Thursday Morning Scripture – Galatians 5

Walk by the Spirit

1 It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed].

2 Notice, it is I, Paul, who tells you that if you receive circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation], Christ will be of no benefit to you [for you will lack the faith in Christ that is necessary for salvation]. 

3 Once more I solemnly affirm to every man who receives circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation], that he is under obligation and required to keep the whole Law. 

4 You have been severed from Christ, if you seek to be [a]justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] through the Law; you have fallen from grace [for you have lost your grasp on God’s unmerited favor and blessing]. 

5 For we [not relying on the Law but] through the [strength and power of the Holy] Spirit, by faith, are waiting [confidently] for the hope of righteousness [the completion of our salvation]. 

6 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.

7 You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth? 

8 This [deceptive] persuasion is not from Him who called you [to freedom in Christ]. 

9 A little [b]leaven [a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers] leavens the whole batch [it perverts the concept of faith and misleads the church]. 

10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view [contrary to mine on the matter]; but the one who is disturbing you, whoever he is, will have to bear the penalty. 

11 But as for me, [c]brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision [as I had done before I met Christ; and as [d]some accuse me of doing now, as necessary for salvation], why am I still being persecuted [by Jews]? In that case the stumbling block of the cross [to unbelieving Jews] has been abolished. 

12 I wish that those who are troubling you [by teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation] would even [go all the way and] castrate themselves!

13 For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the [e]sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through [f]love serve and seek the best for one another. 

14 For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].”

15 But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another.

16 But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the [g]sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. 

17 For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the [h]sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. 

18 But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. 

19 Now the practices of the [i]sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), 

20 [j]idolatry, [k]sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], 

21 envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the [l]sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

25 If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. 

26 We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:1-26 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Galatians 5:4 See note 2:16.

[b] Galatians 5:9 Leaven (yeasty dough) represents the man-made tradition and false teachings that obscure the truth regarding salvation through personal belief and faith in Christ.

[c] Galatians 5:11 Lit brethren.

[d] Galatians 5:11 Paul’s opponents in Galatia were trying to support their own arguments for circumcision by claiming that Paul was actually in favor of it. They probably knew that he had circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:3) and were taking advantage of that fact.

[e] Galatians 5:13 Lit flesh.

[f] Galatians 5:13 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.

[g] Galatians 5:16 Lit flesh.

[h] Galatians 5:17 Lit flesh.

[i] Galatians 5:19 Lit flesh.

[j] Galatians 5:20 Including prostitution, which was often part of pagan ritual.

[k] Galatians 5:20 Including such things as occult practices, witchcraft, worship of evil powers, drug-induced trances.

[l] Galatians 5:24 Lit flesh.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Consecration

Beloved, how does it feel to be called by name today?

Remember that I have called you; in this season I am bringing you into this place of purified calling. I’m asking you to rest for a season to reflect on the words of Jesus and remember the call to seek His kingdom first.

There are many other fires of passion and desire in your life, but remember that I am the fire above all other fires.

I am the fire of burning passion and desire that you must come to to be purified again. I am the fire of love who wants to meet with your heart and consecrate your desires again. 

You will find no other love greater than Me. 

You will find no other purpose greater than Me. 

You are made to be found in Me and Me alone.

There are other things which you have found identity in, good things, but they are not going to keep you burning. I am not absent from your desires, but I want your full desire for Me to be burning again. I want your consecration. I want your purity.

Come back to your calling being found in Me alone, above all other pursuits. 

Activation: Dwell on what it means to be found in Christ again today. Ask the Holy Spirit where there are other fires of passion and desire burning in your life which need to be brought into consecration again. Make a note of these areas and bring them before Christ, asking Him to consecrate your desires. 

But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness[His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP)

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

Matthew 6:21 (AMP)

#lionbites

Wednesday Morning Scripture – Matthew 6:16-34

Fasting, The True Treasure, Wealth (Mammon)

16 “And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. 

17 But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face 

18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.

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.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. 

23 But if your eye is bad [spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God’s precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].

The Cure for Anxiety

25 “Therefore I tell you, stop being worried oranxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? 

27 And who of you by worrying can add one [a]hour to [the length of] his life? 

28 And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], 

29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. 

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 

31 Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 

32 For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 

33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Matthew 6:16-34 (AMP)

Tuesday Evening Scripture – Psalm 141

An Evening Prayer for Sanctification and Protection

A Psalm of David

1 LORD, I call upon You; hurry to me.
Listen to my voice when I call to You.

2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before You; the lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.

3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly].

4 Do not incline my heart to [consent to or tolerate] any evil thing, or to practice deeds of wickedness with men who plan and do evil; and let me not eat of their delicacies (be tempted by their gain).

5 Let the righteous [thoughtfully] strike (correct) me—it is a kindness [done to encourage my spiritual maturity]. It is [the choicest anointing] oil on the head; let my head not refuse [to accept and acknowledge and learn from] it; for still my prayer is against their wicked deeds.

6 Their [wicked, godless] judges are thrown down the sides of the rocky cliff, and they [who followed them] will hear my words, for they are pleasant (just).

7 As when the one plows and breaks open the ground [and the soil scatters behind him], our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol [by the injustices of the wicked].

