Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Valleys

I made and continue to make valleys and hills, the dry and the wet places. I set the cliffs with their glorious views, and their sudden drops. I touch the tops of huge mountains, where oxygen levels are thinner. All are places of MY beauty, home to innumerable creatures, many too small to see with the naked eye. My hand is visible throughout the earth. And so it is in the spiritual realms, my children.

You have labelled ‘spiritual valleys’ as places to get out of as soon as possible, to scramble away from. You have preached that the mountain-high experiences are to be gained at any, and at all costs. As a result, there are those who struggle, having been put aside. Have you forgotten that my Son served thankless people, and he fasted through wilderness times, living through torture, and was killed? Yet my Son did what he saw me do, following my will sinlessly.

When you feel that you are in a valley, know that I am in the valleys: I am everywhere. Moreover, there is beauty in valleys to be understood, and appreciated. Small, yet significant, new choices can unlock hope. The insights from Holy Spirit, which begin when wrestling hard things with me, will lead to strategies that transform. Do not be afraid of valleys. I am there and I give you wonders to enjoy.

Blessed and greatly favoured is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength, [increasing in victorious power]; Each of them appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-7 (AMP)

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Tuesday Morning Scripture (Wk4/2022) – Philippians 1:12-20

The Gospel is Preached

12 Now I want you to know, [1]believers, that what has happened to me [this imprisonment that was meant to stop me] has actually served to advance [the spread of] the good news [regarding salvation].

13 My imprisonment in [the cause of] Christ has become common knowledge throughout the whole [2]praetorian (imperial) guard and to everyone else.

14 Because of my chains [seeing that I am doing well and that God is accomplishing great things], most of the [3]brothers have renewed confidence in the Lord, and have far more courage to speak the word of God [concerning salvation] without fear [of the consequences, seeing that God can work His good in all circumstances].

15 Some, it is true, are [actually] preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry [toward me—for no better reason than a competitive spirit or misguided ambition], but others out of goodwill and a loyal spirit [toward me].

16 The latter [preach Christ] out of love, because they know that I have been put here [by God on purpose] for the defense of the gospel;

17 but the former preach Christ [insincerely] out of selfish ambition [just self-promotion], thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment.

18 What then [does it matter]? So long as in every way, whether in pretense [for self-promotion] or in all honesty [to spread the truth], Christ is being preached; and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice [later as well],

19 for I know [with confidence] that this will turn out for my deliverance and spiritual well-being, through your prayers and the [superabundant] supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ [which upholds me].

20 It is my own eager expectation and hope, that [looking toward the future] I will not disgrace myself nor be ashamed in anything, but that with courage and the utmost freedom of speech, even now as always, Christ will be magnified and exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Philippians 1:12-20 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 1:12 Lit brethren.
  2. Philippians 1:13 This word is derived from the Latin praetor (leader, commander). Paul’s use of the word here indicates that he is referring to the troops who served as the emperor’s bodyguard, and evidently were also entrusted with the custody of prisoners who had come to Rome on appeal.
  3. Philippians 1:14 Lit brethren.

Monday Morning Prayer (Wk5/2022)

My Father and my God, I come before You giving all glory, honour and praise for what You have done, what You are doing and what You intend to do. I come before You with thanksgiving in my heart and with praise.

Today, I open myself, lay everything down and give You thanks!

My Father, I thank You for the many blessings You have placed in my life that not all are able to do the same: First and foremost the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ; Your Word, which is the Manual for Life; Your saving grace; clothes on my back; friends and family; roof over my head; and a body, which may not be 100% but I thank You for what it can do.

Whatever happens throughout this week, I am determined to give You thanks. This is how You wish me to live in Christ Jesus, for He paid a price that no one else would do.

For that I am grateful!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (paraphrased)

Throughout this week, place it within my spirit how I am to praise You and be grateful in a way that is pleasing to You. I know that as the praises go up, the blessings come down. However, let me not do it out of selfish ambition but because You are deserving of all praise.

I am grateful!

1 Chronicles 16:4 (paraphrased)

As I continually give thanks, help me as I let everyone know exactly what you have done; to share Your goodness and lovingkindness, because Your mercies endure forever.

I am grateful!

1 Chronicles 16:8/1 Chronicles 16:34 (paraphrased)

I AM GRATEFUL

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – I Am Good

I am teaching you to discern the difference between a storm, which you have authority to deal with and my power causing a shaking. I will use both to reveal my goodness in your life but I am in the business of upskilling you to know how to respond when these things happen.

Remember my nature, I am always looking to what will ultimately do you good as I establish my Kingdom. I will stretch and prune and shake, I am a good gardener. I will prune, plant and growth you. Lean into me in all these processes.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

John 15:1-2 (NIV)

See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.

Jeremiah 1:10 (NKJV)

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Monday Morning Scripture (Wk5/2022) – Philippians 1:1-11

Thanksgiving

1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed),

To all the saints (God’s people) in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

2 Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God in every remembrance of you,

4 always offering every prayer of mine with joy [and with specific requests] for all of you,

5 [thanking God] for your participation and partnership [both your comforting fellowship and gracious contributions] in [advancing] the good news [regarding salvation] from the first day [you heard it] until now.

6 I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you, because [you have me in your heart as] I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the good news [regarding salvation], all of you share in [His matchless] grace with me.

8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus [whose great love fills me].

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight,

10 so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin];

11 filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [so that His glory may be both revealed and recognized].

Philippians 1:1-11 (AMP)