Monday Morning Scripture (Wk43/2022) – 2 Samuel 6

Peril in Moving the Ark

1 Again David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

2 And David arose and went with all those who were with him to Baale-judah [Kiriath-jearim], to bring up from there [to Jerusalem] the ark of God which is called by the Name—the very Name of the Lord of hosts, who dwells enthroned above the cherubim.

3 They placed the ark of God on [1]a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart.

4 So they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Ahio was walking in front of the ark.

5 Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating and dancing before the Lordwith all kinds of instruments made of fir or cypress wood, with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

6 When they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out [with his hand] to the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen [stumbled and] nearly overturned it.

7 And [2]the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God.

8 David became [3]angry and grieved and offended because of the Lord’s outburst against Uzzah, and that place has been called Perez-uzzah (outburst against Uzzah) to this day.

9 So David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?”

10 David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the City of David with him; instead he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

11 So the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household (family).

The Ark is Brought to Jerusalem

12 Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing and gladness.

13 And when those who were carrying the ark of the Lord [by its poles] had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling.

14 And David was dancing before the Lord with [4]great enthusiasm, and David was [5]wearing a linen ephod [a priest’s upper garment].

15 So David and all the house of Israel were bringing the ark of the Lord up [to the City of David] with shouts [of joy] and with the sound of the trumpet.

16 Then, as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, [6]Michal, Saul’s daughter [David’s wife], looked down from the window above and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she felt contempt for him in her heart [because she thought him undignified].

17 They brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.

18 When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts (armies),

19 and distributed to all the people, the entire multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to each a [ring-shaped] loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people departed, each to his house.

20 Then David returned to bless his household. But [his wife] Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How glorious and distinguished was the king of Israel today, [7]who uncovered himself and stripped [off his kingly robes] in the eyes of his servants’ maids like one of the riffraff who shamelessly uncovers himself!”

21 So David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord [that I did this], who chose me above your father and all his house, to appoint me as ruler over Israel, the people of the Lord. Therefore I will celebrate [in pure enjoyment] before the Lord.

22 Yet I will demean myself even more than this, and will be humbled (abased) in my own sight [and yours, as I please], but by the maids whom you mentioned, by them I shall be held in honor.”

23 Michal the daughter of Saul had no [8]child to the day of her death.

2 Samuel 6:1-23 (AMP)

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Dig Deep

There are treasures hidden in secret places that I have placed for you to find. There are few who are willing to dig deep, especially when it gets dark or hard or lonely or scary, but there are treasures in the deep, dark places.

Do not be discouraged or put off by not instantly seeing the treasure, but trust me that in the deep places I have treasures that you haven’t even dreamed of. Heavenly secrets, unfathomable mysteries yet to be revealed, solutions and new creations.

So, dig deep for revelation in the most unexpected places and let me reveal the jewels and blueprints of heaven and the richness of all that is stored up for you. There are answers for provision in the deep places; there are solutions for impossible situations; there are new businesses and new ideas; there are answers to unfathomable questions. Search for me in the deep and you will find me along with all that you have been looking for.

Activation: Ask Jesus to lead you into a deeper place with him. Close your eyes and see him take your hand, leading you to the place where his treasure waits for you. Let Jesus lead you and ask him what he wants to show you or give you in this place.

He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light swells with him.

Daniel 2:22 (NIV)

#lionbites

Friday Morning Scripture (Wk42/2022) – Daniel 2:19-30

The Secret is Revealed to Daniel

19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered,

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.

21 “It is He who changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
And [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding!

22 “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.

23 “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers, for You have given me wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, for You have made known to us [the solution to] the king’s matter.”

24 So Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said this to him: “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will reveal to the king the interpretation [of his dream].”

25 Then Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel before the king and said this to him: “I have found a man among the exiles of Judah who can explain to the king the interpretation [of the dream].”

26 The king said to Daniel, whose [Babylonian] name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to reveal to me the [content of the] dream which I have seen and its interpretation?”

27 Daniel answered the king and said, “Regarding the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither the wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor astrologers are able to answer the king,

28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days (end of days). This was your dream and the vision [that appeared] in your mind while on your bed.

29 As for you, O king, as you were lying on your bed thoughts came into your mind about what will take place in the future; and He who reveals secrets has shown you what will occur.

30 But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because my wisdom is greater than that of any other living man, but in order to make the interpretation known to the king, and so that you may understand [fully] the thoughts of your mind.

