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Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Deeply Abide

Dear one, I know the love you have for Me, yet still there have been times that you have turned to the things of the world for help. In times of stress or trouble I have not been the first of your heart. You have turned to familiar things, retreated to your comfort zone and hidden away to seek relief. 

But My child, those are such shallow waters. Anything the world offers cannot quench your thirst or give you the guidance you require. Remember, I am the way, the truth and the life. The depth of relationship that you require can only be found by abiding fully in Me.

Come to Me, dive into deeper waters and you will see the fruit it will bring in your life. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and I will be found by you. I am calling you to nourish your spirit, to go deeper, to eat the bread of Life and to carry that with you into every situation that you encounter. 

For you have been called to bring forth My light, do not squander your call. Dive in with courage and boldness, abide in Me and I will lead you to places that you have never even thought or imagined.

Activation:

Read John 15:4-7 (AMP) through once, then come back here to allow the Lord to speak to you as you ponder over each verse:

4 Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.

5 [a]I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for[otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. 

6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 

7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.

John 15:4-7 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] John 15:5 – John 6:35 Jesus uses the words “I am” over twenty times in this Gospel. Especially memorable are those places where “I am” is followed by a metaphor that declares His deity and His relationship to mankind as Savior (this is the first of seven such references); see 8:12 (Light); 10:9 (Door); 10:11 (Good Shepherd); 11:25 (Resurrection); 14:6 (Way, Truth, Life); 15:5 (Vine).

    v. 4 – Ask Jesus Christ what remaining in Him really means and how to enhance this mutual relationship further with steadfast faith and obedience. Ask Him to reveal to you the areas of your life in which you need to depend on Him more for spiritual sustenance and growth.

    v. 5 – What does it mean to bear much fruit? Talk to Holy Spirit about it and ask Him to give you an image of what it may look like in your life both in the everyday and in the long term. 

    v. 6 – In agriculture, unproductive branches are pruned and thrown into the fire. Ask the Lord to show you the areas that have been burned off in your life, and any areas that He still requires to prune. Release any feeling of loss to Him, and ask for His comfort and healing.

    v. 7 – Like a vine and its branches, the relationship with Jesus Christ should be intimate and continuous. His teachings are not just to be heard but lived out. Only then, being so aligned, will even our requests reflect God’s perfect will and therefore come to pass. Ask the Lord to show you where you haven’t been fully aligned with Him. Consider how to spend time with Him in different and deeper ways. Then gradually make it a habit to come back to being in His presence for increasingly extended periods of time.

    #lionbites

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    Monday Morning Scripture – Psalm 19

    The Works and the Word of God

    To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David

    1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
    And the expanse     [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.

    2 Day after day pours forth speech,
    And night after night reveals knowledge.

    3 There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars];
    Their voice is not heard.

    4 Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth,
    Their words to the end of the world.
    In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun,

    5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
    It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

    6 The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens,
    And its circuit to the other end of them;
    And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

    7 The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;
    The statutes of the Lord are reliable andtrustworthy, making wise the simple.
    8 The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart;
    The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

    9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
    The judgments of the LORD are true, they are righteous altogether.

    10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
    Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

    11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed];
    In keeping them there is great reward.

    12 Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.

    13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins;
    Let them not rule and have control over me.
    Then I will be blameless     (complete),
    And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

    14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight,
    O LORD, my     [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.

    Psalm 19:1-14 (AMP)

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Your Spirit Health Check

    How is your spirit? Is it healthy? “I am concerned for the wellbeing of your soul,” says the Lord. “There is so much toxicity in the world that maintaining a clean and healthy soul is difficult. But, with My help, it is vital you protect your soul. For your soul is precious to Me.”

    “When I breathed My Ruach into your body made from dust, you became the crucible where the physical and the spiritual meet. You are spirit and flesh. Your spirit is impacted by what you feed it and by what you experience in the flesh. The health of your soul reflects your emotions, your behaviour, your relationship with Me and your ability to serve the Kingdom.

    Guard your minds against mass messages of fear, which may overwhelm you. Filter out the condemning thoughts and lies of the enemy which seek to trip you up. Reject anything which does not agree with My Word. Discern the divine. Stop chasing anything that is fleeting and unsatisfying.

    Ask My Holy Spirit to cleanse your spirit. Feed your mind with Scripture. Focus your heart on praise and thanksgiving. Immerse your senses in My creation. Set your face like flint and make keeping your spirit healthy a priority.”

