I believe this word is for the universal Body of Christ. While in prayer heard the Spirit of the Lord say. “I am releasing my end-time masterpieces. I have molded, shaped, and sharpened them throughout many seasons. I have done a great work in them. Now they are being released. They will be used in mighty ways such as the world have never seen. They have been hidden for this end-time work to gather in an end-time harvest and to usher in the greatest revival the world has never known. The wind of revival is blowing across the land lift up your eyes and see what I am about to do in the land. Yes, I say look up! For the end-time harvest fields is truly ripe for harvesting and will be gathered in.”
Michelangelo is one of the best-known sculptors of all time. Everyone recognizes his famous work called “The Madonna of Bruges” it is a marble sculpture of the Virgin Mary and Child.
This famous sculpture of the Virgin Mary with child doesn’t compare to the masterful work God does as a master potter to mold and shape the clay vessels he plans to use for kingdom work in the earth. His work is not an outward work made by hands, of which Michelangelo is famous for. It’s the inward molding and shaping that he quietly does behind the scene in the hidden man of the heart of the chosen vessel. The vessel’s character, and heart motives, must be tested and calibrated time and time again until He sees the image of Himself in the vessel. The finished product is a masterpiece a vessel fit for the master’s use.
In Jeremiah 18:1-4 we read that the Lord spoke to Jeremiah to go down to the potters’ house, there He would hear a word. He saw the potter working the potter’s wheel to make a vessel, but the vessel was marred so the potter pulled it apart and kept working with it until it became what he intended it to be. So are the vessels that have committed to be used by the Lord, they are shaped, and formed in the hands of the master sculptor.
There are many who want to be used by the Lord but are not willing to stay on the potter’s wheel until He finishes the inward work. They are marred vessels outwardly they look well put together. But they can be easily discerned by their character flaws, to name a few flaws: dishonest, spiteful, unloving, unforgiving and easily angered. Those that have submitted to the process on the potter’s wheel you can also easily discern them. Their character is an intricate part of who they really are. It is displayed by their integrity, honesty, love, kindness, good reputation among people.
DL Moody once said “character is what you are in the dark” (quotepark.com)
Isn’t so amazing that He takes all our flaws and makes something beautiful in His time…Masterpieces!
We are called God’s unique workmanship, uniquely made by his hands (Psalm 139:14; Ephesians 2:10).
Here’s a few things about Masterpieces: they take time to develop, God knows how long to work on you and with you. God is making you a unique piece not a duplicate, allow him to do so by submitting to the process of being shaped, formed and sharpened. Lastly, a masterpiece is immensely valuable to the sculptor and they take pride in their finished work; so much more are we in the hands of the master sculptor whose main goal is to conform us in the image of His son. Rom. 8:29
Remember you are a masterpiece sculptured by the hand of God.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph. 2:10 NLT
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 2Tim. 2:20-21
1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord.
2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Jeremiah 18:2-4
This morning the Lord wants you to know that he is with you. There are many scriptures in the Bible that we see where the Lord spoke to his servants and told them that He was with them. In Gen 28:15 Jacob had a dream in which the Lord spoke to him: Behold, I am with you and will keep [careful watch over you and guard] you wherever you may go, and I will bring you back to this [promised] land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
I believe today the Lord wants his people to know more than ever that he will always be with us and not forsake us in any situation we may face. As you go throughout this day know that the great “I AM” is with you and is watching over you. He will fulfill what He has promised to do in your life. Trust Him
I write thoughts down on pieces of paper all the time. Fortunately, for me I have begun to use my iPhone to make quick notes so that I can become better organized. As I was up in an early morning hour praying and doing some cleaning and organizing my bedroom; I came across a sticky note that I had written, the ink was slightly faded on the paper. I had wrote this note many months ago and it read “Some things I know are sure.” 1.Heaven is real, 2. New mercies everyday.
When I wrote this thought I was going through a very difficult season in my life and needed to remind myself that in spite of what I was facing the Word of God was sure; and that if I died during this time, He has already prepared a place for me called heaven, John 14:3; But because I was alive in this moment I can have and proclaim new mercies everyday Lam.3:22-23. I had to hold onto and stand on what I knew to be true concerning His Word to me. God is faithful!
