Accepted: Who We Really Are... One-Minute Devotional from Ephesians

Accepted: Who We Really Are & What He has Given Us

Week #2 – Ephesians 1:6-10

 We are accepted. We are forgiven.

It is that simple. It is that hard. The simplicity lies in our Father unreservedly giving us His Son to satisfy the debt of our sin. The difficulty is for us to believe this truth. Certainly, God must require something of us? Surely, it is up to us to get our act together? And yet, this platform of grace, richly supplied (vs.7-8), is the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can’t do anything but receive it. Everything has already all been done.

Let’s consider God’s grace (New Testament Greek: charis). It is His divine favor and strings-free gift that saves, maintains, and transforms us. Grace, the word that also means joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, and loveliness, has already been bestowed upon us and is the platform we must stand upon - but do we?

When we stand on His platform of grace, no matter what our thoughts, emotions, or the enemy is shouting in our heads, we take the first steps toward freedom and realizing who we are in Christ. When we slip and fall – for we surely will – we must not let guilt become the ball-and-chain that binds our souls to our hurts, addictions, and behaviors. Yes, we must agree with the Holy Spirit’s conviction of our sin, confess it, and ask forgiveness for it, but then we must agree with God’s Word that His work of forgiving and cleansing us has already begun (John 1:9).

When we choose to believe Jesus at His word that we are already forgiven and accepted, we silence guilt’s accusations. Then, the power of God’s grace can transform us from our hang-ups and hurts, propelling us toward our purpose. Remember, the mystery of the gospel (v.9) is Christ in us, living His life through us (Col. 1:27).

We can’t fix ourselves; only He can. It starts with a Holy Spirit paradigm shift in our hearts and minds and our responsive yes to His promptings. I think I am less-than and don’t belong; He declares I am entirely accepted and loved unconditionally. My thoughts tell me I will never get it right. He states that it isn’t up to me; the Holy Spirit will do the work (Eph. 3:7). The enemy tells me I am guilty; Jesus says I am already forgiven, clean, and free (Heb. 10:12-13.

It is time to believe these truths with all our heart, mind, and strength.

Accepted: Who We Really Are...Ephesians One-Minute Devotional...

Accepted: Who We Really Are & What He Has Given Us…

Week #1 – Ephesians 1:1-5

Over the next several weeks, every other week, we will journey on the mountaintops of who we are in the Lord Jesus through sections of Paul’s wondrous letter to the Ephesian church. We will find that we are accepted, forgiven, positioned, empowered, and uniquely created for God’s purposes. It is from the platform of His grace and truth about who we are, despite our sin and failings, that we take our first steps forward in greater freedom, Holy Spirit living, and fulfillment for our lives.

From the outset, Paul encourages us to know that we are God’s saints, and we have received spiritual blessings beyond compare. The word saint in the original New Testament Greek means holy one.

It is difficult for us to see ourselves in this light of purity and moral goodness because we know our issues, strongholds, habits, and hang-ups. Right? However, this truth about why we are called saints will be evident as we study further. 

As humans, we long for His blessing in every area of our lives, but we must first realize that we are already positioned in His blessing. We may be searching for something He has already lavishly given us. And what is every spiritual blessing? Holy Spirit gifts, enablement, and the authority of His Name, to name a few (1 Cor. 12, Eph. 1:19, Luke 10:17-20). We are not spiritual paupers; we have been abundantly blessed and have all we need in Christ Jesus (2 Peter 1:3).

Finally, we are chosen.

The words chosen and predestination in these opening verses can be disconcerting, and we may have differing theological views. Regardless, here, these words speak to those who have responded to the gospel by saying yes to Jesus as Lord of their lives (John 1:12). We have been chosen because we are His children, and He is enabling us to walk in His love with holiness and without blame-a work that only He can do through us (Eph. 3:7).

Chosen.

You are chosen. I am chosen. This is our position in Jesus and how our Father sees us, whether we feel worthy of being chosen or not. We see our messes; He looks at us and sees His Son. Recognizing this truth reveals the power of His grace and our residency here and now in the Kingdom of His agape, unconditional, and limitless love (Col. 1:13).

