Daily Devotions

Posts tagged “happy

Look Who My Shepherd Is

MARTY GABLER—Don’t become distracted. Distractions get sheep lost. As we face what is and what is coming on the world we will say, “I will fear no evil FOR YOU are with me (Ps.23:4). Look Who my Shepherd is! The Lord! HE is my Shepherd whether I am in a valley or on a mountain or lying in green pastures or whether there be many of us or few. HE is my Shepherd whether I am in 1966, 1996 or 2026! HE is my Shepherd whether I am living in David’s time or in this present time, He is the same attentive Shepherd.


Awareness and Focus

MELISSA GABLER—We are talking about big picture and small picture here.  Awareness is how you affect your surroundings, and focus is how your surroundings affect you. This simple statement shows the importance of the matter.  We are built to affect, engage, take charge of, and permeate our surroundings, not let them do this to us. This point cannot be stressed enough: we hold the cure!


Self-Image, Self-Worth, Self-Government

KATHY GABLER—Self-image, self-worth and self-government cannot be determined by your IQ or strengths or looks or successes or skills, but neither are they determined by experiences or failures or opinions or lies. The thing that outranks all of that is your relationship with the Father and guaranteed daughtership or sonship. Identity, affirmation and boundaries are powerfully established through that relationship. Consider David. Even when his self-government completely crashed, it did not kill his self-image, nor did it steal his self-worth. Ding dong! If you refused to take care of your duties and obligations as a God-appointed leader of a nation while taking time out to plot murder, so you can commit adultery and end up with a child out of that affair, wouldn’t that crack your mirror and change the way you see yourself? Well, it didn’t seem to faze David, but I’m pretty sure the whole nation had a cracked view of David, especially when Nathan the prophet, publicly exposed all this. (2 Sam 12) Most people would have crawled in a hole to eat worms and die, but David took personal responsibility and owned his mess. That positioned him to repent (vs. 13). He didn’t act like Adam and try to hide after he sinned. Neither did he spend the rest of his life cowering as unworthy or continually seeking reassurance that God still accepted him. No, in fact, after he repented, he begged God to change His plan and spare the child born out of adultery. Who would have the nerve to ask God for mercy at this point? Even after his mirror cracked publicly, David didn’t allow condemnation to seep in the cracks. It wasn’t that he was a simple-minded optimist, nor was he thinking in terms of deserving this, he was simply convinced God loved him. None of David’s mess-ups ever got bigger to him than God. He remained “a man after God’s own heart,” who continued to see himself as a son just like God did. That’s relationship. That’s a strong family bond and some awesome sonship!


The Lord Raise Those Bowed in Discouragement

MARTY GABLER—As the people of God assemble today may the hope in our Lord’s Name and presence cause to stand erect those who are bowed under discouragement. “The Lord upholds all those [of His own] who are falling and raises up all those who are bowed down.” (Ps.145:14, Amp)


Who Are You Joined at the Hip With?

MARTY GABLER—Be careful who you get “joined at the hip” with. Which direction might they drag you? Are they wanting to join with you for your benefit and the benefit of the Kingdom or for what they can get out of the joining?  “Do not be unequally yoked . . . [do not make mismated alliances. . .]. ” (2Cor.6:14, Amp)  . . . “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself.” (2Cor.6:17, Msg)


Increase of His Dominion

MELISSA GABLER—Sitting here I keep hearing, “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end” (Isaiah 9:7) This is not only a beloved Christmas time chapter, it is also laying out original intent. Looking up the word ‘government’ leads to this, Of the increase of His ‘dominion’ there shall be no end. Ever-increasing dominion is quite a powerful force! When I look at Isaiah 9 like that I just don’t think the plan is to keep cycling back around to needing revivals like we’ve known them in our lifetime. I say this for anyone who may be struggling with the term “revival” like I have. It can’t be about a formula, it has to be about the King’s dominion increasing during our lifetime.


Is Walking in Purpose Easy?

