Daily Devotions

Posts tagged “2014

He is Mighty to Save

DesertPrinceRobes
May we lift up our heads from the struggle of battle and 
behold Him who has already overcome, and trust ourselves
completely to Him Who is mighty to save.

“WHO IS this Who comes from Edom, with crimson-stained garments from Bozrah [in Edom]? This One Who is glorious
in His apparel, striding triumphantly in the greatness of His might? It is I, [the One] Who speaks in righteousness [proclaiming
vindication
], mighty to save!” (Isa.63:1, Amp)


 


Distracted by Pain

BackHurtOur mandate is to rebuild this temple to house His presence and His purpose. What distracts us from our mandate? One of the things at the top of the list is pain. Pain has a way of capturing our attention. Pain has a way of becoming a priority, but even pain must bow to God’s authority and power and purpose. Marty hurt his back a few years ago. He laid on the bed begging and pleading for healing and relief. Between groans, he decided to call and cancel the service scheduled for the next day, but the Holy Spirit said, “You are not dealing with this like a son.” “How do I do that, Lord?” he asked aloud. The answer came just as loud. “Declare your position and purpose.”

      Aloud he began to declare, “God has purpose for me in Lockhart, Texas. I will go and do what I was born to do.” Not even remembering how he got off the bed, he found himself packing. He was still in pain, but able to move again. He took ground inch by inch, moment by moment that day. By the time he stood in the pulpit and preached, the pain had completely left him.

      He could have thought like Judah, “I will pursue the purposes of God someday, just not now.” I have to recover first! But as he adjusted his priorities in his thinking, the process of healing began as he headed toward purpose.

(This is the fourth excerpt from Kathy’s article “Rebuilding Our Temple-Part 2“ which was published in SEEC Magazine [Marty and Kathy’s ministry magazine]. More excerpts will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Previous excerpts may be read by scrolling down this page.)


DREAMS VISIONS PROPHECY  September 14-16, 2018  NO FEE
Grace International Church Willis,TX   graceic.org
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED INFO:  DVP2018


The Focus of Desperation

I laughed at myself as I recalled frantically calling out to the Lord a while back. I was frantic to find a title to a vehicle we were selling. Marty and I had both searched our desks and files, but neither of us could find the title. Rifling through my files one CameraFocusmore time, I suddenly heard myself praying, “Lord, help us. No, seriously, really make something happen this time!” Well, that was certainly no exemplary prayer of faith and power to confess publicly, but it was a powerful prayer in that it turned a light on for me.

As the light came on, I could plainly see the unverbalized script going on behind the scenes. As soon as I had muttered, “Help, Lord,” I thought of praying those same words hundreds of times concerning another situation in my life. The remembrance came to mock me for there was no help showing up after years, no sign of change, no movement whatsoever in my circumstances after those hundreds of prayers. The reminder was not only a damper on expectation for any present help, it was an in-my-face threat that God would not show up with resolve of this title situation.

The voice of desperation does not equal prayer mainly because desperation most often focuses on the problem which is the opposite of a faith focus on the One who has the answer. I suddenly realized I had been whining (hundreds of times), but I had considered it prayer. I repented. The awesome thing about repentance is that it brings change that brings change. Suddenly, in a Holy-Spirit-photo-memory-moment, Marty saw the title and it was right where we had put it, in a forgotten safe place. Hey, that’ll preach, the answer is SAFE until we can see it.

I laughed again. I love the smell of victory, especially even before the smoke of battle clears!  (Kathy Gabler)


May the Righteous Flourish

Blooming_Flowers_HDTV_Wallpapers_laba.ws
May the people who are justified and vindicated by God, the right, correct and lawful ones (“righteous”, BDB) bud, sprout, bloom, break out of leprosy and fly (“flourish”,BDB).

“The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible].” (Ps.92:12, Amp)


Listen to worship music from Melissa Gabler
and audio clips from Marty and Kathy:
https://martygabler.com/podcasts/


A Willing Spirit

LookingUpHandsRaised

It is hard to see eternal purpose through the grit and grime of experience.  So, our spirits have to be renewed, and that starts with cleaning life’s grime off the windows.  That’s why David prayed in Psalm 51,  “Create in me a clean heart, [send your window-cleaning presence!] O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  A steadfast spirit is a spirit that circumstances cannot bully, that emotions cannot control and that experiences cannot defeat.  (v.11) “Don’t cast me away from your presence and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.” (NAU) A willing spirit is a spirit that is willing to try again, that is willing to believe again and that is willing to hope again.

