2008 A YEAR TO GAIN WISDOM & TO SHINE and OF SPEAKING TO HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS

CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON

I see and feel the new year building on the horizon like great white cumulus clouds.  The year will be full and intense - are we ready for it?

Isaiah 19:1 See, the Lord rides in a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt.

The clouds look huge and intimidating, as if they block the way - it will be important to remember the composition of clouds, that it is possible to walk right through them.

This reminds us that only God can create - the enemy moves with counterfeit and deception.

This emphasizes the need to ask the Lord for increased wisdom and discernment for the year ahead.

SEEK WISDOM AND SHINE

Daniel 12:3 is the scripture I am hearing for 2008 ... (In a time of distress) ... Those who are wise (who impart wisdom) will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

I believe the Lord is exhorting us to seek Him for the wisdom that we will need in the coming year, in order that we will indeed shine for Him in the darkness.

We are made to shine!  Not so that men can gather and admire or bathe in the glow of our success, but so that the light of the world can be reflected into the darkness of souls and circumstances and shine in the darkest places in order that the darkness will flee.

Matt. 5:14-16  You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matt.13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears let him hear.

Rev.2:1-7 speaks to God's people today - it is a critical time to take care of the lamp stands, to return to our first love, to get oil for our lamps, and to SHINE.

There continues to be an urgent sense of our need to gain wisdom in this time, God's wisdom rather than the understanding of this world.

Daniel 11:32 speaks of a people 'WHO KNOW THEIR GOD'  who will BE MIGHTY AND WITHSTAND the pressures evil, and says that even in the midst of great tribulation (v.33) "Those who are wise will instruct many".

How do we obtain this precious commodity that we so vitally need?  James gives us the answer in chapter 1:5 "If any lack wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

THEREFORE we hear again the words of Proverbs 8:11

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

WE HAVE A MODEL AND EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.

PROPHETIC EXPERIENCE 

Twice a year for the past 3 years the Lord has consistently led me back to Amos 3:7 and 8

Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.  The lion has roared - who will not fear?  The Sovereign Lord has spoken - who can but prophesy? 

Amos is speaking "what he saw concerning Israel 2 years before the earthquake.."  The Lord was giving warning to the people of real shaking that was to take place.  In the light of that I take the highlighting of these scriptures very seriously.

Amos 3:4 "Does a lion roar in the thicket when he has no prey?"

It is time to cease from idle and soulish chatter and to listen intently for His voice.

Isaiah 21:3 & 4 speaks of the prophetic man's physical experience after having received a 'dire vision' from God.

"At this my body is racked with pain, pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labour; I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I hear.  My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me."

We remain men and women in physical bodies serving our God, and Isaiah reminds us that there is a physical price to be paid for the increased seeing and hearing that is required and is to come.

NEW ZEALAND

I see the two oceans meeting at Cape Reinga and see that the northern tip of New Zealand juts out into the collision of two great oceans.

New Zealanders will be sent out by God into the great oceans of humanity in the midst of great spiritual battle, and will be used to bring God's love and peace, even in the midst of collisions of culture and creed.  Many events, and the outworking of God's call, have been building the nation towards this.

The enemy would have us focus on politics and negative events in our nation and communities - even become consumed with these things - but the wise will continue to pray for 'ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to understand' what God is building at this time for His purposes.

There are many in our nation who have faced great pressure, pain and hardship, and are no longer afraid of, or bound by, the things they will face in this and other nations.

One national anthem continues to be a prophetic statement that has been sung and spoken over the nation for decades.  We would do well to continue to speak, pray and sing it in this day.

 Lord please  give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to understand what You are wanting to speak to us in these days.

INVITED GUESTS

This morning I was reading in Matthew 22 about the king inviting his friends to the wedding banquet for his son, and was astonished at how much it began to speak to me of the time in which we live, with some very serious implications.

We see that the king sent his servants to those he knew and was associated with - he wasn't sending a random invitation, they were to go to those that the king had already had communication with to tell them that it was now time for the banquet.  However, those who had been invited refused to come.

Again the king sent more servants to tell the invited guests that the dinner was prepared, everything is ready, "Come to the wedding banquet".  But they paid no attention and went off, "...one to his field, another to his business."  Those remaining mistreated and even killed the servants. Then the king was enraged and he sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city! 

Then the king sent out his faithful servants again saying "The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.  Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find."

I had a number of thoughts about this as it relates today to the church and the nation.

- How important it is to be sure HE is sending us and to whom.  Our lives depend on it.

- Is this a sign and a warning for this time, especially now people are being directed to go outside the church and into the streets and community?

- What does this mean for the church, for the nation?

- Does our greatest danger lie with those who were invited guests but said no? 

- Who are those who have been friends and associates of the the king, but are now too busy with growing things and their own businesses to heed the call to come and celebrate at the wedding banquet?  So busy in fact, that they mistreat and even kill those sent to remind them of this great event?

All this should cause us to ponder and to pray; to read this important chapter over again; and to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts the directions that the King would give us in this hour.

 

 

INHERITANCE

In the days when there is more and more dispute over the issues of this land we all live in, it seems of great importance to go to the true foundation, the basis upon which all things are built.

It is time for those who believe to come constantly to the feet of the God, at whose feet our national anthem says we sit, and begin from the 'uttermost ends of the earth' to send His Word and Truth forth into the throne room. It is time to agree with His plans and purposes for this nation, and to remember that the true government is upon His shoulders.

“Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.."

Begin to speak out:

Life to you New Zealand

Arise O God in our nation, be our way, our truth, our life. Breathe upon us again.

Let this nation be at Your feet and all that has arisen against You be under Your feet Jesus.

We move again to take up our place and inheritance as a nation.

We ask of You Lord, that Jesus would possess this nation and take her as His inheritance.

We ask that the works of darkness be exposed to Your light, and forced to flee,

All of this we ask in Jesus’ Name.

May it be so.

A STRONG TOWER & A PLACE OF POWER

2Sa 22:3  The God who is my Rock, in Him will I trust. He is my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower, and my Refuge, my Savior. You save me from violence.

In the place we find ourselves walking, between towering mountains of great good and great evil, it is difficult to see the path ahead, and at times the assault of the enemy feels almost too intense to bear.

This morning as I waited on the Lord and questioned a little about these things he spoke to me on personal matters, and then began to speak in a way that is to encourage all of us.

This is what I believe I heard Him saying:

"There is a castle/a temple/a building that is mine being put in place and man could not conceive of such a place.  It will truly be A STRONG TOWER AND A PLACE OF POWER unlike anything known before.   The wise and the righteous will know how to access it, where to run to when under attack.  Do not be afraid to search for this place, and do not think that anything on this earth built by man's hand will suffice.

