Daily Devotions

Archive for June, 2022

Fighting a Spiritual War

Kathy—Fighting a spiritual war between good and evil can seem too big a battle for the believer who sees himself as a mere private in the army of the Lord, or just a thankful sinner rather than a son or daughter of God.  Thinking that diminishes the Father/sons relationship and divides us from the Father and also divides us from our Father’s strength and grace and enabling.  Beyond that, it  divides sons from Father’s purpose and Original Intent.  The same thing happens if we disqualify ourselves from the Lord’s army because of condemnation or shame or flaws or mess-ups.  We must not allow those things to separate us from His redemption that trumps them all. 


Weigh and Judge

We are in a time when there is a great need to weigh matters and judge words rather than just taking everything that we hear and zealously trying to get it to fit into our theology and our eschatology. There are even some folks who are willing to adjust their theology to get it to fit words coming from voices that are continually predicting near events even though many of them have not come to pass. Some of those people and their words are finding acceptance because of what seems to be widespread fear and despair. If someone is in fear or suspicion, they can find a word that will accommodate it. It is time to come to balance and one of the best ways to do that is to realize who God is in this hour. His throne is not and cannot be shaken. His plan has not changed nor has He throttled back on His purposes in this earth. 


Intense Awakening

Melissa—It is starting to make sense why this awakening is so intense.  We have the opportunity to move from a substandard life to a premium life (see post on 6-21-22) if we will embrace this alarm and not press the snooze button! This moment really is an invitation to something incredible. This is an invitation to enter into and function from the fear of the Lord for the sake of the Kingdom and for His glory.  I really like the sound of that.  I really want to live that.


Justice Cannot Start With Lies

Kathy—America began its journey to be a self-governing and self-reliant nation with the goal of freedom and justice for all.  The spirit of division working against our nation right now also seeks to separate truth from justice, but we have to have truth to establish boundaries and principles that protect and guarantee moral rightness, decency and fairness.  Without truth-based justice, any citizen is susceptible to rampant injustice.  We have current event proofs that justice cannot start with lies, and we have God proof that truth will prevail. Certain justice will prevail with the Truth according to God’s Original Intent for this nation, and justice will include the conniving Hamans hanging on their own gallows. 


Moving From Chaos to Order

As the people of God assemble today may they find their thoughts, their lives, and their families moving from chaos to the order of the Kingdom of God in righteousness. May they joy in the Kingdom order of the King of Kings Who is on the throne and advancing His Kingdom in the earth through sons and daughters who know the Prince of Peace Who gives love, peace and a sound mind (2Tim.1:7).


Speaking of Chaos…

Many people are speaking of chaos right now. Many times in the Bible order came out of chaos and order will come out of chaos again in America. Gen.1:1-3,TPT—”When God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was completely formless and empty, with nothing but darkness draped over the deep. God’s Spirit swept over the face of the waters. And then God announced: “Let there be light,” and light burst forth!” 1Cor.14:33—“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace…”


The Thief Steals, Kills and Destroys

Melissa—Look at this, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) The first half of this verse is substandard and the second half is premium.  I am always drawn to that word “might” in this passage. That tells me abundant life is not a guarantee.  It’s not a guarantee to those that are asleep because their life is ruled by substandard, unclean fear.  If we don’t wake up we can’t operate in the abundance.


