Rick Joyner's Daily Devotional - MorningStar Ministries

Day 64 - The Reward of Confidence

Rick Joyner

Hebrews 10:35 states, "Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward." In every sphere of life, confidence can be a primary factor that makes the difference between victory or defeat. Successful sports teams will quickly tell what a significant part confidence played in their victories. Successful generals will often point to the confidence they had in their troops as a reason for military victory. Victorious troops will usually point to the confidence they had in their generals. Successful businessmen will usually point to the confidence that have in their people, or products, as the reason for their success. The reward of confidence is success.

More than any other people on earth, Christians should go through life with confidence. We have the best Leader. There is nothing that the world could ever produce more valuable than the gospel that we have been given, and He is making His people into the greatest souls who ever walked the earth.

Yet many Christians still live their lives in fear, timidity, and defeat. Regardless of who you are, or your present circumstances, if you are a Christian this can and must change. Not only can you have victory, but overwhelming victory in every area of your life. This does not mean that our lives will be without trials. In fact, victory is the consequence of one thing—battle! However, Christians are to live as "more than conquerors" (see Romans 8:37 KJV).

A conqueror is one who is actually looking for battles in order to take more territory. That should be the mentality of every Christian—we should always be looking for a fight against the evil spiritual strongholds that are hindering our own lives, and then against the ones that are hindering others. That is why Christians are often referred to as an "army." We have been called to battle. Every trial or battle that we have in life is an opportunity to fight the good fight of faith, but only those with confidence will see them as such.

Confidence is a powerful word, and biblical confidence is a powerful force. Some of the most important biblical teachings center around this word. Confidence is the key to perceiving the will and victory God has for us. Paul said, "Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us enough to die for us" (Romans 8:37 LB). This verse reflects the depth and power of a conviction that was the foundation of the apostle's life. Despite distress, persecution, tribulation, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword, Paul lived above it all as more than a conqueror. We too can live as more than conquerors because Jesus conquered and spoiled Satan at Calvary (see Colossians 2:15). The power of this great truth is the power to live an overcoming life. The victory of the cross is the source of our confidence, and if we live by it we will always eventually see triumph.

Day 63 - Knowing the Path

Rick Joyner

The basic purpose of every Christian is to become like the Lord, and to do the works that He did. We do this by loving Him and our neighbors. Everything that we are called to do will fit in one of those categories: loving God or people. We may distinguish the path God has called us to walk by determining the path that compels us to walk in love.

If we truly love the Lord we will love what He loves and hate what He hates. Proverbs 6:16-19 declares:

There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil,

A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

Because these are the things that the Lord hates, we can immediately know that anything that falls into any of these categories will be evil, and if we love the Lord we will not do them.

The first thing that He hates is "haughty eyes." This is pride that is manifested by the way that we look at others or ourselves. If we begin to look down on other churches or ministries because we think that ours is superior, are we not guilty of this? If we have been positioned a little higher than others for a time, it is for the purpose of service, not exaltation. We should therefore consider those who may not be as "exalted" as we are as the ones we are called to serve.

The next thing that the Lord hates is "a lying tongue." He is the Truth and those who love Him will love truth. The devil is the "father of lies" (seeJohn 8:44), and we must consider all lies as the devil's work.

The next thing that the Lord hates is the shedding of "innocent blood." This is closely linked to lying in John 8:44, which we also need to consider was spoken by the Lord to the most religious people of His day:

You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning,

and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature;

for he is a liar, and the father of lies.

We see here that the devil murdered when he did not stand in the truth. Did he not use lies to deceive in the Garden, and through those lies release all of the death that the world has known? Lies lead to death. Lies can be more deadly than bullets or bombs.

The next thing that the Lord hates is "a heart that devises wicked plans." Remember that one of the first things said about the serpent in the Garden, which was a personification of the devil, was that he was "crafty" (see Genesis 3:1). This implies devising plans to bend or break the rules and get away with it. This is a basic manifestation of the lawlessness that is the basic nature of the "man of sin," or "antichrist." We must learn to recognize the crafty for what they are, and repent of craftiness when it arises in our own hearts.

