Inviting God's Presence... One-Minute Devo

But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
Psalms 22:3

From the heart of this Messianic psalm, we learn one of the most important aspects of worship to defeat our adversary, the devil, in spiritual battle. When we rightfully declare God’s kingdom rule in every area of our lives, His kingdom power and presence are made known, and our enemy runs James 4:7-8. The devil literally cannot remain standing when the Almighty is on the scene!

One of God’s magnificent, beyond comprehension attributes is His omnipresence: the ability to be everywhere at once. No place of His creation is exempt from His presence, not even hell itself Psalm 139:8. 

Yet, we find throughout God’s Word where men and women encountered His manifest presence. We know this in our personal experience as well. These are times when we encounter His reality through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our spirit. We sense and feel His presence in our emotions, thoughts, and physical being.

The Lord Jesus wants to reveal Himself to us through the power of the Holy Spirit within us John 16:14. As we declare His Lordship, we create a place—a throne—for His felt and experienced presence and rule in our lives and over those situations requiring battle-prayer Psalm 22:3. Our worship during spiritual warfare and prayer aligns us with His purposes. We get our eyes off of ourselves and our stuff, allowing the Holy Spirit to help us discern what is actually taking place around us in the spiritual realm. 

As our praises enthrone Him—literally make a seat for Him—we experience His felt presence far surpassing mere head knowledge. And wherever King Jesus is, just as we read in the Gospels, there is salvation, healing, and deliverance. In other words, turn on His light and the enemy’s darkness is overcome. 

Does your home or workplace need to experience heaven’s rule today? Are you praying for someone oppressed by demonic influence? Could your body use His healing touch? Do you need some divine intervention or direction? Begin to praise. Declare Who He is and what He has done. Speak words of worship from God’s Word. Declare His Lordship through worship over these situations and watch what happens when Lord Jesus takes His rightful throne.

What phrase from today’s lesson spoke to your heart and why?

Who Are We Battling? One-Minute Devo

As we look at worship in spiritual warfare, it’s important to realize who and what we are battling.

You were the seal of perfection…
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created.
Ezekiel 28:12-13

Although we can’t know this conclusively, many Biblical scholars believe that the adversary of our souls, Satan, was once a beautiful, beyond compare angelic being created by our Father. He was likely the chief worshipper, leading the heavenly hosts in praising the Most High Ezekiel 28:13. Nevertheless, the devil’s hideous pride in his own beauty caused violence and profanity in God’s presence. Simply stated, the enemy wanted to be God; therefore, the Lord Almighty cast him out of heaven along with those angels who rebelled with him Ezekiel 28:14-17.

We are introduced to the devil in his fallen state in the Garden of Eden, as he tempts Adam and Eve with lies that God is holding out on them. The couple’s decision to listen to the serpent and their choice to turn from the Father ushered in a whole host of calamities:

• Humanity’s separation from God and spiritual death

• Violence and evil unleashed upon the earth

• Adam and Eve’s dominion over planet earth was given over to Satan

But God…

Those two Bible words that change everything. Jesus—God incarnate—came for our rescue. Through faith in Him, we are restored in relationship to the Father, and our once-dead spirits are born again of the Holy Spirit—spiritual CPR.

Although violence and evil are still stalking the earth until Christ’s return, we, as believers, now have God’s Spirit dwelling within us and His spiritual gifts to overcome. We have also been given the power and authority of Jesus’ name to bind and cancel the works of the devil, who is a finite being, and his minions – the fallen angels who are now termed demonic spirits Luke 10:17-20, Philippians 2:9-11.

What gifts we have been given by our loving Abba-Father! We also see why the devil hates our worship of our beloved Savior as we turn the enemy on his head with our praise. The position of worshipper that he once held in God’s courts is now a key to vanquishing him and his demons. What a mighty key it is!

Over the next few weeks, we will continue taking a look at worship as a powerful key in spiritual warfare. Adapted from the YouVersion Plan.

Worship and Warfare One-Minute Devo #1

Let’s be reminded, worship has a key role to play in spiritual warfare.

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, 
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
Psalm 149:6

When we worship, breakthrough takes place in the heavenly realm that can miraculously change circumstances in our physical realm. Yes, worship can do this. There are just too many Bible stories that record this and too many life experiences to discount it.

