JUNE 1

THE CONVINCING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. —John 16:8

One of the main functions of the Holy Spirit is to convince us of sin, righteousness, and judgment. When we read the word convict, we might think conviction is to make us to feel ashamed. However, this is the Greek word elegchō, and it can mean to admonish and convince. If we are convinced of something, it is because we have become persuaded beyond doubt. The Holy Spirit brings us to an awareness of the things we must know and be convinced of. He actually brings us to conclusions about things. This is absolutely necessary for us to be willing to lay our lives down and give ourselves to the pursuit of His will in our lives. The Holy Spirit brings us to this place in our convictions. In other words, we are not just brought under conviction, but convictions are formed in us that propel us to the right decisions necessary for God’s will to be done. Hebrews 11:13 tells us of the people of faith who died in faith waiting on the fulfillment of the promises, because they were assured that He who promised could not and would not fail. May this kind of faith be formed in us as well through the convincing of the Spirit of God.

Lord, as I come before Your Courts, I lay aside all doubt, fear, and confusion. I allow the convincing of the Holy Spirit to work in me. I ask that my faith, formed by the Spirit of God, would speak before Your Courts and give testimony of my hope and confidence in You. May it be recorded before You that I believe and agree with who You are and what You have done and do. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 2

CONVINCED OF THE SIN OF UNBELIEF

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me. —John 16:8–9

As the Holy Spirit functions in the world and our lives, He convinces us of the sin of not believing in Jesus. When we do not believe in the Lord and who He is, it produces sin. The unbelief of the children of Israel in the wilderness caused them to progressively rebel. Their slave mentality, which was absent of faith, would not allow them to believe the Lord and move into the promises God had made for them. Therefore, they wandered in the wilderness unnecessarily for forty years. Hebrews 3:12 calls unbelief an evil heart. We are to seek to protect ourselves from this evil thing before the Lord. Unbelief is not just a part of our humanity and something we are to excuse. Unbelief is an evil thing that the Holy Spirit proclaims war against to eradicate from our lives. Through the convincing of the Holy Spirit we become aware of this in our lives and allow it to be removed from us. The Holy Spirit’s function in us exposes this and helps us to move from fear and rebellion to faith and obedience born of the Spirit of God.

Lord, as I stand before Your Courts, I ask that any and all unbelief in me would be exposed by the Holy Spirit. That which I am excusing as a part of my humanity, let it become exceedingly sinful in my sight (Rom. 7:13). Thank You, Lord, that You convince me of this and bring me into new realms of faith. I declare before Your Courts that You, Lord, are the author and finisher of my faith (Heb. 12:2). In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 3

RIGHTEOUSNESS BEFORE HIM

…of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more. —John 16:10

The Holy Spirit convinces us of righteousness. In other words, He teaches us what real righteousness is. Righteousness is not from the keeping of the law (Gal. 2:21). Righteousness comes from obedience to the Holy Spirit and His leading. This is why we are told that whoever is led by the Spirit is no longer under the dictate of the law (Gal. 5:18). When Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would help us determine the righteous standard of God, He was saying that through His empowerment we would be propelled into real, true righteousness. This would not be the result of keeping rules and regulations and walking legalistically. This righteousness would come from a relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. This intimate life with Him would birth in us the true righteousness that God is after in us. It would unveil for us what pleases God from a deep place of intimacy with Him.

Lord, as I come before Your Courts, I thank You that I stand righteously before You. My righteousness is not because I am keeping rules or even laws. My righteousness is a result of a living faith in You born from the Holy Spirit. Even as Abraham believed God and it was accounted as righteousness before You, so let it be for me (Gal. 3:6). Allow me, my God, to stand before You in the righteousness of who Jesus is by faith and out of my relationship with You through the Holy Spirit. I declare I am righteous because of who You are, Lord, and what You have done for me, in Jesus’s, name, amen.

JUNE 4

EXECUTING THE VERDICT OF THE CROSS INTO PLACE

…of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. —John 16:11

The Holy Spirit convinces us of the verdict of the cross speaking in our behalf. When Jesus died on the cross, the Lord rendered a judgment and verdict against the devil and the powers of darkness. Every legal right the enemy was claiming against us was abolished because of what Jesus did. However, a verdict not executed into place has no power. As we stand in the Courts of Heaven, we are executing what Jesus did for us into place. This causes the full effect of Jesus’s judgment against the devil to be forcibly set in place. This is what it means to overcome the accuser with the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:10–11). The Holy Spirit, as the One who helps, strengthens, and convinces us through the revelation of these truths, empowers us to see this reality. The result is the breakthrough and full manifestation of all Jesus died for becoming ours.