The next thing that the Lord hates is "feet that run rapidly to evil." Is there something in us that is drawn to evil? Is there something that derives a satisfaction, even an excitement, when we hear about acts of evil or violence? This is a manifestation of the base, fallen nature that has led to much of the suffering that mankind has endured. The Lord hates it and so should we.

It is also interesting here that the Lord hates feet that run "rapidly" to evil. I have learned that whenever I was pressured into doing something fast, it turns out to be a mistake. The faster I was pressured into going, the worse mistake it was. Carl Jung once said, "Hurry is not of the devil, it is the devil."

The next thing that the Lord hates is "a false witness who utters lies." This is the root of slander, gossip, and backbiting that divides the church the Lord died to save and unify. This can lead to becoming a stumbling block, the very last thing that the Lord said we should ever want to be. If we just pass on slander and gossip, we are just as guilty as the one who originated it. We should therefore be quick to recognize it and refuse to participate in it, knowing that it is something that the Lord hates.

The last thing that is listed as something that the Lord hates is "one who spreads strife among brothers." This is to be distinguished from those who slander and gossip because they can use truth to spread strife and division. This is how the devil, who is called "the accuser of the brethren" (see Revelation 12:10), comes as an "angel of light" (see II Corinthians 11:14), or "messenger of truth."We can share absolute truth, but share it incompletely, or even in a tone that brings division and strife. We must always remember that the Lord has given us a "ministry of reconciliation" (see II Corinthians 5:8), and he hates the things that we do that cause division.

Remember our basic calling is to love the Lord and to love our neighbors. Let us judge everything that we do by the love standard. Are we doing it out of love for the Lord and His people? If we love the Lord we will also love the truth, because He is Truth. If we are abiding in Him, we will always use truth in love.

Day 62 - The Path of Wisdom

Rick Joyner

Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge properly. In Proverbs 24:3-4 we are told, "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." It is true that sermons filled with knowledge will tend to draw people. The gift of a word of knowledge will also draw crowds. This is good, but our purpose in the Lord is not just to draw crowds, but also to see people built together into the house of the Lord. To do this we need wisdom. The gift of a word of wisdom may not be as spectacular as the gift of a word of knowledge, but it is every bit as essential for the work of God to be accomplished.

The following are just a few of the Scriptures that exhort us about the value and advantages of wisdom.

For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things can not compare with her (Proverbs 8:11).

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver (Proverbs 16:16).

Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city (Ecclesiastes 7:19).

Wisdom is better than strength (Ecclesiastes 9:16).

Wisdom is better than weapons of war (Ecclesiastes 9:18).

How do we get wisdom? We just need to ask as we are told in James 1:5, "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." It is wisdom to understand that we need wisdom. This is a fundamental humility, which is a prerequisite for wisdom, as we read in Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom."

A basic characteristic of humility is teachableness. A tragic pride has gripped our souls when others cannot teach us. The depth of our humility might be demonstrated by how open we are to be taught by those who might be considered inferior. Was this not the great test, and the reason why the Lord, who was Wisdom Himself, came as a humble carpenter? Is this not why He called the " uneducated and untrained"(see Acts 4:13) to be His apostles? It seems that He so structured His ministry and His church to filter out the proud and attract only the humble. We can see that this is basic to the Lord's nature in both James 4:6 and I Peter 5:5 which states that "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Knowledge fills our lives, but wisdom builds them. Therefore, in the building of our lives, families, churches, and ministries, the seeking of wisdom must be a priority. To do this we must seek humility. It is therefore wisdom to associate with the lowly, and learn to patiently listen to those whom we may be prone to think are inferior. The Lord Jesus Himself rejoiced, saying, "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the (worldly) wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes" (Matthew 11:25). He also said that we would have to become like little children to enter the kingdom. One of the basic characteristics of children is that they are teachable. Humility is the way that the kingdom will come to our lives.

Day 61 - Breakthrough in the Air

Rick Joyner

Robin McMillan once told me that he could "smell a breakthrough." I thought that was a funny way to put it, but I had to admit that I could too. It was as if there was a special energy in the air, and you could actually smell a coming release in the Spirit. For about a year we had been in a holding pattern with many of our projects, and sure enough, soon after Robin and I had this conversation, there seemed to be a breakthrough on every front.

