Thursday Morning Scripture (Wk29/2022) – Romans 8:18-30

From Suffering To Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;

21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of [1]corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [2]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 8:18-30 NKJV)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:21 decay
  2. Romans 8:26 NU omits for us

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Strengthening

Good courage is my strength; it’s trusting me and realising that I am able to work all things for good for those who love me and are called according to my purpose.
Good courage develops as you give thanks to me and it allows me to strengthen you. David made himself strong in me by worshipping me.

Today, don’t allow yourself to be weakened by falling into ungratefulness. Don’t allow your hearts to be confused and darkened because you did not choose to be thankful for my loving kindness.

Instead be strong and of good courage.

Activation: Spend time giving thanks and worshipping. Trust the Lord to strengthen you. Repent of moaning and being stuck in a desert-like experience or finding yourself confused and feeling futile because you have fallen into meditating on the problem rather than looking for the goodness of God and becoming established in His ways. Ask for good courage.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)q

#lionbites

Wednesday Morning Scripture (Wk29/2022) – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Various Exhortations

12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [1]admonish you,

13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we [2]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [3]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.

20 Do not despise prophecies.

21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.

22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Blessing and Admonition

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify[4] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this [5]epistle be read to all the [6]holy brethren.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 (NKJV)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 instruct or warn
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 encourage
  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 insubordinate or idle
  4. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 set you apart
  5. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 letter
  6. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 NU omits holy

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Give Thanks

Yesterday I talked about the good courage and strength that Joshua developed in his life. He trusted me.

Another way to be strengthened is to give thanks. My son was able to give thanks as he broke bread in the upper room with his disciples (Luke 22:19). He knew he was about to go to the cross; he knew he was about to suffer deep pain physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And still he gave thanks.

Giving thanks is a way to receive my grace and my strength as you navigate different seasons of life. Your circumstances will change but my steadfast love for you will not. My character and nature of love, redemption, and compassion does not change and that’s how you can give thanks in every circumstance.

Growing in maturity allows you to recognise my faithfulness and loving kindness will carry you through every season of life. That gives you strength and good courage.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 136:1 (NKJV)

#lionbites

Tuesday Morning Scripture (Wk29/2022) – Joshua 1

Joshua Installed As Leader

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide:

2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.

3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.

4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsakeyou.

6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Mosesgave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people:

11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”

12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said,

13 “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’

14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle,must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them

15 until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

16 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.

17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you.Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses.

18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”

Joshua 1:1-18 (NIV)

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Good Courage

Four times I told Joshua to be strong and of good courage because I wanted to encourage him.

I want to encourage you too.

You are moving into the land of your inheritance and like Joshua and Caleb you are developing character and faith. You are growing in good courage.

Like Joshua and Caleb you are learning not to murmur and complain (which is what kept the Israelites in the desert forty years) because good courage believes me and what I have promised. You are learning to trust me more than your current circumstances and believe me when I say I will never leave you nor forsake you.

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Joshua 1:5, NIV)

Good courage reaps a reward.

Look at what Joshua, who learnt to be of good courage and be strengthened by me said at the end of his life to his people:
And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one good thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed. (Joshua 23:14, NIV).

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

#lionbites