Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Be Intentional

My beloved ones, your quest for new heights, depths, and widths in Me brings Me great joy.  You have meditated My word and prophesied accurately as led by Holy Spirit. I commend your efforts and salute you for that. Additionally, you have even assisted those in need and done what was right. But there is one thing that has gradually diminished and gone amiss. As you have concentrated on doing the work of the Kingdom, you have inadvertently forgotten the core foundation of My Kingdom: My new commandment to love one another, both within the church and in the larger world. The time is up for mere “minuets” – superficial politeness and lifeless dry-bone Christianity.  

It is time to plunge deeply into My love and freely give of Me as freely you have received. The time has come to genuinely care for what is going on in other people’s lives and to give with intention, in whatever form that may be. Just as I sent My only begotten Son to model pure love and selflessness, I am calling you to love with the same unconditional love. I am beckoning you to defy social norms and to “get your hands dirty” even with those who seem to be the most “improbable” people according to society’s standards. My children, I want you to stretch wide and get out of your comfort zone, for generosity knows no bounds in My Kingdom. So invest in others and dare to go out of your way for the sake of My love.  In so doing, you will truly be recognised as Mine.

Activation

Take some time to reflect on the love that you’ve extended recently to other people beyond your family, friends, and those within your close circles. Have you intentionally demonstrated the true love of Jesus rather than just religious traditions? Take a moment and examine with Holy Spirit any feelings that you might have against specific groups of people. If so, ask Him to reveal the reasons why and repent. As you pray, listen for practical ways that Holy Spirit may guide you to love others as Jesus loved you.

34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you [a]love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. 

35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”

John 13:34-35 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] John 13:34 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.

    The Excellence of Love

    1 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]

    And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. 

    If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body [b]to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all.

    1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (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.

    [b] 1 Corinthians 13:3 Early mss read so that I may boast, i.e. as a martyr.

      Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.

      1 Corinthians 13:8 (AMP)

      #lionbites

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Eyes of Fire

      My beloved, I see you. You captivate Me. I desire to increase the intensity of My gaze. Will you come into greater levels of exposure before Me? Be brave, be vulnerable. My eyes of love are also eyes of fire, ready to penetrate your innermost being with power and life. Step closer, feel the heat, remove all veils, and let down your guard. For in this proximity, My eyes will burn impurities off you; they will burn off the things that you are carrying that I have not asked; they will burn off the passions that have dampened your resolve for obedience; they will burn off the distractions that slow you down. Through repentance, I will burn off the sin that has felt like it has consumed you and see it no longer. But beloved, you must come willingly, soft-heartedly, and with a desire for Me to see every part of you.

      After the burning what will remain? The gold. What you have built for eternity for My kingdom will remain strong and refined. You will stand purified, strengthened, and holy as a beacon of My grace and mercy, as one who can release hunger for holiness into My bride. You will stand in a place of greater authority and influence; whatever I overcome in you will become a sharpened sword in your hand, an area where the enemy will recognise your victory and fear you.

      But My beloved, even greater than this, will be the unhindered intimacy that you will step into, deeper than you have ever experienced as you become aware of how fully known and fully loved you are.

      Prayer:

      Jesus, I come close. I am hungry for more of You, and I long to be vulnerable and exposed in Your presence. I relinquish the veils before me, even the ones I am not aware of. Jesus, purify me in Your gaze; burn off what should not be there. I long to stand before You completely surrendered, transformed by Your fire, and empowered by Your presence in me. You are my strength, and You equip me for battle.

      31 For who is God, but the LORD?
      Or who is a rock, except our God,

      32 The God who encircles me with strength
      And makes my way blameless?

      Psalm 18:31-32 (AMP)

      14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, [glistening white] like snow; and His [all-seeing] eyes were [flashing] like a flame of fire [piercing into my being]

      15 His feet were like burnished [white-hot] bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was [powerful] like the sound of many waters.

      Revelation 1:14-15 (AMP)

      14 If any person’s work which he has built [on this foundation, that is, any outcome of his effort] remains [and survives this test], he will receive a reward. 

      15 But if any person’s work is burned up [by the test], he will suffer the loss [of his reward]; yet he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has barely escaped] through fire.