The word sure is defined as: true beyond any doubt. The times that we are living in has caused many in the Body of Christ to doubt and walk in fear. I hear the fear when my brothers and sisters speak. I want to admonish and encourage the people of God to believe God’s word like never before in this hour. For such a time as this we can stand upon his Word. His Word is still SURE! It is “true beyond any doubt” it is unquestionable, and indisputable these are two more words that define the “Sure Word of God” to his people. The Word of God tells us to “Fear Not.” Fear not, is found in the Bible 365 times. That’s enough to cover each day of the year! Just think how strong we could become in our faith and overcome fear if we would just speak the Word of God. His Word is SURE!
What are you facing in this season of your life? Has fear caused you to doubt the faithfulness of God at work in your life? I want to remind you that He will continue and complete the work He has begun in you! Phil.1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. God will perfect everything that concerns you.” Psalm 138:8 NKJV
I want to encourage you to rise up and begin to declare and speak His Word until you get your breakthrough. His Word is Spirit and life. (John 6:63); and it is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) It’s a Sure Word! Indisputable and true beyond a doubt!
In 2 Sam. 9:1-13 we read a loving story of King David fulfilling a promise that he made to his friend Johnathan many years earlier in [1 Sam. 20:14-17 NIV] King David had made a covenant promise that he would show kindness to Johnathan descendants forever. In 2 Sam. 4:4-12 we read the account of one of Johnathan’s son named Mephibosheth who was five years old when the news came that both his father and grandfather Saul had been killed in battle and his nurse picked him to run because all of Israel were in fear for their lives. The nurse fell and Mephibosheth became disabled in both feet. Also, Saul’s other two sons were killed, leaving no heir to King Saul’s throne except Mephibosheth; but he went into hiding in Lo Debar.
In 2 Sam. 9:1-12 we see many interesting facts unfold for Mephibosheth’s life, that is in comparison to believers and what Christ has done for us when he came to give us life; and life more abundantly. 2 Sam 9:3 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”4 “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” 5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. 6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “At your service,” he replied. 7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
The purpose of this post is to give you, the reader an opportunity to leave the place called Lo Debar and enjoy all the promises Jesus Christ has given you. I endeavor to stir you up to overcome “stinking thinking” and become a person that knows they have a right to sit at the King’s table as a son or daughter of the Highest and RECEIVE! All he has purposed for you to have continuously!
In John 10:10 we read that the thief came to steal, kill and destroy; but Jesus came that we may have life and life more abundantly.
Mephibosheth, was crippled in both feet, hiding out in a town which literal meaning was “land of nothing” “A land of no promise.” Can you imagine living without the promises of God active in your life? Mephibosheth was rightfully in the lineage as a royal person…from his father and grandfather King Saul. He was living in a desolate place, a place of no promise… life… will sometimes cripple us, when we are living in desolation with no hope. But God! He knows when and how-to bring us out! That is, if we are willing to leave Lo Debar.
I will define here what is Lo Debar…. It is not only a literal place…it is defined as:
any belief system that is contrary to the word of God which leads to strongholds; a state of despair without hope it is a place of no promise.
Lo Debar is a state of mind when a person is in constant fear, perpetual feeling of loneliness and depression, feeling unloved, unwanted, forgotten, worrying, feelings of being unsuccessful, unappreciated…feelings of being trapped with no way out, exiled and cutoff.
The problem is that many believers don’t believe their lives can be better…they have made their camp in Lo Debar; and are not willing to leave. THEIR BELIEF SYSTEM HAS LED TO A STRONGHOLD IN THEIR MIND AND THE ONLY WAY TO ERADICATE A NEGATIVE MINDSET IS 1 Cor 5: casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the Word of God…. YOU must do the work! Mephibosheth had to leave in order to receive what King David had in store for him. He could have stayed in Lo Debar and thought all kind of negative thoughts of what could happen if he left…would the king kill him or etc. etc. etc. or make endless excuses because of his disability; you see when we are bound with “stinking thinking” we never move forward…our destiny awaits us!
I remember when I was in the military, I was approached by my First Sergeant to become a Warrant Officer in the Supply Corps. They were looking to promote women into this particular field. I happened to meet the qualifications that they were looking for. I shared with a couple of friends that told me not to do it because it would be too hard and I would encounter a lot of discrimination. I turned down the position based on “stinking thinking.” How many times in our lives have we allowed fear, doubt, and uncertainties stop us from moving forward?
