Thursday Morning Scripture – Philippians 4

Think of Excellence

1 Therefore, my [a]fellow believers, whom I love and long for, my delight and crown [my wreath of victory], in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree and to work in harmony in the Lord. 

3 Indeed, I ask you too, my true companion, to help these women [to keep on cooperating], for they have shared my struggle in the [cause of the] gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 

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

6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 

7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

8 Finally, [b]believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. 

9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.

God’s Provision

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now at last you have renewed your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned about me before, but you had no opportunity to show it. 

11 Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. 

12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. 

13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] 

14 Nevertheless, it was right of you to share [with me] in my difficulties.

15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of preaching the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of [c]giving and receiving except you alone; 

16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 

17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I do seek the profit which increases to your [heavenly] account [the blessing which is accumulating for you]. 

18 But I have received everything in full and more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. They are the fragrant aroma of an offering, an acceptable sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights. 

19 And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 

20 To our God and Father be the glory [d]forever and ever. Amen.

21 Remember me to every [e]saint in Christ Jesus. The [f]brothers who are with me greet you. 

22 All [g]God’s people wish to be remembered to you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philippians 4:1-23 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Philippians 4:1 Lit brethren.

[b] Philippians 4:8 Lit brethren.

[c] Philippians 4:15 The word used here was commonly used in financial transactions referring to payments or installments.

[d] Philippians 4:20 Lit to the ages of the ages.

[e] Philippians 4:21 Every born-again believer (saint) has been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, made holy and set apart for God’s purpose.

[f] Philippians 4:21 Lit brethren.

[g] Philippians 4:22 Lit the saints.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Ending Well

My beloved, know that as some things, situations, and relationships come to an end that I am in it. You are afraid that  because things are ending you did something wrong. That is not the case.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

I am the God of beginnings as well as endings.

It is time for you, My child, to end well in this season so you can begin anew and afresh. If I don’t allow some things to end, they will become a hinderance to you moving forward. It would cap your ability to move forward. How can you move higher if you are tethered to the last season? This period of endings won’t feel comfortable, but it is necessary. I am pushing My “little birdies” out of the nest because it is time for you to fly and soar higher and deeper than ever before!

Activation: Spend time with the Lord and ask Him if there is anything in your life that you are holding onto that He needs you to let go of. Be aware of what endings He is bringing into your life. As a prophetic act, spread your arms out like wings and declare that you will fly and soar into this next season and that you won’t be teetered down from the last!

 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End [the Eternal One].”

Revelation 22:13 (AMP)

The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit (pride).

Ecclesiastes 7:8 (AMP)

“Who has performed and done this,
Calling forth [and guiding the destinies of] the generations [of the nations] from the beginning?
‘I, the Lord—the first, and with the last [existing before history began, the ever-present, unchanging God]—I am He.’”

Isaiah 41:4 (AMP)

#lionbites

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Be the Cry

John the Baptist was the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Beloved are you willing to be the one? Will you raise up the cry of a lone voice even if no one cries with you? There is a cry going out from My people in this season, many will join the cry, but it will begin with those who are willing to cry out alone.

What is the cry? It is the herald of the impossible.

It is the cry that speaks fruitfulness into barren land. It is the cry that breathes life into the dead things. It is the cry that sees cracks forming in the dry land, that sees seedlings growing, trees forming, fruit growing and a harvest ready to be reaped.

Activation: Ask Holy Spirit where He is bringing life in the wilderness of your family, your church, your city and your nation. Ask Him for specifics of what that looks like. Decree what He shows you. Ask Holy Spirit who you are to share this with, encourage others to join you in the cry that announces life in the wilderness.

This is the one who was mentioned by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“THE VOICE OF ONE SHOUTING IN THE WILDERNESS,
‘PREPARE THE ROAD FOR THE LORD,
[a]MAKE HIS HIGHWAYS STRAIGHT (level, direct)!’”

Matthew 3:3 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Matthew 3:3 A ruler or nobleman traveling in the wilderness would have a crew of workmen preparing and clearing the road ahead of him. In spiritual terms, the message was clearing the way for the arrival of the Messiah by preparing the hearts of His followers.

    (as it is written [in Scripture], “I HAVE MADE YOU A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS”) in the sight of Him in whom he believed, that is, God [a]who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

    Romans 4:17 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Romans 4:17 A reference to both the birth of Isaac, and the resurrection of Christ.

      17 For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! 

      18 So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.

      2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (AMP)

      #lionbites

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Household Salvation

      I am Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe, but I am also a deeply relational God.  

      I am Father.  

      I created humanity for relationships; to thrive in family and community. This is perfectly displayed in the Trinity and man is made in the image of God.  At the heart of every person is the need to belong and connect. 

