Daily Devotions

Archive for November, 2022

Getting Ready for the Next Level

Just about everything in our nation that darkness has to offer, has gone to the next level of what it was before the nation-shaking events of the last couple of years. Our lives, families, churches and communities have been deeply affected and events have hurled a need, nay a challenge, in our faces to overcome them. I think that a sober consideration of those events and their fallout will show us that we cannot continue to operate at the same level we deemed satisfactory heretofore. It is hard to just settle for what is presently evident in our lives and in our environment when God Almighty has shown us in His Word that His sons/daughters are expected to call upon Him and know the breadth, length, depth and height of Him (Eph.4:18) that we have not known before and even expect to be filled with “the fullness of God” (Eph.3:19). 


Engagement and Awakening

MELISSA—Where do rules of engagement fit into awakening? I looked up a definition and here’s what I found: “a directive issued by a military authority controlling the use and degree of force, especially specifying circumstances and limitations for engaging in combat.”  This makes sense in military terms, but how does this fit in everyday life? I began to think about what we went through in 2020, and are currently dealing with in 2022 and rules of engagement took on a whole new meaning.  Rules of engagement for us is how we handle the war we are in and how we see the outcome of said war.


They Forsook the One True God

KATHY—We need an Awakening as badly as Judah did in 2Kings 17. They had forgotten their God.  They had forsaken their one true God, Yahweh and even closed the door to the temple and nailed it shut.  2Kings 17:16-17, could be copy from today’s newspaper:  The people  disobeyed all the commands of the LORD.  They made idols of gold and built altars to gods and goddesses and they worshiped the stars. They indulged in all the black arts of magic and sorcery. . . They sank so low as to sacrifice their own sons and daughters! These things are literally happening in our churches, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, small towns, movies and even cartoons, but most assuredly, (as it reads in the last line of verse 17), GOD HAD ENOUGH. 


Sensitive to What Holy Spirit Says

As the people of God assemble today may their sensitivities be turned to what Holy Spirit is saying to the churches for this hour. May their ears, eyes and hearts be focused to receive instruction and leading that is necessary for the people of God to walk in the way that is effective to the glory of the name of the Lord and the advancement of His Kingdom for the saving of many. Matt.13:16-17,Msg—“But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear! A lot of people, prophets and humble believers among them, would have given anything to see what you are seeing, to hear what you are hearing, but never had the chance.”


May the Lord Give you Sensitivity

May the Lord give you the sensitivity you need for the present season you are in. May you be sensitive to where you need to be and when you need to be there and what you need to do when you get there. Jn.16:13,Amp—“But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].”


Rules Have Changed

MELISSA—During a pretty rough time recently I heard, “The rules of engagement have changed.”  That certainly got my attention! After having some time to ponder this statement I am beginning to see that it connects to the ongoing awakening we are experiencing.  Like I’ve mentioned before, I thought the awakening was going to be an event but the last couple of years have proven to me that not only has the awakening begun but it is an ongoing event rolling out on a continual basis.  I just don’t think we could have handled awakening on this level all at one time. Where do rules of engagement fit into awakening? I hope you will join me over the next week or so as I venture to look at how they fit in everyday life.


