Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Cast Your Nets

Just as I called My disciples, so I am calling you now. Just as I asked Simon Peter to let down his nets into deeper waters – I am asking you to trust Me, and to go deeper with Me.

Deeper waters is where you will find blessing, abundance and resource; the spiritual riches in that place of immersion in the Spirit are abundant and limitless. There is an ease to life in the Spirit; not toil and labour, which are the ways of the world. In the place of abiding, all needs are met.

The place of blessing can lead some to self-sabotage, as feelings of unworthiness emerge, but I have called you not to live from a place of fear. The spiritual riches that I have for you should lead you to a place of awe and reverence at who I am. So do not focus on your perceived self-lack. Instead, trust Me as you cast your nets deeper into Me, for I have called you to follow and what I have for you is always more.

Set aside your own agenda, and your past dreams of what you thought life ‘should’ look like, for the call that I have on you is higher and deeper still. And just as Simon Peter found, it is worth giving everything for.

Activation:

Sit with the Lord and ask Him to bring to mind an area of your life that is currently in shallow waters. It may be finances, work, ministry, family, friendships etc. Repent of any times that you have self-sabotaged through fear.

Answer Jesus’ call to follow Him, and to trust Him with that area of your life. Give Him your yes. Ask Him where to cast your nets. What should you do to involve Him deeper in this area, and how can you partner with Him to release the blessing that He has for you?

Go deeper still! Is there anything that He is asking you to give up, or to lay down in order for you to be able to fully answer the call to follow Him with your whole life?

The First Disciples

4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon [Peter], “Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch [of fish].”

5 Simon replied, “Master, we worked hard all night [to the point of exhaustion] and caught nothing [in our nets], but at Your word I will [do as you say and] lower the nets [again].”

6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets were [at the point of] breaking;

Luke 5:4-6 (AMP)

#lionbites

Tuesday Morning Scripture – Romans 6

Believers Are Dead to Sin, Alive to God

1 What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] [a]grace may increase and overflow?

2 Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer?

3 Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been [b]baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

4 We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways].

5 For if we have become one with Him [permanently united] in the likeness of His death, we will also certainly be [one with Him and share fully] in the likeness of His resurrection.

6 We know that our old [c]self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.

7 For the person who has died [with Christ] has been freed from [the power of] sin.

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live [together] with Him,

9 because we know [the self-evident truth] that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him.

10 For the death that He died, He died to sin [ending its power and paying the sinner’s debt] once and for all; and the life that He lives, He lives to [glorify] God [in unbroken fellowship with Him].

11 Even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin [and your relationship to it broken], but alive to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts and passions.

13 Do not go on offering members of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness. But offer yourselves to God [in a decisive act] as those alive [raised] from the dead [to a new life], and your members [all of your abilities—sanctified, set apart] as instruments of righteousness [yielded] to God.

14 For sin will no longer be a master over you, since you are not under Law [as slaves], but under [unmerited] grace [as recipients of God’s favor and mercy].

15 What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we are not under Law, but under [God’s] grace? Certainly not!

16 Do you not know that when you continually offer yourselves to someone to do his will, you are the slaves of the one whom you obey, either [slaves] of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness (right standing with God)?

17 But thank God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed.

18 And having been set free from sin, you have become the slaves of righteousness [of conformity to God’s will and purpose].

19 I am speaking in [familiar] human terms because of your natural limitations [your spiritual immaturity]. For just as you presented your bodily members as slaves to impurity and to [moral] lawlessness, leading to further lawlessness, so now offer your members [your abilities, your talents] as slaves to righteousness, leading to [d]sanctification [that is, being set apart for God’s purpose].

20 When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness [you had no desire to conform to God’s will].

21 So what benefit did you get at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? [None!] For the outcome of those things is death!

22 But now since you have been set free from sin and have become [willing] slaves to God, you have your benefit, resulting in sanctification [being made holy and set apart for God’s purpose], and the outcome [of this] is eternal life.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:1-23 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Romans 6:1 Grace justifies believers, making them free of the guilt of sin, blameless, so that they may have eternal life.