      I do not desire that anyone is lonely and isolated. In days of fear, fractured relationships, where identity is distorted by the enemy’s lies, the world desperately needs My Sons and Daughters, brothers and sisters in Christ, to model family like never before. I command you to be courageous and raise up a standard for family of purity and holiness, where all generations are valued, honoured and loved. 

      My Beloved, care for the lonely and isolated, drawing them into the heart of community. Demonstrate My love, speak truth to power and restore dignity to the lost, hurting and broken. Protect children and teach even the youngest to know the truth and guard their hearts. 

      I am about to release a fresh move of My Spirit for Household salvation, bringing entire families into the Kingdom, not just the ones and twos.  My people, be prepared to partner with Me to love and welcome them in.

      Activation: In prayer, ask God to show you any areas in your own family or relationships that need restoration? Remind God of any promises and declare them. Are there other individuals or families that God wants you to pray for and reach out to in this season?  Journal what the Holy Spirit says and be obedient to His direction. Thank God for His grace and goodness.

      5 A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows,
      Is God in His holy habitation.

      6 God makes a home for the lonely;
      He leads the prisoners into prosperity,
      Only the stubborn and rebellious dwell in a parched land.

      Psalm 68:5-6 (AMP)

      17 It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.”

      Luke 1:17 (AMP)

      29 Then the jailer called for torches and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 

      30 and after he brought them out [of the inner prison], he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

      The Jailer Converted

      31 And they answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus [as your personal Savior and entrust yourself to Him] and you will be saved, you and your household [if they also believe].” 

      32 And they spoke the word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ] to him and to all who were in his house. 

      33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their bloody wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 

      34 Then he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, since he had believed in God with his entire family [accepting with joy what had been made known to them about the Christ].

      Acts 16:29-34 (AMP)

      #lionbites

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Embers from Ashes

      I know that you have felt My refining fire upon your life. You have known what it means to be called to holiness and to receive My Holy Spirit fire. Your submission to this process is pleasing to Me, and together we are removing the things that have been holding you back.

      When the fire burns away, two things remain – ashes and embers. We are now entering a time where I am stoking the embers. This stoking dislodges/rearranges and leads to more flame. Lean into this process, dear one, for I am working deep within you.

      Then, together, we will separate the ashes from the embers. The ash is dead and gone – these are the things that have no place in the future that I have planned for you. The embers are what is pleasing and pure within you, upon which My Spirit rests.

      I am reminding you today – do not build upon the ashes, for they will disintegrate and fall away. Instead, build upon the embers; the parts that have been refined, purified and consecrated before Me. For when you build there, the fire will continue to burn – My Holy Spirit fire that acts as a beacon and a gateway to freedom for all who gather there.

      Activation: Sit with Holy Spirit and ask Him to show you the ashes that God has burnt away. Take time to release those things, acknowledge any grief you feel around that, and ask the Spirit for peace. Now ask Him to show you the embers – what parts remain that have been purified ready for the next season? Be ready to receive strategy for how to build upon this with Holy Spirit for the new things that God has set apart for you.

      For I will bend Judah as My bow,
      I will fit the bow with Ephraim       [as My arrow].
      And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece,
      And will make you       [Israel] like the sword of a warrior.

      Zechariah 13:9 (AMP)

      26 His voice shook the earth [at Mount Sinai] then, but now He has given a promise, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the [starry] heaven.” 

      27 Now this [expression], “Yet once more,” indicates the removal and final transformation of all those things which can be shaken—that is, of that which has been created—so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 

      28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 

      29 for our God is [indeed] a consuming fire.

      Hebrews 12:26-29 (AMP)

      #lionbites

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Boast in Me

      I am Almighty God, Sovereign Lord.  

      This world belongs to Me. 

      I am the living hope for the nations, and I will have the last word.  

      My love, righteousness and justice will prevail.  

      In these days of shaking I am dismantling every type of structure that is not rightly built on Me.  

      In the natural realm when storms and floods come, everything that is not secured or on solid foundation is swept away.  I am commanding My people to be the ones who model what it means to build wisely. Stay in My Word, spend time in My Presence and surrender every plan and purpose for your life to Me.

      I ask you to examine your lives and repent of any confidence placed in man or the systems of this world which give the enemy free reign. Together, arise in the fullness of your authority and shut down those things that the church has tolerated for too long.  Like houses built on the sand, the man-made structures and systems of this world must come down.

      As fear and uncertainty take hold across the nations, boast in Me alone. 

      Activation: Ask the Lord if there is an area of your life where you are placing trust and confidence in anyone or anything rather than Him.  Maybe family, finances, ministry, relationships, work or natural strengths.  If the answer is yes, repent, break agreement and ask the Lord for a bible verse that declares the truth that God alone is provider or protector etc..

      23 Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches;

      24 But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

      Jeremiah 9:23-24 (AMPC)

      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. 

      26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish (stupid) man who built his house on the sand. 

      27 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great and complete was its fall.”

