A few weeks ago when I was at my sister-in-law’s father’s memorial service the Lord spoke a strong word to me. It wasn’t the usual word you would hear in that situation. He told me, “NOW is the time for joy! NOW is the time for strength! NOW is time! We can’t just sit here and wait to see what the near future will bring. NOW is the time to rejoice and be glad in Me!!” That woke me up. I even know it is the truth that we must rejoice in Him always and thank Him for each new day. The Psalms are full of praises we are to declare all the time and every day. We also have learned that His joy is the same no matter what is going on in our lives.
The last couple weeks the Lord has spoken a few things to me and taught me quite a lot. I want to share as much as I can. We were able to go to some of the Andrew Wommack Conference this past week and what an honor to just be able to soak in all the wisdom and knowledge that was there. One thing for sure is that the above word is a powerful word. ALL of us have had times and moments of a bit of fear, discouragement and Andrew shared about being dismayed. That’s a good description of some of my days. There was no need for any of us to go to that place but we did and NOW is the time for joy!!
This past week I have heard this verse in my heart many times, So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 So I decided I had better go to my heart to see what I was doing by my might and power instead of the Spirit. I saw many places I thought I was depending on Him but I hadn’t totally given the situation to Him so my might and power were definitely involved. How easy it is to have joy NOW when we are walking in His Spirit. We have all authority in Him when we are in the Spirit.
I had a dream a couple weeks ago. It was right after we returned from DC and it had rained out there a few times so there was puddles. But I saw people, Believers, in wheelchairs that wanted pushed around by others. A few people were trying to push all these wheelchairs that had somewhat bossy people in them. Then they didn’t want pushed through the mud puddles which were unavoidable. Then I saw that’s how much of the world is right now. People, Believers, are stuck in their chairs, in their fears and discouragement waiting for those who have chosen to stand up to push them. They don’t want to be in the muddy mess but want others to keep them clean. When I had the dream I saw myself pushing people and getting frustrated. These people could stand up and walk but they didn’t want to. I wanted to say, “Stand up!” Then this week the Lord told me at times I am one of those in the wheelchair! Whoa! I don’t want to be that. But when I try to do things in my own strength and power I am no different than those sitting in the chair waiting for something to change and having no joy.
“Rise up in splendor and be radiant, for your light has dawned, and Yahweh’s glory now streams from you! Look carefully! Darkness blankets the earth, and thick gloom covers the nations, but Yahweh arises upon you and the brightness of his glory appears over you! Nations will be attracted to your radiant light and kings to the sunrise-glory of your new day. Lift up your eyes higher! Look all around you and believe, for your sons are returning from far away and your daughters are being tenderly carried home. Watch as they all gather together, eager to come back to you!”
Isaiah 60:1-4
I’ve shared these verses lately but I love them. They are my declaration. Darkness does cover the earth and nations but we have Him in us and we are radiantly shining. The brilliance of all Believers should shine so bright over this earth that darkness could never be present. But there are times we hide our light under a bushel and don’t shine. IT’S TIME NOW TO SHINE AND BE IN JOY!! It’s definitely time to stand up from the wheelchair we have sat down in. It’s not just a chair we are sitting in but we as Believers are sitting in wheelchairs waiting for someone else to take care of us and we want to avoid the muddy stuff. The wheelchair represents being an invalid. We have convinced ourselves there’s nothing we can do. The wheelchair is a protection from having to go forth, a reason not to stand. It’s a false protection but represents all the sickness and fear the enemy has lied to us about. I don’t want to be in a wheelchair! I want to stand in Him and go forth!
“Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:9-10
The Lord has given us everything we need to walk in victory right NOW! We are the light and hope this world is looking for. We are not fighting people, flesh and blood, but it’s a battle against the darkness that our Spirit repels. The last few months have been exhausting for most of us. Just dealing with the darkness of the government overreach is a battle and not to be done in our own strength. I’m sure most of us have tried that but He says ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” When I try to do this in my own understanding and strength I am physically exhausted. You sometimes don’t even notice the effects of the isolation, control and fear until it’s gotten you down, discouraged and full of dismay.
Yet, He is always there with us. He knows exactly what we are going through and He never leaves us. We don’t have to do this alone and He instructs not to do it alone! This is what Paul says: “But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 Passion
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” NKJV
Through the situations of the past few months the Lord has really helped me define what He has called me to do. I wasn’t always exactly sure but since the time He spoke to me loud and clear on March 16, 2020 I know that I know He is telling me to share with others what I hear Him saying. You can do what you want with my words but I am following the strong pull of my heart to share with you how important these times are. There have been none like them in most of our days and they are a preparation for what is ahead of us. My heart is for you to hear His voice for you and to stand in your radiant light and proclaim Him to the world. Let His light shine through you and you will see how you can have joy, peace and hope in such a time as this!
I’m hoping next week I can share about another word He gave me last week that is changing my life. For NOW, let’s go forth is joy and let the world see His light shining brightly!!