KATHY GABLER—Is walking in God-ordained purpose easy?  No, every biography of a known person in the Bible is far from easy.  However, if God be for us, What or Who can be against us? Can age deteriorate purpose? Can circumstances nullify purpose?  The enemy hopes you will think so. He hopes we will believe we are too weak, too old, too flawed or too unworthy to even have purpose.  The enemy cannot defeat your purpose nor keep God from positioning you in history, he can only hope you will climb off your horse and quit!


Don’t Be Defeated

MARTY GABLER—Don’t be defeated by what appears to be on the horizon. Don’t be disheartened by rumors and every story that finds flight on the fancy of someone’s fears or imagination they may express to you. May our merciful Father God send delightful surprises your way and grant you good times, happy times and times of celebration. 2Chron.6:41b, Msg—“…let your holy people celebrate goodness…” We are praying you discover daily God’s goodness working in your life.


What if This Gets Worse?

MELISSA GABLER—Have you ever dealt with a physical matter, not life or death, but an irritating battle that has almost caused a lockdown due to the “WHAT IF this gets worse” record playing in your head… on repeat? It’s that kind of battle that can send your emotions from one side of the spectrum to the other.  You’re not the only person to have dealt with this issue.  There are plenty of others living with it.  BUT, most likely, you just don’t see why you HAVE to live with it. So, a Bible-reading believer begins seeking God on the matter, and I believe He will faithfully give you revelation regarding your healing all along this journey.  Throughout this journey you likely know in your core that this physical issue is a done-deal.  In fact, at the beginning of this year I heard someone say that this is going to be a year of reversal! WELL, COME ON NOW (go ahead and take that for you and yours right now!).  Take it as another confirmation that not only are you being healed, but this thing is going to be reversed!


Joy Should be Constant

KATHY GABLER (Another one discovered on Kathy’s computer)—We get in trouble when we equate joy with ease. That misconception makes us susceptible to discouragement, oppression, depression, etc. Joy should be a constant – ease or not. Joy is not a state of being but the byproduct of relationship. It is an attitude of the heart that robs comfort of its controlling power.


Not Merely Human Potential

MARTY GABLER—As the people of God assemble today may they realize that the potential that is in them is not merely human capacities but the impartation of Jehovah’s enablements, His compassion and His purposes. We are endued with gifts and abilities that are able to redemptively work beyond human limitations. Eph.3:20,TPT—“Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.”


Good Times, Happy Times, Times of Celebration

MARTY GABLER—Have you been longing for an opportunity to celebrate? In days to come, as you walk before God Most High in the light of His Word and trust in Him, may our beneficent Father grant you good times, happy times and times of celebration. May you look to the future expecting to see the goodness of God in your life and the lives of your family. Prov.13:12,Msg—”Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around”.


Standing

MELISSA GABLER—Our stance in this season is standing — standing on the truth that our magnificent God is doing something BIG. He is establishing His plan for 2026 and beyond. We GET to be a part of this. We GET to be a change agent simply by standing.  Yes, YOU have what is needed for this moment.  Now is not the time to throw your hands up. Now is the time to take a deep breath and watch the glorious show unfolding in the days ahead. Yes, there will be shockers. BUT all we need to know is that those shockers are proof that God is shaking what can be shaken (Heb.12:27-28)!  Thankful to be Your daughter, my King.  “The kingdom of God doesn’t come by counting the days on the calendar. Nor when someone says, ‘Look here!’ or, ‘There it is!’ And why? Because God’s kingdom is already among you.” (Luke 17:21 MSG) It’s time to wake up, and be who we were born to be.  Let’s win this war, as God has intended.


If You Do Well

KATHY GABLER—God said to Cain: “If you do well, will you not be accepted?” In other words, “Cain, you realize you can change, right?” Then He said, “Cain, sin is crouching at your door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.” (Gen.4:6-7) Let me put that another way: “Cain, a life habit of missing the mark and being offended is crouching outside your door. It’s waiting to control you, but you can and you must master it.” God told Cain there was a foe at his door (Gen.4:7). That indicates a personal issue that is too close to leave unconfronted. Cain was being called to think differently but he did not overcome the life habit of offence and anger. His rage resulted in his brother’s murder. If we do not overcome our destructive hang-ups (e.g., habits, emotions, attitudes, judgments, fears, etc.), what we do not master will master us.


