Wednesday Morning Scripture – Isaiah 43:14-21

Babylon to be Destroyed

14 This is what the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says,

“For your sake I have sent [one] to Babylon, and I will bring down all of them as fugitives, even the Chaldeans [who reign in Babylon], into the ships [a]over which they rejoiced.

15 “I am the LORD, your Holy One,
The Creator of Israel, your King.”

16 This is what the Lord says,

He who makes a way through the sea
And a path through the mighty waters,

17 He who brings out the chariot and the horse, the army and the mighty warrior,
(They will lie down together, they will not rise again;
They have been extinguished, they have been put out like a lamp’s wick):

18 “Do not remember the former things, or ponder the things of the past.

19 “Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

20 “The beasts of the field will honor Me,
jackals and ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen.

21 “The people whom I formed for Myself
will make known My praise.

Isaiah 43:14-21 (AMP)

Tuesday Morning Scripture – Matthew 6:25-34

The Cure of Anxiety

25 “Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (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.

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34 (AMP)

Footnotes

[a] Matthew 6:27 Lit cubit, here probably applied metaphorically to a lifespan.

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Come Outside

    My child, take a walk outside with Me and let Me show off to you the beauty of My creation. See how I have fashioned the trees, flowers, and leaves with the most intricate detail, yet with such ease.  Listen to the birds sing and take in the vibrant colours that surround you. 

    Worship Me.

    Breathe in deeply.  

    Rest in Me.  

    I AM your loving Heavenly Father who longs to give you good gifts and extravagantly meet your daily needs. If I can take care of the smallest sparrow, how much more will I lavish My love upon you. I know your every need.

    Give Me your cares. 

    The culture and narrative of the world will try to inform you. I say, tomorrow’s concerns don’t belong to today. 

    Set your heart’s attention on the Kingdom of Heaven and things that will last.  Pursue My righteousness and priorities for your life.  I have so much more for you than fleeting pleasures which won’t satisfy.

    Walk with Me, talk with Me, and keep your fixed eyes on Me.

    Activation: Spend time in worship and ask Holy Spirit to show you things that are pulling you in different directions. Hand them over to God in prayer.  If you can, go for a walk in the outdoors or find a thing of beauty and allow God to minister His love and care. 

    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.

    34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

    Matthew 6::30-34 (AMP)

    Put On the New Self

    1 Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

    2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. 

    3 For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.

    Colossians 3:1-3 (AMP)

    #lionbites

    Tuesday Morning Scripture Colossians 3:17

    Put On the New Self

    1 Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

    2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. 

    3 For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 

    4 When Christ, who is our life, [a]appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

    5 So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God]. 

    6 Because of these [sinful] things the [divine] wrath of God is coming [b]on the sons of disobedience [those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s precepts], 

    7 and in these [sinful things] you also once walked, when you were habitually living in them [without the knowledge of Christ]. 

    8 But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth. 

    9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices, 

    10 and have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self— 

    11 a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] [c]barbarian or [d]Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].

    12 So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; 

    13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. 

    14 Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others]. 

    15 Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. 

    16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

    17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

    Colossians 3:1-17 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Colossians 3:4 A reference to His second coming.

    [b] Colossians 3:6 Two early mss do not contain this phrase.

    [c] Colossians 3:11 A derogatory term used to describe uneducated, uncultured people who were not fluent in the Greek language.

    [d] Colossians 3:11 The Scythians were savage equestrian herdsmen who were skilled archers and often worked as mercenaries and/or slave traders. The Scythian women were known to dress as warriors and fight alongside the men.

    Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Joy in Surrender

    Surrender to Me and let My joy be your strength, your refuge, and your safe space. As you rejoice in Me and My deeds, your inner being will be strengthened. There is joy in surrendering to Me. 

    Every time you hand over to Me all that grieves you, pulls you down, consumes your energy, or demands your attention, you will find true peace in Me. 

    If you lay all your worries, sorrows, burdens, and distractions at My feet, then you will find true joy in Me. As I become your sole source of rejoicing, My joy will be a refreshing spring in your soul, bubbling up and overflowing. This Joy within you will become a fountain for others to also enjoy. It will be a well for many to come and drink deeply the water of life – My joy and the hope that is only found in Me.

    Activation: Sit with the Lord and hand over to Him everything that grieves you, burdens you, drains your energy, and steals your joy. Write it all down and lay it before the Lord. Let go of it all and declare that you choose God and His joy. Wait on Him and allow Him to fill you with His joy. Expect the Holy Spirit to surprise you with His gift of joy, hope, and strength.

    Then Ezra said to them, “Go [your way], eat the rich festival food, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold.”

    Nehemiah 8:10 (AMP)

    Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord;
    I will     [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!

    Habakkuk 3:18 (AMP)

    May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.

    Romans 15:13 (AMP)

    #lionbites

    Monday Morning Scripture – Nehemiah 8

    Ezra Reads the Law

    1 Then all the people gathered together as one man at the open square in front of the Water Gate; and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel. 

    2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. 

    3 Then he read from it, in front of the open square which was in front of the Water Gate, from [a]early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and women, those who could understand; and [b]all the people listened carefully to the Book of the Law. 

