Friday Morning Scripture – Psalm 113

The LORD Exalts the Humble


1 [a]Praise the LORD! ([b]Hallelujah!)
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
Praise the name of the LORD.

2 Blessed be the name of the LORD
From this time forth and forever.

3 From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the LORD is to be praised [with awe-inspired reverence].

4 The LORD is high above all nations,
And His glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like the LORD our God,
Who is enthroned on high,

6 Who humbles Himself to regard
The heavens and the earth?

7 He raises the poor out of the dust
And lifts the needy from the ash heap,

8 That He may seat them with princes,
With the princes of His people.

9 He makes the barren woman live in the house
As a joyful mother of children.
Praise the LORD! (Hallelujah!)

Psalm 113:1-9 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Psalm 113:1 It is said that Psalms 113-118 were ordained by the prophets and Torah scholars to be recited as a unit on special holy days. The unit was called the Hallel (Heb “Praise”).

[b] Psalm 113:1 According to Jewish tradition, one who had the office of Reader in a congregation would read the Psalms of the Hallel aloud, and when he came to a command to “Praise the Lord” (Heb Halelu Yah), it was the congregation’s duty to respond with “Hallelujah!”

Friday Morning Scripture – Psalm 132

Prayer for the LORD’s Blessing Upon the Sanctuary.

A Song of [a]Ascents.

1 O LORD, remember on David’s behalf
All his hardship and affliction

2 How he swore to the LORD
And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

3 “I absolutely will not enter my house,
Nor get into my bed—

4 I certainly will not permit my eyes to sleep
Nor my eyelids to slumber,

5 Until I find a place for the LORD,
A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob (Israel).”

6 Behold, we heard of it at Ephrathah;
We found it in the field of Jaar.

7 Let us go into His tabernacle;
Let us worship at His footstool.

8 Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place,
You and the ark [the symbol] of Your strength.

9 Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness (right living),
And let Your godly ones shout for joy.

10 For the sake of Your servant David,
Do not turn away the face of Your anointed.

11 The LORD swore to David
A truth from which He will not turn back:
“One of your [b]descendants I will set upon your throne.

12 “If your children will keep My covenant
And My testimony which I will teach them,
Their children also shall sit upon your throne forever.”

13 For the LORD has chosen Zion;
He has desired it for His dwelling place:

14 “This is My resting place forever” [says the LORD];
“Here will I dwell, for I have desired it.

15 “I will abundantly bless her provisions;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.

16 “Her priests also I will clothe with salvation,
And her godly ones will shout aloud for joy.

17 “There I will make the horn (strength) of David grow;
I have prepared a lamp for My anointed [fulfilling the promises].

18 “His enemies I will clothe with shame,
But upon himself shall his crown shine.”

Psalm 132:1-18 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Psalm 132:1 See Psalm 120 title note.

[b] Psalm 132:11 Lit the fruit of your body.

    YOU have Purpose

    You have purpose, step into it.

    Understand that, before the beginning of time as we know it, you were chosen, premeditated, intended, designed, and so much more, by The Most High, Maker of Heaven and Earth. Because of all this and by Who all this is possible, you can be assured that once you are in alignment with all His plans for you, there is nothing that can go wrong.

    There will be no delay, if you just trust and obey. Launch out into the deep, do not allow for anything to pass you by.

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – I Am Doing This

    My Beloved, this is a time of shaking. But in the midst of this shaking, I encourage you to not fear. Have faith in Me. This is not a time to rely on what man can do for you but to have faith in what I can do. Focus on Me, the Author and Perfecter of your faith, and you will see that I will be faithful to keep you.

    As you look at your life and even your city, you will see the shaking all around you. But I am in the midst of it. So, do not rebuke or resist what I am doing, and do not despair the shaking. Instead, ask Me what I am doing for I am happy to provide insight into why things need to be shaken. I have answers for you in this season if you will ask Me. Where do things need to change? Where does life need to be released? What do you need to let go of?

    Shakings are seen mostly when things are not anchored down. So, I want to show you those things that need to be tied to Me and those that can be released. As you see them, decree the release and declare the holding on. My hand is open to you beloved, and I am prepared to change your life and shake things into it as you align with Me. Are you ready to partner with Me on this?  I have given you all kingdom authority, so watch what I will do!

    Activation: Taking a cue from what the Lord has spoken, begin to ask the Lord the following questions regarding your life, your city, region, and nation: Where do things need to change? What things or people in my life, or the “life” of this region need to be released? What are things that I need to let go of that will not serve the Kingdom of God?

    As you do this, stand firm in the goodness of God and:

    • pray for those who hate you. Bless them and their families. 
    • declare the goodness of God over your land, your household, and your city. 
    • decree that the kingdom is at hand and that there is none besides the Lord. 
    • speak to your heart and bless it for from that place flows every issue of your life.
    • receive the perfect love of the Father that casts out all fear!