Our enemy, the devil, and his demons can’t stand it when we worship. It is genuinely the worst sound in their ears. Our praise sends them running. Psalm 149 further tells us that the demonic are bound up. In addition, when we get our eyes off our circumstances and turn them to the One Who is Almighty and reigns supreme, our situations appear minuscule in His hand. Worship aligns our hearts with His heart to hear His battle commands for us. Worship humbles us to know that only He can fight on our behalf. And worship positions us to win the battle of whatever we are facing.

• Instead of getting angry, worship.

• Instead of allowing anxiety to rule, praise.

• Instead of succumbing to self-pity, lift up the One Who uplifts you.

No, we don’t worship to get. Nevertheless, when we do genuinely worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, fears cease, the enemy falters, Jesus is glorified, and His presence transforms us.

So, whatever you are facing right now, instead of contacting someone else, first go to the throne room. Remember who God is and lift your praise. Stay until you have touched heaven. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s direction. Ask for scriptures to strengthen and arm you for battle. Then, see what He does next. Because truly—worship is a key to triumphant spiritual warfare.

What spoke to your heart from today’s lesson?

Over the next few weeks, we will continue taking a look at worship as a powerful key in spiritual warfare. Adapted from the YouVersion Plan.

Ouch! A 30-Second Devo...

Ouch!

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
Hebrews 12:11

 Yes, He is saying some difficult things to me in his gentle, but firm voice. He is speaking these words because He loves me. If you read further, the writer of the Book of Hebrews explains this further.

 Still, it is hard to hear these words from His lips, yet my joy in Jesus is returning. You know, the kind of happiness not based on sweet circumstances but the celebration of freedom from some junk that was starting to overtake my life. I had wondered where my joy in the river of the Holy Spirit had gone. So…

Don’t be afraid to hear and face some stuff in your soul. He is at work, releasing you from selfishness, self-centeredness, self-will, self-righteousness – all the self stuff. I am right there with you in this.

And the best part of all? He promises to replace these broken, rebellious areas in us with the best self of all – Himself.

Worship is Warfare... 30-Second Devo

Let’s be reminded, worship is often warfare…

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, 
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
Psalm 149:6

When we worship, breakthrough takes place in the heavenly realm that can miraculously change circumstances in our physical realm. Yes, worship can do this. There are just too many Bible stories that record this and too many life experiences to discount it.

Our enemy, the devil, and his demons can’t stand it when we worship. It is genuinely the worst sound in their ears. Our praise sends them running. Psalm 149 further tells us that the demonic are bound up. In addition, when we get our eyes off our circumstances and turn them to the One Who is Almighty and reigns supreme, our situations appear minuscule in His hand. Worship aligns our hearts with His heart to hear His battle commands for us. Worship humbles us to know that only He can fight on our behalf. And, worship positions us to win the battle of whatever we are facing.

Instead of getting angry, worship.

Instead of allowing anxiety to rule, praise.

Instead of succumbing to self-pity, lift up the One Who uplifts you.

No, we don’t worship to get. Nevertheless, when we do genuinely worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, fears cease, the enemy falters, Jesus is glorified, and His presence transforms us.

So, whatever you are facing right now, instead of contacting someone else, first go to the throne room. Remember who God is and lift your praise. Stay until you have touched heaven. Ask for a scripture to strengthen you, then see what He does next. Because truly – worship is warfare.

The Thing About Worry... 30-Second Devo

Are you worried or anxious about something?

 Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life…
Matthew 6:25a

The original Greek word for worry here is so interesting. The word literally means to divide into parts, suggesting a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress, and pressure. It means being pulled in so many directions while trying to figure out the resolution to a troubling situation. A sense of feeling scattered, torn apart, or undone. 

 Sometimes we think worry is the responsible thing to do, excusing our preoccupation with it. However, in Christ, to worry is to say He is not big enough, smart enough, wise enough, or He lacks the resources to help us in our need. Really? And yet, this is what our worry reveals.

How about a preemptive strike against worry? Let’s soak in all of Jesus’ words concerning our life found in Matthew 6:19-34. I mean, genuinely meditate on them. Then, let’s invite the Holy Spirit to fill us with faith as we choose to believe what Jesus says is true. Finally, let’s rest in His arms and obey Him implicitly when He gives us direction. 

Do not let worry tear you apart. He is worthy of our trust.

Double-Back... 30-Second Devo

Jesus wants to bestow double-back what has been taken from you by your adversary...

Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
Isaiah 61:7

I encourage you to remember all the times when you have witnessed this happening. Think of those individuals who were once held captive to fear. Nevertheless, when the enemy’s lies were exposed to King Jesus, how often the Lord now turns this person into a mighty and courageous warrior.

What about those persons who lived under a cloak of great shame, even from the womb? Have you noticed that when Jesus was invited to break these lies of worthlessness, He then transformed them into someone who knows their standing in heavenly places?

On and on this goes. So, what might be troubling you? Let Him have it. Give up control. Don’t be afraid to be healed and delivered. Jesus will be gentle with you, but ruthless to Satan. You will be in good hands, and He will not fail you.

Every Footstep... 30-Second Devotional

What a wonderfully well-worn and beloved Bible passage…

Your word is a lamp to my feet,
And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

Here we find His promise to give all the guidance we need, one footfall at a time. And, the great treasure is knowing each footstep we purpose in Him is one in front of the other for the long-range path of our lives.

Jesus’ light is right here, right now, for what we face at this moment. Still, He gives glimpses of our destiny in Him. The trouble is, we want to jump from point A to point Q, missing out on all of the light-guided steps in between! We may try to hurry the path, jump over the track, or even skip the trail, but to what avail? We will miss the glory and power of the Holy Spirit and hearing His voice every single day of our lives.

So, it may be time to turn on the light. Let’s spend some time basking in Jesus’ presence today and drinking up His living, written Word.

And His gracious gift to us? The mundane will become extraordinary, the routine will become wonder-filled, and His light will dazzle our eyes and illuminate our steps.
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Sistahs! sorry guys :( … come join me for a Facebook Online Bible study beginning Monday, January 23rd. Click here to check out the Bible Study group and request to join!

New Beginnings... A 30-Second Devo

I love new beginnings...

I love second chances, third opportunities, and fourth starting-fresh experiences. The list goes on.

Jesus loves new things, too. That is what grace is all about. And mercy. He is all about doing new things, especially in His lambs’ lives.

Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19

Let the Magnificent Creator fashion something new in you today, this week, this new year. It is time to let some old things go and extend your hands to receive His fresh gifts in, to, and through your life.

However, let Him do it. No help needed on your part; just surrender.

You won’t be disappointed.
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From the daily one-year devotional Morning Moments.

What the Manger Reveals... One-Minute Christmas Devotional

For there is born to you this day in the
 city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be the sign to you:
You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths,
lying in a manger.
Luke 2:11-12

One thing the manger reveals to us—Jesus is inclusive.

Everyone can approach a manger. Everyone can approach Jesus. Everyone.

The only folks who can’t come—those who are excluded—are the ones who think they are too good for a stable, too superior to need help, or too proud to bow their knee. These folks have trouble with Jesus. Sometimes, I am this type of folk.

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me,
and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.
John 6:37

 Jesus says come, no matter your past, no matter your pay grade, no matter your persuasion about anything. Simply come. The Holy Spirit will do the transforming, and we, myself included, need to stop the judging, the doing, and the trying.

I can’t earn His love, I can’t work for His love, and it is not up to me to get it right because He is the only one who is Right. Genuine freedom begins when I stop trying so hard and lean desperately into His limitless grace.

So, wretched sinner that I am—yet, being transformed by His power—I come to the manger. I come to bow at the animals’ rugged food trough that has now turned into His throne of blazing, sovereign glory. I come with humble praise.

All because, at the manger, He included me.
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Merry and Blessed Christmas, Everyone!

Perfect Timing...

Now Elizabeth's full time
came for her to be delivered,
and she brought forth a son.
Luke 1:57

The Christmas narrative is overflowing with many themes, promises, and truths filled with profound and eternal importance. One thing for sure, it is the story of His Perfect Timing.

God is never early, and He is never too late. Sometimes I have called Him the Lord of the thirteenth hour, coming through when hope seems lost, and when time has ticked past my preconceived deadline for divine intervention. Yet, I can look back on these occasions with 20/20 vision and see that His timing was perfect in every instance. Every. Single. Time. 

