Tag: #John10:10

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New Life – Part 2

Colossians 1:6 TPT says, “…Every believer of this good news bears the fruit of eternal life as they experience the reality of God’s grace.”

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

So, as we remain close to our Lord in Word and Spirit, as we focus on the eternal and extend our faith for new life, God’s Spirit-life in us will be imparted into our souls. By His Spirit, He will nourish us toward the outward fulfillment of His abundant new life for us (2 Co 4:18, Jn 10:10).

We are bound to God’s righteousness and, therefore, His abundance as we choose to obey Him.

Romans 11:18 TPT reminds us that we owe our lives to the root that supports us. He alone is our life source.

Our key scriptures for this series are Proverbs 4:20-22 TPT, which instructs us to “Listen carefully, my dear child, to everything that I teach you, and pay attention to all that I have to say. Fill your thoughts with my words until they penetrate deep into your spirit. Then, as you unwrap my words, they will impart true life and radiant health into the very core of your being.”

In this verse, to “unwrap” means to discover, to find.

So, just like Naomi and Ruth discovered new life as they came into agreement with God’s leading, so can we. 

As they went forth together in faith, hope and love, Ruth discovered new life with Boaz. And Naomi discovered new life through the gift of a son. Through their journey of faith, God built and established their new lives. He even made that which was old to Naomi—meaning her homeland—new again to her.

But even before this manifest renewal, Ruth followed God’s wisdom through Naomi. And Naomi stepped forth, encouraged by Ruth, out of the death of bitterness into God’s greater goodness.

Ruth, who reflected new life to Naomi, didn’t give up on her in her bitterness, just like God doesn’t give up on us when we feel like we’re in a dead place.

Ruth wisely obeyed God’s wisdom and received the new life God had for her as her faith manifested in the form of marrying Boaz. Then she gave it back to Naomi generously in the form of a new son.

Proverbs 11:25 reminds us that “Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor.”

God gave life generously to Ruth and Naomi through each other in different ways.

These two wise women abided with their life-giving God and lived fruitfully again as a family restored in Naomi’s homeland.

So, we see here that, no matter what we’ve been through, God doesn’t leave us at dead! He is Creator of our life cycle, Master at making all things new. We need only to trust Him and put righteous action to our faith.

We need to depend on God’s new life in us in order to continue onward and work optimally.

Jeremiah 17:7 AMP says, “Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the LORD And whose hope and confident expectation is the LORD.”

Colossians 3:16 TPT says, “Let the word of Christ live in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom…”

Therefore, we must continue to feed on God’s Word, which imparts continual life and keeps us aligned with Him in every way, enabling us to experience a renewed mind and abundant life—all free from sin’s power (1 Co 2:16, 2 Co 5:17, Ro 6).

I believe “…it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to” us (Ep 4:23 TPT).

I believe it’s time to shed old wine skins and align with God by faith and action, to be more fully alive and step out into the new that God has for us with greater clarity.

I believe God may give us flashes of understanding about former people and situations, so we can more easily release them to Him (2 Co 10:4).

I believe God is freeing us from fixations on wrong things and offering us grace to move forward more fully with Him to become more established in His new life for us as master overcomers, who rule from the root, to the foundation to the ascended life with Christ.

I believe God is inviting us up higher by giving us opportunities with new people in new arenas to practice what He instilled in our souls in the last season for righteous decision-making, having been trained by patience, having expressed gratitude and having been led by peace.

I also believe it’s important to keep pace with our Lord as He has assigned us, so we can better receive His fulfillment coming into place just ahead (Ac 20:24 TPT).

Our focus and faith must be on and in Him.

Let’s remember Ruth, who reflected new life and was an example of 2 Timothy 2:22 TPT, which says, “Run as fast as you can from all the ambitions and lusts of youth; and chase after all that is pure. Whatever builds up your faith and deepens your love must become your holy pursuit. And live in peace with all those who worship our Lord Jesus with pure hearts.”

As we run for a crown of life (1 Co 9:25) into our new glory with our Lord, let’s also remember God’s Word in Song of Songs 2:13 TPT, in which He asks and instructs us, “Can you not discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of my purposes and plans are bursting forth. The budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere. The fragrance of their flowers whispers, ‘There is change in the air.’ Arise, my love, my beautiful companion, and run with me to the higher place. For now is the time to arise and come away with me.”

Join me next week for Part 3 of New Life.