    For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

    Hebrews 4:12 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Hebrews 4:12 In addition to “sword,” the word in Greek was used for the knife used by the priests to slit the throats of the sacrificial lambs and for the knife (scalpel) used by a surgeon.

    [b] Hebrews 4:12 “soul and spirit” used here to emphasize the whole person, not two separate entities as in other passages.

    #lionbites

    Tuesday Morning Scripture – Hebrews 4 (AMP)

    The Believer’s Rest

    1 Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still remains and is freely offered today, let us fear, in case any one of you may seem to come short of reaching it or think he has come too late.

    2 For indeed we have had the good news [of salvation] preached to us, just as the Israelites also [when the good news of the promised land came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not united with faith [in God] by those who heard.

    3 For we who believe [that is, we who personally trust and confidently rely on God] enter that rest [so we have His inner peace now because we are confident in our salvation, and assured of His power], just as He has said,

    “AS I SWORE [an oath] IN MY WRATH,
    THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,”

    [this He said] although His works were [a]completed from the foundation of the world [waiting for all who would believe].

    4 For somewhere [in Scripture] He has said this about the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”;

    5 and again in this, “They shall not enter My rest.”

    6 Therefore, since the promise remains for some to enter His rest, and those who formerly had the good news preached to them failed to [grasp it and did not] enter because of [their unbelief evidenced by] disobedience,

    7 He again sets a definite day, [a new] “Today,” [providing another opportunity to enter that rest by] saying through David after so long a time, just as has been said before [in the words already quoted],

    “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
    DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.”

    8 [This mention of a rest was not a reference to their entering into Canaan.] For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak about another day [of opportunity] after that.

    9 So there remains a [full and complete] Sabbath rest for the people of God.

    10 For the one who has once entered His rest has also rested from [the weariness and pain of] his [human] labors, just as God rested from [those labors uniquely] His own.

    11 Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience [as those who died in the wilderness].

    12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [b]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [c]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

    13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.

    14 Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior].

    15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.

    16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].

    Hebrews 4:1-16 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Hebrews 4:3 God “rested” because everything that needed to be done was done—everything was complete, fully accomplished. In human terms this expression is used when a lawyer completes his presentation in a court of law; he “rests” his case—everything is in evidence, there is nothing left to present.
    [b] Hebrews 4:12 In addition to “sword,” the word in Greek was used for the knife used by the priests to slit the throats of the sacrificial lambs and for the knife (scalpel) used by a surgeon.
    [c] Hebrews 4:12 “soul and spirit” used here to emphasize the whole person, not two separate entities as in other passages.

    Monday Morning Scripture – Psalm 147 (AMP)

    Praise for Jerusalem’s Restoration and Prosperity.

    1 Praise the LORD!
    For it is good to sing praises to our [gracious and majestic] God;
    Praise is becoming and appropriate.

    2 The LORD is building up Jerusalem;
    He is gathering [together] the exiles of Israel.

    3 He heals the brokenhearted
    And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].

    4 He counts the number of the stars;
    He calls them all by their names.

    5 Great is our [majestic and mighty] LORD and abundant in strength;
    His understanding is inexhaustible [infinite, boundless].

    6 The LORD lifts up the humble;
    He casts the wicked down to the ground.

    7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
    Sing praises to our God with the lyre,

    8 Who covers the heavens with clouds,
    Who provides rain for the earth,
    Who makes grass grow on the mountains.

    9 He gives to the beast its food,
    And to the young ravens that for which they cry.

    10 He does not delight in the strength (military power) of the horse,
    Nor does He take pleasure in the legs (strength) of a man.

    11 The LORD favors those who fear and worship Him [with awe-inspired reverence and obedience],
    Those who wait for His mercy and lovingkindness.

    12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
    Praise your God, O Zion!

    13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates,
    He has blessed your children within you.

    14 He makes peace in your borders;
    He satisfies you with the finest of the wheat.

    15 He sends His command to the earth;
    His word runs very swiftly.

    16 He gives [to the earth] snow like [a blanket of] wool;
    He scatters the frost like ashes.

    17 He casts out His ice like fragments;
    Who can stand before His cold?

    18 He sends out His word and melts the ice;
    He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.

    19 He declares His word to Jacob,
    His statutes and His ordinances to Israel.

    20 He has not dealt this way with any [other] nation;
    They have not known [understood, appreciated, heeded, or cherished] His ordinances.
    Praise the LORD! (Hallelujah!)