I think it is vital to remember that God – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – lives outside of time’s boundaries. There are no hour or minute-hands on His boundless watch. He created time for us, but He is not limited by it (Genesis 1:4). Nothing constrains Him because He lives in dimensions that we can’t even fathom now, starting with eternity…

I believe we can mess up the Lord’s perfect timing. Yep, I do. Some might disagree, but the Bible is full of encouragement to wait and trust. We get in His way when we try to speed things up, seek to manipulate His hand (yes, we do try that, don’t we?), or when we attempt to run out ahead of Him. Has this ever worked? Or maybe the question to be asked is this: has our interference only further delayed what He was doing?

So, what are you waiting for in your life? Yes, Elizabeth had to wait a long time to have her baby, but do you think she would have had it any other way? Would she have wanted a different child who wasn’t the forbear of the coming Christ? Ponder that.

His timing isn’t about us; it is about what is eternal, which can help us in the waiting room of God’s promises. Because our timing is usually shortsighted, and when He has us tarry, it usually means He is up to something much bigger than we can imagine.

Nothing is Impossible...

Christmas is about God doing the impossible…

“For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!
Let it be to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:37-38 

Yes, Christmas is about God doing the impossible. These are words we cling to when our life situations seem beyond repair, rescue, or restoration. All our hope is lost, and there can be no good outcome. But with God, nothing is impossible! This truth is the joy of a life of faith in Him who holds the universe, the galaxies, and you and me intimately and handily in His Almighty hands (Isaiah 49:2). He makes all the difference.

Honestly, the Christian need never despair. We may have seasons of lament, wells of tears, and deep sorrow, but despair or hopelessness? Really, never. Certainly, there are valid and varied factors surrounding depression or melancholy. Yet, when we are tempted to go to a dark place, we must recognize that something might be amiss in the spiritual realm. Have we left our vital and intimate walk with Jesus and taken a detour? Have we opened a door for our adversary, the devil? Honest and true. Maybe this is difficult to hear, but those who abide, reside, dwell in, and soak in the Holy Spirit’s presence and His Word cultivate the fertile soil for powerful faith to be planted and grow (Luke 8:4-15). Just like Mary.

Mary, like us at times, doesn’t fully comprehend what is happening to her. What in the world is God thinking? She knows all the implications of her single-parent pregnancy messing with her future. Yet, she trusts the God of her forefathers, knowing that big plans call for big faith. Mary might not understand, but she knows there is a much larger picture, and the One who loves her wildly holds all the details and puzzle pieces (Rom. 8:28).

What are you facing today that has you questioning or takes your breath away in fear? Don’t do another thing until you draw close to Him. Quiet your heart. Wait for His presence. Open His Word. Listen for His voice.  Then respond knowing that with God, nothing is impossible.

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Need a little Christmas encouragement? Check out the few-minute overview of this and other Christmas lessons on YouTube (p.s. you can find bunches of videos from God’s Word and I would love for you to subscribe!): Click Here

There is Something About His Name... Short Devotional...

There is something about a name…

And behold,
you will conceive in your womb
and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.
Luke 1:3

My husband and I took a long time considering and praying about what to name each of our children. We desired names filled with meaning to bring God glory, revealing His character through their lives.

So, names are important now, and they certainly were in Bible times as we read in the Scriptures (Genesis 29:32). Yet, there is only one profoundly authoritative, sovereign, and superlative name above all names through whom a person can be made right with God. That name is JESUS. His name alone can heal, save, and deliver us (Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:9-11).

JESUS. Yeshua, a version of Joshua in the Hebrew meaning the Lord is Salvation, and in His name, we find everything we will ever need. JESUS and the myriad of names God’s Word bestows upon Him reveal who He is. There is not a human need, condition, or desire that cannot be consummated in the power of – His name.

The Great I AM taking on flesh to become Immanuel – God with us (Exodus 3:14, John 8:58). The Word of God – another name of His – moving into our neighborhood as The Message relates to save us from our sin (Matthew 1:23). He is the Good Shepherd, Light of the World, Bread of Life, Provider, Healer, Truth, Counselor, Fortress – the list goes on and on.

So, whatever name you need for Him to be this Christmas season, embrace that title entirely for your life. What do you need saving from? Run. Run into the soft, yet powerful embrace found in the shadow of His wings. Leave the details in His care and empty your hands to grab hold of all He truly is. For as His name states, JESUS is all you will ever need.

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From the interactive devotional and YouVersion Plan: Unwrapping Christmas: Viewing the Nativity Through Luke’s Eyes.

Let's Begin Christmas...