My kingdom is coming and so now is the time to lift your eyes, hands, hearts, and begin to live in this world but not of it's kingdom or authority.  As rapid change takes place you will see what seemed secure falling down all around you.  Do not try to rebuild, simply look up towards what I am establishing.

Let the sense of eternity be expanded in your heart and allow yourself to move beyond the finite limitations of your world to embrace all that is infinite and eternal.

ASK, again and again, come and ask.  My Spirit will instruct you and show you the way.  So far you have not asked of these things, and so you have not received knowledge of them. 

ASK, SEARCH, INQUIRE .... as never before.

Amongst other scriptures I was led to read, Isaiah 54, Psalm 122, and John 15:20 which were very relevant to what is taking place.

OUTSIDE THE CAMP

Art Katz talks of a place in God, a place of seeing as we are required to see, that will take absolute abandonment to His entire will for us, something beyond the repentance for our carnality and that in fact confronts our spirituality. Can we give up what we see as good, even wonderful in God, in order to go to the place He requires of us?

We see the outworking of this challenge in the case of Israel's official priesthood as they find Jesus Christ, the Messiah, a challenge to all that they hold to be utterly spiritual and therefore they have him killed to protect what they consider to be of God.

Are we facing such challenges today? I truly believe that many of us are, and have to learn to look at them in this light.

What does it mean to go 'outside the camp' - the place that Jesus went to be crucified?

How does it feel to be on the outside looking in - looking at what is apparently gloriously spiritual. Looking at people seeing apparent signs and wonders, receiving prophetic words that are passed around the Body as the word of the moment, and knowing that none of that is for you.

What is God doing when He begins to take people out beyond all that is familiar in God. Yes, outside the comfort and protection of the walls of the church. Outside the security of being part of a family in God, and doing what seems right and good in building up the Body of Christ.

What is God doing?

It is time to be prepared to be utterly surrendered to His will, reminding ourselves that our model is not the church, or its leaders, but Christ Himself. He was a threat to the church of the time that had become so structured and full of rules and regulations. Suddenly they were confronted with the love of God Himself and did not know what to do with Him!

What is He asking of me and of you? Is He asking that we lay down what is most dear, seemingly most good, in order to follow Him into something even better? Is He calling some outside the camp, to wait quietly, without voices or positions, for His instruction, His Word, His way, His truth, His very life itself?

Is this what it means to be separated unto Him? Is this what it means to give up everything for the sake of the One who gave up everything for us? Is this what it means to go outside the camp, so that something can be accomplished that can be accomplished no other way?

Perhaps there are more questions than answers right now, but they are most certainly questions that need to be asked, considered, and ultimately acted upon.

Grace, dear Jesus, grace, love, more grace, more love ....

HIS PLANS : HIS SHAKING

Right now I see us making our way carefully on a VERY narrow path between two huge mountains. One mountain contains great good, and the other exudes great evil. It is a time to hold on to THE TRUTH and not let Him out of our sight. A time to remember that there is no opposite to God - He IS God, and He alone rules and reigns. EVERYTHING else is subject to Him.

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

The Lord is talking to people in captivity and exile, who are probably wondering where their God went to! In this chapter He encourages them to pray: "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

We see here that while God is in charge, the people do not find themselves in a very comfortable place - doesn't that speak to us of our lives? However, God is encouraging them to work and pray EXACTLY WHERE THEY FIND THEMSELVES. He doesn't say put life on hold until everything is perfect, because WHEN WE DO THAT WE ARE ROBBED OF TODAY, AND BEGIN TO LOSE OUT ON LIFE ITSELF.

Jesus was the One who came to die for us and also to rise again from the dead and be seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and rule and reign in glory with Him.

Jesus was doing miraculous healings and seeing all kinds of wonders, at the same time as men were plotting to betray Him and kill him!

The prophet Isaiah foretold all of this in chapters 52,53,54, and they are full of both pain and promises. Those same chapters can be a map and guideline for us to understand what real life is all about.

THIS IS REAL LIFE - as long as we live in this world we will experience both good and bad, joy and sorrow. We live in a battle zone, and the battle is heating up. However, God remains on His throne, and HE IS OUR WAY THROUGH THIS ZONE, IF WE WILL HOLD ON TO HIS TRUTH HE WILL TRULY MAKE A WAY FOR US TO LIVE A REAL LIFE!

We need to have our minds transformed so that we begin to think differently to what we have been taught. We have been raised in a society that constantly seeks personal comfort, quick fixes, instant gratification. We have been trained to think that this is our object and goal, along with material prosperity.

GOD SPEAKS into the midst of this, and HE BEGINS TO SPEAK DIFFERENTLY!

"I know the plans I have for you …"

THERE IS SOMETHING BIGGER, SOMETHING WIDER, SOMETHING GREATER THAN THIS WORLD.

JESUS SPEAKS (Matt.6:25-34)

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink" or "What shall we wear"? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

BASICALLY HE IS SAYING - I know what I am doing, I know everything about you, and I don’t want you to worry about those things. I made you for relationship with me and I'm asking you to trust me, and understand the things that I hold in my heart for you.

Daniel 11:32(b) (Amplified Version) "…but the people who KNOW their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits (for God)."

OUR JOB IS TO LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE! If we do that He will take care of EVERYTHING ELSE.

THE OUTWARD FLOW

The way God's creative power is released and works is astonishing. Recently I have begun a new area of work in the women's refuge with a scripture the Lord gave me at the start. When I asked for something to sustain me in this time He clearly spoke "John 15:16".

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.

Because this call is one to touch lives and primarily to pray, the scripture covers absolutely EVERYTHING I need. I feel empowered to go, know there will be fruit of this time, and to ask with great boldness for what is needed in that place!

NEVER have I walked in such an empowering word before, I can feel it alive and active, strengthening me, giving me boldness, courage and faith. It is totally amazing and joyful.

This has led me to dig deeper, and yesterday as I prayed, I could feel the power of God's river running over and out of the areas that He has secured. It was within me, but outside of my strength and power, and I thought of the scripture I love so much in Ephesians 1:19,20.

…and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.

There is this amazing flow of life-giving power from the Father (the creator of ALL things). This great power is released FOR us, and was exerted IN Christ to raise him up. I am seeing and experiencing something beyond what I have previously understood. This great power comes out of the Will and Heart of God, and is released FOR those who believe in Who and What God is. He reaches IN and has His way over EVERYTHING because our belief/faith makes a way for this great surge of life to flow.

