a moment in time
It all begins with an idea.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.."
Ecclesiastes 3:1
I was talking to one of my daughters the other day and the topic of time came up. She said something to the extent that in everyone's life they are experiencing this very moment or season for the very first time. In other words.... we are all living this very moment in time for the very first, and last time. We don't get do-overs in life and time slows down for no one. This concept got me pondering...
We really don't know when we'll encounter a person or situation that will forever change the trajectory of our lives. No one knows the exact moment their child will say their first word, take their first step or laugh their first full-belly laugh until they're right in the moment. And so often we're in such a hurry to get to where we're going that we fail to embrace and appreciate the NOW.
Oh what I would give for the pitter patter of little feet running down the halls and sweet little giggles filling the room. Curious fingerprints on the windows and the excitement of discovering all that's new through the eyes of innocence and curiosity. It feels like I blinked and all my babies were grown and off the carve their own paths in life. I'm learning to slow down and embrace the precious moments right in front of me. To cherish and really appreciate the precious people that mark my life.
Life has certainly had many unexpected turns and twists but it's also been full of gloriously, wonderful moments. It's important not to miss the moments in pursuit of the long term goal. If we don't force ourselves to be intentional about embracing and appreciating the season we're in, life will pass us by and we'll waste our time just wishing and waiting for the next thing all while missing what we have now.
So I want to encourage you to embrace the season you're in and enjoy the journey. You'll never have this very moment again. Say the I love you's and the I'm sorry's. Give the hugs and much forgiveness and grace, even to yourself. Talk through and work through what comes and watch with wonder as your life blooms in greater measure, your joy increases and your relationships grow deeper. Trust the Lord with your future and accept His grace and mercy for today. Don't be given to fear and anxiety but cast your cares on Him and He will see you through.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
a window of grace
It all begins with an idea.
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
As I stood at the National Mall on Oct.12, 2024, praying with millions of other believers, I was grieved by how far our nation had fallen. This America we now live in is not the place I grew up in. Sin has been allowed to run rampant, culture has been perverted and even many of our churches have been compromised. Not to say there was none of that in the 80s and 90s but it certainly wasn't as In Your Face as it is today. I was reminded of those who've gone before us. Those who raised their voice in opposition to what was culturally acceptable and shined a light in the dark places. Brave men and women like Dr. Martin Luther King, Reverend Billy Graham, Kathryn Kuhlman and Maria Woodworth-Etter. They chose not to be comfortable, complacent and conforming. They chose the path of sure resistance for what was right and true and holy. They paid high prices to be change makers but we have benefitted, as a nation, from their efforts.
As I gazed across the expanse of The Capital Mall I could see a mosaic of people from many tribes and tongues, young and old, male and female all united with one hearts cry. One purpose for gathering. We were crying out for the land we love. The land that was, at its inception, dedicated to God Almighty. We cry out for healing and mercy for the innocent blood that's been shed within our borders. We cry out against the injustice and demonic strongholds that have perverted our great country. We cry out for those enslaved and abused by wicked people to be set free and restored. We cry out for justice and a cleansing and purifying of our land. We cry out for a Great Awakening. We cry out for God's Will to be done.
There was a directive from the stage to gather in groups, hold hands and pray. When we did I had a vision of a Priest from Biblical times. He had a beard and was adorned with a priestly robe and a beautiful head covering. I immediately went to my knees. When I inquired of the Lord what He was showing me He said, "You have come to Me as priests and kings. You have entered the Holy of Holies. I have heard from Heaven. And I will heal you land." I knew in that moment it was His response to us taking Him at His Word in 2 Chronicles 7:14. We were called by His name and had humbled ourselves. Many of us had fasted. We were praying, seeking His face and not only turning from any wickedness in our own lives but repenting on behalf of the wickedness in our nation. His word says, "then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2Chron.7:14b)
He has heard & He Will Heal Our Land!!