There is a beginning to the Christmas narrative, and then there is another beginning. A Beginning that has no starting point or finish line to cross. God eternal; God unlimited: the uncaused Cause.

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order
a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses
and ministers of the word delivered them to us.
Luke 1:1-2 

There is a beginning to the Christmas narrative, and then there is another beginning. A Beginning that has no starting point or finish line to cross. God eternal; God unlimited: the uncaused Cause.

Jesus’ story doesn’t start with His conception or His birth. His story doesn’t even launch from the creation of the world as we know it. The Great I AM—coexistent, coeternal, coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit—has always been (John 8:58). Our oh so limited minds can’t begin to comprehend this truth.

Jesus, the Word of God—God Himself—became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Almighty God, leaving heaven’s splendor, took on the form of our dust to save us from our separation from the Father and the ravages of sin and enslavement to our enemy. A Babe in a manger. God with us.

And what about those eyewitnesses who walked the dusty paths of Israel with Him—those who laughed, cried, beheld, and held the Miraculous? They desire for us to encounter the miraculous as well (1 John 1:1-2).

There has never been a more lavish romance in all of measured time than the love story of God for humanity. Because that’s what Christmas is, the real-life story of the King who became a pauper, who so loved His wayward children that He came for their rescue. He came so they could find overwhelming satisfaction and fulfillment by being hidden in His heart and empowered by His Holy Spirit. He came so that they may reign in life instead of being devastated by it (Romans 5:17).

Such is the power of the Christmas story. A story that never stops giving.
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From the interactive devotional and YouVersion Plan: Unwrapping Christmas: Viewing the Nativity Through Luke’s Eyes.

Victory in Praise One-Minute Thanksgiving Devotional

This is one of my most favorite accounts from the Bible:..

“You will not need to fight in this battle...
stand still and see the salvation of the LORD,
who is with you”...
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head ...worshiping the LORD.
...he appointed those who should sing to the LORD,
and who should praise the beauty of holiness,
as they went out before the army and were saying:
“Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever.”
2 Chronicles 20:17-18, 20-21

Israel is about to be creamed by the onslaught of enemy attack. King Jehoshaphat leads the nation to seek the Lord, and God speaks, giving them out-of-the-box instructions. Nevertheless, He promises complete victory. The nation responds and humbles itself, calls the worship team to the front of the line, and heads out to meet the assaulting army.

Pure and simple, the enemy is absolutely defeated. Better than defeated. The enemy turns inward and annihilates itself.

We discussed worship as warfare on Day 3, but we must remind ourselves of this truth. Worship is our battle cry. Worship is the standard we raise to face our adversaries (Isaiah 59:19). When we worship the Name above all names and genuinely let Holy Spirit adoration arise from our being, hell is stopped in its tracks. Really. Truly.

Do you have a burden, concern, question, or heartache? I encourage you to read the whole of 2 Chronicles 20. Seek the Lord (v. 3). Listen for the Lord’s battle directions for your personal situation (v.15). Position yourself (v.17). Humble yourself (v.18). Choose to believe God (v. 20). Lift up verbal praise (v.21).

Repeat until victory is secured.
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Adapted from the interactive devotional: Thirty Days of Thanksgiving. Also, a YouVersion plan!

A Recipe for Joy One-Minute Thanksgiving Devo

Okay. Here is the recipe for living positioned in the presence of the Lord all through our day. Every day.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
Psalm 92:1-2

What would it look like if our very first words to Jesus every morning were filled with thanksgiving, gratefulness, and worship? What if we started our days dancing into His courts with praise instead of lugging a laundry list of requests and needs?

Even when life has its darkest tragedies and trials, what might our lives be like if we worshipped at His footstool because His compassion never fails and His mercies are new every morning? Might there be a chance that those verbal declarations to Him align our hearts and minds to expect a miracle for our trying situation? Just sayin’.

What about the end of our day? Could our sleep possibly be sweeter, longer, and deeper if each evening we declared His greatness over our lives? Thanking Him for His intimate knowledge of every detail that concerns us and speaking words of love to Him for how amazing He is?

Often, the adversary of our souls uses the night watch to bring tormenting thoughts to our minds when we are facing health, financial, or relational issues. Nevertheless, might his tormenting voice be silenced if we pressed through to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment as we worship Him before laying our heads on our pillows? I bet we would sleep more untroubled and unconcerned, hearing our own voice declare His greatness.