8 For my eyes are toward You, O God, the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not pour out my life nor leave me defenseless.

9 Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me, and from the snares of those who do evil.

10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
While I pass by and safely escape [from danger].

Psalm 141:1-10 (AMP)

Tuesday Morning Scripture – Psalm 19

The Works and the Word of God

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David

1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.

2 Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars]; their voice is not heard.

4 Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun,

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; it rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

6 The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens, and its circuit to the other end of them; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul; the statutes of the LORD are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, they are righteous altogether.

10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed]; in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.

13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins; let them not rule and have control over me. Then I will be blameless (complete), and I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:1-14 (AMP)

Tuesday Morning Scripture – Matthew 12:33-37

Words Reveal Character

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is recognized and judged by its fruit. 

34 You brood of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 

35 The good man, from his [inner] good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his [inner] evil treasure, brings out evil things. 

36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak. 

37 For by your words [reflecting your spiritual condition] you will be justified and acquitted of the guilt of sin; and by your words [rejecting Me] you will be condemned and sentenced.”

Matthew 12:33-37 (AMP)

Tuesday Morning Scripture – John 16:5-15

The Holy Spirit Promised

5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts [and taken complete possession of them]. 

7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the [a]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. 

8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment:

9 about sin[and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message]; 

10 about righteousness [personal integrity and godly character], because I am going to My Father and you will no longer see Me; 

11 about judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned.

12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. 

13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. 

14 He will glorify andhonor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. 

15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.

John 16:5-15 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] John 16:7 Gr Paracletos, one called alongside to help.

Tuesday Morning Scripture – Psalm 138

Thanksgiving for the Lord’s Favor

1 I will give You thanks with all my heart;
I sing praises to You before the [pagan] gods.

2 I will bow down [in worship] toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word together with Your name.

3 On the day I called, You answered me; and You made me bold and confident with [renewed] strength in my life.

4 All the kings of the land will give thanks and praise You, O LORD, when they have heard of the promises of Your mouth [which were fulfilled].

5 Yes, they will sing of the ways of the LORD[joyfully celebrating His wonderful acts], for great is the glory and majesty of the LORD.

6 Though the LORD is exalted, He regards the lowly [and invites them into His fellowship]; but the proud and haughty He knows from a distance.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.

8 The LORD will accomplish that which concerns me; Your [unwavering] lovingkindness, O  LORD, endures forever— Do not abandon the works of Your own hands.

Psalm 138:1-8 (AMP)

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Weight of Your Words

The Lord says, “I am measuring the honesty and truthfulness of your words. It’s important to Me that you understand that the quality of your words is significant. I am assessing their integrity and how they measure up to My standards. 

Do they align with My heart and My will, or are they driven by ulterior motives and hidden agendas? 

Are your words sincere, and do your actions match what you say? 

It is crucial for your words, thoughts, and actions to be in harmony. I also want you to examine whether your words are honouring Me and reflecting who I am, or if they are influenced by the world around you. 

Your words can either attract My glory or repel it – you choose. 

The choice is yours. 

Consider even your words that are spoken in jest. 

Empty words and vain communication will be measured as well. 

You have heard Me say, “Let your yes be your yes and your no be your no.” So, I caution you to consult with Me before you speak so that you know what you’re saying yes to and what you must say no to as well. 

This means that you cannot speak hastily. 

Pause and ask Me if what you are about to say aligns with My will. Be slow to speak and do so only once you’ve heard from Me. Your words should always match what I am saying. I created the world by words, I watch over My words to perform them, and I have magnified My word together with My name, so words do indeed matter.” 

Activation: 

Make a practice of praying the following Psalms (Psalm 19:14 AMPC and Psalm 141:3 AMPC) as a regular prayer:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 (AMPC)

Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3 (AMPC)

Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that you give me grace to guard my lips from speaking what is wrong. I give you full permission to examine every movement of my heart, my meditation thoughts, and the words that I am about to say before I say them so that they will always be pure, pleasing, and acceptable before your eyes, YAHWEH, my only Redeemer, and my Protector, amen.

I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your name and your word.[a]

Psalm 138:2 (ESV)

Footnotes

[a] Psalm 138:2 Or you have exalted your word above all your name

36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak.

37 For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.

Matthew 12:36-37 (AMPC)

13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

John 16:13 (AMPC)

#lionbites

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Prodigals

I know well the ones you are believing for. The friends and family members who you long to see return to My flock. My love for these precious ones is a force that transforms and transcends. 

Trust Me as I hold them in My hands.

Trust My process as I woo them into My Heart and My Kingdom.  

Trust Me as I guide them as a Shepherd herds, trains, and cares for His flock with tender mercy and a gentle hand. 

Cast your fears, worries, and concerns over to Me. Rest assured that I am watching over and guiding them.  You see them one way, but I see their potential because I created them for beautiful things. I intimately know their hurts and struggles.

Allow me to apply My healing balm upon them and wait expectantly for exciting changes!

Activation: Write down all of your fears and worries about the friends and family members who you are waiting on to receive Jesus. Bring these fears and individuals before the Lord and hand them over to Him. Receive a fresh injection of hope for their restoration and ask Holy Spirit how you can partner in praying for them. 

‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you;
I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.

Mark 6:33 (ESV)

#lionbites