Daniel 2:19-30 (AMP)

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Provoked Into Freedom

I am leading you forward into this season of change and showing you what relationships are important for you in this season, however, the enemy is also targeting those relationships and the ones that are dear to you. He is trying to remind you of pain in those relationships and he wants to provoke you into reliving that pain. He wants you to look through that lens of pain and break the relationships you need in this season to build My Kingdom.

Use this provocation to push yourself forward into more freedom.

Whenever you sense the enemy is provoking you, grab it and confront him. Let the enemy know that it will only cause more freedom instead of pain. Talk to Me about past pain and let me guide you into more freedom. Seek forgiveness, forgive others, and let me heal you.

Don’t be provoked into staying in that place of pain and reliving what is not meant to be re-lived. Be provoked by Me to step into more freedom and let the enemy fall into his own ditch.

Activation: Ask God to show you if there is any pain or past trauma in the relationships that you have. This could be friendships in and out of church, but also look at relationships in your family. If there is any, ask the Lord what the root of that pain is and how – together with Him – you can get healing from it.

Be steps ahead of the enemy and ask the Lord if there are situations from your past that the enemy is going to use as provocation. Deal with it before the enemy tries to break your relationships.

If there is anyone coming against you, ask the Lord how you can bless that person and then get to action and bless him or her. This could be by a prayer of blessing or maybe be wildly generous towards that person.

So let sudden ruin come upon them! Let them be caught in the trap they set for me! Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me.

Psalm 35:8 (NLT)

‘Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.’

1 Peter 3:8 (ESV)

#lionbites

Thursday Morning Scripture (Wk42/2022) – Psalm 35

Prayer for Rescue from Enemies

A Psalm of David

1 Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.

2 Take hold of shield and buckler ([1]small shield), and stand up for my help.

3 Draw also the spear and javelin to meet those who pursue me.
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

4 Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life; let those be turned back [in defeat] and humiliated who plot evil against me.

5 Let them be [blown away] like chaff before the wind [worthless, without substance], with the angel of the Lord driving them on.

6 Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing and harassing them.

7 For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit [of destruction] for my life.

8 Let destruction come upon my enemy by surprise; let the net he hid for me catch him; into that very destruction let him fall.

11 Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know.

9 Then my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation.

10 All my bones will say, “Lord, who is like You, Who rescues the afflicted from him who is too strong for him [to resist alone], and the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?”

12 They repay me evil for good, to the sorrow of my soul.

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth (mourning garment); I humbled my soul with fasting, and I prayed with my head bowed on my chest.

14 I behaved as if grieving for my friend or my brother;
I bowed down in mourning, as one who sorrows for his mother.

15 But in my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered together [against me]; the slanderers whom I did not know gathered against me; they slandered and reviled me without ceasing.

16 Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed at me with their teeth [in malice].

17 Lord, how long will You look on [without action]? Rescue my life from their destructions, my only life from the young lions.

18 I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty people.

19 Do not let those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me; nor let those who hate me without cause wink their eye [maliciously].

20 For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful words [half-truths and lies] against those who are quiet in the land.

21 They open their mouths wide against me; they say, “Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it!”

22 You have seen this, O Lord; do not keep silent. O Lord, do not be far from me.

23 Wake Yourself up, and arise to my right and to my cause, my God and my Lord.

24 Judge me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness and justice; and do not let them rejoice over me.

25 Do not let them say in their heart, “Aha, that is what we wanted!” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up and destroyed him.”

26 Let those be ashamed and humiliated together who rejoice at my distress; let those be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves over me.

27 Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication and want what is right for me; Let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, who delights and takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

28 And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness (justice),
And Your praise all the day long.

Psalm 35:1-28 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 35:2 See note Jer 46:3.

Thursday Morning Scripture (Wk42/2022) – 1 Peter 3

Godly Living

1 In the same way, you wives, be [1]submissive to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by the godly lives of their wives,

2 when they see your modest and respectful behavior [together with your devotion and appreciation—love your husband, encourage him, and enjoy him as a blessing from God].

3 Your adornment must not be merely external—with interweaving and elaborate knotting of the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or [being superficially preoccupied with] dressing in expensive clothes;

4 but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God.

5 For in this way in former times the holy women, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands and adapting themselves to them;

6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham [following him and having regard for him as head of their house], calling him [2]lord. And you have become her daughters if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear [that is, being respectful toward your husband but not giving in to intimidation, nor allowing yourself to be led into sin, nor to be harmed].

7 In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as with [3]someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective.

8 Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit;

9 and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].

10 For,

“The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not], must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit).

11 “He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right.
He must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it].

