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

Friday Morning Scripture – Exodus 4

Moses Given Powers

1 Then Moses answered [the LORD] and said, “What if they will not believe me or take seriously what I say? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” 

2 And the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.” 

3 Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a [living] serpent [like the royal symbol on the crown of Pharaoh]; and Moses ran from it. 

4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and grasp it by the tail.” So he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 

5 [“You shall do this,” said the LORD,] “so that the elders may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has [most certainly] appeared to you.”

6 The LORD also said to him, “Put your hand into your robe [where it covers your chest].” So he put his hand into his robe, and when he took it out, his hand was [a]leprous, as white as snow. 

7 Then God said, “Put your hand into your robe again.” So he put his hand back into his robe, and when he took it out, it was restored [and was] like the rest of his body. 

8 “If they will not believe you or pay attention to the evidence of the first sign, they may believe the evidence of the second sign. 

9 But if they will not believe these two signs or pay attention to what you say, you are to take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground; and the water which you take out of the river will turn into blood on the dry ground.”

10 Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am [b]slow of speech and tongue.” 11 The LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, or the seeing or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 

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

13 But he said, “Please my LORD, send the message [of rescue to Israel] by [someone else,] whomever else You will [choose].”

Aaron to Speak for Moses

14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled and burned against Moses; He said, “Is there not your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed. 

15 You must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; I, even I, will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do. 

16 Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; he will act as a mouthpiece for you, and you will be as God to him [telling him what I say to you]. 

17 You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs [the miracles which prove I sent you].”

18 Then Moses went away and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please, let me go back so that I may return to my [c]relatives in Egypt, and see if they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” 

19 Then the LORD said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life [for killing the Egyptian] are dead.” 

20 So Moses took his wife [Zipporah] and his sons [Gershom and Eliezer] and seated them on donkeys, and returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.

21 The LORD said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders (miracles) which I have put in your hand, but I will harden his heart and make him stubborn so that he will not let the people go. 

22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Israel is My son, My firstborn. 

23 So I say to you, ‘Let My son go so that he may serve Me’; and if you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’”

24 Now it happened at the lodging place, that the LORD met Moses and sought to kill him [making him deathly ill because he had not circumcised one of his sons]. 

25 [d]Then Zipporah took a flint knife and cut off the foreskin of her son and threw it at Moses’ feet, and said, “Indeed you are a husband of blood to me!” 

26 So He let Moses alone [to recover]. At that time Zipporah said, “You are a husband of blood”—because of the circumcision.

27 The LORD said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God (Sinai) and kissed him. 

28 Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD with which He had sent him, and all the signs that He had commanded him to do. 

29 Then Moses and Aaron went [into Egypt] and assembled all the elders of the Israelites; 

30 and Aaron said all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses. Then Moses performed the signs [given to him by God] before the people. 

31 So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord was concerned about the Israelites and that He had looked [with compassion] on their suffering, then they bowed their heads and worshiped [the LORD].

Exodus 4:1-31

Footnotes

[a] Exodus 4:6 The Hebrew term for “leprous” referred to any of several severe rashes or skin diseases, including Hansen’s disease (true leprosy).

[b] Exodus 4:10 Lit heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue.

[c] Exodus 4:18 Lit brethren.

[d] Exodus 4:25 Moses had not circumcised his son in obedience to the commandment that God had given to Abraham and his descendants (Gen 17:10 ff). It is possible that Moses refrained from doing the procedure because his wife Zipporah, a Midianite, had objected. If so, Zipporah now reluctantly performed the procedure herself as a last resort to save Moses’ life, not hiding her disgust over the situation.

    Friday Morning Scripture – Psalm 32

    Blessedness of Forgiveness and of Trust in God.

    A Psalm of David. A skillful [a]song, or a didactic or reflective poem.

    1 Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, favored by God] is he whose transgression is forgiven,
    And whose sin is covered.

    2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD  does not impute wickedness,
    And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

    3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
    Through my groaning all the day long.

    4 For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me;
    My     [b]energy (vitality, strength) was drained away as with the burning heat of summer. Selah.