Lord, as I come before Your Courts, I thank You that the Holy Spirit is convincing me of all that Your cross did for me. The devil’s legal claims have been revoked. Lord, I agree with Your blood and all it is speaking for me. I thank You that satan’s rights to harass, hinder, and hurt me are revoked and removed. I receive the fullness of what You have provided for me as I stand in repentance and agreement with You and Your work for me. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 5

THE SPIRIT OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. —Isaiah 11:2

The last of the seven Spirits of God is the Spirit of the fear of the Lord. Remember that these seven are before the throne of God as lamps giving witness in the Courts of Heaven (Rev. 4:5). This anointing correlates with the last thing Jesus said He was anointed for in Luke 4:19, which was to preach and proclaim the “acceptable year of the Lord.” This is a reference to the year of Jubilee that occurred every fifty years in Israel. In this year, at the sounding of the trumpet, everything went free and was returned to its original owners (Lev. 25:9–10). Jesus was declaring that He was that trumpet that had come to restore all things. There was no longer a need to wait for a fifty-year period to pass. Jesus was here to bring restoration to all who would believe in Him. Through the Spirit of the fear of the Lord this restoration would be secured and maintained. The anointing of the fear of the Lord brought by the Spirit of the fear of the Lord would bring us into and maintain us in our Jubilee. Jesus is our Jubilee. We secure this through what this spirit is witnessing before His Courts.

Lord, as I stand before the Courts of Heaven, I agree with the witness of the Spirit of the fear of the Lord. I thank You that this brings me into the acceptable year of the Lord. I thank You that You, Jesus, are my Jubilee. I come into full restoration of all that belongs to me in and by You. I receive the return of all that has been lost. I thank You that from Your Courts things are in place for the fullness of all Your benefits in my life. Thank You, Lord, that I am restored and receive fully of Your kindness, goodness, and acceptance, in Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 6

THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND JUBILEE

Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God. “So you shall observe My statutes and keep My judgments, and perform them; and you will dwell in the land in safety.” —Leviticus 25:17–18

This Scripture is spoken in connection with Jubilee. Every fifty years things were returned to the original owners; if property was sold to someone, the price was determined based on how many years of use there was before it was returned to the original owner. The Lord is declaring that out of the fear of the Lord, people were to be dealt with fairly and justly. They were not to be taken advantage of and oppressed. If these things were abided by, God promised them safety in their land. Operating in the fear of the Lord brings us into a safe place and security. The fear of the Lord produces in us a right attitude and behavior toward others. We realize that God is watching, and how we behave toward others can determine the benefits we get from the Lord. If we treat others well, the devil’s rights to hurt us are revoked by the Lord. Our fear of the Lord is that which causes us to believe and obey Him in every area of life.

Lord, as I come before Your Courts, I thank You for the Spirit of the fear of the Lord resting upon me. From this anointing, I experience Jubilee, the times of Your restoration in my life. I thank You that in this place I dwell in safety before You. No intent or purpose of the devil may prosper against me. I am delivered from any and all of his schemes. Thank You, Lord, for any rights he would claim to devour me, being revoked as I walk before You in the fear of God. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 7

RETURNING TO FORTUNES AND FAMILY

And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. —Leviticus 25:10

In the year of Jubilee, when the trumpet sounded, everyone returned to his possession and everyone returned to his family. Jubilee was a time of restoration of fortunes and family. As we stand before the Courts of Heaven, we can ask for the Spirit of the fear of the Lord to bring us into our Jubilee. We can ask that what has been lost, all fortunes and family, be returned to us. Whatever it would seem that is ours, that has been granted by the Lord, that the devil has stolen, would now be returned to us in abundance. In the process of life, as time progresses, it can seem like great loss occurs. Life can take its toll. Perhaps you look back to happier times when everything was good. However, great losses have occurred, and you are now filled with grief over those lost things and people. Perhaps you have lost financially. God will return your wealth to you. Perhaps relationships have been strained or even destroyed. God will heal these places. As we stand in the Courts of the Lord, we can ask the Lord to bring us into the fear of the Lord in a new way and that Jesus would manifest as our Jubilee. This would allow us to return to that which God originally planned for us.

