and for keeping my “heart at rest in every situation” (Pr 3:26). Thank You that as I continue to believe, trust, and rely on You, and put my “hope and confident expectation” in You, I will be “blessed with spiritual security” (Jer 17:7).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

Friends, I pray that God will persuade you that He is faithful and trustworthy in everything He calls you to. I pray “…that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith” (2 Th 1:11). I pray that as you continue to run to God, you will experience His “wrap-around presence every moment” and that your “confidence will never be shaken” (Ps 16:8). I pray that others will observe your confidence in The Lord and will be amazed (Acts 4:13). I pray for recompense for every time the enemy of your soul attacked your faith, confidence, trust, and courage in The Lord. I pray that your confident expectations will always be full of truth, faith in our Lord, and manifest victory.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

To God be the glory!

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