Day 19: The Light and the Mirror

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 “Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying: I will sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! 2 The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him. 3 The Lord is a man of war; The Lord is His name. 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea. 5 The depths have covered them; They sank to the bottom like a stone.” Exodus 15:1-5

The song “Who Is Like YOU?” by minstrel Dunsin Oyekan keeps playing in my spirit. It is so funny how the HOLY SPIRIT knows exactly what we need before we need it, such that as soon as we allow our soul to connect to HIS PRESENCE within us, the answers are right there. The peace of GOD is right there. The strength of GOD is right there. 

This song really declares the greatness of our KING – the fact that HE is ruler over the seen and unseen realms and nothing is beyond HIM. HE never gets tired, and HE loves us more than we know. That love compels HIM to express HIS greatness through us, such that others can see and be drawn to HIS incredible power. 

The LORD allowed Abraham’s children to be in bondage for 400 years or four generations. HE knew it would take that long for them to go from 70 people into an entire nation of almost a million. Even then, the land HE promised them since the time of Abraham was still too large for them. Therefore, in the time of Joshua, HE gave it to them a little at a time. See Genesis 15:12-16 and Exodus 23:29-31.

GOD also knew that when the suffering of Abraham’s children was severe enough, they would collectively, from the place of unity, cry out to HIM and HIM alone for deliverance. Can you imagine what it would take for everyone in your local church, town, or village to all agree as one for anything? The suffering had to be shared and felt at the same magnitude. That “cry” is what GOD was looking for from the people. 

The next thing GOD wanted was the resolve to obtain the promise. Even if everyone did not know the covenant, they all wanted freedom. 

“Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. 24 So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.” Exodus 2:23-25

The power ADONAI would demonstrate to free HIS friend’s children (Abraham was called the friend of GOD, see Isaiah 41:8) would be so disruptive, so destructive, so unforgettable, that HE wanted to ensure HIS friend’s children were ready for it. 

So, let’s recap. To deliver Abraham’s children from bondage, there needed to be an appointed time, a unified cry, and a determination that freedom was better than bondage. 

Now consider this. If you were an Israelite born in the third generation, no matter how hard you prayed, the bondage would not break over you. It may be lessened, your condition may be better than others, but the appointed time had not come. What did that third generation Israelite do to be born a slave? Nothing. 

His fate was decided by ADONAI and this Israelite would have to endure while he played his role in the third generation, have children who would be the fourth generation, such that they could inherit the promises of the covenant GOD and Abraham made, without consulting this third-generation Israelite. 

Why is this important to us today? 

You and I are walking in covenants made by our ancestors, generations before we were born. Each generation is walking out their role in a covenant. If you were not a natural child of Abraham – descendant of Jacob (Israel) and Esau – you are walking in unholy covenants. 

Unless you have been grafted into the covenant GOD made with Abraham by adoption. Accepting KING JESUS CHRIST and becoming born again qualifies you and I to access the covenant of Abraham. 

Accepting KING JESUS CHRIST also qualifies us to exit covenants that were established by our ancestors whose effects can still be seen and felt in our lives today. I like to call these demonic programming into our bloodline. We have a right to be free from demonic programming. But we have to cry out in unity at our appointed time. Based on the revelations the LORD has been giving us in prayer, I can boldly declare to you, our appointed time has come.

It's time to cry out. It's time to be free from demonic programming and destructive cycles in our lives. It is time to play our part in our generation such that our children can stay free in their generation. It is time. 

Even Abraham’s children had to cry out for salvation. Then and only then did GOD raise up for them a deliverer, Moses, who is the Hebrew Biblical symbol of KING JESUS CHRIST. 

During this 21-day prayer and fasting, we will be crying out in unity with the expectation of full deliverance from covenants we want no part in. 

It takes unity to break free. I need you as much as you need me. Will you join me?

Prayer:

KING JESUS CHRIST, break me free from demonic covenants that were not made with YOU. I want no part of anything satan has to offer. I join my prayers, my cry, with my brothers and sisters to say, “LORD, see the BLOOD of JESUS as payment for any generational debt, and give me, my family, my children, my ministry, my business or job, mercy.” Amen.

“So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan, with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and when those who were carrying the ark came up to the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark stepped down into the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), 16 then the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed opposite Jericho. 17 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.” Joshua 3:14-17

The Israelites have been wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years until the entire generation of those who had done evil in the sight of the LORD died (see Numbers 32:13). The only men remaining from the previous generation are Joshua and Caleb because of their faithful obedience to the LORD (see Numbers 14). By the time we come to Joshua 3, the Israelites are those that were born and raised in the desert. Scholars estimate their total number at upwards of two to three million people (including men, women, children), plus all their possessions and livestock. 

After all this time wandering in the desert, having been delayed from receiving their promise due to the sins of the previous generation, the children, youth, and young adults have finally arrived at the Jordan River. And just across the river is that which their hearts have yearned for: Home. The Promised Land. A fertile land flowing with milk and honey, abundant in resources and prosperity, suitable for both farming and shepherding, a place of peace and security.

But there is one thing blocking their progress: The Jordan River, which was flowing down to the Dead Sea. At this point, the Jordan River was not a calm, peaceful body of water. Rather, it was a rushing flood that overflooded its banks. Now, in this present day, we know that just 12 inches/30 centimeters of rushing water can carry away an entire vehicle. How much more dangerous is a rushing river?

