“God’s Armada (Mighty Ships) Are Moving Out to Sea!”

Faith Marie Baczko, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

I am so encouraged by the experience I had the morning of the Day of Atonement. I was in prayer with the Lord and had the sense of a revelation on the horizon – as we are now in the shifting of times into new dimensions of God’s glory. I had asked the Lord to help me understand and process this time with wisdom, and not with personal emotional desire. After a wonderful time of communion in His presence, I opened my Bible and it fell open to 1 Kings chapter 22. I read:
“Jehoshaphat also built a fleet of trading ships to sail to Ophir for gold. But the ships never set sail, for they met with disaster in their home port of Ezion-geber.” (1 Kings 22:48 NLT)
This is an account which God has highlighted to me in past years. Now, the Scriptures say that Jehoshaphat did right in the eyes of the Lord, but he did make some big mistakes! His first mistake was joining with King Ahab (Jezebel’s husband) in battle. After this battle, Jehu the seer said to him, “Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?” (2 Chronicles 19:2)
Because of this he said God was angry with Jehoshaphat! Jehoshaphat’s second mistake was to ally himself with Ahab’s son Ahaziah in an endeavor to build ships at the port Ezion Geber, with the intent of getting gold from Ophir. Eliezer prophesied against Jehoshaphat because of this:

“So, let us gird up our loins like Elijah, get ready by humbling ourselves before the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and pray the prayer of repentance that always precedes a great move of God!“

“After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly. And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber. But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.’ Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.” (2 Chronicles 20:35-37)

The Ship Has Never Left Port

As I pondered this account, I thought to myself that even though the Lord has been very good to me (and I have seen many dreams come to pass) the big dream and vision God has given me, kept hidden in my heart over numerous years, has never come to pass – the ship that carried my dream has never left port!
I began to wonder if I, my parents or my ancestors had ever entered into partnerships that God was not pleased with. I asked the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me in a prayer of repentance. I stood before God’s Throne of Mercy and began to systematically repent for every type of unholy yoke, we as a family could have entered into.
As I was slowly allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me in prayer, with my eyes closed, I saw a picture of a heavy chain across the screen of my mind, from left to right. My eyes were intently focused on the chain, so I wasn’t really paying attention to the full picture, as it was a bit foggy. But there was a sense of something on the left and something large on the right, and behind it was very blue.
Something then came down with great force, so fast that I did not see what it was. It snapped the chain in two! Immediately a burst of energy flooded my chest that took my breath away, and I gasped in great surprise! I asked the Lord, “WHAT WAS THAT?” My eyes were still closed and I had a sudden realization that it was a large ship on the right that had been held by the chain, and now that it was broken, the ship began to slowly move out to sea! The ship was leaving port! Hallelujah!
Immediately I knew that what I had experienced in the spirit was about to become reality for many who have been prepared for this hour of history to shift with God into a new levels of His glory – passionate Saints who have been given big dreams but had not seen them materialize to date! (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

A Year of Reprieve and Favor

This is a significant year in God’s purposes. It is also a year of trouble and seeming chaos. HOWEVER, it is the year of the beginning of a reprieve – the year of the favor of the Lord where the Spirit of the Lord will rest heavily on a prepared people, a year of release and the thrusting out of the Saints. It’s an anointed and appointed time for the dreams of God planted in His people to materialize!
It is now the new Jewish year 5778 – the year of the door and new beginnings. In this time of chaos and darkness looming on the horizon, GOD’S ARMADA is leaving port; sent out onto the great sea of humanity! Armada means “a fleet of warships” and “a large force or group usually of moving things”. The ships are moving out in the season of harvest – the time of a very significant Feast of Tabernacles – which is a celebration for the great journey that has brought us to this day and of the ingathering of the great harvest. To the Jewish people the Feast of Tabernacles also represents the divine clouds of glory that covered Israel during their 40 years in the wilderness.
“Arise shine for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Behold darkness covers the earth and deep darkness the peoples…Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the ABUNDANCE OF THE SEA shall be turned to you. The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you…They shall bring gold and incense, And they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD…AND I WILL GLORIFY THE HOUSE OF MY GLORY.” (Isaiah 60:1,5-7 emphasis mine)
I asked the Lord where the ships were going and He said, “They are on a quest for the Gold of Ophir.” This gold is the glory of God that the Bride wears – representing the great Harvest of souls and all the provision and resources with which to gather the Harvest and build the house of His glory. “…At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir” (Psalm 45:9). King Solomon also built ships to bring back gold from Ophir.
“King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom…And they went to Ophir, and acquired four hundred and twenty talents of gold from there, and brought it to King Solomon.” (1 Kings 9:26-28)
Much provision is about to be released to fulfill the dreams of God! Four Hundred and twenty talents equal sixteen tons of gold! It is now time for dreams to be fulfilled as the ship of dreams heads out into the great sea, leaving the port of Ezion Geber in strength and great authority! Ezion Geber also means the spine, or strength of a warrior!

