I want to share an analogy, and prophetic word that the Lord gave several years ago. Many of you are sensing something brewing in the spirit realm. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation, like a calm before a storm, but there is also an excitement in the heavenly realms. Those of you who are spiritually sensitive and attuned to the Holy Spirit could discern that the forces between good and evil is escalating.
When I sit with the stories of Scripture, I am struck by how often God's deliverance looks different than what I might hope for. My heart wants God to keep me from the trial, the storm, the furnace, or the den. But again and again, the Bible reminds me that God's way is not to spare me from every hardship. It is, at times, to spare me in it. Think about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These young men stood boldly for God, refusing to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. In return, they faced the fiery furnace.
Those who carry the Issachar anointing understand the times we are in. They have discernment and knowledge. They seek the wisdom of God through the Word to know what needs to be done. Then they activate these words. They understand the signs of the times. "From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take." 1 Chronicles 12:32 (NLT)
We have a very real enemy. Though he cannot take from us what God has given, he can steal - and his primary weapon is deception. He doesn't have authority over your destiny, your calling, or your inheritance in Christ. But he will do everything in his power to get you to forfeit them. The enemy steals by planting seeds of doubt, discouragement, and distraction. He deceives us into thinking that God's promises are uncertain, His voice is unclear, and our dreams are insignificant.
In order to activate God's power in our bodies and in our lives, we must speak our faith and act our faith. One of the biggest deceptions that the enemy has ever perpetrated upon the Body of Christ is, "If we believe in healing, we will be all right." It is not enough just to believe in healing. There are thousands of people who die every day who believe in healing! They believe in the miraculous healing power of God. But the enemy has caused them to substitute belief for action.
Because of this attack from the enemy, I was reminded that in natural birthing, the part where you start to lose control is during transition. I've been prophesied over several times that I was in the third trimester in birthing forth the will of God through worship intercession and that I would need midwives to pray the birthing through. This prophecy was given to me many years ago, and I know there have been multitudes of hindrances to this breakthrough.
"See that no one misses the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble, and by it many become defiled. Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:15–14 (NKJV) Think about Daniel. He was called to the king's party, but before he ever stepped foot there, he made a decision. He would not defile himself with the king's food.
There is music in Heaven—a beat that inspires sons to dance with joy as they release what Father adds on earth. This rhythm has four beats that we can activate in our lives, each associated with an intentional dance step. Rhythm is what lets you know where you're at on the dance floor. It's a Kingdom cycle that helps us live in the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit (Gal 5:25).
That restless feeling in your spirit? The one that whispers you're meant for something different? It's not your imagination. Here are 5 unmistakable signs God is calling you to stop blending in:
So many people, including myself, regularly come to places in our lives where we haven't been before. And when you're inexperienced in an area, your natural tendency is to move back into the familiar. Fear always comes against us when we face new things. But if you think about it, everything you're doing right now is something that at one time you had never done before.
Follow Up
