Daily Devotions

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Invisible God Served by Visible Creation

The purposes of an invisible God are served by a visible creation. We are the visible representation of the unseen heavenly realm. It all culminated in the Person of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit who anointed Jesus now dwells in us and enables us to be God’s visible, tangible point of rule and authority on earth. The Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of God go hand in hand. You don’t get one without the other.

Stage of Development

Melissa — It really is an exciting time even though it may not look like it because we have entered a new era. Let’s look a little closer at what this means.  Merriam Webster defines “era” as: “a memorable or important date or event, especially one that begins a new period in the history of a person or thing, a stage in development.”  When I read this definition, that last part jumped off the screen, “a stage in development”.  So, I looked up “development“: “1. An unfolding; the discovering of something secret or withheld from the knowledge of others; 2. The unraveling of a plot.” Oh my! We have been in the midst of an “unraveling plot” our entire lives! I am basing the time span of the past era on the life of Dr. Billy Graham.  There were several words out there that the death of Dr. Graham would mark significant change, and that is when I knew we were truly in a new era.  So, for most of us we have been in this “stage of development” all of our lives.  God has been developing the Kingdom here on earth throughout the past era and we are about to see what He has been doing.

Doing Father’s Business

Free_Red DotKathy — Perceiving what the Father is doing may blow our doors at times. Participating in His Original Intent for your life can include tasks and experiences that you did not see coming. The scope of your participation may be overwhelming to the point that you want to shrink back because you suddenly feel you are just an unequipped, insignificant tiny DOT on the globe! I am alluding to one of those RED DOTS on a map that says, “You’re right here.” If you are feeling like a DOT yourself, you see such a map and think, ‘And so what! What possible difference can I make?’ However, doing what the Father is doing means we have to focus on Truth rather than our feelings. The truth is that this little DOT is a son or daughter that is right here, right now, to do Father’s business. This little DOT is an agent of agreement and this little DOT is an access point for Almighty God to bring “as it is in heaven” into this earth! 

Heart Will not Fear

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.”

Fear, Stress, Infirmity

Melissa — Fear leads to stress and stress puts off a fragrance that the spirit of infirmity is looking for.  “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1Jn.4:18, NKJV)

Reachable Kingdom

Kathy — If we have a subconscious someday in our thinking that makes the Kingdom ONLY reachable SOMEDAY “in the sweet bye and bye”, everything is distorted, our hope, our faith, our Life, our purpose and our heritage.  That “thinking”  blatantly contradicts the presence and purpose of JESUS Christ in His ministry on the earth.  He demonstrated the Kingdom by healing and delivering people and telling them, “The Kingdom has come upon you.”  He told them to repent, for the Kingdom is at hand, meaning that we must think differently so we can realize the power and will of God are within reach, now.

Thankful Memories that Heal

ThankfulA 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 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,”.

Ready for Something Unusual

About the time of Moses Israel began to cry out, “Save us from Pharaoh!” Then suddenly, “Bam!” Snakes, staffs and bull frogs are flying in every direction. About the time of Jesus Israel cries, “Save us from Rome!” Then suddenly, “Bam!” Wind, fire, tongues and spiritual drunkenness hit them. God’s people are once again crying, “Save us!” Get ready for something unusual! Are you ready for the unconventional? (see Isa.55:8-9)   Isa.33:22, The Passion Translation — “The Lord Yahweh is our Judge, our Lawgiver, and our King; He will save us completely!” 

An Eye-opener

Melissa — Having a relationship with the King is an eye-opener: You are not junk.  You have not messed up your fictitious “one shot”.  You do not have to live with sickness and pain.  You most certainly DO have something to deposit where you are and where He takes you.  You/we are here for a purpose beyond occupying space and time.  You are here to make a difference.  There is healing in knowing this! 

The Kingdom out of Reach?

Kathy — His Kingdom has already been in effect, now is in effect and will be in effect always.  That contradicts that silent someday that would keep the Kingdom of God out of reach during our lifetime, or keep “righteousness and peace and joy” in His presence only a future, someday realization (Rom 14:17). How messed up is it to think that righteousness, peace and joy are unreachable until you die?  That thinking would make “Thy Kingdom come” a death request.  Could we get any more perversely opposite to the heart of God than that?  Could we deny His New Covenant provision any louder than that?  If we think that His Kingdom (meaning His rule and His order) cannot come into earth now when we pray, is it any wonder that manifestations of His power show up piecemeal rather than bulk, or sporadically rather than continually?  Poor God.  When His stewards on earth think like that, they only accidentally stumble into agreement that opens the earth to God’s will in the now.