“A word was secretly brought to me, my ears caught a whisper of it. (Job.4:12)
I was on a road trip last week with my cruise control set, music selected, and snacks in hand as I passed by several cars. By the time I passed by the 5th car I saw the familiar words again of “system override” on my dash, but this time I knew instinctively that the Lord was highlighting those words to speak something new to me. My car was letting me know that “the course of action had been interrupted” but as I saw it, I simultaneously heard the gentle whisper saying He was going to “prevail and dominate over the natural order of things.” One of the definitions for override is “to use ones authority to reject or cancel a decision or outcome. I started asking the Lord for more and I felt in my spirit several specific things.
1-He is going to override facts with His Truth. A fact can tell us what is happening, but the truth tells us what IS and what is possible. Fact: When the Israeli spies went to explore the land they were going to have, they saw that giants had taken up residence and fear started to grow. Truth: The land would still be theirs because their enemies had no protection and God was with them. Their eyes saw factual happenings but it opposed what was in Gods heart for them…they saw but they didn’t see. “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes and we looked the same to them.” (Num.13:33) A generation missed the promise because they didn’t have on the right lens to sort through. One of the things I felt God was going to override would be generational systems and family dynamics, but just like the spies that were sent to explore the new land, we too will have to trust God and have faith for an outcome that doesn’t seem possible with what we might be looking at. Like the Israelites, I also believe that what we choose to look at and agree with will affect the generation after us. (See Numbers 13 and 14 for the full story)
2- I saw a picture in my mind of someone waiting in a doctors office and I felt God was going to bring healing to some regardless of what the “facts” of the report were telling them because “His blood speaks a better word.” No matter what we are seeing, we need to find out what God is saying and then adjust our lens. We have an enemy and real life circumstances that are bringing distractions, dissensions, and other kinds of nonsense that can keep our gaze fixed on “what is” and not “what can be.” I heard Him say that there are many “BUT GOD” moments coming this season. Where one thing is happening or things look a certain way… BUT GOD shows up and does something. (Aren’t we SO thankful for Buts in the Bible?!)
3- After this road trip was over I headed straight into the car wash because the bug guts were no match for me. When I pulled out of the wash I literally said out loud, “it’s so nice to see.” I heard the words right back to me “yes…it’s a NEW DAY. I felt gratitude swell and then leaned into more and felt the Lord say that not only is He “overriding” things in our life but also breaking limits off of us. A limit by nature has a boundary and I felt that one of the things He is doing for us is “breaking the mold or boundary” over our lives. Overriding what we are capable of and giving us a capacity for more.
If I were you, I’d ask God yourself what He has in mind to “override” in your life and where you need limits to be lifted off of you then I’d talk to Him about that too. I’m praying our eyes will see through a more generous lens and our mouths will be telling many “BUT GOD” stories in the days ahead. Protect your eyes friends, it can change how we see.
The Lord dropped a “time for war” phrase in my heart at a gathering that hasn’t left me, in fact it’s only been in development. To make war on the right things, the things that keep us stagnant, complacent, or draw us away from Him. He was telling me what time it was when I was asking about a verse in ECC.8:5 (“the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.”) and since then the “war” theme has been all around me. I’ve read spirit wars, watched bride wars, my son just told me about a documentary of the world wars, and next week my kids are going to a re-enactment of General Custer’s war. I’ve read the war words in magazines, glanced at them in shows, and listened to pastors and teachers touch on it in topics. I’ve been refereeing this summer season for my kids…who apparently think they are in a literal war. So i’ve gotten quiet and close to the Father to ask Him what else He wants to say. Well, first I scrolled through Overstock to buy a new rug for a remodel and there on the front page was a clock that read “it’s time for a new style of war.” At least that’s what I thought it said, when I looked again the words of war were missing and though I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, I knew God was getting my attention. So I mused about this “new style of war” and asked Him what He had in mind. I went back to words from the book of Nehemiah.