Of course, when you are advancing it is important that you not take more land than you can hold. I was recently in a meeting with the head of the largest bank in America. He told us how they had been asked by the government to provide about five hundred million dollars for inner city projects. This was to enable those who had successful small businesses in the inner cities to expand them. However, the result was that all of this money ended up hurting these small businesses more than helping them. By giving them so much money, they were able to take a huge leap in size, but these people were not given the training on how to run a large business. Many of those who were successful on one level went bankrupt on the next level because they were given resources for which they were not ready. Has this not also been the reason for the failure of many churches and ministries?

It is good to have a big vision, but many who are vision-driven are prone to take on responsibilities for which they are not yet prepared. There is an old saying that "Any job can be accomplished if it is broken down into small enough steps." It is good to have a clear vision of our ultimate purpose, but if we are overly focused on the ultimate purpose rather than the next step, it is likely that we are going to be stumbling over some things. It was for this reason that the Lord made Israel conquer their Promised Land one battle at a time. He told them that He was not going to let them do it too quickly because the beasts of the field would take it over (see Exodus 23:29). He did not want them to conquer land until they were strong enough to hold it. The same is true with us.

The most encouraging thing to me about what is happening at our local congregations is that many of the spiritual exploits are not coming through the full time leaders, but through individuals and small groups who are hearing the Lord's voice and responding. Every week I hear of remarkable things that are happening completely without orchestration from our office. The church office is not supposed to be the head of the church, but Jesus is. To me this is real Christianity, with the Lord moving through the different members of the body as it pleases Him. As we read yesterday from Ephesians 4:12-13, let's look at the next couple of verses.

but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ,

from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies,

according to the proper working of each individual part,

causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love (Ephesians 4:15-16).

One of the main things that the Lord is doing now is forming the "joints." A joint is not a part, but it is where two parts come together. This will ultimately enable the "proper working of each individual part." This has to happen for many to go to the next level of their visions. Just as Barnabas had to go get Paul before he could be released in his own ultimate calling, there are joinings that must take place between the members of the body before we can all go to the next level. The Lord has so composed His body that we all need each other, and none of us are going to get there alone.

Day 60 - Know Those Who Labor Among You

Rick Joyner

If we are going to be successful in a major endeavor we must learn one of the most powerful skills that anyone can have—team building. One of the Lord's highest priorities when He walked the earth was to build His team. He gathered a core of future leaders who had to be joined to Him, and to one another. That is still one of His highest priorities in building His church, and therefore must be ours.

There are few truly great teams that can be built quickly. Certainly the Lord was the best at this than who ever was or will be. It took Him over three years to build His disciples into the team that would lay the foundation for His church. Of course, His church is to be His eternal bride, and such a lasting purpose demanded the most painstaking care in laying the foundation. Teams for short-term missions may be put together much faster. Even so, the greatness of our work on any level will be significantly affected by our skill as a team builder.

We have a goal in our local churches to see every man, woman, and child know their place in the body, and be equipped to function in it. We are doing this because the Word of God is clear that the New Testament ministry is given:

"for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man,

to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13).

Here it says clearly that these equipping ministries are given "until we all attain . . . the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ." Is there anywhere on earth that a church has attained to that? If so, we must still give ourselves to the equipping of the people, but always keep in mind that our ultimate goal is to see all grow up into "the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ." Teams are not an end in themselves, but an essential means.

As Ephesians 4 reveals, all New Testament ministry is meant to be a part of a team. All of these equipping ministries must function together for the proper equipping of the people. For these ministries to function together they must know each other. Then the team must go on to do as Proverbs 27:23 states, "Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds."

This may seem elementary because the larger the flock, the more difficult it is to know the individual sheep very well. The larger the flock, the more important it is for the ministry to work together as a team, and for those within the congregation to be equipped to become a part of the team.

Hebrews 13:17 states that those who serve as leaders must keep watch over the souls of the people as those who will give an account. These are the Lord's own people whom we have been given to watch over and serve. The greater number of people that we have been given authority or influence, over, the more we are going to need help. Our goal must therefore be to see each one that we have the responsibility to watch over become strong enough to be able to watch over others.