To enjoy the benefits at the King’s table you must receive them by faith and not on feelings. Christ came that we may have life and life more abundantly. There are unlimited resources for the people of God to enjoy from the King of King, he has not withheld any good thing from those who walk upright…but you got to believe, receive and go after all he has promised and provided.
I have encountered believers who are angry and blame others for what has or is happening in their lives. They would rather stay in this place of ‘stinking thinking’ hoping that something will happen to change their situation overnight. We had a popular saying back in the 70’s that went like this “what you see is what you get.” I want to flip it and say “what you think is what you get.” Your Lo Debar has a lot to do with your thinking and believing; what you think about yourself is what you believe… and only you and the renewing of your mind with the Word of God can change how you feel and think!
Feel: to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition.
Feelings of inadequacy, is a killer to your destiny! Feeling that people will not accept you, feeling like you’re not good enough, feelings of failure; all of these feelings rob you of experiencing what the King has already prepared at the table for you to enjoy.
At the Kings’ table there is abundance, a continuous feast of joy, of freedom, and of Zoe (the God kind of life)
There are many who are in the Body of Christ were at one time crippled by a sin-sick soul and ungodly living But Christ brought change and transformation. It took a conscious decision to receive Christ…it will take a conscious decision to leave LoDebar and not look back. Mephibosheth had to leave Lo Debar in order to receive the goodness of God.
Believers that are constantly living in Lo Debar will never experience the fulness of joy that Jesus promised to give—-John 16:24 ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. Will you make that decision today to leave LoDebar and receive your rightful position at the King’s table? To enjoy a continuous feast of Freedom and Joy in the Holy Spirit!
Do you have clear vision? Can you see what God is doing?
When I graduated from High School our class song was titled “Do you know where you’re going to? by Diana Ross. The first part of the song lyrics are as follows:
Do You Know where you’re going to? Do you like the things? that life is showing you Where are you going to? do you know?
When January 2020 came many people had their sayings for the year, for me I kept hearing the words “Clear Vision” in my spirit. When I sat down the Holy Spirit began to give me this writing to share. I also ministered this word at a church the first Sunday in January. I would have to say in all honesty that this word has set a precedent in how I plan to view the rest of this year and my walk in Christ. This word found me first before I was able to minister it with boldness and confidence.
I think we all can agree that the natural eyes are needed to show you where you are going, but most importantly we as the people of God need to have clear spiritual vision to see and go where God wants to take us. Do you know where you are going?
In my research about 20/20 vision, I found an interesting fact; 20/20 vision in optometry is considered average but 20/15 vision is considered above average. There is also 20/200 vision which is considered legally blind. In honesty what is your spiritual vision? is it average, above average, or are you blind? In the natural we must have an eye exam to know the condition of our eyesight especially as we age. In the spiritual we also need an eye exam it is called (SEE) Spiritual Eye Exam. A spiritual eye exam allows you to know whether you are on the right path in your spiritual walk with Him. When was the last time you had a SEE? What were the results? Do you have 20/20 vision for what God wants to do through you and for you? Do you have 20/15 vision, a sharp eyesight into the things of God? This type of eyesight comes as you mature in Christ, this is what I am striving for…to see above the average level of the ordinary; and see what God is doing. Is your spiritual vision 20/200 putting you in the spiritually blind category? You can’t see what God is doing? Do you know where you’re going in 2020?
What are your expectations in 2020? What you expect to receive from God will be based on your SEE-what you see is what you will get. As the months roll on, I want to encourage us all to read 2 Cor. 13:15 (AMP) Exam yourself to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as committed believers. I believe Holy Spirit wants us to have such a clear vision this year, so that we may fulfill our purposes in him. The only way to really know the things God has for us we must see and know it with clarity and accuracy…clear vision is a must! Exam yourself to make sure you are in the right posture to receive all he has in store for you to complete your destiny in Him!
Remember Proverbs 29:18 tells us If we can’t see what God is doing, we will stumble all over ourselves. God is not withholding anything good thing from those who walk upright. My prayer for the body of Christ is…that we open our eyes to see what our Lord is doing and attend to what he reveals!