    5 I acknowledged my sin to You,
    And I did not hide my wickedness;
    I said, “I will confess     [all] my transgressions to the LORD”;
    And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

    6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You [for forgiveness] in a time when You [are near and] may be found;
    Surely when the great waters     [of trial and distressing times] overflow they will not reach [the spirit in] him.

    7 You are my hiding place; You, LORD, protect me from trouble;
    You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah.

    8 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.

    9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule which have no understanding,
    Whose trappings include bridle and rein to hold them in check,
    Otherwise they will not come near to you.

    10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
    But he who trusts in and relies on the LORD     shall be surrounded with compassion and lovingkindness.

    11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous [who actively seek right standing with Him];
    Shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

    Psalm 32:1-11 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Psalm 32:1 Meaning uncertain.

    [b] Psalm 32:4 Lit life juices were turned into the drought of summer.

      Thursday Morning Scripture – Jeremiah 33

      Restoration Promised

      1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still confined in the court of the guard, saying,

      2 “Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it—the LORD is His name,

      3 ‘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.’

      4 For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city and the houses of the kings of Judah which are torn down to make a defence against the siege ramps and against the sword,

      5 ‘While they (the besieged Jews) are coming to fight against the Chaldeans and to fill the houses with the dead bodies of men whom I have slain in My anger and in My wrath, for I have hidden My face [in disgust] from this city because of all their wickedness.

      6 Behold, [in the restored Jerusalem] I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace (prosperity, security, stability) and truth.

      7 I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel and will rebuild them as they were at first.

      8 I will cleanse them from all their wickedness (guilt) by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon (forgive) all their sins by which they rebelled against Me.

      9 Jerusalem will be to Me a name of joy, praise and glory before all the nations of the earth which will hear of all the good that I do for it, and they shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace (prosperity, security, stability) that I provide for it.’

      10 “Thus says the LORD, ‘Yet again there will be heard in this place of which you say, “It is a [desolate] waste, without man and without animal”—even in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without animal—

      11 the [sound of the] voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the [song-filled] voice of those who say,

      “GIVE PRAISE AND THANKS TO THE LORD OF HOSTS, FOR THE LORD IS GOOD; FOR HIS [STEADFAST] LOVINGKINDNESS (MERCY) ENDURES FOREVER”;

      and of those who bring a thank offering into the house of the LORD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were at first,’ says the LORD.

      12 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘There will again be in this desolate place—[a place] without man or animal—and in all its cities, pastures for shepherds who rest their flocks.

      13 In the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, in the cities of the South (the Negev), in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hand of the one who counts them,’ says the LORD.

      The Davidic Kingdom

      14 ‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good word and promise which I have made regarding the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

      15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He (the Messiah) shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.

      16 In those days Judah will be saved and [the people of] Jerusalem will live in safety; and this is the name by which she will be called: the LORD Our Righteousness (Justice).’

      17 For thus says the LORD, ‘David shall never lack a man (descendant) to sit on the throne of the house of Israel;

      18 and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man (descendant) to offer burnt offerings before Me and to burn grain offerings and to prepare sacrifices all day long.’”

      19 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,

      20 “Thus says the LORD, ‘If you can break My covenant for the day and My covenant for the night, so that day and night do not take place at their appointed times,

      21 then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant so that he will not have a son to reign on his throne, and [My covenant may also be broken] with the Levitical priests, My ministers.

      22 As the host of [the stars of] heaven cannot be counted and the sand of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Me.’”

      23 And the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,

      24 “Have you not noticed what this people have spoken, saying, ‘The two families [Israel the northern kingdom, and Judah the southern kingdom] which the LORD chose, He has rejected’? Thus they despise My [chosen] people, no longer are they [considered] as a nation in their sight.

      25 Thus says the LORD, ‘If My covenant with day and night does not stand, and if I have not established the fixed patterns of heaven and earth, [the whole order of nature,]

      26 then I would [also] reject the descendants of Jacob and David My servant, not taking from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But I will restore their fortunes, and will have mercy on them.’”

      Jeremiah 33:1-26 (AMP)

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Imitate

      The earth is full of blaring sounds, coming from empty and rigid places. 

