Daily Devotions

Archive for September, 2023

The Baby and the Bath Water

In the present atmosphere of our culture many are rethinking their religious backgrounds and their religious experiences and a number of those are deciding to make major, life-impacting decisions attempting to remove pain from the past, disappointments and unpleasant memories. Please allow me to offer an old adage to consider: “be careful not to throw out the baby with the bath water”. Prov.13:13,Amp—“Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, But he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded.”  And be careful not to use your disdain as an excuse to indulge in decisions and actions that seem enticing which could bring ruin to you and your family and those who may have been watching your life. 1Thess.5:19-21,Amp—19 “Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. 20 Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21 But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.”


Relationship and Warranty

MELISSA—We have a never ending warranty on us, signed in blood. In fact, God Himself created the original warranty when Jesus took those stripes on His back (Isa. 53:5 &1Pe. 2:24). This warranty includes, “…all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2Pe. 1:3). We have in us what we need right now, at this moment in time, for ourselves AND for our nation. Dare I even say, for the world. We have it because we have a relationship with Jesus Christ which opens us up to be a floodgate of Heaven on earth. It’s only through relationship that we gain understanding of the covenant. It’s our relationship with the King of Kings that sharpens and broadens our vision to see the treasures and promises in His covenant.


Kingdom not Spiraling Into Dispair

KATHY—We are not helpless pawns at the manipulative hands of political machines and agendas. We’re DANIELS in the LIONS’ DEN! There is a GOVERNMENTAL difference and SHUTTING of MOUTHS! The KINGDOM and RULE of God on earth “as in Heaven” is not spiraling into despair. Dan.4:3—“How great are His signs And how mighty are His wonders! His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom And His dominion is from generation to generation. (also-Ps.9:7;Ps.45:6;Ps.145:13).


Stir up the Flame

The air was bone-chilling cold. The fire had gone out and it seemed useless to pick up the stick and stir the ashes which looked so lifeless. Yet, when I began to stir around in the ashes, sparks began to fly, embers were exposed to the air and they began to flame into life. The embers that came to life had not been apparent before I stirred up the ashes. I added some small twigs and in a short period of time, after feeding the fire with some larger pieces, I had a full-grown fire to warm myself.  Paul urged Timothy, “Stir up the gift of God within you (2Tim.1:6 KJV).” There was no impassioned plea for Timothy to sit quietly by until a holy stick-bearing angel came and stirred up the fire. Actually, the imperative is to do just the opposite: “[You] Fan into flame the gift of God.” This phrase was used in the common vernacular of the time to describe the rekindling of a fire that had been allowed to die down through neglect (W.E. Vine).


From one Side of the Spectrum to the Other

MELISSA—Sometime back I was dealing with a physical matter, not life or death, but an irritating battle that almost caused a lock down due to the “WHAT IF this gets worse” record playing in my head, and it seemed to be stuck on “repeat”.  It’s that kind of battle that sent my emotions from one side of the spectrum to the other.  After all, I’m not the only person to have dealt with this issue.  There are plenty of others living with it.  BUT I don’t see why I HAVE to live with it.  So, I was seeking God on the matter, and He so beautifully and faithfully gave me revelation regarding my healing all along the journey.  Throughout the journey I knew in my core that the physical issue was a done-deal.  In fact, at the beginning of the year I heard someone say that this is going to be a year of reversal! WELL, COME ON NOW (go ahead and take that for you and yours right now!).  It was just another confirmation that not only was I being healed, but that thing was going to be reversed!


Hear Accurately for Resolve

KATHY speaking at New Song Church of Grove,OK.
KG Grove 9-23-23 FB


Trusting God in Spite of Impossibilities

As the people of God assemble today let them rejoice in His holy name and let them raise together their courage and determination to continue to trust God and His unfailing Word as they praise Almighty God confidently in spite of the entities and circumstances that seem to be bringing impossibilities against their destiny in the King’s purposes for them in their generation. Ps.27:3,Amp—“Though an army encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, Even in this I am confident.”


