Tuesday Morning Scripture – 1 Samuel 17:31-58

David Kills Goliath

31 When the words that David spoke were heard, the men reported them to Saul, and he sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no man’s [a]courage fail because of him (Goliath). Your servant will go out and fight with this Philistine.” 

33 Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight him. For you are [only] a young man and he has been a warrior since his youth.” 

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 

35 I went out after it and attacked it and rescued the lamb from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I seized it by its whiskers and struck and killed it. 

36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted and defied the armies of the living God.” 

37 David said, “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the LORD be with you.” 

38 Then Saul dressed David in his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and put a coat of mail (armor) on him. 

39 Then David fastened his sword over his armor and tried to walk, [but he could not,] because he was not used to them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, because I am not used to them.” So David took them off. 

40 Then he took his [shepherd’s] staff in his hand and chose for himself five [b]smooth stones out of the stream bed, and put them in his shepherd’s bag which he had, that is, in his shepherd’s pouch. With his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine.

41 The Philistine came and approached David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 

42 When the Philistine looked around and saw David, he derided and disparaged him because he was [just] a young man, with a ruddy complexion, and a handsome appearance. 

43 The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with [shepherd’s] staffs?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 

44 The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.” 

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a [c]javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. 

46 This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the corpses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 

47 and that this entire assembly may know that the LORD does not save with the sword or with the spear; for the battle is the LORD’s and He will hand you over to us.”

48 When the Philistine rose and came forward to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 

49 David put his hand into his bag and took out a stone and slung it, and it struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone penetrated his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.

50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck down the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand. 

51 So he ran and stood over the Philistine, grasped his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their [mighty] champion was dead, they fled. 

52 The men of Israel and Judah stood with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance to the valley and the gates of Ekron. And the [fatally] wounded Philistines fell along the way to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron. 

53 The sons of Israel returned from their pursuit of the Philistines and plundered their camp. 

54 Then David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.

55 When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner the captain of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” And Abner answered, “By your life, O king, I do not know.” 

56 The king said, “Ask whose son the young man is.” 

57 When David returned from killing [Goliath] the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 

58 Saul asked him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.”

1 Samuel 17:31-58 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] 1 Samuel 17:32 Lit heart.

[b] 1 Samuel 17:40 Smooth stones offered less resistance to the air in flight and would travel with greater speed and accuracy. The sling was a pouch attached to the ends of two long leather thongs, and was a formidable weapon (as the Philistine giant was about to discover).

[c] 1 Samuel 17:45 This weapon may have been similar to a scimitar (short curved sword).

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Defiant Faith

Consider this: Ten of the twelve spies Moses sent into the promised land looked at the inhabitants and forgot the promise of God. They allowed doubt and fear to rob them of their inheritance. Only two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, looked at the inhabitants of the land and declared, “The Lord has given us this land.”

The time to choose faith is always now, and this season is no different. In this hour, I am calling you to arise in greater levels of faith and to believe in Me like never before. For those who choose to tenaciously hold to My promises, I will multiply the anointing of the spiritual gift of faith in you. This is a defiant faith that refuses to shudder at the enemy, defies obstacles, ignores worldly realities, and instead declares the victories of the Kingdom of God long before they are seen in the natural. Trust in My faithfulness and who I am, boldly declare My promises as you remember what I have said. And as you do, watch faith arise in you as you see yourself being strengthened and increased in the Spirit.

Activation: Read Numbers 14:6-9 and ask God to give you the faith of Joshua and Caleb. Spend time with the Holy Spirit asking him to reveal to you the areas where you view yourself as too small or powerless to step into His promises. Repent of partnering with this lie. Ask Him to show you what you look like in the spirit realm compared to the obstacles that you face. Take each promise that God has given you and decree over it “Truly the Lord has given me this land.”

6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes [as a sign of grief], 

7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land through which we passed as spies is an exceedingly good land. 

8 If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. 

9 Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.”

Numbers 14:6-9 (AMP)

“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.

Job 22:28 (AMP)

#lionbites

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Bless Me

My Beloved, today I call you to kneel before Me in adoration and awe. Fix your eyes on Me and bless My holy name. For I am the Holy One of Israel, and I desire this blessing from you. By bowing down and kneeling before Me, you express your reverence for who I am as well as My royalty, majesty, and holiness.  And by fixing your eyes on Me, you position your heart and intentionally turn your focus to Me as your King and Lord, and away from all other things and people. Blessing My name is the expression of your innermost being and demonstrates your desire to lift Me up in worship, adoration, and awe.

Activation: Quiet your soul before the Lord. Breathe deeply. Then, slowly pray the following verses from Psalm 103:1-2 and verses 20-22 (AMP). Pray it first exactly as it is written below.

Praise for the Lord’s Mercies.

A Psalm of David.

1 Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is [deep] within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul,
And do not forget any of His benefits;

Psalm 103:1-2 (AMP)

The second time, replace the word “Bless” with “Praise”. Read it a third time, now replacing “Bless” with the phrase “Kneel before”. Read it a fourth time, replacing “Bless” with “Fix your eyes on”. Each time that you read it, choose a different posture or position to take. Let the Spirit of the Lord lead you in the postures to take as you pray. Take note of what happens in you and around you and how you feel each time you pray these verses with a different expression and position.

20 Bless the LORD, you His angels,
You mighty ones who do His commandments,
Obeying the voice of His word!

21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him and do His will.

22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion;
Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul!

Psalm 103:20-22 (AMP)

6 O come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker [in reverent praise and prayer].

7 For He is our God
And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you will hear His voice,

Psalm 95:6-7 (AMP)

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.

Psalm 113:2-4 (AMP)

Greetings of Night Watchers.

A Song of [a]Ascents.

1 Behold, bless and praise the LORD, all servants of the LORD (priests, Levites),
Who stand and serve by night in the house of the LORD.

2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary
And bless the LORD.

Psalm 134:1-2 (AMP)

#lionbites

Friday Morning Scripture – Psalm 103

Praise for the Lord’s Mercies.

A Psalm of David

1 Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is [deep] within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul,
And do not forget any of His benefits;

3 Who forgives all your sins,
Who heals all your diseases;

4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you [lavishly] with lovingkindness and tender mercy;

5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the [soaring] eagle.

6 The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in compassion and lovingkindness.

9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins [as we deserve],
Nor rewarded us [with punishment] according to our wickedness.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence].

12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 Just as a father loves his children,
So the LORD loves those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence].

14 For He knows our [mortal] frame;
He remembers that we are [merely] dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
Like a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16 For the wind passes over it and it is no more,
And its place knows it no longer.

17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who [reverently] fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,

18 To those who honor and keep His covenant,
And remember to do His commandments [imprinting His word on their hearts].

19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all [the universe].

20 Bless the LORD, you His angels,
You mighty ones who do His commandments,
Obeying the voice of His word!

21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him and do His will.

22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion;
Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul!

Psalm 103:1-22 (AMP)

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.