Tag: #obediencestrategy

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Problem Solving: Obedience Strategy

One day, I was working around the house and noticed Pastor Rick Warren being interviewed on television. I turned up the volume just in time to hear him make a profound statement.

Pastor Rick described one of the most painful situations of his life and said that friends close to him immediately came to his and his wife’s aid. From this he learned and shared what best helped them in their most devastating moments: The ministry of presence.

Pastor Rick went on to advise viewers that, when people don’t know what to say to those in dire need, say nothing. Just be there and intentionally don’t say anything.

Isn’t this how it is when we meet God’s awesome, tangible Presence? When we experience Him as enough, we are comforted that no one gets our pain like Jesus. And we know that only He can fix it.

To be sure, resolving the impossible requires divine Presence and strategic action.

One beauty people of endurance are developed in is the humility of resolve.

As they are constant in prayer, laying down their issues, their limitations, their impossibilities at the foot of the cross. As they cry out to God and invite His Presence into their circumstances to redeem that which only He can. As they seek Him and find Him in the midst of their worst pain, when nothing else will do. And at the point where they encounter His perfect Glory-Presence, they experience His perfect shalom-peace for what’s needed most.

To function from this glorious place, we must put our hope in God. We and our issues must be submitted to God. This requires trust in God and a love for Him. It’s all a journey of seeing and receiving Jesus in the midst and coming into His higher perspective and ways through experiencing Him. Then, intentionally acting from His Spirit.

Overcoming requires the victorious implementation of God’s strategy—spirit, soul and body, as our entire being chooses life. When battles require our engagement, as led by Holy Spirit, our first place of engagement should be with Him to be empowered and guided. As we hear from Holy Spirit, He will bring us into more of His truth as strategy through revelation and wisdom.

Consider Joshua.

God commanded Joshua to not fear and choose courage for life. God released unique strategies to him for each battle as he needed them. To be victorious, Joshua had to trust God at His Word with his life and the lives of his troops. He had to obey God’s strategies as he executed them in physical battle. Joshua had to keep his heart and mind aligned with God’s promise of victory along the way. There was no room to consider anything less, because seconds do not sustain life in war.

We would do well to learn from Joshua, who was made stronger in God’s character and promises as he obeyed.

So, what battles have you been fighting? Have your strategies been working?

Here are a few points to consider:

Don’t engage in foolishness.

Engaging in wrong spirits, like strife, is a snare. So, don’t take the bait. Stand your ground by remaining in the beautiful, high, glorious place with God and let Him deal with perpetrators.

Get to the root to overcome.

As we dwell in God’s Presence, we can fearlessly to go deep, wherever He shines His light to be restored in our root system and foundation. Doing this will reset our expectations in life for God’s goodness.

Resist the devil and he will flee.

As we submit to God’s authority, the enemy flees (Ja 4:7). Many ugly things will just fall away as we dwell with the beautiful and strong Lord of our lives. The enemy cannot touch us in God’s Holy tabernacle.

Speak up and out.

Speaking up appropriately makes all the difference. Having meditated on God’s truth, praising Him, and declaring His promises over our lives and situations is powerful and helps bring needed change.

So, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

Thank You for helping me overcome adversity in my life on earth through Your life in me and in Heaven. I invite You to bring resolve in my life and to begin with me. I invite You to reveal to me any issues in me for the purpose of overcoming them. Open my eyes to see Your invitations to Your beauty of life within me and all around. Help me to release wrong things to You and rise with You. Help me to fight fearlessly and strategically with You for Your glory. Thank You for graciously completing Your finished work of the cross in my spirit, soul and body. Help me to receive Your blessed life more fully and live it out abundantly.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

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

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Obedience Strategy: Truth of Faith – Part 2

God’s truth of faith is that His truth is certain to bring to pass that which He put in us to believe, as we trust and obey Him (Ps 25:10).

We can count on this in regards to our personal lives and even in healing national woes (Pr 13:17). 

The true message of Godly ambassadors and kings is the message of Christ, the Anointed One, who brings new life, even on earth.