Nehemiah is granted to return back to REBUILD the city walls and gates where fire and war has destroyed his ancestors land. He entered through a Valley to see the places that sat in ruins. “Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall so that we will no longer be a disgrace. They said, Let’s start rebuilding, and THEIR HANDS WERE STRENGTHENED TO DO THIS GOOD WORK.” (Neh 2: 15-18) But while they were rebuilding their enemies wanted to take advantage of them and they went up to attack them, everywhere they turned there was an attack. STRATEGY: So he stationed people behind the low sections of the wall at the vulnerable areas. “I stationed them in families with their swords, spears, and bows. Don’t be afraid of them, remember the awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for those beside you, your countrymen, your sons, and daughters, your wives and home.” (Neh.4)
War is a family affair. Our fight should be next to those in our families, not with those in our families. I read over this chapter with the lens of “family” on, and I feel like there is a gap of grace for those needing to “rebuild walls” within families, friendships, and countrymen as the verse points out. God is stationing us together over “exposed places” where the enemy wants to attack and we must be ready to rebuild and war at the same time. Is that difficult? Yes, I can’t imagine holding a sword in one hand and stacking bricks with the other. Symbolically speaking, we need posture ourselves in wisdom as we build on truth, hold our sword, and stack our prayers until we see the exposed places becoming less vulnerable and more strengthened. Where we are positioned is to give help to ourselves but also hope to others who are stationed next to us, remember we are not at war with them…we are to war next to them. I believe the Lord will strengthen our hands for this kind of work as he did for them long ago, and just as wall was completed in an unbelievable timeline of 52 days (that left their enemies intimidated because they knew only God could have done this) I too believe that our testimonies of the goodness of God will be over our lives on our tongues as we war and rebuild with those in our family. “The God of the heavens is the one that will grant us success.” (Neh.2:20)
Chapter five is full of returns for the people doing the rebuilding. Returns on fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses. Many provisions were granted before the rebuilding was completed. I believed this to be a prophetic promise for the people of God; that returns will be over us as we station ourselves in our assignments and battle with one another and not against each other. We will see many types of returns and provisions even before “the work” and rebuilding is completed. I feel it important to have an awareness of things God is exposing, bringing up and pointing to in our hearts…not to condemn us but to allow us to see what needs work and rebuilding, lest we be the ones that are doing the burning and tearing down of precious and sacred walls. War well friends, this is a season to stand close to each other.
I wanna start this word with a dream I believe the Lord gave me to encourage us about what He’s up to! (“In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon us and as we slumber in our beds, He may speak in our ears..” Job 33:15)
In the dream I was getting ready to teach and walking up to the platform I stopped to check out my notes, I then caught the title of my teaching: “New alignment for divine assignments” Note: God changing for some who we stand next to this season. After the teaching (in the dream) I walked by a man giving terrible advice to another guy. He was twisting and distorting what the Bible says and it was bringing a great amount of confusion to the listener. I continued and made my way toward the locker room pressing on a door that wouldn’t let me in. I then walked through an archway to get in where I saw others “getting ready.” Some where putting on shin guards and readied in the equipment they needed, others were talking leisurely together while the bathroom stalls were being used, and lastly there were those who stood in front of the mirror to paint black under their eyes as they focused intently on what was coming.
Around 30% of our bible is focused around dreaming and the words in Genesis are still having impact, “do not all interpretations belong to God?” (Gen.40:8) With that in mind, here’s what I felt landed with me after prayer;
First, the note is straightforward, I believe God is realigning His people for assignments He has “pre-paired” for us. He has thought of it before hand and is linking us up with like-minded individuals for the purposes He wants to see accomplished. Like any transition, that will mean that some adjustments need to be made in the letting go and stepping out. Let’s entertain sound advice and Godly wisdom, but let’s also be so careful with what we are giving and receiving from others. Just because we may not understand a persons decision to stay or go, or to start or quit, let’s not extend words that don’t match what’s in Gods heart. His plans may surprise us…both for us and for others. I recall a conversation our Lord had to have with two of His followers around this same theme. “When Peter saw him, He turned to the Lord and asked, what about him? If I want something different for John then what is that to you? You must follow me.” (Acts 21:21-22) Gulp, message received loud and clear. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on what He has for us, our positions will vary and He has gifted us accordingly. The doors we walk through will be purposed. I feel strongly that any doors closing for us in this season are actually divine in nature and Heavens hand reaching down to help us walk towards what He has assigned.
