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Vision & Strategy

Visions are based on what we gaze upon and the message Holy Spirit desires to convey. This is why it’s so important to fix our focus on God, our One True Source of divine vision. 

Holy Spirit can work through our imaginations to show us glimpses of His plan for us. Combined with revelation knowledge, this makes for wise and powerful elements of strategy that can be walked out by active faith in God’s grace.

This said, God will often outwardly demonstrate elements of His plan. 

He will bring you into what you need and will place the people and information right before you. It’s important to listen carefully because it can often happen in a flash.

Most recently, He has been impressing me with new and somewhat surprising alignments that are precisely what’s needed to accomplish next-level assignments with Him. This is His perfect fit of need-to-know, next-step information and access. And, for me, it’s coming through new and unexpected resources.

In this regard, watch for moments with anointed people, who have precise solutions to help you overcome former obstacles. These are the ones who know God and have been there and done that. 

Holy Spirit may also offer a reminder that He’s in charge of the timing. In other words, this part of His plan has been there all along waiting for you to arrive. It just wasn’t His time for you to step into it until now. 

I attended a Christian event one morning recently, in which a certain speaker shared exactly what I needed to hear to get me over an obstacle. It stopped me in my tracks, and I instantly knew it was God for me. 

The scripture Holy Spirit highlighted as a confirmation was Proverbs 24:6 TPT, which says, “Wise strategy is necessary to wage war, and with many astute advisers you’ll see the path to victory more clearly.

Then, later that evening, I attended a very different event, which involved a rodeo and dinner at a ranch. As I stood and watched cowboys get bucked off horses and bulls, it was frightening to see how dangerously close they were to being trampled. 

In this regard, Holy Spirit highlighted Proverbs 29:18 CSB, which says, “Without revelation people run wild, but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.”

This Word “happy” means to be blessed, to be joyful.

But to “run wild” means to be “ungovernable” or unsubmitted to God, which leads to confusion, disorder, rebellion and “grievous excesses, which nothing but high principles can restrain.” (Pulpit Commentary).

I felt like all of these elements provided clear illustrations for me, and also for the body of Christ-at-large, that Holy Spirit is multiplying His wisdom to us by revealing the wise counselors we need right now and that the only way His next-step blessings will prove fruitful is to agree with His instructions of wisdom and sustain them by continually walking them out with Him.

Our hearts and minds must be in tune with Him to partner with Him in His “victory-vindication” in this time of blossoming and rebuilding (Is 62:2, 61:11 TPT).

Holy Spirit also highlighted Isaiah 62:10 TPT, which says:

Pass through, pass through the gates, and go from old to new. Prepare a new path for the people. Build! Build up a highway for them to come to me! Remove every hindrance and unfurl a banner for the nations! 

God is making a way for us, through others, to make a way for others. It’s a Heavenly highway on earth as it is in Heaven. And highways are built for speed. 

No longer will it take you what felt like forever, in the secret place, to get to a certain place. You are actually already there inwardly. And now, He’s just bringing you into the outward expression of it. In this, we can find peace.

So, to keep God’s vision is to strategically walk out obedience to His written and revealed Word. Psalm 19:7-11 ESV lays it out by saying:

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Did you hear that? “Great reward” is what we receive when we choose obedience to God’s plan for us. So, self-control is wisdom here and what more motivation do we need, except to do it simply from a heart of love and honor for Christ and His higher ways. 

Dear Lord, 

Please help us to receive, know and navigate all that is new to us Your way.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen. 

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

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Friendship Anointings

When God sends us into legacy projects to govern, He also sends anointed friends to help. It’s important to discern which people are true facilitators, aligned with His purposes, and which are not. 

In this new phase of building outward legacy, God desires that we lead strong in His anointing (powerful Presence) and include those who willingly facilitate His plan. Like Nehemiah, He desires that we not include those who work against it. After all, tolerating sin can bring His judgment.

