Tuesday Morning Scripture (Wk24/2022) – Psalm 86

A Prayer of David

1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;

3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.

4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.

7 When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;

give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me—they have no regard for you.

15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.

17 Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 86:1-17 (NIV)

Gospel Song of the Day – Show Me Your Ways

11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

Psalm 86:11-12 (NIV)

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – How Is Your Heart?

How is your heart?

How are you feeling deep down in those places you like to keep hidden from everyone?

How are your emotions? Yes, even those that you don’t express too often.

You know, I already know the answer to these questions, but I am asking you so that we can have a dialogue about these deep things that you have found easier to keep hidden than to discuss with me or your friends.

Yes, that’s right. I want you to share with me how you are feeling, even if it is negative. And know this: I am here to listen, even if you want to rant. I am someone that you can get it all off your chest with; even if it is messy, even if it’s even shameful, I will listen. In sharing your deepest feelings and emotions with me, it will bring freedom as you are honest in expressing them. So, shout if you need to, cry if you need to, have a temper tantrum if you need to. It won’t surprise me; it won’t make me think any less of you and it won’t offend me. The benefits you will gain are enormous as I will draw near to you, into a place of peace once again. I will settle you down like a parent settles a child at bedtime, with words of comfort and reassurance. So, be real with me, unburden yourself, and I will listen and respond with my love.

4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The [1]angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no [2]want to those who fear Him.

10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to [3]cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as [4]have a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

20 He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.

21 Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be [5]condemned.

22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

Psalm 34:4-22 (NKJV)

#lionbites

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 34:7 Or Angel
  2. Psalm 34:9 lack
  3. Psalm 34:16 destroy
  4. Psalm 34:18 are crushed in spirit
  5. Psalm 34:21 held guilty

Monday Morning Scripture (Wk24/2022) – Matthew 19:13-30

To Enter God’s Kingdom

13-15 One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he left.

16 Another day, a man stopped Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17 Jesus said, “Why do you question me about what’s good? God is the One who is good. If you want to enter the life of God, just do what he tells you.”

18-19 The man asked, “What in particular?”

Jesus said, “Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you do yourself.”

20 The young man said, “I’ve done all that. What’s left?”

21 “If you want to give it all you’ve got,” Jesus replied, “go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me.”

22 That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn’t bear to let go.

23-24 As he watched him go, Jesus told his disciples, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for the rich to enter God’s kingdom? Let me tell you, it’s easier to gallop a camel through a needle’s eye than for the rich to enter God’s kingdom.”

25 The disciples were staggered. “Then who has any chance at all?”

26 Jesus looked hard at them and said, “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”

27 Then Peter chimed in, “We left everything and followed you. What do we get out of it?”

28-30 Jesus replied, “Yes, you have followed me. In the re-creation of the world, when the Son of Man will rule gloriously, you who have followed me will also rule, starting with the twelve tribes of Israel. And not only you, but anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields—whatever—because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life. This is the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first.”

Matthew 19:13-30 (MSG)

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Let The Children See

I am calling you to bring your testimony forward. You have wrestled with me in the fight, but you keep it to yourself. I say to you that it is time for the children to know the battle.

There are many around you who must in turn grow up and fight, who must inherit the ground that you are taking. They have to see you fight the battles. They have to know what I have done. They have to be told.

Pull them onto your knee and tell them your testimonies. Show them your wounds and declare my faithfulness. Set up memorial stones and answer the questions they ask.

Teach them to hear my voice; teach them to obey me. Let your walk with me be lived in front of them in a more open way so that they will remember your example when they are in your place.
I, the Lord, have placed children in your life and it is no small task. Feed them and train them while you have the opportunity.

Activation: Ask the Lord to show you who the children are in your life. They may not be young in years, but those who are younger than you in the faith need to hear your testimonies. Find a way to edify one of them today with your witness of what the Lord has done.

One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.”

Matthew 19:13-15 (MSG)

#lionbites

Friday Morning Scripture (Wk23/2022) – 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

Reaffirm Your Love

1 But I made up my mind not to grieve you with another painful visit.

2 For if I cause you grief [by a well-deserved rebuke], who then provides me enjoyment but the very one whom I have made sad?

3 And I [1]wrote this same thing to you, so that when I came, I would not be filled with sorrow by those who ought to make me glad, for I trusted in you and felt confident that my joy would be shared by all of you.

4 For I wrote to you out of great distress and with an anguished heart, and with many tears, not to cause you sorrow but to make you realize the [overflowing] love which I have especially for you.

5 But if [2]someone has caused [all this] sorrow, he has caused it not to me, but in some degree—not to put it too severely—[he has distressed and grieved] all of you.

6 For such a one this punishment by the majority is sufficient,

7 so instead [of further rebuke, now] you should rather [graciously] forgive and comfort and encourage him, to keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

8 Therefore I urge you to reinstate him in your affections and reaffirm your [3]love for him.

9 For this was my purpose in writing, to see if you would stand the test, whether you are obedient and committed to following my instruction in all things.