While I was out driving one afternoon, I heard the word “revenge” come into my hearing. Revenge is usually the action a person uses to respond to an offense. I began to think about how the Lord would want his followers to respond to offenses. I’ve had my share of offenses and I’m sure many of you reading this post have too. I know as long as we (followers of Jesus) are here in the earth offenses will come. Jesus warned his disciples that offenses would come, and how his followers should correctly respond to offenses. Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no [a]offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should [b]offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins [c]against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:1-3 (NKJV)
There is a quote about revenge that I found to be true in a simple synopsis. “The problem with revenge is that it never evens the score. It ties both the injured and the injurer to an escalator of pain. Both are stuck on the escalator as long as parity is demanded, and the escalator never stops.” (Smedes, 2020).
I remember a time in my life, when a sister in the church I was attending did something that undermined me to gain favor with the leadership. I was so hurt, and disappointed with this person because I trusted them. I am being transparent because I want to help someone overcome offenses and become that vessel the Lord can use mightily to minister life to others. I have encountered Christians who are holding on to offenses; and don’t understand why they have not grown to spiritual maturity. If you are bound with offenses you are on an escalator going nowhere in your spiritual walk with Christ. It’s time to deal with old offenses and let it go once and for all. I had to take this matter to the Lord in prayer by being honest about my pain, and disappointment. I had to pray for this sister and treat her with kindness each time we were at church. It was hard at first, but I chose to walk in the word…I didn’t talk about her to anyone… not even to leadership until I got my heart right to go to her and then to my leadership. During this time before I went to my sister the temptation to get revenge was there, but it didn’t feel good to my inner man. I chose instead to follow the Matthew 18:15 principle. “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” The Matthew 18:15 principle is a teaching that our leadership taught and practiced on a consistent basis. This principle if practiced by all in the local church, will resolve many conflicts before they become wars in the Body, it destroys the roots of division. When we are done wrong, we are not to avenge ourselves to become the judge and jury to punish or inflict injury to another person. So many believers try to defend themselves, forgetting his promise that no weapon formed against us will prosper, our vindication comes from the Lord. (Isa. 54:17)
Before I go any further, I will define some words that are important to understand about revenge and how we are to let the Lord be our vindicator.
The initial emotion of offense is an unconscious emotional reaction, it’s what you choose to do with the offense is your choice. Immediate forgiveness is the best emotion to practice in that moment. Harboring an offense is a choice that is both destructive and damaging to yourself, physically emotionally and spiritually. Smart remarks, or sarcasm are two ways people choose to retaliate when they are offended. I had someone say to me once that they knew how to get back at others, by being nice-nasty…. Holy Spirit spoke to me quickly “there is no such behavior for the believer, either you are nice or you are nasty.” I spoke those same words to that believer. I don’t know whether they received it and began to practice it; but I did and I often think of that moment when I am faced with how to respond when I am offended. Another area we as believers must deal with is not to be so easily offended. I have encountered believers who were so sensitive that everything that happens to them is perceived as an injury or an insult to them. It is very difficult to develop a lasting relationship with such a believer because you are constantly on guard on what to say…it’s like walking on eggshells; as the old saying goes. I like the principle of “agreeing to disagree.” As believers we are not going to agree on everything… it’s okay; but we must choose to walk in love and make that our highest priority with others. When we live in the offensive, revenge zone we are doing much damage to ourselves, emotionally as well as spiritually.
Offense: (the state of being insulted or morally outraged.) Although the below definition refers to playing a sport; in my opinion this is how most people handle an offense.
(the means or method of attacking or of attempting to score) payback.
Revenge: to avenge oneself or another, to inflict injury in return for an offense.
Vindicate: to avenge, to justify, to defend.
Romans 12:17-19 gives believers some instructions on how we are to conduct ourselves:
Repay no one evil for evil
As much as possible live at peace with all men
Beloved do not avenge yourselves, vengeance belongs to the Lord he will repay
As I was gathering my thoughts together to write this post, I heard Holy Spirit say to let his people know “The Lord is your vindicator.” He wants to defend us when the enemy comes in ways that brings us hurt and pain. Often it is those closest to us that will offend us; but choose to still see them as your brother or sister not as an enemy, in spite of how they act or react. It is so important to our spiritual well being that we don’t avenge ourselves by punishing, payback, or inflicting injury on others; revenge should never be a part of our spiritual nature. Quietly wait on the Lord to do his work in you and the other person. He wants to be your vindicator, get out the way and watch him work to bring justice, favor and spiritual fruit in your life. We have a choice to make each time we experience an offense, let us choose God’s way which is the only and right way.