    Psalm 147:1-20 (AMP)

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Time to Heal

    “You have experienced the trauma, the chaos and the uncertainty of the times we are in. Many of you will have felt in the spirit the magnitude of what is happening right now,” says the Spirit of the Lord.

    “But My Beloved ones, I ask you to come close to Me. Allow Me to bring you freedom from your own personal trauma, so that you will not partner  with the trauma of the earth. Do not let the spirits of fear and pain loose in the world cause you to shift your focus from Me.

    You have tinkered around the edges of your hurt, but have been afraid to go into the deep places of your personal pain. Take My hand, My dear child, and let Me walk with you into those wounded areas so that I may bring My healing to you. I will not leave you brokenhearted, you do not sit alone grieving in the dust. Know that I am with you, and I am binding up your wounds.

    As we journey together from anguish to healing, stand with Me in your grief and let Me minister to you. Draw upon My strength to stand strong again. As you heal, overflow and partner with Me as we bind up the broken hearted in the earth.”

    He heals the brokenhearted
    And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].

    Psalm 147:3 (AMP)

    #lionbites

    Friday Morning Scripture ~ Luke 15:8-10 (AMP)

    The Lost Coin

    8 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins [each one equal to a day’s wages] and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 

    9 And when she has found it, she calls together her [women] friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I found the lost coin!’ 

    10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents [that is, changes his inner self—his old way of thinking, regrets past sins, lives his life in a way that proves repentance; and seeks God’s purpose for his life].”

    Luke 15:8-10 (AMP)

    Friday Morning Scripture ~ Luke 15:11-32 (AMP)

    The Prodigal Son

    11 Then He said, “A certain man had two sons.

    12 The younger of them [inappropriately] said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’ So he divided the estate between them.

    13 A few days later, the younger son gathered together everything [that he had] and traveled to a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and immoral living.

    14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to do without and be in need.

    15 So he went and forced himself on one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to [a]feed pigs.

    16 He would have gladly eaten the [carob] pods that the pigs were eating [but they could not satisfy his hunger], and no one was giving anything to him.

    17 But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger!

    18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.

    19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] treat me like one of your hired men.”’

    20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

    21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

    22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe [for the guest of honor] and put it on him; and give him a [b]ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet.

    23 And bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let us [invite everyone and] feast and celebrate;

    24 for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.’ So they began to celebrate.

    25 “Now his older son was in the field; and when he returned and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.

    26 So he summoned one of the servants and began asking what this [celebration] meant.

    27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But the elder brother became angry and deeply resentful and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.

    29 But he said to his father, ‘Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never neglected or disobeyed your command. Yet you have never given me [so much as] a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;

    30 but when this [other] son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you slaughtered that fattened calf for him!’

    31 The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

    32 But it was fitting to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was [as good as] dead and has begun to live. He was lost and has been found.’”

    Luke 15:11-32 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Luke 15:15 This would have seemed especially disgusting to Jesus’ Jewish listeners because pigs were ceremonially unclean animals, forbidden to them as food.

    [b] Luke 15:22 i.e. a symbol of his authority as a son.

    Friday Morning Scripture ~ Luke 15:1-7 (AMP)

    The Lost Sheep

    1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews] were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. 

    2 Both the Pharisees and the scribes began muttering and complaining, saying, “This man accepts and welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

    3 So He told them this parable: 

    4 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, [searching] until he finds it? 

    5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 

    6 And when he gets home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ 

    7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

    Luke 15:1-7 (AMP)

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Come Back

    “To the one who is far away from Me, come back. Return to a simple relationship with Me. Return to the uncomplicated truth that I am your friend, your Saviour, your Father in heaven,” says the Lord.

    “You are never too far away from Me to return. My arms are open. All you need to do is take a step towards Me. And I will come running to you.

    I wait to embrace you. To hold you close and call you Mine. Surrender to Me and I will hear you. I will listen to you pour out your pain and anxiety. Allow Me to carry your burdens, your agony, as we walk in relationship once more. I will heal your wounds as we go through life together.

    Spend time emptying all your worries and fears to Me. Know that you are not alone.  All of heaven will rejoice when you come back! There is a party waiting for you so wherever you are, just take a step back to Me.”

    Activation:

    If you have either felt distant from God or been far from God, know that there is no shame or condemnation in your return. God wants to hear you. Pour out all your feelings to Him. When you take this step, His arms are open to welcome you back.

    And when he gets home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’

    Luke 15:6 (AMP)

    #lionbites