Lord, as I come before Your Courts, I step into the Spirit of the fear of the Lord. As I do, I ask for You to be my Jubilee. I asked that decisions would be rendered from Your Court that would return me to my fortunes and my family. Lord, allow all things to be restored and all relationships to be healed. I thank You for this, in Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 8

LETTING THE FIELD REST

That fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee to you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of its own accord, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine. —Leviticus 25:11

Every fifty years at Jubilee the Israelites were required to let the land rest. This also was required every seven years (Lev. 25:3–4). The Lord ordained a rest period for the land as an act of obedience to the Lord, but also so the land could replenish itself and bear much fruit. This was also the reasoning behind the weekly Sabbath’s rest. Every seven days there is to be a rest period to honor the Lord and replenish ourselves. Without this exhaustion will creep in and creativity will be diminished. We will experience diminished returns from our labors because we have skipped the necessary rest period out of our own wisdom and even greed. This is what began to happen after Nehemiah brought restoration to Jerusalem. The people began to do business and commerce on the Sabbath against the law of God. Nehemiah dealt quickly and rigorously with this. He told them this was one of the reasons God judged Israel and allowed them to go into captivity. He required repentance and adherence to the law of the Sabbath (Neh. 13:16–21). Even though we are no longer under the law and required to keep the Sabbath, the principle is still the same. God created man to need rest to replenish. As we rest our mind, soul, emotions, body, and spirit, we are replenished in His presence. The result will be a greater effectiveness and fruitfulness from our labors.

As I come before Your Courts, I repent for any place I have broken Your principles. Where I have worked and not adhered to the idea of rest for replenishment, I repent. I ask that You would forgive and strengthen me to obey in this area that I might be more effective in my labors for You and in life. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 9

CHOOSING THE FEAR OF THE LORD

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. —Galatians 6:7–8

When we talk about walking in the fear of the Lord connected to Jubilee, we should define what that is. The fear of the Lord is not a tormenting fear. It is the awareness that God’s Word is true and is applied without respecter of persons. In other words, whoever obeys God’s Word is blessed, and whoever doesn’t, will reap undesired consequences. We are told that we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be deceived. This principle applies to everyone. If we sow good things according to God’s Word, we will reap good things. If, however, we consistently sow from a fleshly or ungodly place, we will reap things we do not want. This idea should produce in us a fear of the Lord that would drive us to obey Him and walk in agreement with His Word. This is of great value before the Lord and has great reward associated with it. It causes us to walk in holiness in the areas of our life that people see, but also in the secret places as well.

Lord, I thank You as I come before Your Courts that I walk in the fear of the Lord before You. I ask that You empower me to obey you and sow good things in obedience to You and Your ways. Forgive me, Lord, for all the places where I have disregarded You and Your ways. Cleanse me from these places, that I may walk righteously before You. Thank You that as I walk in the Spirit of the fear of the Lord, that I experience You as my Jubilee. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 10

THE PONDERING EYE OF GOD

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths. —Proverbs 5:21

When we speak of the fear of the Lord as one of the seven Spirits of God, we speak of living under the scrutiny of God’s watchful eye. To ponder means “to weigh.” In other words, it means to consider and to evaluate our actions. It is not just a glancing at something, but rather a true investigation of the intent, motives, and desires that are producing certain actions. There is nothing hidden before the Lord. Everything is naked and opened before Him (Heb. 4:13). God sees all things and is aware of all things. Even though we may have secrets from people, there are no secrets before God. This should birth in us a fear of the Lord that impacts the decisions we make in every place of our life. Not only does this effect this life, but it also has ramifications in the life that is to come. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account for what we have done (2 Cor. 5:10). There is nothing hidden from the Lord. Whoever will order their life in reference to this according to the fear of the Lord will have a good report of Him in this life and the life to come.

Lord, as I stand before Your Courts, I thank You that all things are open and manifest before You. I repent for every place I have walked in an ungodly and unrighteous way before You. I ask that Your blood, Lord Jesus, would speak for me and cleanse me from every accusation against me. Let me be acceptable before You in all my ways, as I live under Your pondering eye and watchful gaze. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 11

NO SECRETS BEFORE THE LORD

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. —Ecclesiastes 12:13–14

The conclusion of the whole matter, or the point of it all, is we are to fear God and keep His commands. When it is all said and done, God will bring every work into judgment. All the secrets of our life will be seen and known. The places where we have repented and asked for the blood of Jesus to speak for us, are forgiven and cleansed (Heb. 12:24). If, however, we are living in outright, known rebellion, these things will be judged. This should produce in us a desire to live holy and purely before the Lord. The fear of the Lord should progressively press us forward to a life that is pleasing and acceptable before Him. Walking in the fear of the Lord has great promises for us in this life and the one that is to come. Whoever will receive the Spirit of the fear of the Lord, will experience the power of Jubilee. We will live a life of progressive restoration. We will come into the fullness of what Jesus died for us to have as we walk tenderly and softly before the Lord in obedience to His Word and cause.

