Daily Devotions

Archive for April, 2020

Time and Relationship

FatherSonBuildKathy — As children, we learn who our parents are through time and relationship. We learn their order, values, beliefs, preferences, priorities, etc.  We identify them and our identity develops from there.  As sons of God, we learn who He is through time and relationship, then our identity as sons develops from there. (Rom8:14)


Awakened to the Fear of the Lord

Melissa — I have been hearing about awakening coming for a while now but what are we awakening to? The thing that hits me the loudest is that we are being Young man waking up in bed and stretching his arms at homeawakened to the fear of the Lord.  I’ve heard from several places that the church has to return to the fear of the Lord, and as He sheds insight on this subject it makes more and more sense why we cannot live outside of it.  Well, we have been living outside of it for the most part and that just isn’t working.  If we are awaking to the fear of the Lord, what have we been in? We’ve been operating in fear, but it’s a substandard fear. A substandard fear is fear of lack, death, pain, trauma, loss, etc.  We, however, are waking up to what we were meant to operate in, which is the premium fear of the Lord. In this premium fear we operate out of awe, reverence, trust, insight and understanding.  This is a totally different way of living! Substandard fear is unclean fear, but premium fear of the Lord is clean fear.  This obviously leads to totally different outcomes. 


On Our Doorstep

PorchStepsGod’s redemptive rule and its effects are as close to us as our hand is on the end of our arm. E.S. Jones says that “the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mt.4:17) means that the Kingdom is on our doorstep. In Rev.3 Jesus is standing on the doorstep of the church of Laodicea knocking to gain entrance to the church of “the people rule.” His rule is on our doorstep but would be far more profitable it it was inside.


Awakening Coming

Melissa — I am writing this during the pandemic between Palm Sunday and Easter of 2020, on the day before Passover.  I have to say, I have been hearing about SignWakeUpawakening coming for a while now but had no idea it was going to look like this. This is… well, it’s an interesting, mysterious, exciting and epic time to be alive. How should I describe it? It’s like being in one of those super deep naps where dreams seem like reality, and when the alarm goes off it’s almost painful and confusing. It’s that kind of nap where it takes a minute to not only regain consciousness, but you have to decipher what was the dream and what is real. This is the best way I know how to describe this awakening. I think I thought it was mainly going to be people waking up to God and looking for Him, and we would all be ready to introduce them. Well, I was a tad off. This thing is definitely beyond my logic and realm of standard operation. So, here’s to waking up to this exciting and epic time!


God Keep us in Perfect Peace

Rain Roof Runoff.jpgAs the people of God assemble today around their computers and smart phones and in church parking lots, may the peace of our Lord and Savior fall upon them like the spring rain and may it wash away weariness and worrisome thoughts that steal soundness of mind. “Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isa.26:3)


Right Side up and Wrong Side Down

windblowgrassIn Acts 2 the Holy Spirit invaded Jerusalem and 120 went forth from that place of invasion electrified as a result of their hunger for God. They didn’t just get goose bumps, they received an enduement of power (Acts1:8) that resulted in the world giving testimony: “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Acts17:6b) The world got to see another version of what right side up and wrong side down was.


Simple Obedience

Kathy — Obedience is not about being super-spiritual. No one has to be perfect to Praise man hands liftedwalk in purpose. Who can do what they were born to do solely out of their own abilities or strength or merit or worth anyway? We need the Lord and He is in reach. Psalm 84 tells us that God is there to give us grace (enabling) for now and favor for the future. Our part is simple obedience in response to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. That is the key to a harvest of God-results this year.  Invest in that harvest through obedience and prosper.


Asking the Wise Questions

Melissa — Last year was a year of getting the tools needed for the tool belt.  It was a Class Raise Hand.jpgyear of starting to ask the wise, right questions instead of the fear-driven questions.  A fear-driven question already has an answer in mind and can’t hear anything but that.  A wise question is open to hear truth.  Asking those wise questions last year always got an answer.  A lot of answers were personal things that needed to be dealt with in me.  This even led me to go on a fear fast (that has not ended)!


April/May Issue

Click on the cover below to read SEEC Magazine.
Read: “Who Knew it Would be Like This?”
(Give the PDF file a few seconds to load.)
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Success Manifest

HarvestFieldKathy — May the success He has already put in you come to full manifestation this year.  Please be encouraged that as you are prompted by the Holy Spirit, you can pray and move with the confidence that you are headed into a time of harvest and God-planned results.  Psalm 81 says, “if only you will listen and do as I say!  I, the LORD, would quickly defeat your enemies with my mighty power.”


Mentality for Change

PrayKneelingMoses had difficulty getting Israel out of Egypt — those slaves did not have a mental mode to fit their transformation. Transformation announces to us that now is the time for a change of mentality. A teenager was invaded by the word and Spirit of God. Her mentality for transformation changed quickly. Mary’s acceptance of the invasion of heaven was intoned in the submissive, “be it unto me according to thy word.” (Lk.1:38)


Staying in Our Lane

Road Lane stripes.jpgKathy — Take a moment to get your bearings and remember our individual obedience is only a part of a bigger plan.  God is not calling each of us to be a Moses who must lead a whole nation out of bondage; rather, He is calling us to our part in participating with His plans.  We don’t have to tend to the whole farm if our instruction is to steward one acre.  We can stay in our lane and succeed.