      1 Corinthians 3:14-15 (AMP)

      #lionbites

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Stone of Help

      I know the language of communication you use, and in this season, I will use what is around you day by day to communicate with you. I want you to take note of the ways I speak to you in your daily life as a reminder of My complete omnipresence and encouragement of My closeness for the seasons ahead when you will need this reminder. It is time to raise an Ebenezer: a reminder of who I am and My involvement in your life, from days past to the very present. I will be the same God in the seasons ahead, and as you raise your ‘stone of help’ (eben = stone; ezer = help), I will be an ever-present help for you in times of trouble. Remember Me first as your Father, the one who looks after you and has adopted you as My child into My kingdom. You will always find your hope in Me. For I am your great fortress, the Almighty God, your very present Father who welcomes you in every time and season. Wherever I take you, remember that I am Yours, and you are Mine. 

      Activation: 

      In Samuel 7:12, the people of Israel raised an Ebenezer (a stone of help) as a reminder of how God delivered Israel from their peril, serving as a symbol of gratitude for the Lord’s divine help. God wants to remind you how He is always in your life, protecting you and helping you in all your times of trouble. Ask the Lord today how you can raise an ‘Ebenezer’ in your life to thank and honour Him as your Deliverer and Help. This could simply be a song, a shout, praise, or anything that serves as a reminder of who He is, prompting you to stop and remember the Lord’s faithfulness as you give thanks to Him, your ever-present help in times of trouble. Ask, and He will show you!

      I have told you these things so that My joy anddelight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and  complete  and overflowing.

      John 15:11 (AMP)

      He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention  and  good pleasure of His will— 

      to the praise of His glorious grace and  favor, which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved [His Son, Jesus Christ].

      Ephesians 1:5-6 (AMP)

      Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and he named it Ebenezer (stone of help), saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

      1 Samuel 7:12 (AMP)

      #lionbites

      Tuesday Morning Scripture 1 Samuel 7

      Rescue from the Philistines

      1 So the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and they consecrated Eleazar his son to care for the ark of the Lord. 

      And from that day the ark remained in Kiriath-jearim for a very long time, for it was twenty years [until the reign of King David]; and all the house of Israel lamented (wailed)  and  grieved after the LORD.

      Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD  with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth (pagan goddesses) from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him only; and He will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.” 

      So the Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD alone.

      Samuel said, “Gather all Israel together at Mizpah and I will pray to the LORD for you.” 

      So they gathered at Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

      Now when the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, the lords (governors) of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the Israelites heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 

      And the sons of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, so that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 

      So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD; and Samuel cried out to the  LORD for Israel and the LORD answered him. 

      10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines approached for the battle against Israel. Then the LORD  thundered with a great voice that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated  and fled before Israel. 

      11 And the men of Israel came out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and struck them down as far as [the territory] below Beth-car.

      12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and he named it Ebenezer (stone of help), saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” 

      13 So the Philistines were subdued and they did not come anymore into Israelite territory. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 

      14 The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel recovered the cities’ territory from the Philistines. Also there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

      Samuel’s Ministry

      15 Now Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 

      16 He used to go annually on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. 

      17 Then he would return to Ramah, because his home was there; and there he judged Israel, and there he built an altar to the LORD.

      1 Samuel 7 (AMP)

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Praises

      Just as a rudder controls the movement of a ship, so does your tongue hold within it the mighty power to release life or death. By it, you can bless or curse. Your tongue is a mighty weapon that must be used with great care; therefore, I caution you to be as wise as the serpent and as gentle as the dove in how you speak. Use My wisdom always, and My wisdom counsels you to pause and be led by My Spirit rather than by the tongue. As you do, you will receive strategies from Me that will release My truth, My plans, and My freedom because you are being led by Me.

      In dire times and in moments of challenge, rather than allowing the tongue to release the problem, release the solution; this is praising in advance for the victory. There are issues and situations you are facing that require you to adopt this strategy so that My purposes for you are released into the atmosphere. Do as Jehoshaphat did during the battle and release a battalion of praise, worshiping Me, and you will see that the battle belongs to Me, assuring you of great victory as I fight for you. 

      Activation: Genuine thanksgiving and praise to the Lord are powerful weapons for victory. Start by thanking God and expressing gratitude for even the small things, and let worship transform into praise. As you lift your praises to Him, you will see your thoughts begin to align with His thoughts and plans for you, granting you a heavenly perspective on your situation. Like Jehoshaphat and his people, you will overcome by using this powerful weapon. Commit to this practice for 5-7 days and watch what God can do for you.