God’s Armada Is Leaving the Port

God’s armada is leaving in the port, Strength of a Warrior – an armada comprised of many types of ships to accomplish His great campaign. There are passenger ships, great rescue ships (like the Carpathia), mighty war ships armed and powerful, hospital ships providing support to heal the harvest and the wounded, cargo ships loaded with supplies, patrol ships (watchmen on the lookout), oil tankers carrying oil reserves, apostle ships – apostolic, prophetic networks equipped to lead the campaign in mighty carrier ships, providing defense and air support for attack sorties.
The many disasters caused by recent hurricanes, and the volatility of present world concerns, has caused President Trump to send out various types of military ships to protect and to bring relief. This is a prophetic picture of a move of God now underway! President Trump has recently commissioned a new warship, The USS Gerald Ford. It’s the first of a next generation of aircraft carriers.

“I began to wonder if I, my parents or my ancestors had ever entered into partnerships that God was not pleased with. I asked the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me in a prayer of repentance.“

According to Wikipedia, an aircraft carrier is: “A warship that serves as a SEAGOING AIRBASE, equipped for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft. Typically, it is the capital (leading) ship of a fleet, as it allows a naval force to project air power worldwide without depending on local bases for staging aircraft operations.”
A seagoing airbase is a picture of the Church untethered from the building, now moving outside of its walls, into the marketplace – the sea of humanity. As I thought of the things taking place in the world, I said, “Yes God, it is time for You to do something!” I heard Him respond, “Yes! And what I am about to do, I am going to do through My people!”
I then thought of the marvels that God has done through His servants under the Old Covenant – Noah built an Ark, Elijah stopped the rain, Moses parted the Red Sea, Joshua caused the sun and moon to stand still, David destroyed Goliath, Israel conquered great enemy armies:
“…through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” (Hebrews 11:33-34)

Nothing is Impossible to the People of God

The Saints of God are now functioning under the New Covenant – a better Covenant. It’s a Covenant that allows the very King of kings to dwell in us by His Holy Spirit in the power of His resurrection! NOTHING is impossible to the people of God!
Great exploits, signs and great wonders will be done through the people of God in the days ahead! So, let us gird up our loins like Elijah, get ready by humbling ourselves before the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and pray the prayer of repentance that always precedes a great move of God! Jehoshaphat made the mistake of becoming unequally yoked with someone who was defiled by sin and rebellion against God and God is very clear about not yoking ourselves to unbelievers (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). (Photo via Wikipedia)

Prayer to Break Off Ungodly Alliances

Let’s pray: Dear Father, God of Heaven and Earth, Creator of the universe; all powerful, mighty and majestic God, holy are You! We stand before Your Throne of Mercy today. I ask Your forgiveness for myself, my parents and my ancestors back to Adam for ungodly and unholy covenants, alliances, pacts, agreements, partnerships and friendships we have participated in that yoked us in a defiling way to the kingdom of darkness. Forgive us and our ancestors for opening the doors of the gates of Hades into our lives and our families’ lives.
Forgive us for opening doors through immorality, business partnerships and financial agreements. Lord, in agreement with the Blood that cancels and removes all sin, in agreement with Christ and in agreement with the power of the mighty name of Jesus, we ask that all verdicts, judgments, consequences rulings and reaping effects be now nullified and canceled – broken by the power of the sword of Your Word.
Break now, every ungodly soul tie binding me to the kingdom of darkness. Lord in Your great power, break once and for all chains that bind, tether, fetter, leash and restrict me from now moving out in the strength of a warrior; anything that keeps me from fulfilling the dreams You have planted in my heart.
Loose me now in the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit! May I set sail on Your dream carrier with You as You chart My course. Let my ship of dreams set sail with integrity, majesty, power and great authority into the sea of humanity to gather in Your beautiful harvest. Lead me safely through the storms that may arise as I move out with You to accomplish Your will. Amen.
Rain of Blessing,
Faith Marie Baczko, Executive Director
Headstone Ministries International | Schools of The Last Wine
Email: contact@headstoneministries.com
Website: http://www.headstoneministries.com