A quick overview of Joshua 3 will show us principles that were key to the Israelites’ miraculous success:

1. They consecrated themselves to the LORD. Joshua 3:5 says, “Then Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow ADONAI will do wonders in your midst.’”
2. Joshua received precise directions from the LORD and told the Israelites what to do (see verses 7-13).
3. The people obeyed the process designated by the LORD (see verses 14-17).

Sounds simple enough, right? Sure, at face value.

• However, the people had to put their faith into action and physically obey the Word of the LORD. HIS instructions required the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant to step foot into the Jordan River. How many of us would have bolted in fear?
• It also involved faith in the Word of the LORD. You see, when the priests obeyed, the rushing waters automatically stopped and piled up at the city of Adam, which was about 20 miles/32 km away. It would have taken some amount of time before the priests actually saw the results of their obedience as 20 miles of water rushed past them. This would give opportunity for doubt and worry to creep in and take root.
• And it required trust in the faithfulness of the LORD. Can you imagine how long it would have taken millions of people to cross? At any time, the waters had the potential to rush back over them. But GOD had already given the command to the waters, which responded to HIS Voice when the people came into agreement with HIS Word and obeyed HIS command.

So what does this mean for us? The rushing waters that flowed from ADAM to death (the Dead Sea) represent our physical, generational bloodlines. What is it in our bloodlines that is blocking our progress to receiving our Promised Land? What generational cycles need to be broken? What is it that needs to be stopped at ADAM, such that we will be able to cross over into our promise?

Thank GOD that the BLOOD of JESUS speaks on our behalf. It replaces the waters of death and gives us passage to receive all of the covenantal promises found in HIS WORD.

Let us follow the example of Joshua and the Israelites:

1. Consecration – By participating in this 21-day fast, you have taken the first step of      consecrating yourself. Continue in this process of consecration, putting to death the things of the flesh, such that the SPIRIT’s Fire may burn and we may be cleansed by the BLOOD of the LAMB.
2. Receive a Word from the LORD – Ask HIM for clear direction – for the source and for the strategy for success to break free from generational cycles. This strategy will always be substantiated by the Word of GOD. Anything contrary to HIS Word is of the enemy.
3. Obey the Word of the LORD – Activate your faith. Whatever HE tells you to do, do it. If it means giving up something, do it. If it means forgiving someone, do it. If it means changing your habits, do it. If it means stepping into a place that you’ve never been, do it. Obey the Word of the LORD in faith – without fear, doubt, or worry.

Let’s pray:

FATHER, thank YOU for the example given in YOUR Word this day. LORD, I am facing the waters of death. There are generational cycles that I’ve been struggling with. Today, I commit to consecrate myself before YOU. I ask that YOU give me clear directions according to YOUR Word. And that YOU would give me the grace to obediently put my faith into action. Thank YOU for the BLOOD of JESUS that replaces the generational waters of death in my life, LORD. In JESUS' Name, amen.

 “For we are the aroma of Messiah to God, among those who are being saved and those who are perishing— 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. Who is competent for these things?” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 TLV

Smells and aroma…reading this verse has always excited and stumped me. There is a smell, aroma, fragrance the LORD JESUS emits. If we go back to when we were introduced to fragrances or smells in the Scriptures, we see that they are tied to altars and sacrifices. The smell of our sacrifices, if pleasing before the LORD, is intoxicating to HIM! And we know that HE only accepts sacrifices from those who are clean. We know that the sacrifices are important to HIM, but seeing this verse here brings it home. 

The offering of sacrifices on an altar to the LORD in the Old Testament was a type and shadow of JESUS dying on the cross. The smell of their sacrifices was also a type and shadow of the smell that JESUS HIMSELF has. HIS death on the cross gave up an aroma to JEHOVAH. This was the perfect sacrifice, this was the perfect altar, this was the altar of all altars, this was the smell ADONAI had been searching for since Abraham started offering burnt sacrifices to HIM. This was THE smell that truly IS intoxicating to HIM!

Now we are told here in Corinthians that we, me, you, are the aroma of JESUS. What altar have we inherited? The smell we carry, the smell we have inherited, is so important. If GOD can smell us, so can demonic entities. What do they smell on us? Is it a smell that excites them or a smell that repels them from us?

If we have inherited smells of disobedience, sickness, and pain, it can all be switched with the aroma of JESUS. This is the only aroma GOD accepts. Go back and look at the beginning of verse 15: “We are the aroma of Jesus to God.” I feel such a responsibility here, a responsibility to make sure I take care of my altar, that I do not bring any strange fire to the LORD.

GOD is looking for the aroma of JESUS on us; every time we come before HIM, all HE wants to smell is JESUS.

Smells can trigger memories; they can remind you of the best meal you had or the worst meal you had. The can remind you of fun memories or perfumes/colognes of loved ones. What memory do we trigger in JEHOVAH when HE smells us? When was the last time we did a smell test? Remember, if GOD can smell us, so can the enemy. Ask yourself, what smell am I wearing today?