[b] Romans 6:3 “Baptize” is a transliteration of the Greek word baptizo, which means to submerge an object into liquid. In this passage Christ becomes the liquid, metaphorically, and those who are baptized into Him remain in Him forever and benefit from His experiences, including His death. The best news is that Jesus was resurrected, so believers will also experience resurrection (those who are alive when Christ returns will experience a physical transformation). But even now believers experience a kind of resurrection in that they live new lives (as Paul says, “walk in newness of life”) in a wonderful new relationship with God and their fellow believers.

[c] Romans 6:6 Gr anthropos, i.e. man, person.

[d] Romans 6:19 There are three basic kinds of sanctification in the NT: (1) Positional sanctification is based on the death of Christ. Every believer is a saint and is holy before God. The believer is “set apart for God” and in some instances “set apart for God’s purpose” (Heb 10:10, 14, 29); (2) Practical sanctification is a progressive process and means “growing in righteous living” as the believer matures spiritually (Rom 6:13; 1 Thess 5:23; 1 Pet 1:16); (3) Ultimate sanctification is that which is to come when the believer stands before God (Eph 5:26, 27).

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – The Obstacle is Gone

    In the Spirit, I saw people standing before a massive rock wall. It reached the heavens and looked impossible to climb. Confused, they asked each other, “Didn’t God lead us here? How do we move forward?”

    They made camp at the base, waiting for God to act. They became settled and comfortable. Then the facade shattered like glass. God removed the obstacle and made a way to move, yet many didn’t notice. They were so used to waiting, sharing stories of past miracles, and building a life around that waiting season. They couldn’t see the obstacle was already gone.

    Some of the leaders of the people, strong from their own efforts, were aware that something had shifted. They tried to climb with their upper-body strength alone, but they grew tired quickly. They had trained for the wrong challenge.

    But there was a different group. They were light-hearted, childlike, always moving, playing, and staying nimble. These were the ones who saw the narrow way open up. Without fear, they slipped through and moved forward because they were ready, curious, and unburdened.

    Application:

    Ask yourself, have I become comfortable in a past season? Am I waiting for God to act, when He already has? The obstacle you’ve been praying about might already be gone. This is a season to stay flexible, alert, and willing to move when He says move. Don’t rely on your own strength; walk through the way God has already opened.

    “The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, ‘You have stayed long enough on this mountain.

    Deuteronomy 1:6 (AMP)

    “Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing,
    Now it will spring forth;
    Will you not be aware of it?
    I will even put a road in the wilderness,
    Rivers in the desert.

    Isaiah 43:19 (AMP)

    #lionbites

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Discernment and Compassion

    I am teaching you, says the Lord. I am opening your eyes to see the enemy’s tactics to entice people in your family, neighbourhood or church. I am giving you discernment so that you can stand as watchmen, conquer new territory and set the captives free.

    However, you need to be careful in the process. I see your heart and I know your love for Me. Even so, pay attention not to mistake your flesh with your spirit. For though your spirit senses that something is “off”, you cannot react instinctively.

    I say to you: stop, lean on Me from within, find your balance and ask Me what is the right approach, strategy or spiritual warfare. For you are called to be a reflection of Jesus, I have put you where you are to bring My love and compassion. Don’t make it personal, don’t try to convince with head knowledge only to end up in the adversary’s snare.

    Learn instead to release My Kingdom wherever you go and whoever you speak to. Let My fragrance be your wake, allow My love song to win hearts through you. Remember, it’s not by might, but by My Spirit.

    Activation:

    Ask the Lord to remind you of those people with whom you haven’t properly followed His Spirit, even though you were right. Repent for having knowingly or unknowingly partnered with your flesh or with the enemy. Then pray for a Spirit-led solution and for further tips on how to lavish His love better.

    The Armor of God

    For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.

    Ephesians 6:12 (AMP)

    When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion and pity for them, because they were dispirited and distressed, like sheep without a shepherd.

