Thursday Morning Scripture – Job 22

Eliphaz Accuses and Exhorts Job

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

2 “Can a vigorous man be of use to God,
Or a wise man be useful to himself?

3 “Is it any pleasure or joy to [a]the Almighty that you are righteous?
Or is it of benefit to Him that you make your ways perfect?

4 “Is it because of your fear of Him that He corrects you,
That He enters into judgment against you?

5 “Is not your wickedness great,
And your sins without end?

6 “For you have taken pledges of your brothers without cause,
And stripped men naked.

7 “You have not given water to the weary to drink,
And you have withheld bread from the hungry.

8 “But the land is possessed by the man with power,
And the favored and honorable man dwells in it.

9 “You have sent widows away empty-handed,
And the arms (strength) of the fatherless have been broken.

10 “Therefore snares surround you,
And sudden dread terrifies and overwhelms you;

11 Or darkness, so that you cannot see,
And a flood of water covers you.

12 “Is not God in the height of heaven?
And behold the distant stars, how high they are!

13 “You say, ‘What does God know [about me]?
Can He judge through the thick darkness?

14 ‘Thick clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see,
And He walks on the vault (circle) of the heavens.’

15 “Will you keep to the ancient path
That wicked men walked [in the time of Noah],

16 Men who were snatched away before their time,
Whose foundations were poured out like a river?

17 “They said to God, ‘Depart from us!
What can the Almighty do for us or to us?’

18 “Yet He filled their houses with good things;
But the counsel of the wicked and ungodly is far from me.

19 “The righteous see it and are glad;
And the innocent mock and laugh at them, saying,

20 ‘Surely our adversaries are cut off and destroyed,
And fire has consumed their abundance.’

21 “Now yield and submit yourself to Him [agree with God and be conformed to His will] and be at peace;
In this way [you will prosper and great] good will come to you.

22 “Please receive the law and instruction from His mouth
And establish His words in your heart and keep them.

23 “If you return to the Almighty [and submit and humble yourself before Him], you will be built up [and restored];
If you remove unrighteousness far from your tents,

24 And place your gold in the dust,
And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks [considering it of little value],

25 And make the Almighty your gold
And your precious silver,

26 Then you will have delight in the Almighty,
And you will lift up your face to God.

27 “You will pray to Him, and He will hear you,
And you will pay your vows.

28 “You will also decide and decree a thing, and it will be established for you;
And the light [of God’s favor] will shine upon your ways.

29 “When you are cast down and humbled, you will speak with confidence,
And the humble person He will lift up and save.

30 “He will even rescue the one [for whom you intercede] who is not innocent;
And he will be rescued through the cleanness of your hands.”

Job 22:1-30 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Job 22:3 Heb Shaddai, also vv 17, 23, 25, 26.

Thursday Morning Scripture – Isaiah 50

God Helps His Servant

1 [a]The LORD declares this;

“Where is the certificate of divorce
By which I have sent your mother away, [O Israel]?
Or to which one of My creditors did I sell you [as slaves]?
In fact, You were sold for your wickedness [your sin, your injustice, your wrongdoing],
And for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

2 “Why, when I came, was there no man [to greet Me]?
When I called, why was there no one to answer?
Is My hand really so short that it cannot redeem [My servants]?
Or have I no power to rescue?
Listen carefully, with My rebuke I dry up the sea,
I make the rivers into a desert;
Their fish stink because there is no water
And die of thirst.

3 “I clothe the heavens with the blackness [of storm clouds]
And make sackcloth [of mourning] their clothing.”

4 The Lord GOD has given Me [His [b]Servant] the tongue of disciples [as One who is taught],
That I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.
He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple [as One who is taught].

5 The Lord GOD has opened My ear,
And I have not been rebellious
Nor have I turned back.

6 I turned My back to those who strike Me,
And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard;
I did not hide My face from insults and spitting.

7 For the Lord GOD helps Me,
Therefore, I have not been ashamed or humiliated.
Therefore, I have made My face like flint,
And I know that I shall not be put to shame.

8 He who declares Me in the right is near;
Who will [dare to] contend with Me?
Let us stand up to each other;
Who is My adversary?
Let him approach Me.