Division Seeks to Separate People

Kathy—Ultimately a spirit of division seeks to separate God’s creation from God’s Original Intent so that the plans of God fall in history and fail to come to pass. This spirit is stupid enough to set itself against Almighty God and tenacious enough to try anything.  Besides working to separate people and make relationships dysfunctional, it is working against our foundational values and beliefs.  One blatant example is how this spirit is actively attempting to divide freedom from truth.  John 8:32 tells us, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  There is an undeniable link between truth and freedom.  It’s not that truth automatically sets everyone free, it is when we KNOW the truth.  That means when we are aware of the truth, it will make us free.  Truth that we KNOW will liberate or deliver or exempt us from liability.  If people are unaware of truth they can live in total ignorance and live as captives of lies and erroneous beliefs and cunning deceit.  In recent times we have watched deluded people project freedom to be extremes of entitlement and destructive chaos.  Only a self-absorbed and warped mind believes freedom to be totally unrestrained, unaccountable and anything-goes behavior.  Only darkened minds believe they are free when they are captives to misbeliefs and lies. (Isa 44:20 says that a deluded mind cannot even question the lie in his own hand.) When the United States of America declared its independence, our forefathers declared we were no longer subject to the influence or control of another government’s tyranny or its oppressive injustice or its single ruler with absolute power.  The success of this nation’s launching was in the first four words of the Declaration of Independence:  “We hold these truths . . .”   They knew truth to be essential for genuine freedom, and we likewise know freedom  must be in continual covenant with truth.


A Lot of Downloading Going On

There is a lot of downloading coming to us from heaven. There is also a lot coming to us through the internet. Take caution with what you do with what is coming in on your computer. There are all manner of prophecies out there about what is supposed to be happening in the near future. I received a call MPG Grace 4-5-20from a pastor recently who told me that there were some people in his congregation hearing one thing from one prophet and others were hearing from another prophet who contradicted the first prophet and the church was torn as to which one they were going to go with concerning the future. It is time to practice discernment and caution. 1Jn.4:1,NASB—“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”


Awakening and the Fear of the Lord

Melissa—While hearing about awakening coming, I had no idea it was going to look like this. So, this makes me ask, what are we awakening to? The thing that hits me the loudest is that we are being awakened 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 (Ps.19:9).  This obviously leads to totally different outcomes. (Part 2 of 6)


What Does Civil War Look Like?

Kathy—Some people fear that civil war might come to our nation again but civil war is not coming, it’s already here.  It just doesn’t look like the Civil War we had in 1861.  Civil war is defined as “ordinary citizens or ordinary communities opposing and fighting one another”, and so goes the daily news.  It is not a matter of the North against the South or blue against gray this time.  Hired KG_Looking upbullies have been sent into ordinary communities to start wars.  Pockets of ordinary citizens throughout the nation are caught up in multiple, noble sounding conflicts over rights or race or gender or politics or philosophies or law and order.  However, no matter how varied the issues, the intent of warmongering remains simply to divide in order to conquer.  That battle principle is in Mark 3:24-25  “And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand.” (LITV)  v.24-25, CEVA nation whose people fight each other won’t last very long.  And a family that fights won’t last long either.” Therefore, we must be discerning and stay aware that there is more to civil war than the chaos and violence and injustice and stupidity that are all too obvious.  The civil war we are in is first and foremost a spiritual war.  If we look below the surface commotion, we will find a spirit of division actively instigating and fueling each battle.  


The Strength of Our Life

As the people of God assemble today may they find the Lord of Life to be their strength, their guide and their firm foundation and shun all fears and anxieties. May they know Him in the intimacy of worship and high praise and soar far above all that threatens and concerns them. Ps.118:14,Amp—“The Lord is my Strength and Song; and He has become my Salvation.”


On Eagle’s Wings

May the Lord cause you to rise above every obstacle on eagle’s wings as you soar to new heights for His glory. Isa.40:31,Amp—“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.”


Interesting, Mysterious, Exciting

Melissa—I have to say, I have been hearing about awakening 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 MG MSG KCPromo 3-4-19seem 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.  I hope you can come with me over the next few posts as I ask the question, “What are we awakening to?”