If we do our part.... He will always do His. He will answer when we cry out. He watches over His Word to perform it according to Jeremiah 1:12. We must get our expectation up!!! We cannot get caught up looking around at how horrible things have become as if anything is too hard for our God.
The morning of Oct. 12th I was in-between awake and asleep all night so I'm not sure if it was a vision or a dream but I saw the Washington Monument go straight down into the ground and disappear. I didn't really know anything about that monument and simply took note of what I saw. But throughout the day I discovered that the Washington Monument is actually designed after an Egyptian obelisk which in Egyptian mythology represents the sun god ra. Very interesting. Especially since it stands directly across from the nations Capital building. Now I'm not positive if that statue will disappear like I saw in the vision/dream. But.... as I sat watching the polls come in, in the early hours after election night, I was reminded of what I saw. And I knew this was that. The Lord Himself was giving us a window of time. A window of grace before His soon return. That monument was representing the stronghold that had been put in place by demonic rulers and it was coming down in Jesus name!!
Over the next several hours and even days I was in awe as I saw the overwhelming response of the American people. We are a people that are fed up with the tyrannical rule of the enemy. We are fed up with the perversion and twistedness that's been forced upon us. God has heard the cries of His people and He, by His grace and mercy, is giving us a window.
Now is not the time to back down and get back to life per the norm. It's not time to get complacent and comfy in our homes. It's time to press in on our knees before the Holy One. It's time to tell our neighbors, coworkers and friends all about our gracious God. It's time to speak up in the face of injustice and evil and say NO MORE!!! Not on my watch!! Devil it is not your time yet!! You will have to wait! This is the hour of the church of God Almighty. In Jesus name you will wait!!
Jesus is coming back for a glorious Bride. One who's made herself ready. One without spot or wrinkle who's not fornicated with the world. Not a weak and wimpy bride that's just "holding on till Jesus comes". NO!!! A GLORIOUS BRIDE!
Now is the time to shine bright. To look different and talk different. To be Jesus in the flesh to all those around us. To allow HIM to rise up BIG on the inside of us. It's time to preach The Gospel, lay hands on the sick and bind up the broken hearted. It's time to BE THE CHURCH!!
The time is NOW!!
Will you take your place? Will you cast off anything that's hindering you?
Will you step through this window of grace
into the human race
and bring them JESUS?
They are crying out for Him and we must introduce them to our King.
May God be glorified from the White House, to the school house, to our house.
In Jesus Mighty name!
revival is now
It all begins with an idea.
"Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil." Eph. 5:14-16
So many of us have been crying out for revival but have failed to recognize it must first start with US. In our hearts. In our homes. In our families. Judgement begins in the house of the Lord according to 1Pet. 4:17. So it MUST start with us. We must be willing to be unveiled and vulnerable in the presence of God Almighty. To give Him unlimited access to our innermost parts, our secret thoughts and the deepest chambers of our being.
"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah." Psalm 24:7-10
Is that your hearts cry? That the Lord, the King of Glory, would come in, in all His majesty, and do whatever is needed so you can be used by Him? Will you allow your thoughts to become like His? Will you lay your life down so you can actually find it?
True fulfillment in this life isn't found in houses and cars, jobs and titles. True and everlasting fulfillment comes when we lay down our agenda and embrace the plans the Lord has for our lives. It's in full surrender that we truly find ourselves. Our true identity. When we pour ourselves out and get refilled with Him we discover true life, life abundant. That's where true revival starts.
On our face, yielded to The One who formed us with His hands. The One who breathed in us the breath of life. His very breath. Recklessly abandoned, disregarding the opinions of man. Living before an audience of ONE. This is the foundation for revival. This is how we'll see our lives, our families and our nation changed for the glory of God. This is the laid down posture of the burning ones. Those whose hearts yearn to see the desire of God fulfilled. To see the vastness of humanity cry out to the Lover of their souls.
Revival is NOW. We don't have time to waste. We must press in. We must get on our faces before God Almighty and allow Him to do the work in us so He can fulfill HIs plans and purposes through us.