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

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Time For A Change – Part 2

God has not only shifted us into new alignments and assignments in this new season, He is now working through us to bring swift change beyond us. He is bringing darkness to light, sweeping out ungodly attitudes and even gatekeepers from positions in business.

I have witnessed our Lord, who sees it all, weeding gardens and cleaning houses in businesses; while He strengthens and continues to prosper those committed to working His way. 

This is John 10:10 playing out to the point of harvest on both sides, revealing life and lack.

God is purging evil workers (Phil 3:2). And we are instrumental.

Giants will fall. 

Jezebels will be thrown down.

False kings (like Saul) will come to the end of themselves.

It’s time for the Davids and Esthers and Josephs to ascend in position by God’s prevailing spirit of victory-salvation.

Friends, this is jailbreak time, where the light of truth gets laid bare on the table to be dealt with (Acts 5:19-21, 16:26, 16:37).

1 Corinthians 4:5 TPT says, “…he will bring all that is hidden in darkness to light and unveil every secret motive of everyone’s heart. Then, when the whole truth is known, each will receive praise from God.”

It’s time for greater manifest victory, and God is behind it, in it and on it. So, do your part, and watch the hand of our Lord move mightily through you. 

Get ready to see the greater boldness He instilled in you during past times of consecration to now roar like never before! Be on guard, ready to cross over from lack into provision, to be birthed into more of the manifest value of your identity and inheritance—in multiple areas over time.

As God’s instrument, the initial provoke that comes to you will be an alert that you are on task and on mission for higher breakthrough. Remember to tread carefully, led by Holy Spirit. As God intervenes through you, you will receive your reward that has been stored up, waiting for you, while those with unyielded hearts will receive what God has stored up for them (Ro 2:5). 

When Holy conviction invites you into a turning point for the better, stand up and speak truth to improve your situations and surroundings (Is 45:19 TPT). Be the breakthrough instrument God uses for your benefit and that of others. 

Romans 2:6 says, “For: He will give to each one in return for what he has done.” Verse 16 says that God will judge “the hidden secrets of people’s hearts. And their response to the gospel…will be the standard of judgment used in that day.”

In other words, God will allow the standard that evildoers set to produce the harvest they chose in their lives. And He is moving swiftly.

We are in a harvest of the manifest fruit of the heart. Therefore, those who lived by their own standards above God’s will now reap the consequences they chose. While others, who grew higher with our Lord, will reap and enjoy His Holy rewards.

Both have the opportunity to process their circumstances God’s way.

For God’s people, it’s time to come out on top! 

God’s appointed time of light has come, and it’s just the beginning. Our Lord revealed to me that we can expect to see even bolder manifestations of big shifts over the next three years.

We are living out these pivotal moments of truth right now and forward. God is turning situations in our favor as we step up, speak up and do the work in His strength, led by His Spirit. 

So, don’t hold back, and don’t back down. Stand firm, rise and witness God move on your behalf. Be awed and amazed as you see swift results, which is our new normal. 

He will do it. 

He will break those long-standing strongholds and end our longsuffering. Because it’s time to emerge boldly from the consecration, while remaining deeply rooted in Him as He takes us higher. 

We will emerge stronger in our Lord, empowered as an elevated force to go and do the work before us by His Spirit on new levels. 

We will come to know Him and His blessings even more. 

We will see this freedom extended even throughout our physical bodies. What the enemy tried to hide and work in darkness is now being exposed, uprooted and chains broken, as we receive God’s revealed ways of gracious healing.

Our secret scriptures to hold onto is Isaiah 45:5-6 TPT, which say, “…I will strengthen you for victory, even though you do not intimately know who I am. Yet through you everyone will know who I really am…”

“In that day, Lord Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies, will be a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty for the remnant of his people. He will be a Spirit of justice for judges to render right decisions. And he will be strength and bravery for those who turn back the battle at the gate” (Is 28:5-6 TPT).

So, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, 

Thank You that “in You I find righteousness and strength…” In You, I “will triumph and shine” (Is 45:24-25 TPT)! You are not a God of chaos, so come and reconcile the pretty prose of 1 Corinthians 13 in our petty mess of today. Lord of our breakthrough, I trust Your spirit to break the chain reactions that have bound me, as I declare victory-salvation over every place in my life (Is 28:21). I thank You for helping me live out the benefits of Isaiah 45:19 TPT, which says, “…speak the truth and declare to you what is right!” Lord, You say in Isaiah 45:23 TPT that in Your “…own name, this word sent from my mouth in righteousness will not return unfulfilled…” So, my expectation is that You will do what You say and deliver Your people accordingly. Help me to get my part right as I partner with You to enter into new places. Thank You for ordering my steps and for rescuing us all for Your glory. 