Great is Thy Faithfulness

As the people of God assemble today around their family computers and in church GoodShepherdparking lots, may they reflect on and stand on the faithfulness of their Father God who “changest not” and His “compassions they fail not”, as He has forever been faithful to His people and consistent with His Word, so shall He in these days and days to come. “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,” (Deut.7:9, ESV)


Hand Washing and Preferences

HandsWash.jpegKathy — Matt. 15:2 (GW)  “Why do your disciples break the traditions of our ancestors? They do not wash their hands before they eat.” In reply, could we ask: why is a priority shift considered intolerable?  Why do you make “change” rebellion?  Precept upon precept is not preference upon preference nor tradition upon tradition.  Sound doctrine does not equal changeless traditions.

 


In it For The Long Haul

There are all manner of threats and predictions concerning present perils and the “need for wisdom” in future ministry considerations. While many are calling for such wisdom to be applied in this hour, somewhere a cry should also be going forth for some amount of determination to be applied. Where is it written that authority is given to events of certain times in history or to evil persons of those times to victory_groupbecome the master decision-makers for all of us, especially those who were acknowledging and embracing a divine destiny before these threatening perils and persons started doing their destructive deeds? 9 “Remember your history, your long and rich history. I am God, the only God you’ve had or ever will have—incomparable, irreplaceable— 10 From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, ‘I’M IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL, I’LL DO EXACTLY WHAT I SET OUT TO DO,’ 11 Calling that eagle, Cyrus, out of the east, from a far country the man I chose to help me. I’ve said it, and I’ll most certainly do it. I’ve planned it, so it’s as good as done. 12 “Now listen to me: You’re a hardheaded bunch and hard to help. 13 I’M READY TO HELP YOU RIGHT NOW. Deliverance is not a long-range plan. Salvation isn’t on hold. I’m putting salvation to work in Zion now, and glory in Israel.” (Isa.46:9-13, MSG)


The Exact

FatherSonThe Bible says Jesus was called “The Exact”. What a name to be called!: The Exact. He was the exact representation of the Father. All my life I have heard individuals say, “I want ‘such and such’ put on my tombstone.” What if each of us wrote in our will that we wanted this put on our tombstone: “The Exact Representation of the Father”. Would the lawyer laugh, would family members roll their eyes? Why wouldn’t “exact representation” be our goal? Is that what we are aiming for?   


Expecting Clarity

Kathy — I was amazed that the Holy Spirit would actually instruct me to pray for speedy results and pray against delay (because I definitely do have experience in that kind of praying!) Honestly, I don’t know that I have ever heard such detailed Clear glasses.jpgand clear instructions. That thrilled me because I had heard the Lord say back in September 2019, that He was bringing more clarity in 2020, like 2020 vision, and it was already happening!  The scripture I had been reading before I dozed off echoed through me again, “How I wish my people would obey me!” I promptly wrote the instructions down to pray daily as I was so clearly directed.  While I am not trying to put my assignment on anyone reading this, I am trying to encourage you to expect clarity and understanding as God prompts you to pray or take action this year.  Follow His prompts and don’t waste time wondering or asking “Why me?” as I did.  We can trust the Lord to wisely assign the part we are to steward, so there’s no need to feel overloaded or unequipped, just obey.  Even if His prompts seem more vague than clear at first, rather than losing time wondering if the Lord is really prompting us, just pray or just do it.


Seeking Signs or Himself?

News services are using their valuable air time and print space reporting on Christians declaring the end of the world. Christians have said time and time again throughout my lifetime (more than six decades) that no generation has seen things looking upworse than they are now, and it is now the end of the world and the coming of the Lord. They have looked up into the sky and in every corner of the globe seeking all manner of natural signs to confirm their suspicions (Gal.4:9-11). Yet, I find it interesting that not one time have I heard anyone say that no generation of Christians has ever been more like Jesus than this generation (even after all the years and all the centuries of church attendance and flocking to revival meetings and observing the stars and dispensational charts). Amos has a great suggestion: “SEEK HIM that maketh the seven stars and Orion… THE LORD IS HIS NAME:” (Amos 5:8, KJV; also v.4-“Seek Me, and live!”) Could it be that Amos would rather have us take valuable time and effort we are using to seek signs and actually use it to SEEK THE LORD Himself?


Pray for Tomorrow to Manifest

Kathy — In the dream I had after Marty gave the 2020 Declarations I received instructions as to how I should pray (and I shared those a few days ago). But then, people prayingmy instructions continued: Pray, the changes and results be undeniable. Pray that tomorrow will manifest what I initiate today in heart-thinking and in conversations and in angel assignments.  Pray that opposition and interference on every level be sabotaged in the night between today and tomorrow’s manifestation. Pray that speedy and prevailing works of righteousness and justice be witnessed and understood so that the fear of the Lord will come upon people and their families and their nations and their generations.