Proverbs 18:24 TPT reminds us that “Some friendships don’t last for long, but there is one loving friend who is joined to your heart closer than any other!” The TPT study note for this verse warns us that “A man with too many friends may be broken to pieces.”

Therefore, remaining on the path of intimate, Godly wisdom is critically important right now. As we put God first, hear from Him and trust Him above our own understanding He’ll make known to us which anointed friends fit into our divine assignments. 

Weeks ago, I understood that, especially for those who are about to relocate, God was beginning to highlight these kinds of boundaries, because relationships can affect what He desires to do through us. 

God will even go so far as to direct His anointed ones to dis-integrate those who are not aligned with His purpose for these new assignments. This would include believers whom He directs to build other projects or those who do not have a heart for us or our assignments or those who deliberately come against us.

Very recently, Holy Spirit highlighted two specific dis-integrations to me as an answer to prayer: 

1. Angry People

Proverbs 22:24-25 TPT instruct us to “Walk away from an angry man or you’ll embrace a snare in your soul by becoming bad-tempered just like him.”

2. Gossips & Condemners:

Proverbs 17:9 TPT says, “Love overlooks the mistakes of others, but dwelling on the failures of others devastates friendships.”

So, we are not to include those who are easily angered nor those who separate friends through gossiping about offenses.

This said, I’d like to share one more dis-integration.

Many years ago, Holy Spirit warned me about greedy, envious slanderers. These are people who don’t want you to have what they want for themselves and are often actively working their own scheme against you to get it. It goes beyond jealousy and is a demonic spirit of murder. It can work through insiders, such as how Saul behaved toward David. 

The key scripture God highlighted to me at the time was: 

1 Corinthians 5:11 NASB, which says, “But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is a sexually immoral person, or a greedy person, or an idolater, or is verbally abusive, or habitually drunk, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a person” (emphasis mine).

I have adhered to this precept for many years in regards to not even having a meal with those whom God reveals to me behave in slanderous ways. And you know what? I feel so much better. And you will, too, even as you continue to pray for their deliverance.

Not everyone will understand when you don’t show up at their gatherings and that’s okay. What matters most is our obedience to God, who sees every heart and hears every conversation. 

The enemy’s job is to try to get you off track from Godly wisdom. So, pay attention to what you sense about anything or anyone that seems off, even among believers. It’s important to remember that belief in Christ is relative in the souls of His people in that we all have varying levels of belief for each area of life, as God continues to perfect us all. None of us are fully there yet, since we remain to be His work in progress. 

So, to be clear, people who are unwilling to align with God’s best and attack His will and ways in you and His plan for you are the ones you do not need to include. This may seem obvious right now, but it can get confusing when these are people we know well. 

Although we may love them, and may even feel obligated to bring them along, they are not in places within their souls where they are able to comply with God in our specific assignments. And if we were to let them in, they would only prove to work against us and cause trouble to thwart God’s purposes. The best illustration of this is Joshua and Caleb being separated out, by God, from the unbelieving community-at-large. 

We can save so much time, energy and effort when we do what our Lord inclines us to do from the outset. We don’t have to tolerate manipulation. And we can always consult God, stay on His course of wisdom, and lend our ears and eyes to Him as our most prominent voice. He will show us the right way to go every time. And it will be the way that leads us closer to Him without compromise.

To God be all glory, honor and praise.

Amen. 

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

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Anointed Opportunities

The anointing (Presence) of God powerfully breaks yokes of bondage out and off of people.

His anointed ones are consecrated saints—kings and priests. The anointing is what renders them holy, separating them unto God (Vine’s). This would include Christ’s intimate followers, all of whom are chosen by God for specific callings and assignments to bring Him glory and make Him known in the earth. 

A couple of weeks ago, Holy Spirit revealed to me that He’s about to work His gracious and powerful Presence (anointing) through His willing ones, in whom He has developed deep compassion, to break yokes of bondage off of others in profound ways and measures.