An Increment of His Kingdom

MELISSA — Even though the sky is clearing there may be a storm or two that pops up as we head into the God-ordained days ahead. No worries though, the storms have to “be still” and bow to the intention of God Almighty. In prayer the other night I heard this after it came out of my mouth, “Your Kingdom is over this nation and you are releasing another increment upon us.” What if we are that increment?! What if we are the stealth measures He is putting in place to release a deeper increment of His Kingdom on this earth? Me thinks we are!


Davids Facing Goliaths

KATHY—God’s Kingdom rule here & Now means we are not just little shepherds facing big giants, we’re DAVIDS facing GOLIATHS! There is a GOVERNMENTAL difference! Even as David was on assignment from Jehovah and enabled to deal with Goliath and the Philistines, so are those who give themselves to God’s government, the Kingdom of God. David announced Whose authority he was under, “David answered, “You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel’s troops, whom you curse and mock. (1Sam.17:45,Msg)


Whatever you see the Father Doing

KATHY—Whether your part is praying, giving, teaching, rescuing, speaking out, building, tearing down, taking on a project, starting a business, infiltrating the government mountain or media mountain . . .  Whatever you see the Father doing . . .  GO for IT. Jn.5:19,AMP—“So Jesus answered them by saying, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself [of His own accord], unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever things the Father does, the Son [in His turn] also does in the same way.”


Wide Door for a Great Work

There is a door open before us and we are called to press through. 1Corinthians 16:9-10 “There is a wide-open door for a great work…”There is something worth pressing through to on the other side. It is a day-by-day pressing. The matter of walking with the Lord and trusting the Lord is day in and day out (Deut.5:33). We are pressing and shall press through because the pressing is leading to another level, to things in God and God’s Kingdom agenda that we have never seen or experienced.


Thoughts Abounding from God’s Truth

MELISSA — Truth and relationship with the Lord is about your meditations, thoughts, words, prayers. Are your thoughts and prayers abounding from God’s truth or the latest from Fox, CNN, Facebook, or Twitter? A safe and healthy place from which to operate your day is praying in tongues throughout. It’s the perfect prayer not swayed by national or family events. It’s the perfect prayer not swayed by the soul. In fact, don’t limit it to that. You may think you’re praying about what is concerning at the moment, but the Spirit prays what needs to be prayed at the moment whether it be for that particular situation or something completely different. Thank God that type of prayer cannot be touched by soulish fears and desires. That is exactly why it is perfect! God knew what He was doing when He gave us such a gift. Yes, I’d say it’s for today. My thought, the soul might say otherwise because it can’t control it. Ok, I’ll just leave that right there and wrap this up. It’s time to call on Him. It’s time to see great and mighty things. It’s time to be great and mighty things.


Obligation and Wisdom

KATHY—Obligation is the binding power of a promise, a vow, a contract or a law, but it is also the binding force of civility and kindness.  That makes obligation a strategic weapon against Christians.  I stood on the sidewalk waiting for Marty.  I had leftover donuts in a box under my arm.  A homeless woman was walking toward me.  Kindness immediately bid me to give them to her, yet I felt a check in my spirit.  I learned later that while it would have been a kindness, it would not have been wisdom.  There was a ministry for the homeless in that very block that met their needs on a daily basis. There were signs setting the order of how and when such ministry was appropriate.  The order was for protection of the homeless so they would not break city rules.  I would have been encouraging that woman to get out of the set order, which would eventually disqualify her for the ministry that sustained her there. We must be wise the remainder of this year and budget our efforts as diligently as our pocket books.


On the Basis of Faith in the Name of JESUS

As the people of God assemble today may they, in unified chorus, lift up their voices and praise and proclaim the name of JESUS. May they see the manifested Christ in salvations, healings and deliverances. May they be raised up in faith and hope to declare that Name for many, inside the building and outside the building, to be strengthened and restored spirit, soul and body. In Acts 3:16 Peter declared: ”And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of JESUS which has strengthened this man…”


Power of the Name of Jesus

In the next few days and weeks I believe you will find the name of Jesus to be very powerful in your life and your environment — if you will call upon His name, “Jesus”, see Him heal, watch as He delivers others out of impossible strongholds of bondage and fear. Say His name and see how marvelously He delivers you from the threat of harm, even from bullies. The children’s ministers at our church have taught them to say, “The name of Jesus is my super power”. In Acts 3:16 Peter declared: ”And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man…” (Acts 3:16, Amp) We are praying you discover daily more of the power of the name of Jesus in your life.