Lord, as I come to stand before Your Courts, I make myself manifest before You. I ask that You purge and cleanse any place in me that is not pleasing to You. I thank You that Your blood through the power of the Spirit cleanses me from every unrighteousness. Thank You that as I walk before You in the Spirit of the fear of the Lord, I come into a full expression of Jubilee and receive a complete restoration of all things. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 12

THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. —Acts 2:42–43

In the New Testament church a deep sense of the fear of the Lord was present. This created an atmosphere for the miraculous to occur. When God is reverenced, honored, and obeyed, the atmosphere that allows signs and wonders to happen is unlocked. In this atmosphere there is a love for God, a soft heart toward Him, and a faith that believes Him without question. This allows supernatural things to manifest among the people of God. So often in today’s church we do not see this environment. It would seem to be much more flippant and casual. However, in the early church because the Word of God was being taught, the disciples were walking in fellowship, they were partaking of communion and praying together, the Spirit of the fear of the Lord came. The result was a Jubilee occurring with signs and wonders bringing restoration and life among God’s people. May we step into this place as well today.

Lord, as we come before Your Courts, we ask for the Spirit of the fear of the Lord to come upon us corporately. May the fear of the Lord be on every soul. May it unlock a true manifestation of Jubilee among us as the people of God. Let signs and wonders invade us, where the fear of the Lord is now present. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 13

THE PROPHETIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF JUBILEE

Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. —Leviticus 25:9

Any time we read of a trumpet in the Scripture, it is speaking of that which is prophetic (1 Cor. 14:8–9). It was a trumpet blast/prophetic sound that signaled Jubilee had come. The blast of the trumpet announced that Jubilee had arrived. This meant that everything that had been lost was now restored. What was captive could now go free. There was a resetting of things back to their original place and position. This all took place at the sound of the trumpet. The trumpet sound/prophetic set in motion that which would reorder the society of Israel and personal lives. The trumpet sound/prophetic voice demanded that restraints now be released. It demanded that what was lost was to now be restored. Each of us should prophesy our Jubilee. As a result of who Jesus is and what He has done, we can now be liberated into the goodness of the Lord. Anything that has been lost we should prophesy its restoration. This is our privilege in light of who Jesus is and what He has done. As we walk in the Spirit of the fear of the Lord, our prophetic declarations set our Jubilee into motion.

Lord, as I stand in Your Courts, I by faith prophesy my Jubilee. As I walk in the Spirit of the fear of the Lord, I declare my Jubilee is set in motion. There is a resetting of all the original intent of God concerning my life. I ask that from Your Courts a decision is rendered that allows complete restoration of all that has been lost to be brought back to my life. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 14

THE CROSS AND JUBILEE

Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. —Leviticus 25:9

The trumpet of Jubilee sounded on the Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement is a prophetic picture of the cross of Jesus. The Day of Atonement was when the high priest would kill the Passover lamb. The blood of this lamb was then taken behind the veil in the holiest of holies and poured out and sprinkled. This activity gave God the legal right to roll the sins off Israel for a year so they could be blessed rather than cursed. Of course, the cross of Jesus and His blood forever secured forgiveness and cleansing from our sins. The trumpet of Jubilee sounding on this day, signifies that this activity allows the restoration of all things to be set into place. This is why we do not have to wait for a fifty-year period to pass for our Jubilee. As a result of what Jesus did for us, we have access into Jubilee perpetually. The cross and sacrifice of Jesus for us has set things in place for the prophetic announcement of Jubilee to be available to whoever will secure it through faith in Jesus and what He has done. Reach out today and accept your Jubilee and all that Jesus has made available to us.