9 In fact, the Lord GOD helps Me;
Who is he who condemns Me [as guilty]?
Indeed, they will all wear out like a garment;
The moth will eat them.

10 Who is among you who fears the LORD,
Who obeys the voice of His Servant,
Yet who walks in darkness and has no light?
Let him trust and be confident in the name of the LORD and let him rely on his God.

11 Listen carefully, all you who kindle your own fire [devising your own man-made plan of salvation],
Who surround yourselves with torches,
Walk by the light of your [self-made] fire
And among the torches that you have set ablaze.
But this you will have from My hand:
You will lie down in [a place of] torment.

Isaiah 50:1-11 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Isaiah 50:1 An ancient rabbi suggested this as an answer that God gave to Isaiah in response to Jews who came to him, but refused to repent. They compared themselves to a wife divorced by her husband and to a slave sold by his master (referring to God as husband and master), claiming that they had no further obligations to God.

[b] Isaiah 50:4 i.e. the Messiah.

Thursday Morning Scripture – Isaiah 40

The Greatness of God

1 “Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God.

2 “Speak [a]tenderly to Jerusalem,
And call out to her, that her time of compulsory service in warfare is finished,
That her wickedness has been taken away [since her punishment is sufficient],
That she has received from the LORD’s hand
Double [punishment] for all her sins.”

3 A voice of one is calling out,
“Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness [remove the obstacles];
Make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

4 “Every valley shall be raised,
And every mountain and hill be made low;
And let the rough ground become a plain,
And the rugged places a broad valley.

5 “And the glory and majesty and splendor of the LORD will be revealed,
And all humanity shall see it together;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.”

6 A voice says, “Call out [prophesy].”
Then he answered, “What shall I call out?”
[The voice answered:] All humanity is [as frail as] grass, and all that makes it attractive [its charm, its loveliness] is [momentary] like the flower of the field.

7 The grass withers, the flower fades,
When the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
Most certainly [all] the people are [like] grass.

8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.

9 O Zion, herald of good news,
Get up on a high mountain.
O Jerusalem, herald of good news,
Lift up your voice with strength,
Lift it up, do not fear;
Say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”

10 Listen carefully, the Lord GOD will come with might,
And His arm will rule for Him.
Most certainly His reward is with Him,
And His restitution accompanies Him.

11 He will protect His flock like a shepherd,
He will gather the lambs in His arm,
He will carry them in His bosom;
He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young.

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,
And marked off the heavens with a span [of the hand],
And calculated the dust of the earth with a [b]measure,
And weighed the mountains in a balance
And the hills in a pair of scales?

13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD,
Or has taught Him as His counselor?

14 With whom did He consult and who enlightened Him?
Who taught Him the path of justice and taught Him knowledge
And informed Him of the way of understanding?

15 In fact, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
And are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales;
Now look, He lifts up the islands like fine dust.

16 
And [the forests of] Lebanon cannot supply sufficient fuel to start a fire,
Nor are its wild beasts enough for a burnt offering [worthy of the LORD].

17 All the nations are as nothing before Him,
They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.

18 To whom then will you liken God?
Or with what likeness will you compare Him?

19 As for the cast image (idol), a metalworker casts it,
A goldsmith overlays it with gold
And a silversmith casts its silver chains.

20 He who is too impoverished for such an offering [to give to his god]
Chooses a tree that will not rot;
He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman
To [carve and] set up an idol that will not totter.

21 Do you [who worship idols] not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been told to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth [the omnipotence of God and the stupidity of bowing to idols]?

22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
[It is He] who stretches out the heavens like a veil
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

23 It is He who reduces dignitaries to nothing,
Who makes the judges (rulers) of the earth meaningless (useless).

24 Scarcely have they been planted,
Scarcely have they been sown,
Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth,
But He merely blows on them, and they wither,
And a strong wind carries them away like stubble.

25 “To whom then will you compare Me
That I would be his equal?” says the Holy One.

26 Lift up your eyes on high
And see who has created these heavenly bodies,
The One who brings out their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,
Not one is missing.

27 Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become tired or grow weary;
There is no searching of His understanding.

29 He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who has no might He increases power.

30 Even youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,

31 But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]
Will gain new strength and renew their power;
They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];
They will run and not become weary,
They will walk and not grow tired.