And nothing is too big for Him.

Jesus said in John 6:47 TPT, “I speak to you living truth: Unite your heart to me and believe—and you will experience eternal life!”

Jesus also says in John 7:38 TPT, “Believe in me so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being, just like the Scripture says!”

So, friends, do you believe in God’s truth that says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (He 13:8)?

If you believe this, then you are ready to step into His best.

Paul, as a faithful messenger, knew the power of God’s truth to persuade us toward His best, which includes good works (Titus 1:1, 3:8).

In Colossians 1:28 TPT he proclaims, “Christ is our message! We preach to awaken hearts and bring every person into the full understanding of truth. It has become my inspiration and passion in ministry to labor with a tireless intensity, with his power flowing through me, to present to every believer the revelation of being his perfect one in Jesus Christ.”

Paul could understand this message and do this mission, because he knew the Spirit of Truth, The Spirit of Faith. 

The Spirit of Christ, who is The Holy Spirit in us.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:13 TPT that “We have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says, “First I believed, then I spoke in faith…”

We know that faith comes by hearing the living, powerful and spoken Word of God, which is God (Ro 10:17, Strong’s #4487 – rhema; Jn 1:1).

And we know that, when we apply this faith-believing by speaking God’s truth, mountains move (Matt 17:20, Mk 11:23). 

God’s faithful ones can do mighty miracles by His Spirit.

Jesus says so in John 14:12 TPT. He says, “I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father!”

Jesus gives His power and authority to those who follow Him (The Spirit of Truth) in faith-believing.

So, friends, do you believe in miracles?

If so, it’s time to take mountains. 

What is it that you are believing for by faith?

In your heart, what personal promises from God are so real to you that you know them to be true?

God’s truth upholds the desires and dreams He put in you as He faithfully persuades you to co-labor with Him to bring them to fruition.

Because God is true, you can be certain He will do it, as you trust and obey Him.

Proverbs 4:2 TPT assures us that “My revelation-truth is a gift to you, so remain faithful to my instruction.”

We can seek the Spirit of Truth and Faith in prayer, praise and Word. We can find Him in the midst of any and every situation around us. 

He’s there.

Waiting for us to come near to Him to help us in the process. 

To harden us to difficulties, to soften our hearts to Him, to strengthen us in revelation-understanding of His truth.

To grow us up.

To set us free.

So, are you ready for your long-held dreams to come true as you come to know Him more and reach out to others?

God promises us in Colossians 1:5 TPT that “Your faith and love rise within you as you access all the treasures of your inheritance stored up in the heavenly realm. For the revelation of the true gospel is as real today as the day you first heard of our glorious hope… ” 

God will make us faithful messengers of holiness as He works out our dreams.

1 Timothy 4:12 TPT instructs us to “…simply be the example they need to see by being faithful and true in all that you do. Speak the truth and live a life of purity and authentic love as you remain strong in your faith.”

2 Corinthians 3:12 TPT says, “So then, with this amazing hope living in us, we step out in freedom and boldness to speak the truth.”

Psalm 15:4 TPT tells us that “They will speak out passionately against evil and evil workers while commending the faithful ones who follow after the truth. They make firm commitments and follow through, even at great cost.”

As we go, “… the word continues to be an energizing force in you who believe” (1Th 2:13 TPT).

The only way we can go the distance victoriously is to be firmly rooted in Christ. 

“The Parable of the Sower” in Luke 8:15 TPT reminds us that “The seed that fell into good, fertile soil represents those lovers of truth who hear it deep within their hearts. They respond by clinging to the word, keeping it dear as they endure all things in faith. This is the seed that will one day bear much fruit in their lives.”

So, to become a faithful, fruit-bearing messenger, we must know and profess Christ as our message. We must remain in this truth and let it work to persuade us forward to follow His Spirit’s lead to go wherever He sends us and do whatever He calls us to do.

We must know that our faithfulness to Him will make an impact on many as He bring us into our dreams-come-true, not in an arrogant kind of way but in a let-your-light-shine way that draws others in. 

For His Glory.