Lord, as I stand in Your Courts, I thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Thank You, Lord, that what You have done allows my Jubilee to now be set into place. I receive fully from Your cross and believe that Jubilee is now mine. Lord, please allow a decision to be rendered in agreement with my faith and restoration to now come to me. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 15

LIBERTY FOR ALL

And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. —Leviticus 25:10

Liberty was proclaimed on the day of Jubilee. The word liberty in the Hebrew is derowr, and it means to move rapidly, a spontaneity of outflow. In other words, it can speak of the moving of the Spirit of God. That which has been dammed up and restricted is now free. Perhaps in your life there seems to be a resistance of the free flow of God’s Holy Spirit in you and through you. Jesus promised that from out of our innermost being rivers of living water would flow (John 7:38). There is to be an unrestricted move of God that brings life to us and to others. As the free-flowing rivers of God move, they produce a return of possessions and family to our life. As is the case of most things, everything begins from inside of us. Our outer world will always be a result of our inner world. As we come to liberty and God’s presence is unrestricted in us, all other things will line up. We must ask the Lord for the experience of Jubilee to begin inside of us. The result will be the ordering of our life outside as well.

Lord, as I stand in Your Courts, I ask for the free flow of Your Spirit to move through me. Let every restriction be removed. Lord, allow the rapid moving sense of Your presence and the spontaneity of who You are take over my life. Let it influence and control me from the inside out. Thank You, Lord, that Jubilee begins first inside me and then orders my life outside. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 16

KINGS AND PRIEST TO OUR GOD

…and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. —Revelation 1:5–6

Through Jesus’s washing us from our sins in His own blood, we have been elevated to kings and priests to our God. Jesus’s blood doesn’t just cleanse us so we can get to Heaven. His blood changes our nature from one that has no standing before God, to one that is highly regarded before God. We are now kings and priests to our God because of His love and cleansing in our life. Priests are those who intercede and function legally before the Lord. Kings are those who decree and set things in place as a result of the priest function. These two positions that we have been granted because of Jesus’s work for us are imperative to God’s purposes being done. Our function as kings and priests cause His glory and dominion to be established forever. As we will see, these operations allow the increase of His government and peace to always be increasing and enlarging in the earth and its cultures. Let’s take up the place granted us and see the passion of the Lord in nations prevail!

Lord, as we come and stand before Your Courts, we thank You for the power of Your love and cleansing. Thank You for the place You have positioned us as kings and priests to our God. Help us, Lord, to function in this place legally, judicially, and authoritatively as those set by You for Your purposes. Allow cultures to shift and nations to be divinely ordered as we are positioned by You. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 17

REIGNING ON THE EARTH

You…have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth. —Revelation 5:9–10

As kings and priests set by God we are to reign from this position on the earth. This means we are to be a part of arranging life on the planet into that which expresses God’s will. The earth is to be our domain. We are told that God gave the earth to the children of men (Ps. 115:16). We are also told that from the beginning God put His works (the earth) under the authority of man (Ps. 8:6). Of course Jesus came to restore to us this reality that Adam lost through his transgression. Functioning as kings and priests before our God is critical to this. Our power to reign on the earth and dictate life in this sphere is connected to our function as kings and priests. As we learn how to stand as priests and judicially order things, we can also then stand as kings and decree with authority things into God’s divine order. This is why kings in the Old Testament would never go to battle until the priest had first offered a sacrifice in their behalf. They understood the need for something to speak in their behalf as they marched against the enemy. We will find that the offering of Jesus does this for us. Also, however, God gives us the right to bring our own offerings that speak as well. When we learn to function in the judicial dimension as priests, we can then win on the battlefield as kings.

Lord, as I stand before You in Your Courts as a priest, I thank You that Your blood and sacrifice does speak for me. Any right the devil would claim to resist me or fight against me is silenced by Your offering. I also thank You that my offerings I have brought before You also speak. Thank You that this is judicially setting things in place for my victory before You. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 18

HIS INCREASING RULE

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. —Isaiah 9:7

We are prophetically promised that the government of God will progressively take over more and more of the earth. This is not a promise that begins at the second coming of the Lord. This is a promise that started when Jesus came into the earth and announced the Kingdom (Matt. 4:17). This means that since that day things have gotten better and better on the earth. Many would want us to believe that things have gotten worse and worse. But even a casual investigation of history reveals just the opposite. Life is better in the planet today than ever before. This is because of the rule of God that Jesus announced. Two thousand years later we have advantages, benefits, and luxuries never known to man before. Life today is better than ever. However, we are to still be active in the expansion of the government of God in the earth. This requires our function as kings and priests. The more we step into this place of authority, the more the advancement of His rule will manifest.