Again. We don’t worship to get. However, when we speak praise, heaven touches earth, faith is released, and our Papa positions us for His plans and purposes. Beginning and ending our day and every moment in between, may His praise ever be on our lips. This sounds like a winning recipe indeed.

Adapted from the interactive devotional: Thirty Days of Thanksgiving. Also, a YouVersion plan!

As We Head Toward Thanksgiving... One-Minute Devo

A Month of Thanksgiving and Worship…

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1

As we embark upon this journey of thanksgiving, praise, and worship through God’s Word, let’s begin at the beginning.

Surrender.

Yes, surrender is the ultimate act of worship and gratefulness.

And surrender is where we find our true selves – who we were meant to be from the hand Who so lovingly created us. Really. When we lose ourselves to Him, we find life at its fullest, most satisfying, and most complete.

So, you see, we can sing all the songs, raise our hands, and shout praise all we want, but real rubber meets the road when we allow the Holy Spirit to pour out our small, selfish, limited lives for HIS large, love beyond reason, priceless, and boundless adventure for us. Because surrender means we trust Him, and when we trust Jesus, we worship with all our being.

From Genesis to Revelation, we discover that the Almighty, Who flung the galaxies into existence like glitter from His hand, ever and only wants – our hearts. He desires us to desire Him, and there is no greater act of love and honor we can bestow our heavenly Father than the gift of ourselves.

So, let’s do this thing. This thing that so often trips us up, is so much easier said than done at first, and requires every ounce of our being. Let’s offer our lives to the One Who holds every detail that concerns us in the tenderness of His heart. Let’s surrender everything to Jesus. Let’s worship Him by giving Him our all.

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From the interactive devotional, Thirty Days of Thanksgiving, also a YouVersion Plan (do it with your YouVersion friends!

God Alone... One-Minute Devotional

Hey! It’s our Final Day of this adaptation from my cancer story! I completely realize you may not be facing down this disease, but most of us are going through something. Right? Just insert you biggest burden in place of cancer in this last devo. In the coming weeks…we will be looking at Thanksgiving and Worship as we head into the holidays.

When we have sought the Lord for His healing touch, asking Him to reveal any hidden hindrances, and we have come against sickness in Jesus’ name, but healing still seems delayed, we then both stand firm in our faith, rest in Him, and wait for His timing.

Once, the apostle Paul needed physical healing, too. He, who had seen countless people healed, prayed to Jesus three times. The Lord’s reply? My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor.12:9-10). We never learn if Paul received healing or not. However, experiencing the all-sufficiency of God’s grace was overwhelmingly more than enough.

Job experienced this, too. The miracle of his life was not his healing and restoration, but that He intimately encountered the God of the universe (Job 42:1, 2-5).

As we wait on God for our healing, we discover that the Old Testament word for waiting entails so much more than counting the minutes. It means to wait for, look for, expect, and hope. To expectantly wait on God means to lose yourself in Him; to be so bound up with Jesus that you cannot be separated from Him. These definitions change the whole dynamic of waiting in any area of our lives.

When we encounter the Lord’s presence daily, physical healing pales in comparison. We are not diminishing our desire to be healed; nevertheless, experiencing the Almighty is so much more glorious because it transforms everything about everything in our lives. Often, this is where physical wholeness happens.

When we draw close to Jesus, the lines between earth and heaven are blurred, and fear ceases to have a grip upon us. We can wait expectantly for what miracle He will do in our lives. And sometimes, the gift may be that Jesus is calling us home to be with Him. Our Father will always fulfill His promises this side of heaven or in heaven itself (2 Corinthians 1:18-20). The Christian life is always a win-win situation.

There is healing in Christ Jesus, and He has not changed. Miracles still happen and abound. Yet, there is so much more to discover in Him, the power of the Holy Spirit, and His Word. Be encouraged to seek the Lord. He will not disappoint.

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What spoke to your heart from today’s thoughts? Take time with the Lord and discuss your thoughts and feeling with Him and listen for His reply.

Further Bible References: Heb. 4:9-10, Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 27:4, Romans 5:5

To learn more about my story, find Held in His Hands: Encouragement for Your Healing on Amazon!
Also: This study is on the YouVersion App: Cancer: Encouragement for Healing
https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/26201

Battle Prayer... One-Minute Devotional from God's Word

We must consider that a significant portion of any illness, including cancer (or any difficulty you are facing on any level), is a direct fallout from our broken world and our enemy, the devil. The Bible reveals that approximately one-third of Jesus’ earthly ministry dealt with freeing people from demonic tyranny in their lives, including demonic spirits of infirmity (Matt. 17:15-18).

