Tuesday Morning Scripture (Wk45/2022) – Isaiah 54

The Fertility of Zion

1 “Shout for joy, O barren one, she who has not given birth;
Break forth into joyful shouting and rejoice, she who has not gone into labor [with child]! For the [spiritual] sons of the desolate one will be more numerous than the sons of the married woman,” says the Lord.

2 “Enlarge the site of your tent [to make room for more children];
Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not spare them;
Lengthen your tent ropes and make your pegs (stakes) firm [in the ground].

3 “For you will spread out to the right and to the left; and your descendants will take possession of nations and will inhabit deserted cities.

4 “Do not fear, for you will not be put to shame, and do not feel humiliated or ashamed, for you will not be disgraced. For you will forget the shame of your youth, and you will no longer remember the disgrace of your widowhood.

5 “For your husband is your Maker, The Lord of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of the whole earth.

6 “For the Lord has called you, like a wife who has been abandoned, grieved in spirit, and like a wife [married] in her youth when she is [later] rejected and scorned,” says your God.

7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion and mercy I will gather you [to Myself again].

8 “In an outburst of wrath I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.

9 “For this is like the waters of Noah to Me, as I swore [an oath] that the waters of Noah would not flood the earth again; in the same way I have sworn that I will not be angry with you nor will I rebuke you.

10 “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, nor will My covenant of peace be shaken,” says the Lord who has compassion on you.

11 “O you afflicted [city], storm-tossed, and not comforted,
Listen carefully, I will set your [precious] stones in mortar, and lay your foundations with sapphires.

12 “And I will make your battlements of rubies, and your gates of [shining] beryl stones, and all your [barrier] [1]walls of precious stones.

13 “And all your [spiritual] sons will be disciples [of the Lord],
And great will be the [2]well-being of your sons.

14 “You will be firmly established in righteousness: you will be far from [even the thought of] oppression, for you will not fear, and from terror, for it will not come near you.

15 “If anyone fiercely attacks you it will not be from Me. Whoever attacks you will fall because of you.

16 “Listen carefully, I have created the smith who blows on the fire of coals And who produces a weapon for its purpose;
And I have created the destroyer to inflict ruin.

17 “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 54:1-17 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 54:12 Lit boundary.
  2. Isaiah 54:13 Or success.

Tuesday Morning Scripture (Wk45/2022) – John 6:41-58

Words to the Jews

41 Now the Jews murmured and found fault with Him because He said, “I am the Bread that came down out of heaven.”

42 They kept saying, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He now [have the arrogance to] say, ‘I have come down out of heaven’?”

43 So Jesus answered, “Stop murmuring among yourselves.

44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him[giving him the desire to come to Me]; and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.

45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they will all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He [who was with the Father and] who is from God; He [alone] has seen the Father.

47 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he who believes[in Me as Savior—whoever adheres to, trusts in, relies on, and has faith in Me—already] has eternal life [that is, now possesses it].

48 I am the Bread of Life [the Living Bread which gives and sustains life].

49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.

50 This is the Bread that comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.

51 I am the Living Bread that came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior], he will live forever. And the Bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh (body).”

52 Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”

53 And Jesus said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood [unless you believe in Me as Savior and believe in the saving power of My blood which will be shed for you], you do not have life in yourselves.

54 The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood[believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior] has eternal life [that is, now possesses it], and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.

55 For My flesh is true [spiritual] food, and My blood is true [spiritual] drink.

56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood[believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior] remains in Me, and I [in the same way remain] in him.

57 Just as the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, even so the one who feeds on Me [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior] will also live because of Me.

58 This is the Bread which came down out of heaven. It is not like [the manna that] our fathers ate and they[eventually] died; the one who eats this Bread [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior] will live forever.”

John 6:41-58 (AMP)

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – When It Gets Difficult

When life gets difficult and you feel overwhelmed, what is it that you need in the crisis and the chaos? What do you need from me that will get you through?

I know your immediate answer will be to take away the difficulties and to make your life a lot easier. And yes, in exceptional circumstances, I do do that, for I am a God of the impossible and there is plenty of evidence of me doing that in times of crisis. But my normal modus operandi is to use the circumstances of life for your good – to take what is impossible and bring my solutions – for I Am the Way Maker.

I use everything that the enemy throws against you and I turn it around for your good. But for that to happen you need to align with me during your difficulties. Do not align with the enemy’s attempts to destroy you. If you give up, then he has his way and you have missed an opportunity to grow and overcome. I want to hear your testimony and so does the world, for the world wants an answer to their own difficulties and they want to hear from you as to how you overcame yours. So do not give up, keep trusting me, the Way Maker!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)

#lionbites

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Prince or Pauper?