In Jesus’ Mighty Name. 

Amen.

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

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Beautiful Life – Part 1

Beautiful in Holy Scripture can mean what is fitting, appropriate and fair. What is mature, intrinsically good and beneficial.

Beautiful is what God is and what pleases Him.

It’s how He operates. 

A beautiful life is for everyone who chooses to be transformed into it by Holy Spirit. The Heavenly light of Christ is available to us to shine upon us and from within us, making us increasingly beautiful like He. 

The shining One intercedes on our behalf to guide us in oneness with Him as perfect unity. This kind of harmony is Father’s desire for us to live His best life above lesser things, to take dominion and expand His Kingdom.

A beautiful life is what He’s highlighting to us right now as we come more into His light.

Psalms 96:6 TPT tells us, “Breathtaking brilliance and awe-inspiring majesty radiate from his shining presence. His stunning beauty overwhelms all who come before him.”

So, we see here that this purest beauty comes from Him as our Source, who leads us in a life of significance beyond ourselves. It is appropriated by faith as we come near to experience Him in new ways.

Our Lord desires that we become even lovelier sanctuaries of His Presence (Ps 84:1). He desires that we take hold of His hand and receive more of His beauty in our lives. 

Who wouldn’t want a more beautiful life?

Ephesians 5:8-10 TPT remind us that “Once your life was full of sin’s darkness, but now you have the very light of our Lord shining through you because of your union with him. Your mission is to live as children flooded with his revelation-light! And the supernatural fruits of his light will be seen in you—goodness, righteousness, and truth. Then you will learn to choose what is beautiful to our Lord.”

This transformation into a more beautiful life is a John 10:10 journey, where we must consistently choose good over evil, to be awakened to more of God’s beauty—inwardly and outwardly.

In this way, God offers us a tree of life streaming from His righteousness, wisdom and insight. We can choose to become a tree of life planted by a riverbank, always producing fruit and prospering in all we do (Ps 1:3, Je 17:8). 

God has much for us forward, even beyond ourselves; and therefore, desires to strengthen us in Him (Co 4:5 KJV).

Proverbs 11:30 TPT reminds us that “…a life lived loving God bears lasting fruit, for the one who is truly wise wins souls.”

In Revelation 22:1-2 MSG, John says, “…the Angel showed me Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb, right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations.”

For us to be fruit-bearing instruments, God must be our center, just as the Tree-of-Life was center in the Garden of Eden, aware that the Tree-of-Good-and-Evil was also there (Ge 2:9).

As we activate this Tree-of-Life wisdom by faith, we will walk out a life of complete beauty with God, no matter what our circumstances. We will see Him and know His beautiful way in the midst of any situation, as we seek Him.

Proverbs 3:17-18 TPT tell us that “The ways of wisdom are sweet, always drawing you into the place of wholeness. Seeking for her brings the discovery of untold blessings, for she is the healing tree of life to those who taste her fruits.” 

The Message version (of Proverbs 3:17-18) reiterates this by saying, “Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete. She’s the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight—and be blessed!”

Friends, God is bringing completeness to our hearts, some assignments and areas of our lives—past, present and future. He is our completer, who matures us and makes our lives beautiful. His higher ways will produce an outcome beyond what we can think or imagine. 

So, do you trust Him?

A couple of weeks ago, He revealed to me that it’s a new day. He confirmed this by the same scripture that He highlighted years ago to me, before He led me into the wilderness. In this, I realized that the same Word that leads us closer to Him inwardly also leads us to awaken outwardly:

This Word is Song of Songs 2:13 TPT, which says, “Can you not discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of my purposes and plans are bursting forth. The budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere. The fragrance of their flowers whispers, ‘There is change in the air.’ Arise, my love, my beautiful companion, and run with me to the higher place. For now is the time to arise and come away with me.”

Friends, God is doing new things in our lives right this moment.

Are we seeing it?

Are we syncing with Him?

Are we laying down old ways and picking up His new?

He desires that we come into His fulfillment of promises to prove out our beautiful lives as living testimonies.

There is so much more to share. So, join me next week for Part 2 of Beautiful Life.

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

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Faith Believing

This Thursday, May 13, 2021, marks Ascension Day—the fortieth day from Jesus’ resurrection, when He ascended to Heaven to be seated at the right hand of our Heavenly Father (Lk 22:69). 