NOTE: I love journeying with you through Ephesians! Please note that much of what we will look at here, through this marvelous book, can be found in Refresh: Transformed Thoughts, Emotions, & Lives! This short study can also be found on the YouVersion Bible app!

Worship: A Key in Spiritual Warfare - Jesus' Example...

Jesus’ Example for Us (Lesson #7)

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
Luke 4:8

When the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to face down Satan, we are reminded that speaking and declaring God’s Word over the enemy is paramount to spiritual warfare. Nevertheless, in the second of the Lord’s temptations, we also discover the importance of worship in binding the enemy’s strategies.

Nearly all temptation to sin—missing the mark of God’s holiness and best—is in some way providing a shortcut to something that God wants to give us.

I mean, think about it. Consider areas of your own life where temptation knocks. These are legitimate areas of human need: love, comfort, companionship, satisfaction, fulfillment, or provision, to name a few. God has a perfect plan, timing, and purpose, but the enemy comes along and whispers that there is an easier way.

If we often give place to these temptations, it’s as if we are making agreements with the idols, fears, or lies behind them, causing them to become spiritual strongholds in our lives Ephesians 4:27, James 1:12-15. These strongholds—anything that has a strong hold on us other than Jesus—can become the very things a person requires spiritual warfare prayer so that freedom and deliverance can come.

The devil offered Jesus a shortcut from the horrific cross and the separation from the Godhead He would face. Jesus could have the devil’s kingdom authority if He would only worship him. Without faltering, Jesus said no to the terms of the contract the devil was offering. Instead, He chose the Father’s directives for gaining Kingdom authority, shutting down the enemy’s advance by declaring that God alone deserves our worship.

What preoccupies our thoughts or consumes our affections and time? These are the things that we worship and devote ourselves to.

So, who or what we worship is important. Let’s take inventory of our own lives before heading into prayer battle. Fix our hearts on Jesus, ask His help for any needed adjustments, and surrender our lives in worship to the One who loves us beyond reason and will never let us down.

 What impacted your life from today’s lesson?

Worship: A Key in Spiritual Warfare - Prevailing Worship...

Prevailing Worship (Lesson #6)

You will not need to fight in this battle...
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

This favorite Bible account speaks directly to our brief study that worshipping the Commander of Angel Armies has a role to play in successful spiritual battle prayer.

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, the Lord 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 must remind ourselves of this truth when we are engaged in spiritual warfare over situations, individuals, communities, or nations. 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.

We can take our cues from this victorious record of the enemy’s defeat from God’s Word.

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 His specific 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.

How did today’s lesson speak into a current situation in your life?

Hi There! Join me every other week as we explore God’s Word regarding what it has to say about this power of worship in spiritual warfare prayer! This was Week #6 of eight lessons.

Worship: A Key in Spiritual Warfare - Worshipping in Truth...

Worshipping in Truth (Lesson #5)

… Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ... Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth…
Ephesians 6:10-11, 14

When we encounter situations where we discern a demonic component to them or folks afflicted by the enemy’s strongholds, we must ensure our protection by putting on God’s armor Ephesians 6:10-18.

The Apostle Paul describes the various aspects of this armor when we wage war in prayer against the enemy. How does this apply to the role of worship during these times of battle? The first piece of armor is the belt of truth. Let’s align that thought with Jesus’ words in John 4:24 when He said that those who desire to worship God must do so in spirit and truth. 

Yes, all worship must come from our spirit deep within, which is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Worship that touches heaven must come from a first-love place in our hearts enhanced by inviting the Spirit’s leading. As Jesus quoted from Isaiah 29:13, we can say all the right words, but if our heart isn’t in it, our worship is in vain Mark 7:6-7.

We must also worship in truth. Let’s look briefly at two reasons why this is important regarding the belt of truth.

First, we worship from the truth of where our own lives are at the moment. In other words, we must be real with ourselves and Jesus about where we are. No trying to hide anything from Him—as if we could! Owning up to our failings and weaknesses in truth as we worship aids us in receiving His powerful grace that is always more than enough 2 Cor. 12:9. Spiritual victories depend solely upon Him and not our efforts.