      Matthew 7:24-27 (AMP)

      #lionbites

      Thursday Morning Scripture – Jeremiah 9

      1 Oh, that my head were waters and my eyes a reservoir of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

      2 Oh, that I had in the wilderness a lodging place (a mere shelter) for wayfaring men, that I might leave my people and go away from them! For they are all adulterers [rendering worship to idols instead of to the Lord, Who has espoused the people to Himself]; they are a gang of treacherous men [faithless even to each other].

      3 And they bend their tongue, [which is] their bow for the lies [they shoot]. And not according to faithfulness do they rule and become strong in the land; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know and understand and acknowledge Me, says the Lord.

      4 Let everyone beware of his neighbor and put no trust in any brother. For every brother is an utter and complete supplanter (one who takes by the heel and trips up, a deceiver, a Jacob), and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer.

      5 And they deceive and mock every one his neighbor and do not speak the truth. They have taught their tongues to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity.

      6 Your habitation is in the midst of deceit [oppression upon oppression and deceit upon deceit]; through deceit they refuse to know and understand Me, says the Lord.

      7 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will melt them [by the process of affliction to remove the dross] and test them, for how else should I deal with the daughter of My people?

      8 Their tongue is a murderous arrow; it speaks deceitfully; one speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he lays snares and waits in ambush for him.

      9 Shall I not punish them for these things? says the Lord. Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?

      10 For the mountains I will take up a weeping and wailing and for the pastures of the wilderness a lament, because they are burned up and desolated, so that no one passes through [them]; neither can men hear [any longer] the lowing of cattle. Both the fowls of the air and the beasts have fled, they are gone!

      11 I will make Jerusalem heaps [of ruins], a dwelling place of jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.

      12 Who is the wise man who may understand this? To whom has the mouth of the Lord spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined and laid waste like a wilderness, so that no one passes through it?

      13 And the Lord says, Because they have forsaken My law, which I set before them, and have not listened to and obeyed My voice or walked in accordance with it

      14 But have walked stubbornly after their own hearts and after the Baals, as their fathers taught them,

      15 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood and give them bitter and poisonous water to drink.

      16 I will scatter them also among nations that neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send the sword among them and after them until I have consumed them.

      17 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider and call for the mourning women to come; send for the skillful women to come.

      18 Let them make haste and raise a wailing over us and for us, that our eyes may run down with tears and our eyelids gush with water.

      19 For a sound of wailing is heard [coming] out of Zion: How we are plundered and ruined! We are greatly confounded and utterly put to shame, because we have forsaken the land, because they have cast down our dwellings [our dwellings that have cast us out].

      20 Yet hear the word of the Lord, O you women, and let your ears receive the word of His mouth; teach your daughters a lament, and each one [teach] her neighbor a dirge.

      21 For death has come up into our windows; it has entered into our palaces, cutting off the children from outdoors and the young men from the streets.

      22 Speak, Thus says the Lord: The dead bodies of men shall fall like dung on the open field and like sheaves [of grain] behind the reaper, and none shall gather them.

      23 Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches;

      24 But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

      25 Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will punish all who though circumcised [outwardly, in the flesh] are still uncircumcised [in corresponding inward purity]—

      26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the children of Ammon, Moab [all of whom are related except Egypt], and all who live in the desert and who clip off the corners of their hair and beards; for all these nations are uncircumcised [in heart], and all the house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.

      Jeremiah 9:1-26 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition)

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Heavenly Treasure

      My child,

      In this season, it’s crucial to regularly examine your heart, for where your heart is, there lies your treasure—those things you prioritise and are willing to sacrifice for. 

      Consider where you invest your time, energy, focus and money. 

      What treasures are you genuinely seeking? 

      Are you chasing likes on social media, a platform for recognition, earthly pleasures and material wealth? Or are you pursuing the eternal rewards I have promised to those who overcome? 

      These are challenging times and so you must remain vigilant; your enemy is after your heart. His tactics can be subtle and easily overlooked, often disguised as something they are not. Allow Me to examine your motives, and avoid the temptation of earthly treasures. 

      Instead, focus on storing up heavenly treasures that can never be taken from you. Don’t be deceived by the enemy’s offerings that glitter like gold; they won’t withstand the test of My refining fire.

      Seek My Kingdom and strive for treasures that endure. To find My Kingdom, you must dig deep, spending time in My presence through prayer and worship and prioritise Me above all distractions.

      Activation: Read the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. Meditate on the eternal rewards that Jesus promised to those who overcome, such as the hidden manna, the white stone with a new name on it, the tree of life, the right to sit with Jesus on His throne, your name written in the Book of Life etc., as well as on the prerequisites to receive them.

      Hidden Treasure

      “The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself].

      Matthew 13:44 (AMP)

      19 “Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 

      20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; 

      21 for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.

      Matthew 6:19-21 (AMP)

      #lionbites