Snapshot: Ascending Up To Breakthrough

A few days ago, the Lord showed me a vision of an open door in Heaven.  There was a ladder that led up to this door--a ladder built to ascend upwards on.  And He was saying that we need to ascend up to Him to walk through that door and come to that breakthrough.  I needed to draw nearer to God in order to experience a full blessing, a full revelation, and a full future.

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."                 Revelation 4:1

Confirmed:  That same day, I saw a new article on the Elijah list by Doug Addison called "Contend For Your Breakthrough".  What a confirmation!  It really is the same Holy Spirit that gives each personal the ability to see in part.

Confirmed:  Also that same day, I stepped out the front door and noticed a shadow that looked just like the ladder and ascension that God had shown me earlier.  Hey, He's in the the little things, too!  God's Spirit quickened that shadow to me...He's funny sometimes.

Confirmed:  Today, a friend of mine was showing me her flower garden.  And she was saying that there was a lot of 'Jacob's Ladder' flowers springing up.  I knew what God was saying...

"He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."             Genesis 28:12

When we spend time in the presence of the Lord, we should be expectant.  We should be hungering and thirsting for Him.  We should boldly approach the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16)!  God wants us to come up near Him and receive from Him more than enough wisdom for the day.

Word: The Severity of Mercy

A few days I was getting a headache and praying it away wasn't quite working like it usually does. So I asked the Lord about this, and He simply said,

"Not My goodness but My severity"

This took me by surprise a little.  And I felt like the Lord was telling me I was in the wrong somehow.  He highlighted to me that I was not at peace!   So I repented--turned--from this mistake as well as I could.  And the headaches gradually went away.  Thank you, Lord, for the comfort in your discipline. His rod is supposed to comfort us! (Psalms 23:4)  It may not be easy to undergo, but God always works our discipline for the good.

Just a few minutes after the Lord said this, and as my headache was going away, I saw a new book on the table, and flipped it face up to look at the title.  It was called "A Severe Mercy", by one of CS Lewis's friends.  Wow!  What a confirmation.  I did not know we had that book, nor had I ever heard of it. But I realize that God's mercy leads to discipline--that His mercy calls for severity.  It was the Lord who prompted me to flip over that book as a way to confirm His message!  God is so masterful in His workings.  He always confirms His word.

So if you're going through a trial of some sort, it may not be from the enemy!  It may be discipline from the Lord--an effort by Him to get you back into line.  Now, your trial might just be a spiritual attack.  But it could be disciplining from God!  And we need to inquire of God to see if we're in the wrong. We need to inquire of Him, to see if we opened up a door someplace or are walking without His light.  We shouldn't try to war against God's will only because we mistook His teaching for something else.

So let's war against the enemy, yes, with his condemnation and lying and problems.  But let's make sure that our trials are not actually God trying to get our attention.  He may be wanting us to repent. He may want us to be healed, delivered, brought out--He does--but only if we will first identify our problems.  So we need to diligently seek Him whenever we encounter a trial.  It could be that He just wants us to cast the enemy out.  But maybe He wants to tell us something first.

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word."        Psalm 119:67

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes"         Psalm 119:71

 

An Arrow From God

Last fall, God began directing our thoughts to a first true mission trip together.  Since then, we have been slowly receiving direction regarding where we should go and when.  I remember that He was speaking to us through symbolic arrows a lot in the beginning.  God sends us places--whether literally or spiritually--with His momentum.  He is the one who calls us to certain things and sends us to certain places.

God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"     Exodus 3:14

Recently, the arrow theme has been brought up again.  On the way down to Pinehurst, the Lord reminded us of our role as a tool, as an arrow in His hands.  What a timely reminder!

So, God's likened this mission trip that Vanessa and I are on as an arrow sent from His bow.  I believe this speaks of being sent with the "strong hand of  God" upon us as seen in Ezekiel 3:14 .  We both have felt impressed to wait on God to send us--that is, to wait until He gave us the push off to leave.  Before we were to leave, He had to open the door and provide a springboard.