So, Lord, may we continually live in Your truth of faith, Your marvelous wonder (Co 2:7).

For Your Great Name. 

Amen.

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

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Obedience Strategy: Truth of Faith – Part 1

God’s truth is ever faithful.

Psalm 12:6 TPT tells us “For every word God speaks is sure and every promise pure. His truth is tested, found to be flawless, and ever faithful. It’s as pure as silver refined seven times in a crucible of clay.”

The faith God deposits in our spirits facilitates us knowing Him and trusting Him and His will. God’s faith in us is purposed to persuade our souls more toward His nature.

All of Him.

God’s truth of faith in us clearly delineates, interprets and reveals our deep persuasions of beliefs (He 4:12). 

All of them. 

Friends, this is not a time to be weakened by double-mindedness, as confusion is of the enemy of our souls.

It’s a time when our convictions must be firmly rooted in the Spirit of Truth’s standard.

In order to stand in the days ahead.

God’s will is that truth and justice will stand. 

Psalm 45:4 TPT says, “In your glory and grandeur go forth in victory! Through your faithfulness and meekness the cause of truth and justice will stand. Awe-inspiring miracles are accomplished by your power, leaving everyone dazed and astonished!”

So, friends, here we are—two days before Election Day in the USA.

Are the realities we believe God’s truth? 

Is our hope fully in God and His precepts?

Do we believe in the Bible enough to vote the Bible?

Have we prayed and asked God to reveal His choice leader to us?

We are in a time when God is re-seating those with a heart of righteousness. And only God can judge the whole heart.

Isaiah 26:2 NIV says, “Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith.”

So, we see here that gates are commanded to open for the faithful nation—the nation that keeps truth and is established in trustworthiness. 

Psalm 31:24 NASB instructs us to “Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.”

So, we see here that keeping faithfulness involves forward motions of remaining strong, taking courage and knowing God as our hope.

Proverbs 13:17 NLT reveals that “An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.”

In this verse, when we take a deeper look into the word “messenger,” we see that it can mean an evil or righteous ambassador or king (Strong’s #4397). In the same verse, we can see that the word, “healing,” can mean to bring health and prosperity, even cures for “national woes” (Strong’s #4832). 

Therefore, it’s important that we choose a faithful national leader—one who is yielded to God in his heart.

In Acts 2:41 TPT, we see that the blessing of multiplicity comes through the belief in and the receiving of God’s truth.

But in 2 Chronicles 36:16 NIV, we see that the consequence of limitation, which is a lack of remedy, comes through false beliefs and a rejection of God’s truth.

Friends, anytime we mock—whether to dishonor God’s righteous people or to devise a false plan of our own—a form of death occurs.

In this regard, we would be wise to pray, like Queen Esther, for God’s righteousness to prevail than to think we know everything and try to strong-arm our selfish (and perverse) way, like Queen Jezebel.

2 Thessalonians 2:12 TPT forewarns us by saying, “So then all who found their pleasure in unrighteousness and did not believe the truth will be judged.” 

Friends, God will open our spiritual eyes to see as He does if we humble ourselves and ask Him. Let us not close our “ears to the truth and believe nothing but fables and myths” (2 Ti 4:4). Let’s remember that God’s authentic truth of faith is at work in our hearts to persuade us toward His abundant life. 

So, what else can we do?

The Word of God reveals that…

We can pray for ears to hear God’s truth, receive His healing and be awakened from the limitations of selfishness and false pride:

2 Timothy 4:3 TPT tells us, “For the time is coming when they will no longer listen and respond to the healing words of truth because they will become selfish and proud. They will seek out teachers with soothing words that line up with their desires, saying just what they want to hear.”

We can pray to remember truth:

Psalm 119:43 TPT says, “May I never forget your truth, for I rely upon your precepts.”

We can pray for God’s love to shape our lives, so we can stand up to mockery:

Psalm 119:41-42 MSG say, “Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised; Then I’ll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word.”

Friends, we can know God more; believe that He will choose the righteous leader, who will co-labor with Him to heal our land; and begin to speak God’s truth by voting faithfully unto Him on or before November 3, 2020. 

