Friday Morning Scripture (Wk47/2022) – John 15:1-11

Jesus Is The Vine – Followers Are Branches

1 “[1]I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He[repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit].

3 You are already clean because of the word which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you].

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 [2]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.

8 My Father is glorified and honoured by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.

9 I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you].

10 If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

11 I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.

John 15:1-11 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. John 15:1 The seventh of the memorable “I am” statements. See note 6:35.
  2. John 15:5 See note v 1.

Friday Morning Scripture (Wk47/2022) – Galatians 6

Bear One Another’s Burdens

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.

2 Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].

3 For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself.

4 But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable [1]without comparing himself to another.

5 For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].

6 The one who is taught the word [of God] is to share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his spiritual and material support].

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.

8 For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

9 Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.

10 So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

11 See with what [2]large letters I [3]am writing to you with my own hand.

12 Those who want to make a good impression in public [before the Jews] try to compel you to be circumcised, just so they will escape being persecuted for [faithfulness to] the cross of Christ.

13 For even the circumcised [Jews] themselves do not [really] keep the Law, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh [that is, in the fact that they convinced you to be circumcised].

14 But far be it from me to boast [in anything or anyone], except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

15 For neither is circumcision anything [of any importance], nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [which is the result of a new birth—a spiritual transformation—a new nature in Christ Jesus].

16 Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule [who discipline themselves and conduct their lives by this principle], and upon the [true] Israel of God (Jewish believers).

17 From now on let no one trouble me [by making it necessary for me to justify my authority as an apostle, and the absolute truth of the gospel], for I bear on my body the [4]branding-marks of Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions—these testify to His ownership of me].

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my [5]brothers and sisters. Amen.

Galatians 6:1-18 (AMP)

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Friend

My wind of change is blowing. It is blowing away the old and making way for the new to come. Grace is lifting off of spectating; off of watching from the sidelines. I have plans for you and for my church. I have poured my Spirit out to empower you. I am looking for friends and for partners who will enter my gates with thanksgiving and come before my throne in praise, those who will sit and reason together with me. Those who know that together we are a majority in any situation.

3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He rides on the wings of the wind;

4 He makes His messengers winds, His ministers a flaming fire.

5 He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.

Psalm 104:3-5 (ESV)

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV)

So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words [1]fall to the ground.

1 Samuel 3:19 (NKJV)
Footnotes
1 Samuel 3:19 fail

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 100:4 (NKJV)

#lionbites

Thursday Morning Thanksgiving (Wk47/2022) – Psalm 100

A Psalm of thanksgiving and for the thank offering.

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!

2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!

3 Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!

5 For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.

Psalm 100:1-5 (AMPC)

Thursday Morning Scripture (Wk47/2022) – 1 Samuel 3

The Prophetic Call to Samuel

The Prophetic Call to Samuel

1 Now the boy Samuel was attending to the service of the Lord [1]under the supervision of Eli. The word of the Lord was rare and precious in those days; visions [that is, new revelations of divine truth] were not widespread.

2 Yet it happened at that time, as Eli was lying down in his own place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well).

3 and the [oil] lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was,

4 that the Lord called Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.”

5 He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call you; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.

6 Then the Lord called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But Eli answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.”

7 Now Samuel did not yet know [or personally experience] the Lord, and the word of the Lord was not yet revealed [directly] to him.

8 So the Lord called Samuel a third time. And he stood and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli understood that it was the Lord [who was] calling the boy.

9 So Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and it shall be that if He calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 Then the Lord came and stood and called as at the previous times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

11 The Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will ring.

12 On that day I will carry out against Eli everything that I have spoken concerning his house (family), from beginning to end.

13 Now I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the sinful behavior which he knew [was happening], because his sons were bringing a curse on themselves [dishonoring and blaspheming God] and he did not rebuke them.

14 Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the sinful behavior of Eli’s house (family) shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

15 So Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the Lord’s house. But Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.

16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he answered, “Here I am.”

17 Then Eli said, “What is it that He said to you? Please do not hide it from me. May God do the same to you, and more also, if you hide from me anything of all that He said to you.”

18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. And Eli said, “It is the Lord; may He do what seems good [2]to Him.”

19 Now Samuel grew; and the Lord was with him and He let none of his words [3]fail [to be fulfilled].

20 And all Israel from Dan [in the north] to Beersheba [in the south] knew that Samuel was appointed as a prophet of the Lord.

21 And the Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

1 Samuel 3:1-21 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 3:1 Lit before.
  2. 1 Samuel 3:18 Lit in His eyes.
  3. 1 Samuel 3:19 Lit fall to the ground.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Bold?

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness…. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29, 31)

Are you an accurate witness of who the Lord is? Or do you feel that you do not know people well enough to be witnessing in depth about Him in your life? Sometimes you are called to be bold, adventurous, extending healing prayer, words of knowledge over strangers, perhaps challenging presuppositions about spiritual things. Other times it is to share the day-to-day realities of life in a fallen world with closer friends.