(This is the eighth excerpt from Kathy’s article “Rebuilding Our Temple“ which was published in SEEC Magazine [Marty and Kathy’s ministry magazine]. More excerpts will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Previous excerpts may be read by scrolling down this page.)



One Greater Than the Temple

Temple_Jerusalem
Jesus did not seem at all concerned about offending people who didn’t believe the way He believed. In Matt.12 He and His disciples walk through a corn field on the Sabbath and the disciples picked and ate corn. When approached by the Pharisees and rebuked for it, Jesus defended the disciples. He then walks into the synagogue and heals a man’s withered hand on the same Sabbath. He has now stacked up two major offenses. The Pharisees immediately called for a little confab to plan to destroy Him using the healing as their condemning accusation. Instead of apologizing and going great lengths to attempt to prevent offense, He rather reminded them in verse six that they were the ones offending by not acknowledging He is greater than the Temple and its system they claimed was being violated. “One greater than the Temple is here.”



Wise and Harmless Dreamers

TwoPeopleTalkingDreamers and visionaries can learn to be wise and harmless.  We can ask for wisdom so that we do not mistake insight for a license.  Also, we can remember to consider our dreams as OUR telegrams with a purpose for ME!  If you are convinced a dream is for someone else, at least get godly counsel or agreement before sharing it. 

The spoken word is powerful.  Therefore the spoken dream can become a living, driving force – positive or negative.  Lord, help us to remember the tongue has the power of life and death and reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing, (Proverbs 12:18)

(This is an excerpt from Chapter Two of Kathy’s book “The Heart of Dreams” This is the third edition with more content and more symbols.)

__________________________________________________________________________________
KATHY WILL BE SPEAKING AT DREAMS VISIONS PROPHECY
September 14-16, 2018 at Grace International Church Willis,TX
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON DVP2018
_____________________________________________________________________________________


Remain Solidly Committed

oak-treeAs the people of God assemble today, may they recall the
blessings of God and the rich, life-giving Word of God and
be encouraged and strengthened to remain solidly committed to Him.

When he arrived there, he was pleased to see what God had done for
them out of kindness. So he encouraged all the people to remain solidly
committed to the Lord. (Acts 11:23, GW)


Dreams and Conversion

TentDesert
In one African Muslim country, a young man violently tore up a Bible tract and threatened the life of The Every Home for Christ worker going door-to-door with the literature.  The next afternoon as the worker sat in his home, he was shocked to see the man knock at this door saying, “I must have another booklet.”  The Muslim explained that the previous night two hands awakened him, and when he turned on a light and asked who was there, a voice said, “You have torn up the truth.”  The voice instructed him to acquire another booklet, directing him to the worker’s home.  There the Muslim read the booklet and became a believer and is now preparing for ministry.  An Assemblies of God missionary said, “It all takes place in context, dreams are one step, a link in the chain that leads to conversion.”

(This is an excerpt from BARBARA JIMENEZ’s article “Dreams That Carry Mandate” SEEC Magazine Volume 19 Issue 4) Dreams Visions and Prophecy Conference 2015 NO FEE  * * * September 25-27, 2015 Marty Gabler, Kathy Gabler and Barbara Jimenez Grace International Church just north of Houston off I-45 Information:  https://martygabler.com/dreams-visions-prophecy/


Contradict Works of Darkness

BLK n WHT
May the people of God receive light from the Word of God so that they might be enabled to confront and contradict the works of darkness that defeat them, their family and those that God sets in their path.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness
has not defeated it.” (Jn.1:5, ERV)


Watch LiveStream of Grace International Church
Starts at 10a.m. on Sundays
www.graceic.org


Not Lost

HoldingCompass

While interviewing the great frontiersman, Daniel Boone, a reporter asked him, “Mr. Boone, have you ever been lost?” To which he replied, “Well, I was once bewildered for four days but I’ve never been lost.” At first, that sounds quite humorous but, in fact, it is a statement of some certainty. For an experienced explorer like Boone, it would be next to impossible for him to actually be lost in the truest since because he was a man of resource, initiative and skill. It didn’t matter in what area of wilderness or frontier he found himself, he still had the confidence of his skills and wilderness survival knowledge. It didn’t matter if it was winter, summer, spring or fall. It made no difference if he was in mountains, prairies or swamps, his knowledge, experience and skills served to keep him alive and on a correct heading. North was still north and south was still south and that will never change. He knew what to do in any season or location and, in spite of bears and weather hazards he had to deal with on numerous occasions, he lived to tell the story time and again.

