A New
Season
We have entered a new season, a
new era. This new season is a season of the Fall Feasts of the Lord,
appointed times. It will be a season of God fulfilling His promises to both the
Church and to Israel. It will be a season of great harvest, the gleaning of the
“wheat fields”. It will be a time of new intimacy with the Lord. It will be a
time of fresh vision and revelations from the Lord and new assignments from the
Lord. It will be a time of shaking yet a time of joy amid the shaking. It will
be a time of suddenlies!
These are Appointed Times.
[Lev 23:2 NASB] "Speak to the
sons of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD'S appointed times which you shall
proclaim as holy convocations--My appointed times are these:
The Fall Feasts of
the Lord are prophecies related to the coming of Jesus to the earth a second
time. These prophecies are preceded by a season of repentance and return to the
Lord. This season is a time of ingathering, a “gleaning of the wheat fields” in
preparation for the Feast of Trumpets, the Feast of the ingathering of the
Saints. This new season we are entering is a season of repentance, a call to
return to God, and a season of harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God.
The prophecy of Joel 2 is an
overview of this new season.
Joel 2:1- 11 is
speaking of the day of the Lord. What I see here is a spiritual, demonic army that
the Lord uses to call His people back to Him. The blowing of the trumpet is a
watchman’s cry of alarm of great danger approaching. This is the spiritual
warfare that we are currently experiencing with evil darkness, lawlessness,
perversion, deception, and the occult becoming ever more evident each day.
Then in Joel
2:12-17, we see the Lord crying out to His people to repent and return to Him.
Again, He calls for the trumpet to be blown and to call a solemn assembly and
for the religious leaders to gather “between the vestibule and the altar” and
pray for God’s people and His nation. On September 26, on the Sabbath of
Return, religious leaders of our nation and many other nations of the world did
call a solemn assembly to pray for His people, and His nations and did blow the
trumpet as the Lord requested. And the solemn assembly in the USA was held at
our seat of authority, at the Capitol.
Now comes the good
part! Here we now stand, entering the days of intimacy and dwelling with the
Lord (the days of the Feast of Tabernacles) and on October 10, the Day of New
Beginnings, Shemini Atzeret. And in Joel 2:18-27, the Lord has pity on His
people. He promises great blessings and renown among the nations. He promises
to defeat the spiritual demonic army and its attacks on His people. He promises
to do great things. He promises a great “harvest of grain and wine and oil”. A
great harvest of souls? And the Lord promises that His people will never again
be put to shame!
Then in Joel
2:28-29 after, or as a part of these blessings, the Lord promises to pour out
His Spirit on all His servants resulting in a flourishing of the gifts of the
Spirit and a new level of open communication and intimacy with the Lord.
All of this is
associated with the events of Joel 2:30-32, the days preceding the great and
awesome day of the Lord. These events include wonders in the heavens and on the
earth. The sun turning to darkness and the moon to blood. All events occurring
just before the Lord returns to the earth as King of kings (Rev. 6:12; 8:12).
And in verse 32, the Lord promises that during these days of tribulation and
great shaking, all who call on the name of the Lord in Mount Zion and in
Jerusalem shall be saved. For me, this is a promise to Jews that even during
the seven years of tribulation the Lord will save all who call upon His name
(Rev. 12:11).
If what I am
sensing about us living in the days of Joel’s prophecy is true, then wonderful
days lie ahead of us. Days of great blessings, a great outpouring of the Holy
Spirit, of great intimacy with the Lord, of a great harvest, and then at the
Lord’s call, the days of the rapture and the days of the Lord turning to the
Jews and Israel to complete His covenant promises to them immediately preceding
the Lord’s return (Rom. 11:11-36).
But we need to
remember that these days are days of great spiritual warfare and turmoil on the
earth. These are the days of Haggai 2. We are building up the “temple” of God,
His church in these days, but they are days of God shaking the heavens, the earth,
and all the nations. The result is that God is filling His house, His temple,
His Church with Glory!
[Hag 2:6 NASB]
"For thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Once more in a little while, I am going
to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.
[Hag 2:7 NASB] 'I
will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations,
and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD of hosts.
These are times when we can count
on His Promises to us.
2 Peter 1:4 And because of his
glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are
the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s
corruption caused by human desires.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the
plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for
disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls.
Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Philippians 4:19 And this same God
who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which
have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:37-39 No, despite all
these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today
nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from
God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in
all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is
revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Proverbs 1:33 But all who listen
to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”
John 14:27 “I am leaving you
with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world
cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
[Psa 37:4 NASB] Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give
you the desires of your heart.