      Praise to the Creator and Preserver.

      Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones;
      Praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright
      [in heart—those with moral integrity and godly character].

      Psalm 33:1 (AMP)

      When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were struck down [in defeat].

      2 Chronicles 20:22 (AMP)

      25 But about midnight when Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 

      26 suddenly there was a great earthquake, so [powerful] that the very foundations of the prison were shaken and at once all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.

      Acts 16:25-26 (AMP)

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      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Cease from Striving

      My Child, you are the righteousness of Christ, so keep your eyes on Me, the Author and Perfector of your faith. Just as an artist fixes his gaze on the object he paints in order to reproduce its likeness, keep your eyes on Me to reflect and display My image to the world. 

      As My Beloved, I declare over you that you are valued, restored and redeemed through My finished work on the cross.  I paid a high price, so let all striving cease.  I want you to rest in My love and live from a place of complete acceptance and approval in Me. 

      When you feel tempted to sin and make mistakes, I do not want you to stay away from Me, feeling ashamed. Instead, in those moments, look at Me.  Don’t allow shame or guilt to keep you from My presence, draw closer, look into My eyes and feel My heart for you as you confess your sins. I will cleanse and heal your heart from the impurities that would tarnish and I will reveal the lies that attempt to wrongly define you and misrepresent who you truly are. Whenever your heart makes you feel condemned, know that your loving Father is greater and more merciful than your conscience. 

      My love for you is so great, experience the freedom and joy of new creation living. Cease from striving and rest in completeness. Live your life from the place of your original identity in Me.

      Prayer:

      Lord Jesus, thank you for your great love for me demonstrated on the cross.  Thank you that you were willing to pay such a high price so that I might live as one who is holy, flawless, and restored. Help me to always keep my eyes on You and remind me, by the power of the Holy Spirit, of what it means to live as one who is accepted in the Beloved.

      to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He [a]made us accepted in the Beloved.

      Ephesians 1:6 (NKJV)

      Footnotes

      [a] Ephesians 1:6 Lit. bestowed grace (favor) upon us

      Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

      Hebrews 12:2 (AMPC)

      A Costly Pearl

      45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 

      46 and upon finding a single pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

      Matthew 13:45-46 (AMP)

      #lionbites

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Fresh Wind

      The Lord says to you today, “I am coming like a fresh wind of hope and renewal this season. It is not a forceful wind, but a guiding breeze that glides with passion that will sweep you away and empower you to drive change that matters. 

      Listen to Me nudging you to come away and spend time with Me before you are blown into this season of change. I have secrets that I am going to give you in these times of intimacy with Me. Secrets for you only, that will encourage, refresh, inspire, and surprise you! You can only get what you need to carry you through this season through Me. Come and get excited about the plans that I have for you that will change your family, your finances, your work and all the other areas of importance in your life. What I will show you will give you wisdom and understanding for kingdom advancement, in ways you can only dream of! Come partner with Me and see the fulfilment of My promises come alive before your very eyes!”

      Prayer:

      Dear Lord, thank You that You are bringing change and a new direction into my life. I ask You to help me to be receptive to Your nudges to spend time with You. Empower me to not give into distraction, but to rest in Your presence so that I can receive the guidance, wisdom and insight I need to move with Your fresh wind this season. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen 

      Activation:

      Set time aside to sit with your heavenly Father and ask Him to show you the direction He is taking you in. Write this down! He will give you direction and guidance for this new season which will bring up more questions to ask. Don’t be shy, keep asking and He will give you the answer as you search for them, asking Him the steps you need to take regarding the direction He has given you. Be attentive to His moving wind in your life and have faith that He will give you all you need to move in obedience with Him! 

      And He said to them, “Where is your faith [your confidence in Me]?” They were afraid and astonished, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the sea, and they obey Him?”

      Luke 8:25 (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)

      “God is not a man, that He should lie,
      Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
      Has He said, and will He not do it?
      Or has He spoken and will He not make it good and fulfill it?

      Numbers 23:19 (AMP)

      #lionbites

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Gather the Jars

      Then he said, “Go, borrow containers from all your neighbors, empty containers—and not just a few. 