To God be the glory. 

Join me next week for Part 2 of Obedience Strategy: Truth of Faith.

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

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Obedience Strategy: Confidence in God – Part 2

Proverbs 29:25 TPT tells us, “Fear and intimidation is a trap that holds you back. But when you place your confidence in the Lord, you will be seated in the high place.”

God has been unclogging pipes and straightening out kinks in us as He continues to bring us into the clear flow of His Spirit, rising from within as a fountain of life.

He doesn’t want us to miss our best season yet. 

Just as apostle Peter’s story didn’t end in foolishness and false pride, ours doesn’t have to either. 

Like Peter, we have the option to choose the multiplicity of extraordinary covenant blessings.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 MSG tells us, “You’re sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand.”

It’s time to cast our life-line into the river. 

And it’s just the beginning. 

How do I know this?

Early in the morning of October 7, 2020, The Lord gave me a dream:

In the dream, I stood across from my husband near a river’s edge. The expression on his face was one of delightful anticipation, as he held a fishing pole up on its base with one hand. His other hand held out the end of the line, which was tied to a freshly-baited hook. We stood ready to cast the line into the river. 

The revelation-understanding The Lord gave to me about this dream was this, which applies to my husband and I, as well as others: 

What used to adversely bait us, doesn’t anymore. 

God has flipped the script on the enemy: He has gloriously baited the hook of His gospel with His light andplaced it our hearts and hands to share. 

It’s now time to cast this life-line into the river to reel in treasure.

The fishermen who have honored God as first and center will receive His first-rate opportunities for first-fruit blessings (Je 17:7 MSG). 

When the harvest is reeled in, it will come with the added benefit of God’s finest salvation-provision to further build His Kingdom (Ze 9:12). 

Having been delivered into more of His light of truth, are you ready to trust God to stretch forth the light and life He gave you to build His Kingdom in new ways? 

God’s Glory-Presence is available, and He has an anointing just for you and your assignment (Ep 2:10).

Ephesians 2:10 TPT tells us, “We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!”

Do you know God as your Treasure?

Have you learned to honor Him in confident obedience (Matt 17:4-5)?

If you seek God with all your heart and obey Him, you have received revelation that opened your eyes of understanding to sow and receive Heaven’s best.

Like Peter, who once believed he was God’s favorite, later realized he was favored by grace to bestow blessings to others (Ac 10:33-35).

If you dwell with God, you have been transformed by the same Glorious Gospel with which you can more deeply and authentically reach others.

Like Peter, who initially lacked faith to cast out a demon from a boy, later walked in such faith and power that people were healed as his shadow fell upon them when he passed by (Matt 17:15-20, Ac 5:15-16). 

If you submit to God, you have been brought into obedience to go wherever God sends you and do whatever He reveals to you—depending upon Him, even if it’s unusual—to fulfill your divine destiny.

Like Peter, who once led a fishing trip without Jesus, later cast his net into the sea upon Jesus’ instruction to receive an overwhelming first-time, first-rate harvest that he was stretched to contain (Jn 21:3, 6, 11).

Friends, if God has carried you through a season of 1 Peter training, and you have passed your tests, it’s your time and your turn to receive more of God’s finest blessings.

Where you remained with Glorious God in the midst of Egypt and the wilderness and passed the humility and wisdom tests, you are being lifted by Him now in new, tangible ways (Ps 40:2). God delivered you and reversed your direction more toward His promises. Now, it’s time for His greatness in you to advance through you with greater impact to fulfill them. 

It’s time to cast your life-line to others. 

It’s time to put it out there.