This is not 'drummed up' faith because we think/know we need to have it to see something happen. No, this flow comes through, over and around, a peaceful and quiet knowledge and love of God. Not from a place of human strength and striving, but from the surrendered, submitted soul, spirit, life, of one who has TRULY given his/her life into the hands of their Maker.

The difference is like looking at a skillful, beautifully executed painting that is pleasing to look at, compared to a work of art that is less perfect and skilful, but pulsates with life, passion, and carries something of the very life of the artist.

We can sing a lovely song with a God-given lovely voice, but when the whole of the life is given back to God, that voice becomes HIS instrument through which He pours something that touches, moves, changes the hearts and lives of the listeners.

It is not about religious piety, but about LIVING with THE WAY,THE TRUTH, THE LIFE, HIMSELF.

His river flows over all the rough and uneven surfaces of our human lives, washing, cleansing, healing, smoothing rough edges. It flows on and outward as He begins to release this life FOR us, into our circumstances and world around us, into what we bring to Him in prayer.

Now we truly become prayer in a new way.

Whoever believes in Me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water shall flow from within him". By this He (Jesus) meant the Spirit whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. John 7:38,39.

PROCESS OF PRAYER

THOUGHTS ON PRAYER 30.8.07

FEAR NOT FAITH

Many prayers arise out of fear of the outcome of the circumstances we find ourselves looking at.

We (finally) begin to speak these to God (and maybe in some cases this was His intention - to get our attention and some conversation!).

TWO-WAY CONVERSATION

Having prayed out of our fear and concern, we often then go on to do whatever WE can to fix things.

However, having opened conversation with God, it would be better t wait for His reply … could be an instruction, an action (His or ours) or the need to wait for His timing. We may sense a need to change our attitude or actions.

Most people don’t WAIT for His answer.

King David 'inquired of the Lord' and did what he was instructed with great results - most times! The bible account shows us how messy things got when he didn’t do that!

STRATEGIC PRAYER

Many times a situation arises and people start shooting off prayers as a response to it. This is rather like an army running on to a battle field in times past just shooting off arrows in all directions, sometimes wounding their fellow fighters.

Battles are won with wise strategy. Perhaps one, well placed big gun, carefully aimed, would accomplish much more with less loss of life.

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT AND WITH UNDERSTANDING

It is ok to talk to God AND to talk to one another, hearing God's wisdom through others, determining a strategy and a direction.

OPPOSITE SPIRIT

The enemy would like to draw us to fight on his terms - out of our frustration, fear, anger, pain. It is important to stop and come before the Lord about our response. There is a difference between raw anger and righteous indignation, between personal reaction and a burden arising from how God sees and feels about something.

E.g. Prayer against demonic assignments - His wisdom is to pray for the hurt and brokenness that brought people into these beliefs; for their healing and their salvation.

There is no weapon in the enemy's camp to fight the love of God.

LOVE IN ACTION

Prayer is love in action - love for God and love for each other - His creation.

This will be displayed with words and with actions - it is still prayer. Either way there is an outflow of this love towards God and others.

PRAYER CHANGES US

As we begin a life-time conversation with God, He begins to reveal Himself, His heart, and His ways. We begin to reflect what we are looking at. We begin to find His life and mind formed in us more and more each day.

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS, BUT MOST OF ALL IT CHANGES US…WE BECOME PRAYER.

All our thoughts, words, actions, and especially motives, begin to show that they've been in the fire of His presence regularly.

We begin to abide (live always) in the secret place (Psalm 91) and to know our refuge and shield personally.

We know that He contends for us and will keep us from all harm.

We KNOW His greatness, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, power and unfailing love.

FAITH NOT FEAR

NOW, we find ourselves praying out of faith and total trust in our God and His ability.

Now we begin to pray out of His wisdom and His word.

Now we 'pray believing' in the One who does the work and answers the prayers - we will receive answers and be amazed.

Daniel 11:32(b) (Amplified Version)

"…but the people who KNOW their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits (for God).

A MUST READ!

There are times when someone gives expression to everything that is in your heart - well if you click on painters diary (in the right hand column of this blog) it will take you to something that everyone should read and then go away, get on their knees, and carefully consider. Yesterday Suzie and I had larger coffees than usual - if we were drinkers or smokers it would have been more than a caffeine fix - because our hearts are raw within us over what we are looking at - and full of despair at the fact that Christians are not stepping up to the mark - words won't do what feet, arms, eyes and hearts will do! Please read what she has expressed with incredible passion and clarity.

Luk 4:17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
Luk 4:18 "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
Luk 4:19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."

DOING EXPLOITS!

What is an exploit?  The dictionary describes it as a 'brilliant feat'!

One of my favourite characters in the Bible is Phinehas - the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the High Priest who walked with Moses during the time of the Exodus of the Hebrew people from Egypt.

The amazing story of a man who was described by God as 'jealous with my jealousy' was a man who 'rose up' and did a mighty exploit for his God - read the whole story in Numbers 25.

This man did not compromise, neither was he afraid, when it came to serving his God.

Psalm 106:30 & 31 tell us:

Then stood up Phinehas (the priest) and executed judgement, and so the plague was stayed.

And that was credited to him for righteousness (right doing and right standing with God) to all generations forever.

The end result of this was that God made a covenant with Phinehas in Numbers 25:12

Behold I give to Phinehas, the priest, My covenant of peace.

25:13 And he shall have it, and his descendants after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.

God gave an amazing gift to Phinehas and we have proof that He kept His promise.  Many generations later, we come to the book of Ezra.  When God moved on the hearts of unsaved kings, and caused His people to return to rebuild His temple in Jerusalem, a wise and respected man comes on to the scene to take his important place in this task - Ezra - a descendent of Phinehas!  God does not break His promises.

Ezr 7:6  ...this Ezra went up from Babylon. And he was a ready scribe in the Law of Moses, which Jehovah, the God of Israel had given. And the king granted him all he asked, according to the hand of Jehovah his God on him.

When we truly love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, we set in motion things that will benefit those we may never meet - because of God's great faithfulness.

STANDING IN A FIRM PLACE

I sit here quietly considering this!

You are within me, You have my heart and life, and yet You also come near to me and I sit in Your presence.

I feel You as I walk, talk, read, pray. You don't withdraw Yourself from me, I just get distracted and forget to look for You.

As David wrote in Psalm 139 "Where can I go from Your presence...?" - nowhere!! If You are my 'all in all' then that is the fact.

Perhaps in some circumstances and times You are more easily known and recognised within me - nevertheless, You ARE there, in me.

When the price was paid I was purchased forever - You are now in possession of my life, my affections, my afflictions, my infirmities, my mistakes ... You smile and take them all with love.
I am Yours, always and everywhere.

