Today’s Reading:
John 16
1 John 5
Jude
“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”
John 16:33 TPT
I heard the Spirit of the Living God of all Peace say,
Challenges will come up. Challenges that fly in the face of what you’ve been told and what you’re expecting. But you can move forward in the weighty peace that I have given you. You can move forward in the grace that I have placed on your life. Don’t react. Don’t freak out. Just breathe, and pick one foot up and then the next. My grace will lead you. As you release your circumstances and the outcomes to Me, you will see that fruitfulness springs forth from all that I have placed in your heart. Languish not. Fear not. Don’t be downcast or dismayed. Fix your eyes up on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith, and move forward — one step and then the next.
You see, every child of God overcomes the world, for our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world. So who are the world conquerors, defeating its power? Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
1 John 5:4-5 TPT
Unexpected jolts will come, but you don’t need to hold onto them and continue to be shaken. As soon as the jolt comes remove your hands from it, and watch as it moves through your life without further interruption. Don’t have a fascination with momentary flares, with disruptions, with challenges. Treat them with passing indifference. Address what needs to be addressed, and move on. Do not get focused on them. Do not be moved off course by them. Do not hold on to them. Address them quickly and move on. Have your hands touch them as little as possible, and fix your eyes and your mind on Jesus.
Fascinations with these hand grenades from the enemy, with distractions and disturbances will lead you astray, will make you ineffective in your calling and will keep you from walking in your purpose. Address these as you would an impertinent customer — with grace, with dignity and as quickly as possible — dusting your hands off as soon as the interaction is over and moving on. Just move on. Stay in a posture and momentum of moving forward, with your eyes and your mind, with your heart fixed on Jesus.
But you, my delightfully loved friends, constantly and progressively build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith by praying every moment in the Spirit. Fasten your hearts to the love of God and receive the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gives us eternal life.
Jude (Judah) 1:20-21 TPT
Don’t get twisted around the axle. Don’t get hung up on expectations not being met or words not being kept. You just keep moving forward. I will take care of all of the rest. This is a now strategy, and this is a life strategy. It will serve you well.
How to Respond
- Hold loosely to your expectations, and make Jesus your focus no matter what happens.
- Pray, Holy Spirit, thank You for being my wraparound shield and my strong tower — a place of refuge in times of trouble. Help me to stay focused on what You have put in my heart to do. Make it fruitful. Thank You for Your encouragement and instruction that the distractions and disruptions of the enemy do not have to consume me, move me or take much time to address. Help me to stay focused on You and the assignments You have given me.
- Declare, You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows. So why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you! — Psalms 23:5-6 TPT
- Decree, I will fix my eyes upon Jesus. I will not be fascinated by the distractions and disruptions of the enemy. I will not permit myself to be offended if expectations are not met and the words of people are not kept. I will move forward in the peace and grace of the Lord, come what may. I will see all that the Lord has put in my heart blessed and fruitful as I move forward in Him.
For more encouragement from The Glory & the New Wine, check out the post from this day in years past:
2024: Step Into Your Authority as Kings
2023: An Invitation to Restoration
2022: Be Steadfast, Obedient and Desire the Presence of the Lord
