Don't Give Up!

On the 7th of June I had a prophetic dream which had a powerful impact on me.  In the dream I was on this ship during a storm where the sea was very rough.  I was walking across some of the deck walkways with protection around me and I could see that the waters were very deep and yet I was not afraid.  At one point the ship was encountering heavy seas and water was crashing over the bow.

I was inside the ship in a room with a lot of other people when I made a call to prayer as I knew we were in a battle.  I felt these people were all Christians but not all of them really BELIEVED  that they could be rescued.   We immediately left the bow and moved to another place in the ship.  There was a worship band behind me and God instructed that we were to continuously pray - -  where one started and finished then another was to begin.  A woman started to pray but I couldn't hear her so I told her to get a microphone which was immediately with her.  I prayed for the Captain of the Ship called Alexander (which means,  defender of the men;  brave).    Then SUDDENLY  we were safely onshore.

EPH 6:18  Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

IS 40:31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

This dream reminded me of the story where the disciples were in the boat with Jesus and he was sleeping and they became afraid  (Matthew 8:24). They quickly woke Him up and He rebuked the storm.  He also rebuked them for not learning the lessons of believing.  Are you a believer or an unbeliever?  Is your expectation that God will rescue you or is your expectation that the enemy's plan is coming to pass.  Don't let fear grip your heart. In a way both categories of Christians are still believing.  Unbelieving Christians believe in the storm and its power to take them out and indeed empower it to do so.  Believing Christians believe that God's Word and will is true and that He will bless them.  Which are you empowering today?

There are things that He has spoken to you about your future, that He's put in your heart which you haven't seen come to fruition.  Things that you know are the will of God but you can't understand why they haven't come to pass yet.  He is going to do it quicker than you think.  He's not going to do it by your works or ingenuity but by His righteousness!

I believe that God is speaking to us that we are in a season of SUDDENLIES and MIRACLES.  We are in a battle and in a storm and he is saying to look to Him in continuous prayer with worship.  And not just prayer!  It has to be amplified.   It has to speak into the atmosphere louder than the problems clanging for our attention.  Sometimes the problems seem to be speaking VERY LOUDLY and in the natural your situation may seem hopeless and daunting.  But I believe that Jesus is saying that this is a call to prayer NOW.  Be a believer and a worshipper and decree into the storm of your life the promises of God for you.  These promises are YES and AMEN!   Jesus is our defender and our rescuer.  Nothing is too difficult for Him.  Nothing is impossible to them that believe!

Inspection!

On the 19th of April I had a dream where there was a long que of people.  These people represented the body of Christ who were waiting for inspection.  Those that had been fasting and praying were immaculately groomed and prepared and waiting for inspection.  They had spent time in intimacy with the Lord. They were radiant and shiny!  I then saw those that had gone before us and passed inspection. They had been given plaques which were mounted on a wall.  I saw names listed.  I knew in the spirit that one of the plaques was connected to a man in the line who was prepared and ready.  A relative had left a legacy in the Arts that he was inheriting.

I then saw those that were not prepared.  Another man came rushing in to give a coat to one who had forgotten his but I don't know if he made it in time.  He had his coat on but his hair was a mess and he was frantically looking in the que for the one it was for.

There was such a sense of urgency - this was important and God was inspecting the Church - who was ready and who would inherit legacies.  Make no mistake the Body of Christ is in a battle and preparation requires a life of prayer and fasting.  To press in to know the high calling of the Lord.  How can we seek Him as our urgent necessity unless we do as he did on the earth.  Jesus led a life of seeking God, prayer and fasting. The disciples did as well. God is calling believers all over the world to press in to Him to call forth the destiny and legacy that He has for them.  Their destiny calling is waiting and prepared and we know that he has a wonderful plan for our lives (Jer 29:11).  We cannot be so engaged in the world that we are unprepared.  We must seek the oil for our lamps while we are able.

 Dreams like this are the trumpet sound/ the shofar of the watchman on the wall calling believers to account - to know that there is an inspection that is happening now.  I believe we are in a season of prayer and fasting. Every person needs a breakthrough in some area of his or her life and prayer and fasting often comes before the breakthrough. If you have any need in your life, you need a breakthrough from God to meet that need!  Prayer & fasting breaks the yoke of bondage and brings about a release of God's presence, power and provision!

So many of us seem to be sleeping - going through the motion with not even 5 minutes of peace to hear the still small voice of the Lord.   Every waking moment plugged into headphones or facebook or distracted by the busyness of life.  Perhaps more than ever before, we have to be purposeful to press in to Him. Urgent needs can trigger prayer and fasting but God is calling a generation of those who will seek Him as an urgent necessity.  Has He been calling you?  Have you been impressed to enter into  a deeper walk with Him?  Do you hunger to see power encounters and His hand moving mightily through your lives?