I had a strong sense that this merciful and gracious movement will happen as needed to purpose people into their next assignments. He is enabling people to overcome their old confines of suffering to begin anew.

The deep, daily work of holy sanctification and Presence His people experienced in the secret place of the former season has multiplied into overflow to deliver others into expressions of resurrection life.

Weeks ago, Holy Spirit showed me “It’s your time” in a Word-vision. So, it’s time to get our minds aligned with the new life He is bringing forth through us and keep our focus on Him, leaving lesser things behind.

In this light, it’s important to understand what the anointing is and why the enemy attacks it so fiercely. 

Jesus’ title, Christ, means the Anointed One. His Presence as Holy Spirit is the anointing that lives in His reborn believers. This anointing or Anointed One is the best life in us, since He graces us and leads us into abundance in Him as we receive Him increasingly into our souls and act out of His Spirit, His nature, His character, His commands and His resurrection power. 

3 John 1:2 TPT says, “Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering.”

I John 2:20 NKJV says, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.”

Vine’s dictionary says, “The gift of the Holy Spirit is the all-efficient means of enabling believers to possess a knowledge of the truth.”

And according to the TPT study notes for I John 2:27, “…the ‘anointing’ is the Holy Spirit poured into us, bringing life, illumination, wisdom, fruit, and power from the indwelling life of Christ.” These notes go on to instruct us to remain in the anointing. In other words, we are not to lean on our own limited understanding or be swayed by lies but follow the path of God’s wisdom forward. 

So, the anointing of the Spirit of Christ, who is the Holy Spirit, enables our spirits to know as Christ knows. We can trust this truth and walk it out with confidence as we abide in Him. This is especially important because the anointing, or the Anointed One, also guards us and teaches us progressively as we hearken to Him.

1 John 2:26-27 MSG says that, “I’ve written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they’re no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ’s anointing, no less! You don’t need any of their so-called teaching. Christ’s anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.”

So, here, we see a warning to not steer from what Holy Spirit reveals to us as His truth.

The AMPC version of this verse says to “abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do].”

Friends, this is an illustration of the best intimacy. This intimate trust is where the power is found. As we come into it, it will feel new and different and light, because God’s burden is light. There is a Holy ease (grace) to it. So, don’t go back to the former hard things. Don’t even look back, like Lot’s wife. Do not linger.

Instead, continue to abide with the Spirit of Christ in you and follow His light-filled path of wisdom in front of you. 

Of course, the enemy of the human soul hates God’s power and light and attacks His Presence (anointing) in us fiercely through those who lack God’s truth; because God has the true power to break the enemy’s hold on people’s lives, which “dis-integrates” him from them (1 Jn 2:9-11 MSG)

This self-serving and defeated devil, who hates losing ground through God’s truth, did the same thing to Jesus (Jn 15:24 AMP). But he’s no match for those who believe and know Holy Spirit’s truth and act accordingly above all else. 

With the Anointed One in us, beside us, over us, before us, behind us and as our foundation, we can discern and overcome evil for Kingdom purposes and move on to do great exploits with Him. We can pray for people’s deliverance from evil and their infilling of Holy Spirit, while we keep moving forward with Jesus to fulfill destiny, just as the early saints did.

We can even ask for a double portion of God’s anointing, like Elisha did in II Kings 2:9.

We can walk through Mark 6:13 NKJV to “cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick” and heal them.

And we can rest assured God will deal with any antichrist spirit that “touches” His anointed (Ps 105:15).

To be sure, Holy Spirit will work uniquely in and through His willing ones to enable us to experience the joy of people set free. He will make us living testaments to His yoke-breaking power. Here, we will find that everything we went through in the secret place to die to selfishness to receive more of His anointing will be worth it; because our own limits and comforts cannot compare to the higher freedom and gift that our Lord offers to us . . . and others. 

For His glory. 

In the Mighty Name of Jesus.

Amen.

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

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Star Quality

Decades ago, when I was a teen, I judged beauty pageants. It was great fun (and a relief) for me to be on this end of these events. The number one trait I looked for in each contestant was star quality. And it was obvious. 