Isaiah 40:1-31 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Isaiah 40:2 Lit to the heart of.

[b] Isaiah 40:12 Lit third.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Who Do You Say I Am

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:15-16 (AMP)

I am the Lord who is high above, whose rule is above the earth and the heavens. All things are within My knowing, for I am the God who sees. Even the very hairs on your head are numbered, for I am the God of the expanses and of the minute detail. I am the one who knows every sparrow, and I am the one who fashioned the stars and the heavens. I am the one who holds all things together, for I am before all and in all. 

Today I ask you, “Who do you say I am?”

Activation:

God himself knows every detail of your life and He sees both the strength and fragility of your faith as it weathers the storms of life. He sees when you hold fast to facets of His nature revealed to you in the past, and longs to further unveil the hidden depths of who He is.

Yet today, He not only asks, “Who do you say I am?” like He did to Peter, but His voice thunders over you with the reminder, “I am the Lord.”

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you behold a fresh revelation of His character. For some, this may be an encouragement to take time to reflect on the names of God and how they deepen this understanding.

Allow the Lord to expand your experience of His lordship and sovereignty over all things – large or small. He sees, He knows and He is our ever present help. Nothing is too difficult for our Lord.

17 [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]. 

18 And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the [a]hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the [b]saints (God’s people), 

19 and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and  surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength 

20 which He [c]produced in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, 

21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human], and [far above] every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and world but also in the one to come. 

22 And He [d]put all things [in every realm] in subjection under Christ’s feet, and [e]appointed Him as [supreme and authoritative] head over all things in the church, 

23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills and completes all things in all [believers].

Ephesians 1:17-23 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Ephesians 1:18 In the NT the word “hope” expresses a cherished desire along with the confident assurance of obtaining that which is longed for.

[b] Ephesians 1:18 See note v 1.

[c] Ephesians 1:20 The first of three manifestations of God’s power exhibited in Christ.

[d] Ephesians 1:22 The second manifestation of God’s power exhibited in Christ.

[e] Ephesians 1:22 This is the third manifestation of God’s power exhibited in Christ.

    9 For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 

    10 so that at the name of Jesus [a]every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

    11 and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.

    Philippians 2:9-11 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Philippians 2:10 All intelligent beings in the universe, whether saved or unsaved, whether in spirit or as mortal mankind, will acknowledge Him.

      #lionbites

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Safety In Me

      The Spirit of the Lord says:  “The enemy has made you tired and weary, deceiving you to believe that your only form of rest was to escape and run from the chaos. The deception includes even thinking you are called like Abraham – to be plucked out of where I have placed you and you have left to seek salvation elsewhere.”

      The Lord reminds you today: “I am with you. Your safety is found in Me, and Me alone. I am not calling you away. I do not ask you to flee from the crowd, believing that it is isolation which will bring you safety. Today I ask you to abide in Me. Abide in Me and you will watch as you rise above the chaos, bearing fruit that brings glory to My name.

      I will give your soul rest; stand firm on the ground I have given you. Pray for the territory where you are placed, for as it flourishes, you will also flourish. Remain stalwart in your pursuit of Me, standing guard for the territory I have entrusted to you.” 

      Activation: Spend a bit of time praying and seeking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you if there are any areas where you have given up territory. Repent and confess where you have believed the lies of the deceiver that you must vacate your post in order to have safety. Look to Jesus and abide in Him; pray for the welfare of the place/city where you have been placed.

      Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.

      John 15:4 (AMP)

      Seek peace and well-being for the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its peace (well-being) you will have peace.’

      Jeremiah 29:7 (AMP)

      “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].

      Matthew 11:28 (AMP)

      #lionbites

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Peace in the Storm

      After a long day of preaching and healing, Jesus and His disciples set out in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. Suddenly, a violent storm erupted, and the waves crashed over the boat, quickly filling it with water. The disciples were terrified for their lives, while Jesus slept peacefully in the stern on a cushion, untouched by fear or worry. He was the embodiment of peace amid the chaos. When the disciples woke Him, He rebuked the storm, and instantly, the winds died down and the sea became calm.