 
(This is the first excerpt from Marty’s article “Time for Issachar“ which was published in SEEC Magazine [Marty and Kathy’s ministry magazine]. More excerpts will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.)
Marty will be speaking at the DREAMS, VISIONS AND PROPHECY CONFERENCE Sept.25-27 — Info: https://martygabler.com/dreams-visions-prophecy/ — 936-856-2455

Hoping in God’s Promises

FieldAndSunshine
As the people of God assemble today, may they recall and rehearse for one another the promises of faithful God and may they hope in them anew and afresh.

“Remember [fervently] the word and promise to Your servant, in which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life.” (Ps.119:49-50, Amp)

Dreams, Visions And Prophecy Conference
September 25-27, 201
Speakers: Marty & Kathy Gabler & Barbara Jimenez
For more information: Dreams, Visions And Prophecy


Centrality of Jesus

FlagPrayingHandsCentrality of Jesus! Acts 11:19 & 20 vividly portray how Antioch preached and prioritized Jesus. Successful transformation by the Church is built on this foundation. Seminars, conferences, books, sermons, social media comments, songs, seminaries, Bible schools, blogs, etc. seem endless, and yet our culture shows signs of decay. As believers and ministry leaders, there must be a returning in our lives, conversations and messages to the centrality of Jesus! In our desire for relevancy to those we lead and influence, we’ve drifted from the anchoring truth Antioch leaders were tied to — preaching the Lord Jesus. Can it be, my friends and co-laborers in the Kingdom of God, that our social decay is linked to our feeding the people a steady diet of filler and substitutes? ATMs (Antioch Type Models) keep their focus on the centrality of Jesus!

(This is an excerpt from Dr. Hope Taylor’s article “Can the Church do it Again?”, SEEC Magazine Volume 17 Issue 5.)


FMCI International Conference
October 26-28, 2015
Jim Hodges, Dutch Sheets, Bishop Harry Jackson, Dr. Hope Taylor
Information:  www.fmci.org


As Goes the Remnant, so Goes the Nation

LeapingUp
We/YOU carry what our nation and the world needs, and you can change things from where you are at this moment.  God used a remnant of people time and time again to make big changes.  He’s God, a tiny dose of His power can turn this thing upside-down!  Our new motto for the middle of 2015 and beyond: As goes the remnant, so goes the nation.

(This is the last excerpt from the article “Ask The Right Questions” by Melissa Gabler.)


“What A Day Can Hold” Melissa Gabler singing a spontaneous song in
worship at Grace International Church. (Best enjoyed with headphones or earbuds)
http://martygabler.podomatic.com/entry/2015-05-11T22_38_33-07_00


A Strategic Dream

DoctorStethoscope
A friend called with a strategic dream that was an answer to her prayer.  She has been in a on-going trial at work and is weary of the situation.  She asked God if she could leave the situation.  In her dream she was a nurse in an emergency room and she was tending to three patients.  A doctor walked in and she was relieved to see him because she knew he was a trustworthy doctor.  He told her to go get something and she was walking quickly down a long hall.  A door opened in the hall and a lady walked out.  In the dream she realized it was angel.  The angel beckoned her to come with her.  But she knew the care for the three patients must be finished first, so she asked the angel if she could check with her tomorrow.  The angel answered yes and walked back through a door which disappeared as it closed.

The trustworthy doctor was the Great Physician coming on the scene to intervene.  That is why she knew Him and was so glad to see Him.  Often, as in this case, a hall represents transition or moving from one place to another, one opportunity to another.  She was encouraged to realize that He had given her instructions to enter a transition time, and allowed her to glimpse a new door, an opportunity divinely provided.  Her sense of integrity kept her there to finish with the three patients.  The three patients symbolized the three years of trial of her “patience” with her co-worker.  She actually passed a test of character when she chose not to go through the door and to stay until finished because “three” also is significant of completing a divine process and purpose.  And as the angel said, there will be another divine opportunity when the time is right.
(This is the fifth excerpt from Kathy’s article “Strategic Dream Season“ which was published in SEEC Magazine [Marty and Kathy’s ministry magazine]. More excerpts will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Previous excerpts may be read by scrolling down this page.)


 


Overcome Powers of Darkness

BrightSunriseAfterStormMay the people of God stand hand in hand facing the same goals with the same determination that the first century church had: to confront and overcome the powers of darkness in their nation with the compassion and resurrection power of their Lord and Savior, JESUS.

“For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” (Eph.6:12, Amp)


Greater in Fulfillment

LongRoad
“If a commission is great in its difficulty,
it is greater in its fulfillment.”—Jim Hodges


Jim Hodges, Dutch Sheets, Bishop Harry Jackson
FMCI International Conference
October 26-28, 2015
Information:  www.fmci.org


New Norms

SkyRedSunriseI have sensed for several months that the Body of Christ is in an important time of transition into new norms.  One of the new norms I believe we can expect is strategic dreams that equip us for the purposes of God.  I consider strategic dreams to be those timely telegrams that confirm direction or give instruction or release insight and understanding for a mandate and call to action.   