Yes!! He wants to use YOU! 5 fold call or not. We are ALL called to be ministers of reconciliation according to 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. And in these last days it's All hands on deck. No unused parts. No meaningless positions. You have a place in the family of God and we need you. Revival truly is NOW.
So please....Make sure your lantern is full of oil and you don't get left behind. Do whatever it takes to have clean hands and a pure heart before our Holy God, who is more than worthy of our lives laid down.
You, my friend, were created for such a time as this!!
supernatural shift
It all begins with an idea.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24 KJV
Recently we've been feeling strong transition, stretching and even a dying of certain things as we are being poised to step up into the new levels the Lord has for us. When you've walked around the same mountain for years it can be very uncomfortable but necessary to shift and redirect to take possession of the promised land. You won't seize your God given destiny by chance. The Bible says that, "...from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Matthew 11:12 Our dreams, our destinies require action. They will necessitate personal change, growth and shifting.
Last night I attended a meeting of a mighty man of God, from Nigeria, and his message could not have been more divinely inspired. He was speaking on this very truth and admonishing us that we must "Shift" to step into all the Lord has for us and stop going around the same mountains. For some the mountain might be a thought pattern that once served you well but cannot be carried into the new land. For some it might be friend groups or situations that can't contain the new anointing you are walking in. For others it may be that comfort level of serving under others when God is calling you to come out and rise into His plan for you as a leader or minister.
Whatever the mountains we've been content walking around we have to choose to break free from the patterns and defaults that no longer represent who we've transformed into being and what we're called to or settle in with the fact that if we choose not to shift this time next year we'll be in the same place we are now and likely never take hold of the promised land the Lord has set before us.
I must warn you... this seizing your destiny isn't a walk in the park. Be prepared to be misunderstood, rejected, and challenged relationally and personally. But know that God will see you through. If He be for you who can stand against you? The man of God, last night, spoke about how the vision will require of us a decision. We must choose to look into the face of self-doubt, unbelief and even discouragement or rejection from others and dare to believe what God has spoken to us about His plans and purposes for us. We must agree with His assessment of who we are and what we can do in spite of what anyone else, including ourselves, might think.
As you change and shift please know that some won't like it. They'll prefer that things stay comfortable and that you stay predictable and within the lens they've been seeing you through but you can't do that and fulfill your God given destiny. Just as a plant will outgrow a pot it's planted in and become root bound and starved over time if the pot isn't enlarged so it is with us. I'm so grateful that our pastor, Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne, doesn't believe in confining people in small pots. He makes room for growth. He makes room for the anointing. And he encourages us all to rise up into the fullness of who God says we are, even in the face of much opposition.
Another thing to note as you embrace the shift is that not every opportunity is by God's design even though it might sound good. Since Dec. of last year my husband and I have had at least 4 ministries invite us to be a part of their leadership teams. While those invitations were a blessing and we honor the ministries and ministers that extended them we had to humbly decline as we are called to be full time five fold minsters ourselves. And we have a ministry that the Lord has been birthing through us that is being poised to rapidly increase. We've been prompted, by the Lord, to focus our attention in our first year of marriage mainly on building our foundation of unity as well as intentionally pouring into our family but the year is quickly coming to an end. That hasn't stopped us from being a help to those ministries and I certainly encourage you to keep serving, but we must see the direction of God for us personally and step into OUR assignments.
We've both faithfully served under other ministers for over 20+ years and honestly that's the perceived "comfortable place" even though we've both been credentialed ministers for years. I've found with God though that He's not overly concerned with our comfort but desires our obedience and sensitivity to His leading. So while the road to embracing the shift isn't all roses, it's worth it.
Even if you feel all alone in this walk... Jesus + you = a majority.
With Him steering your ship and making a way where there seems to be no way you can't fail. People will come and go but the Lord will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.
So Dear Reader....
Dare to step out...
Dare to embrace what He's shown you...
Dare to shift and watch in wonder as His supernatural meets your natural.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13