Psalm 50:23  He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright (who prepares the way that I may show him) to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God.  Selah

Military Peace

I didn't really know what the term 'military peace' meant when I first heard the term from the Lord....but a few days after I heard it,  an amazing program came on the television explaining Roman military peace!

When the Romans took over an area and conquered the enemy, they established a military compound like a fortress.   It was completely safe on the inside and there were no openings to allow the enemy any access.  This is called military peace.   Let's call this guarding your heart and mind.  Isaiah 26:3 says: "You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You,  because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You."  Military Peace comes with a guard and requires dedication and watchfulness.  We are called to be Watchmen on the wall calling out the alarm and ENFORCING our peace even when there is turmoil outside.  "I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, an in Him I confidently trust...A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.  Only a spectator shall you be...."  (Psalm 91:2,7,8).  We are in Military Peace - a spectator to the turmoil.

In a time of challenge and struggle when in the natural everything around you seems impossible and there is no way out,  God says,  " FEAR NOT,  Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before, will fight for you."  Deuteronomy 1: 29-30

I think the bleaker or more desperate the situation the more God loves to show himself MIGHTY!   Deuteronomy 3:22,  "You shall not fear them, for the Lord your God shall fight for you."

If God is for you,  who can be against you?   His word says in Romans 8:31,  "What then shall we say to all this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?"

"In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me.  From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry". Jonah 2:2

"...Whatever you ask for in prayer, BELIEVE that it is granted to you and you will get it!" Mark 11:24.  One of the keys is not to be double-minded but to believe God no matter what your circumstance is.  James 1:8 says, " a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute, (he is) unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything (he thinks, feels, decides).  Establish in your heart what the Word of God says about your situation and then stand on His promises in faith.  Enforce Military Peace over your situation and this promise, and then rest and trust in Him and watch what He does.

Whatever you may be facing remember that He will never leave you or forsake you but is walking through the fire with you!  Expect a great outcome!

Love Never Fails

Love is in the air!  Eagerly pursue and acquire LOVE,  make it your aim,  your great quest!  1 Cor 14:1  says 'go after a life of love as if your life depended on it'!    How is your life reflecting LOVE?  I don't know about you but I want my life to bring colour everyday to myself, my family, friends, neighbors and the wider circle.

Ezekiel 1:28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.   1 Cor 13: 1 -3,  says, that without love I am nothing and my life will profit me (amount to) nothing.

Recently I became aware of a situation where a young girl was self harming and her friends were protecting her and not sharing the information with adults.  Almost an "Us against Them" situation.   I was troubled about this so went into prayer where the Lord spoke to me that this situation had arisen because there was no love - and its all about LOVE.   LOVE breaks down the barriers and it is the LOVE from our Heavenly Father that removes the barriers in our own lives that we have erected for self preservation.  Self preservation comes about when you've been mistreated, hurt, disinherited, misjudged, abandoned  (anything that gives opportunity for offence to come into in your life)  which then opens the door to unforgiveness and bitterness.

The issues of life come and its what we do with them that matters.  Do we put up barriers or make choices that help us to move forward into victory? What motivates your heart?   Sometimes we don't even know we have erected barriers.  In this season God is saying that we must walk in Love because it is Love that conquers everything.  I had a vision of the Father's love coming in like a tidal wave washing away the barriers that we have put up to protect our hearts.  By erecting barriers in our lives we actually keep out the flow of God from moving in and restoring every area of our lives.   He wants to lavish love on you!  He wants you to know & experience His true nature. He wants you to live in total freedom in who you are by walking in your true identity.

It is only revelation that brings a person's heart to the place where we can recognize that they have erected barriers in their hearts.  How long do we have to forgive?  For the rest of our days.....how long will it take to step out of the place where we're at?   As long as it takes for us to recognize that we have put up barriers in our hearts that have kept us from the Father's love.   I find it also amazing that
God is speaking to us about being liberated from those that have mistreated or misjudged us....but also forgive ourselves for choices that we've made that have put us in a field of pain.

My prayer today is, "Lord bring to remembrance everything that has caused an issue in my heart so I can forgive and be set free".

It's all about LOVE, being LOVE, releasing LOVE,  giving LOVE....which happens because you've experienced the FATHER'S LOVE!  He's the One who changes everything.

2014 A Year of Celebration & Fruitfulness

2014 is the year of Celebration, Fruitfulness and Finding your Tribe...