Next, we enter spiritual battle declaring what we know from the Scriptures: the truth of Who He is, who we are in Him, and the truth of His Word. Expressing these truths in worship helps fasten the belt of truth securely around us.

So, the next time we head into battle-prayer, let’s be sure to secure the core of our being with the belt of truth. Doing so in authentic adoration exalts the Most High, clears our minds from falsehood and lies, reminds us of our position in Jesus, and puts the enemy on notice as to Who is Boss!

What does it mean for you to wear the belt of truth?

Hi There! Join me every other week as we explore God’s Word regarding what it has to say about this power of worship in spiritual warfare prayer! This was Week #5 of eight lessons.

Worship: A Key in Spiritual Warfare - His Kingdom Come...

His Kingdom Come… (Lesson #4)

In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10

Today’s lesson follows on the heels of yesterday’s study: when we worship, God is exalted, and heaven comes down. And, when heaven rules – hell flees.

When Lord Jesus gave us a blueprint for praying effectively, He told us to begin by declaring who God is.

Our Father… 

Our Abba-Daddy loves us beyond reason. When this truth becomes rock-solid heart knowledge for us, our faith is pretty much invincible. Yes. OUR Father. Yours and mine. You see, when we fully engage in worship of our King—with all our being—our preoccupation with ourselves diminishes, and we position ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit and not our flesh.

Hallowed be Your name…

And His Name—no other name—is HOLY. His name is exalted above all names—over every demonic spirit or anything our enemy would throw at us Philippians 2:9-11. Jesus invites us to begin all spiritual warfare and prayer by worshipping the holiness of His name and all that His name entails, represents, and for its sheer majesty and authority.

Your kingdom come…

Because our praise brings heaven down, asking for His will to be accomplished is not passive acquiescence but spiritual warfare at its most potent and dynamic. We are declaring God’s rule and reign, usurping any and every plan of the enemy or flesh that is waging war against us. Here we receive His invitation to partner with Him in battle prayer for our lives, our homes, our communities, and the nations 1 Corinthians 3:9.

All prayer and spiritual warfare should begin with worship and thanks. When we get that right, our prayer requests often take care of themselves. Should more specific instruction or discernment from the Holy Spirit be needed to smite specific tactics of demonic activity in the authority of Jesus’ name? In that case, the focus of our worship will release the clarity we need to pray more effectively.

His kingdom will come; His will—will be done.

Which portion of the Lord’s Prayer we discussed today spoke to you?

Hi There! Join me every other week as we explore God’s Word regarding what it has to say about this power of worship in spiritual warfare prayer! This was Week #4 of eight lessons.

Worship Invites God's Presence...

Worship: A Key in Spiritual Worship - Worship Invites God’s Presence (Lesson #3)

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?

Hi There! Join me every other week as we explore God’s Word regarding what it has to say about this power of worship in spiritual warfare prayer! This was Week #3 of eight lessons.

Worship: A Key in Spiritual Warfare…Who Are We Battling?

Worship: A Key in Spiritual Warfare…Who Are We Battling? (Lesson #2)

 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

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

 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!

What impacted your heart from today’s lesson regarding the power of worship in spiritual warfare?

Hi There! Join me every other week as we explore God’s Word regarding what it has to say about this power of worship in spiritual warfare prayer! (This is Week #2 of eight lessons)

Worship: A Key in Spiritual Warfare - Exalting Jesus...

Exalting the Conquering Lamb (Lesson #8)

…saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
Revelation 5:12

When we open the pages of Revelation, the final book in God’s Word, we are immediately introduced to the Alpha and Omega—the Lord Jesus. The next few chapters cover prophetic words given to the seven churches of the ages. However, the fourth and fifth chapters escort us into the very throne room of heaven.

The scene we read about is the continual and constant worship of God Almighty as the precursor to the end of time as we know it, the destruction of the devil, and God’s coming Kingdom and the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Worship and the enjoyment of God’s presence are the continuing thread through Scripture. As said before, we don’t worship to get something from Him. Nor do we worship because the Lord needs His ego stroked. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have no need of our paltry praise. We are invited to worship because we need to magnify Him—think of worship as a magnifying glass—in our own hearts and minds to genuinely see how big, mighty, loving, holy, and perfect He is Psalm 34:3.