      Then you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out [the oil you have] into all these containers, and you shall set aside each one when it is full.”

      2 Kings 4:3-4 (AMP)

      Consider what I showed Elisha.

      Where there was nothing, he saw possibility. Where there was poverty, he saw provision. Where there was limitation, he saw abundance. 

      I want you to see through the lenses of Elisha. I want you to believe for the radically impossible. I want to take you on a journey. Firstly, in your own life. Rather than seeing lack, ask Me to show you what I want to do and what I want you to do. Are you ready to gather vessels for oil that does not yet exist? Are you ready to look foolish in the eyes of others?

      Secondly, I am releasing you to lead others into the same anointing. Will you boldly instruct others to get ready for My outpouring? Oh My child, I am asking you to be brave, to be willing to put yourself out there. I have so much oil to pour out among My people but the vessels are not gathered and the oil is not expected. Change the lenses and raise the faith and together let us break down the limitations.

      Activation: Spend some time reading through the story of Elisha and the jars and then ask Holy Spirit to speak to you through this story. Going into the new year, what aspects of this story does Holy Spirit want you to apply to your context?

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

      Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,
      And I shall dwell forever
      [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the LORD.

      Psalm 23: 5-6 (AMP)

      Footnotes

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

        And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.

        2 Corinthians 9:8 (AMP)

        #lionbites

        Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Celebrate With Me

        Beloved, from your perspective, this past year may be viewed as a bit of a “flop.” A year of failures, losses, and disappointments. 

        Yet if you were to view the year through My eyes, the year would look very different.

        I recognize that there have been times of pain, discouragement, and surprise. Don’t, however, dismiss what has been built within you over these past days, weeks, and months. Old things have been pulled away and new things have been seeded.

        Will you take a moment to celebrate this progress with Me?

        Allow Me to show you areas where you have flourished; the places where growth and maturity have increased; where character has been forged.

        Such things are to be celebrated!

        Will you take a moment with Me today to see your year through My eyes and celebrate what we have achieved together?

        Activation: Take a moment to quiet yourself and be still with the Lord. Then, ask Him to show you a picture of yourself at the beginning of this year. What do you notice about yourself? Then, ask Him to show you a picture of yourself at the end of this year. What differences do you see? Ask the Lord what He is celebrating about you? What growth do you see? Take some time to journal and reflect upon what He shows you.

        27 The Lord is God, and He has given us light [illuminating us with His grace and freedom and joy].
        Bind the festival sacrifices with
         [a]cords to the horns of the altar.

        28 You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
        [You are] my God, I extol You.

        Psalm 118:27-28 (AMP)

        Footnotes

        [a] Psalm 118:27 Lit branches. In Jewish tradition this is interpreted as a ritual for the Feast of Booths. The term “festival” is understood as a reference to the lulav, several branches bound together and later placed against the altar so that they reach to the top of the horns and bend over the altar.

          Results of Justification

          1 Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)

          Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our [a]hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power]

          And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; 

          and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]

          Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

          Romans 5:1-5 (AMP)

          #lionbites

          Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Your Invitation

          Dearly beloved,

          In this season My desire for you is to replace the old for the new. Therefore, take steps for this renovation. Then, be ready for My grand unveiling. I am eager for celebrations to commence so I am personally inviting you today to come and see what I have prepared for you.

          For I am about to lavish you with an updated menu of gourmet food and fine wine. Have you dressed appropriately and personally escorted into My regal festivity and banquet. Give you a place of honour at My table amongst other family members and VIP guests. So that we can celebrate all through the night into the early hours of the morning.

          Activation:

          Take a moment seeking the Lord about what needs to go in your life so that room is made for the new. Checking your heart’s desires, ask the Lord if there is anything He wishes to replace and renew. 

          Thank the Lord for His desire for you and His heart to be generous and spend time with you.

          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 [a]cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].

          James 1:17 (AMP)

          Footnotes

          [a] James 1:17 Lit of turning.

          But you are a CHOSN RACE, a royal PRIESTHOOD, A CONSECRATED NATION, a [special] PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

          1 Peter 2:9 (AMP)

          And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [a]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

          Romans 12:2 (AMP)

          Footnotes

          [a] Romans 12:2 From the Greek word meaning “metamorphosis.” Refers to the process that leads to an outward, permanent change.

          #lionbites