The weeks leading into this new year have been peppered with dreams that in hindsight have continued to emphasise a path ahead that will be walked between the greatness of God and the intimidation of the enemy to prevent us living in the fullness that is our life in Jesus Christ.
Two very clear dreams were as follows:
TORNADO - I was in a sunny and happy environment, but coming towards this place was a huge cloud which from time to time attempted to put down a funnel that would become a destructive tornado. The funnel could never quite connect with the earth, but as it moved towards me I took cover in a small and apparently fragile building where I knew I would be safe. The threat never eventuated, and the shelter was not adequate in the eyes of man, but I knew it would be sufficient for me.
2013 DIARY - In the midst of quite complex circumstances I was handed a diary with '2013' on the cover. I was assured that it was a gift for me to keep. What was outstanding in the dream was the beautiful flexibility of the diary, and the cover which was of transparent gold. It was apparent that regardless of what else the year contained, there was a beautiful certainty in God of the outcome, but I felt that the flexibility was emphasised as this would be essential. I was left with joy and excitement about the coming year.
SILENCE - For weeks I have been considering ways of leading others into a place of simple silent listening to the Lord. Although it is unusual in what we are accustomed to, I have felt that it would need to be done without any props at all, and kept so completely silent that anything heard in that time would need to be written down and expressed only when the silence had ended.
For some of us the Lord has been teaching us to carry our prayer silently in our hearts before Him wherever we are, and in private times silence has become our sanctuary and the place we regain strength. For others silence can feel threatening, strange and difficult. I have been seeking ways to lead others into this place as I feel an urgency in my heart that it will be essential in the days ahead for us to hear God individually and be able to trust and follow His direction - this may mean the difference between life and death for some.
Only those who have been willing to live in this place and learn from the Holy Spirit will be equipped to lead others there, as they have been shown how to hold that place against all that opposes it.
THE WORD - Much time has been spent contemplating John 1:1-18. I believe we are being encouraged to understand the power of this passage, to look beyond the words on the page, and be willing to fully experience the life of Jesus Christ dwelling among us and within each one of us. It will become more necessary than ever before to let His light shine in the darkness.
I felt that Paul's words to the Philippians were being emphasised as our instruction: Philippians 2:1-16 is our instruction, with emphasis on 2:12-16 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe, as you hold out the word of life ..." Paul is not speaking of words printed on a page, but of the power and light of a life in which God works to His will and purpose, and which functions not from the Law, but with the grace and truth that Jesus brought into the world.
2013 - I believe Jesus desires to reveal Himself through His people as never before. Not so much through speech but in their life and actions. He desires them to so dwell with Him, and He in them, that His truth, grace and life constantly flow wherever He desires. I have had two very powerful personal experiences of His ability to impact and change lives if we are willing to walk in this. I believe these were allowed to confirm what He was speaking to me about, and it left me speechless!
WORKERS FOR THE HARVEST - Luke 10:2 The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
This call is not a burden upon us to do something we cannot humanly do - it is simply a call to pray! As we pray, those who have been equipped for this time will be released to be who they are called to be. It has often been preached as a call to evangelism, but in these days I've been led to understand it differently. The harvest is the Lord's and He is working very specifically and sovereignly in this time. It is not necessarily a call to speak as much as a call to live in Him. The harvest is very ripe and ready but those who understand how to function in it are currently very few. Pray, for the release of others, because the eternal life of many depends of it.
May our wonderful God grant us the grace, truth and strength to live and remain in Him as never before, as we enter a time of great change and challenge - days of great adventure with our King.
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