Advent is the beginning of the new year on the Christian calendar. Just as the Jewish people have a sacred and secular calendar, so does the church. I usually get a word from the Lord at the beginning of Advent concerning things to come from His worldview. Below is what I’m hearing. Be encouraged, He is winning.
The Lord has spoken two words to me lately. First He told me about 10 days ago that the plans of the enemy were being rolled back here in America and in Europe. Of course, that is something to celebrate, but we must not be confused to think that it’s going to result in peace. In reality it is going to be terrifying, because the enemy will rise up with every expression of darkness, and violence, in anger and desperation. It is important for the people of God to realize that our peace is not going to be found in a conflict free environment. We know, as people of the Cross, the enemy has ultimately already been defeated; but we also know that he will fiercely fight for every inch of ground that he has taken. He will not give up easily, and will literally raise “Hell” in his resistance. There is a place of peace though for the people of God to retreat to, so that spiritual battles can be fought with sound minds. This is not a season for intercessors to celebrate. Instead it is the time the people of God to dig in and battle in the spirit for every piece of ground that is going to be taken back from the enemy. The battles won’t be fought and won in the valley of politics and government; but will be fought and won at “Rephidim.”
Ex.17:8, Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
The word Rephidim means “resting place,” and it’s only from that place of resting faith and peace that intercession will assure the victories down in the valley of the “world.”
This brings me to the second word that I got from the Lord just yesterday, He said that we are moving into the season called “The season of The Open Heart.” Jesus’ wounded heart of love is forever open to deep “SEE” diving.
Jesus invited Thomas to put his hand into the open wound of Christ that exposed His heart. It was there that Thomas found victory from unbelief in the midst of the terrifying circumstances that were closing in on him and the other followers of Jesus. In that place of encounter, and intimacy faith was awakened to walk out victoriously, with supernatural impact, the days ahead. No matter the severity of the storm, on the surface of the water, if you can just get deep enough, there is calm, and peace. It is only from the depths of His heart that His Bride will reign in the days ahead with the mind of Christ. “Deep is calling unto deep.” The depths of Him is calling for the depths of us, as The Holy Spirit is luring us into the “Open Heart of God.” If we are going to go farther (and in the days ahead His Bride will have to go farther in power and influence than she has ever gone before) then we will have to go deeper; and to go deeper you have to go lower. It is time to respond to our Lords imperative plea in Jn. 15:9, “Abide in my Love.” The Holy Spirit is hovering over the Bride of Christ; offering to be her tour guide into the heart of God. There are two verses that I believe are the word of the Lord for this time called “The Season of The Open Heart.” Song of Solomon 1:4, “Take me away with you, and let us run. The King has brought me into His chambers…” He always takes into His heart chambers when we ask Him to take us away with Him deeper. The other verse is (S.S. 8:10b) “Then I became in His eyes as one who finds peace.”