Next, locker rooms are preparation for the work that’s coming. We were all apart of the same team, but our different positions left us with a different kind of focus we needed to be prepared individually so we can bring benefit to the team. ( I will note that this part of the dream is not fun for me to write, as I know in doing so I can already see the things I will have to say “no” to because my schedule and focus won’t always allow me the kind of summer “play” I’d love to have..hold on a second before you rebuke this word completely) I believe the locker room was a picture of us getting ready this summer so we can take our places for what He has coming next. Some are in the “stalls” expelling the things in their life that need to go in a private manner, some get to rally in groups as the excitedly prepare for what’s next, and others need to stay intent on what they’re looking at.
Just as chess pieces are getting moved on the board with strategy in mind, I don’t think that any of us will need to “make a wild guess” about what are next move is. I do believe it will be thought out and make sense…not always easy, but clear. In chess the term is “zugzwang” where there is no other move to be made. In the Bible, the term is Daniel 11:36, “The King will do as He pleases.” So if we’ve bent the knee, then lets move freely because we can trust the One who knows the next play.
Lastly, let’s pay attention to what God might be unfolding in the night hours. Not all the things we dream will provide insight for us, but just as Daniel said, “there is a God in heaven who reveals deep mysteries” so let’s at least ponder what He might be saying.
Recently I was at an event and musing over the verse in Ecclesiastes again about our heart having wisdom with the proper time and procedure of things (ECC.8:5). I heard the Lord say “it’s time for war.” Eek, I thought to myself…I like the sound of settledness, ease, and reprieve. However, as Ecclesiastes states, “there is a time for everything under Heaven…and now is a time for war” (ECC.3:8). I sensed that some of the things we are in war against will be over ourselves. It’s time to make war against hope that’s been deferred in our life where promises seem to have been delayed or where circumstances have changed the way we are now living. It’s time to make war with any thinking that isn’t congruent with Heaven’s perspective and God’s point of view. We’re to war AGAINST the things that stand in the way of what God has for us this season, and we are warring FOR all that is ours to take. For hearts to wake up, for ears to hear, and for eyes to see.
There is a story in 2 Kings 13 about how the prophet Elisha gives the King a prophetic message before he goes to war, “shoot an arrow and strike the ground.” The King shoots an arrow and then strikes the ground 3 times, but then gets in a fair amount of trouble for not striking it more. It seems unfair to me, Elisha does not state how many times to strike. Is one enough, two, three? If he would have beat the ground 10 or 15 times would that have been to much? I don’t know what the right number is when it comes to pounding, striking, beating, and begging for what we’re asking for, but I do know that God is wanting us to be positioned and ready. I believe He wants our eyes to take aim for things coming in the distance. Arrows represent movement and direction and nobody shoots them without being postured correctly. I believe our stance this season matters for where we’re going, and I’ve never been a fan of whiplash so I’m doing my best to breathe easy, count my steps, and hold with purpose what He puts in my hands.
In the midst of us being “ready for war” I think there are several things we must remember; we don’t do the fighting alone. We can war next to the ones God puts beside us and lean in to the strength that’s next to us, because no battle is usually won by just one. And ultimately our bow is just a weapon, that at the end of the day belongs to God. “For I do not trust in my bow, and my sword does not bring me victory, but YOU give us victory Lord…Rise up and Help us! (Psalm 44)
So aim with purpose as you put your prayers in His hands and let the words you release land in a stable place. Position yourself to see what He’s pointing to, and don’t stop striking to soon… I have a feeling that our promises are close at hand. God is not only calling for war, He’s gathering an army for it too. So let’s stand close and see each other through.
“It is God who arms us with strength and makes our way perfect..He trains our hands for battle, our arms can bend a bow of bronze. He gives us His shield of Victory, His right hand sustains us, He stoops down and makes us great.” (Psalm18:32 and on..)