When the Lord gave His messages to the seven churches in Revelation, He ended each one with a call to the overcomers, which is one calling that every Christian has to be. True church life is meant to be on three levels: our individual relationships with the Lord, as families, and as a congregation. We must be overcomers in each area. Together these make a cord of three strands that is not easily broken. Therefore, as we are exhorted:

Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,

for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them,

and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all,

and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said,

"I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.

What shall man do to me?" Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you;

and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.

Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace,

not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited.

We have an altar, from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin,

are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood,

suffered outside the gate. Hence, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.

For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Obey your leaders, and submit to them for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account.

Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.

And I urge you all the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now the God of peace,

who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant,

even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight,

through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:1-21).

Day 59 - The Power of Purpose

Rick Joyner

A recent study made by Richard Leider and David Shapiro found that the number one fear that people have is to live a meaningless life. Finding one's purpose and fulfilling it is the deepest yearning of the human heart, even more compelling than fame or fortune.

Those who have had the most clearly defined purposes have been the leaders of the world. As Laurie Beth Jones stated in her book, The Path: "People with a clearly defined mission have always led those who do nothave one. You are either living your mission, or you are living someone else's."

One of our primary purposes at MorningStar is to help people find their purposes in God. Every Christian has a high calling, to be like the Lord, to do the works that He did, and to represent Him to this world. Because of this high calling, everything that a Christian does can have eternal significance for those around them. What could be more important than that?

"For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). This means that many come to know their callings, but few go on to fulfill them. Many are called to do great things, but they do not fulfill those callings because they do not give themselves to the little things. If we are not faithful in the little things we will not fulfill our purposes in life. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: "If you are a street sweeper, determine that you are going to be the best street sweeper who ever lived. Sweep streets like Michelangelo painted. If you become the best street sweeper who ever lived, the world will beat a path to your door to see the best street sweeper who ever lived."

The first step toward fulfilling our purposes is to understand that there are no insignificant tasks. The people who become the greatest at great things are also usually great at everything they do. Those who do great things have greatness in them, not just in their tasks. If you will do whatever you are doing now with all of your heart as unto the Lord, and if you will face every task with that passion and a devotion to excellence that His work deserves, you will do great things because greatness will be in you. Remember, you were made in the image of God who does all things well.

I have been privileged to know some of the most successful people in the fields of business, sports, entertainment, government, the military, and ministry. I have observed success from many vantage points. The reasons for success are the same in every case, and they are strikingly simple. Leo Tolstoy, possibly the greatest writer who ever lived, started one of his classics with an insight that applies here: "Every happy family is alike. Every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." The secret to success in almost any field is the same, and it is easy to understand. Failure is much more complicated.

The principles for success are basic and simple. If you try to make them more complicated than they are you will fall into the traps that keep people from their purpose. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians,

But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity

and purity of devotion to Christ (II Corinthians 11:3).

The shortest route to knowing your purpose and fulfilling it is to do all that you are given to do with all of your heart, as unto the Lord. Whatever you have now been given to do, do it like Michelangelo painted. The world may or may not ever take note of it, but the Lord will. He will trust you with even more talents if you treasure and use well the ones He has already given you.

Day 65 - Ascending on the Path of Life

Rick Joyner

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way (Psalm 25:8-9).

It takes humility to know God's ways. The Lord teaches the humble His ways because one must be willing to learn in order to be taught, and as we covered previously, one definition of humility could be teachableness. To be open and able to learn is one of the most valuable characteristics that anyone can have.

In this text, right after we are told that the Lord will teach the humble His way, the next verse gives us one of the most basic insights into the Lord's ways:

All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies (Psalm 25:10).

If we will stay on the Lord's paths, we can know that those paths will be lovingkindness and truth. If you are ever in doubt as to the way of the Lord, then choose the way of mercy and truth. There are limits to the Lord's mercy, which if reached will result in judgment. However, throughout the Scriptures we see that the Lord is usually far more merciful than His people tend to be. Therefore, we have this warning and this hope from James 2:13:

For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

We are also told in Galatians 6:7, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." Therefore if we want to receive mercy, we should learn to sow mercy every opportunity that we get.

