Daily Devotions

Posts tagged “Matthew 5

What Generates Kingdom Power?

KATHY GABLER—Let’s take another turn from defensive to offensive in the constitution of the Kingdom, in Matt 5.  As surely as meekness generates the blessing of earthly inheritance in v. 5, and being pure in heart generates the blessing of seeing God show up in v. 8, just so v. 10 tells us what generates Kingdom power in our lives:  Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake!  For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.  Happy and to be envied are those pursued with harassment or oppressive treatment because they have aligned with righteousness.   What is the blessing?  God’s  governmental power IS (present tense) theirs.  His authority and authorization and strategic wisdom and supernatural resources are, present tense, theirs.  (As well as now-power, v. 12 extends the blessing to future reward in heaven also.) 


Don’t Stop Short

MARTY–“Don’t Stop Short” – The glory of God through us, His creation, is not our putting forth effort to hit an ideal or to align with a creed or even getting to heaven. It’s accomplishing things that show His character, His Name in this earth in spite of the influence of culture. That which is in heaven comes to earth through an earthen vessel (Jer.18:4-6; Matt.6:10) and continually points back to its Source in heaven (Matt.5:16). That is why Jesus could say, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” because He never misrepresented the Father, no matter how hard people (and the devil) tried to get Him to adjust to their expectations. “Glory” can be translated “excellence”. If we stop short of the excellent purpose and use of God’s power in our life, we have stopped short of His glory. The glory of God through us is purpose revealed and realized. Thayer says that “glory” means “splendor, brightness of the moon”. We only speak of the beauty of the moon because it is reflecting the sun, and the only reason there is reflection is because of the power of the sun. We can only show forth the glory of Him who sits on the throne in heaven. Let us ask, “What of my life points back to heaven?” We are not come-shorters; we are go-forthers whose lives bring attention and recognition to the redemptive God of the ages.


Challenged to be Light and Salt

As the people of God assemble today may they receive the challenge of Holy Spirit to be baptized with fire and power as they stand and face the challenges of culture and living in an atmosphere of unrighteousness. May they worship Him Who has already overcome the world and may they yield to His molding and shaping so that they are able to go forth challenged but not intimidated, mandated but not without Holy Spirit power to be light and salt. Matt.5:13-16,Msg—13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”


Big Battles

MELISSA—Of the battles currently happening, the biggest battle going on right here amongst us is our children vs. Molech.  Molech was the god of the Ammonites and Phoenicians to whom some Israelites sacrificed their infants (see Leviticus 18:21).  I don’t think it can get more obvious that evil is after the children.  The spirit of the Molech agenda is about conforming children (who make future adults/leaders) into confused, damaged, mindless and anomalous automatons that can be easily controlled and enslaved.  This is proof that it is powers and principalities we are warring against (Eph.6:12) and all of the misguided individuals hyping evil rhetoric are simply the victimized puppets.  If people think all of this is crazy, they better understand that this thing is steadily cranking up.  Early in the year 2022 my Dad heard, “By halloween of 2022 the underbelly of the USA will be exposed.”  And, to a considerable degree, it has with articles and news features even using the headline with the word “underbelly”.  All these types of, may I say, “explosive” issues show us that we better be aware and prepared for what’s just ahead. So, it may be a good idea for us all to pray and to get involved, at some level, in the culture: 1Tim.2:12,Amp—“First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people,  2  for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”   Matt.5:16,Amp—“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”


Almighty God Working His Purposes

As the people of God assemble today they should realize that Almighty God is planning and willing and working His Kingdom purposes in the earth. Let them hope in His desire to fulfill His promises in them and bring them to their potential to impact those in their sphere of influence. Matt.5:13-16,ESV—“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”


Brightly Shine

BibleLight freeAs the people of God assemble today may they give their attention to the teaching of the Word of God to learn more efficient ways of moving in Spirit-led/Spirit-empowered gifts and abilities that will impact our culture for the glory and purposes of God as His Kingdom advances in our generation. Matt.5:16,TPT—“So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”


May the Light so Shine

As the people of God assemble today may they let their light shine so that others are encouraged and strengthened by the Light of the world (Jn.8:12) that dwells in them and may they let that light shine in the week to come wherever they go and whatever they do. Matt.5:16,TPT—“So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”
(You may watch the livestream of Grace Church Willis at https://gracewillis.org/livestream/)