This morning while seeking the Lord for a Word for His Church on earth, a vision was shown. It was a table setting displaying a hearty breakfast, along with a bowl of fresh fruit placed at the center. A light was shining on the plate. End of vision.
INTERPRETATION:
In the natural, the vision brings attention to the importance of eating breakfast which is considered to be the most important meal of the day. In brief, some epidemiological research convey that eating a healthy breakfast might lower the risk of metabolic disorders including cardiovascular diseases.
On a higher level of understanding, it symbolizes the importance of partaking of spiritual food at the onset of the day and during our waking hours. When one consciously ingests the fruit of the Holy Spirit, the Bread, the Word, the Water, the Wine and risen Lamb and King of Life – Jesus Christ – at the onset of the day, one is well nourished and strengthen to face the day and whatever challenges it might bring. It is part and parcel of living an abundantly blessed lifestyle in the Light, in the Lord’s spiritual Kingdom.
Related Verses:
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early (in morning youth and above all things) shall find me.” (Prov. 8:17)
“And Jesus answered and spoke unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, who made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them who are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner (***According to the Greek, this meal was a morning or early day meal***) my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and treated them shamefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was angry: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then said he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they who were bidden were not worthy. Go you therefore into the highways, and as many as you shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment: And he said unto him, Friend, how came you in here not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
“Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine (***actually an early morning meal: Breakfast***) And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.” (Jn. 21:12-13)
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” (Psalm 23:5)
“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Proverbs)
Keep the Faith,
Suzanne

Give us your divine intelligence!

“The Jeremiahs Are Coming – With the Word of God in Their Mouths!”
by Brian Simmons, Wichita, KS

A great outpouring of the Holy Spirit is coming upon this generation. These world changers and Word proclaimers will be known as the Jeremiah Generation. The Word of God will be in their mouths and they will destroy and build; tear down and plant. Get ready…too-hot-to-handle young adults are coming to a church and area near you!
Here’s what they’ll look like:
1. They are prophetic. They will hear the Word of the Lord.
“The word of the Lord came to me…” (Jeremiah 1:4)
It’s not enough for them to hear the Word of the Lord from others—even their gifted mentors and teachers. They must have the Word of the Lord come to them.
2. They are healed.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you as My chosen instrument, and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; and I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5 AMP)
Imagine a generation that is not dysfunctional, co-dependent or insecure. They are known by God, approved by God—chosen and consecrated to be a prophetic generation to the nations.
Here are the words that can heal the Jeremiah Generation:
“I formed you” = God’s touch and image is upon us.
“I knew you” = God’s intimate relationship with us, He knows us and still chose us.
“I set you apart” = We are separated for a unique destiny.
“I appointed you” = No one can move us when we rest in God’s favor. Appointed by God Himself.
3. They are weak. That’s right…weak!
“‘O Lord God,’ I said, ‘I can’t do that! I’m far too young! I’m only a youth!'” (Jeremiah 1:6 TLB)
Excuses, excuses, excuses…I think that’s all God hears when He calls us. For some it is: “I don’t know how to speak!” For others its: “I’m still immature, I’m not ready—call someone else!”
A fearful, intimidated, not-yet-perfect generation is about to become God’s end-time warriors. Weakness never disqualifies us! It is our strengths that God has to break and overcome…truly He has no need of our strengths, only our weakness surrendered to Him.
Human weakness can actually become a billboard for divine strength! Get ready—the Jeremiah Generation is coming and God alone will be their strength. Terrifying thought…God ALONE will be their strength! So the Lord would say to the Jeremiah generation: “‘Don’t say that,’ He replied, ‘for you will go wherever I send you and speak whatever I tell you to. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I, the Lord, will be with you and see you through.'” (Jeremiah 1:7-8 TLB)
4. The Word of the Lord will be in their mouths!
“Then the Lord reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘Now, I have put My words in your mouth.'” (Jeremiah 1:9)
Ladies and gentlemen, the Word of the Lord is about to come forth from this generation. Everyone has given up on them; no one seems to trust them or listen to them…but just wait. God will save the day! Even NOW His hand is coming upon them to place the very words of GOD in their mouths. Great will be their anointing and great will be His victory through them.
Speak as One Speaking The Very Words of God
I awoke the other night from a dream and I saw it: God’s hand was placing WORDS in the mouths of this Jeremiah Generation! They will not bring us boring sermons but each one will be speaking “…as one speaking the very words of God…” (1 Peter 4:11).
It will be just like Joshua who spoke to God and the sun stopped in the sky (this was the day the earth stood still). The moon slowed to a halt over the valley of Aijalon. Never before had God “listened” or “harkened” to the voice of a man (Joshua 10:12-14). It was because His man had His Word put into his mouth. The word used for when God “listened” is actually translated 89 times in the Hebrew text as obey. God OBEYED the Word of a man!
Check it out: In Psalm 81:10 God challenges us with these words, “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it!” What will God fill our mouths with? I remember when I first found that verse I thought it meant God will give me food when I need it…but this is not about God giving you Krispy Kremes. The Hebrew text actually reads, “Open wide your mouth and I will FULFILL it!”
God wants to FILL the mouths of this generation with HIS Word then FULFILL it when they speak it forth! Get ready…a bold new generation of Believers are arising with the Word of the Lord in their mouths. They aren’t consumed with hobbies, hype and hiding their faults. They are consumed with holiness and declaring the Word. It will come to pass for this Jeremiah generation!