Thomas Merton wrote:

"There is greater comfort in the substance of silence than in the answer to a question. Eternity is in the present. Eternity is in the palm of the hand. Eternity is a seed of fire whose sudden roots break barriers that keep my heart from being an abyss."

We have tended to pray as if God were at a distance, hard of hearing, and slow to understand!

He has been drawing us to a closer place, where we have His ear and can whisper, know His wise responses, and pray out of our knowledge and experience of Him, or simply rest in His greatness and ability.

Daniel 11b (Amplified Version) tells us that in the times of great hardship and pressure

"... the people who KNOW their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits (for God)."

It becomes 'up close and personal' - how will we stand firm unless we know where to stand and the One who stands there with us?

RAIN AND FIRE

Today I saw the Lord again in the cloud. A cloud full of lightning, rumblings and fire. Yet He moves carefully and gracefully towards us. Even as He comes in this way, the fire is released and the rain falls.

The Lord was speaking and reminding me that that He keeps all His promises and will truly never leave or forsake us. I then saw the first rays of the sun coming up at dawn.

He then went on to say:

Know this!

In this day you will see fire and you will see rain, and you will most truly see that I am going to move again.

Know this!

You will stand amazed and you will fall down, for all that I have spoken WILL come to pass.

The valley of decision is full and there is now a time for those I have prepared – those who have allowed me to prepare them – to be sent forth in a way that the world has not seen before.

This will be a going out in the fullness of My love and power.

It will not be the words of man that change hearts and minds, but the demonstration of who I am, of My love and power that far surpasses earthly things.

This gathering will be into Me, for Me, through My power.

Much has been hidden from your eyes, the multitude who wait are greater than you could comprehend – for there has been a preparation in the Spirit, unseen but by My hand.

Be ready, and prepare others to be ready.

Come to Me for the words for this season.

Come to Me for the strong wine you will need for this time.

Make Me your daily bread and come and drink deeply of what I am beginning to pour out.

Come seeking me alone, and for the sake of those who cannot come themselves.

Luke 1:53 (Amp)

He has filled and satisfied the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty-handed (without a gift).

As it was with Mary, so it will be in this time, for I choose those who are humble and willing, whose hearts are truly turned towards me.

I am looking for stables, those unlikely quiet places that are not produced by vanity and selfish ambition.

I will surprise.

I will overtake, and

I will continue to be Sovereign.

Allow me to rule and reign in your heart. It is the heart I seek, far more than the mind.

Men have glorified the mind, and all the achievements it gives, but I cherish and pursue hearts, for there I can find a quiet place to rest, and there is where all I am can be birthed and made manifest.

Many will be passed by, for they have relied on their minds and allowed their hearts to grow cold.

For this reason I am telling you – look for the fire and the rain.

Run into the fire, stand in the rain, that you will be made ready to go into the valley.

Rev. 1:7

Behold He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth shall gaze upon Him and beat their breasts and mourn and lament over Him. Even so. Amen.

ANGELIC MESSENGERS

The Lord allowed me to see angels descending carrying pages with writing on them.

These pages were pinned to the chests of various individuals.

This is what I heard Him saying:

My messengers are bringing to earth what has been already written and decreed in heaven.

This is being placed upon their hearts and will be the mark of true heavenly revelation.

The words will not be those of the men and women who speak them, but will ring with heaven’s truth and go forth anointed, causing astonishing effects in those who hear them.

The hearing will release visions and understanding

Will bring deliverance and healing,

And the hearers will be filled with love, peace, and that power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

These will be the signs that will follow the speaking of such words.

LOST BETWEEN THE TWO

There is a call and an instruction for a time of confusion and trouble, when there are 'multitudes in the valley of decision'. This is how it reads in Joel 2:17 & 18:

Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the temple porch and the altar.

Let them say, "Spare Your people, O Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"

Then the Lord will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people.

I have thought much about what it means to be in this place between the porch and the altar in this modern time, especially as I see many called to a place they do not understand - somewhere between the religious church structure and those who simply live in the world with no knowledge or thought of God at all.

There are individuals, and whole groups of people, beginning to move into this place, many wondering how and why they have found themselves there!

Is it possible that in this day, as nations are invaded with much that is not of God's Kingdom, He is placing people in order that they will have a clear view and begin to cry out for Him to come and be the answer?

Is it possible that in this very moment, those who feel most displaced are actually being divinely placed?

Is it possible that in these days when there is no actual temple building and as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:16 "... For we are the temple of the living God..." that a place has been established for those who will cry out for the lost, the broken, the sons and daughters who have not yet found their Father and His family?

Maybe it is worth considering our position and our hearts today if we find ourselves somewhere between two places with no earthly way of reconciling this position or explaining it. Is it time to give a sacrifice of prayer and praise from this place, exactly as He asks?

PRAYER FROM THE HEART

 

 

Dear Lord,

Give me the truths which are veiled by

the doctrines and articles of faith,

which are masked by the pious words

of sermons and books.

Let my eyes penetrate the veil

and tear off the mask,

that I can see your truth face to face

St. John of the Cross

PRAYING IN IRELAND

EARLY BEGINNINGS:

It seems important to write down the whole story behind my journey to Ireland – the beginning of it in January 2006 is as significant as the eventual journey and is definitely linked to what took place. It is a speaking into the time in which we live. It was in the context of the Lord speaking about the time ahead, not just for NZ but for other nations, that He brought my attention to what He was doing in Ireland. He then brought it to my attention again at the beginning of 2007.
As I began to pray into what He was saying, I would see a place I knew to be in Dublin, and it was a cobbled street that swept round past an open square, and then went on up a hill. He was also speaking about the lives of people I knew in Dublin at the same time, and began to make His own links in this regard.
In the same week the financial provision for the journey came, I met a young man from Dublin who knew where the cobbled street was and confirmed its location to me.
With this in mind I have included all that I was given for the year 2006 and onwards at the end of this journal.

THOUGHTS OF PREPARATION AND JOURNEY
Hosea 2:19-23 was given as a scripture for both a time of intercession and ministry in New Zealand, and to be carried as a word into Ireland. The Amplified Bible gives this version of the verses:

21. And in that day I will respond, says the Lord; I will respond to the heavens (which ask for rain to pour on the earth), and they shall respond to the earth (which begs for the rain it needs).
22. And the earth shall respond to the gain and the wine and the oil (which beseech it to bring them forth), and these shall respond to Jezreel (restored Israel who prays for a supply of them).
23. And I will sow her for Myself anew in the land, and I will have love, pity and mercy for her who had obtained love, pity and mercy; and I will say to those who were not My people, You are My people, and they shall say, You are my God!

