Rev. Paulette Reed
www.dotmm.org
Soaring on the Wind
During this hour of restoration and acceleration in the Church of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is propelling us to live "on earth as it is in heaven." As the master artist paints us into circumstantial corners, our trust and faith are being forced to expand along with our tent pegs. We realize more and more that God is in control - we are not. Control is only an illusion and robs us of total reliance on the Holy Spirit. Any attempt to control will also inhibit people from the ability to freely love as Jesus loves. As we yield and hang on to the mighty right hand of God, He picks us up and twirls us like a child's top. He lifts us, taking us where He will, when He will. . . His will. Then, He sets our feet upon holy ground, and says, "Occupy."
As the Divine exchange continues until the day of completion - Jesus' life for ours - we love Him more each day with all of our hearts, minds, and souls. Because of our love, we also serve Him more each day, with zeal. However, friends, when assignments change and the breakthrough angels show up, there are whirlwinds awaiting us. We must live as a wheel-within-a-wheel, soaring with each spiritual storm developed by the Creator, believing there are angelic hosts waiting to assist and protect us and advance the kingdom of God. Do not resist the wind, for it insists upon change and many will be "unstuck" by its forcefulness. No matter what circumstances you are in, come hell or high water, the Lord wants to lift you up and take you out. Change is coming.
"Air Force One" - Taking Off and Landing
As God is raising people into new positions at an unprecedented rate, we continue the crucial preparation. Many Christians are downscaling, buying smaller homes, determined to get out of debt, and the like. They are ready for rapid discipleship deployment - not even taking an extra tunic. The Lord may send us across the street or across the world. Perhaps the King of Glory will open the gates and translate us to another continent, or pour out heavenly revelation to be written down for the church. Whatever the charge, we shall be ready. Beloved, the more we let go, the more we lay hold (Galatians 2:20) so when the Lord speaks we can immediately say, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8).
It's important to consider that those on the receiving end must be prepared as well. As God sends gifts to His body - prophets, administrators, apostles, ministers of helps, pastors, evangelists and teachers - the ox must never be muzzled while it is threshing. Be prepared, church, to take care of those whom the Lord sends to you, for we always reap what we sow; an undeniable kingdom principle. We must always honor God's "gifts" to the body, so the house is not desolate.
Heavenly Whirlwinds
As we look at whirlwinds as type and shadow, we note the "suddenly" and "separation" that accompanies them. "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind" (II Kings 2:11).
Beloved, when we've been prepared and trained by the Sower, then He can "take us up" to learn of heaven and plant us where He will. Heavenly whirlwinds may catch us up geographically, spiritually or emotionally, but either way God will do a work in us - through them. The whirlwinds of God may seem uncomfortable, but we must learn to live in the eye of each spirit-storm. The Prince of Peace is the center of our being even when, especially when, we seem swept away by life. Remember that if God can entrust us with the power of each cyclone, He can use us more and more for His glory. The glory is in the wind and God is the underlying, motivating force of life. So, even when we may not realize it, He is always moving on our behalf, going before us to divide the waters so we can cross over (II Kings 2:14). Beloved, whirlwinds are a vertical experience; they rise as incense, taking us closer to heaven each time so we can flow with our Supernatural Father. It's in the swirling, on the Potter's wheel, that we are molded into Christlikeness. For, God's way is in the whirlwind and the storm (Nahum 1:3).
Some of you reading this may feel isolated and forgotten. Does it seem no one in your sphere of family and friends understands, or even tries to understand? Don't lose heart! Though the ways of God seem mysterious and perplexing, we can know with certainty He is purposeful in all He does. He has not abandoned you, nor left you behind. You are drenched in the anointed oil of His perfect plan, and have been hand picked for His special forces! God has tailored your current experience to evoke the sweet aroma of your worship and, at the same time, to train you to reign.
Sometimes we hear people say, "Well, so-and-so is just too heavenly to be any earthly good." Personally, I've never met anyone like that. I have met many, however, who are too earthy to be any heavenly good. It's when we learn to please the Father and live on earth, as it is in heaven that His mighty power can and will be released. Elijah had pleased the Father with his life of faithfulness. It wasn't so much about the ascension as the expectation; watching for the whirlwinds of God's glory, not missing the opportunity to soar. Elijah didn't even have time to reason with intellect - He just believed and consequently was taken up; promoted so to speak. God is returning us to the basics of Christianity, dear ones. We cry out, "Lord, teach us to pray!" He answers, "I did, a couple thousand years ago 'on earth as it is in heaven.' " Oh, may we honor and cherish the Lord's Prayer - the perfect daily petition - as we decree its fulfillment. May we arise and shine for the light has come (Isaiah 60).
Calling all Chariots!
When we learn to trust the storm winds of the Spirit, we also learn to trust our Heavenly Father to send help in the midst of them. It's when Elijah, "was no more" that Elisha's dependence upon God greatly increased. He had to go on alone to see God show His power. Whether physical, moral or mental, some may feel that separation is so very difficult. But rejoice, for Jesus says, "He expounds all things to His disciples when He's alone with them" (Mark 4:34). Alleluia! Friends, you may never grow more spiritually or emotionally than by transplantation and isolation. Now, pick up the mantle that fell to the ground in the glory wind and cross over!
Do you recall when Israel had been split in two, weakening her borders and clashing with her neighbors? It was then that Elisha, a prophet in his own right, was trapped and desperately needed God. It was then that he prayed for spiritual eyes to be opened. This man of God did not have time to debate doctrine. He needed the Helper! "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." In addition, Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see. Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (II Kings 6:16 and 17).
Oh beloved, may our spiritual eyes be opened so we can see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire waiting, ready to protect us, the church. In accordance with the Word of God, it appears there is an abundance of help available for, "The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands" (Psalm 68:17). We must know and believe the golden chariot is always with us - in us. It is in the holiest part of "the temple" and we have access to it (I Chronicles 28:18).
Our Father, Who art in heaven, "Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, Your lightening lit up the world, the earth trembled and quaked" (Psalm 77:18). Continue to show us your power, Father. We thank you for the whirlwinds that take us up to the heavenly realm with you, for they are full of your glory. May we have visitations like Elijah so we can live on earth as it is in heaven? Even when Your fiery chariots separate us, we rejoice knowing they catch us up to You. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. Please, please open our spiritual eyes that we might see far beyond what the five physical senses could ever perceive. We believe, Holy Father, that Your glory is in the whirlwinds; that the hills are full of horses and chariots protecting Your church as we march victoriously, and occupy. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory - forever.
Rev. Paulette Reed
www.dotmm.org
Copyright (c) 2007 All Rights Reserved
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