Memories That Heal

A while back I walked into the kitchen and I said to Kathy, “That smells like Thanksgiving!”. As I walked in, I experienced a wide range of sensory connections with Thanksgiving. The smell of spices and basting meat and the odors of baking coming out of the oven filled my senses. But I also began to hear things. As memories of Thanksgivings-come-and-gone stirred in my mind, I could hear the sounds of those gatherings, those loved ones, those children, those songs, that worship—in my memory. Kathy couldn’t hear any of it but I could hear many things all at once. I had to just stand there for a minute or two, not focusing on anything in the room but looking with my memory into those sights and sounds that had been cherished and stored away in valuable files of my heart. Then, even as I write now, hot tears filled my eyes and my heart raced up at the peace and joy and delight all those sounds and people in my memory brought to me. I didn’t even realize that I had tucked those precious memories away so many years ago. But the loving atmosphere, the loving people, the lovely ambiance and delicious foods all impacted my senses then for a delightful, sensory and welcome release now. No camera could have accomplished what those pleasant experiences wrought, for they were drawn up out of the well of cherished ones and cherished things in my heart. And for a brief time they were all there, all real and all so lovely once again. I am so thankful for a rich spiritual heritage, deeply meaningful relationships and for cherished memories that still impact me today. May this Thanksgiving bring to you sights and sounds and smells that pleasantly soothe you and heal you, and may they all bring you to a fresh place of rest in our Lord.  (Prov.10:7a, Amp) ”The memory of the righteous [person] is a blessing,”.


Living Like we Have a Lord

Our mandate from our heavenly Father has not changed because there is political turmoil throughout the nation and throughout the world or because there is a natural disaster in several nations at one time. We don’t have to look for a new mandate because it is the same one we have had for a long time (Matt.10:7;28:18-20); we just need to begin to give ourselves, our effort and our money to it. We are still supporting missions and investing in our spiritual sons/daughters, still making plans for the future and increasing efforts for the Kingdom. There are people talking about changing their plans and goals for their church “because the coming of the Lord is so near”. What we best be planning is planning to live like we have never lived for the purposes of God. Perhaps we should put less emphasis on “talking” about a Savior and begin to “live” like we have a LORD Who has left us with a mandate.


A Possible Perspective Shift

MELISSA—A Possible Perspective Shift: Perhaps the intense nature of the end of this year is not a foretelling of the hardship to come, but rather the shedding of the things that have kept us bound to cycles of failure in the past year. Phil.3:12,Amp—“…I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.  13  I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,  14  I press on toward the goal to win the prize…”.


Revival and Relationship

KATHY—The Awakening and Revival in motion will not be known for emphasis on preaching “heaven or hell, turn or burn”.  Actually, neither heaven nor hell is a life-giving daily focus, and we are not looking for an awakening based on golden streets or fear of hell.  (Neither luxury nor fear is a healthy motivation for relationship, nor the path to abundant Life.)  Awareness of God and participation as a son or daughter that demonstrates His Kingdom on earth (as Jesus did) is the Awakening we need because that’s an awakening that will ignite Revival based in RELATIONSHIP!


Come Before Him With Thanksgiving

As the people of God assemble today, may they lift their voices, their hearts and hands and sing thanksgiving unto the Lord God for all His beneficent blessings toward us. For God is good and greatly to be praised. “[ A Song of Praise ] Come, let us praise the Lord! Let us sing for joy to God, who protects us! Let us come before him with thanksgiving and sing joyful songs of praise.” Psalm 95:1-2 GNT


STAGING AND SUDDENLIES

STAGING AND SUDDENLIES. There is a staging going on in the spirit realm. God is processing and placing people and things in proper order so that His purposes are fulfilled by the moving of His hand. What will seem like suddenlies will come into being because of God’s careful staging of the events long before they manifested. Some of the frustration people are dealing with is the lack of their knowledge of what God is doing behind the veil which is beyond their comprehension and beyond their preoccupying worries. Just because we cannot comprehend the actions of an all-wise God while many voices of judgment and despair are speaking, doesn’t mean that this God is inactive or withholding His actions. The whole world was in turmoil while Noah was able to hear God’s preparation plan for his family.


Real Life

MELISSA—Real life comes when we are awake. It will be an amazing adventure to live out the true intentions of God for our lives.  I feel like I’m rambling right now but I can’t think of another way to express what I’m feeling about what’s ahead. Like I mentioned up front, it’s just way too massive for us to be able to endure all at once and that’s why this Third Great Awakening has been and will be an ongoing process.  If you don’t feel it yet, I want to encourage you to hold on because this unveiling is building steam and you will see the goodness of God in the land of the living! (Ps. 27:13,Amp—“[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!”)