As I prayed ahead of the journey the following emerged:
I see the vapour/smoke lingering over the land. The Lord has allowed the land to come to the end of spiritual strength and He is beginning to move freshly in His great strength.
The fresh wind of His Spirit will begin to blow away the dry dust of old religion and new life will come forth in its place.
I felt that as in the time of Hezekiah, the Lord was beginning to restore and to call back a priesthood into a consecrated lifestyle. The Lord is dealing with ‘remnants’ in this time.

The picture continued to grow of a faithful remnant seeking God. Those who are willing to look beyond the grave clothes (the death of the known and familiar) into the inexhaustible power of God displayed in the resurrection power that connects us to eternity – it continues forever.

On the day that I flew into Dublin, the Lord was speaking to me of man as a mist/vapour and temporary, but the cumulative vapour of lives laid down has great affect. This is the work of a continual remnant who pursue and will not let go of their God and His Spirit.

Temple Bar
I stood and prayed in the very place that I had seen in the spirit for so long. It is in Temple Bar in Dublin city. There is a prophetic deposit in this area that is yet to be fulfilled, and God’s glory will be seen in this area. Even as it was proclaimed in the first performances of Handel’s Messiah in this very area, there will be an outpouring of something that totally glorifies God again. It feels as if the enemy has tried to swamp Temple Bar with darkness to prevent this coming to pass, but the Lord will fulfill His purpose here.

Skellig Michael
In the very south of Ireland, it was an amazing discovery to find that on Skellig Michael, 7 kms off the coast from Ballinskelligs, a monastic community lived and prayed for 5 centuries, and then established a community on the very edge of the sea as they moved back to the mainland. There is a palpable sense of the area having been soaked in prayer even now, and it seemed that off this foundation there was a wave to be ridden from the south to the north of Ireland. It was wonderful to find a prayer room established here, and the name of the Lord over the house where it has been built.

Riding the Wave
In travelling it felt like being on the foaming front of a wave that never quite broke. And yet, as it moved across the land, its water seeped into old forgotten springs and wells, causing them to come to the surface again and begin to freshly release water.

Rebuilding and Restoration
The Lord was speaking to me from Ezra 3, and asking me to look for the sounds of building. In this day He is rebuilding something that seemed to be lost forever, and the sounds are not what we would expect to hear in the natural, but rather the sounds that were heard when the foundations of the temple were relaid and the altar rebuilt. There were three specific sounds mentioned:
Shouts of praise
Weeping
Shouts of joy
We are told that no-one could distinguish between these sounds because the noise they created was so loud, and the sound was heard far away. May we have ears to hear the sounds of building as they begin.

God moving in power off the foundation of the past
In Ballymoney, I was about to go to sleep when I saw a vision of a train coming out of a tunnel at great speed, right in my face! It passed and I could see into the incredibly long tunnel it had come from. The Lord asked me to walk into the tunnel with Him, as if looking back to where the train had originated. I did not reach its end before falling asleep.

In this northern part of Ireland the Lord was speaking to me of this nation and others where people had suffered famine, oppression, devastation, but were about to bring forth fire.
It was a picture of all of creation groaning, and the manifestation that results. There is a birthing of a new people in God, and a new and passionate devotion to Him. For these people the nations are their home – not any one place, but all the places He opens doors to. This will break down walls and barriers of territorial spirits that have held the church and nations captive.

Golden Rain
I saw drops of golden rain falling, softly and almost unnoticed, but they contained the very substance of heaven. Even as water finds its way into dry ground, so these drops will do the same. They will find their way into places that do not expect, or see, the Spirit in this time.
This is His Kingdom touching earth and transforming every place and person it touches. This will not look like previous revival or moves of God’s Spirit – this is thicker oil that penetrates deeply and cannot be washed off or wiped away. It penetrates, sticks, is completely absorbed – this is a far deeper work than has been seen before.

The Lord was speaking out of Hosea 10 – the result of doing well in our own strength!
Hosea 10:12 – the antidote to current religiosity – this is what brings forth the rain.
Hosea 2:19-23 – God’s promise to those who have been willing to go into the place He calls them to.

SUMMARY
Thoughts on Ireland and Prayer
Rode a wave from the south to the north of Ireland.
Beginning in Glendalough, carrying on through Temple Bar, Dublin, it was from Ballinskelligs that the wave began to roll forward.
Glendalough was a fountain, Temple Bar a precious deposit, and the Skelligs produced a wave of ancient prayer.
The voices that were heard by God alone on Skellig Michael cannot be silenced, for His praises were heard and erupted into the heavenlies over Ireland for centuries.
It seemed we rode on the face of a spiritual wave that moves with power and has not yet run out.
The foaming edge of this wave now touches and erupts again in the north, in Coleraine which has seen this power touch it before, and in the places where springs and wells of God’s Spirit are being re-opened in this day.

I see the weariness of the land in Ireland, but I also see the wave going over it, re-activating the ancient fountains and wells, causing them to open and bubble up to give freshness and life again.
I see people, separated by God Himself for the work of this time.
I see and emergence of those He is calling for Himself in these days – their allegiance is to God alone and they know they are His.
These ones will ride the wave, they will know its power, provision, and His presence.
The wave bubbles and foams at its edge, it is effervescent and gives life.

It is as if the deep foundations of prayer laid in early centuries are now being poured out again over the land, and this is beginning to produce people who once again are willing to move out to the edge of all that is known in order to hold purely to God and all that they hold precious in them. The wave is reproducing after its own kind. They are breaking out of religiosity and the social norms or take up a new position in Jesus. They move away from the existing order to hold to what is pure and true – alive and not religious. This protects the future.

Those who are privileged to ride this wave must never forget it’s source – for He is their Way, Life and Truth, and should be careful to remember and honour those who laboured in love to bring it forth. These two things will hold them safe in the foaming forefront of this mighty wave.

PRAYER
Lord teach us to pray … not the selfish prayers of men, but the selfless speaking of a heart captivated by You alone; words spoken to You alone; lives lived for You alone. Words that erupt in silence out of hearts given only to You, free from judgment and malice, from envy and dissatisfaction. A pouring forth out of hearts focussed on heaven; out of lives lived for Christ alone – His glory their great hope. Lord show us the power of prayer brought forth from the altar, from lives laid down and lived sacrificially, not for human gain, but given over to what is eternal, born out of eternity set in the hearts of men and women.


Wisdom To Contend For The Faith In 2006 (January 2006)

“….I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Jude 3(b)

As I have sat before the Lord reviewing the past year, and seeking direction for the one ahead, the following have emerged with great emphasis. He led me first into the book of Jude, and then into 1 Corinthians, chapters 1 and 2.