Our worship in spiritual warfare states that we are pressing or enforcing the judgment of the devil and his demons that Jesus accomplished on the cross Colossians 2:14-15. We are also bringing to bear upon the enemy the judgment made in our favor to rule over him Daniel 7:22, Matthew 16:18-19, Rev. 5:9-10. Warfare worship puts the enemy on notice that his reign of torment is ending over a person or a situation Philippians 2:9-11.

Let’s increasingly allow the Holy Spirit to work the Lord Jesus’ purposes through us 1 John 4:17. Yes, we may still need a lot of His help in our own lives 2 Cor. 4:7! Nevertheless, we are Jesus’ representatives on earth—setting captives free, untangling seemingly impossible situations, and ushering God’s light over the devil’s darkness in the power of His name. Our worshipping Him in the midst of spiritual warfare will pave our way.

Yes, let the high praises of God be in our mouths and a two-edged sword in our hands!

Hi There! Thank you for joining me as we explored God’s Word regarding the power of worship in spiritual warfare prayer! This is our final week. Need to catch up on the prior seven lessons? Simply Click Here or head to sueboldt.com - teachings - devotionals. We will start a new series in a few weeks!

Worship: A Key in Spiritual Warfare

Worship: A Key in Spiritual Warfare… (Lesson #1)

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

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

 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?

Hi There! Join me every other week as we explore God’s Word regarding what it has to say about this power of worship in spiritual warfare prayer! This is Week #1.

 

I. Am. His. Child. ~ One-Minute Devotional...

I. Am. His. Child.

So, go ahead—let everyone know it!
Tell the world how He broke through
and delivered you from the power of darkness and
has gathered us together from all over the world.
He has set us free to be his very own!
Psalm 107:2-3 MSG

Well, there is only one title that matters. I. Am. His. Child. I belong to the King of Kings, and that encompasses every human desire, hope, treasure, and, indeed, life itself. And when I live like His child, nothing else really matters because this title is: More. Than. Enough..

Yes, just like you, I have had many titles throughout my life, and most of them have been substantial outright blessings: mom, daughter, wife, pastor, mentor, admin assistant, and speaker.

But other titles? Maybe not so much a blessing. Failure, not wise, too silly, poor choice maker, without talent. Oh my, should I continue? And if I were to ask a pointed question, what title are you living under today?

Well, there is only one title that matters. I. Am. His. Child. I belong to the King of Kings, and that encompasses every human desire, hope, treasure, and, indeed, life itself. And when I live like His child, nothing else really matters because this title is: More. Than. Enough.

Your Prayer is Heard... A One-Minute Christmas Devotional

Your Prayer is Heard…

But they had no child,
Because Elizabeth was barren,
And they were both well advanced in years.
Luke 1:7

 There are circumstances in each of our lives where we have prayed and prayed for a particular outcome, and we have yet to see its fulfillment. Am I correct? Zacharias and Elizabeth knew this firsthand in their probably lifelong prayer for a much-wanted baby. However, make no mistake about it. Our Father always answers our every prayer: Yes, No, or Not Yet.

The yes-answered prayers are easy. It is the no and not yet petitions that require greater faith on our part. In such a season, incomparable comfort comes from knowing three truths: He loves me, He is for me, and He knows best. These are real rubber-meets-the-road times of trust for us.

When His answer to our requests appears to be a no, we find our rest in His omniscience and omnipresence. He has a vantage point to view our lives that we can’t even imagine. In the light of time and eternity, these seemingly unfulfilled requests will often make sense later. Think of the old song lyrics: some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered (no) prayers.[i]

Not-yet prayers tell us that Lord Jesus is keeping a different timetable than ours. Delaying Lazarus’ healing caused a greater story – a greater glory – to be revealed. Sometimes, we are not ready for the thing we want, like a four-year-old wishing to drive the family car on the freeway. One request of ours might involve over a thousand people – a ripple effect. Here, God may be lining the puzzle pieces up that we can’t yet see. Some prayers require us to enter spiritual warfare, or yes, the removal of some unhealthy stuff in our lives. He may be calling us to grow in Him before He answers.