Fear and Focus

MELISSA–FEAR CAUSES US TO LOSE FOCUS. The hand of God is moving. Recently, as I was praying about all the predictions, estimations and concerns coming in over the internet I had a vision of a hand moving and very active. It was moving people from one location to another. It was moving money and buildings and equipment here and there. As I watched this busy hand I realized that a veil was beginning to form between the busy hand and myself. Finally I could not see anything the hand was doing. The Lord spoke to my heart that the reason so many of His people are losing heart is because their fears and despair have formed a curtain between them and what His hand is doing. His hand is still moving and working but some can’t see it because of what they have allowed in the forefront of their thoughts and considerations.


Evidence Says we are at the Point of Awakening

Free Flag Grass SkyKATHY—If God’s plan seems absolutely impossible and unreachable in the present darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places of our nation and world, then consider that as evidence that we are at the point of an Awakening! When we look at our own nation, the evidence is in plain sight.  Or we could say that the stench is in plain smell. We are at the point of a “must-have” Awakening! Right here in these United States of America,  in our “Christian” nation, there is corruption in high places with no shame whatsoever, and the world is watching. Dark forces with lethal agendas are targeting our entire way of life, trying to destroy our economy.  Then there are repulsive, perverted things going on deep within our nation’s darkness, deep as in literally underground atrocities in tunnels. Then, there are the numerous atrocities against children. There are those who spend mind-boggling amounts on drugs and elixirs just so they can live longer and live out their depraved lusts and reprobate imaginings. We must see the light and be the Light of God that pierces this present darkness that’s trying to rule the world. God’s purpose for America is to display His Kingdom, His rule, His power and His will being done, not to self-destruct as a nation and lead the world to hell.


FEAR CAUSES US TO LOSE FOCUS

The hand of God is moving. Recently, as I was praying about all the predictions, estimations and concerns coming in over the internet I had a vision of a hand moving and very active. It was moving people from one location to another. It was moving money and buildings and equipment here and there. As I watched this busy hand I realized that a veil was beginning to form between the busy hand and myself. Finally I could not see anything the hand was doing. The Lord spoke to my heart that the reason so many of His people are losing heart is because their fears and despair have formed a curtain between them and what His hand is doing. His hand is still moving and working but some can’t see it because of what they have allowed in the forefront of their thoughts and considerations.


Abundant Life and Shocking Moments

MELISSA—Awakening is two sided: God’s glory manifesting and evil being exposed and annihilated. While each of us walk in discovery of abundant life, we also should expect some shocking moments ahead. For there is evil to be confronted and it won’t simply be exposed and then just left alone. No, it has to be dealt with by the Awakened.  The term “shock and awe” comes to mind. This revitalization that is happening to us is arming us with weapons and authority that, I dare say, we’ve never walked in.  We have been progressing through levels of awakening for a while now, but it’s about to get real in each of us, maybe for the first time.  


When the Adam Bomb Went Off

KATHY–Any genuine God-awakening will generate relationship because God’s plan from the very beginning in the garden was first and foremost, relationship.  He fully intended then and still intends for us to be His Sons and Daughters.  Our Father in heaven created Adam in His image, as an offspring carries the likeness of their father. God then met with Adam daily as a son in training.  That’s relationship.  Adam was getting to know his Father’s heart so that he could steward earth according to His Father’s design and desire, and all was going well until the “Adam-bomb”.  What the Adam-bomb damaged above all else was relationship.  Of course then, the Good News is that Jesus, the last Adam, came to be the Way, the Truth and the Life to restore relationship (Jn.14:6).  A God awakening draws people into relationship with the Father as it restores identity and position and purpose and a future legacy.  That restoration ripples into a family, a community, a business and beyond. That’s how God-awakenings ignite revival.  We’re not talking the impossible dream but rather the plan of God.  And if God’s plan seems absolutely impossible and unreachable in the present darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places of our nation and world, then consider that as evidence that we are at the point of an Awakening!