So many pretty, intelligent and trained girls and young women would grace the stage with their costumes and talents and natural beauty. But all this aside, star quality was something they either had or they didn’t. And those who didn’t simply could not compete with those who did, no matter how hard they tried. 

Of course, in Holy Scripture, this brings to mind Queen Esther, whose very name means star. Obviously, her name was prophetic.

And interestingly, her original Hebrew name was Hadassah, which means myrtle. So, God took His myrtle and made her into a star to fulfill a major legacy purpose.

Queen Esther understood that God was her Morning Star, her new beginning, her source from whom the favor of life was extended, even through her earthly authorities, like King Xerxes (Es 2:17).

And she knew it wasn’t just about her. 

Queen Esther chose the narrow path and did the risky thing. She put her whole spirit, soul and body on the line for the lives of many others. She was willing and courageous. 

And like stars from afar, we marvel at her story today.

Just a few weeks ago, Holy Spirit showed me that “It’s palace time” in a Word-vision. The first Bible character that came to mind was Joseph and then Esther days later. But what was most prominent for both was how the star quality of favor worked for them in their new roles to honor God and save lives.

And isn’t this what it’s all about? The burning desire to go beyond one’s self with The Morning Star?

I believe Holy Spirit is highlighting this right now for many. I believe that the manifestation has been firmly decided and that it will happen very soon. I believe God is sending His submitted and favored ones out to be a part of divine turnarounds that flip the enemy’s plan and provide thresholds for others to enter into God’s goodness of life.

So, after Holy Spirit showed me the “star quality” Word-vision, He led me to King Hezekiah in the Book of Isaiah, chapters 36-40. 

What I saw here were parallels with Queen Esther’s story in terms of strong leadership that walked with God amid enemies for the sake of many. What Holy Spirit highlighted to me most was a warning to always put God’s Word and ways above the enemy’s attempts at mind games and physical confrontations, because selfishness kills legacy.

This is especially important right now, because many are headed into legacy assignments, especially in the area of family. We must resist lies of the enemy through ones he sends to try to deceive us into doubting the truth our Lord reveals. We shouldn’t even invite them in.

As Hezekiah’s story goes in Isaiah chapter 39, not long after God promised him 15 more years of life and healed him, Hezekiah “opened the doors,” to the enemy by welcoming an entourage, sent by the King of Babylon, into his palace. The name of this King of Babylon means “Baal is his lord.” It means the “god of blood and slaughter, mars, war, murder” (vs 1-2 TPT).

Hezekiah, the one who was known for demolishing idols, not only invited this enemy in, he foolishly showed them all of the palace treasures. 

And the reason Hezekiah did this was because he was “delighted by” the Babylonian king’s “letters and a lavish gift.” Plus, he had “a desire to impress them.”

We know that Matthew 7:6 NLT advises us otherwise by saying, “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”

Similarly, the prophet Isaiah warned Hezekiah in verse 6, saying that “The days are coming when all the treasures in your palace and all the wealth that your ancestors have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon; absolutely nothing will be left.” 

Isaiah then goes onto to say that some of Hezekiah’s own sons will be deported, mutilated and serving this enemy, Babylon.

All because Hezekiah, the one The Lord saved from illness and death, the one whose life was extended fifteen more years, thought of himself first, ahead of God’s supreme vision and authority and those he was charged to lead well. 

Isaiah 39:8 TPT says, “For he thought, ‘At least for me, there will be peace and security in my lifetime.’”

God knew that, due to his selfishness, Hezekiah would mess up legacy if He let him live long enough. But we don’t have to do the same. We can put God and His plan first above ourselves. We can wisely resist evil and take authority in alignment with God over who has access through our doors.

This is what Queen Esther did. 

It’s also what King Jesus did. 

And it’s what God expects us to do as He continues to position us to build legacy with Him. 

So, pray with me, if you will . . . 