Prayer:

My GOD and KING, we want to be pleasing before YOU. Open our eyes to see what smells we have in the spirit. We ask that YOU take off any smell of shame, bitterness, pain, trauma, and so on that can taint us. We want to stand before YOU, JEHOVAH, radiating the smell of JESUS, the fragrance of JESUS, the aroma of JESUS. We ask YOU, LORD, to reveal to us the source of our smell in the spirit. In JESUS’ Name, amen.

“So the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.’ … Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’ And He said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.’” Genesis 4:6-12 NKJV

As CHRISTians, we tend to think we have a monopoly on spirit law. We do not. Hence, Pagans, Gentiles, Muslims, Hindus, CHRISTians, who know spirit law and practice it will receive favorable results from the earth. Our benefit is that our FATHER authored the law. We see the law that governs the earth in action in Genesis 4.

Genesis 4 happens right after Adam and Eve are kicked out of Eden. Their sons, Cain and Abel, were the first children recorded as born on the earth outside of GOD’s perfect location, Eden. Within the first family, we see the spirit of lawlessness, which is sin, was crouching, lurking, looking for a way in. The way it found was through Cain. What did it want Cain to do? Shed innocent blood. 

Just like your physical body which came from the earth, the earth eats, it contains spirits, it has a personality, it sustains life, it has a function, and it has triggers. 

“Then to Adam He said, ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, “You shall not eat of it”: Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.’” Genesis 3:17-19

Prior to Adam’s disobedience, the trigger for Adam and Eve to benefit from the earth was simply to obey GOD. Eden had it all without much effort. Rain didn’t come from heaven to water the earth; the earth watered itself. 

However, post-disobedience, the trigger to benefit from the earth was the sweat of the brow – hard work. If Adam didn’t give hard work to the earth, it would only produce thorns and thistles, also known as weeds. If you have weeds in your garden, it’s Adam’s fault! Even with this curse, if you work hard, the earth is obligated to respond favorably to you. 

Now we return to Cain. Cain opened the door for lawlessness by the shedding of innocent blood. The trigger the earth needed for the spirit of lawlessness to have access to the earth, was innocent blood. The benefit of lawlessness entering the earth, is what I like to refer to as the curse of Cain. This curse means the earth will fight every man who lives on it. Even if you work hard, the earth no longer has the obligation to respond favorably. The earth became our enemy. Anywhere we go, it will fight us. Unless… 

Unless a spirit helps the man. Since that time, man has been building civilizations in league with one spirit or the other. The earth will respond to that spirit, and if we agree with that spirit (good or evil), we will receive benefits from the earth, see Hosea 2:21-22. In return for that agreement, the spirit gets access to walk the earth and fulfill its purposes through the man. Remember, spirits do not have bodies, and they can easily live in man, see Matthew 12:43-45. Hence, a partnership is born. 

When KING JESUS CHRIST came, the first beneficiary of HIS BLOOD was the earth. Before the multi-thronged whip from the Roman soldiers who took turns scourging HIM, the Innocent BLOOD of KING JESUS was shed at Gethsemane to redeem the earth. This redemption price overturned the curse of Cain from the earth, such that the earth no longer fights those who put their trust in KING JESUS. Even more, for those who go beyond trusting and move into active obedience, the earth will respond favorably to them. 

“And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:41-44

Prayer:

Thank YOU, KING JESUS, for redeeming the earth for me. I tap into the salvation YOU provided the earth, such that the earth will no longer fight me. Through the BLOOD of KING JESUS CHRIST, my work will yield profit. I will no longer be trapped in cycles of unfruitfulness. Thank YOU for freeing me, in KING JESUS’ Name, amen. 

“In those days they shall say no more: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ 30 But every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.” Jeremiah 31:29-30

In continuation of the devotional yesterday, we take a deeper look at Jeremiah 31:29-30. Have you seen repeated issues in your family tree, also referred to as bloodline? For some reason, all the marriages in your family never work, or no one has children. Cousins, brothers, sisters, someone in every generation has cancer, heart issues, obesity, depression, addictions, whatever? These are the children’s teeth being set on edge.

I was talking to an older pastor, and she explained about a family bloodline issue. She said everyone in that family has issues in their marriage. When traced back three generations, all the men had multiple wives, and the women were abandoned by their first husbands. Some of them remarried. From the same family tree, all the children and grandchildren experienced the same things. To be more specific, with some they were able to trace it down to a ten-year cycle. Every ten years, there was a major issue that threatened to destroy their homes. Some made it, others did not. These are the children’s teeth being set on edge.

In prayer, the LORD revealed something profound about the earth, that is spirit law. Back in Genesis 4:6-12, the earth responded to commands GOD gave it once innocent blood was shed. These commands resulted in the curse of Cain that all the descendants of Cain inherited. Through Scripture, we see the earth responding to whatever words were given as a command, once blood was shed on it, see Jeremiah 23:10, Jeremiah 22:28-30, 2 Kings 17:27-28, Genesis 12:7-9. 

“So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. 34 Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel.” Numbers 35:33 -34

We also learned in Jeremiah 22:28-30 that the earth keeps records and responds according to what was spoken into it. For further study, see Judges 9:5-9, 16-21. 

While in prayer, the LORD revealed a vision in which there was a stone with blood on it. The blood sealed the curses (spoken words of wickedness) into the earth. As we have just learned, the earth responds when innocent blood is offered. This is why abortions are so dangerous. That innocent blood speaks against the parents long after the procedure is over. 