Towards the end of 2013 I was having a series of powerful dreams about the harvest and about being fruitful.  In one dream I was shown an abundant harvest that was being released now.

Leviticus 26: 4 '...the land shall yield her increase and the trees of the field yield their fruit'....  It is seeds that you have sown,  even if you don't remember sowing or even seeds that you thought you lost ---these are coming back in a great harvest. There is also going to be a great harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God during 2014.

That dream was followed by another where I saw a crowd of people that were 'carrying something in their belly' .  I understood that they were carrying that which needs to be released in this season. I heard, "it's time for fruitfulness". Romans 8:19  'For creation waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known'.  The interpretation of the dream is that God is calling forth those people to be fruitful.  We are carrying something that needs to be released in 2014.  Its time for believers to be released out of captivity.

Again, this morning in my prayer time I felt that it is in areas where we have struggled and been attacked that we have our greatest authority to release others -- we are carrying the answers other people are crying for.  The groanings we have made in our oppression and captivity, whatever it may be, will produce in us great authority in our deliverance.  The groaning of Israel in captivity led to their greatest victory and authority.   I felt to encourage you that in any area where you have struggled will come your greatest authority.  God has amazing plans for you and I know this -  that what the enemy intended for evil God will turn around for good and whatever your destiny He will use this so that you will be able to pray for others suffering the same attacks and see deliverance and fruit!  Don't focus on the issue but focus on the great victory that is yours because of the blood of Jesus. Last week I saw keys released in the spirit for believers that will unlock doors where there have been battles. Keys unlock doors and these doors are the revelations that bring forth release.  So I pray a key in your hand that unlocks this door.  Then take this key that you are carrying and release others.

In another powerful dream I was shown the 'birthing of a calf' in great detail.  I was led to the blessing of Deuteronomy 28 which talks about every area of your life being blessed and fruitful...vs 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock!   I love the fact that God is showing us that we have entered into a gate of 2014 which is 'blessing'.  In 2014 our fruitfulness and blessing will be increasing.  God has spoken to us as a family that 2014 is the release of financial prosperity in the Kingdom.

Deuteronomy 28: 1 -  14
28
If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
2
And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God.
3
Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field.
4
Blessed shall be the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock.
5
Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading trough.
6
Blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out.
7
The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.
8
The Lord shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouse and in all that you undertake. And He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
9
The Lord will establish you as a people holy to Himself, as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways.
10
And all people of the earth shall see that you are called by the name [and in the presence of] the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you.
11
And the Lord shall make you have a surplus of prosperity, through the fruit of your body, of your livestock, and of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you.
12
The Lord shall open to you His good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.
13
And the Lord shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you this day and are watchful to do them.
14
And you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.


Finding your Tribe - God has been clearly showing us that our journey is not one to be taken alone. God doesn't want us to be isolated but to be in community with those that have a similar vision and calling and with those that God has connected you with. Finding your tribe means connecting with those that share the same spiritual DNA and are broadly going in the same direction.  This is  your Tribe and God will lead you to them.  This can be different from the church that you are committed to.  It means people who are the key influences that God is connecting us to that speak into our lives.  They can be scattered around the world as God opens doors to make the divine connection.  In 2014 pray into the relationships and call forth the purposes that God has for you.

Finally, like the passover, victory results in a great celebration of all that God has done. Proverbs 28:12  When the righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration!

Meantime

I was pondering a few things the other day when I got a call from someone who said: 'I've got a word from the Lord for you and its literally one word.... "meantime''.  Yup just one word.

     Definition of  'meantime or meanwhile' - during or in the intervening time;  meanwhile,  life goes on

Then a couple of days later whilst walking down a lane we came across a lorry with 3 large barrels and 1 of the barrels had in BIG BOLD letters the word MEANTIME.  I was so surprised and immediately remembered my meantime word and thought, what are the chances to get a specific word and then a few days later to find it written tangibly on a huge barrel in a lane near your house!  What is God saying to me about "meanwhile" or "meantime"?

It speaks to us directly about what we are supposed to do in the interim between the release of our dream, destiny and calling and its fulfilment.  After searching for the word I found a number of scriptures that pertained to meantime or meanwhile and without fail they all referred to the place where you have heard the word of the Lord about something you're called to do BUT BEFORE the fulfilment of that dream or calling:  Getting on with life in the meantime season.   This includes our actions of obedience or disobedience and our walk of faith.  This is the meantime between the Word of the Lord for our life and its fulfilment.  How do I keep a great spirit in the meantime and be obedient to what God asks me to do?