Hearing Ear and Seeing Eye

As the people of God assemble today may they truly worship the awesome Almighty God Who has made their eyes to see and their ears to hear. May they receive clearing of the eyes and opened ears to see and hear what the Lord God is doing in this time when so many are fearful and discouraged. May they take bold steps forward while trusting in Him Who never leaves nor forsakes His own. Prov.20::12,Amp–“The hearing ear and the seeing eye—the Lord has made both of them.”


Sons, Daughters and Stewardship

Taking time and effort to assess what is being thrust upon our eyes and ears as information to act upon, because of what is perceived to be happening in the present and looming in the near future is part of our stewardship as sons and daughters of faithful Father God. 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. There are no oil spills on the carpet around His throne (as tell-tale signs of disasters) and there are no fault lines running through the floor. Eph.13:8-9a—“Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages). Do not be carried about by different and varied and alien teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established and ennobled and strengthened by means of grace…”


A Brand New Timeline

MELISSA–Over the last couple of days I have realized how much my thinking is changing.  You know that life timeline running in your subconscious? The one where, you don’t even realize, you have presupposed thoughts of how your life may go? Well, just the other day I came to the realization that mine has a ton of influence from the aforementioned agendized societal norms. This timeline has been so governed by what we’ve seen instead of what is coming.  All of a sudden I saw a clean whiteboard and knew that meant that my timeline is brand new! I’m not limited to the expectations of a life built while I was asleep at the wheel! I am now free to live in His abundance which means being a living expression of His Kingdom on this earth. This is such revitalizing news! THIS – IS – AWAKENING, and it’s for all of us. 


Witnessing the Manifestation of the Kingdom

KATHY–Mary’s experience in the first chapter of Luke is a vivid example of awakening. The angel Gabriel came from standing in the presence of God to make Mary aware of God’s plan.  As a Jewish girl, Mary had heard that God would send the Messiah to earth, but when Gabriel explained she was part of that plan, he turned a light on for her to a never-before-in-history, unique awareness!  And she responded to Gabriel’s declaration and revelation with,  “Be it unto me according to your word.”  With that response Mary stepped into a life-changing awakening, a world-changing awakening.  In fact, it was the beginning of the Greatest Awakening in history and one that has never stopped rippling through history.  Neither did it ever stop rippling through Mary’s life.  Her awakening ushered her into the Kingdom of God as she watched her son grow and heard Him teach about God and His Kingdom.  She saw Jesus operating in Kingdom authority by ruling over nature when He spoke to the storm and when He walked on water.  She saw Him take dominion over evil spirits and sickness and even death.  In real time, Mary witnessed the Kingdom of God manifesting in the earth.  Simultaneously, there was an awakening going on inside Mary that connected her to her identity, her purpose and her position in destiny and established her as chosen and affirmed by her Father God.  Awakening brought her into a Father/Daughter relationship.


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. (Let’s start a new fad: Let’s all go to the Word of God to interpret the Word of God instead of going to the news!)


Embracing Norms

MELISSA–My eyes are being opened to how far below par we have been living when God’s intention all along has been for us to reside above par. This awakening is exposing agendas that have been built to lull us and control us.  These agendas use normal everyday things we allow in our lives because it’s a “norm” in society.  There are things like pop culture, entertainment, news and standards that we call wisdom when in reality it’s man’s wisdom.  Side note: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of [true] wisdom where man’s wisdom comes from fearing everything else.  One fear leads to life abundantly and the other leads to an early grave. I have been guilty of living a life embracing man’s wisdom and society’s norms and I’ve noticed a whole lot of ineffectualness.  We have been progressing through levels of awakening for a while now, but it’s about to get real in each of us, maybe for the first time.