The Lord is saying ‘I have boldness available to those who will bear witness of me. My boldness is not human-like, where teeth are gritted to achieve a new thing. It comes from my people laying down their lives before me and asking for increased boldness for that minute, that conversation, that stepping out in faith. Church, do not hide yourself away behind doors, be more visible on the earth.’

Reflection: Boldness is contagious. When we are bold for Christ, enduring hardships for our faith, others are provoked to do the same. Talk about these things amongst your friends and consider finding someone to be accountable to in this regard. Speak words of increasing boldness and faith over each other.

Psalm of David

1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.

3 When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.

Psalm 138 1,3 (NIV)

And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

Philippians 1:14 (NIV)

#lionbites

Wednesday Morning Scripture (Wk47/2022) – Acts 29:13-37

Threat and Release

13 Now when the men of the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court) saw the confidence and boldness of Peter and John, and grasped the fact that they were [1]uneducated and untrained [ordinary] men, they were astounded, and began to recognize that they had been with Jesus.

14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing therewith them, they had nothing to say in reply.

15 But after ordering them to step out of the Council [chamber], they began to confer among themselves,

16 saying, “What are we to do with these men? For the fact that an extraordinary miracle has taken place through them is public knowledge and clearly evident to all the residents of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17 But to keep it from spreading further among the people and the nation, let us [sternly] warn them not to speak again to anyone in this name.”

18 So they sent for them, and commanded them not to speak [as His representatives] or teach at all in the name of Jesus [using Him as their authority].

19 But Peter and John replied to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must judge [for yourselves];

20 for we, on our part, cannot stop telling [people] about what we have seen and heard.”

21 When the rulers and Council members had threatened them further, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because [of their fear] of the people, for they were all praising and glorifying and honoring God for what had happened;

22 for the man to whom this sign (attesting miracle) of healing had happened was more than forty years old.

23 After Peter and John were released, they returned to their own [people] and reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

24 And when they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “O Sovereign Lord [having complete power and authority], it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them,

25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David, Your servant, said,

‘WHY DID THE NATIONS (Gentiles) BECOME ARROGANT AND RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS [against the Lord]?

26 ‘THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND [to attack], AND THE RULERS WERE ASSEMBLED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS ANOINTED (the Christ, the Messiah).’

27 For in this city there were gathered together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,

28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined [before the creation of the world] to occur [and so without knowing it, they served Your own purpose].

29 And now, Lord, observe their threats [take them into account] and grant that Your bond-servants may declare Your message [of salvation] with great confidence,

30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders (attesting miracles) take place through the name [and the authority and power] of Your holy Servant and Son Jesus.”

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were meeting together was shaken [a sign of God’s presence]; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness and courage.

Sharing Among Believers

32 Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one [of them] claimed that anything belonging to him was [exclusively] his own, but everything was common property and for the use of all.

33 And with great ability and power the apostles were continuously testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace [God’s remarkable lovingkindness and favor and goodwill] rested richly upon them all.

34 There was not a needy person among them, because those who were owners of land or houses were selling them, and bringing the proceeds of the sales

35 and placing the money down at the apostles’ feet. Then it was distributed to each as anyone had need.

36 Now Joseph, a Levite and native of Cyprus, who was surnamed [2]Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),

37 sold a field belonging to him and brought the money and set it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 29:13-31 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:13 They had no formal religious training in the rabbinical schools.
  2. Acts 4:36 Barnabas becomes a prominent figure in the book of Acts (9:27; 11:22-30; 13:1-14:28, etc.), and it may be for that reason that Luke briefly mentions him here, telling the reader how Barnabas came to be associated with the apostles.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Laugh At Fear

Can you hear the hooves of a horse dashing the earth in anticipation of running long and hard into battle?  He is clothed in thunder and strength.  Can a locust frighten him?  No!  Just the sound of his snorting strikes fear in those around him. 

Like the horse going into battle, I am calling you to rejoice in your strength and to mock fear in my name.  I am calling you to see any obstacle in front of you and know that by me it can be overcome. 

Leave fear behind. Set your face like flint and refuse to be moved. Those who know me shall be strong and they will do mighty exploits in my name.

19 “Have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with [1]thunder?

20 Can you [2]frighten him like a locust? His majestic snorting strikes terror.

21 He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength; He gallops into the clash of arms.

22 He mocks at fear, and is not frightened; nor does he turn back from the sword.

Job 39:19-22 (NKJV)
Footnotes
Job 39:19 Or a mane
Job 39:20 make him spring

“For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.

Isaiah 50:7 (NKJV)

For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall.

2 Samuel 22:30 (NKJV)

Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall [1]corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

Daniel 11:32 (NKJV)
Footnotes
Daniel 11:32 pollute

#lionbites