    Matthew 9:36 (AMP)

    Then he said to me, “This [continuous supply of oil] is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel [prince of Judah], saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of whom the oil is a symbol],’ says the LORD of hosts.

    Zechariah 4:6 (AMP)

    #lionbites

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Come Away with Me

    Imagine you are travelling on a train with the Lord. As you are travelling along you see lots of different signs. Some of these signs are distractions and the difficulty is this: the train stops in response to your attention, giving you time to make a difficult choice. Will you stay on the train with the Lord or will you respond to the call of other things?

    Sometimes, even when you stay on the train, you can become distracted and lose your focus. What you focus on is what you become like. The Lord calls you to ‘come away’ from earthly distractions and spend quality time with Him. He has set a banqueting table out just for you to sit at, with Him, and be satisfied.  You have your invitation. Will you come? He is calling you. . . ‘My Beloved, are you coming?’

    Activation:

    As you awake greet God and ask Him to lead you, to sit beside the still waters with you.

    Do this before you get out of bed if possible. Ask Him what He wants you to know for this day. As you hear from Him, record what He says and then feed on His manna throughout the day. You can repeat this as many times as you find useful. Sometimes it is useful to write down what He says to look back at.

    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
    You have anointed and refreshed my head with [a]oil;
    My cup overflows.

    Psalm 23:5 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Psalm 23:5 In ancient times it was customary in hot climates for a host to provide his guest with olive oil to put on his head. The Lord blesses and anoints His believers with the Holy Spirit, whom oil symbolizes, to prepare them for His service.

    ‘The fig tree has budded and ripens her figs,
    And the vines are in blossom and give forth their fragrance.
    Arise, my love, my fair one,
    And come away [to climb the rocky steps of the hillside].’”

    Song of Solomon 2:13 (AMP)

    Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].

    James 4:8 (AMP)

    ##lionbites

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Stir Up Wonder

    I am the One who through love painted Heaven and Earth and with that same steadfast love made you in My image. Look around: can you see the creativity in all that I undertake?

    Therefore I say unto you: this is not a time to stay on your usual tracks; this is not a season to wallow in the same old grind. Let no comfort beguile you into remaining stuck in a religious mindset. Allow Me to inspire you by My Spirit and be filled with joy and inventiveness. Don’t linger over what is now stale. Move with Me and I will show you how even a daily routine can become a wild adventure.

    Have I not created the rainbow? Take its colours and decorate your job, your ministry, your community, your family, the nations! These are the days to be tasty salt for whoever is around you and to show My light to the world.

    Only as you follow My Spirit and mirror My ingenious bent, will you see those signs and wonders you’ve been waiting for and which will lead many to believe.

    Activation:

    Take some time in God’s presence and ask Holy Spirit to show you how you can be creative and enlighten each area of your life. Sometimes it may simply be a more imaginative way of interacting with people, other times as you go about your day He may be suggesting to redecorate your home or giving you an incredible idea for an invention that might bless a people’s group. Don’t put limits to the Holy Spirit, take this week to listen more carefully to what He has to say. Be expectant!

    Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever.

    Hebrews 13:8 (AMP)

    God’s Omnipresence and Omniscience

    13  For You formed my innermost parts;
    You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb.

    14 I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    Wonderful are Your works,
    And my soul knows it very well.

    Psalm 139:13-14 (AMP)

    Disciples and the World

    13 “You are the [a]salt of the earth; but if the salt has [b]lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery].

    14 “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

    15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

    16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.

    Matthew 5:13-16 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Matthew 5:13 In ancient times salt was often used as a preservative. Similarly, followers of Christ are to preserve both the gospel message and Christian values in the secular world.

    [b] Matthew 5:13 The salt from the Dead Sea contains impurities that affect its qualities as a seasoning and as a preservative.

    #lionbites

    Tuesday Morning Scripture  – Malachi 3:1-7

    The Purifier

    1 “Behold, I am going to send My [a]messenger, and he will prepare and clear the way before Me. And the LORD [the Messiah], whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the [b]Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts. 

