Wednesday Morning Scripture (Wk25/2022) – Isaiah 45:1-7

God Uses Cyrus

1 This is what the Lord says to His anointed, to Cyrus [king of Persia], whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him, and I will ungird the loins of kings [disarming them]; to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

2 “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.

3 “I will give you the treasures of darkness [the hoarded treasures] and the hidden riches of secret places, so that you may know that it is I, The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you (Cyrus the Great) by your name.

4 “For the sake of Jacob My servant, and of Israel My chosen, I have also called you by your name; I have given you an honorable name though you have not known Me.

5 “I am the Lord, and there is no one else; there is no God except Me. I will embrace and arm you, though you have not known Me,

6 That people may know from the rising to the setting of the sun [the world over] that there is no one except Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other,

7 The One forming light and creating darkness, causing peace and creating disaster; I am the Lord who does all these things.

Isaiah 45:1-7 (AMP)

Tuesday Morning Scripture (Wk25/2022) – Philippians 4:10-20

YHWH’s Provision

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now at last you have renewed your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned about me before, but you had no opportunity to show it.

11 Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances.

12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.

13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

14 Nevertheless, it was right of you to share [with me] in my difficulties.

15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of preaching the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of [1]giving and receiving except you alone;

16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I do seek the profit which increases to your [heavenly] account [the blessing which is accumulating for you].

18 But I have received everything in full and more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. They are the fragrant aroma of an offering, an acceptable sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.

19 And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father be the glory [2]forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:10-20 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:15 The word used here was commonly used in financial transactions referring to payments or installments.
  2. Philippians 4:20 Lit to the ages of the ages.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Oaks of Righteousness

I have planted you as oaks of righteousness in good and fertile soil. You will take root and grow in a spacious place where living water abounds. You will be nourished through My word and cultivated by My hand. You will grow up alongside others in the remnant, operating in might and strength with the holy fear of the Lord. You will be deeply grounded on a Biblical foundation so that when the earth shakes, you will not topple or fall. You will grow strong and tall, reaching to the heavens with a message of hope and restoration for a hurting world. You will lift your branches to the sun to receive renewed energy and stamina every morning. I will be the one who makes you grow and fills you with the goodness of the land. You don’t need to fear what is happening around you because I will be the one who sustains you in times of lack. Put your trust in Me and I will establish you in a secure place.

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.

Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

#lionbites

Monday Morning Scripture (Wk25/2022) – Luke 6:27-38

27 “But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: [1]Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you,

28 bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

29 Whoever [2]strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other one also [simply ignore insignificant insults or losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity]. Whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.

30 Give to everyone who asks of you. [3]Whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

31 Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.

32 If you [only] love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

34 If you lend [money] to those from whom you expect to receive [it back], what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to receive back the same amount.

35 But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, [4]expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked.

36 Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.

37 “[5]Do not judge [others self-righteously], and you will not be judged; do not condemn [others when you are guilty and unrepentant], and you will not be condemned [for your hypocrisy]; pardon [others when they truly repent and change], and you will be pardoned [when you truly repent and change].

38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”

Luke 6:27-38 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 6:27 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 higher good for another.
  2. Luke 6:29 In this context the “slap” is not an act of violence, but more likely an insult or violation of one’s rights.
  3. Luke 6:30 Probably a prohibition against frivolous legal action.
  4. Luke 6:35 Or not despairing at all.
  5. Luke 6:37 This is not a prohibition of judgment, nor is it a command to stop using godly wisdom, common sense, and moral courage together with God’s written word to discern right from wrong, to distinguish between morality and immorality, and to judge doctrinal truth. There are many judgments that are not only legitimate, but are commanded (cf John 7:24; 1 Cor 5:5, 12; Gal 1:8, 9; 1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 10); however, you cannot judge another if you are committing the same type of sin.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Blessing into Breakthrough

Are you feeling stuck?

Are you feeling like you’ve been waiting for breakthrough; waiting for something to shift in your life?

I see you and I am bringing a new warfare tactic to you at this time to help bring you into the breakthrough you are looking for.

It is a time to bless. At times we need to war, to cast out demons, to stand and fight in intercession and fasting, but right now, I am calling you to bless. To speak and declare blessing. It is time to speak a blessing over the situations holding you back, over the people who have hurt you, over your job, your family, your finances, your friendships, and your home.

Beloved, I have seen you fighting, seen that you are tired, but now is the time for joy to bring breakthrough. The gift of blessing and thanksgiving coming from your mouth. Speak it out; speak it aloud.

Be a voice of blessing.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Luke 6:38 (CSB)

Friday Monday Morning (Wk24/2022) – 2 Corinthians 10

Paul Describes Himself

1 Now I, Paul, urge you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am meek [so they say] when with you face to face, but bold [outspoken and fearless] toward you when absent!

2 I ask that when I do come I will not be driven to the boldness that I intend to show toward those few who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh [like men without the Spirit].

3 For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man.

4 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,

6 being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is complete.

7 You are looking [only] at the outward appearance of things. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, he should reflect and consider this, that just as he is Christ’s, so too are we.

8 For even though I boast rather freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed [of the truth],

9 nor do I want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters;

10 for they say, “His letters are weighty and forceful and impressive, but his [1]personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible [of no account].”

11 Let such people realize that what we say by word in letters when we are absent, is the same as what we are in action when present.

12 We do not have the audacity to put ourselves in the same class or compare ourselves with some who [supply testimonials to] commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they lack wisdom and behave like fools.

13 We, on the other hand, will not boast beyond our proper limit, but [will keep] within the [2]limits of our commission (territory, authority) which God has granted to us as a measure, which reaches and includes even you.

14 We are not overstepping the limits of our province, as if we did not [legitimately] reach to you, for we were the [very] first to come even as far as you with the good news of Christ.

15 We do not go beyond our proper limit, boasting in the work of other men, but we have the hope that as your faith [in Christ and His divine power] continues to grow, our field among you may be greatly expanded [but still within the limits of our commission],

16 so that we may preach the gospel even in the lands beyond you, but not to boast in work already accomplished in another one’s field of activity.

17 However, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

18 For it is not he who commends and praises himself who is approved [by God], but it is the one whom the Lord commends and praises.

2 Corinthians 10:1-18 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:10 Among the Greeks, a speaker’s presence and delivery were as important as his message, as the orator Demosthenes made clear when he said that the three most important elements of a speech are delivery, delivery, and delivery. However, Paul did not follow these rules because the message of salvation does not need to be presented with fanfare in order to reach the hearts of the audience.
  2. 2 Corinthians 10:13 I.e. ministry to the Gentiles.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Internal Reset

Think about what you are thinking about.

There is a place of unbroken, uninterrupted contentment, peace, and joy that exists outside of what is happening in the world. This place is available to you, in me.

Today, I am calling you to be a warrior who stands watch over the peace in your heart. Become a slayer to those things that try to come against my peace and joy in your life.

Activation: Allow my Holy Spirit to umpire every thought that comes to you throughout the day. Become an expert at working with my Holy Spirit to process these thoughts and determine the origin and destination for each. Weigh them together with me. We will keep and develop the good things and we will reject the thoughts that will draw you away from me.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV)

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)

#lionbites