Tuesday Morning Scripture – Exodus 14

Pharaoh in Pursuit

1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 

2 “Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. You shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. 

3 For Pharaoh will say of the Israelites, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ 

4 I will harden (make stubborn, defiant) Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will be glorified and honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians shall know [without any doubt] and acknowledge that I am the LORD.” And they did so.

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this that we have done? We have let Israel go from serving us!” 

6 So Pharaoh harnessed horses to his war-chariots [for battle] and took his [a]army with him; 

7 and he took six hundred chosen war-chariots, and all the other war-chariots of Egypt with [b]fighting charioteers over all of them. 

8 The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he pursued the Israelites, as they were leaving confidently and defiantly. 

9 The Egyptians chased them with all the horses and war-chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them as they camped by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were very frightened; so the Israelites cried out to the LORD. 

11 Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What is this that you have done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 

12 Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians [as slaves] than to die in the wilderness.”

The Sea is Divided

13 Then Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid! Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed] and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for those Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again. 

14 The LORD will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.”

15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to move forward [toward the sea]. 

16 As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the sons of Israel may go through the middle of the sea on dry land. 

17 As for Me, hear this: I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will go in [the sea] after them; and I will be glorified and honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and his war-chariots and his horsemen. 

18 And the Egyptians shall know [without any doubt] and acknowledge that I am the LORD, when I am glorified and honored through Pharaoh, through his war-chariots and his charioteers.”

19 The [c]angel of God, who had been going in front of the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them. The pillar of the cloud moved from in front and stood behind them. 

20 So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. It was a cloud along with darkness [even by day to the Egyptians], but it gave light by night [to the Israelites]; so one [army] did not come near the other all night.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all that night and turned the seabed into dry land, and the waters were divided. 

22 The Israelites went into the middle of the sea on dry land, and the waters formed a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 

23 Then the Egyptians pursued them into the middle of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his war-chariots and his charioteers. 

24 So it happened at the early morning watch [before dawn], that the Lord looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and put them in a state of confusion. 

25 He made their chariot wheels hard to turn, and the chariots difficult to drive; so the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from Israel, for the LORD is fighting for them against the Egyptians.”

26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, on their war-chariots and their charioteers.” 

27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal flow at sunrise; and the Egyptians retreated right into it [being met by the returning water]; so the LORD overthrew the Egyptians and tossed them into the midst of the sea. 

28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the charioteers, and all the army of Pharaoh that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them survived. 

29 But the Israelites walked on dry land in the middle of the sea, and the waters formed a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

30 The LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians [lying] dead on the [d]seashore. 

31 When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD [with reverence and awe-filled respect], and they believed in the LORD, and in His servant Moses.

Exodus 14:1-31 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Exodus 14:6 Lit people.

[b] Exodus 14:7 Or perhaps three-man teams.

[c] Exodus 14:19 See note Gen 16:7.

[d] Exodus 14:30 Lit the lip of the sea.

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.