10 If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive [that one]; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of [and with the approval of] Christ,

11 to keep Satan from taking advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

12 Now when I arrived at Troas to preach the good news of Christ, even though a door [of opportunity] opened for me in the Lord,

13 my spirit could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there; so saying goodbye to them, I left for Macedonia.

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

15 For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;

16 to the latter one an aroma from death to death [a fatal, offensive odor], but to the other an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is adequate and sufficiently qualified for these things?

17 For we are not like many, [acting like merchants] peddling God’s word [shortchanging and adulterating God’s message]; but from pure [uncompromised] motives, as [commissioned and sent] from God, we speak [His message] in Christ in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 2:1-17 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 2:3 Many scholars believe the contents of the communication to which Paul refers in this verse are implied within vv 5-11, and again in 7:5-12.
  2. 2 Corinthians 2:5 The incident and offender to which Paul is referring is unclear, but it may have involved some affront or challenge to Paul’s position or authority during his visit to Corinth.
  3. 2 Corinthians 2:8 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for other believers.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Bloom

It is time to step out and share what I have placed inside of you. I have hidden you for a time so that your roots could grow deep, but now I am calling you out of your comfort zone.

Don’t be afraid.

Can you tell the seasons have changed?

Lean on me and I will lead the way. The confinements that once held you back are no longer there. I have pushed back the limitations and prepared a wide open space for you. You are like a budding rose ready to blossom. Now is not the time to hold back but to reveal the real you! Many will be shocked by your transformation. Some will walk away, but others will see my beauty radiating from you. This is who I created you to be. Embrace your authenticity and release the sweet aroma that brings life.

Now is the time.

Bloom!

Activation: Ask God what areas of your life have been hidden and what areas he is bringing into full bloom. Challenge yourself today to put these characteristics and gifting on display today by choosing to step out and talk to someone about the journey God has brought you on and what he is taking you into. Break your agreement with comfort and familiarity and ask God for boldness to break you out of where you have been.

Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning on her beloved?

Song of Songs 8:5 (NASB)

We have become the unmistakable aroma of the victory of the Anointed One to God—a perfume of life to those being saved and the odour of death to those who are perishing.

2 Corinthians 2;15 (TPT)

#lionbites

Thursday Morning Scripture (Wk23/2022) – John 12:20-26

Greek Sees Jesus

20 Now there were some Greeks (Gentiles) among those who were going up to worship at the feast;

21 these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

22 Philip came and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified and exalted.

24 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone [just one grain, never more]. But if it dies, it produces much grain and yields a harvest.

25 The one who loves his life [eventually] loses it [through death], but the one who hates his life in this world [and is concerned with pleasing God] will keep it for life eternal.

26 If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

John 12:20-26 (AMP)

Thursday Morning Scripture (Wk23/2022) – John 14:16-31

Role of The Spirit

16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [1]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever—

17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you.

19 After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.

20 On that day [when that time comes] you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.

21 The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) asked Him, “Lord, what has happened that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?”

23 Jesus answered, “If anyone [really] loves Me, he will keep My word (teaching); and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling place with him.

24 One who does not [really] love Me does not keep My words. And the word (teaching) which you hear is not Mine, but is the Father’s who sent Me.

25 “I have told you these things while I am still with you.

26 But the [2]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

28 You heard Me tell you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you [really] loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going [back] to the Father, for [3]the Father is greater than I.

29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does take place, you may believe and have faith [in Me].

30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me];

31 but so that the world may know [without any doubt] that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father has commanded Me [and act in full agreement with Him]. Get up, let us go from here.

John 14:16-31 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. John 14:6 The sixth of the memorable “I am” statements. See note 6:35.
  2. John 14:13 Acting as Jesus’ representative means that the person calling on His name is in a close relationship with Him and wants what He wants.
  3. John 14:16 Gr Paracletos, one called alongside to help.
  4. John 14:26 Gr Paracletos, one called alongside to help.
  5. John 14:28 The Father and the Son are equal—they share the same essence, but the Father was greater in His heavenly glory than the Son during the Son’s time of subordination as a man, cf 10:30; 17:5.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic – Let It Go

In these days of crossing over, I need you to let go of everything that once was. Bring me all of you, everything you rely on, all your hopes and dreams. Bring it all.

It is time to let the self come to a final end. This is where you end and I begin.

Lay it all at my feet. I will breathe life into dreams you had forgotten about and allow other things to fade away. I will tell you what to pick up again and what to leave with me.

This is not just a new chapter, it is a new era. As the parts of you that grieve me wither away, I will resurrect you in my strength and position you for a destiny that cannot be accessed without me.

Activation: Write down everything that you rely on. Your finances, your work, your relationships and ask Holy Spirit to highlight any key areas. Bring your list to him in prayer and lay it all at His feet, give him permission to do as he will with it all.

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

John 12:24 (NIV)

#lionbites