“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Philippians 3:12
Happy 2018 everyone! Don’t we all love the opportunity for new beginnings. Memories to cherish and difficulties to leave behind. Welcome 2018! I am so excited about this year. More excited than I have been in awhile. While praying this week about what to share, the Lord spoke these words to me, “Step up and Step out in 2018!” When the Lord gives me a word I relish looking up the definition in the dictionary. The word step when used as a verb means to “lift and set down one’s foot or one foot after the other in order to walk somewhere or move to a new position.” It can also means, “to take a particular course of action.” When used as a noun, one of the meanings, “ a flat surface, especially one in a series, on which go place one’s foot when moving from one level to another.”
I love words. If we are going to step out this year we will certainly need to step up into new levels of intimacy with the Father. There is a new level of grace for each of us if we are willing to spend the time it takes to adjust our thinking to His. More revelation is coming from the Father about who we are and our role in what is to come in 2018. One of my favorite verses of all time is Proverbs 3. I review it often. It is such a great instruction in how to live our lives. Verse 5 exhorts us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding, Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you the path to to take.”
Renew your love affair with the word of God this month. Let it renew your mind and get rid of any wrong thinking. Listen to what the Spirit is saying over your life. Be willing to step out into a new adventure with Him. Serving the Lord is fun. It should be a fantastical ride that is better than anything you would find in any amusement park. It requires faith to put action steps to the promises of God. “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” That is the key. The promises are in Him not us. He is the source of all your dreams. What dreams have you put on the shelf? Let the Lord speak to you this month about what dreams needs to be revived in 2018. For many of you, in 2018 the Lord is declaring to you, “its your turn.” That was personally spoken over my life recently and I know it’s of course not just me. Some of you have sick hearts but it time to believe again. Nothing ventured nothing gained they say.
Many of you have been sitting in a dark room with the lights turned off and need Jesus to walk into the room and turn the lights on so you can “see” what is all around you. The treasure that is there but you could not see it because the light needed to be turned on. Pray for Jesus to illuminate that darkness so you can see the supernatural reality of what God is wanting to do in your life. I know some of you are saying, “I have heard this before.” “I prayed this before and nothing changed.” Well do it again! And again and again. Do not give up or give in. God is good and He is for you and not against you.
It's coming. It's your turn. Do not lose hope. Let Him breathe new life into you, revive your faith and courage to believe again.
Back in 2012, I took a trip to the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. I was there to attend the Passion for Jesus Conference,. While there Holy Spirit gave me a vision of me standing in a completely dark room. In front of me I could see light emanating from underneath a door in front of me. Above the door were the words, “VINDICATION.” When I went to open the door the light that radiated from the room was blinding and it was difficult to see what the room contained. However I knew in my spirit it was treasure. It was so colorful. It was ABUNDANCE!
About a year after, I started a ministry called, “Boiseloves2pray.” It was a prophetic worship and prayer group which met all across the Treasure Valley in Boise where I live. They were not large gatherings but they were certainly powerful. During those meetings His presence was so tangible. I can honestly say I have had few experiences outside of those meetings that were as powerful. I started those gatherings in simple obedience to Him. He asked me to do it. Surrender is necessary to follow Jesus. If you want to change the world you have got learn the art of surrendering to His will. Many are called but few are chosen. God does not measure success the way we do. He really is in charge. Saying that has really almost become cliche in our Christian culture. A lot of us say it but how many of us actually live it. It’s not easy because my wicked heart wants what it wants.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
Put the desire to please Him first. There is so much joy in that. Through that process of surrender God has done so much in delivering me from the fear of man. The bible tells us, “the fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be sale.” That is where I want to be. It takes courage but it will bring you new levels of freedom in Christ.
I remember a moment at the Passion for Jesus conference in worship when Misty Edwards started to sing this song called, “I Knew What I was Getting into.” His presence came over all over me and the expression of His love for me was overwhelming.
In Obedience to Him,
Barbara
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