    For you know that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance [there was no way to repair what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], even though he sought for it with [bitter] tears.

    Hebrews 12:27 (AMP)

    Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].

    James 1:17 (AMP)

    #lionbites

    Thursday Morning Scripture – Hebrews 12:1-17

    Jesus, the Example

    1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of [a]witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, 

    2 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [b]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].

    3 Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

    A Father’s Discipline

    4 You have not yet struggled to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 

    5 and you have [c]forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed to you as sons,

    “MY SON, DO NOT MAKE LIGHT OF THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,
    AND DO NOT LOSE HEART AND GIVE UP WHEN YOU ARE CORRECTED BY HIM;

    6 FOR THE LORD DISCIPLINES AND CORRECTS THOSE WHOM HE LOVES,
    AND HE PUNISHES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES AND WELCOMES     [TO HIS HEART]”

    7 You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for [d]what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 

    8 Now if you are exempt from correction and without discipline, in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons [at all]. 

    9 Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we submitted and respected them [for training us]; shall we not much more willingly submit to the Father of [e]spirits, and live [by learning from His discipline]? 

    10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 

    11 For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].

    12 So then, strengthen hands that are weak and knees that tremble. 

    13 Cut through and make smooth, straight paths for your feet [that are safe and go in the right direction], so that the leg which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather may be healed.

    14 Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the sanctification without which no one will [ever] see the Lord. 

    15 See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 

    16 and [see to it] that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.

    17 For you know that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance [there was no way to repair what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], even though he sought for it with [bitter] tears.

    Hebrews 12:1-17 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Hebrews 12:1 i.e. the people commended for their faith in ch 11. See 11:2, 39.

    [b] Hebrews 12:2 Sometimes the public shame of the cross is overlooked when one thinks of the pain and agony inflicted by it, but in the Roman Empire crucifixion was a shameful and disgraceful way to die, a form of capital punishment from which Roman citizens were exempt; and in Roman comedy it was used in a curse: “Go to a bad cross!”

    [c] Hebrews 12:5 Or have you forgotten.

    [d] Hebrews 12:7 Or who is a son whom.

    [e] Hebrews 12:9 The meaning seems to be that God is the Father of that which is spiritual as well as that which is physical.

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Power of Love

    In these days of division and war, I am calling My Bride to demonstrate the way of love and unity. Resist feeling overwhelmed by what is playing out on the world’s stage.  The enemy is inciting the world to hatred and rage, but I came to draw ALL men to myself.  I am the great I AM.  I am God enthroned, the Sovereign One. My Kingdom is an eternal one and it will remain.

    The time has come for the Body of Christ to be completely healed and to break the partnerships with the spirits of religion and division.  Deal with the little foxes – the small issues – that would cause offence and bitterness to remain.  Prayerfully and intentionally break down the barriers within the wider Church as you seek opportunities to be a blessing to individuals or other parts of the Body of Christ in your community. Work together for the sake of the Kingdom. I am calling My Bride to walk in the beauty of purity and holiness.

    By demonstrating unity of heart and purpose, and by surrendering your lives to Me, your King, you will bring great glory to Me and transform hearts in the process. So, love where you are, and love well, and do not underestimate the power of My love

    Activation: Take time to spend with the Lord and ask Him to reveal if there is any offense in your heart towards another person or group. When He shows you these things, repent, forgive, and open yourself to receive a fresh outpouring of His love for both yourself and the other person. Ask the Lord to help you come up with a plan for how you can show love to that person or group in a practical way.

    “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His[One and] [a]only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.

    John 3:16 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] John 3:16 Jesus, God’s only Son, the One who is truly unique, the only one of His kind.

    until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity].

    Ephesians 4:13 (AMP)

    Unity of the Spirit

    1 So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation], 

    2 with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another [a]in [unselfish] love. 

    3 Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. 

    4 There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]— 

    5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 

    6 one God and Father of us all who is [sovereign] over all and [working] through all and [living] in all.

    Ephesians 4:1-6 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Ephesians 4:2 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.

    #lionbites

    Tuesday Morning Scripture – Esther 4

    Esther Learns of Haman’s Plot

    1 Now when Mordecai learned of everything that had been done, he tore his clothes [in mourning], and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the center of the city and cried out loudly and bitterly. 

    2 He went [only] as far as the king’s gate, because no one was to enter the king’s gate dressed in sackcloth. 

    3 In each and every province that the decree and law of the king reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing; and many lay on sackcloth and ashes.

    4 When Esther’s maids and her eunuchs came and told her [what had happened], the queen was seized by great fear. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai so that he would remove his sackcloth, but he did not accept them. 

    5 Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, whom the king had appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to find out what this issue was and why it had come about. 

    6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the [open] square of the city, which was in front of the king’s gate. 