(This is the first excerpt from Kathy’s article “Strategic Dream Season“ which was published in SEEC Magazine [Marty and Kathy’s ministry magazine]. More excerpts will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.) Kathy will be speaking at the DREAMS, VISIONS AND PROPHECY CONFERENCE  Sept.25-27 — Info: https://martygabler.com/dreams-visions-prophecy/  —  936-856-2455


Redemptive Word Of Affirmation

TalkSon
A redemptive act can be as simple as speaking a word of affirmation to a child who has been abused or neglected or bullied. That word of affirmation may possibly save their life. One day when we were eating at a restaurant I noticed a large family who had gathered to eat at several tables pulled together. There was a young man about 15 years old that the Lord began speaking to me about. I went over and gave the word the Lord had given me for him. Weeping, His dad pulled me aside and told me that I had just saved his son’s life. He was planning to commit suicide but that word spoke specifically to his need. The boy then joined us and thanked me and told me what it meant to him and how it had changed him and given him hope.

(This is the sixth excerpt from Marty’s article “THY Kingdom Come“ which was published in SEEC Magazine [Marty and Kathy’s ministry magazine]. More excerpts will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Previous excerpts may be read by scrolling down this page.)


Meeting The Groan

HandsReachingUpAs the people of God assemble today, may they receive the invigorating, equipping Word of God that will compel them to meet the groan of creation. That groan that is for those revealed as the authorized and empowered sons who release the compassion and power of the risen Christ to assuage the groan of that which is out from under the order of the King of Kings.
“[ Present distress is temporary and negligible ] In my opinion whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us. The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own. The world of creation cannot as yet see reality, not because it chooses to be blind, but because in God’s purpose it has been so limited—yet it has been given hope. And the hope is that in the end the whole of created life will be rescued from the tyranny of change and decay, and have its share in that magnificent liberty which can only belong to the children of God! (Rom.8:18-21, JB Phillips)


The Community Of Faith

ChurchShakingHands As the people of God assemble today, may their eyes and hearts be opened up to do good to those around them in the community of faith so that they are benefited and helped to prosper and move to the next stage of growth.

“…every time we get the chance, work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith” (Gal.6:10, Msg)


Apostle Jim Hodges is speaking today.
LiveStream broadcast of Grace International Church
Starts at 10:15 each Sunday morning. http://www.graceic.org/grace-tv/


Awaken From Slumber


As the people of God assemble today, may they be
stirred to awaken to the light of Christ who shows them
the path away from fraud and error. May they awaken
from all sense of slumber and not dose at time of opportunity.

“Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!” (Eph. 5:14, Msg)


Release From The Pattern Of Anger

BirdFlyAwayUnresolved anger can become a driving force, a passion, an energy that can seem good and productive, while it undermines like termites until the core of character, integrity, hope and joy of life is eaten away. Unresolved anger can become depression, fear, sickness and even a pattern of failure. I know a young lady whose anger at criticism and injustice as a child kept her grieving. She became a prisoner of her focus. Because she could not take her eyes off of her victimization, she remained a victim, actually positioning herself for more criticism and injustice. Resolving her anger was the release from the pattern.

(This is the eleventh excerpt from Kathy’s article “Healing The Parts To Be Whole“ which was published in SEEC Magazine [Marty and Kathy’s ministry magazine]. More excerpts will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Previous excerpts may be read by scrolling down this page.)


Loosing The Anchor Of Anger

BoatAdrift_1Anger is a strong passion, which of itself is not sin; but we sin, or miss the mark, by how we DEAL with it, (Eph 4:26-32). We MUST resolve it according to Godly principles, and resolve it QUICKLY! Ignoring anger does not make it go away. Anger is tangible, as literal as a hot coal. It will burn and destroy . . . health, relationships, opportunities, destiny. Exploding in temper does not resolve anger because even after the bomb blows, it regenerates if there is no CHANGE of heart or issues! Unresolved anger can change form until it is unrecognizable. It can become a witty cynicism. If my jokes and remarks make people laugh the anger doesn’t seem so dangerous! But anger can anchor GRIEF to our lives! (This is the tenth excerpt from Kathy’s article “Healing The Parts To Be Whole“ which was published in SEEC Magazine [Marty and Kathy’s ministry magazine]. More excerpts will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Previous excerpts may be read by scrolling down this page.)