Daily Devotions

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Discerning-Obedience

KATHY—I sat at lunch with a friend who is a real trooper in the trenches.  As I listened to her heart after God, the thought came to me, ‘The only thing that can stop her from getting to God’s intentions would be getting worn out on the way.’  I made a decree over her, “This year, you will be quick to discern the difference between obligation and obedience.”  The enemy cunningly lays snares for a compassionate heart to distract them by the needs of others while they’re on the way to a God-mandate.  If distraction can deplete our energy, hell can hinder the purpose and timing of God.  We must be wise this year and budget our efforts as diligently as our pocket books.  

Father God Will Never Leave Us

As the people of God assemble today may they cease to focus on those matters that press them with fear and cause their hearts to be troubled and consider defeat. May they worship and sing victoriously and preach zealously of the victory of the risen Christ and the promises of Father God Who has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb.13:5). Ps.25:3,Amp—“Indeed, none of those who [expectantly] wait for You will be ashamed; Those who turn away from what is right and deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed (humiliated, embarrassed).”

Ordinary or Holy Ground?

Where you are standing may look like ordinary ground at first glance. Where you are presently, may seem like a wilderness without purpose but there is an all-wise, loving Father who in His wisdom and within His carefully planned timetable of events says, “Take off your shoes so that you do not tread thoughtlessly on ground and time that I have set apart for a purpose.”  “Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” (Ex.3:5, NKJV)

A Practical Way to Pray

MELISSA—Here are some practical ways to pray during this time.  (Quick side note, our first priority in wartime prayer is to tend to our relationship with our God.  It’s through that relationship that we learn to trust the One who created this earth, and know how to pray from divine truth.)  Back to prayer, 1. A practical way to pray is tongues.  Praying in tongues is speaking mysteries that only God can understand.  1 Corinthians 14:2 “For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things].”  There’s no babbling going on here, just full-on pure interaction with the King.  So, this means the soul can’t get in the way, nor can what we just saw on the news.

I Will Restore

KATHY—Perhaps we could paraphrase Joel 2:25 like this:  I will restore the years swallowed up because you did not realize the significance of MY purpose and destiny in your life.  The circumstances were forces that I used to change you, to build character, to build strength, to complete a work within you and to bring about the right timing and conditions for My purpose in you.  

The Contagion of Cynicism

The attitude of cynicism tends to be contagious: the attitude of the person who has been somewhere and it was a disappointing venue, now others don’t want to go there; the attitude of the person who was married and it was a disappointing experience, now others don’t want to take the chance on marriage; the attitude of the person who went all out to succeed but they ended up broke and embarrassed for having even tried, now others are afraid to step out. Cynicism displaces anticipation and induces lethargy. We must dwell on the God of the impossible and His Word that brings our focus back to all possibility (Matt.19:26). He is God and will never cease being everything He has always been. Our experiences plus the experiences of others, or even the lack of experiences, do not determine the ability or reluctance of God to do wonders among His people. The Bible does not say, “All things are possible to him who has always had a perfect track record.” But it does say, “… If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mk.9:23, NKJV)

Prayer During Times of War

MELISSA–Here are some thoughts on prayer during times of war, such as we are dealing with at this time.  In Matthew 6:7 Jesus gives insight on prayer, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”  Vain repetitions here means: “To chatter, be long-winded, utter empty words, stammer, repeat”.  In times like these there is a tendency to just rattle off every fear and concern we have.  Jesus gave good advice here as he explained in verse 8, “Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”  We need to come to God prepared to hear an answer and not just to throw up our worries all over Him.  This really came to life for me recently when I had just had one of those days where my concern list got filled up.  That evening I sat down to be quiet and listen when, all of a sudden, I was standing in this beautiful garden.  The trees caught my attention because they seemed lively and animated.  As I was taking in their beauty they all turned in one direction and I realized they were responding to the Lord walking through the garden.  I saw Him walking toward me when this thought hit me, “He knows”. In that moment I literally felt my shoulders and body relax.  I knew He knew about all of those things on my list.  Not only did He know, He already had an answer for each of them and my part was to simply trust.  As we navigate this time of war we don’t have to rattle off our fears to God.  He knows not only what’s manifesting but what is behind each manifestation.

The River of Life

SFMV#26 – Scriptures for Morning Victory
Theme: “The River of Life”
Marty Gabler reads Scriptures and prays for our victory.

Click on picture below to view 5min. video:
SFMV#26 Thmbnail

Yahweh Above all Else

As the people of God assemble today may they sing praises that declare the value of Yahweh and His Word above all else. May they speak of and exemplify trust and dedication to Most High God so that the coming generations can see the value of putting their hope and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and may they experience the comfort of the safety and wholeness of belonging to the body of Christ. Isa.26:4,Amp—“Trust [confidently] in the Lord forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], For the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].”