Daily Devotions

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Self-Focus or Self-Awareness?

MELISSA–I want to mention one piece that is absolute necessity in the year to come. That piece is self-awareness. This may sound like a simple thing you would think comes naturally, but that is not so. We have become so self-focused that we tend to confuse the two. They are not the same. Self-focus is the Band-Aid that falls off with every raging flood. Self-awareness connects the dots, and raises a standard against the flood (Isa. 59:19). Let’s look at the literal definitions of the two words. Awareness means “informed, alert, knowledgeable, sophisticated”. Focus means “a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity”. As a geological term, focus means the point of origin of an earthquake. Focus is narrow, where as awareness is broad. I particularly love how focus is the point of origin of an earthquake. Well, if that doesn’t just say it! Self-focus leads to personal earthquakes, and self awareness keeps us from them.

Overcoming Damage to our Identity

Kathy Gabler—If we don’t overcome damage to our identity, worth and track record, we  develop an offense or an attitude or an outlook on life that leaves our mirror cracked, leaves our self-worth fragmented and pulls the rug out from under our self-government.  That, in turn, undermines every opportunity and relationship we have. 

Relationships That Build You Up

Marty Gabler—This year may you find and keep the kind of relationships that build you up and don’t tear you down.   “For I am not ashamed, even if I have boasted somewhat too much about the authority that the Lord has given us—authority to build you up, not to tear you down.” (2Cor.10:8, GNB)

Power of the Air

Kathy Gabler—I was talking to Melissa on her way to work the morning after the download about the “power of the air.”  Before I could tell her about it, she said,  “Mom, there is something in the air.  I have been pacing restlessly for the last three days because of what I am sensing.”   I then told her about the insight on Eph. 2:2.  That confirmed the warfare status. She responded,  “We can’t be intimidated by principalities.  The problem is we feel we have to go after the whole thing, but we don’t.”  All we have to do is just pierce the piece God points out.  She said it is like a Jenga game.  Just pull the precise piece that is your part of the tumbling of a principality.  I came away equipped with a solid battle strategy: don’t be overwhelmed by the size or tenure of the enemy, just pull the piece God points out . . . or just thump the highlighted domino.

Get a Deep Breath

Marty Gabler—As the people of God assemble today may they receive a fresh impartation of God’s grace flooding their being. May the worship and the Word set them in His arms of grace so that they are strengthened and are able to reach beyond the exhaustion of battle, anger, fear and doubt. May they get a deep breath and find new determination to persevere to overcome. “Is not this the God who armed me well, then aimed me in the right direction?” (2Sam.22:33, Msg)

The Lord is Turning it Around

Marty Gabler—May our Lord grant that people who have said things about you in the past (even though they may have been right) are getting over it this year;  and the damage that they did with what they said you were, you are going to overcome this year and it’s going to turn around for your good.  “And they will say about you, ‘The Lord always does right!  God is our mighty rock.’” (Ps.92:15, CEV)

Opportunities, Timing and Connections

Melissa Gabler—The prophetic lifestyle opens opportunities, timing, and connections.  Opportunities: having the ears to hear to be at the right place at the right time for yourself and others. Timing: none of us understand the timing of God because He is working on so many levels.  It takes a prophetic lifestyle to see beyond the limited vision of our normal dimensions. It can keep you sane where timing is concerned. Connection: Brings lives together for God team-ups, projects, events, etc.  We were never meant to do life alone (1 Corinthians 12:20-21).

READ SEEC MAGAZINE VOL.29 ISS.1

SEEC Magazine Latest Issue   Volume 29  Issue 1 __  January-March 2025
*** Our 29th Year of Publication ***
READ MELISSA’S ARTICLE “DONE BEING DOUBLE-MINDED” p.14
Marty and Kathy Gabler invite you to read this issue for your edification.

CLICK ON COVER BELOW TO READ:
(Please give the PDF magazine a few seconds to load.)

Cvr Vol29Iss1_500

Don’t Get out of Bounds to get What you Want

Kathy Gabler—The third thing the devil did was offer Jesus a way to get what He came after by getting out of bounds on a shortcut.  Satan offered to not oppose Him and give Him the kingdoms of this world (Rev. 11:15).  Jesus knew the kingdoms of the world were to be His, but He knew better than to worship Satan to get them.  Jesus was a mature son of strong character, and He was so intent upon obedience and self-government, that He couldn’t be tempted by success any other way.  Adam and Eve did fall for the temptation to get out of bounds and reach beyond the will of God.  Then, evidently, they did not truly repent because they passed on the “thinking of their heart” to the next generation.  Cain cracked his own mirror also by reaching outside God’s boundaries with a sacrifice that wasn’t acceptable.  Then his self-worth plummeted and his self-government completely toppled when he murdered his brother.