Just as the President gives out pardons every New Year, the Lord will freely pass out pardons to all who ask, and to all who trust in His mercy because of the cross. We can start all over again, erasing every failure and mistake. That is one of the greatest benefits of Christianity that has no match in any other religion or philosophy on earth. However, we are also instructed that if we are walking in His ways we will also freely pass out pardons to those whom we might be able to hold something against.

It takes humility to ask for forgiveness, which is to acknowledge our sin. It takes the knowledge of the Lord's ways, and a union of our hearts with them, to forgive others. However, if we are going to remain on the path of life, these are fundamental. So let us give mercy just as it has been freely given to us. One of the greatest freedoms we can ever have is when we know that we have been forgiven our sins. The second greatest freedom that we can ever know is when we forgive others.

The paths of the Lord are always ascending, carrying us higher and higher into the Spirit. Because "all of the paths of the Lord are loving-kindness and truth" (see Psalm 25:10), we will ascend in life as we grow in lovingkindness and truth. Let us look today for the opportunities that we have to show these, and to grow in each. We are the ones who will benefit, who will soar higher, and find even more freedom.

Day 66 - A Special Grace

Rick Joyner

Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found;

surely in a flood of great waters they shall not reach him (Psalm 32:6).

There is often a tendency in Christians not to really seek the Lord until we get into a crisis situation. Then we seek Him earnestly. We see this same pattern with Israel in the Old Testament. This is a primary reason why many stay in a seemingly perpetual state of crisis. As we are told in Matthew 7:21-27:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven;

but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.

"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in Your name,

and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'

"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them,

may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.

"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house;

and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.

"And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them,

will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.

"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,

and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."

As we read here, just calling Jesus Lord does not guarantee that we will enter the kingdom of heaven. We must do His will. To call Him Lord and not do what He says disqualifies us from being believers, and makes us obvious unbelievers. How could we really know the glorious King of kings and not do what He says? To know that He is God and not obey Him is an ultimate delusion. This delusion leads to many tragedies and failures when the floods of life come.

One of our ultimate quests should therefore be to hear the words of the Lord. As we are told in John 10:4: "When he (the good Shepherd) puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." The obvious counterpoint here is that if we do not know His voice we will not follow Him. However, hearing His words and obeying them are two different things. Many glory in how well they hear the Lord, but they do not do what He says. We must count His words as the unfathomable treasures that they are. When the Lord gives us direction we should write it in a journal, reviewing it often to see how we have complied with our King's directives.

If you are in confusion about how to hear from the Lord, go back and review the things that you know He has directed you to do. These are things like prayer, reading the Bible, fellowship, etc., all of which are directives that are clearly given to us in Scripture. As we obey these we will begin walking in the light, and the light will make our paths, and His voice, increasingly clear. As we are told in Proverbs 4:18:

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

If we are on the right road, things should be getting brighter. If we are on the wrong road, things will be getting darker and more confused. If our path is not getting brighter and clearer every day, then we have departed from the right path somewhere. In the Lord the wrong path never turns into the right path. The only way for us to get back on the right path is to go back to the point where we made the wrong turn. That is called repentance.

Repentance is not only a good thing—it is one of the greatest Christian truths. In Christ we can actually go back to where we made a mistake and start over and get it right. In Acts 11:18 we read the response of the Jewish believers after hearing Peter's testimony about going to the house of Cornelius: "And when they heard this, they quieted down, and glorified God, saying, 'Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.'" Eight of the most powerful words in Scripture are found in this verse: "God has granted . . . the repentance that leads to life." Repentance is a special grace that God grants, and it leads to life.

Day 67 - Fear and Love

Rick Joyner

In John 7:17, the Lord gives us a most basic principle for understanding truth, "If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself." If we are going to know the truth, we must be committed to living that truth. It is not those who just know the truth about the cross who are saved, but those who have had the truth of the cross applied to their lives. When this truth is applied to our lives, we are born again into a life of union and obedience to God. As we are told in Psalm 25:12-13:

Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.

His soul will abide in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.

The fear of the Lord is required if we are to receive His guidance and instruction, or receive our inheritance. The goal of truth is not just so we can know the way, but also so that we will walk in the way. Without a solid foundation of the pure and holy fear of the Lord, we will build our lives on the weak foundation of knowing the truth but not doing it. Therefore, the true nature of our spiritual lives is revealed in the way we behave when no one is looking, and when know no one could find out. Who we are in secret before God is who we are.