As I come before Your Courts as king and priest, I thank You that the increase of Your government and peace will continue. Thank You that You allow me the right to function as Your instrument to see this glorious manifestation. Lord, I say come in all Your power and majesty and establish Your rule, in Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 19

THE MELCHIZEDEK ORDER

So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” —Hebrews 5:5–6

When we speak of ourselves as priests, we must realize what order we are from. We are not priests connected to the Levitical priesthood. Even though from this priesthood we can learn valuable lessons about what a priest does. However, we are of the priesthood of Melchizedek. This is the order of priest that Jesus as our High Priest is from. The Bible is explicit that Jesus could not be a priest after the Levitical order because He was from the tribe of Judah (Heb. 7:14). God therefore made Him the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. This was the priest that Abraham met when returning from the battle with the kings. This priesthood allows Him to continue forever. Just like Aaron’s sons were priests in the priesthood of their father, so we are priest in the priesthood granted to Jesus. Our priesthood is after the Melchizedek order. We are functioning together with Jesus in this order set by God.

Lord, as I come before Your Courts as a priest after the order of Melchizedek, I thank You for this positioning. With boldness and yet humility I take my place as a part of the Melchizedek order of priest that Jesus has been granted. As a part of who Jesus is, I now function in this placement before You after this order granted and given to me. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 20

A GREATER PLACE

Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. And Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash.” —1 Samuel 13:10–11

In the Old Testament people were forbidden to be both king and priest. When King Saul allowed the circumstance to press him to act presumptuously, it cost him greatly before God. He stepped into the function as a priest, which was forbidden of God. Only in the New Testament and those who had revelation of the New Testament order were allowed to function as both priest and king. The prophet declared that Saul’s kingdom would not continue because he had transgressed the word of the Lord. We can learn two lessons from this. First, we have been granted a great privilege as New Testament believers of operating as kings and priests. Secondly, God is looking for those whose hearts are perfect toward Him and who will obey Him explicitly. May we learn from both of these.

Lord, as I come before Your Courts, thank You so much for the privilege to be both king and priest before You. With gratefulness and boldness I step into the places granted me. I also seek to fully obey You in all things. May I be one whose heart is perfect before You that I might please You well. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 21

THE PRIDE OF KINGS

But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord—valiant men. And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God.” —2 Chronicles 26:16–18

In his arrogance King Uzziah sought to operate as both king and priest. God judged him, and he died a leper because of this transgression. We must always guard our heart from pride, especially when God has blessed us with success and favor. Because Uzziah did not keep a watch on his heart, he found himself in deception. He ceased to operate in the fear of the Lord. The result was activity that brought the displeasure of the Lord. As New Testament believers we are granted the function of both king and priest. However, in this function we must guard our hearts with all diligence (Prov. 4:23). We must be careful to never think more highly of ourselves than we ought (Rom. 12:3). The result can be a loss of the place we have been granted. This is the condemnation the devil suffered (1 Tim. 3:6). A place that had been given was lost. May we guard our heart with all diligence.

Lord, as I stand before Your Courts, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You. I repent of pride, arrogance, and haughtiness before You. May I always walk in humility and surrender before You. May I guard my heart and keep it free from any sense of superiority, in Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 22

THE POWER OF REVELATION

And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. —2 Samuel 6:13–14

David wore the garments that only priests were to wear, the linen ephod. This was because David as an Old Testament man lived from New Testament revelation. He understood God’s heart for all His people to be priests before Him. He reached into what was yet to be fully manifest and pulled it into his present time. This is what revelation allows us to do. Just as David functioned both as a priest and king, so can we too, from revelation, live in a power others aren’t touching. When we walk in intimacy with the Lord, as David did, revelation that empowers us outside the time we are living in can come. Time ceases to have restrictions on us because revelation has unlocked a new dimension for us. The key is intimacy that allows these secrets to be unveiled. David functioned in secrets outside his time. So can we.

Lord, I ask before Your Courts that I might walk in intimacy with You. Lord, from this intimacy, can I know secrets that birth revelation. Would You allow this revelation to propel me outside the time I am living in into new places of function and life without the present-day restrictions. Thank You, Lord, for birthing this in me and through me. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 23

MELCHIZEDEK: PRIEST OF GOD, KING OF SALEM

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. —Hebrews 7:1–3

This Melchizedek was not a normal human. He had neither beginning nor end. He had no earthly father or mother. There was no genealogy that could be traced. He was like the Son of God. In my opinion this would mean that Melchizedek, who met Abraham, was a preincarnate revelation of Jesus Christ. In other words, this was Jesus revealing Himself in another form before He appeared in earth as the baby in the manger. This is why Jesus is now High Priest in our behalf after the order of Melchizedek. This Melchizedek was one of only two allowed to operate as both king and priest in the Old Testament. David was the other one. As our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, Jesus is our King of Righteousness and our King of Peace. As both King and Priest, Jesus ushers in righteousness and brings great peace. When we operate as both king and priest before our God, we take on these same characteristics as well. As He is, so are we in this present world (1 John 4:17).