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for Your favor and this clear warning to reverence You and live by Your truth and love above all else, and especially beyond ourselves, as we build legacy with You for Your glory.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name. 

Amen.

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

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Super Miracles

God does miracles, primarily, to make Himself known, to confirm His causes and to authenticate His sent ones. He often uses His righteous remnant to facilitate miracles by His power flowing through them. And when He does, His greatness restores the reverential fear, rule and reign of God in people’s hearts and in the land.

A couple of weeks ago, Holy Spirit revealed “Super Miracles” to me in a Word-vision. I believe it was a heads-up for what He’s about to do in waves.

These will be acts of restoration that no person can take credit for. They are extraordinary manifestations of regeneration that would be otherwise impossible. 

The Word “super,” according to Dictionary.com, means above and beyond. “A thing placed over or added to another.” Exceeding norms or limits. Subject to an extreme degree or an unusual way. And a higher proportion than usual of a given constituent.

I sense in my spirit that it’s time for God’s chosen ones to be used in out-of-the-box ways to facilitate prolific expressions of His unconditional, undefeatable and unconquerable love in John 3:16 and that God is inviting us to work with Him as testaments of His miraculous power. 

A key precept here is John 14:10 AMP, which says, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not say on My own initiative or authority, but the Father, abiding continually in Me, does His works [His attesting miracles and acts of power].”

In this verse, Jesus describes His oneness with Father God through abiding in Him.

He goes on to say in verses 12-14 that “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it.”

Holy Spirit is releasing anointing (His Presence) and sending out those who truly confirm Him as Jesus, the Miracle Worker, to glorify Himself as One who is still alive today and loves people too much to leave them where He finds them. 

A key to keep in mind is that it’s God in His abiding ones who does the work, meaning the burden is on Him to accomplish super miracles by His power, not on His sent ones.

Going back to John 14:10, if you look up the Greek Word for “work,” you will see that it references “a deed (action) that carries out (completes) an inner desire (intension, purpose)” (HELPS Word-studies commentary). This verse clearly says that God does it, not His people.

God has hidden His desires, intentions and purposes in His people as vessels for such a time as “this” to be fulfilled. God has been searching out people in whom He can delight and through whom He can express His heart of restoration. And I sense that deliverance is a key component here.

God knows who has heart connections with Him for others and what He desires to accomplish through them. He has made them promise keepers in His assignments, building their faith over a long time to see the deep desires He has placed in their hearts come to fruition. 

Often before manifestation happens, God’s people will experience a shift, where He begins to delimit their lives, lifting confines and structures that no longer serve His purposes, including people whose time is up in the earth. Think Elijah and Moses, the latter whom He brought out from the captivity of ordinary labor, to send into new exploits to do what they knew they could not do alone. And then handed their respective batons to Elisha and Joshua.

So, if you have found that Holy Spirit has disconnected you from some people and places, from comfort zones and limitations, this could be a revealing that He is repositioning you to be sent to facilitate something greater, like super miracles. 

And in it all, you will feel a deep heart’s desire for specific people, regions and nations to be restored. As God uses these heart connections to express His love for His people, He will simultaneously cause them to be filled with joy unspeakable. 

And yet, in all of this, haters exist. Jesus says in John 15:24 AMP that “If I had not done among them the works (attesting miracles) which no one else [ever] did, they would not have [the guilt of their] sin; but now [the fact is that] they have both seen [these works] and have hated Me [and continue to hate Me] and My Father as well.”

So, we know that with God’s great blessings comes persecution from mere men. But take courage, friends, God has overcome even them supernaturally.

Pray with me if you will . . . 

Dear Lord, 

Thank You that You see and know all things. You know the desires You have put in my heart and when You will bring them to pass. You know the specific promises You have made to me, even those to see others restored. I submit my whole self to You to continue to cleanse me from captivity so that Your righteous miracles can better flow through me for Your glory. Send me, Lord.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name I pray.

Amen.

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