Philippians 3:7-10 NIV)7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
One beautiful winter sunny day, I was on my way to Sunday service at my church; my mind began to think about things I have lost along this journey called life. The loss of loved ones through death, job loss, marriage loss, friendships loss. As the enemy began to flood my mind with all these memories of loss, I heard Holy Spirit say to me; “You have not lost anything, look at what you have gained.” Immediately the word of God began to bubble up in my spirit from Philippians 3: 8 I count all things lost, that I may gain Christ. I began to reflect on what I have gained through all those light afflictions, which are working a greater purpose in me. I have gained a knowledge of Christ; the Father and Holy Spirit I otherwise would not have experienced had it not been for those losses. I began to weep thinking of his grace, mercy and love he has lavished on me. He has been so good to me! When I didn’t think I could on another day so many times Holy Spirit strengthened me in my soul! I love this scripture; it has brought much comfort to my heart to know how much the Father loves me. 1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! and that is what we are! (NIV) so when the enemy begins to remind you of losses, remind him of what you gained through Christ. I just shared two scriptures but there are many many scriptures that we can speak and encourage ourselves.
I want to encourage you in this Christmas season as you get busy shopping and preparing your homes for the holiday; take time to reflect on what you have gained in Christ. Apostle Paul in this portion of scripture gave testimony of gaining a surpassing greatness of knowing Christ; he wanted to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, the fellowship of suffering like Christ, and becoming like him in his death. Let this be the motive of our hearts in this season. He came that we may have life and life more abundantly. We have not lost anything. I pray as you read this short post that this scripture will impact you to realize what you have gained in Christ. When we know Him and Know who we are in Him; and what we possess in Him it’s a Win-Win that the world would never understand. I pray that the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your understanding be enlightened that you may fully know what you have gained in serving Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
As I was seeking the Lord as to what he would have me to write. I heard the words “cooperating with the Holy Spirit”. A few days later, early one morning I heard the scripture Zech. 4:6 and began to read it and ponder it. So, the angel explained that it was the following message of the LORD to Zerubbabel: I am the LORD All-Powerful. So, don’t depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit. (Zech. 4:6 ESV) As I spent time reading and studying the scriptures, in my inner man I sensed that this is to be a word of encouragement to leaders, especially those who are apostolically and prophetically minded. We have heard, read and discerned for many seasons that the church (Body of Christ) is in transition and we understand that shifting and alignments are taking place in many of our lives. We are understanding now more than ever the meaning of the catch phrase that “there is no more church as usual”.
In this transition we are seeing leaders who have in the past stood strong are falling into various sins and we have been saddened to hear of some that labored in the ministry for years have passed onto glory. In transition there is change, for some leader’s change is not easy and the battle is in their mindsets {that this is not the way it used to be and we are going to continue with what we know}. The spirit of tradition must be broken in our minds and hearts so that we can move forward in this end-time hour fulfilling what God has put in our hands to do. We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our assignments, when he speaks for us to go left or to the right, we need to find ourselves quickly hearing and obeying. The Holy Spirit has been in the earth from the beginning and he knows what the mind of the Lord is in every situation of our lives. We know from scripture that in the last days perilous times will come. There is absolutely no way we can complete our assignments without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. As I write this word I thought over the past few weeks of the times that I did things without the leading of the Holy Spirit and I wonder what if I had taken the time to ask him for guidance how the situations could have turned out for my good every time without stress and confusion. Thank God for his grace!
The Lord is admonishing his people in this hour to be led by his Spirit and not our own abilities and power, for without him we are nothing and cannot do anything. for as many that are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14 For the earnest expectation of the creature (creation, world) waits for manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19) (my paraphr). How awesome to know that the world needs us (the saints) they are waiting on us to manifest liberation to the captives, preach good tidings to the meek, bind up the brokenhearted and to set the bound free. We have been anointed by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, to comfort all that mourn, that he might be glorified (I am paraphrasing Isaiah 61:1-3). The apostle Paul had much to say about the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers see (I Cor. 2:9 -10) But it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him. Verse 10: But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. What God is doing in this hour of the church (Body of Christ) will not be understood by the natural man-seeing, hearing, or reasoning, it is only by his Spirit revealed to those who are sons of God. It is imperative that we do all to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to complete our assignments. The dictionary defines co-operate: To work or act together or jointly for a common purpose or benefit. We are to co-labor with the Holy Spirit to do the work that the Lord has called us to do in the earth. He sent the Holy Spirit to the church to do specific functions in the believer’s life! In the book of Acts 1: 8 Jesus declared that we shall receive power after the Holy Ghost comes upon to be witnesses of him to the uttermost part of the earth!