      In a world filled with turmoil and relentless bad news, the Lord speaks over you: “Peace be with you.” Hear Him as He repeats: “My child. My perfect peace be with you.” 

      In this time when the enemy roars like a lion, seeking to drown you in chaos, Jesus calls you to fix your eyes on Him. Don’t let your gaze wander! He has promised to watch over you, providing for your needs and protecting you. He is a faithful God. So, instead of being troubled by the turmoil around you, find rest in His perfect peace.

      Activation:

      Read Mark 4:35-41 below. Picture yourself lying next to Jesus in the boat, surrounded by His peace. Take a moment to rest in that tranquillity. From this place of rest observe what is happening in and around your life while staying in His presence. Allow Jesus to show you a different way to look at and deal with daily challenges in your life by resting in His peace. Take it a step further: acknowledge the state of the world, but remain anchored in the perfect peace of Jesus. Allow His peace to fill every part of your life. May His perfect peace be with you today and always!

      Jesus Stills the Sea

      35 On that [same] day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee].” 

      36 So leaving the crowd, they took Him with them, just as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him. 

      37 And a [a]fierce windstorm began to blow, and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already being swamped. 

      38 But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor’s leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?” 

      39 And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still (muzzled)!” And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness]. 

      40 Jesus said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith and confidence [in Me]?” 

      41 They were filled with great fear, and said to each other, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

      Mark 4:35-41 (AMP)

      Footnotes

      [a] Mark 4:37 The Sea of Galilee is famous for its sudden and severe storms, produced by winds that funnel through the passes and canyons of the surrounding hills and create severe turbulence on the water. As experienced fishermen, the disciples knew that this was an almost constant risk in their profession.

      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.]

      John 14:27 (AMP)

      “You will keep in [a]perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both [b]inclination and character],
      Because he trusts and takes refuge in You       [with hope and confident expectation]

      Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)

      Footnotes

      [a] Isaiah 26:3 Lit peace, peace, a Hebrew idiom of emphasis.

      [b] Isaiah 26:3 The Hebrew word for inclination became a technical term in Jewish tradition, and the rabbis frequently referred to the “evil inclination” much in the same sense as the sin nature. They also recognized a “good inclination,” which the righteous choose to follow, and urged people to make their good inclination king over the evil inclination.

      “Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the LORD
      And whose hope and confident expectation is the LORD.

      Jeremiah 17:7 (AMP)

      #lionbites

      Monday Morning Scripture – Isaiah 26

      Song of Trust in God’s Protection

      1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

      “We have a strong city;
      He sets up salvation as walls and ramparts.

      2 “Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter, the one that [a]remains faithful andtrustworthy.

      3 “You will keep in [b]perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both [c]inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

      4 “Trust [confidently] in the Lord forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

      5 “For He has thrown down the [arrogant] ones who dwell on high, the lofty and inaccessible city; He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He hurls it to the dust.

      6 “The foot will trample it, even the feet of the suffering, and the steps of the helpless.”

      7 The way of the righteous [those in right-standing with God—living in moral and spiritual integrity] is smooth and level;
      O Upright One, make a level path for the just and righteous.

      8 Indeed, in the path of Your judgments, O Lord, we have waited expectantly for You; Your name, even Your memory, is the desire and deep longing of our souls.

      9 In the night my soul longs for You [O Lord], indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; for [only] when Your judgments are experienced on the earth
      will the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

      10 Though the wicked is shown compassion and favor, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he deals unjustly, and refuses to see the majesty of the Lord.

      11 Though Your hand is lifted up [to strike], O Lord, the wicked do not see it. Let them see Your zeal for Your people and be put to shame; indeed, let the fire reserved for Your enemies consume them.

      12 Lord, You will establish peace for us, since You have also performed for us all that we have done.

      13 O Lord our God, other masters besides You have ruled over us; but through You alone we confess Your name.

      14 The [wicked] dead will not live [again], the spirits of the dead will not rise and return; therefore You have punished and destroyed them, and You have wiped out every memory of them [every trace of them].

      15 You have increased the nation, O Lord;
      You have increased the nation, You are glorified;       You have extended all the borders of the land.