The devil can only be in one place at a time, so he works through his minions to do his bidding, however, they are extremely limited beings. Jesus destroyed all their weaponry upon the cross. In turn, the Lord gave us His authority over these principalities and powers in His Name (Luke 10:19).

God’s Word explains that we do not war against flesh and blood but against these demonic entities. We battle them from our position in Christ seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). But how do we fight them? Dick Eastman, president of Every Home for Christ, writes about spiritual warfare in this manner:

Thus, prayer is not so much a weapon, or even a part of the armor, as it is the means by which we engage in the battle itself and the purpose for which we are armed. To put on the armor of God is to prepare for battle. Prayer is the battle itself, with God’s Word being our chief weapon employed against Satan during our struggle.*

Ask the Lord to what degree the enemy is playing in your cancer diagnosis. Employing the authority of the Name above all names, speak Jesus’ name directly to the spirit that is afflicting you, commanding that spirit to leave, and never come back. It is always helpful to back up your words with Scripture (Luke 4:4). If spiritual warfare is new to you, enlist the help of spiritual leaders in your life to pray with you and for you (James 5:14).

We find the crux of spiritual warfare in the Lord’s prayer, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:10). We are inviting heaven’s rule to take place on earth in our situation. The Lord is always available to us, and He has given us many tools through His Word and the Holy Spirit to see our victories secured in His glorious name.

* Dick Eastman, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc. 2002), note for Ephesians 6:10-18.

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Spiritual warfare may be new to you, but it has profound outcomes. Consider seeking God and His Word to learn to an even greater degree what has been given to you as a Jesus believer in the power of His name.

Further Bible References: Luke 10:17-20, Ephesians 6:10-18, Colossians. 2:14-15

To learn more about my story, find Held in His Hands: Encouragement for Your Healing on Amazon!
Also: This study is on the YouVersion App: Cancer: Encouragement for Healing
https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/26201

Healing in His Presence... One-Minute Devotional

One thing we notice about Jesus’ life is that in His presence, people were healed. He dispensed physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental wholeness. He cast out demonic oppression and spirits of infirmity that also inflicted physical maladies. The same is true today.

We take our cue from the Lord Himself. Jesus often spent time alone with His Father. His earthly ministry extended from these times of sweet communion. Jesus used varying methods to minister healing, with no set formula except the leading of the Holy Spirit and what the Father was speaking.

We can attend church, read our Bibles, pray, and still live a Christian life that is more theory than experience. When trials come, we can easily get walloped by anxiety or worry. We may find ourselves unprepared to battle our enemy in prayer. However, as King David expressed (Psalm 27) and Mary experienced (Luke 10:38-42), nothing can take the place of our time alone with the Lord Jesus, enjoying His presence, feasting upon His Word, and hearing His voice.

How does this apply to physical healing?

When we cultivate Jesus’ felt presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit who indwells us, we make room for His healing touch. During these precious times, we are not bringing our laundry list of prayers. Instead, we are worshipping and waiting upon Him. We will hear His voice through His Word, renewing our minds and increasing our faith. And when the Lord gives us a directive about a treatment plan, we can act upon it confidently.

Sometimes, Jesus may tell us what might hinder our healing. Do we need to ask forgiveness of someone, or do we need to forgive a wrong? Have we opened doors to stress or anxiety that affect us physically, or is there lingering sin in our lives that has allowed our adversary access to our health? The Holy Spirit may direct us to take an action, and as we are obedient, the healing will come (Luke 17:14). Or possibly, the Lord is telling us to rest and trust.

Be encouraged to take time with Jesus. We will learn His voice for ourselves and find strength to obey in faith what He tells us. It is always the right time to draw close to Him.

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How did today’s thoughts speak to your heart today? Ponder your best times to meet with the Lord undistracted. Honestly, these will be some of the most important moments in your life.

Further Bible References: Matthew 6:6, Psalm 91, Ephesians 1:17-20, Luke 6:17-18, 13:11

To learn more about my story, find Held in His Hands: Encouragement for Your Healing on Amazon!
Also: This study is on the YouVersion App: Cancer: Encouragement for Healing
https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/26201