We will take a look at the leader Zerubbabel and the scripture Zech. 4:6-9, he was given a powerful prophetic word from the prophet Zechariah to encourage him in his assignment (task). Zerubbabel was the governor of Judah and was called forth by God to lay the foundation of the temple after the Jews returned to Jerusalem from their 70-year exile. He was admonished through this prophetic word that his assignment was greater that his natural ability and it would take more than his earthly power to complete this task. He had to rely totally on the Spirit of God. He was given a sure word that he would complete the temple and finish it! If you continue to read this whole chapter you will see that God spoke the assignment from the beginning to the end. He promised us in his word that he knows the thoughts that he thinks toward us for good and not of evil to give us an expected end Jere. 29:11. Zerubbabel assignment came with instructions and direction; when the Lord gives an assignment to a leader, he will send a prophetic voice to bring clarity and direction. In verse 7 the prophet is still speaking the word of the Lord, “who are thou O great mountain (difficulty or obstacle) before Zerubbabel thou shall become a plain. And Zerubbabel shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shouting crying Grace, Grace unto it.”
Through the prophet, God told Zerubbabel that though the obstacles were like great mountains through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit they will become a plain never to rise up again to face him. How many times as an Apostolic leader you rose up and stepped out to do the task God spoke to you and opposition immediately hit you in the face to kill your spirit? God is speaking to you in this hour that you will complete the task and you will bring forth the (memorial stone); this is the last stone that builders lay after the completion of a house or building. All your adversaries who opposed you that said you can’t or won’t last will see the completion of your work and your testimony will be with shouting of Grace! Grace! God’s Great Grace. There are Apostolic leaders in this hour of the church transition who are called and ordained by God to bring the (Body of Christ) to that place of restoration, maturity, and equipping and yes! it will be with opposition and obstacles! Apostles have the mandate to build, laying the foundation of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many man-made foundations have been erected in the Body of Christ that has not been after the pattern that Jesus had laid. Now (right now) in this dispensation of the Church he is and has called and assigned those with the Jerubbaal anointing to complete the task not by might, nor by power, but by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. These Apostolic leaders will find themselves tearing down old structures (man-made traditions, ideologies, theologies of what the church should be) but the work must be done totally cooperating with the Holy Spirit. It is so important in this transition that leaders do not get into doctrinal fights with those who don’t understand the move of God in this season. Nehemiah had many obstacles that came to distract him, but he had his mind focused on what needed to be done and continued on to accomplish it. Neh. 6:3. Fighting other ministers is not the key to building the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ but walking in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit will complete the work that you have been assigned to do. I sense in the coming months that the Body of Christ will experience outpourings of the Holy Spirit that have never been experienced before. These outpourings will not be contained in the four walls of the church building where we have tried to contain it. This explosion of the Holy Spirit will impact the mountains of business, education, family, religion, media, government, and entertainment! Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of God will we see transformation happen; and the world will know that God reigns in all the earth. We (the body of Christ) are looking to the emerging and seasoned apostolic leaders to lead us and equip us to complete our purpose and destiny in Christ. I am excited at what God is doing in this end time hour. Are you?
The best years are the hidden years with God, pursuing only him!
Recently, I found myself questioning why some of the promises that the Holy Spirit had spoken to me were not coming to pass concerning ministry. I felt like I had been waiting long enough; although I had experienced some ministry accomplishments…why am I in this place of sitting and waiting now. I have the tendency to want to be busy doing something. The questioning became so uncomfortable and unbearable in my inner man that I cried out to the Lord from the depths of my soul in prayer. After I finished praying, I heard plainly the words “Cherith” “turn aside and go” I knew this was a portion of scripture that I had read about the prophet Elijah.
I found the passage in 1 Kings 17:3 Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan.NKJV
Elijah was told to go to Cherith, immediately after he had prophesied a powerful word to King Ahab. His ministry had just started now he is being told to go hide. It doesn’t make sense in the natural, but God in his manifold wisdom…don’t think like we do…he sees further than we do and is all knowing as well. Elijah trusted in God and obediently went to Cherith.