Although many scriptures describe what this means for us, my favorite illustration is found in Isaiah 25:6-12 of the TPT version, which is subtitled “The Rich Feast of the Lord.” It says: 

The Lord Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies, will host a rich feast on this mountain for all peoples—a feast with plenty of meat and well-aged wine, with an abundance of food and the finest of wine. And on this mountain, he will destroy the shroud wrapped around all the people, the veil spread over all nations. It is the gloom of death! He will swallow it up in victory forever! And God, Lord Yahweh, will wipe away every tear from every face. He will remove every trace of disgrace that his people have suffered throughout the world, for the Lord Yahweh has promised it! In that day they will say, ‘Behold! This is our God! We’ve waited for him, and he saved us! This one, the Lord Yahweh—he is worth the wait! We will keep shouting with joy as we find our bliss in his salvation-kiss!’

The mighty, gracious hand of the Lord Yahweh will rest upon this mountain, but the Moabites will be trampled under his feet as straw gets trampled into the manure. They will stretch out their arms in it like a swimmer stretches out his arms to swim, yet God will bring down their pride, and they will thrash and sink despite their struggle. He will tear down the high walls of Moab’s fortresses and flatten them into the dust.

So, friends, in these verses, we see what is available to us as we live an ascended life with Jesus, which is in the true high place, where our enemies become our footstool and we rise above pain to a protective place, full of provision. Believing this, we can apprehend it in our lives on earth, as our eyes are fixed on Him, no matter what. 

It’s the abundant life of God revealed to us in John 10:10 above the enemy’s false parallel to kill, steal and destroy.

It’s the goodness of God revealed in Philippians 4:19 AMPC, which says, “And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

It’s where we can “be supernaturally infused with strength through” our “life-union with the Lord Jesus,” according to Ephesians 6:10 TPT. Where we can “stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through” us.  

It’s the place of true power and authority, where we can remain as God releases judgment on unrepentant evildoers—both on the person and on the spirit behind the person, according to Isaiah 24:21 TPT.

This begs the question: Since we determine where we are seated—the mountaintop or the pit—by our behavior, as seen through grace, do we have the active faith that is required to gain and sustain rich mountaintop abundance? 

The answer is that we do if we are patiently obedient—if we continue to choose to be faithful to God’s instructions—all the way through the tribulation of the climb to completion.

Our Lord as salvation will protect us inwardly and outwardly along the way (Is 26:1).

Isaiah 26:2-3 describe this journey of victory by saying, “Open the gates and let a righteous, faith-filled people enter in. Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with you; they confidently trust in you.”

We can also find encouragement in 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 NIV, which say, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

So, our living faith (with works) pleases God and brings honor to Him. Isaiah 1:17 TPT reminds us to “Learn what it means to do what is good by seeking righteousness and justice! Rescue the oppressed. Uphold the rights of the fatherless and defend the widow’s cause.”

Our behavior—meaning our faithful obedience and works—sets the standard and expectation by which we will be judged by God (Ro 2:6, 9, 16). So, let’s not take the “riches of his extraordinary kindness…for granted” but choose His higher ways above our limited ways.

Let’s keep believing for God’s best and behave accordingly. It’s easier when we remain in worship to Him alone—in His Word, in prayer and in praise. It’s easier when we embrace His vision as our own.

So, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for Your very best for me. Help me to receive it by Your grace. Don’t let me stray from your clear path of victory. Help me. Keep me on track. Help me be a doer of Your Word—all the way to and on top of the mountain (Ro 2:13, Ps 72:3). Open my eyes to see more of Your goodness and Your ways. Help me to be faithful to You, Lord, above all else. You alone are my King.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

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

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Faith Time – Part 2

The Lord revealed to me that He is completing some assignments to bring His beloved into a higher perspective—one where wholeness resides—a beautiful, anticipated end to longings of the heart (1 Co 15:24). 

The image He gave to me was of a choir director bringing a choir to the close of an impactful song, where the glorious power of harmony comes to a punctuated end to position us anew. 

God is opening doors to places of beauty, revealing His greater goodness, the abundance of John 10:10. And there is such deep appreciation of these manifest opportunities, because they have felt like a long time coming. 

God has been breaking us into these places step-by-step, giving us a new perspective little-by-little; and in so doing, has increasingly made us insiders.

Suddenly, where we used to walk and wonder what it would be like to be in “that” position—in “that“ company, in “that” home or family or on “that” level—God is fulfilling a multiplicity of promises that He placed in our hearts. 

He is turning our reality.