[Isa 45:3 NASB] "I will give you the treasures of
darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I,
The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
[Mat 16:19 NASB] "I will give you the keys of the kingdom
of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
[Luk 12:32 NASB] "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your
Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
[Act 13:34 NASB] "[As for the fact] that He raised Him up
from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: 'I WILL
GIVE YOU THE HOLY [and] SURE [blessings] OF DAVID.'
[Act 20:32 NASB]
"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able
to build [you] up and to give [you] the inheritance among all those who are
sanctified.
[2Ti 3:15 NASB] and that from childhood you have known the
sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[Rev 2:7 NASB] 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the
tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'
[Rev 2:10 NASB] 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer.
Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be
tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life.
[Rev 2:11 NASB] 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second
death.'
[Rev 2:17 NASB] 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give [some] of
the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on
the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'
[Rev 2:28 NASB] and I will give him the morning star.
[Rev 3:5 NASB] 'He who overcomes will thus be clothed in
white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will
confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
[Rev 3:12 NASB] 'He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in
the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write
on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new
Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.
[Rev 3:21 NASB] 'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit
down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on
His throne.
The Lord promises us individually:
1. He will be with us where ever we go. Joshua 1:9
2. He will keep us in perfect peace if our mind is
‘stayed’ on Him. Isaiah 26:3
3. He will never
leave us or forsake us.” Hebrews 13:5
4. He is with us always, to the end of the
age. Matthew 28:20
5. The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
6. We will do even greater things than Jesus did because
He went to the Father. John 14:12
7 If we remain in Him and His words remain in us,
whatever we ask according to His will, will be given to us. John 15:7
8. The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.
John 16:3
9. The Holy Spirit will give us the right words when we
need them. Mark 13:11
10. In this world we will have trouble but we take courage
because He has overcome the world. John 16:33
11. The Holy Spirit will help us to pray. Romans
8:26-27
12. All things work together for our good. Romans
8:28
13. Nothing will separate us from the love of Christ.
Romans 8:35
14. Our labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1
Corinthians 15:58
15. God has created good works for us to walk in, today.
Ephesians 2:10
16. God won’t let us be tried or tempted beyond what we can
endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13
17. God comforts the downcast, including us. 2
Corinthians 7:6
18. God is able to make all grace abound to us, so all our
needs will be met. 2 Corinthians 9:8
19. God will supply all our needs. Philippians 4:19
20. God won’t forsake us (the righteous in Christ) nor
have our children become beggars. Psalm 37:25
21. God’s grace will be sufficient for us. 2
Corinthians 12:9
22. God will repay with trouble those who trouble us.
2 Thessalonians 1:6
23. God has given us a spirit of power, love, and
self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
24. We have a crown of righteousness awaiting us because we
long for His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8
25. Jesus will help us if we are tempted. Hebrews
2:18
26. Varied trials will lead to my maturity. James
1:2
27. If we ask for wisdom from God, He will give it to us.
James 1:5
28. If we ask, God will provide it. James 4:2
29. If we resist the devil, he will flee. James 4:7
30. A new heaven and earth await us, called the ‘home of
righteousness’. 2 Peter 3:13
This new season will be a season of
Harvest, a season of ingathering before the fulfillment of the Feast of
Trumpets and the wedding of the King.
[Hos 6:11 ESV] For
you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed. When I restore the fortunes of my
people,
[Joe 2:24 NASB]
The threshing floors will be full of grain, And the vats will overflow with the
new wine and oil.
[Jhn 4:35 ESV] Do
you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell
you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.
[Rev 7:9 NASB]
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could
count, from every nation and [all] tribes and peoples and tongues, standing
before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm
branches [were] in their hands;
[Rev 7:13 NASB]
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are clothed in
the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?"
[Rev 7:14 NASB] I
said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are
the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their
robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
This season will be a season of new
vision into the heavenlies and new revelations from the Lord:
[Dan 2:19 NASB]
Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed
the God of heaven;
[Dan 2:21 NASB]
"It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and
establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of
understanding.
[Dan 2:22 NASB]
"It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in
the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.
[Dan 2:23 NASB]
"To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given
me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of
You, For You have made known to us the king's matter."
[Joe 2:28 NASB]
"It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all
mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream
dreams, Your young men will see visions.
[Rev 1:10 NASB] I
was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like
[the sound] of a trumpet,
[Rev 1:11 NASB]
saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send [it] to the seven
churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to
Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."
[Rev 1:12 NASB]
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I
saw seven golden lampstands;
[Rev 1:13 NASB]
and in the middle of the lampstands [I saw] one like a son of man, clothed in a
robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash.
