  Right now something profound is happening! God is moving in the hearts of His people and revealing in new and striking ways His incomparable faithfulness as our covenant-keeping God. He is utterly dependable and entirely true to His word. The Bible says, “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” Psalms 103:17-18 NIV.2020 was a dark and difficult year for many of us. I believe 2021 will unfold as a season of shifting and settling. God is repositioning and realigning His people. New directions and new connections are being established by the Spirit according to the will of the Father resulting in the restoration of many who have struggled and faced setbacks. Conversely, some who have prospered and walked in favor with men in the last season will be be humbled. The first will be last and the last will be first. The grace of God is purifying and preparing His bride for greater glory. Earlier this month, during a time of prayer, Holy Spirit impressed upon me the desire of Jesus to see the Ekklesia of God walk in a powerful anointing with signs, wonders, and miracles. As I continued in intercession, I became acutely aware that the Lord was releasing a “word” that now is the time to contend for the healing of nations similar to Elijah’s intercession for the Lord to send rain to end the drought in Israel (See 1 Kings 18:42-46 NLT). Contending by Connection and Communion with the Anointed One Those who would be used by the Lord powerfully in these prophetic times of refreshing must acquire “a passion for the pleasure of His presence.” Some are following the Lord for promotion and prosperity. Delighting in the person and presence of God more than His promises and provision is the heart of the true bride of Christ as we were created for relationship – to know and be known by Him, to love and be loved by Him. Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3 NKJV).  The Bible is emphatic that as Christians we have been called to worship and love the Lord with undivided affection and unsullied devotion. To do otherwise constitutes spiritual adultery. Jesus stated, “You have become spiritual adulterers who are having an affair, an unholy relationship with the world. Don’t you know that flirting with the world’s values places you at odds with God? Whoever chooses to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy!” (James 4:4 TPT).Imagine a bride that informs her husband that she married him strictly for his wealth! How would that man feel? Surely he would feel taken advantage of. Yet this is the way some treat the Lord. They serve Him for what He can give in terms of earthly benefits and not for the knowledge of the glory of the Lord and the beauty of His holiness. Yet the purest expression and highest form of worship is intimacy and communion with Father God. We open up our hearts to know Him. We live in ceaseless communion with Him and express eternal gratitude in worship for Him. Prayer, as God intended, is delighting in His person and presence more than in His promises and provision. When we genuinely and wholeheartedly find our pleasure in Him, we secure blessings from Him. Because we are His beloved, He cannot help but shower us with good gifts! Psalms 63:1 TPT ”O God of my life, I’m lovesick for you in this weary wilderness. I thirst with the deepest longings to love you more, with cravings in my heart that can’t be described. Such yearning grips my soul for you, my God! AwakeNations.org Donate |