      16 O Lord, they sought You in distress; they managed only a prayerful whisper
      When Your discipline was upon them.

      17 As a woman with child approaches the time to give birth, she is in pain and struggles and cries out in her labor, so we were before You, O Lord.

      18 We have been with child, we have twisted and struggled in labor; we gave birth, as it seems, only to wind. We could not accomplish salvation for the earth, nor were inhabitants of the world [d]born.

      19 Your dead will live; [e]Their dead bodies will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy! For your dew is a dew of [celestial] light [heavenly, supernatural], and the earth will give birth to the spirits of the dead.

      20 Come, my people, enter your chambers
      And shut your doors behind you; hide for a little while until the       [Lord’s] [f]wrath is past.

      21 Listen carefully, the Lord is about to come out of His [heavenly] place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their wickedness [their sin, their injustice, their wrongdoing]; the earth will reveal the [innocent] blood shed upon her and will no longer cover her slain.

      Isaiah 28:1-21 (AMP)

      Footnotes

      [a] Isaiah 26:2 Lit keeps trustworthiness.

      [b] Isaiah 26:3 Lit peace, peace, a Hebrew idiom of emphasis.

      [c] Isaiah 26:3 The Hebrew word for inclination became a technical term in Jewish tradition, and the rabbis frequently referred to the “evil inclination” much in the same sense as the sin nature. They also recognized a “good inclination,” which the righteous choose to follow, and urged people to make their good inclination king over the evil inclination.

      [d] Isaiah 26:18 Lit fallen.

      [e] Isaiah 26:19 So with some ancient versions; MT reads My dead body.

      [f] Isaiah 26:20 Lit curse.

      He Has Made EVERYTHING Beautiful In Its Time….. Ecclesiastes 3:11

      This was written in December 2019 (keep that in mind as you read), but reading it this morning, I felt inspired and I hope you will be too. Allow the words to be understood, received and push you to YOUR new season. You don’t have to wait until the New Year to make a change; any day, month or hour can be used to turn things around! Be blessed. Be encouraged.

      From my previous posts, you may have gathered that I have a belief. I believe in The Most High God, I’m a Christian and have been baptised. When setting up this blog, I thought that I wouldn’t let my Christianity be my main focus or that, maybe, I wouldn’t even mention it. HOWEVER, it’s very hard not to have it creeping in. As the song from The Greatest Showman goes…’This is me!’

      The title of this post is from the Old Testament of the Holy Bible.  The Book of Ecclesiastes happens to be another of my favourites. As well as having the knowledge that scripture is God breathed and/or inspired, it amazes me that it’s possible to one day come across a verse or chapter that speaks directly to your life, body and soul, then on another occasion you may be reading it, with a little more information from previous verses or chapters, and it will take on a completely new meaning. It is the same with life. Things happen, but when thought about in the future, it can sometimes take on a new meaning. We can usually gain a new understanding. Occasionally, we are even able to laugh, after initially crying, pulling out our hair and being distraught.

      The year’s last loveliest smile – John Howard Bryant

      My aim was to get this post out whilst we were still within November but, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. Three days late isn’t too bad! Above is a beautiful autumnal scene. Autumn is the transitionary period from summer to winter, which is September to November. The view of that same area can differ greatly, depending on what time of year it’s being looked at. It will, on most occasions, be the same trees in that area, unless something drastic has happened to alter it, i.e death, disease, drought, fire or the birth or planting of a new tree, amongst other things. However, sometimes, all that glitters is not gold. At a first glance a tree may seem beautiful, but at a closer look there may be evidence of rot or wear and tear. There can even be things that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Our persona can also be affected by these same things, mentally, physically and spiritually. Our needs can or will change because of internal and external factors. The same can be said for family and friends, even strangers that we come across. We do not have a clue of exactly what each person is dealing with and also what coping mechanisms, if any, they may have. But by being given a little (or a lot of) love and attention, they can be transformed.

      He can make everything beautiful in its time…

      In the Book of Ecclesiastes, the third chapter tells us there is A Time for Everything. The very first verse says ‘There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven’. Everyday we can take a walk and see how wonderful this earth is, that we have been blessed with. This is no matter what the weather is like or the season we’re in. Beauty can be found in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Likewise in people.