[Rev 1:14 NASB]
His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were
like a flame of fire.
[Rev 1:15 NASB]
His feet [were] like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a
furnace, and His voice [was] like the sound of many waters.
[Rev 1:16 NASB] In
His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged
sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.
[Rev 1:17 NASB]
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right
hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,
[Rev 4:1 NASB]
After these things I looked, and behold, a door [standing] open in heaven, and
the first voice which I had heard, like [the sound] of a trumpet speaking with
me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after
these things."
[Rev 4:2 NASB]
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven,
and One sitting on the throne.
This will be a season of a great
shaking of the nations.
[Hag
2:6 NKJV] "For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Once more (it [is] a little
while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;
[Heb
12:26 NKJV] whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying,
"Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven."
[Heb
12:27 NKJV] Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those
things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which
cannot be shaken may remain.
From the prophet Habakkuk
for our day:
O
LORD, we are crying out. Will you not hear? There is violence, trouble,
iniquity, strife, and contention everywhere. The law seems powerless, and
justice never seems to go forth. The wicked are surrounding the righteous and
perverse judgment is everywhere.
But
the LORD says, “Look among the nations and watch. Be astounded! For I will work
a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.
Indeed, I am raising up an enemy to possess places that are not theirs. They
are terrible and dreadful; their judgment and their dignity proceed from
themselves. They scoff at kings, and they deride every stronghold. They worship
foreign gods.”
But
LORD, are you not from everlasting, the Holy One? We shall not die. You have
appointed them for judgment; you have marked them for correction. You cannot
look on wickedness. Why do you look on those who deal treacherously, and hold
your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he? Shall they
continue to slay nations without pity?
Then
the LORD said: “Write this vision for it is for an appointed time. Though it
tarries, wait for it: because it will surely come, it will not tarry. The evil
men transgress by drink and drugs. They are proud and enlarge their desire as
hell. They are like death, and cannot be satisfied. They gather to themselves
all nations and heap up for themselves all people. Will not the righteous rise
up against them, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases what is not his? Will not
your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken the oppress and you will
become their booty?’
Because
they have plundered many nations, the remnant of the righteous shall plunder
them because of men’s blood and the violence in the land and the cities. Woe to
those who covet evil gain. They sin against their souls. Woe to those who build
a town with bloodshed, who establishes a city by iniquity! Behold, it is not of
the LORD that these people labor in vain. For the earth will be filled with the
knowledge of the glory of the LORD, even as the waters cover the sea.
Woe
to those who lead others into evil. They are filled with shame. The cup of the LORD’s
right hand will be turned against them, and utter shame will be on their glory.
Violence will cover them as judgment for their sins. Woe to them that worship
evil and idols. But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep
silence before Him.”
O
LORD, we hear. Revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the
years make it known: in wrath remember mercy. And God will come. His glory will
cover the heavens, and the earth will be full of His praise. March through the
land in indignation: trample the nations in anger. Go forth for the salvation
of Your people, for salvation with Your Anointed. Strike the head of the house
of the wicked and lay bare their foundations.
Yet
we your people will rejoice in the LORD. We will joy in the God of our
salvation. The LORD God is our strength; He will make our feet like deer’s
feet, and He will make us walk on the high hills.
And from the prophet
Haggai:
On
the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, just before the Day of New
beginnings, the Shemini Atzeres, the LORD says to the leaders of the Church and
to all the people, “Now be strong and work for I am with you! My Spirit remains
among you; do not fear! Once more in just a little while I will shake heaven
and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall
come to Me, and I will fill my Tempe, my people, with glory”. The glory of this
latter Temple shall be greater than the glory of all the previous temples. And
in this place, I will give peace.”
On
the first day of Hanukkah, the LORD says this; “Before you sowed much but
reaped little. But from this day on I will bless you. But now I will shake
heaven and earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the
strength of the Gentile kingdoms, I will overthrow the chariots and those who
ride in them; they shall all come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
And in that day, I will take my Servant and make Him King of kings and Lord of lords.
This new season will be a season
of great spiritual warfare.
[1Pe 5:8 ESV] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary
the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
[Rev 12:12 ESV] Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who
dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to
you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"
[2Co 10:3 ESV] For though we walk in the flesh, we are not
waging war according to the flesh.
[2Co 10:4 ESV] For the weapons of our warfare are not of
the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
[2Co 10:5 ESV] We destroy arguments and every lofty
opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to
obey Christ,
[2Co 10:6 ESV] being ready to punish every disobedience,
when your obedience is complete.
[Eph 6:10 ESV] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the
strength of his might.