Instead of being on the outside looking in, in a moment, we will find ourselves positioned on the inside looking out. With deep calm and gratitude in our hearts. 

We will experience a gentle exhale of “finally.”

God is bringing us onto His mountain to experience the solidity of His holiness, His glory and goodness. We will experience what we have prayed for for so long.

As we continue to fasten the gaze of our hearts on God, He will re-seat us higher with a firewall of protection around us (Ze 2:5).

Zechariah 2:5 NLT says, “And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.”

Psalm 91:9-10 MSG say, “Yes, because God’s your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door.”

So, friends, in God bringing us up higher, things that used to pull us down will not even phase us. They will simply become a nonissue.

Drive-bys intended to harm will turn into by-passes as evil is turned away.

Are you willing to exercise the faith God put in you for His resurrection life to stream like a fountain upward and out of you?

If so, we must remember, too, that as we transition into these higher places with God’s perspective, we have to entrust Him, as our rear guard, with what’s behind us (Is 52:12).  

We must believe, by faith, as we take hairpin turns with Him, that He has better forward.

It’s time. And it’s right in front of us. 

We can renounce all lies of the evil one and continue forward, no matter what. Because when our assignments are complete, evil departs from those assignments (1 Co 15:24, 1 Sa 30-31).

Here are a few Bible characters who took a hairpin turn toward God and His will and, as a result, received a great harvest of restoration:

Ruth and Naomi, who returned to Naomi’s beloved Bethlehem (and God), received the security of a new husband and a new son, respectively (Ruth 1:16, 4:13-17).

Elijah, who sought God on Mt. Horeb when he was greatly troubled, heard from God; then returned the way he came, with a fresh victory-strategy and three new assignments from God that were destined for victorious outcomes (1 Ki 19:15-18).

David, who sought God before returning to Ziklag, the place of his assignment, recovered all (1 Sa 29:4; 30:3, 8, 18-20). Then, immediately afterward, when he shared his plunder generously, the evil assignment against him (through Saul) cancelled out (1 Sa 30:21-31; 1 Sa 31).

Notice, in each of these Bible character’s lives, their livelihoods were threatened. But they were led by The Lord into exponential new life; and they became conduits of new life for others.

Each of these Bible characters chose to seek God and a path of victory. 

Life didn’t end in tragedy, even though the enemy of their souls would have them believe otherwise. They kept going until they received their manifest victory.

They were surrounded by large and wide-open doorways of opportunity. They had to make pivotal decisions in a moment that would set their course higher in resurrection life. 

This should encourage us to make room for God’s truth and grace when making life-impacting decisions. He will be faithful.

Everywhere God leads us, we can walk on higher ground, because of the higher level of holiness God has brought us into by His Spirit and His dominant strength over His promises to us. 

The way these Bible characters got there was to turn to God first to seek and know His will for themselves and their circumstances. Then walk it out.

Their steps for a victorious outcome could be summarized like this…

  1. Seek God. Receive His strategy. Take the path of victory by obediently walking out your assignment, His way, until it’s complete. 
  2. When the fiercest part of the battle is over, do the right thing and share your plunder-blessings with others. Despite opposition.
  3. The attacks that come against you will be cancelled out when your assignment is completed in victory. In other words, the stronghold against you and your assignment will be broken. So, no matter what, don’t stop until you cross the finish line.

Friends, it’s time for God’s multiple promises to come into fruition in our lives.

And, not just one promise, but many over time, especially in the next five to six years.

By the dominant strength of His Spirit, our Lord is bringing them into place.

We will see them come to pass when we open our eyes and see it God’s way. Then choose to believe by faith for our longtime heart’s desires to come into fruition beginning right now. And exercise our faith to move forward, trusting and relying upon God (Jn 3:16, 3:36).

Psalm 34:8 MSG says, “Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.”

Friends, let us taste and see and come to know that God is better than we’ve ever known.

It’s time to receive God’s priority and perspective that He has waited patiently for us to grow into.

So, if you’re willing…

  • Look up (to seek His heart and face). 
  • See Heaven above earthly things, even above the practical things He used to help build you so far along the way. 
  • Receive Him as the true revealer of mysteries who fortifies you. 
  • Praise Him for His rich mercy and patience, which He has also gifted to you as the fruit of His Spirit. 

He is wonderful, awesome God!

Lord, thank You for changing our perspective to see more of You and Your goodness in our lives. Enable us to receive all you have for us as we trust in You (Jn 3:16, 3:36; 1 Co 2:5). In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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