    7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, and the exact [a]amount of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 

    8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the text of the decree which had been issued in Susa for the Jews destruction, so that he might show Esther and explain it to her, and order her to go in to the king to seek his favor and plead with him for [the lives of] her people.

    9 Hathach came back and told Esther what Mordecai had said. 

    10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and ordered him to reply to Mordecai, saying: 

    11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that for any man or woman who comes to the king to the inner court without being summoned, he has but one law, that he is to be put to death, unless the king holds out to him the golden scepter so that he may live. And as for me, I have not been summoned to come to the king for these [last] thirty days.” 

    12 So they told Mordecai what Esther had said.

    13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. 

    14 For if you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish [since you did not help when you had the chance]. And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose]?”

    Esther Plans to Intercede

    15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 

    16 “Go, gather all the Jews that are present in Susa, and observe a fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids also will fast in the same way. Then I will go in to [see] the king [without being summoned], which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” 

    17 So Mordecai went away and did exactly as Esther had commanded him.

    Esther 4:1-17 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Esther 4:7 This money may have been what was expected to be received from the plunder of the Jews’ property.

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – General Assignment

    Beloved, you know the weightiness of the season that we are in. As you look around at the world you see and understand that these days require wisdom and warfare in order to steward them well. I know the fears that you have for your children; for the generations that will follow you. But I call you to live not from a fear of the future, but from a position of fear and reverence for Me. For when you instruct your children to live from a place of yieldedness to Me and awe, you are creating for them a refuge for their spirits that will strengthen and prepare them for the times ahead. The next generation will know days of great trial, but they will also know days of great harvest and victory.

    I am calling you now to instruct them to build strong foundations of close relationship and reliance on My Spirit, to sustain and to guide them. For I have created them for such a time as this and have already placed within them the giftings and strength that they will require. I am asking you to build the environments within your family, home, schools, and churches to release the next generation into the purposes that I have set aside for them. So do not fear for them but teach them to fear Me. This will become their fortress and their strength for the days to come.

    Activation: Examine your heart for any fears that you hold for your children, or the next generation as a whole. Ask Holy Spirit to minister into those fears and release them to him. Ask Holy Spirit to highlight specific areas that you can pray into – it may be for a child that you know, your church youth group, or a broader assignment of the enemy against the next generation. Enter into a time of praying in tongues and warfaring on their behalf. Commit to praying into these areas as part of your ongoing prayer life – creating a secure fortress in warfare as you declare God’s Kingship over the next generation.

    Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet,
    And all your ways will be steadfast and sure.

    Proverbs 4:26 (AMP)

    For if you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish [since you did not help when you had the chance]. And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose]?”

    Esther 4:14 (AMP)

    #lionbites

    Monday Morning Scripture – Psalm 46

    God the Refuge of His People.

    To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to soprano voices. A Song.

    1 God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable],
    A very present and well-proved help in trouble.

    2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
    And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas,

    3 Though its waters roar and foam,
    Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah.

    4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

    5 God is in the midst of her [His city], she will not be moved;
    God will help her when the morning dawns.

    6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered and were moved;
    He raised His voice, the earth melted.

    7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    The God of Jacob is our stronghold     [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.

    8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    Who has brought desolations and wonders on the earth.

    9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
    He breaks the bow into pieces and snaps the spear in two;
    He burns the chariots with fire.

    10 “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”

    11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    The God of Jacob is our stronghold     [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.

    Psalm 46:1-11 (AMP)

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Deeper Shalom

    During storms at sea, waves can reach incredible heights and create a roaring noise that can wash away anything on the surface. However, there is complete quietness and peace at the very bottom of the sea. Something similar is happening right now on the Earth. Both in the natural and spiritual realms, storm-produced tsunamis are causing upheaval that the enemy is using to try to distract and confuse you. This is why I am calling on My people to go deeper.

    Come and reach that place of stillness and shalom in My presence and through My word which will lead you to a place of complete trust in Me.  Look to Me as your anchor, and I will reveal the depths of My heart and the answers to your questions. This is a time when no storm should catch you off guard. As I make you stronger, you will be able to assist and help others who are about to drown.” says the Spirit of the Lord.

    Activation: Meditate on Psalm 46:10. Then ask Jesus whether you are truly anchored in His Word and if you are sufficiently built on the Rock for such a time as this. Additionally, ask the Lord to show you those who are struggling around you and whom He wants you to help. 

    “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”

    Psalm 46:10 (AMP)

    29 He said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

    30 But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 

    31 Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you [a]doubt?” 

    32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 

    33 Then those in the boat worshiped Him [with awe-inspired reverence], saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

    Matthew 14:29-33 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Matthew 14:31 i.e. allow yourself to be drawn in two directions.

    The Two Foundations

    24 “So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. 

    25 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

    Matthew 7:24-25 (AMP)

    #lionbites