Confidence in God

Kathy— ”My confidence in God gives Him access to me.” (see Eph.3:12)


God’s Words Shall Keep You

May the words of Yahweh be alive in you all this week. May they resonate in your thoughts so that they counsel you, invigorate you, guide you and fill you with hope.  “When you go, they [the words of your parents’ God] shall lead you; when you sleep, they shall keep you; and when you waken, they shall talk with you.” (Prov.6:22, Amp)


Standing or Moving Forward

Melissa—The more we wake up the more we live as a son.  I had a recent revelation about prayer.  You know how sometimes you pray and pray and pray for something to change or manifest in your life and it seems like the prayer falls on deaf ears? The Lord showed me a picture of me just standing in one spot praying my repetitive prayer and nothing happening. Then He showed me a picture of me doing the same thing but instead of standing still I was moving forward, putting one foot in front of the other, continually moving ahead and reaching the answer.  Then He broke it down for me. The first picture of standing still was a victim posture, staying in the same posture, waiting on a “magical moment” to change my circumstances.  The second picture of moving forward was the posture of a son walking onward knowing there is good in God’s intention for my life which is ahead of me.  So, let me say it this way, a victim waits for magic but a son walks in inheritance.  I am waking up.  Thank God.  Awakening is upon us. Get ready.  Being awake is a whole new state of existence.  For this reason He says, ‘Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine [as dawn] upon you and give you light’.” (Ephesians 5:14 AMP) [Final segment of “Waking Up”]


Variables and the Storm

Kathy—There are variables in the hearts of everyone concerned.   There are influences in the lives of everyone involved that interfere with embracing the will of God, but God is faithfully working all things toward His good plans and original intent for your family. You can rest in that and trust Him even in this terrible storm.


Redemptive Intervention in Days to Come

As the people of God assemble today may they know and speak of and sing of the nearness and preparedness of Almighty God for their tomorrows. May they rest assured of His presence and redemptive intervention in their days to come. Deut.31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”


Just Weights for You

May you receive refunds and replacements where needed and may people and companies admit overcharges and correct and give proper credit on your accounts.  ”A false balance and unrighteous dealings are extremely offensive and shamefully sinful to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.” (Prov.11:1, Amp)


Some Shock and Awe

Melissa—We better be ready for awakening to bring some shock and awe too! It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.  But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, (Eph.5:12-13,NLT) This awakening is going deep.  It’s going to shed light on things that have been going on under our noses but we haven’t seen it because we have been asleep.  It will be shocking, but that is why reformation comes with it.  Reform will deal with evil.  


Fear is Complex

Kathy—Exasperation is only on our side of any situation. Exasperation always boils down to our focus.   Our focus is the desperate need, the unanswered prayers, and the injustice that we feel.  And the tormenting factor that is at the root of all of that, is fear.  And fear is complex. It is a fear of loss and a fear of unbearable consequences and at the same time a fear of personal failure. 
The only antidote is to move our focus to God who does not fear.  He sees much more than the details that torment us. And His nature and character do not change or bend under the weight of threats.  The only way to step out of exasperation is to step into simple trust. God knows the details. God cares. And God will do what ever is possible to be done concerning our concerns.


Fear and Authority

Most everyone would admit, at some point, that they are fearful. Many things can drive the fears that deplete our hopes and expectancies. But, everything you fear operates on the authority of a government that is inferior to the government and King of the Kingdom of God. (Lk.2:11b, The Voice) “…He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority!”  (Matt.4:23b, Msg) “[Jesus]… taught people the truth of God. God’s kingdom was His theme—that beginning right now they were under God’s government, a good government!”  (Rom.13:1a, Msg) “All governments are under God.”  (Col.2:10, GNT) “and you have been given full life in union with Him. He is supreme over every spiritual ruler and authority.”  We are praying you discover daily that you are fearlessly living under the rule and authority of God Almighty.  (One of Marty’s Daily Discovery radio spots.)


Awakening Seeping Through

Melissa—When I was hearing about and thinking about awakening, did I really expect awakening to be all around me and not in me?! I guess I did and I guess I was very wrong.  Thank God.  We are in the midst of a seriously sobering season.  We are in the thick of the increase of His perpetually increasing government (Isaiah 9:7).  Awakening won’t be limited to the American church’s view of what it should look like to be most effective.  Awakening is going to seep through the cracks in the foundation of the American church and reform it.  Awakening brings reformation.  [Part 3 of “Waking Up”]