Prince or Pauper?

Which are you?

Have I made you to drown in lack and exist in stress? Have I made you to settle for less than my best, to wander aimlessly thinking that my grace and favour are for everyone but you?

No, you are my sons and daughters. You have a seat at my table, right next to me.

You have authority and a purpose. A royal role that matters to my world. Brush off the pauper mentality. Change into the robes that fit you, and step into your rightful position.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

Romans 8:19 (NIV)

Thursday Morning Scripture (Wk44/2022) – Psalm 43

Prayer of Rescue

1 Judge and vindicate me, O God; plead my case against an ungodly nation. O rescue me from the deceitful and unjust man!

2 For You are the God of my strength [my stronghold—in whom I take refuge]; why have You rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

3 O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places.

4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy; with the lyre I will praise You, O God, my God!

5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him, the [1]help of my [sad] countenance and my God.

Psalm 43:1-5 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 43:5 Or saving acts of.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Why Is Your Hope Deferred?

Are you tired of waiting for My promise to manifest?

Are you at the brim of losing hope?

Why do you doubt My words? My words give you life.

Do you not trust My timing?

I AM breathing fresh hope into your weary soul. Receive it now with faith. Those places where you have lost hope, with My breath, they are coming back to life. As I told Ezekiel to prophesy over the dead bones, prophesy over the dead dreams and visions in your life. Decree the promise over them. Do not embrace complacency and settle in the place where I have asked you to move. You might think, “Lord , I have heard that before but nothing has happened yet!” But, I say to you now, “Do it again!

When I repeat, it means I AM confirming the words that I spoke.

Activation: Read, study, and meditate on Psalm 43. As you read quietly with Him, allow His whisper to emanate within you. Make notes in your journal.

81 I am weak from waiting for you to save me, but I hope in your word.

82 My eyes are tired from looking for your promise. When will you comfort me?

83 Even though I am like a wine bag going up in smoke, I do not forget your demands.

Psalm 119:81-83 (NCV)

#lionbites

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – What Will It Take?

What will it take for you to fully trust me?

What will it take for you to fully grasp that I am trustworthy?

The question is a good one because I know that this does not come naturally to you and that you have been hurt in the past by those that you trusted and were betrayed. I know that so often you thought that you had made progress in this area only to be knocked back as something comes against you and you begin to question my trustworthiness. But look at what I have done for you! Look at the cross! Look at the actions I have taken to cause you to see that I am trustworthy! As you focus upon the cross it will be easier for you to trust me, for I have already done so much for you. See my love and my arms outstretched to you and step into my embrace, you will not be disappointed.

2 And he said:

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

3 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn[1] of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence.

4 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22:2-4 (NKJV)
Footnotes
2 Samuel 22:3 Strength

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

#lionbites

Wednesday Morning Scripture (Week 44/2022) – Isaiah 40

The Greatness of God

1 “Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God.

2 “Speak [1]tenderly to Jerusalem, and call out to her, that her time of compulsory service in warfare is finished, that her wickedness has been taken away [since her punishment is sufficient], that she has received from the Lord’s hand double [punishment] for all her sins.”

3 A voice of one is calling out, “clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness [remove the obstacles]; make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

4 “Every valley shall be raised, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged places a broad valley.

5 “And the glory and majesty andsplendor of the Lord will be revealed, and all humanity shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.”

6 A voice says, “Call out [prophesy].” Then he answered, “What shall I call out?” [The voice answered:] All humanity is [as frail as] grass, and all that makes it attractive [its charm, its loveliness] is [momentary] like the flower of the field.

7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; most certainly [all] the people are [like] grass.

8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.

9 O Zion, herald of good news, get up on a high mountain. O Jerusalem, herald of good news, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”

10 Listen carefully, the Lord God will come with might, and His arm will rule for Him. Most certainly His reward is with Him, and His restitution accompanies Him.

11 He will protect His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom; He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young.

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens with a span [of the hand], and calculated the dust of the earth with a [2]measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales?

13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or has taught Him as His counselor?

14 With whom did He consult and who enlightened Him? Who taught Him the path of justice and taught Him knowledge and informed Him of the way of understanding?

15 In fact, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; now look, He lifts up the islands like fine dust.

16 And [the forests of] Lebanon cannot supply sufficient fuel to start a fire, nor are its wild beasts enough for a burnt offering [worthy of the Lord].

17 All the nations are as nothing before Him, they are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.

18 To whom then will you liken God? Or with what likeness will you compare Him?

19 As for the cast image (idol), a metalworker casts it, a goldsmith overlays it with gold and a silversmith casts its silver chains.

20 He who is too impoverished for such an offering [to give to his god] chooses a tree that will not rot; he seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman to [carve and] set up an idol that will not totter.