Your Most Productive Year Awaits

MARTY GABLER—I was looking at the forecast for the next 10 days and over on the right side of the screen a small window opened up and it said, “Your most productive year awaits”. Then it disappeared. There was no ad or graphic of any sort, only those words. I just felt like I was supposed to say, “I receive that!”. There are likely others who should get into agreement with that and declare it for your life.  Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”


Game Changer for 2026

MELISSA GABLER—The Game Changer — While getting ready this morning I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Take this year one week at a time.” I found that very interesting. I kept wanting to make it one “day” at a time, but He didn’t say that! This is not about making plans for the year. This is in regard to day after day life. Particularly those things that have run their course and seemed delayed. That which needs clarity and resolve. Take it week by week. Take a deep breath, stand tall, and show this week who has the last word. Then, all of a sudden, things will change!


When We Are Older

KATHY GABLER (Another note from Kathy’s computer.)—It’s not that we cannot change when we are older, we just have many years of layers of defending our views – so the root source is seldom vulnerable to consideration. And even if we come to deliverance through the work of sanctification, age can be a deterrent to the effort it takes to go through restoration – which is thinking new thoughts, thinking in new patterns, a heart change. The antidote to aging is willingness to change.


More to Come

MARTY GABLER—As the people of God assemble today may His people have a sense of the more that is to come of His purposes and His outpourings. May the hope of receiving and participating fill their hearts with expectancy.  Rom.5:5, Msg—“In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary–we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!”


Can it be Left Unsaid?

MARTY GABLER–A public school teacher from our home church was talking with one of her students. The boy said that since his father was in prison, he would likely be in prison. She simply told him that he did not have to be in prison just because his father was. His response was, “I never thought of that.” The teacher only had to speak something that you might think could be left unsaid because it should be obvious. But for a boy who lived in an environment without hope, a simple word of encouragement changed his whole outlook.
Just because something has been, even for a long time, does not mean it is a given for the future. Through Christ our Lord, we are free from what has been and have hope for what shall be.
“Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. 7 . . .And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.” (Gal.4:5,7 Msg)

Game Changer for 2026

MELISSA GABLER—Game Changer for 2026 — The year of realization. Yes, you are healed… there it is. Yes, you are delivered from chronic issues and habits… there it is.  Yes, God’s promise is still in tact… there it is. Yes, you have a role in 2026… there it is. No, you are not out of His reach… there He is.


Are You Battle-Weary?

KATHY GABLER — If you are battle-weary, I believe the new year will bring welcomed changes.  I’m not implying battles will stop suddenly and everybody goes on vacation.  I’m saying many long-term battles will end because you finally win.  “Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around” (Prov. 13:12, Msg).  I expect some sudden good breaks in the year to come.   


Don’t Keep Going Over Old History

MARTY GABLER—This is directly from the Word of God and is a great consideration for going on in to a new year.  Isa.43:16,18-19,Msg—“This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves, The God who summons horses and chariots and armies— they lie down and then can’t get up; they’re snuffed out like so many candles: ‘Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’ —the coyotes and the buzzards— Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sunbaked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me’.”


I Am Healed

MELISSA GABLER—“I AM healed” is a great statement with several notable pieces of information in it. It is a double decree. It is (1) proclaiming what is already done and (2) it is also proclaiming the fact that I am agreeing with it.


Working of Miracles–What’s Your Part?

KATHY GABLER—(Melissa found this note today on Kathy’s computer)
“Working of miracles may not be a solo assignment. Consider Jesus at the wedding of Cana. Others worked with HIM as they filled the water pots. We know in part, we prophesy in part, we dream in part, we pray in part. Steward the part you have.