Earlier this year when I was making a list of “returns” to be made, I heard the Lord whisper that “returns are over His people this year.” In Ecclesiastes 8:5 it says “the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.” So I’ve been leaning in to ask at different times, what is it that’s being returned or restored and how do we prepare for it? I love that God still speaks to His children and “answers us when we call” however I am so grateful for His speaking even when we find ourselves not asking. And this time His words took me by surprise as I settled in to watch a movie with my kids. I pushed play not knowing what we’re about to watch and I heard the words “RETURN TO WONDER” resounding. I looked at my Son and asked if he heard something, to which he did not, then asked me to be quiet for the movie he couldn’t wait to watch. It was none other than “Mary Poppins Returns.” That was more then fitting, so we cuddled in until the end and the last scene took my breath away. It’s where a wonderful invitation is being handed out with balloons because “there is no where else to go but up.”
All this had me thinking about the invitations I’ve been inundated with lately. I’ve had four invites for things just this week and three from last week. I then thought about the Lord’s words to “return to wonder” as an actual invitation to us, to draw our hearts to be open to “surprise mingled with admiration and awe/ the feeling that is caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar or inexplicable.” I think He has intentions to woo us with wonder this season. Big moments that bring lasting change and small ones that fill us with hope and return to us to a place of “awe/fascination/surprise/astonishment/ and amazement.”
If these words seem to out of reach or far from your heart then remember that an invitation is just an opportunity for us to accept. It’s there to attract, lure, entice, and draw us towards something…in this case something higher, something bigger, and something more enticing if we’d be willing to take it.
Confession: When I heard those words at the start of the movie I laughed. Not like the “that’s so good Lord, I can’t wait for this” kind of laugh, but more like the laugh that Sarah must have had when The Father said she’d be pregnant in her very old age kind of a laugh (Gen.18:12). But even that ended up to be a wonder for her, a display of God’s power, wisdom, and promise. So I feel hope rising for what God has in store for us and I think all we have to do is be willing to accept what He’s extending. We don’t have to conjure anything up or make anything happen, because just like the actual invites I’m saying “yes” to this week, all I have to do is show up.
Could it be that we are running into the days of wonder; “Where He pours out His spirit on all people, sons and daughters prophesy, we get to see visions and dream dreams. He will show WONDERS in the heavens above and signs on the earth below.” Acts 2:17
An announcement is typically formal in statement about a fact, occurrence, or intention. It’s sound or appearance is known and reported, declared, dispatched, and disclosed.
I have a feeling that the things God has to say to us this season are coming in the form of an announcement. Like any announcement, it will be made plain to us and not leave us guessing about what we are seeing or hearing. Announce comes from “Ana” and the base of aggelos; to announce IN DETAIL- declare, rehearse, report, show & tell. (Strongs concordance)
For the last couple weeks God has been hilighting the word “announcements” to me. Isaiah 42:9 says “the former things that have happened, but new things I declare, but before they spring into being, I’ll ANNOUNCE them to you.” Just like this verse says, I believe God has some things in store for us this spring and He’s about to tell us loud and clear so be intentional to lean in the next couple weeks. Get quiet and get silent, clear you mind and wait for His whisper. Get the good book open and ask Him to “enlighten the eyes of my heart” (Eph.1:18). Pay attention to things being said both over you and around you, as it feels like such an important time to walk with intention and be alert about the things God is speaking to us. But fear not…not every announcement comes by our seeking, but by interruption. Maybe that’s my announcement today, prepare to be interrupted!
In Psalm 68:11 says “The Lord gives the word and great is the company (of women) who proclaim it.” A friend told me that April is all about “overflow,” then I heard from another to “get ready.” I think the Lord is saying all kinds of things to all kinds of people so let’s pay attention to the words that keep finding there way back to our ears again and again. Let’s also have the courage to make any announcements God might put on our own hearts that need to reach the heart of another, as your voice might be the key that carries the report of what God wants to release.
I’ll leave you with the greatest announcement that has ever came to earth, no doubt this kind of word would need an Angel to carry the anthem. “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. A Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”