12 “For the eyes of the Lord are[looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright), and His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer), but the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil.”

13 Now who is there to hurt you if you become enthusiastic for what is good?

14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness [though it is not certain that you will], you are still blessed [happy, to be admired and favored by God]. Do not be afraid of their intimidating threats, nor be troubled or disturbed [by their opposition].

15 But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect.

16 And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words].

17 For it is better that you suffer [unjustly] for doing what is right, if that should be God’s will, than [to suffer justly] for doing wrong.

18 For indeed Christ died for sins once for all, the Just and Righteous for the unjust and unrighteous [the Innocent for the guilty] so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;

19 in which He also went and preached to the spirits now in prison,

20 who once were disobedient, when the great patience of God was waiting in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons [Noah’s family], were brought safely through the water.

21 Corresponding to that [rescue through the flood], baptism [which is an expression of a believer’s new life in Christ] now [4]saves you, not by removing dirt from the body, but by an appeal to God for a good (clear) conscience, [demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God [that is, the place of honor and authority], with [all] angels and authorities and powers made subservient to Him.

1 Peter 3:1-22 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:1 There are both military and sporting analogies associated with the meaning of the word “submit.” It can refer to the act of “falling in line,” i.e. each soldier reporting to his proper place; or each team member respecting how the team works, i.e. acknowledging and participating in his assigned position.
  2. 1 Peter 3:6 In ancient times a common title of honor and respect.
  3. 1 Peter 3:7 Lit a weaker vessel, the feminine.
  4. 1 Peter 3:21 Baptism is a public representation of that which actually saves the believer—one’s personal faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah.

Wednesday Morning Scripture (Wk42/2022) – Luke 22:39-46

The Garden of Gethsemane

39 And He came out and went, as was His habit, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed Him.

40 When He arrived at the place [called Gethsemane], He said to them, “Pray continually that you may not fall into temptation.”

41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,

42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup [of divine wrath] from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done.”

43 [1]Now an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

44 And being in agony [deeply distressed and anguished; almost to the point of death], He prayed more intently; and His [2]sweat became like drops of blood, falling down on the ground.

45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow,

46 and He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not fall into temptation.”

Luke 22:39-46 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 22:43 This particular encounter between Jesus and the ministering angel is found only in Luke’s gospel. Most early mss do not contain vv 43, 44.
  2. Luke 22:44 A potentially life-threatening physical response to extreme physical or mental stress, hematidrosis.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – The Key of Worship

Worship is your warfare. Worship is your weapon of choice. I send confusion into the enemy’s camp when you worship Me. I shatter and break the works of the enemy when you release your worship to Me.

Submission is key in your worship. In fact, submission is the key to worship! A yielded heart to My will, means that My Kingdom can then be released in your life and into the situations that you find yourself in; My kingdom rule will be established in your life as you yield to My will and My ways.

In your yielding, I will establish you in My love. In your yielding, I will guard you in all your ways. As you yield, I give you keys of authority that will unlock doors. I will release My anointing that will break bars of iron and shatter enemy chains.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…

Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.

Luke 22:42 (BSB)

21 Then he explained his plan and appointed men to march in front of the army and praise the Lord for his holy power by singing:[1]

“Praise the Lord!
His love never ends.”

22 As soon as they began singing, the Lord confused the enemy camp,

23 so that the Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out!

2 Chronicles 20:21-23 (CEV)
Footnotes
1 20.21 to march in front … singing: Or “to put on their sacred robes, lead the army into battle, and praise the Lord by singing.”

#lionbites

Wednesday Morning Scripture (WK42/2022) – 2 Chronicles 20:14-25

Jahaziel Answers the Prayer

14 Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph.

15 He said, “Listen carefully, all [you people of] Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. The Lord says this to you: ‘Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

16 Go down against them tomorrow. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the river valley, in front of the Wilderness of Jeruel.

17 You need not fight in this battle; take your positions, stand and witness the salvation of the Lord who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.’”

18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping Him.

19 The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Enemies Destroy Themselves

20 So they got up early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe and trust in the Lord your God and you will be established (secure). Believe and trust in His prophets and succeed.”

21 When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in their holy (priestly) attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Praise and give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever.”

22 When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were struck down [in defeat].

23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab [suspecting betrayal] rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, completely destroying them; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

24 When [the men of] Judah came to the lookout tower of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and behold, they were dead bodies lying on the ground, and no one had escaped.

25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found much among them, including equipment, garments, and valuable things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry away; so much that they spent three days gathering the spoil.

2 Chronicles 20:14-25 (AMP)