What, Where, Why, How, When

What, Where, Why, How, When — WHAT we need more than better politicians is an awakening move of God. WHERE we need that move of God is in the Church. WHY we need that move of God (perhaps it might better be labeled a reforming move of God) is because, having lost sight of our purpose in the TreesWindBentearth, the church is bemoaning and reacting rather than decreeing and acting. HOW the move will come is determined by the resistance from those He is attempting to move upon, i.e., the types of circumstances in which they will be willing to hear from God. There are numerous creative circumstances in the Bible that were allowed to develop to awaken purpose in those who eventually became Sunday School story heroes. But then, their goal was not to get to heaven. It was to stop the giants and the systems that dared defy the Lord of Hosts. WHEN God moves, we must be ready to yield to a paradigm that allows His government to reform us before we inadequately try transforming a nation. (1Pe.4:17 “judgment begins in the house of God”) After not preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom (i.e.,the rule of God, not just a get-out-of-hell-free message; Matt.4:23; 9:35; 24:14) and Kingdom culture for 200 years, we are crying out in our nation for a political figure to legislate morality to produce a culture that doesn’t destroy itself and shed innocent blood. (Matt.5-6 is Kingdom culture)
(Marty will be leading and speaking at KINGDOM CONGRESS 2021. It is Mar.3-5 at Grace Church Willis,TX just north of Houston. No Fee.)


For Righteousness’ Sake

Kathy — Matt.5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” Let’s read it like this: Blessed are they who stay positioned in God-purpose even through contrary winds. Blessed are they who align with God’s character when they are ridiculed for it. Blessed are they who tirelessly remain faithful when compromise would be such a relief.


Keeping Darkness in Check

There are mountains for the people of God to rule in. There are seven mountains or mind-molders of culture: 1) religion 2) family 3) education 4) government 5) media MountainsSeven.jpg6) arts 7) finance. Every believer is to have some degree of influence at some level in one (or more) of those mountains. According to the mandate of God upon his people as far back as the Book of Genesis, we are to rule in those mountains. (Gen.1:26) There are “giants” in those valleys between the 7 mountains. They oppose the advancement of the Kingdom of God. As long as there is a Kingdom of Light and a kingdom of darkness, there will be opposition. The kingdom of darkness must be confronted and contradicted in each of its expressions. Jesus called us “light” (Mt.5:14). The Holy Spirit-energized church is the only entity on this earth to keep darkness in check.


Where we are Supposed to Be

Since everything flows out of Jesus (Col.1:17), rank and order is not hierarchy, it is HoldingCandle.jpgeach person being where they are supposed to be and functioning as they are supposed to function. That is how the world will see His glory; when we are where we are supposed to be, doing what we are supposed to do, releasing Heaven into earth. (1Cor.6:20; 1Pe.2:12) Matt.5:16, Amp — “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”


Mourning and Comfort

SadMan.jpeg“Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be drawn into the Lord’s comfort.” (Matt.5:4)  It seems illogical that anyone would not welcome comfort. But comfort requires change and change is not always welcomed. As hard as grief is, change is sometimes harder. But wounds do not heal unless we receive comfort.—Kathy Gabler


Truth and Error in Collision

“…right and wrong, truth and error, are about to come into open and deadly collision; and the day is coming when all hidden things shall be disclosed, CollisionPlanet.jpgeverything seen as it is, and every one have his due (JFB)”.  While those in darkness would do well to heed that undeniable truth, it would serve the sons of God well to heed Isaiah’s assurance: (Isa.60:1) “ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! [Zech. 8:23.]  2  For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you. [Isa. 60:19-22; Mal. 4:2; Rev. 21:2, 3.]  3  And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Amp) While we observe much that is undesirable being revealed, we don’t fear it, we declare the Light while being light and salt (Matt.5:13-14).


MG_Looking Up.jpg

Marty will be speaking and ministering at
DREAMS VISIONS PROPHECY 2019
Sept.13-15
All info: CLICK HERE.


Representing the Father

The glory of God through us, His creation, is not our putting forth effort to hit an ideal or to align with a creed or even getting to heaven. It’s accomplishing things that show His character, His Name in this earth in spite of the influence of culture. That which is in heaven comes to earth through an earthen vessel (Jer.18:4-6; Matt.6:10) and continually points back to its Source in heaven (Matt.5:16). That is why Jesus could say, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” because He never misrepresented the Father, no matter how hard people (and the devil) tried to get Him to adjust to their expectations.