Soul-Perspective

MELISSA—Simply put, we don’t get to determine what the answer must be when we call on Jehovah. That kind of determination is a prescription for indigestion. Why? Because we are working from a very limited soul-perspective of the situation with even more limited soul-solutions. This kind of limitation focuses on the impossible rather than the God of the impossible. He not only sees the problem, but where it came from and He sees the best solution for the complete fix. That right there is the kind of “great and mighty” answer we are truly looking for.


A Person Who Prays

KATHY—I knew an older gentleman who was called to be an intercessor and that calling was confirmed through a prophetic word.  He had not recognized the calling, nor could he receive the word, because of his definition of an intercessor.  His belief was that an intercessor was a person who prayed for many hours every day.  His experience indicated that was neither his lifestyle nor his desire; so, he could not believe he could ever be an intercessor.   After a conversation with a discerning friend, he discovered intercession is not bound to one particular lifestyle and he opened his heart to the call of God.  His misunderstanding had been keeping him from fulfillment and effectual purpose for years.  Discernment is about seeing a difference that will make a difference.  Discernment turns the light on so we can take action and make adjustments.  


Turned From Reviling Faith

May the people of God pray and may God Almighty redeem people who are working hard against the cause of Christ and turn them so that they preach Christ, and then promote and facilitate that which they once tried to  destroy.  ”…He who used to persecute us is now proclaiming the very faith he once reviled and which he set out to ruin and tried with all his might to destroy.” (Gal.1:23, Amp)


I Will Answer

MELISSA — Let’s look at “Call to me and I will answer you” through a modern American paradigm: I call on the Lord and He will answer – I will tell Him what I need and He will give it to me because He is a loving God. You know, kind of like curbside grocery delivery. I took the time to get my list together and I took the time to call about this list. Now, it’s on Him to deliver!  I’m afraid we North Americans operate out of an entitled mindset not only in our relationship with earthlings, but also in our relationship with God. If I call on Him then ________ (insert pre-determined answer here). The problem with an entitled relationship with God is where the entitlement is rooted. If it is rooted in the Spirit, according to the covenant, then it will put you in a posture of dominion. If, however, it is rooted in the soul then it will hold you in a victimized defensive posture. The soul will keep you chained out of reach of God’s original intent which is indeed dominion. Or said another way, the soul will keep you from being heaven on earth.


SFMV#34 Come and Drink

“Come and Drink”
SFMV#34 – Scripture and prayer for victory with Marty Gabler.

CLICK ON PICTURE BELOW TO VIEW:
SFMV#34 Thmbnail


A Word That Conflicts?

KATHY—Does God ever send us a word that conflicts with our personal beliefs?  Yes.  It’s not that God is out to upset our apple cart.  It is that He loves us too much to let us continue finding security in our beliefs that are tainted by error, warped by experience or hindered by misunderstanding.  These things will leave us at dead ends, frustrated and unfulfilled at some point in our destiny, and He loves us too much to simply allow that. But when our compassionate Father confrontations those carefully guarded systems, we have three major resources to set and confirm our course: the Word, godly counsel and discernment.


Absent From Local Fellowship

As the people of God assemble today, may there be faith stirred in hearts concerning those who have been absented from the local fellowship. May there be expectancy that they be returned to the fellowship to edify and, once again, take their place on the wall.  “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent and hidden one from another.” (Gen. 31:49, Amp)


That Does Not Consider Odds

Marty when speaking at Hope For America in D.C.: “You and I may not be Gideon but we are part of the Gideon company that does not consider odds. We consider Him who has called us. We consider His Word and the dreams He has put in us.”


Substandard or Premium

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.  (MELISSA will be leading us in a Worship Encounter and speaking at DREAMS VISIONS PROPHECY September 8, 2023. No Fee) You can view the schedule and details for DVP2023 at martygabler.com/dvp2023/.)