I began to research what is the meaning of ‘Cherith.’ Cherith is a place which means: a cutting,separation. Cherith was a place of isolation for Elijah, a place where he was completely cut off from people and totally dependent on God to provide for him. I believe Cherith is a place that every believer who desires a deeper intimate relationship with the Lord must experience in order to fulfill His purpose in their lives. There is an assignment he is preparing each of us for, he has uniquely planned it so that we will finish strong and bring him glory; be a blessing to others as well.
Cherith was a place of private preparation for Elijah before he met Jezebel’s 450 Baal prophets at Mt. Carmel in 1 Kings 18:20-39). The Lord in his wisdom prepares us in private before he sends us onto the public platform. Without private preparation in the one-on-one intimate relationship with the Spirit of God we will become public performers all for our glory and not for His glory. The Lord told Elijah to hide himself…as I continued to read and reflect on 1 Kings 17…I began to discern the time that I was in…he wants my alone time, my focus to be on knowing him…not being busy ‘doing’…but it is a time of ‘being.’ It is only in Him that we can live, and move and have our ‘being’…. (Acts 17:28) In other words ‘being’ is about fulfilling His purpose not by ‘doing’ the purpose in our own strength. ‘Being’ is becoming that which he has destined us to be. In ‘Cherith’ he wants to cut off everything that will hinder us from fulfilling His greater purpose in our lives, and in the lives of others that he will send us to. ‘Cherith’ can also be defined as a place where flesh is separated from the Spirit; once we leave the place of ‘Cherith’ it will prepare us to be full of the Spirit of God and not our flesh. I believe when we pray for more of him, he sends us to ‘Cherith’ to be hidden so that we can be dependent on his presence to fill us to full capacity for the next assignment, filled with His Spirit to accomplish the greater work!
Let’s take a brief observation of two leaders that Holy Spirit prompted me to write about, Moses and Joseph. Moses was hidden twice, once in a basket floating along the Nile River. (Exod. 2) where he was found by the Pharaoh’s daughter and prepared in an Egyptian household for a purpose which God would later use for His glory. Secondly, he was hidden on the backside of a desert in preparation for a greater purpose. (Exod. 3) He had to have this ‘Cherith’ experience before God sent him back to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. What a great deliverance that took place! Awesome miracles, signs and wonders God performed through Moses. Moses knew God intimately; he is the only person recorded to have spoken to God face to face as a friend (Exodus 33:11) Joseph was hidden in prison before he was sent to the Pharaoh’s palace and became the number one man in that kingdom. (Gen. 39:19) The prison was his ‘Cherith’, it was his place of preparation to go onto the greater purpose God had for his family to bring them out of a land of famine in Caanan, to the best land in Goshen (Exodus 47:6) These two leaders had to have a ‘Cherith’ experience before they could experience the greater purpose God had in store for them and others for his glory. Hidden preparation is important in the life of one who desires to be used of God. I have met people who wanted the big ministry platform more than paying the price of preparation; the ministry that they have is full of chaos. I want to admonish all leaders to remember that Cherith prepares you for the platform of ministry whether big or small. It is not for your glory but God’s glory and the greater purpose of ministering to the needs of God’s people in whatever capacity he has called you to fulfill. I believe that in these end-time days ‘Cherith’ will be required for every man or woman of God to successfully battle the works of darkness that is at work in the world. That was a great showdown that happened that day on Mt. Carmel between Elijah and the false prophets. (1 Kings 18) I believe many are being prepared to be used mightily by the Spirit of God to show that the God we serve is greater! He is the God who answers by Fire!
As I reflect back on my life, I can recall there have been significant times in my life when I sensed the Lord wanted alone time with me…I found myself pulling aside from friends and family and spending more time seeking his face. It was during these times that I gained strength in the inner man, to continue the course. I can look back now and see that those times were my ‘Cherith.’ I want to encourage those that are reading this post to discern the time and season the Lord has you in so that you will not miss what he wants to fulfill in your life. Maybe God is calling you to turn and go to ‘Cherith’ he wants to prepare you for something greater…If you are in a ‘Cherith’ place don’t leave there until he sends you out…to your next assignment. Hear the voice of God and obey.
GotWord 