Lord, I come and honor You as my High Priest and King of Righteousness and King of Peace. As Abraham honored Melchizedek, Lord, I honor You. I thank You for who You are and what You are doing in the Courts of Heaven in my behalf. Thank You, Lord, for making me a king and priest to my God. I bless You and honor You, in Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 24

REVELATION YET TO BE SEEN

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. —Hebrews 5:9–11

The writer of Hebrews declares that there are things about the Melchizedek order that are yet to be explained. This means there are things God would desire us to know that we haven’t come to the capacity to receive. Jesus even spoke of this when He said the Holy Spirit would have to guide His disciples into truth yet to be revealed (John 16:12–13). He said this would happen because there were things He wanted to speak of, but they couldn’t handle them. May the Lord unlock our hearts to perceive the things from Heaven. May we not be so tied to the earth that we cannot receive what would be revealed from there. There are things that the Lord longs to impart to us. May the dullness of hearing be lifted from our spirits that we might perceive what belongs to us. The Lord desires to reveal secrets that belong to us and to our children (Deut. 29:29).

Lord, as I come before Your Courts, I petition You to lift the dullness from my heart and spirit. May my understanding be unlocked that I can perceive the weightier things that You would esteem belong to me and even my children. Would You even unlock what concerns the Melchizedek order that I am part of as a king and priest to our God. Thank You so much, Lord. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 25

SONS THAT ARE PRIESTS

So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” —Hebrews 5:5–6

Notice that Jesus is proclaimed to be God’s Son and then declared to be a Priest forever. The function as a priest is born out of being a son. Sonship as opposed to a slavery mindset is essential to operating in our priesthood. So often we are striving from a mindset of seeking acceptance. As sons of God, we are accepted in the Beloved. The Scripture speaks of the manner of love that has been bestowed on us that has made us to be His sons (1 John 3:1). When we by revelation understand who we are as sons of God, we are now rightly positioned to move in our priestly role. God secured Jesus as His Son before He operated as a priest in the Melchizedek order. The secured place as sons before the Lord is an empowering place for us to function as His priest in the Courts of Heaven. As we are settled before Him in sonship, a great place of authority becomes ours as His priest.

Lord, as I stand before You, I accept my place of acceptance before You as Your son/daughter. From this place as Your child, I boldly take my position as a priest of the Most High God. Thank You that in this place I can move in judicial authority to see Your will accomplished in me and through me. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 26

AN ANCHOR OF OUR SOUL

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. —Hebrews 6:19–20

Jesus has entered behind the veil for us. This is the Holiest of Holies where He is functioning as our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. This gives us an anchor for our souls and stills all doubts and fear because of what He is doing in our behalf. Any question concerning our salvation or God’s heart and posture toward us is answered because of Jesus and what He presently is doing for us now. As our High Priest, He is going before us and standing in our behalf taking the sacrifice of Himself and using it to obtain atonement for us and our sins. The presence behind the veil speaks of the holiness of who God is. In this place Jesus is providing all that God needs to accept us and bless us. Jesus’s ministry as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek secures the full salvation provided for us. This doesn’t mean just what His death purchased, but also what His present-day life is doing for us. He ever lives to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25). As a result of this activity for us, we are prayed into the fullness of all Jesus died for us to have. Salvation, healing, prosperity, peace, and all other benefits are ours because of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection, plus His present-day life of prayer as our High Priest. Let these truths anchor your soul during any times of turbulence or storms.

Lord, as we stand in Your Courts, I thank You that You are my High Priest. You stand in the presence of God for me. Thank You that You take Your own body and blood and remind the Courts of that sacrifice. Because of this, the courts are moved to render decisions for my good and in my behalf. I declare that I am anchored because of that which You have done and are doing for me. Thanks so much Jesus for Your work in my behalf.

JUNE 27

THE POWER OF AN ENDLESS LIFE

And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. —Hebrews 7:15–16

Jesus as our High Priest will never die. The priest of the Levitical tribe changed every few decades because of death. Jesus, however, continues forever as our High Priest because of the power of an endless life. He died once for our sins. He will never die again. There is an inexhaustible source of life that He now lives in our behalf. As a people part of this Melchizedek order, we also have access into this endless life. We too will live forever because of Jesus’s life in us. In this life we can function from the power and authority of this endless life. This source of endless life will empower us in our function. It cannot be snuffed out or shut down. There is an inexhaustible source of power in us. For instance, we are told that our youth will be renewed (Ps. 103:5). We are told we will be made alive if the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is in us (Rom. 8:11). Caleb was kept alive by the power of God when all around him died (Josh. 14:10). Abraham was empowered to father children at an advanced age (Gen. 25:1–2). All these and others functioned in this life in the power of an endless life. So can we as a part of the same priesthood.