 Let’s follow Zach’s and Beth’s example. Their prayer was delayed, and they maybe thought it was a no. Nonetheless, they loved and waited upon their King for His answer, trusting Him completely. Let’s do that, too.


[i] Garth Brooks, Pat Alger, and Larry Bastian, Unanswered Prayers, 1990

Small Things... A One-Minute Christmas Season Devo

Small. Small things. Small packages...

A little one shall become a thousand,
And a small one a strong nation.
I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.
Isaiah 60:22

For years, I despaired that what I had to offer the Lord was too small. For years I despaired that I was too small. Yes, I despaired, compared, and felt defeated. Yet, our Heavenly Father apparently delights in tiny, little, and small things.

So, if this season finds you fretting about the size of your abilities, your home, your income, your ministry, your influence, or yourself, remember…

To God, profoundly significant things come in small packages. We need only look at the baby in the manger to see the size of His heart and what He can do with the small things we surrender to Him.

A Month of Thanksgiving One-Minute Devo...

We can’t ponder thanksgiving and worship without talking about the ten lepers. Only ONE came back to thank Lord Jesus?? Yet how often have I been guilty of the very same thing?

So Jesus answered and said,
“Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
Were there not any found who returned
to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
And He said to him, “Arise, go your way.
Your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:17-19

As we surrender our lives in greater measure to the Lord Jesus, we will find that our gratefulness will become more and more evident. A surrendered life means trusting Him fully with how He will handle the small and large concerns that we face. When we give up control to Him, we begin to recognize that God does know what He is doing. We then get out of the way to let Him reveal His love in ways we didn’t realize before. Gratefulness will become a spontaneous fountain from our hearts and lips. Trust me. I know this from my own life.

Think of gratefulness to Him as the temperature gauge of who is in control: is it me or my Heavenly Father? Ponder that for a bit…

Intentional gratefulness is the greatest cure for discouragement. It beats out the blues. It drowns out the voice of self-pity, and it can be a tool to overcome depression and anxiety. Indeed, there are many factors regarding these instances, but from personal experience and years of offering pastoral counseling, I am hard-pressed to find people who live daily in effervescent gratefulness who are down for the count for very long.

When the thankful, now-healed leper returned to Jesus, he must have immensely blessed the Lord’s heart. Let’s be people who bless our Redeemer’s heart, too.

At the Start of This Week ~ One-Minute Devo...

At the start of this week...

Should your tires be flat, your wallet is even flatter, but your tummy seems to be anything but flat, it is time to take a deep breath of the Holy Spirit, turn off all media, and run to Jesus’ presence. Open His Word and drink in His life.
Psalm 16:11

Should your work seem daunting, your household floundering, and your peace of mind disappearing, it is time to re-surrender your life to the One and Only who can bring hope, joy, strength, and the ever-needed wisdom and calm you are lacking. He is faithful, even when you are not.
Romans 12:1-2

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus, no matter what you face, because He Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4

He Always Answer... One-Minute Devotional

Remember, God always answers our prayers…

So, when He heard that he was sick,
He stayed two more days in the place where He was.
John 11:6

The request was simple. Jesus’ good friends, sisters Mary and Martha, asked that He come quickly because their brother Lazarus was seriously ill. Jesus delayed. Lazarus died. And all hope seemed buried right along with the beloved brother and friend of Christ. Here, we learn a valuable lesson:

Our Father always answers our every prayer: Yes, No, or Not Yet.

Yes-answered prayers are easy. It’s the no and not yet petitions that require faith on our part. Learning yesterday that we are always heard, incredible comfort comes again from knowing: He loves me, His Word is true, and He knows best. These are real rubber-meets-the-road times of trust for us.

When His answer to our requests appears to be a no, we find our rest in His omniscience and omnipresence. He has a vantage point to view our lives that we can’t even imagine. In the light of time and eternity, these seemingly unfulfilled requests will often make sense later. Think of the old song lyrics: Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered (no) prayers.[i]

Not-yet prayers tell us that God is keeping a different timetable than ours. Delaying Lazarus’ healing caused a greater story—a greater glory—to be revealed. Sometimes, we are not ready for the thing we want, like a four-year-old wishing to drive the family car on the freeway. Maybe our request involves over a thousand people—a ripple effect. Here, He may be lining the puzzle pieces up that we can’t yet see. Some prayers might require spiritual warfare, or yes, the removal of some unhealthy stuff in our lives. He may be calling us to grow in Him before He answers.