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Ever-Living Hope

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Christ Arose!

A BLESSED RESURRECTION DAY AND RESURRECTION-POWER EXPERIENCE TO YOU AND YOURS!
Hymn: “Christ Arose” by Robert Lowry, 1874
(At the church my father pastored, along with “The Old Rugged Cross” and “He Lives” we sang this one every Easter. On the chorus when we sang the second “He arose!”, we held out the “arose” for a LONG time, along with shouts of “Amen”, “Glory” and “Hallelujah”.)

worship singingLow in the grave He lay,
Jesus, my Savior,
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord!

Refrain:
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed,
Jesus, my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus, my Lord!

Death cannot keep his Prey,
Jesus, my Savior;
He tore the bars away,
Jesus, my Lord!


Jesus Conquered

EmptyTombFound this quote in my notes:  “Jesus did not conquer in spite of the dark mystery of evil, He conquered through it.”  

”… I died, but see, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of [absolute control and victory over] death and of Hades (the realm of the dead).(Rev.1:18, Amp)


PRAYING is OBEYING

Kathy — PRAYING is OBEYING, and prayer will clearly bear fruit in 2020 as His Kingdom comes and His will is done in earth.  On January 4th , six days after Marty made the declarations, I was reading Psalm 81.  Verse 13, “How I wish my people would listen to me; how I wish they would obey me,” seemed to echo in my mind as I leaned my head back on my chair.  As I slipped into sleep, I began dreaming, but then I heard someone speaking.  I opened my eyes, wondering if I was awake or asleep as I tried to listen to what was being said.  It is sometimes a challenge to PrayWomanSunsettransfer words and concepts to paper, but this is the gist of what I heard: I am bringing changes to the Church’s mode of operation”.  My first thought was that I must pray that those who faithfully sit on the church bench be able to handle God-changes rather than hold to traditions or walk away in judgment.  I took hope in what I heard next:  “The prospering that comes from these changes will cause the differences to be embraced and welcomed by many.  Even the economics of the Church will prosper like harvests hidden in history.”  I had no knowledge of  “harvests hidden in history.”  I was a bit stunned at hearing such details.  I thought, ‘Lord, hearing these things seems strangely beyond my usual reach and responsibility. This is the kind of stuff that Marty hears, so why am I hearing these things?’  Immediately, I heard, “So you can invest prayer toward these changes in My Church.” I have to admit that I felt too inexperienced for such an assignment, and that momentary feeling of being unequipped made me doubt my hearing.  But I could not shrug this off to dreaming.  I wonder how many of us have disqualified ourselves and forsaken an assignment through a reaction like mine.  The soul (the mind and logic and will) is often quick to take the wheel and drive us into a ditch of doubt instead of down the path of obedience.  It’s not that our soul cannot be part of obedience, in fact, it must.  However, the soul simply cannot be the driver-dictator-controller.  Being led of the Spirit is the means and method of walking out an obedience and getting to God-outcomes (in prayer or any other obedience).


Subterranean Goliaths

Kathy — On December 29th, Marty made the *declarations for 2020.  The one that impacted me most specifically was “Subterranean Goliaths will fall!”  I took it to heart to ponder and looked up the words he used.  Subterranean means “hidden, secret or literally operating beneath the earth’s surface”.  (In one gathering in January, as Marty released this declaration, he paused and added, “Watch for what is happening literally in tunnels beneath the earth.”)  Fallen means “in a lapsed or TunnelLightBrick.jpgdegraded state, prostrated or ruined”.  So, it was a vivid picture to me to think there will soon be secret giant organizations falling apart behind the scenes and powerful hidden handlers falling on their faces in ruin.  Since we can’t always see their presence and operations, I wondered if we will see their fall.  After all, the American news media is apt to be for Goliath, not against him nor against any evil giant agenda. 

People speak outrageous lies and accusations to reporters to form sound bites so they can be broadcast to the nation.  Though there be no truth or accuracy in their clips, the words bombard the atmosphere to echo in people’s thoughts and conversations.  Such a tainted atmosphere can affect our thinking without us realizing it. Hell’s methods of sabotage are common and familiar, so they often go unnoticed while they undermine those who pray and their prayers.  But you can rest assured that even if we don’t see or hear of the felled “Goliaths”, we will feel the effects of their demise in our world. The declaration stirred me to agreement and prayer because the fall of subterranean Goliaths directly relates to my prayer of the last two years:  “Lord, avenge the children”. The fall of subterranean forces this year will be relief from atrocities against children as God’s justice brings down the giants behind abuse and trafficking, no matter who they are or what sewer they work within. On Jan. 28th, one week before the February/March issue of SEEC Magazine made it to print, we heard that a tunnel was discovered from Mexico into the U.S.A. in southern California. It is the longest smuggling tunnel (4309 feet) ever found in the U.S.A. (now numerous other, larger tunnels have been discovered); and they mentioned it was likely used for human trafficking as well as drug running. Subterranean Goliaths are getting taken down!