…You dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 20 & 21.

2006 will be the beginning of a great call to 'contend for our faith' which will be tried and tested as never before.
Alongside this there will be a release of astonishing grace and strength as enabling to do this. This is a year to eagerly desire spiritual gifts and to esteem the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives
This is a year to pursue Godly wisdom and to be taught by the Spirit of God.

WISDOM

A message for all.
In the past two weeks I have felt Him quietly emphasising the importance of wisdom, Godly wisdom as opposed to the wisdom of this world. I believe this will be required in large measure in the days ahead. 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 explains that “Jews look for miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”

1 Corinthians 12:7&8
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom…..
The first manifestation of the Holy Spirit mentioned is the gift of the word (or message) of wisdom.
Have we sought this a eagerly as the manifestation of healing, miracles, prophecy? I believe the Lord is drawing our attention to this as we enter a new year.

I felt the Lord was encouraging us to find the tools needed for contending. There are new ways to be learned. "It is written.." will taken on new meaning to many who will discover just how powerful and accurate the Word of God is. The Word Himself is coming ever closer to taking up His throne in this world. Do we know the values and principles of His Kingdom even better than those of this world? Chapters 11 and 12 of Luke's gospel are most worthy of our attention at this time.

PICTURE OF A PEOPLE GATHERED TOGETHER, WATCHING AND WAITING – LOOKING INTO THE DISTANCE.
It appeared we are in transition to a new age, we need to keep the wineskins wet and flexible. Only eternity in our hearts, the knowledge of having entered into a new realm that is not finite, but forever in Him, will help us look ahead beyond this world to His coming, and enable us to live accordingly. More than ever we need to know and believe that He has placed eternity in our hearts.

I felt great concern for those who continue to look at and concern themselves with the works of darkness as they are in danger of being consumed by what they look at. I feel the Lord would encourage us all to look up and see Him, the One WHO IS ABLE to do more than we can ask or imagine – we MUST see Him on the throne. As Jude writes "He is able to do all that is required to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

I feel He is encouraging us to SEE HIM, SEE HIS KINGDOM, KNOW HIM, KNOW HIS POWER AND WISDOM.

I SEE HIM STANDING DRESSED AS THE LORD OF HOSTS WITH HIS GREAT SWORD AT HIS SIDE.

As I looked at this, He began to give me GLIMPSES INTO VARIOUS NATIONS.

New Zealand
I felt the warm glow of the Lord's affection, the great love in His heart, for New Zealand as a nation. This had nothing to do with our current state spiritually, but everything to do with the love of a Father for His children, that pours out affection to them and embraces them, even the prodigals.

Ireland
I saw something that looked like columns of steam/smoke arising from a long crack in the ground. It brought with it a sense of something ancient being released out of the soil of Ireland. It was like gas that once ignited becomes a flame that cannot be put out. As I watched it burst into flames that lept high above the land.

INTERNATIONAL
I saw huge willow trees bending low over a stream. They began to shed their leaves that fell like a shower into the stream. The 'weeping willows' seem to represent a time in autumn when there will be a reason for weeping and letting go of what has grown in the summer. The trees live on but there is a shedding of all that they have carried into the stream of God's purpose. These are big, solid trees, with roots going down deep into the soil.
I felt there would be a redistribution of ministry and activity to better suit what is coming and it was necessary to let go even if it hurts!

I then saw the stream frozen over in winter, but beneath its surface many little fish darting around, it was full of life. What appeared like nothing at all was only the beginning of growth and life that would emerge in the spring.

I saw a large bear (which represents the cruel, crushing one) walk over the frozen stream, but it passed on over, not affecting the life below the frozen water. Everything that was life was hidden and protected.

I saw tiny flowers begin to melt the ice and emerge – spring came swiftly and with great joy.

I sense that this great change will feel to many as if winter is all there is. Be encouraged that because our God is faithful, spring and summer will surely come.

Australia
There was a picture of many tiny shapes moving busily across and around the nation. This is a time of productivity and growth. I felt the Lord would remind His people not to let this obscure their sight of Him, remembering that growth is given by Him in order to produce fruit.

Tahiti
I saw huge, beautiful flowers, blossoming in abundance over and above Tahiti. There was a sense that something very good for the Pacific would blossom out of Tahiti this year.

England
Just like last year, I saw again the rivers of people flowing through the streets of England. What began last year will continue to flow and grow. It is impossible to give a picture of the compact strength that is portrayed in what I see, and how tightly the people flow together – it is amazing.

COLD & ICY HEARTS

Many feel this is their current state, cold and hard. I feel the Lord is encouraging all to draw near to the love of God and let this warmth melt their hearts. It is not what we can do, feel, or accomplish, but the knowledge that He alone gives life, and is truly our Way, Truth, and Life, that will take us back into the fire. He is encouraging us to invite Him to do His work in our lives.

A COMMISSIONING OF HIS OWN

I saw people gathering around Jesus as Lord of Hosts. They were kneeling down before Him and He took His great sword and gently touched the shoulders with the words "You are Mine". There is a commissioning taking place now for what is to come. On our knees at His feet is a good place to be.

INEXHAUSTIBLE GREATNESS

Today I feel as though I have been given a glimpse of something amazing that fills me with wonder! It is the INEXHAUSTIBLE GREATNESS OF GOD - it never runs out but continues for all time, all eternity. EVERYTHING that stands in the way of our seeing and receiving from all that He is truly is just a VAIN IMAGINATION.
Because He created everything, He knows everything, and EXACTLY HOW IT WORKS, that includes you and me - He wrote the handbook! He knows how we run, and He knows how to fix us, because He knows every part of each one of us.

Lord, when I look at You and begin to KNOW YOU, I can begin to KNOW MYSELF because I am made in your image. You are the blueprint for all I am and all of my life.

Help me today to fix my eyes not of what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:18).
Today Lord, I find ALL MY ANSWERS IN YOU.
Today I reach heavenward and to Your throne, for YOU ARE MY ALL IN ALL.
You truly are THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE. I agree with you "I AM' and I say "Yes, YOU ARE".

(2 Cor.10:13)
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have DIVINE POWER to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Today I bring EVERYTHING (thought, problem, situation) and place it under Your feet Jesus.
EVERYTHING tha argues with Your INEXHAUSTIBLE GREATNESS is brought low, pulled down, before the knowledge of God and of His Son, Jesus Christ, and of His Holy Spirit.