[Eph 6:11 ESV] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may
be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
[Eph 6:12 ESV] For we do not wrestle against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic
powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly places.
[Eph 6:13 ESV] Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand firm.
[Eph 6:14 ESV] Stand therefore, having fastened on the
belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
[Eph 6:15 ESV] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on
the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
[Eph 6:16 ESV] In all circumstances take up the shield of
faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
[Eph 6:17 ESV] and take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
[Eph 6:18 ESV] praying at all times in the Spirit, with
all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance,
making supplication for all the saints,
This new season will also be a
season of joy.
[Psa 20:5 NASB] We
will sing for joy over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up
our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
[Psa 27:6 NASB]
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer
in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing
praises to the LORD.
[Psa 92:4 NASB]
For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy
at the works of Your hands.
[Isa 49:13 NASB]
Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful
shouting, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people And will have
compassion on His afflicted.
[Isa 51:11 NASB]
So the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
And everlasting joy [will be] on their heads. They will obtain gladness and
joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.
[Jer 31:12 NASB]
"They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, And they will be
radiant over the bounty of the LORD-- Over the grain and the new wine and the
oil, And over the young of the flock and the herd; And their life will be like
a watered garden, And they will never languish again.
[Zec 2:10 NASB]
"Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and
I will dwell in your midst," declares the LORD.
[Zec 8:19 NASB]
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'The fast of the fourth, the fast of the
fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth [months] will become
joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and
peace.'
[Luk 10:17 NASB]
The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject
to us in Your name."
[1Th 1:6 NASB] You
also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much
tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
And this new season will also be a
season of “Suddenlies”.
God will manifest
Himself suddenly to and in the Church, and also to His enemies.
[Mal 3:1 NASB]
"Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before
Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the
messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,"
says the LORD of hosts.
[Mal 3:2 NASB]
"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He
appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.
[Act 2:1 NASB]
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
[Act 2:2 NASB] And
suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it
filled the whole house where they were sitting.:
[2Ch 29:36 NASB]
Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over what God had prepared for the
people, because the thing came about suddenly.
[Luk 2:9 NASB] And
an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord
shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
[Luk 2:13 NASB]
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying,
[Luk 24:4 NASB]
While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them
in dazzling clothing;
[Act 2:2 NASB] And
suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it
filled the whole house where they were sitting.
[Act 9:3 NASB] As
he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a
light from heaven flashed around him;
[Act 12:7 NASB]
And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the
cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up
quickly." And his chains fell off his hands.
[Act 16:26 NASB]
and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the
prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and
everyone's chains were unfastened.
[Act 22:6 NASB]
"But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about
noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me,
[1Th 5:3 NASB]
While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come
upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not
escape.
[Isa 29:5 NASB]
But the multitude of your enemies will become like fine dust, And the multitude
of the ruthless ones like the chaff which blows away; And it will happen
instantly, suddenly.
[Isa 47:9 NASB]
"But these two things will come on you suddenly in one day: Loss of
children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure In spite of your
many sorceries, In spite of the great power of your spells.
[Isa 48:3 NASB]
"I declared the former things long ago And they went forth from My mouth,
and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.
[Jer 51:8 NASB]
Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been broken; Wail over her! Bring balm for her
pain; Perhaps she may be healed.
[Dan 5:5 NASB]
Suddenly the fingers of a man's hand emerged and began writing opposite the
lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, and the king saw the
back of the hand that did the writing.
These things being true, how then
shall we live?
In this new season we as believers
are called to an active role in the great drama we find ourselves in. As born
against, Spirit-empowered believers in Jesus, each one of us has a part to play
in this new season. Before we were formed in our mother’s womb, He knew us and
had a plan for us.
[Psa 139:16 ESV]
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of
them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
[Jer 29:11 ESV]
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and
not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
As a body, we are called to be
evangelists, warriors, watchmen, encouragers, comforters, shepherds, teachers,
prophets, helpers, administrators, and all kinds of other support functions. We
are to be the light in the midst of darkness, and the Lord’s ambassadors on the
earth.
[1Co 12:28 NKJV]
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets,
third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations,
varieties of tongues.
[Eph 4:11 ESV] And
he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and
teachers,
[Eph 4:12 ESV] to
equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
[Isa 58:10 ESV] if
you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
[Luk 1:79 ESV] to
give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide
our feet into the way of peace."
[Act 26:18 ESV] to
open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the
power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place
among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
[Rom 2:19 ESV] and
if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those
who are in darkness,
[Rom 13:12 ESV]
The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of
darkness and put on the armor of light.
[2Co 4:6 ESV] For
God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our
hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of
Jesus Christ.