21 Do you [who worship idols] not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth [the omnipotence of God and the stupidity of bowing to idols]?

22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; [it is He] who stretches out the heavens like a veil and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

23 It is He who reduces dignitaries to nothing, Who makes the judges (rulers) of the earth meaningless (useless).

24 Scarcely have they been planted, scarcely have they been sown, scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth, but He merely blows on them, and they wither, and a strong wind carries them away like stubble.

25 “To whom then will you compare Me that I would be his equal?” says the Holy One.

26 Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these heavenly bodies, The One who brings out their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one is missing.

27 Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “my way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become tired or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.

29 He gives strength to the weary, and to him who has no might He increases power.

30 Even youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly,

31 But those who wait for the Lord[who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; they will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired.

Isaiah 40:1-31 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 40:2 Lit to the heart of.
  2. Isaiah 40:12 Lit third.

Wednesday Morning Scripture (Wk44/2022) – 2 Samuel 22

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress [on the mountain] and my rescuer;…

David’s Psalm of Rescue

1 David spoke the words of this song to the Lord when the Lord rescued him from the hands of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

2 He said:

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress [on the mountain] and my rescuer;

3 [1]My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my Savior—You save me from violence.

4 “I call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

5 “For the waves of death encompassed me; the torrents of [2]destruction overwhelmed and terrified me.

6 “The cords of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me.

7 “In my distress I called upon the Lord; I cried out to my God, and from His temple [in the heavens] He heard my voice; my cry for help came into His ears.

8 “Then the earth shook and quaked, the foundations of the heavens trembled and were shaken, because He was angry.

9 “Smoke went up out of His nostrils,
And devouring fire from His mouth; coals were kindled by it.

10 “He bowed the heavens also, and came down with thick darkness under His feet.

11 “He rode on a cherub and flew; He appeared upon the wings of the wind.

12 “He made darkness [3]canopies around Him, a mass of waters, thick clouds of the skies.

13 “Out of the brightness before Him coals of fire were set aflame.

14 “The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice.

15 “He sent out arrows and scattered them; lightning, and confused them.

16 “The channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were uncovered at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

17 “He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of great waters.

18 “He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

19 “They came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support.

20 “He also brought me out to an open place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.

21 “The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me.

22 “For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not acted wickedly against my God.

23 “For all His judgments (legal decisions) were before me,
And from His statutes I did not turn aside.

24 “I was also blameless before Him, and kept myself from wrongdoing.

25 “Therefore the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in His sight.

26 “With the loving and loyal You show Yourself loving and loyal, with the blameless You show Yourself blameless.

27 “With the pure You show Yourself pure, with the perverted You show Yourself astute.

28 “And You save the afflicted people; but Your eyes are on the haughty whom You abase (humiliate).

29 “For You, O Lord, are my lamp; The Lord illumines and dispels my darkness.

30 “For by You I can run upon a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall.

31 “As for God, His way is blameless and perfect;The word of the Lord is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge and trust in Him.

32 “For who is God, besides the Lord? And who is a rock, besides our God?

33 “God is my strong fortress; He sets the blameless in His way.

34 “He makes my feet like the doe’s feet [firm and swift]; He sets me [secure and confident] on my high places.

35 “He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend (pull back) a bow of bronze.

36 “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your help and gentleness make me great.

37 “You enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped.

38 “I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, and I did not turn back until they were consumed (eliminated).

39 “I consumed them and shattered them, so that they did not rise; they fell under my feet.

40 “For You have surrounded me with strength for the battle;
You have subdued under me those who stood against me.

41 “You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me [in retreat], and I destroyed those who hated me.

42 “They looked, but there was no savior for them—Even to the Lord [they looked], but He did not answer them.

43 “Then I beat them as [small as] the dust of the earth; I crushed and stamped them as the mire (dirt, mud) of the streets.

44 “You also have rescued me from strife with my [own] people; You have kept me as the head of the nations. People whom I have not known served me.

45 “Foreigners pretend obedience to me; as soon as they hear [me], they obey me.

46 “Foreigners lose heart; they come trembling out of their strongholds.

47 “The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation.

48 “It is God who executes vengeance for me, and brings down [and disciplines] the peoples under me,

49 Who also brings me out from my enemies. You even lift me above those who rise up against me; you rescue me from the violent man.

50 “For this I will give thanks and praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name.

51 “He is a tower of salvation and great deliverance to His king,
And shows lovingkindness to His anointed, to David and his offspring forever.”

2 Samuel 22:1-51 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 22:3 Lit the God of my rock.
  2. 2 Samuel 22:5 Heb Belial.
  3. 2 Samuel 22:12 Some mss read His covering.