Do we see why the BLOOD of KING JESUS shed at Gethsemane for the earth was so important? KING JESUS was the only ONE who could atone for any blood covenant affecting our family trees. HE is the only one who could break the cycle by paying the price of blood shed on the land to defile it. 

Back to the family example. Only KING JESUS CHRIST knows what generation the sour grapes affecting marriage were eaten. Therefore, only HIS sacrifice could atone for the blood that was shed. Religion would have us think, as soon as we accept CHRIST all these curses are taken care of. After all, HE is the Second Adam, releasing us from all things. Yes, and no. 

Yes, because while KING JESUS’ sacrifice restored us back to GOD through salvation, we still have to be willing and obedient in order to walk in that salvation and receive good from the earth, see Isaiah 1:19-20. Breaking agreements with blood covenants or any covenant made on the earth is our way of walking in obedience. As always, if we want something, we must ask, seek, and knock for it. 

Prayer:

FATHER, thank YOU for sending KING JESUS to shed HIS BLOOD to redeem the earth. Thank YOU for paying the price for any blood shed on the earth in previous generations affecting our lives, our children and young adults’ lives. LORD, anywhere our ancestors have eaten sour grapes, let our teeth not be set on edge. FATHER, nullify and reverse any curse and any blessing that came from demonic blood covenants, in KING JESUS’ Name. Let the earth no longer remember our sins, iniquities, and trespasses, amen. 

“I will richly bless you and bountifully multiply your seed like the stars of heaven, and like the sand that is on the seashore, and your seed will possess the gate of his enemies.” Genesis 22:17

What gates are you possessing? What gates have been left behind for you to possess by your ancestral line? What gates are you leaving behind for your children and others down the line to possess?

The LORD had instructed the Israelites through Moses before his death that they MUST possess the land of Canaan. The word “possession” is a very interesting word; you can take possession of something by owning it, through some form of exchange. Either the other party agrees willingly, usually by payment or exchange, or there is some form of force used to take ownership.

By the time Joshua and the Israelites arrived at Canaan, the land of Canaan was already inhabited; the people could take it by force and kill everyone in there, or there were instances when the inhabitants would agree to be slaves rather than die.

Let us tackle one gate at a time. In Genesis 22, we see that GOD gave Abraham this promise about his seed possessing the gate of his enemies. We thank GOD for the HOLY SPIRIT, who further explains this verse in Galatians.

“Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. It doesn’t say, ‘and to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘and to your seed,’ who is the Messiah.” Galatians 3:16

Abraham most likely did not know that GOD was referring to JESUS. He knew he was to be the father of many nations, but this special ‘seed’ was way beyond his purview. In this verse in Genesis, GOD was referring to JESUS. HE would possess the gate of HIS enemies, and HE made a public spectacle of the process, too. Because JESUS broke through the stronghold of the enemy, taking all authority back (cue Mathew 28:18 and Philippians 2:10-11), we are also able to take possession of the gate of the enemy. Please read the following popular verses: Luke 10:19 and John 14:12.

Thank GOD for JESUS! Thank HIM for setting the example and taking back all authority both on earth and in heaven. JESUS set the stage for us to be able to overcome the enemy, as we see in the verses in Luke and John listed above. Abraham foreshadowed this when he built his first altar in Canaan. In Genesis 12 we see that Abraham called the Name of YAHWEH. This was the first time the name of YAHWEH was called unto a land; he was opening a portal, a gate with that altar. Can you feel the shift once he called in YAHWEH’S Name?

Next, his grandson shows up a few hundred years later, 215 to be exact (Genesis 28), and the land is still potent with the Presence of the LORD! Abraham had left a spiritual inheritance for his seed. He left behind the ability for his offspring to possess the atmosphere, possess the land. JESUS comes, takes all authority, and gives us the ability to possess our land. JESUS has given us power and authority to break generational curses. The enemy will refuse to leave quietly, but at the Name of JESUS, all must bow.

I ask the question again: What gates and land are we leaving behind for our children; what generational inheritance are we giving them? Are they (our children) properly equipped? 

Today’s Prayer:

FATHER, forgive us for not realizing the great responsibility we have in getting our children ready for spiritual warfare, for possession. We thank YOU, JESUS, for setting the stage and taking over the gates of the enemy. May we walk in the authority YOU have handed to us. In JESUS’ Name. Amen.

“…to give them beauty for ashes…” Isaiah 61:3

Arthritis, anger, anxiety, bipolar disorder, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, isolationism, jealousy, Alzheimer’s disease, major depression, shame, victimization…and the list goes on. Many experts agree that genetics (i.e. generational cycles) can play a major factor in each of these illnesses and behaviors.

During this first week of the 21-day fast, we have focused on breaking generational cycles. No matter the origin (self, generations past or present, territorial altars, etc.) or the source (spirit, soul, or body), the FATHER wants us to be free, hallelujah! And HE has given us HIS HOLY SPIRIT to reveal the strategy – all through the Blood of JESUS.