This is my warfare Lord, to place YOU before, over, and greater, than anything else FOREVER AND ALWAYS.
There is nothing greater than You, CREATOR AND SUSTAINER OF MY LIFE.
I choose to take hold of the truth of Your Word into my life today "THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH". (Gal.3:11b).
Yes, I will live my life in the knowledge and love of my God, and by faith in HIS INEXHAUSTIBLE GREATNESS.
Amen.

PROPHETIC QUESTION

Last night I heard a prophetic question posed to the church, and to each of us individually, from Luke 24:5
“WHY DO YOU LOOK FOR THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD?”

Many are standing staring at the grave clothes, or digging in the ashes and ruins of what has passed.
They no longer find Jesus in the place that they had known or thought Him to be.
They stand ‘perplexed and wondering’ as the women in Luke 24:4.
This is the place of one of God’s SUDDENLIES.
“…behold two men in dazzling raiment SUDDENLY stood beside them”.
Their place of despair was SUDDENLY a place of angelic visitation.
Mary was sobbing in her anguish (John 20:14 Amp) when she TURNED AROUND and Jesus was standing there!

We need to learn to turn around.
To take our gaze off what is only a remnant of death, and of a passing from old to new.
It is time to fix our gaze on the living, risen, Jesus Christ, who standing OUTSIDE THE TOMB.

David’s prophetic Psalm 22 tells us of the time we live in:

22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord,
And all the families of the nations shall bow down and worship before you.
22:28 For the kingship and the kingdom are the Lord’s and He is the ruler over nations.
22:29 All the mighty ones upon earth shall eat (in thanksgiving) and worship;
All they that go down to the dust shall bow before Him,
Even He who cannot keep Himself alive.
22:30 Posterity shall serve Him, they shall tell of the Lord to the next generation.
22:31 They shall come and declare His righteousness to a people yet to be born
- that He has done it (that it is finished!).

This prophetic word has spanned the centuries and is still continuing to be fulfilled.
It is time to look at THE TRUTH, THE WAY, THE LIFE as He stands among the living with the desire to give life.

THE DIFFERENCE IS ALSO THE LINK

As we move further into this year I am constantly encountering circumstances that convince me that 'the walls are coming down'. It is as if the Lord is at work making a beautiful garment for His Bride.
I am reminded that the garment Jesus wore was seamless, and it seems to me that He is weaving something seamless and wonderful now for the Bride, and it is truly the work of His hands.

Sometimes it feels as if He is saying to us that He let us do the best we could, and now He is showing us the best He can do for us.
Walls are coming down - denominational, cultural, traditional, gender, age - all these things are being redefined and we are being challenged as to where we stand and how we view one another.

This past week I had the privilege of praying at an event where people of many different races, traditions, and lifestyles were gathered. I stood looking out over a gathering of some 10,000 people, all shapes, sizes, colours, and ages. Some were walking with Jesus, and many did not know anything about Him.
I found myself weeping before the Lord for my brothers and sisters, the ones He had created that did not yet know Him, the ones who belong in this family and are missing from it.

I felt so at one with all who were there, and the only difference between them and me was Jesus, who in an instant of time could become the link between us if we would allow it.

Many in the crowd had lived lifestyles different to mine because they had been born into different families and circumstances, but we all have the same creator, and if we will acknowledge Him, the very same Father.

This beautiful seamless garment He is weaving in our time is put together when the difference becomes the link - when Jesus enters into a heart, and the child becomes part of an amazing family, no longer lonely, no longer lost, no longer without hope, but now joined together with all who have the same hope - Christ IN us, the hope of glory, the promise of eternity, the link that makes this family strong.

WATCH FOR THE BIRDS!

Today I believe the Lord is admonishing His people to STAY WITH THE SACRIFICE.
I believe the Lord is speaking to many of His people in the place of waiting today.
Many have walked in obedience and done what He asked of them, but have not yet seen the fruit of that labour.
He gave me revelation out of the story about Abraham that is wonderful instruction for us in this hour.

Genesis 15:8
Abram asked God how he could know that he would gain possession of the land God had spoken to him about.
HE WANTED TO KNOW HOW HE COULD REALLY KNOW WHAT THE LORD WAS SAYING WAS TRUE.
The Lord’s response in v.9 is that He asks Abram to bring him "a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon."
IT WAS GOING TO COST ABRAM SOMETHING, THERE WAS WORK TO BE DONE FOR THE LORD.

Abram brought all these to the Lord, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds however he did not cut in half.
THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN MESSY, BLOODY, HARD WORK.

THEN the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away!
THERE IS A STRONG MESSAGE HERE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE.
Many have given an offering or sacrifice to the Lord in answer to His call. Many have laboured long and hard in obedience to lay something out before the Lord.

WE NEED TO KNOW THAT THE BIRDS OF PREY WILL COME.
There will be actions and words that seem to totally negate all that we have done, that seem to cut right across it or act as if it was never done at all. The enemy will mock our efforts, our vision, our obedience.

BUT ABRAM DROVE THEM AWAY.
We must look for what is of God and God alone. He encourages, strengthens, guides, comforts, and loves us!

As the sun was setting (at the END OF THE DAY) Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.
THEN the Lord said to him:
"Know for certain …" God began to assure Abram of his future and of his plans for future generations. Vv13-16.
When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed
between the pieces.
ON THAT DAY the Lord made a COVENANT with Abram about the land He was giving to him.

Today many are waiting on the Lord for the fulfillment and confirmation of visions and calls. There is much here to learn and note:

The Lord came to Abram in a DARK CLOUD (not in the way he would perhaps have expected).
The Lord spoke and explained HIS PROCESS.
The Lord spoke of RESTORATION in the 4th generation – He is long-term in his thinking!
The Lord promised Abram PEACE.
The Lord ACCEPTED HIS SACRIFICE.
The Lord made a COVENANT PROMISE.

THEN is a wonderful word when we come across it in the scriptures … there is always more to come!
I truly believe the Lord would encourage us to hold on in this day. To keep watch over what has been done in His Name and at His bidding. Drive off discouragement and negativity. Hold on for that moment when God will come and accept and bless what has been laid out for Him.

2007: REMAIN - ABIDE - STAND - BEAR FRUIT

POWERED AHEAD BY HIS SPIRIT!

There are four outstanding instructions for the year ahead.

REMAIN (John 15:4)
"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

ABIDE (Psalm 91 all, but especially verses 1 & 2)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

STAND (Matthew 24:12&13)
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."

BEAR FRUIT (John 15:2)
"He cuts of every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

REMAIN

In this season the Lord is calling us to understand what it means to "remain in Him" under all circumstances.
Some have, or will, suffer loss as part of the coming change. Remain in Him, and out of the loss will come fruitfulness.