As the next verse states, the one who fears the Lord and receives His instruction will abide in prosperity and His children will inherit the land. This is the foundation of the true nobility. The original purpose of the nobility was to plant righteous families in the earth who would be righteous generation after generation. These were also the land owners, because the righteous were to inherit the land. Of course, this was perverted whenever a generation did not walk in the fear of the Lord. However, to plant a family in the earth that walks in the fear of the Lord is still our calling, and should be the goal of every Christian. As we walk in the fear of the Lord, and pass this on to our children, our families will prosper, inherit the land, and be righteous seeds in the earth.

As we are told in Proverbs 22:1, "A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold." Those who fear the Lord determine that they will establish a name that is esteemed for truth, honor, integrity, and true Christian charity. We must impart to our children the knowledge that the true fear of the Lord is our most valuable possession, and that to live our lives to serve and obey Him is the highest calling. Those who walk in this are the true nobility. Their names are not just known on the earth, they are written in the book of Life.

The first Adam had a bride who lived in a perfect world, yet chose to sin. The "last Adam," Jesus, will have a bride who lived in a most imperfect world, but chose to obey. This is our calling, and is a success whose treasure will last forever.

Day 68 - Friends of God

Rick Joyner

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).

This Scripture is amazing. Why would the Creator of the universe obligate Himself not to do anything without first revealing it to the prophets? The reason for this is understood in His purpose for creating man. He created man for fellowship. He created man to walk and talk with Him, and to have the ability to both understand and appreciate the Lord and His purposes.

The prophets have been one of the primary ways that the Lord has continued to call man back to this fellowship. Therefore, the Lord declares that He will disclose His purposes to the prophets, who are to convey them so that man can return to the place of fellowship and appreciation of his Maker.

For this reason we should understand that what the Lord is saying through prophecy is always important, but the most important thing of all is the fact that He is still speaking to us. The quality of any relationship is determined by the quality of the communication. For this reason the Lord said in John 10:4, "When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." We will follow Him to the degree that we know His voice.

The first man who prophesied in Scripture was Enoch (see Jude 14). Enoch was a remarkable man whom very little is said about except that he walked with God, and the Lord took him so that he should not see death. Enoch was from the seventh generation after Adam, but since Adam lived over nine hundred years, Adam was still alive during Enoch's life. It is likely that Enoch talked with Adam and was stirred by the relationship that Adam had with the Lord before the Fall. Something in Enoch must have determined that he was going to try to recover that relationship, and he did.

Enoch became so close to God that the Lord just took him so he would not have to taste death, which was the sure consequence of the Fall. This infers that by walking with God, Enoch rose above the sin nature, and escaped the consequences of it. He must have done this by seeing the salvation through Jesus and His cross, because there is no other way for man to overcome the power of death except through the cross. How did this happen?

Those who walk with God will prophesy, just as Enoch did. As we are told in Revelation 19:10, "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." For Enoch to have prophesied he had to have the testimony of Jesus. All of the prophets had to have the testimony of Jesus, and that is why they all prophesied of His coming. They saw Him, and believed in Him, looking ahead to the cross just as we look back at it.

Though Enoch was the first man that is said to have prophesied, the first man called a prophet in Scripture is Abraham, in Genesis 20:7. This is also the very first verse in which prayer is mentioned in Scripture. It is no accident that the first mention of both prophet and prayer are together. Prayer is communication. The development of communication with God, both to Him and from Him, is the foundation upon which all true prophetic ministry is based.

Abraham was also the first to be called the "friend of God" (see James 2:23). This is the essence of true prophetic ministry. The reason why the Lord said that He would not do anything unless He first revealed it to His servants the prophets is because the prophets are His friends, and He does not want to do anything without sharing it with His friends. This fellowship is the essence of why He created man. This is why Paul the Apostle said: "you may all prophesy" (see I Corinthians 14:31). Because of the cross, the veil has been rent. We can now all enter into the most intimate fellowship with Him. We can all walk with God and be such friends of His that He does not want to do anything without sharing it with us. That is the essence of the true prophetic ministry—simple friendship with God.