Daily Devotions

Posts tagged “2023

FEAR CAUSES US TO LOSE FOCUS

The hand of God is moving. Recently, as I was praying about all the predictions, estimations and concerns coming in over the internet I had a vision of a hand moving and very active. It was moving people from one location to another. It was moving money and buildings and equipment here and there. As I watched this busy hand I realized that a veil was beginning to form between the busy hand and myself. Finally I could not see anything the hand was doing. The Lord spoke to my heart that the reason so many of His people are losing heart is because their fears and despair have formed a curtain between them and what His hand is doing. His hand is still moving and working but some can’t see it because of what they have allowed in the forefront of their thoughts and considerations.


Abundant Life and Shocking Moments

MELISSA—Awakening is two sided: God’s glory manifesting and evil being exposed and annihilated. While each of us walk in discovery of abundant life, we also should expect some shocking moments ahead. For there is evil to be confronted and it won’t simply be exposed and then just left alone. No, it has to be dealt with by the Awakened.  The term “shock and awe” comes to mind. This revitalization that is happening to us is arming us with weapons and authority that, I dare say, we’ve never walked in.  We have been progressing through levels of awakening for a while now, but it’s about to get real in each of us, maybe for the first time.  


Hearing Ear and Seeing Eye

As the people of God assemble today may they truly worship the awesome Almighty God Who has made their eyes to see and their ears to hear. May they receive clearing of the eyes and opened ears to see and hear what the Lord God is doing in this time when so many are fearful and discouraged. May they take bold steps forward while trusting in Him Who never leaves nor forsakes His own. Prov.20::12,Amp–“The hearing ear and the seeing eye—the Lord has made both of them.”


Sons, Daughters and Stewardship

Taking time and effort to assess what is being thrust upon our eyes and ears as information to act upon, because of what is perceived to be happening in the present and looming in the near future is part of our stewardship as sons and daughters of faithful Father God. It is time to come to balance and one of the best ways to do that is to realize who God is in this hour. His throne is not and cannot be shaken. His plan has not changed nor has He throttled back on His purposes in this earth. There are no oil spills on the carpet around His throne (as tell-tale signs of disasters) and there are no fault lines running through the floor. Eph.13:8-9a—“Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages). Do not be carried about by different and varied and alien teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established and ennobled and strengthened by means of grace…”


Great Awakening

MELISSA—This is “Awakening: Part 278” because I have mentioned awakening a lot lately.  I can’t get away from it.  I have noticed that awakening, for the most part, is presented as an event but I believe we have been in “The 3rd Great Awakening” for some years now.  Think about it, we have seen almost unbelievable evil surfacing everywhere and it’s because hidden things are being exposed! This is seriously ancient evil crawling to the surface but awakening is causing us to see it.  Awakening is two sided: God’s glory manifesting and evil being exposed and annihilated. It can’t be a one time event because it’s way too massive for us to be able to endure all at once!


Price to Advance Into the Next Season

The Israelites actually said to Moses that they would have rather remained slaves than pay any price for freedom (Ex 14:12). If advancement into the next season does not come easily, then staying the course to the next season may be readily abandoned by those who have no intention of dealing with issues that might make them uncomfortable. The importance of this whole matter must be considered at this point: not only must we stay the course for our individual commitment to God but the Church as a whole must stay the course in order to get to that next place our Father has for us to compassionately display the healing, delivering and resurrection power of Jesus in this present age.


As You Go

“AS YOU GO” about your Father’s business today, this week and the remainder of the year, what you accomplish will far exceed your abilities and learned knowledge. You will have delightful discoveries that your Father’s hand is working beyond your immediate awareness. You will be involved in His workings without having to launch yourself for a particular mission. He will use you and you will accomplish matters for His Kingdom “AS YOU GO”. You will accomplish more “accidentally” than the enemy will accomplish on purpose.  Matt 10:7  “And AS YOU GO, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand!”


Opportunities in Spite of Present Difficulties

Free Eyes Look UpAs the people of God assemble today I pray our eyes will be opened to opportunities and possibilities we have been hindered in seeing because of the plethora of present circumstances that are demanding so much attention in our dreaming and decision processing. May Father find His attempts successful in making His wisdom and designs available to those who, having stood, continue to stand and ask and seek and knock.   Eph.6:11-13,Msg—“So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. 12  This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. 13 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.”