Take a minute to consider the strategies that HE has already illuminated for us this week, including breaking free of demonic covenants, stopping the waters of death, smelling like JESUS, redeeming the earth, possessing the gates – all through the Blood of JESUS.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!” John 8:36 TLV

Recently, I have been interceding on behalf of a friend who has been persistently praying for her husband. During this time of intercession, I had a dream in which a woman in a car backed into a tree that belonged to the owner of a nearby house. A child who witnessed the event ran into the house, where a man was speaking to the owner’s wife, and exclaimed, “His grandmother hit one of your trees!” The man simply smiled in a mocking manner, while the woman demanded, in JESUS’ Name, to know his name. 

Eventually, the man disclosed his name, and the woman knew that he was the one ultimately responsible. The woman clearly wrote the name of the man on a piece of paper that was lying before her on a table, indicating his responsibility for the damage done to the tree.

The HOLY SPIRIT revealed the interpretation of the dream. My friend’s husband has been suffering due to witchcraft that was performed during previous generations, in a village back in his family’s country. Sacrifices were made to false gods, incantations were performed, evil spirits were sent to torment, and the affliction (mental, emotional, and physical) rested upon her husband. His entire life was filled with ashes – promises unfulfilled, one failure after another, injury and illness, rejection, abuse, abandonment, and more. But now, where there were once ashes, GOD is restoring beauty in his life, hallelujah!

After this dream and revelation, my friend had to take one more step as an activation of her faith. She wrote on a piece of paper exactly what the HOLY SPIRIT revealed in the dream. Then she prayed over it, anointed it with oil, and burned it, in JESUS’ Name.

So, we see that, when we fasted, prayed, and interceded, the HOLY SPIRIT graciously revealed the origin (a previous generation in an entirely different country), the source (spirit), and the strategy for freedom. The woman came into agreement with the HOLY SPIRIT through the step of obedience in activating her faith. And beauty is being restored by the Blood of the LAMB, through the WORD of GOD! Hallelujah!

This was the process given to her. Your process may look different. But we serve the same GOD, who is faithful to HIS WORD. HE wants you to be free. 

“…to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound…” Isaiah 61:1 TLV

Let’s pray. LORD, I want to be free. I’m tired of suffering through these generational cycles. HOLY SPIRIT, please reveal the origin, the source, and the strategy. Teach me YOUR Scriptures to pray so that I can war according to YOUR Word. Any steps that I need to take to activate my faith, I covenant with you that I will do them obediently. Hallelujah, LORD! I look forward with expectancy, knowing that the Blood of JESUS has already purchased my freedom. Hallelujah! I thank YOU for victory. In JESUS’ Name, amen.

“And it came to pass after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel, next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, ‘Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will give you a vineyard better than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money.’ 3 But Naboth said to Ahab, ‘The Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!’ … . 14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, ‘Naboth has been stoned and is dead.’ 15 And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, ‘Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.’” 1 Kings 21:1-3, 14-15

The heavens, even the highest heavens, belong to GOD. But the earth, HE has given to men, Psalm 115:16. 

Back in Genesis 2, the LORD gave management responsibilities of the earth to Adam. HE formed Adam from the dust of the earth and then told him to take care of the earth. Adam was GOD’s representative; no other spirit, including the HOLY SPIRIT, would be able to operate on the earth without Adam’s permission and authority. Hence the reason rebellion entered humans through Adam, and death entered the earth through Cain. But redemption for both earth and humans entered through the GOD-MAN, KING JESUS CHRIST.

Since Cain, man has been building civilizations away from GOD. Then came Seth and his son, Enosh, and their descendants. At that point, people began to reset and call on the Name of the LORD again, Genesis 4:26. Now that there are two different types of civilizations on the earth, how do we separate which lands benefit from the LORD’s blessings and which land will not? Boundaries. 

“You shall not remove your neighbor’s landmark, which the men of old have set, in your inheritance which you will inherit in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.” Deuteronomy 19:14 NKJV

“So the inheritance of the children of Israel shall not change hands from tribe to tribe, for every one of the children of Israel shall keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.” Numbers 36:7

In these Scriptures, we see why Naboth refused to sell the land to Ahab. He did not want to give away the inheritance of his fathers, because inheritance is important. The land inherited by each tribe was given by command of the LORD through Joshua and has remained in families for generations. Importantly, GOD respects that inheritance and defends it. Because of what Ahab did by taking Naboth’s land, GOD sent Prophet Elijah the Tishbite to pronounce a curse of death on Ahab, and his entire family. 

“‘You shall speak to him, saying, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Have you murdered and also taken possession?’” And you shall speak to him, saying, “Thus says the Lord: ‘In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.’”’ 20… And he answered, ‘I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord: 21 ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on you. I will take away your posterity and will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both bond and free.’” 1 Kings 21:19, 20-21

Why is this important to us today? Because we spent all last week praying for the forgiveness for the sins committed by our ancestors, which qualified us for our teeth to be set on edge. See how Ahab’s male children and slaves suffered for Ahab’s sins. Thanks be to KING JESUS, who shed HIS BLOOD to redeem us from curses that GOD HIMSELF put on us. 

This week, we pray in the generational blessings that were supposed to be ours, but the jezebel spirits orchestrated wickedness to take from us. We pray for the LORD to restore our inheritance to us. Notice that by law, Ahab could not take Naboth’s land. It’s the same concept in the spirit realm; satan cannot legally take your land anymore. Rather, he steals, kills, and destroys. Jezebel commanded Naboth and all his sons to be killed because she didn’t want a legal claim to the land. Thanks be to our LORD JESUS CHRIST for redeeming our land for us, buying it back, so we can claim it. 