The word about your future may come in any number of ways;  a dream,  a Rhema word,  the prophetic,  still small voice of the Holy Spirit.  Then the meantime season is how we respond and what  our actions are in the period between the giving of the word and receiving the fulfilment!  It's about having the right spirit:  its also about knowing the times and seasons.  We live in a society where its instant gratification and all about me and wanting things to happen now.  But actually sometimes there is a testing, a weighing of the heart especially if there is a divine purpose.   It reminds me of a dream I had in August where I was given a math test and I didn't much like it but it prepared me.   If God calls us to a particular work do we wait for his provision or run ahead in our own strength trying to put it all together?  There are alignments and connections that God puts together in order to move us into the place we need to be.

 One of the stories that speaks to me is the story of Joshua.  Along with the children of Israel and after 40 years in the desert being fed by manna, they finally crossed over into the promised land.  The word says that they ate the fruit of the land in that year and the manna stopped.  They didn't go rushing to take Jericho but waited and then Joshua went up to the walls of Jericho and inquired of the Lord because they needed to know what to do.  Inside those walls was their inheritance and the spoils to which are the promises of God for which they had been believing for.  Their strategy had to come from the Lord and we know what happened,  the Jericho walls came down when Joshua carried out the strategy from the Lord by walking around the walls.

You may have heard the word and run off and done some things that haven't worked out and created some 'Ishmael's'  ( a big mess that was created by Abraham when he tried to sort out his promise)  Don't be under condemnation but be quick to repent and enquire of the Lord in how you proceed and what do you do in your 'meantime'.  I believe that the body of Christ is standing in front of their Jericho and waiting for the imminent word that will show them how to take it out.  Be encouraged we are in a season of breakthroughs,  miracles and encounters.  God is going to show himself real!   Deut 28:2  And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God.

I love this story because it encourages us in 'our meantime'  that God always comes through.  If you find that you're in that place of the meantime yourself, what do you do?  When you have the word of the Lord about your purpose in life then its up to Him to bring the word of direction to bring about its fulfilment in your life.  

Releasing Women

This is the year of Women being released!

In November of 2011 I had a vision of thousands of women coming out of their homes, moving together in unity like warriors.  These women had been in isolation and were coming out of difficult seasons and situations.  Moving together in a common purpose and focus to Serve the One who has set them free.

Then on a flight in December 2012 to Norway where I was attending the relaunch of a Christian television network I fell asleep and was suddenly woken up by the sound of an alarm!  The Lord spoke to me to say that this was the beginning of the 'awakening' ... a move of God that's going to sweep the earth.

Over the past 18 months there has been progression and a building in the spirit to bring us to the point where we are being awakened to the calling and destiny of God on our lives.  Its starting in the small gatherings and places where people are hungry for God.

Why is God releasing Women now you might ask?   Its so that we can SERVE HIM and to be in relationship with Him...

I was taken to a passage of scripture in Exodus 9:1 where the Lord told Moses, 'Go to Pharaoh and tell him to let my people go so that they may 'serve me'....   If you know the story at all,  the Israelites were in captivity under the ruling of Pharaoh and God kept sending plagues in order for them to be released.
If you've been in some kind of slavery yourself or if you've been praying for God to release you to start a business or to help the orphans or some other noble thing then all these things may be good,  but you may have missed the reason that God move's to release you and it's to 'serve Him'.  

Our eyes must be lifted off of ourselves & situations and placed on Him so that we can be free to live out the fullness of our destiny and ONLY with Him can we be truly free.  We have been created to worship and minister to the Lord.  When we do that God takes care of the rest.

Psalm 97:5  Mountains melt like WAX at the presence of the Lord.

Its all about relationships,  walking in and demonstrating love both in your family, your business, your community, your world!  The presence of the Lord is entered into when we serve and worship Him - when we are in relationship.

 1 Corinthians 13:3 says that 'even if I give my body to be burned but have not LOVE,  it profits me nothing'..

Its not about your gifts, talents or skills but about relationships.  Being connected with the things that are on God's heart.  Building relationships with the people God has connected you to without manipulation or control or what you can get from them.  Its about being purposeful without an agenda.  You see God doesn't need what you have.  He doesn't want you striving but resting in Him because its all about Him.  Its moving away from a works justification life to a Grace life.

What is Grace?  Its God's ability working in us to do what we could not do on our own...

It isn't about us, its all about Jesus and His life within us!  The more we immerse ourselves in that knowledge and in the character of Jesus,  the more we become like Him,  the more we present to the world the characteristics of authenticity and integrity.

Now is the season of dreams and visions to be resurrected and released with power and authority!

May this be the Year of Your Release!!