Lord, as I come before Your Courts, I thank You for the power of an endless life. Even as You function as my High Priest according to this power, allow this power to flow in me. Allow, Lord, new strength, might, authority, and life to flow in me and through me for the function You have called me too. Thank You so much, Lord, for this divine empowerment from the Courts of Heaven. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 28

PLACES OF INTERCESSION

As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek”; who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear. —Hebrews 5:6–7

When Jesus lived on the earth as a human being, He functioned already in His divine Priesthood. Part of this function was prayers and supplications before God, filled with cries, tears, and godly fear. This allowed Him to be heard by God. This depicts a place of travail and anguish in the Spirit that empowered Jesus’s prayer life as One sent from God to intercede. As a part of this same priesthood we are to also experience these places of intercession and travail. The Holy Spirit will birth in us vehement cries and even tears out of the fear of the Lord. Please note that it isn’t a terrorizing fear but the godly fear that produced this kind of praying. From a deep place of worship, adoration, and love for God, we intercede out of His heart. God hears us when we pray. We are used by Him to give birth to His purpose and passions in the earth. May we surrender ourselves to this piece of operating as a part of the Melchizedek order.

Lord, as we approach Your Courts, I ask that the same spirit of intercession that Jesus walked in would come upon me. Allow me, Lord, to walk in such godly fear that my vehement cries and even tears will move things in the spirit world. Lord, I surrender to You and Your heart. Would You allow this empowerment to pray and intercede come now upon my life? In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 29

THE ORDERING OF JUDGMENT AND JUSTICE

The Lord has sworn and will not relent, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at Your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. —Psalm 110:4–5

Notice that Jesus being commissioned as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek initiates a judgment against those who oppose God. Sometimes we think that operating as a priest is a sedate activity. However, from the position as priest, judgments can be rendered against what is opposing God. Jesus as our High Priest has the authority to execute these judgments and therefore establish justice. Justice is the result of righteous judgment. We can be used by God to render judgment against that which opposes the intent and desire of the Lord. Remember that at its core prayer is judgment (Isa. 56:7). When we pray, we are to be setting in place the judgment of Heaven against that which resists the will of God in the earth. This is a part of the function of a priest. These judgments are necessary in the spirit world for God’s will to be fleshed out in the earth. We must take our place as a part of the Melchizedek order of priest and render these judgments into place. As we do, justice will be established in the earth.

Lord, as I come before Your Courts as a part of the Melchizedek order of priest, I thank You that righteous judgment is set in place and executed. I yield my heart to You and ask that anything that is opposing Your will would be judged as illegal and unrighteous. Let judgment be executed against it that justice might be established before You. In Jesus’s name, amen.

JUNE 30

PRIEST AND JUDICIAL ORDER

But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance. —Hebrews 9:7

When the high priest went into the holiest of holies on the Day of Atonement, he would sprinkle and pour out the blood of the Passover lamb. This blood would atone for the sins of the people and the priest that had been committed in ignorance in the previous year. This happened because the blood would give witness and testimony before the Courts of Heaven. On the basis of the slain animal’s blood, God would roll the sins off the nation for a year. We are told that Jesus’s blood is now speaking for us better things (Heb. 12:24). On the basis of Jesus’s blood our sins are not just rolled off, but rather forgiven and cleansed away. Notice that the high priest did this alone. This means that Jesus alone has made atonement for us. He has taken His own blood and has entered into the holiest place in Heaven. In this place, Jesus has alone applied His blood to the mercy seat. We had nothing to do with it. We by faith simply accept what Jesus has alone done for us. His sacrifice and activity in our behalf is perfect. Accept it today and come into your full salvation.

Lord, as I stand before Your Courts, I thank You for all that Jesus by Himself has done for me. Even as the priest of old went alone into the holy place, so Jesus alone has entered for me. Thank You, Lord, that You have taken Your own blood and offered it in my behalf. You, Lord, by Yourself have secured salvation for me. I thank You for this and enter fully into all You have provided. In Jesus’s name, amen.