Now, “file a report” in the spirit realm through prayer request, for KING JESUS CHRIST to give you back your land. With interest. 

Prayer:

FATHER, in the Name of KING JESUS CHRIST, we come to YOU, requesting all the generational blessings that should have been ours, but sin allowed the spirits of wickedness to steal from us. We ask for all of it back, in KING JESUS’ Name. We ask that YOUR goodness overtake us, releasing mercies towards us down to a thousand generations. We ask that YOU, oh LORD, release unto us all that was stolen from us from across generations, with interest. Give us restitution LORD, in KING JESUS’ Name, amen. 

We must restore generational blessings for our children, our future, and our land. Doing so often means not being gentle with sin or the enemy. Restoring generational blessings is an act of worship; we are letting the world and heavenly beings in the second and third heavens see the glory of the LORD. It can also be violent; we must wrestle our generational inheritance out of the hands of those who stole it. We refuse to have the Name of JESUS mocked!

“While Israel was staying in Shittim, the people began to have immoral sexual relations with women from Moab. 2 Then they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, so the people were eating, and bowing down before their gods. 3 When Israel became bound to Baal of Peor, the anger of Adonai grew hot against Israel. 4 Adonai said to Moses, ‘Seize all the ringleaders and hang them before Adonai facing the sun, so that Adonai’s fierce anger may be turned away from Israel.’ 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, ‘Each of you, kill your men who have been joining themselves to Baal of Peor.’ 6 Then behold, a man from Bnei-Yisrael came and brought a Midianite woman to his brothers before the eyes of Moses and of the whole assembly of Bnei-Yisrael, while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting! 7 When Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the kohen saw it, he arose from the midst of the assembly, took a spear in his hand, 8 and went after the man of Israel into the tent and pierced them through—both the Israelite man and the woman’s belly. Then the plague among Bnei-Yisrael was stopped. 9 However, 24,000 were dead because of the plague!” Exodus 25:1-9

Let us recap what happened here:

1. The people started having immoral sexual relations      with the women of Moab.
2. Then Moab invited Israel to worship their gods.
3. Israel was eating and bowing before the gods.
4. Israel became bound/yoked/joined to Baal.
5. The anger of ADONAI grew hot.
6. Moses commands the death of those joined to Baal.
7. Man and woman walk past the Tent of Meeting.
8. Phineas!!!

Do you see the slow decline of the people here? They brought the anger of the LORD on them once they cast off the yoke of the LORD and joined themselves to another god. They were switching from THE SPIRIT KING to another spirit king; they took off THE YOKE and put on another yoke.

Next was the plague. We are never told when the plague started, but we can assume that, as soon as ADONAI’s anger grew hot, HE started killing people. The enemy then made things worse by exposing the sin of the people right before the Tent of Meeting! It was like the sin was reminding the people, “This is what you let in, and I am here to stay.”

ADONAI would not stop killing people until Phineas, whose name means “one with a mouth of brass or oracle,” grandson of Aaron the priest, would rise with such indignation and kill the young man and woman. The LORD was not going to stop until one from the priestly lineage shed blood. Phineas understood his assignment; he had to show ADONAI immediate action. He was not one to stand at the Tent of Meeting just to cry. He struck the man and woman right through the middle of their torso; there was no surviving that!

What is in your mouth? Are you angry enough, filled with so much righteous indignation for your bloodline to throw a spear? How violent are you ready to get to restore order? What is making a mockery of your GOD? STOP your weeping and wipe your tears. ACT NOW!

Ask the LORD to show you through your bloodline who bowed down and got yoked to another god. Then speak and grab your spear (your weapon) to destroy the accusation that is presented before the courts of Heaven. You and I must strike satan where it hurts most, using the Name of JESUS and the Blood of JESUS!

Prayer:

LORD, we ask for mercy through the Blood of JESUS. Show us, LORD, what undisclosed sin needs to be dealt with. We do not shy away from the accusation of the enemy, but rather, we bring that accusation to the Cross. We refuse to eat from the table of the wicked; the only table we eat from is the table JESUS sets before us (Psalm 23). We thank YOU for the full restoration of YOUR Yoke on our neck. We shake off, cut off every demonic yoke that has been put on us or we put on, in JESUS’ Name. Amen.

“JESUS, SON OF DAVID, have mercy! JESUS, SON OF DAVID, have mercy! JESUS, SON OF DAVID, have mercy!” Can you imagine hearing these cries coming from blind Bartimaeus as he was sitting on the side of the road? A large, clamorous crowd passing by, but he was persistent.

“And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 49 And Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ … 50 And throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And replying to him, Jesus said, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ And the man who was blind said to Him, ‘Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!’ 52 And Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.” Mark 10:47-52

Notice: Even though Bartimaeus was told that JESUS the Nazarene was passing by, he refused to refer to JESUS by his temporary physical home (Nazareth). Rather, he cried out to Who JESUS Is…the SON of David, meaning, the MESSIAH! And he persisted in crying out for mercy, despite the obstacles, despite the jeers, despite the noise and the clamor of the crowd.