      In every change, in every falling leaf there is some pain, some beauty. And that’s the way new leaves grow – Amit Ray

      Deciduous means tending to fall off. In Autumn, the deciduous trees or shrubs no longer need their leaves for survival in the forthcoming season, so it loses them. The leaves fall to the soil, which then enables its decomposition to provide soil bacteria and fungi. This soil bacteria then gives important nutrients to the roots. There is no longer a requirement for so much photosynthesis to take place in order for it to survive and this process provides food for other life forms, such as other organisms present in the soil below. This is a prime example of the cycle of life.  The tree or shrub will then create a leaf scar, so that the water that has been collated before does not freeze over.  Isn’t that amazing! I know I learnt about this stuff when I was at school but had to refresh my memory.  The shrubs I have at the front of my home need not fear, they are here to stay! What a wonderful God we serve!  Not everyone reading this will realise this, but my prayer is that you soon will!  Before I get sidetracked, I will proceed.  Yesterday I looked out of the window and the ground was covered with leaves. Prior to this, I was wondering why they were still hanging on, which is when I started reading about the cycle.

      Everything has its season.

      When the spring arrives, the weather begins to warm up and the sun provides the warmth they will all need to give birth to new leaves and photosynthesis will reoccur.

      Give that a thought for a minute…in the midst of the beauty of God’s creation

      Give that a thought for a moment…take yourself away and think about it. What is it that you require for your ‘next season’? What is it that needs to ‘fall off’ your life. What is it that would be good for you not to take through to the new year approaching? What do you need to attract and overcome? What are you waiting to give birth to?

      The point is that your thoughts on a particular thing can change from day-to-day, week-to-week,  month-to-month and so on, but that doesn’t matter because as you go through different things; receive different information and meet different people…it can change your view; the way you feel and think about something can alter. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your thoughts were wrong at a particular time but just that you’ve learnt more. You’ve grown. You now see things from a different perspective.

      Leave yourself open to new experiences and challenges. Be willing to eat new foods, go to new places, try a course and/or meet new people. Be willing to do things that you never would have done before. Do things that YOU have always wanted to do but never had the guts to. Make changes in your personal life or work. You never know what situation is waiting for a Project Manager (YOU) to take it in hand! Let the spring of 2020 mark a year of adjustment, improvement, renewal, transformation and the manifestation of anything else that is positive. Be like a caterpillar, inside its cocoon, waiting to reveal all its glory when it emerges. For He has made EVERYTHING beautiful in it’s time. Whatever you choose to do ensure you are just the way you want to be; exactly as you were meant to be. Prepare yourself by meditation, prayer and supplication. Let 2020 find you being unapologetically you…

      Book of Ecclesiastes

      Ecclesiastes 3 v 1-8

      There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace…

      NIV: New International Version

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – The Staff and Mantle

      My Beloved, 

      It is time to go deeper. 

      For My grace to run into the deeper places of your soul.

      For in My presence I want to reveal to you My purposes, the impact of My love, and the influence of My leadership.

      As a Shepherd, carrying a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart. I have equipped and prepared you for this season and time.

      This is the time for you to walk in authority.

      To pick up the staff and mantle that I have given you, and lead My people.

      Without vision, My people perish.

      Therefore, I have given you vision and clarity.

      To foresee what’s ahead, and guide My people where I call them. 

      So My Beloved, get up and lead. 

      It is time! Arise and lead my people into the promises that I show you. Continue to RECEIVE deeply from me, for I WILL SHOW Myself faithful to you, and to those that you lead. 

      Prayer: 

      Lord, today I come into alignment with you. I say yes to Your leadership and Your call on my life. Thank You for showing me the people and tasks ahead, as well as the places in my heart You want to fill with a stronger shape of Your Glory. 

      I welcome Your guidance, Your leadership, and Your nearness.

      Thank you for showing me Your ways.

      I gladly choose to follow and receive You with all of my heart, and LEAD where You call. 

      Thank You for Your faithfulness. 

      Amen.

      Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and will teach you what you shall say.”

      Exodus 4:12 (AMP)

      I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
      I will counsel you       [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you.

      Psalm 32:8 AMP)

      Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’

      Jeremiah 33:3 AMP)

      #lionbites