    4 Ezra the scribe stood on a [large] wooden platform which they had constructed for this purpose. And beside him [on the platform] stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left. 

    5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above them; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 

    6 Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; and they knelt down and worshiped the Lord with their faces toward the ground. 

    7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, explained the Law to the people, and the people remained in their places. 

    8 So they read from the Book of the Law of God, translating and explaining it so that the people understood the reading.

    “This Day is Holy”

    9 Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the Law. 

    10 Then Ezra said to them, “Go [your way], eat the rich festival food, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold.” 

    11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be worried.” 

    12 Then all the people went on their way to eat, to drink, to send portions [of food to others] and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been [c]communicated to them.

    Feast of Booths Restored

    13 On the second day, all of the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, were gathered before Ezra the scribe to gain insight into the words of [d]the Law (divine instruction). 

    14 They found written in the Law how the Lord had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in booths (huts) during the feast of the seventh month. 

    15 So they proclaimed and published an announcement in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hills and bring olive branches, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy branches to make booths, as it is written.” 

    16 So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on the roof of his house, and in their courtyards and the courtyards of God’s house, and in the open square of the Water Gate and in the square of the Gate of Ephraim. 

    17 The entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them. Indeed since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that very day, the Israelites had not done so. And there was great rejoicing and celebration. 

    18 Every day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the feast for seven days; on the eighth day there was a [closing] solemn assembly in accordance with the ordinance.

    Nehemiah 8:1-18

    Footnotes

    [a] Nehemiah 8:3 Lit the light.

    [b] Nehemiah 8:3 Lit in the ears of all the people.

    [c] Nehemiah 8:12 Lit made known.

    [d] Nehemiah 8:13 See note Ezra 3:2.

    Monday Morning Scripture – Habakkuk 3

    God’s Salvation of His People

    1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, set to [a]wild and enthusiastic music.

    2 O Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear.
    O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years,
    In the midst of the years make it known;
    In wrath     [earnestly] remember compassion and love.

    3 God [approaching from Sinai] comes from Teman (Edom),
    And the Holy One from     [b]Mount Paran. Selah ([c]pause, and calmly think of that).
    His splendor and majesty covers the heavens
    And the earth is full of His praise.

    4 His brightness is like the sunlight;
    He has     [bright] rays flashing from His hand,
    And there     [in the sunlike splendor] is the hiding place of His power.

    5 Before Him goes the pestilence [of judgment as in Egypt],
    And     [the burning] plague [of condemnation] follows at His feet [as in Sennacherib’s army].

    6 He stood and measured the earth;
    He looked and startled the nations,
    Yes, the eternal mountains were shattered,
    The ancient hills bowed low and collapsed collapsed.
    His ways are eternal.

    7 I [Habakkuk, in my vision] saw the tents of Cushan under distress;
    The tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.

    8 Did the Lord rage against the rivers,
    Or was Your anger against the rivers,
    Or was Your wrath against the     [Red] Sea,
    That You rode on Your horses,
    On Your chariots of salvation?

    9 Your bow was made bare;
    The rods of chastisement were sworn. Selah     (pause, calmly think of that).
    You split the earth with rivers     [bringing waters to dry places].

    10 The mountains saw You and [they] trembled and writhed [as if in pain];
    The downpour of waters swept by     [as a deluge].
    The deep uttered its voice and raged,
    It lifted its hands high    .

    11 The sun and moon stood in their places [as before Joshua];
    They went away at the light of Your     [swift] arrows,
    At the radiance and gleam of Your glittering spear.

    12 In indignation You marched through the earth;
    In anger You trampled and threshed the nations.

    13 You went forth for the salvation of Your people,
    For the salvation and rescue of Your anointed     [people Israel].
    You struck the [d]head from the house of the wicked
    To lay him open from the thigh to the neck. Selah     (pause, and calmly think of that).

    14 With the enemy’s own spears, You pierced
    The head of his hordes.
    They stormed out to scatter us,
    Rejoicing like those
    Who secretly devour the oppressed     [of Israel].

    15 You have trampled on the sea with Your horses,
    On the surge of many waters.

    16 I heard and my whole inner self trembled;
    My lips quivered at the sound.
    Decay and rottenness enter my bones,
    And I tremble in my place.
    Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress,
    For the people to arise who will invade and attack us.

    17 Though the fig tree does not blossom
    And there is no fruit on the vines,
    Though the yield of the olive fails
    And the fields produce no food,
    Though the flock is cut off from the fold
    And there are no cattle in the stalls,

    18 Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord;
    I will     [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!

    19 The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army];
    He has made my feet     [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet
    And makes me walk     [forward with spiritual confidence] on my [e]high places [of challenge and responsibility].

    For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.

    Habakkuk 3:1-19 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Habakkuk 3:1 Lit Shigionoth. The musical heading suggests that this chapter should be sung.

    [b] Habakkuk 3:3 Located in the Sinai peninsula.

    [c] Habakkuk 3:3 The exact meaning of selah is unknown; many think it calls for a pause in music.

    [d] Habakkuk 3:13 Perhaps a reference to Pharaoh.