      You, My people, must be tender, not rigid. 

      Always teachable and malleable by My hands.

      Be full, and not empty, in your heart and inner man. 

      Let Me fill you to overflow with My Spirit and love. 

      For what are you going to give, and teach, if you haven’t received it?

      Don’t be cold. 

      Be warm to each other with My gentleness and loving kindness.

      I am near.

      For even I was in the midst of such noisy cymbals, even unto death.

      Be My imitators.

      Activation: Praise The Son! Contemplate and worship Him for His gentleness and kindness.

      At His glorious sight, confess and ask for forgiveness for your own and this generation’s sin of condemning the innocent, the work of The Spirit, preferring your own traditions. 

      Intentionally spend daily time with Christ, contemplating His gentleness, that He might fill you with it and transform you.

      God’s Promise concerning His Servant

      1 “Behold, My [a]Servant, whom I [b]uphold;
      My Chosen One in whom My soul delights.
      I have put My Spirit upon Him;
      He will bring forth justice to the nations.

      2 “He will not call out or shout aloud,
      Nor make His voice heard in the street

      Isaiah 42:1-2 (AMP)

      Footnotes

      [a] Isaiah 42:1 This is the first of the famous prophecies concerning the Servant of the Lord, the Messiah (Is 42:1-7; 49:1-9a; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12).

      [b] Isaiah 42:1 Or hold fast.

        Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near.

        Philippians 4:5 (AMP)

        The Excellence of Love

        If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not [a]love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction].

        1 Corinthians 13:1 (AMP)

        Footnotes

        [a] 1 Corinthians 13:1 i.e. a profound thoughtfulness and unselfish concern for other believers regardless of their circumstances or station in life.

          #lionbites

          Thursday Morning Scripture – Isaiah 42

          God’s Promise concerning His Servant

          1 “Behold, My [a]Servant, whom I [b]uphold;
          My Chosen One in whom My soul delights.
          I have put My Spirit upon Him;
          He will bring forth justice to the nations.

          2 “He will not call out or shout aloud,
          Nor make His voice heard in the street.

          3 “A broken reed He will not break [off]
          And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish [He will not harm those who are weak and suffering];
          He will faithfully bring forth justice.

          4 “He will not be disheartened or crushed [in spirit];
          [He will persevere] until He has established justice on the earth;
          And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”

          5 This is what God the LORD says,

          He who created the heavens and stretched them out,
          Who spread out the earth and its produce,
          Who gives breath to the people on it
          And spirit to those who walk on it,

          6 “I am the LORD, I have called You (the Messiah) in righteousness [for a righteous purpose],
          I will also take You by the hand and keep watch over You,
          And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people [Israel],
          As a light to the nations           (Gentiles),

          7 To open the eyes of the blind,
          To bring out prisoners from the dungeon
          And those who sit in darkness from the prison.

          8 “I am the LORD, that is My Name;
          My glory I will not give to another,
          Nor My praise to carved idols.

          9 “Indeed, the former things have come to pass,
          Now I declare new things;
          Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”

          10 Sing to the LORD a new song,
          Sing His praise from the end of the earth!
          You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
          You islands and coastlands, and those who inhabit them           [sing His praise]!

          11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voices,
          The villages where Kedar lives.
          Let the inhabitants of           [c]Sela shout for joy,
          Let them shout joyfully from the tops of the mountains.

          12 Let them give glory to the LORD
          And declare His praise in the islands and coastlands.

          13 The LORD will go forth like a warrior,
          He will stir up His zeal like a man of war;
          He will shout out, yes, He will raise a war cry.
          He will prevail           [mightily] against His enemies.

          Isaiah 42:1-13 (AMP)

          Footnotes

          [a] Isaiah 42:1 This is the first of the famous prophecies concerning the Servant of the Lord, the Messiah (Is 42:1-7; 49:1-9a; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12).

          [b] Isaiah 42:1 Or hold fast.

          [c] Isaiah 42:11 Gr Petra (rock). Sela was probably the Edomite capital at this time. Carved into great walls of rose-colored rock it was later controlled by the Nabateans.