Learning to "remain" helps us to be positioned to be fruitful. The Lord gave a wonderful illustration of what happens to a blossom before it bears fruit as He showed me the importance of this:

- The beautiful blossom is invaded by insects and bees, pecked at by birds.
- Its beautiful petals fall to the ground and die.
HOWEVER, it remains attached to the branch in order to obtain nutrients to grow into fruit.

Learn to remain in Him regardless of circumstances and feelings - He is THE BRANCH to which we are to remain attached.

ABIDE

There is fresh anointing to understand and take hold of the completeness and sustaining power of this Psalm.
He is calling us to find our rest in Him CONSTANTLY. We are to abide in Him, under His wings and in His great shadow, and He will prove our faithful refuge and fortress.
Even as the battle rages around us, and it surely will, "it will not come near you."

This is a season when He will give us true understanding that 'the weapons of our warfare are not carnal' and will teach us how to fight the good fight out of His strength and presence. This can only take place as we learn not to be drawn to the battle but to take our place in Him & be led by His Spirit. This is a place of great strength rather than passivity.

Picture:
I see the sharp bow of a boat that is moving strongly forward. It is not carried by the sea or driving by a man-made engine, but is encapsulated in God's power which clears the way in front and at the sides, and powerfully, but smoothly, thrusts forward. He is completely behind the boat - the source of this great power. He is both the beginning and the destination and the vessel is held COMPLETELY in Him. This is an amazing picture of the completeness of Psalm 91!

STAND

In the coming season we will be called to STAND, having done all else, we will need to know how to find our place in Him and to STAND, REMAIN, ABIDE in it. Surely the winds will blow and the storms will come, and we are called to position ourselves on our Rock and STAND firm for as long as it takes!

It is faith that enable us to stand firm - faith in the One who is the answer and who contends on our behalf. Faith that our God is big enough and is truly Who He says He is!

BEAR FRUIT

The Lord gave me a vision that was an indicator of great fruitfulness to come for those who will allow His Spirit to produce an increase of His Presence and Compassion in their lives. The fruit grows within the individual before it is evident to those who require it.
IT IS THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE OF INTERNAL GROWTH that comes not by might or power but by the Spirit of God.

Vision:

In a recent vision I saw a lake of fire. It looked like a forest fire burning at a low level. The flames were not leaping high but were constant and the wind was constantly blowing on them keeping them at an intense heat. The flames were fueled by the substance they were burning on which seemed like thick oil.

Matthew 3:12 came to mind : “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire”.

Again came the cry: “Lord have mercy”.

I saw the fire being held back. There was a wall that it could not break through. There had been something built up that held back the fire.

I could hear only one word : “HOLINESS”.
With this word came the understanding that as the people of God pursue holiness, it is as if they are all turned with their backs to the fire, and they become the wall that holds the fire back.

I saw that the pursuit of holiness allows the RIVER OF GOD to flow, it keeps His people cool and flows over those around them, a cooling, healing stream.

I saw that the people of God had become TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS and were beginning to release life and healing to those around them, and especially to those who were huddled together terrified of the fire. (Psalm 92:12-15)

I saw the LOST. They were no longer ignorant, but were afraid as they saw the fire approaching and they also saw those who stood between them and the fire.
THEIR EYES HAD BEEN OPENED TO THEIR CONDITION AND THEIR DANGER.

I saw the RIVER before my feet, it was clear and there were a few small fish swimming in it, but as I looked upstream I saw more, and larger, fish coming.

I saw God’s people STANDING in this place, and those in need coming and picking the fruit of these lives and putting it into their mouths – they were HELPING THEMSELVES to what the Lord had produced.
THE HARVEST HAD BEGUN.

In the year ahead fruit will ripen and be evident, some of this has been forming for decades.
While there is still time, press into the Lord, submit to His process and work, be willing to be refined and positioned for the days that are ahead.

I see huge trees laden with ripe fruit that will begin to fall.
Will the fruit be eaten by the hungry and the lost?
Will it be lost, trampled under foot or left to rot on the ground?
Will it be recognized at all by those who have not desired eyes to see?

May Jesus not find us as He did the fig tree, looking beautiful, but all leaves and no fruit!
He will come looking for His share of the crop at harvest time (Matthew 21:41) and may He not say to us as He did to a previous people and generation:
"Therefore I tell you that the Kingdom of Heaven will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit."

Many were invited to the wedding banquet who did not come, and even some of those who came were thrown out for they had not taken the trouble to come properly dressed for the event. Some missed it altogether for they had not obtained sufficient oil for their lamps.

PURSUIT OF THE BRIDE

The Lord is coming again to His Bride, wooing her with passion and gentle strength. In this hour He is looking for real commitment, covenant commitment, there will be no turning back.

(Dream 23.12.06)
As I stood talking to someone a young man came and stood alongside of me, taking my left hand in his right hand, giving me a great sense of strength and security.
I moved off to do something else, and then as I came back to where he was, he knelt down, took my hand, and asked me if I would become his wife.
He presented me with a tray of beautiful diamond rings set in white gold that I might to chose one. He had made all of these rings himself.
I was hesitant wondering if I knew him well enough to marry him, yet he had no doubt at all that this was right and would take place.
The young man looked like an adult version of someone who had been my 'first love' at maybe 10 years of age!

This dream is very self-explanatory, but the intensity of activity and feeling in it suggest that the Lord is speaking not just to me but to His Body.
Our first love is coming to us again, and asking us for real commitment to Him forever.

There is great symbolism in this dream:
Right hand – he held my hand with his right hand – the hand of blessing.
Standing beside me – indicates uprightness, holding ground, holding position.
Marriage – “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.1” (Rev. 19:9)
White Gold – Gold tried in the fire – producing faith and divine nature.
Diamonds – Precious saints.

He is coming to call His precious saints to a wedding.
He stands in uprightness beside them, giving to them His hand of blessing.
He is offering eternal gifts of faith and His divine nature.
He has no doubt about who He has chosen, even though we may feel uncertain or unworthy of this honour.

This is VERY SIGNIFICANT and VERY PRECIOUS like the beautiful ring that was being offered.


PREPARATION FOR CHANGE

The Body of Christ has been given many opportunities/circumstances to enable them to become flexible and prepare for change.
Those who have learnt from these events will find transition easier than those who have fought them.

Even now, pray for flexibility of the Spirit, eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to know the ways of the Lord.

Pray for the spirit that was on the sons of Issachar (1 Chron. 12:32) who had understanding of the times, and knew what Israel should do.
These are men who truly had, eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to know the ways of the Lord.