    [e] Habakkuk 3:19 The troubled times of life may actually be the “high places” of spiritual growth for the believer who remains stable when tested by God.

    Monday Morning Scripture – Romans 15

    Self-denial on Behalf of Others

    1 Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves. 

    2 Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please his [a]neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually. 

    3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written [in Scripture], “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU(the Father) FELL ON ME (the Son).” 

    4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. 

    5 Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 

    6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify and praise and honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    7 Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just as Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God. 

    8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant and a minister to the circumcision (Jews) on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm and verify the promises made to the fathers, 

    9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy [to them, since God had no covenant with them]. As it is written and forever remains written,

    “THEREFORE I PRAISE YOU AMONG THE GENTILES,
    AND SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME.”

    10 Again it says,

    “REJOICE and CELEBRATE , O GENTILES, ALONG WITH HIS PEOPLE.”

    11 And again,

    “PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES,
    AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM!”

    12 Again Isaiah says,

    “THERE SHALL BE A ROOT OF [b]JESSE,
    HE WHO ARISES TO RULE     [as King] OVER THE GENTILES,
    IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE.”

    13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.

    14 Personally I am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, amply filled with all [spiritual] knowledge, and competent to admonish and counsel and instruct one another. 

    15 Still, on some points I have written to you very boldly and without reservation to remind you [about them] again, because of the grace that was given to me from God, 

    16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I minister as a priest the gospel of God, in order that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable [to Him], sanctified [made holy and set apart for His purpose] by the Holy Spirit. 

    17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have found [legitimate] reason for boasting in things related [to my service] to God. 

    18 For I will not [even] presume to speak of anything except what Christ has done through me [as an instrument in His hands], resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles [to the gospel], by word and deed, 

    19 with the power of signs and wonders, [and all of it] in the power of the Spirit. So [starting] from Jerusalem and as far away as [c]Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel [faithfully preaching the good news] of Christ [where it had not before been preached]. 

    20 Accordingly I set a goal to preach the gospel, not where Christ’s name was already known, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; 

    21 but [instead I would act on this goal] as it is written [in Scripture],

    “THEY WHO HAD NO NEWS OF HIM SHALL SEE, AND THEY WHO HAVE NOT HEARD [of Him] SHALL UNDERSTAND.”

    22 This [goal—my commitment to this principle] is the reason why I have often been prevented from coming to you [in Rome]. 

    23 But now, with no further place for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you— 

    24 whenever I go [on my trip] to Spain—I hope to see you as I pass through [Rome], and to be helped on my journey there by you, after I have first enjoyed your company for a little while. 

    25 But for now, I am going to Jerusalem to serve the saints (Jewish believers). 

    26 For [Gentile believers in] [d]Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints (Jewish believers) in Jerusalem. 

    27 They were pleased to do it, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual things, then they are indebted to serve them also in [tangible] material things. 

    28 Therefore, when I have finished this [mission] and have safely given to them what has been raised, I will go on by way of you to Spain. 

    29 I know that when I do come to you, I will come in the abundant blessing of Christ.

    30 I urge you, believers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join together with me in your prayers to God in my behalf, 

    31 [and pray] that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints (Jewish believers) there; 

    32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and find rest in your company. 

    33 May the God of peace be with you all! Amen.

    Romans 15:1-33 (AMP)

    Footnotes

    [a] Romans 15:2 i.e. all those with whom we have contact.

    [b] Romans 15:12 Jesse was the father of David the king, and Jesus (the Messiah) was a descendant of David.

    [c] Romans 15:19 Located nearly 1,400 miles from Jerusalem, Illyricum was a Roman province of economic and strategic importance. It was a large region north of Macedonia located between the Adriatic Sea and the Danube River, and was known for its commercial seaports and gold mines. The great Roman road, Via Egnatia, started in Illyricum and ran eastward to Byzantium.

    [d] Romans 15:26 In addition to Macedonia and Achaia some churches in Asia Minor also contributed to this offering.

      Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Wait on Me

      My child, today I want you to sit back and just watch what I am doing in your life. I know the issues that are pressing on your heart. 

      I know your deadlines and the thoughts that keep you awake at night.

      Nevertheless, don’t take matters into your own hands to speed up the process. I want you to sit in this tension of waiting on My timings. 

      Don’t be tempted to interfere with what I am doing. Don’t spoil what I am doing by being impatient and stepping out of My timings. Instead, keep waiting on Me. Trust in My guidance for I see the whole picture. I have already worked out the best plan for you.

      In this season it is imperative that you wait on Me. Let Me remind you again today that I am in control of every little detail in your life no matter how bleak the situation looks like. Trust in My process and patiently wait for My perfect timings.

      Application: Get a piece of paper and write down whatever is weighing heavy on your heart. Then sit with Jesus in prayer and hand the piece of paper over to Him. Declare over your situation(s) that God’s timings and will are the perfect solution. Keep trusting in His ways!

      My times are in Your hands; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who pursue and persecute me.

      Psalm 31:15 (AMP)

      8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
      Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.

      9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.

      Isaiah 55:8-9 (AMP)

      #lionbites