When JESUS answered Bartimaeus, HE asked, “What do you want ME to do for you?” At this point, Bartimaeus had options – normally blind beggars would sit by the roadside and asked for money for their livelihood. But he wasn’t talking to just anyone – he recognized that he was talking to the MESSIAH! No, temporary money won’t do. Bartimaeus chose to ask for the impossible…his vision! And because of his faith in the MESSIAH, Bartimaeus immediately received his sight.

Last night, as intercessors were gathered in corporate prayer during the midnight hour, the HOLY SPIRIT clearly gave us a challenge. HE said, “GIVE ME YOUR IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS, AND SEE WHAT I WILL DO.”

Do you accept this challenge? It is not the time to ask for simple, temporary, meaningless stuff. It is time for the mercy of the LORD to speak, not only on our behalf, but for our generations. Generational legacy. Generational blessings. Generational mercy. The children, the youth, the young adults are in need of the mercies of the LORD.

Make a list of your impossible situations and go to the LORD in prayer. Cry out for the mercies of the LORD. Cry out, despite the obstacles. Be persistent. Cry out in faith! And see what HE will do.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Prayer:

KING JESUS CHRIST, have mercy on us! KING JESUS CHRIST, have mercy on our children! KING JESUS CHRIST, have mercy on our young adults! Have mercy, LORD, have mercy! We bring our impossible situations to you, such that YOU will hear our cries, turn and ask, “What do you want ME to do for you?” LORD, we want YOU. We want YOUR mercy. We want the impossible. For us, and for the generations that follow, LORD. We believe YOU for the impossible, for YOU are JESUS the MESSIAH! Hallelujah! Amen and amen.

 “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—The sure mercies of David.” Isaiah 55:3

Many of us know the covenant the LORD made to Abram in Genesis 15. The LORD cut covenant with the blood of a heifer, a female goat, a ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon. ADONAI walked through the blood of the sacrifice by LIGHT, while Abram watched in terror. There the LORD spoke of HIMSELF as the reward of obedience, Abram’s descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, their 400 years of slavery, and the eventual inheritance of Canaan – the Promised Land. But it was when Abraham agreed to sacrifice Issac, what was most precious to him, the heir he had been waiting for, the child that was born to him at 100 years of age, that GOD gave him the SEED – also referred to as the SEED of Abraham, KING JESUS CHRIST, Genesis 22.

“And He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’ … 15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said: ‘By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— 17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.’” Genesis 22:12, 15-18

Fast forward to another covenant, the Covenant of David, also referred to as the sure mercies of David. 

“Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, ‘See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.’ … 11b[Nathan said to the king,] ‘Also the Lord tells you that He will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.’” 2 Samuel 7:1-2, 11b-16

David did the same thing Abraham did. In his heart, he thought to offer GOD the very best he knew how to give. The LORD GOD had given him victory and rest from all the wars against the house of Saul and had given him the kingdom and all his external enemies. In his place of rest, he thought, “How can I show GOD my love, my devotion, my gratitude? In addition, I live in this beautiful house that the blessings of GOD have provided for me. What can I give HIM? Build HIM a house. Give ADONAI what I would want.” It was accounted to David as worship, and ADONAI responded with a covenant. 

The SEED, KING JESUS, came from David because David knew how to obey and worship to move the Hand of GOD. He put his worship into action, and it translated into covenant. Abraham obeyed and worshiped, and it translated into covenant. Tomorrow, we shall dissect the mercy that obedience and worship released. 

Prayer:

LORD GOD, let my obedience and worship move YOU to cut covenant with me. I want the sure mercies of David to operate in my life. In KING JESUS’ Name, amen. 

“O Lord God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed; remember the mercies of Your servant David.” 2 Chronicles 6:42

“And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’” Acts 13:34

As we continue our discussion on the sure mercies of David, I encourage you to read 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17. David knew that GOD had made him king when things that never happened during the reign of Saul started happening for him. 

“Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. 12 So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.” 2 Samuel 5:11-12

From shepherd to king, GOD established David and made other kings seek his favor - all because of his heart of worship that resulted in obedience, a heart posture the LORD could not ignore. This covenant included David’s sons, and David’s SON. When Solomon, David’s earthly son, sinned, the LORD told him because of his father, David, HE would not divide the earthly kingdom from him in his lifetime. Rather, Solomon’s son Rehoboam paid for his father’s sin, see 1 Kings 11:9-12. When KING JESUS, the SON of David, was to be born, HE came through the line of Mary, who was a descendant of David’s son, Nathan, fulfilling the promise in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17 that David would have a SON to sit on the throne of Israel forever. 

Psalm 89:20-37 tells us what the sure mercies of David entail. 

“I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him, 21 With whom My hand shall be established; Also My arm shall strengthen him. 22 The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. 23 I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague those who hate him. 24 But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted. 25 Also I will set his hand over the sea, And his right hand over the rivers. 26 He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’ 27 Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth. 28 My mercy I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall stand firm with him. 29 His seedalso I will make to endure forever, And his throne as the days of heaven. 30 If his sons forsake My law And do not walk in My judgments, 31 If they break My statutes And do not keep My commandments, 32 Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes. 33 Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail. 34 My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. 35 Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: 36 His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me; 37 It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky. Selah”

Psalm 89:20-37

When blind Bartimaeus cried out “JESUS, SON of David have mercy on me…” he was not just acknowledging HIM as MESSIAH, but Bartimaeus was tapping into the mercy that KING JESUS embodied because of the covenant made to David. 