Pray with me, if you will…

Lord, Thank You for Your goodness. Thank you for delivering us from captivity and adorning us with Your beauty. Thank You for carrying us through the last season so that You can now carry out Your instructions through and with us with greater impact (Matt 17:27). Thank You for open doors of opportunity. May our thoughts continue to be Your thoughts (Pr 16:3). As we cast our lines into Your waters, may Your harvest come in miraculously as we continue to honor You (Ps 31:24). Thank You, Lord, for giving us a loving heart made ready, like Peter, and a loving heart made determined, like King David in Psalm 119:65-68, 111-112 TPT, which say:

Your extravagant kindness to me makes me want to follow your words even more! Teach me how to make good decisions, and give me revelation-light, for I believe in your commands. Before I was humbled I used to always wander astray, but now I see the wisdom of your words. Everything you do is beautiful, flowing from your goodness; teach me the power of your wonderful words! Everything you speak to me is like joyous treasure, filling my life with gladness. I have determined in my heart to obey whatever you say, fully and forever!

To Your Glory, Lord.

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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Obedience Strategy: Confidence in God – Part 1

Nearly two weeks ago, on the morning of October 5, 2020 (hours before President Trump returned from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center), The Lord showed me a vision of a big, bold eagle high in the sky.

It expanded as I continued to gaze. 

Behind the eagle were several curly contrails, depicting strength and velocity. 

When I asked The Lord what this represented, He showed me the Word “America.” 

He impressed my heart with the understanding that the USA is making a powerful comeback by His fire and wind and that He is making it happen swiftly. 

The scripture The Lord gave to me was Psalm 103:5 TPT, which says, “You satisfy my every desire with good things. You’ve supercharged my life so that I soar again like a flying eagle in the sky!”

The AMPC version says, “Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]! [Isa. 40:31.]”

God will continue to raise up His yielded (and trusted) ones for His glory.  

God reminded me that He looks for those to bless and that He is about to re-seat them in new, impactful roles. 

For those who have lost jobs, especially due to this year’s economic crisis, this is good news. 

God is turning circumstances. As His yielded ones continue to rise spiritually, they will be met with offers—some coming through a trickle-down effect—both spiritually and naturally. 

The Lord reminded me that much provision is on the other side of defeating the enemy of the soul. 

Think spoils—rewards for overcoming—done God’s way (2 Co 10:3). 

Biblically, it happened for David and for Joshua and Caleb, each of whom outgrew the purpose of their enemies, which was to drive them closer to God to accomplish His mission with Him.

God’s training arenas were their own families and communities.

These wholehearted leaders learned to hold onto God’s promises until they became their outward reality.

These leaders learned to overcome their enemies by trusting God to give them unique strategies and grace-power for each battle as they obeyed Him (2 Co 10:3).

They learned to step forth with God and take dominion by their obedience to His instruction.

Likewise, when we run to God in trust and reliance—our hearts made willing to receive the seeds of His Word as truth—God can produce exponential fruit through us to the point of outward multiplicity. 

This strong, intimate connection with God is one of dwelling in the blessed, fertile life—authentically living above lesser things—by the power of Holy Spirit.

We must come to know that God has us in an ascended position, able to receive His manifest blessings on an above-and-beyond level. 

We know He has our best interest at heart.

We know His compassion.

And we trust Him implicitly as Mercy and Justice on our behalf. 

This is the beginning of expanded living that goes beyond what we’ve known to reach others.

And it’s done by His Spirit.

It’s what Jabez prayed for in 1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV, which says, “‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain’…”

We can sync with God in Word and deed: Obedience to the heart of God, confidently remembering what He has already done for us and expecting Him to do more through us. 

We can know that He caught and carries us. 

Deuteronomy 32:11 NASB says, “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spreads His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions.”

Exodus 19:4 NLT says, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”

Isaiah 40:29, 31 ESV say, “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

God is lifting us to arise and advance. He is restoring honor within our nation and among His people.

He is manifesting God-size dreams. 

Are you in position to receive God’s finest blessings?

If you’re not there yet, you can choose to ask God for a fresh perspective (to see as He sees). 

You can trust God and let Him carry you to a place of freedom and strength. 

You can put your confidence fully in Him, as your sufficiency comes from Him (Philippians 4:13). 

His way is a sure win. 

Romans 15:13 NIV says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

To God be the glory.

Join me next week for Part 2 of Obedience Strategy: Confidence in God.

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