[Eph 5:8 ESV] for
at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as
children of light
[1Pe 2:9 ESV] But
you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own
possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light.
We are also called to be spiritual warriors.
There is an intense evil spiritual activity going on right now. The word of the
Lord for today is to mount a counter-attack. We have been given the
authority and the power in Jesus’ name to attack the spiritual enemy that is
wreaking havoc in our world today and closer to home, in our families. It is
time to counter-attack. In Jesus’ name we have the authority from Jesus and the
power of the Holy Spirit to stand against, restrain, destroy, and loose people
from the works of the devil. It is the authority and power over evil spirits, demons, and the
power of the enemy: Matt 10:1; Luke 9:1; 10:19; Mark 6:7; 16:17; 2 Th
2:7; Jas 5:6 It is the authority to bind evil up and to loose
people from the bondages of the devil: Matt 12:29; 16:19; 1 Jn 3:8
These are days when we need to be
strong and courageous and have no fear.
[Deu 31:6 ESV] Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be
in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not
leave you or forsake you."
[Jos 1:9 ESV] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God
is with you wherever you go."
We are not to be anxious about the
future, about having enough provisions, or what to speak when we stand before
others to proclaim Jesus. We are not to
be alarmed or fearful about things happening around us in the world. We must
guard ourselves against deception, the things of this world, and the passions
of our former ignorance.
[Mat 6:25 ESV] "Therefore I tell you, do not be
anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about
your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more
than clothing?
[Mat 6:34 ESV] "Therefore do not be anxious about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is
its own trouble.
[Mat 10:19 ESV] When they deliver you over, do not be
anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say
will be given to you in that hour.
[Mat 14:27 ESV] But immediately Jesus spoke to them,
saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
[Mar 13:7 ESV] And when you hear of wars and rumors of
wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.
[Mar 13:11 ESV] And when they bring you to trial and
deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say
whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy
Spirit.
[Luk 12:11 ESV] And when they bring you before the
synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you
should defend yourself or what you should say,
[Act 18:9 ESV] And the Lord said to Paul one night in a
vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,
[Act 27:24 ESV] and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you
must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail
with you.'
[Rom 12:2 ESV] Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what
is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
[Rom 12:11 ESV] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in
spirit, serve the Lord.
[Rom 12:16 ESV] Live in harmony with one another. Do not
be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
[Rom 12:21 ESV] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome
evil with good.
[1Co 6:9 ESV] Or do you not know that the unrighteous will
not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually
immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
[1Co 14:20 ESV] Brothers, do not be children in your
thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
[1Co 15:33 ESV] Do not be deceived: "Bad company
ruins good morals."
[2Co 6:14 ESV] Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has
light with darkness?
[Gal 6:7 ESV] Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for
whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
[Eph 5:17 ESV] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand
what the will of the Lord is.
[Phl 4:6 ESV] do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God.
[1Ti 5:22 ESV] Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,
nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
[2Ti 1:8 ESV] Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony
about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel
by the power of God,
[Heb 13:9 ESV] Do not be led away by diverse and strange
teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by
foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.
[Jas 1:16 ESV] Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
[1Pe 1:14 ESV] As obedient children, do not be conformed
to the passions of your former ignorance,
[1Pe 4:12 ESV] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery
trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were
happening to you.
[1Jo 3:13 ESV] Do not be surprised, brothers, that the
world hates you.
As the Father sent Jesus, Jesus now
sends us to gather all that will come into the Father’s house for He has
prepared a great wedding banquet for His Son.
[Mat 22:2 NASB] "The kingdom of heaven may be
compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.
[Mat 22:3 NASB] "And he sent out his slaves to call
those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to
come.
[Mat 22:4 NASB] "Again he sent out other slaves
saying, 'Tell those who have been invited, "Behold, I have prepared my
dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are [all] butchered and everything is
ready; come to the wedding feast."'
[Mat 22:5 NASB] "But they paid no attention and went
their way, one to his own farm, another to his business,
[Mat 22:6 NASB] and the rest seized his slaves and
mistreated them and killed them.
[Mat 22:7 NASB] "But the king was enraged, and he
sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire.
[Mat 22:8 NASB] "Then he said to his slaves, 'The
wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.
[Mat 22:9 NASB] 'Go therefore to the main highways, and as
many as you find [there,] invite to the wedding feast.'
[Mat 22:10 NASB] "Those slaves went out into the
streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the
wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.
[Jhn 20:21 NASB] So Jesus said to them again, "Peace
[be] with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
This new season is the season of a return
to God and gathering the Saints for the great wedding day of the Son of God.
What a day to be alive!
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