Waking Up

Melissa—Over the last several years I have heard many times that awakening is coming and I liked the sound of that! I’m all for it! I didn’t realize, however, until very recently that I had a very specific view of what that awakening would look like.  Over the last month my perspective is being shifted and awakening is starting to look differently than I originally had it all figured out.  So, I’m just going to be transparent about what I realized I was thinking it would look like.  

I grew up in the church — like for real, grew up IN the church.  My parents, grandpa, and many other family members were and are in ministry and I currently work on staff at my church.  I’m saying all of this to help frame where my definition of awakening came from.  My initial and long running view of awakening was, for the most part, that there would be some sort of mass experience that would cause people to look for, cry out for, or long for God.  They would run to local churches or people they knew were Christians seeking to know their Creator and we would just have glorious services of people getting saved and set free and beautiful times of worship.  Now, I’m not saying none of these elements will happen, but this is actually a very limited view of what awakening is.  The Holy Spirit has been mercifully expressing that to me. I hope that in the next few posts I write about “Waking Up” we may be able to enlarge our capacity and expectation for the awesome awakening coming upon us and our nation.


Aware of Doors of Opportunity

Melissa—If we don’t stay aware there is a possibility we may miss or won’t be able to get through the doors of opportunity and promotion ahead because we lost the keys at the end.  What’s coming is something quite spectacular, but it requires resolve to embrace what Father is doing right now to acquire the fullness of what is just ahead of us. This does not require a formula, perfection or works.  It simply requires walking in the grace that is completely surrounding us right now.  Let’s finish out this next half of 2022 being present and aware of God’s grace that is the key to a dynamic ending and beginning.  What a time to be alive.


What Could Be

Melissa—This time of year, especially when considering, “How are things progressing and what will the progression be like in months to come?”, the norm is to start looking ahead.  There’s an anticipation of what is coming and what could be.  And on the spiritual side of things there is a buzz with indications of new and unconventional opportunities within our reach.  We have plenty to be excited and anticipatory about but, due to the nature of what is ahead in the next half, I believe we need to press in to Holy Spirit’s leading and stay focused on present tasks to finish it well.


Prayer for the Changing Church

Kathy—When reading Ps.81 I was receiving instruction from the Lord to invest prayer toward the church changing and that the results would be undeniable. My, my, I was amazed that the Holy Spirit would actually instruct me to pray for speedy results and pray against delay (because I definitely do have experience in that kind of praying!)  Honestly, I don’t know that I have ever heard such detailed and clear instructions. That thrilled me because I had heard the Lord say back in September that He was bringing more clarity and it was already happening!  The scripture I had been reading before I dozed off echoed through me again, “How I wish my people would obey me!”  I promptly wrote the instructions down to pray daily as I was so clearly directed.  While I am not trying to put my assignment on anyone reading this, I am trying to encourage you to expect clarity and understanding as God prompts you to pray or take action this year.  Follow His prompts and don’t waste time wondering or asking “Why me?” as I did.  We can trust the Lord to wisely assign the part we are to steward, so there’s no need to feel overloaded or unequipped, just obey.  Even if His prompts seem more vague than clear at first, rather than losing time wondering if the Lord is really prompting us, just pray or just do it. 


A Big Churning

Melissa—I feel something big churning as of late. I believe this discernment is about getting ready for what lies ahead in the remainder of the year.  I believe that the latter part of this year is very significant to how we enter the coming year. As I write this I see a picture of the American flag being raised by brave Marines at Iwo Jima during World War II. In researching this battle this statement stuck out, “The battle was won by the inch-by-inch tenacity of the foot soldier,” (Iwojima com).  The coming months will be won “by the inch-by-inch tenacity of the foot soldier,” as we battle right now. For those that struggle with an all-or-nothing drive, (like me) the statement “inch-by-inch tenacity” can be almost devastating. I really prefer a battle being done in a one-glorious-moment tenacity! Here’s the thing with the remainder of this year, the inch-by-inch is going to lead to many glorious moments in the coming year. (More thoughts on this subject will be coming in posts in the next few days.)