My glory will not fade; the bow will be ever new in my hand.'     Job 29:20

God has a mandate for all of us.  He has bent back His bow, and He will bend it back again.  He has prepared and initiated a calling for all of us.  For each believer, He has prepared a place that He wants to launch us into.  He is ready to send us out with spiritual momentum.  By His bow, we can be the arrow of truth and life that He initiates out into a new land.  Are you ready for Him to release you? Are you ready for an open door?  God is always sending out new things through people who can soar with His message.

"May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands,"     Psalm 149:6

We need to be like Jesus.  He was like a sword, like an arrow from God, and He delivered love and healing to the people.  He cut to the heart of those around Him.  He went out into the world with supernatural momentum, with a compassion that couldn't be suppressed or slowed down in any way. When God sends us out, we should be the move the same way.  We should leave our resting place ready to go and labor for God.  It's a labor of love.  We need to go out only when we know that He is the One who's sent us.  We need to be full of His Spirit and His power and not ever relent.

"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."       Luke 24:49

Vision: Heavenly Doors

Last week I started receiving visions of gates opening. These gates and doors were intricately carved and had been tightly shut. I sensed they were spiritual doors that directed physical events. God gives us open doors when we prove faithful.

"because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me." 1 Corinthians 16:9

We need to stay focused on the Lord Jesus to pass through doors, and we must prize spiritual doors above worldly ones. Once we can "count everything else as loss" (Philippians 3:8), the Lord will give us spiritual gifts. We need to eagerly desire these things, and seek them. Above all, seek God's face. God rewards a hunger for Him.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6

Satisfaction is guaranteed if we humbly ask from God. And spiritual satisfaction means going from "strength to strength" and from "glory to glory". It means passing through trials within a hedge of protection. It means that God goes before us and opens the doors. Glory to God! Seeking Him keeps us from impatience--we cannot press ahead of His steps. He needs to be our light and our inspiration.

"But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment." Isaiah 50:11

Humility and reverence will never lead us into prying open our own doors. Sometimes we need to ask and then receive, not ask and then receive. Sometimes the Spirit will lead us to step aside and see the hand of God move on our behalf. Let's pray for God's guidance to direct us to the right doors. If it's His Will, He will guide the path. We need to be discerning and warfare God's way. God does not fail, and we can ask to pass through opened doors in faith in God's goodness.

Snapshot: Rowboat

This is from yesterday, 11/4:

Yesterday the Lord gave me a vision of a rowboat rowing through rough water. This boat had four oars. (Details are important when interpreting visions, as every vision God gives is perfect).

I felt there were several messages there. These messages were for my wife and I, but I believe other Christians can also benefit from them.

Encouragement: We are laboring for the Lord (rowing)
Encouragement: We are set above stormy seas of doubt and chaos
Encouragement: We have been set in motion on a course
Encouragement: Four oars, working in unison towards an open door
Instruction: Sometimes God lets us go through rough waters. Do not pray against God's will.

When I get a vision, the first thing I do is look in the Word for confirmations. In the few minutes after seeing the rowboat, the Lord gave me several. These verses confirmed the first impressions I'd had and added new depth, too.

Confirmed:

"James". James 1:6: "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." Our boat was given be God to separate us from such things.

Isaiah 51:15:"For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the Lord of Heaven's armies." Sometimes God causes the seas to be stormy. Sometimes setbacks are from Him. He gives us challenges, so that we can remain restful in Him right through hard times.

So, God preserves us from doubt and anxiety through His WORD. We must stay in His will (the boat) in order to stay sheltered. It is He who sets into motion, now we need to keep working for Him. When in spiritual warfare, we need to align with His will, no matter how turbulent it may seem be. Not every minor disturbance is from the enemy! By persistence and boldness we will reach the open door He has already set before us.