Daily Devotions

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Praying is Obeying

Kathy—PRAYING is OBEYING, and prayer will clearly bear fruit in 2022 as His Kingdom comes and His will is done in earth.  On January 4th, six days after Marty made the declarations (mentioned in my last post), 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 transfer 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).

What’s the Antidote to Accusation?

Melissa—What’s the antidote to accusation? The opposite of accusation is intercession.  The enemy accuses (Revelation 12:10) and Jesus intercedes (Romans 8:34).  Instead of accusing, criticizing, gossiping and leaving it there, it needs to be turned into intercession. Now, in the south we like to put “bless their heart” at the end of a good ol’ accusation… THIS IS NOT INTERCESSION. Perhaps an example of intercession would look something like this, “Open their eyes Lord, Your grace is sufficient for this issue.”

Right Side Up

As the people of God assemble today may they edify each other and encourage one another that where their lives have been turned upside down that they will be turned right side up again and functioning in the purposes of Father God Who delights in the victory of His people. Ps.50:15,Amp—Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you shall honor and glorify Me.””

Cry Out so Jehovah Can Restore

There were times in Israel, in the Old Testament, when it seemed Israel had gotten things so topsy-turvy that absolutely nothing could ever get them turned right side up again. Then Jehovah would send a prophet to His people. It would seem as though the Lord was almost at the point of begging Israel to call on Him. The Bible says there was a time when Israel had been in a captivity period that was so bad that they had to live in holes in the ground. I can’t imagine living in a hole in the ground! Just how bad could it get? The nation was scattered and defeated. Everything they had was taken from them. It was stolen. And they were wished dead by all the surrounding nations. God said that if His people would cry out, He would restore! Lk.18:7,Amplified—”And will not [our just] God defend and avenge His elect [His chosen ones] who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [in providing justice] on their behalf?” 

Subterranean Giants

Kathy—Near the end of 2019, 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, 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 degraded state, prostrated or ruined”.  So, it was a vivid picture to me of reports that came out then and are still coming out about 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.

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 several years:  “Lord, avenge the children”.  The fall of subterranean forces 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. Within a week after that declaration 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.; and they mentioned it was likely used for human trafficking as well as drug running. Subterranean Goliaths are getting taken down!! 

What Does Accusation Sound Like?

Melissa—So, what does accusation sound like? Literal accusation is a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal. Criticism is an opinion or judgment of what is wrong or bad about somebody. Slander is saying something false or malicious that damages somebody’s reputation; it is also gossip or rumors.  It is even words spoken out of skepticism, bitterness, resentment or offense.
Here’s how this works: It’s repetition that builds a force against someone.  It is when the issue is rehearsed and it’s rehearsed with multiple people, when there is continual mouthing of accusations day after day, week after week.  When it’s shared and rehearsed with others it builds a force.  Some things said might be true, but words compound the issue if they are not dealt with.  Again, this is the epitome of using your powers for good and not evil.  Our words are intended to make a difference and we tend to forget that it goes both ways.

Crying Out in a Pressing Time

This is a most trying and pressing time we are living in. It is the time to heed the Holy Scriptures that instruct the people of God to cry out. In dark hours, in the dark wrestling with our souls when we have been bombarded continually with narrative, propaganda, outright lies, ordeals that cause our physical to drain us, it is time to lift our voice. At that point, for some reason, it becomes really easy to doubt. But nothing is impossible with El Elyon, no matter what absurdities the people are entrenched in. His name is Elohim the great Yahweh. Nothing is impossible with the Great God of Heaven and earth.

Jesus Proved You Have Value

Kathy—Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection and ascension were for our salvation.  That salvation includes the power to overcome any obstacle to your life and purpose.  The fact that Jesus came to die for you proves that you have value.  That’s your trump, that’s undeniable proof that you have value!  Now let’s figure out how to get our emotions to agree with that truth so that we don’t bottom-out if someone treats us as if we don’t have worth. It is a lie to believe someone else’s problem can make you worthless.  Matthew 10:30 “the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.” We are praying you discover daily your worth to your God.

Kathy and Melissa also post on Marty’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/martygabler/

Accusation and Agreement

Melissa—Here’s what accusation does: It builds up the power of a demonic force through agreement.  Our enemy is looking for those that carry power in their words to agree with his wrath and build a demonic force against an individual, a family, a church.  Here’s what accusation can cause: sickness, burdens, bondage, complacency, ineffectiveness, a sudden halt to progress, to name a few.  Unless it’s dealt with you will go no further or possibly get worse! 

Calling Out to God Almighty

As the people of God assemble today let them rejoice in the voice of Father God and let them urge one another to call out to Him in behalf of our families and our nation and the heavy instances of current events in the world abroad. Let the people of God lift up a concert of intervening, crying-out-to-God prayer for His righteousness to abound in the earth and that He do works of righteousness in families, churches and the hurting. Jer.33:3,Amp—”Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things…”.