Prayer:

Oh LORD, the mercy of David is something we have access to through KING JESUS CHRIST. LORD, let the benefits of this mercy apply in my life and in the life of my descendants forever. When our youth and young adults sin, correct them in YOUR mercy and not in YOUR righteous judgement. LORD, do not allow the sons of wickedness to afflict us. We want to live in the mercies of David, in KING JESUS’ Name, amen. 

“Then Yeshua was saying to everyone, ‘If anyone wants to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross every day, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.’” Luke 9:23-24

There must be daily death/sacrifice because JESUS even tells us to pick up our cross every day. Rest assured that the cross is heavy; it involves losing our lives to this world so we can have it saved in JESUS

“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Messiah Yeshua. 4 No one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the activities of everyday life, so that he might please the one who enlisted him.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Conversations with my kids this weekend included the fact that some Christians want their walk with JESUS to be easy. We all want it to be easy, I mean, who doesn’t? BUT there must be death involved; there must be sacrifice. Look at the verse above, starting with verse three. Being a good soldier means facing hardship. I’d bet you will never meet a soldier who said the time they spent in the military was easy. Paul is here telling Timothy that part of being a good soldier was to suffer hardship with him.

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

Have you done all that you can do? Have you fought and won? Have you been able to trace down the bloodlines and restore everything to JESUS? Don’t relax, don’t put down your weapons, make sure to STAND!

When there is no one there to cheer you on, and you have to make that decision to die to your flesh, we are pleasing the LORD. It is not glamorous either. Ask JESUS as HE carried that cross; ask HIM as HE pleaded with the FATHER to take ‘this’ cup from HIM.

Everything GOD does is controversial; HIS process, choices, and methods cause us to scratch our heads. Mary's process of getting pregnant, Israel walking around the wall of Jericho for seven days, Abraham leaving the only home he knew and heading out into the unknown, and many more. If JESUS did not follow what we would say is normal protocol and make things easy for HIS children, why do we think HE is going to change the way HE does things now?

The enemy is not going to take that loss sitting down; he cheats and goes back into our bloodline, looking for loopholes we had no idea existed. Make sure you are standing, soldier!

Are you tired? Stand! Are you celebrating the restoration of all that has been stolen from you? Stand! We are dying and standing all day long; remember, we do this to please the ONE who enlisted us into the military.

Prayer:

LORD JESUS, we ask for strength and focus. Strength to overcome this world and not fail in dying daily. Focus to keep our eyes on YOU. YOU are the only ONE we want to please and choose to please. In JESUS’ Name. Amen.

What do you call your children? Does their name change depending on how you’re feeling? At times, you may call your child “son” or “daughter,” “baby” or “handsome,” “gorgeous” or “young man.” But what about those times when you are frustrated with them – those times when they disobeyed or lied or were sneaky or rebellious? How many times have you referred to your child (no matter their age) as “stupid” or “jerk” or “retarded” … or something worse?

Whether you are a child, a young adult, or an elder, take a minute and think – were you made fun of when you were young? Did others, maybe your parents or loved ones, call you names or put you down…or did they encourage you? And did this become part of your identity, your self-image?

We have been discussing Scriptural strategies to break generational cycles and restore generational blessings through the mercies of the LORD. Now, it is time to make it practical. The freedom from our past must be reflected in our thoughts, our words, and our actions in the present.

Look at what happened to Jabez.

“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez saying, ‘Because I bore him with pain.’ 10 Jabez called out to the God of Israel, saying, ‘If only You would greatly bless me, and enlarge my territory. Let Your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I might not suffer pain.’ Adonai granted what he asked.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 TLV

These two verses took the Christian world by storm when a book was written about them 25 years ago, becoming the number one nonfiction bestseller in 2001. Why? Because many are attracted to the straightforward message of seeking GOD’s blessing and enlargement.

But let’s go deeper. Jabez’ mom cursed him – yes, cursed him – when she named him. The name “Jabez” means sorrow; he who grieves; borne in pain. So, when Jabez called out to GOD, he was asking GOD to break the word curse placed on him by a previous generation, and instead to bless him so that he would not suffer pain. His prayer is in direct correlation to reversing the curse from his mother.

This is not the only time we see the importance of names in the Word of GOD – Abram was renamed Abraham; Jacob was renamed Israel; Ben-oni was renamed Benjamin; and so on.

“Death and life are in the control of the tongue. Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 TLV

Words matter. Identity matters. Freedom must bring change. Change in how we view ourselves, and change in what we speak into the lives of our children, youth, and young adults.

“I call the heavens and the earth to witness about you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 20 by loving Adonai your God, listening to His voice, and clinging to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell on the land that Adonai swore to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob—to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Generational blessings or generational curses? “Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live…”

Prayer:

KING JESUS CHRIST, today I choose life. Please help me to guard my tongue such that the words that I speak – about myself and to others – will reflect YOUR life. Forgive me for perpetuating the word curses in my family. Today, I choose life, reversing the curse through the mercies of the LORD. ADONAI, I listen to YOUR voice, for YOU are my life. In JESUS’ Name. Amen.