    2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap [which removes impurities and uncleanness]. 

    3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi [the priests], and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD [grain] offerings in righteousness. 

    4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in ancient years.

    5 “Then I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, and against those who oppress the laborer in his wages and widows and the fatherless, and against those who turn away the alien [from his right], and those who do not fear Me [with awe-filled reverence],” says the LORD of hosts. 

    6 “For I am the LORD, I do not change [but remain faithful to My covenant with you]; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, have not come to an end.

    7 “Yet from the days of your fathers you have turned away from My statutes and ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

    Malachi 3:1-7 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Malachi 3:1 This is fulfilled in John the Baptist (Matt 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 1:76).

    [b] Malachi 3:1 The Messiah as God’s representative will confirm and establish the covenant (see Is 42:6).

    Tuesday Morning Scripture – Psalm 26

    Protestation of Integrity and Prayer for Protection.

    A Psalm of David

    1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity;
    I have [relied on and] trusted [confidently] in the LORD without wavering and I shall not slip.

    2 Examine me, O LORD, and try me;
    Test my heart and my mind.

    3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
    And I have walked [faithfully] in Your truth.

    4 I do not sit with deceitful or unethical or worthless men,
    Nor seek companionship with pretenders (self-righteous hypocrites).
    5 I hate the company of evildoers,
    And will not sit with the wicked.

    6 I will wash my hands in innocence,
    And I will go about Your altar, O LORD,

    7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving
    And declare all Your wonders.

    8 O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house
    And the place where Your glory dwells.

    9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
    Nor [sweep away] my life with men of bloodshed,

    10 In whose hands is a wicked scheme,
    And whose right hand is full of bribes.

    11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
    Redeem me and be merciful and gracious to me.

    12 My foot stands on a level place;
    In the congregations I will bless the LORD.

    Psalm 26:1-12 (AMP)

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Clearing the Corners

    I have been clearing out My house – I have been asking My people to rid themselves of the weight of the things I have not called them to carry. You have noticed the big shifts, you have done the heavy lifting and I have burned away your own agendas with a call to extravagant obedience.

    But I am not calling you to rest there – I am now requiring you to clean out the corners. Now the bigger things have been cleared, I ask you to notice the corners that are filled with things from previous seasons; unresolved trauma, rejection, ‘little sins’ and coping mechanisms that once served you well but are now out of alignment with Me. Now is the time to be cleansed of such things.

    We are shifting into a new season where weighty anointings are being released – but only to those whose hearts and lives are clean & pure in My sight. No longer will I tolerate personal agendas, false accusation or disunity in the body – My grace will be lifted from those who harbour such things. My bride must purify herself in every corner, in order to clear the way for an outpouring of My Spirit that will move through her in power; announcing My victory and advancing My Kingdom.

    Activation:

    Ask Holy Spirit to show you the inside of your heart; specifically ask Him to take you to the corners. Allow Him to reveal to you the things that are stuck there. Spend time with Him, asking Him to heal you from past hurts, repent where you feel convicted, and release the coping mechanisms that are no longer serving you well. Encounter His grace and compassion for you in these moments. Sit with Him as the launderer’s soap from Malachi 3:2, washing you clean.

    The Purifier

    1 “Behold, I am going to send My [a]messenger, and he will prepare and clear the way before Me. And the LORD [the Messiah], whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the [b]Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.

    2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap [which removes impurities and uncleanness].

    3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi [the priests], and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD [grain] offerings in righteousness.

    Malachi 3:1-3 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Malachi 3:1 This is fulfilled in John the Baptist (Matt 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 1:76).
    [b] Malachi 3:1 The Messiah as God’s representative will confirm and establish the covenant (see Is 42:6).

    2 Examine me, O LORD, and try me;
    Test my heart and my mind.

    3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
    And I have walked [faithfully] in Your truth.

    Psalm 26:2-3 (AMP)

    #lionbites