So, let’s lean into Lazarus’ healing story. Jesus has eternity in mind. His delays or no answer to our prayers can be trusted. Let’s do just that. Trust Him. Because a marvelous miracle might just be waiting around the corner.


[i] Garth Brooks, Pat Alger, and Larry Bastian, Unanswered Prayers, 1990

Yes, Indeed... One-Minute Devotional

When we worship, God is exalted, and heaven comes down. And, when heaven rules – hell flees.

In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10

When Lord Jesus gave us a blueprint for praying effectively, He told us to begin by declaring who God is.

Our Father…  

Our Abba-Daddy loves us beyond reason. When this truth becomes rock-solid heart knowledge for us, our faith is pretty much invincible. Yes. OUR Father. Yours and mine. You see, when we fully engage in worship of our King—with all our being—our preoccupation with ourselves diminishes, and we position ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit and not our flesh.

Hallowed be Your name…

And His Name—no other name—is HOLY. His name is exalted above all names—over every demonic spirit or anything our enemy would throw at us Philippians 2:9-11. Jesus invites us to begin all spiritual warfare and prayer by worshipping the holiness of His name and all that His name entails, represents, and for its sheer majesty and authority.

Your kingdom come…

Because our praise brings heaven down, asking for His will to be accomplished is not passive acquiescence but spiritual warfare at its most potent and dynamic. We are declaring God’s rule and reign, usurping any and every plan of the enemy or flesh that is waging war against us. Here we receive His invitation to partner with Him in battle prayer for our lives, our homes, our communities, and the nations 1 Corinthians 3:9.

All prayer and spiritual warfare should begin with worship and thanks. When we get that right, our prayer requests often take care of themselves. Should more specific instruction or discernment from the Holy Spirit be needed to smite specific tactics of demonic activity in the authority of Jesus’ name? In that case, the focus of our worship will release the clarity we need to pray more effectively.

His kingdom will come; His will—will be done.

Enthroned... One-Minute Devo

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.

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

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!

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.

Adapted from the YouVersion Bible Plan - Worship: A Key in Spiritual Warfare

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.

From Thirty Days of Thanksgiving- A Month of Interactive Devotions for Gratitude, Praise, & Worship

Need Some Refreshment? One-Minute Devo...

One of my very favorite passages…

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
Acts 3:19

Who doesn’t want refreshment in their lives? Who doesn’t long to experience continual joy, hope, healing, strength, and purpose? Isn’t this the heart cry of humanity? 

What would it be like for my whole being–spirit, soul, and body–to rest securely and have a continual sense of God’s refreshing presence amid the hills and valleys of life? 

Peter’s words to the crowd gathered after the lame man’s healing speak to both the person seeking if there is a God and those who have walked at length with Lord Jesus. Wherever you find yourself, let’s explore his words together…

The Greek New Testament word for refreshing found in our study verse encourages our hearts:

Anapsyxis Greek-Meaning: A cooling or refreshing, a recovery of breath, a revival.

Oh. To catch our breath. To be revived in this hot and hectic world where the daily onslaught of news can be daunting, and everyday living can seem beyond challenging. Yet, in God’s refreshing presence is the fullness of joy King David wrote about, regardless of our circumstances Psalm 16:11.

The Biblical definition of refreshing that we find above brings particular strength to the Jesus follower as we know that the Holy Spirit—the third Person of the Trinity, God Himself—is the very breath of God who brings refreshing and revival to us. Indeed, the words translated as Spirit in both the Old and New Testaments mean a breath, to breathe, breeze, or wind.

Yes. A refreshing, deep breath of the Spirit is in order.

We need the Holy Spirit’s daily refreshing instead of our daily grind. We could use His victorious restoration of what the world and the devil have stolen from us. And finally, our souls long to experience His continual renewal into the image of Jesus instead of rehashing our same flaws and failures. Right?

Let’s take a deep breath in Him and experience the cleansing and refreshing breath of Holy Spirit power.