Brian Simmons
Stairway Ministries
The Passion Translation
Email: brian@passiontranslation.com
Website: http://www.stairwayministries.org / http://www.thepassiontranslation.com
Brian Simmons is known as a passionate lover of God. After a dramatic conversion to Christ, Brian knew that God was calling him to go to the unreached people of the world and present the Gospel of God’s grace to all who would listen. With his wife Candice and their three children, he spent nearly eight years in the tropical rain forest of the Darien Province of Panama as a church planter, translator, and consultant. Brian was involved in the Paya-Kuna New Testament translation project. He studied linguistics and Bible translation principles with New Tribes Mission. After their ministry in the jungle, Brian was instrumental in planting a thriving church in New England (U.S.), and now travels full time as a speaker and Bible teacher. He is also the lead translator for The Passion Translation Project which will result in a new, dynamic version of the Bible for this generation. He has been happily married to Candice for over forty-three years and is known to boast regularly of his children and grandchildren.

"A New Prophetic Season For America: The Cyrus Decree and Breaking Resistance!"

Tom Hamon, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

At a time when it seems like everyone wants to focus on personalities and personal feelings, the truth is that we are fighting principalities and powers and evil spirits that are set in high places over our nation that have an agenda to steal, kill and destroy all that is good and godly (Ephesians 6:12).
If you have been aware at all of all the prophetic indications about our recent election, then you have an understanding that we are living in a time of distinct "divine reversal" and a Cyrus decree. If you remember it is in the books of Isaiah, Ezra and Nehemiah that we find the story of Israel's demise into captivity because of their sin and the abandonment of God and His laws. The children of God ended up in a dark and desperate place in bondage to foreign powers that had invaded their land and taken them captive.
It was in those times that God began to remind Israel of their true calling and covenant and called them back to possess their land and inheritance. They found themselves in bondage and slavery in Babylon; but in Isaiah 45, God prophesied through His prophets the very name of the man that would conquer the land in a surprising attack through the double gates, and then release the decrees that would authorize them to return to their land, rebuild the temple, and rebuild the city.
In history, we know that Cyrus dammed up the river Euphrates that flowed into Babylon and marched through the double gates of the river into Babylon and conquered it. We know that the prophet Daniel was stationed there in Babylon by God and probably opened the scrolls of Isaiah to Cyrus, so he could discover that this feat was no accident but a fulfillment of the prophetic word that foretold his very name and the mission he was called to accomplish for God.
I believe we are living in a parallel to those very times today.
"Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut." (Isaiah 45:1 NKJV)

The Cyrus Decree

"Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of Heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.

"Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem." (Ezra 1:1-4 NKJV)

"Be ready to fight and God will fight with us, and we will rebuild the temple."

This is what we call the "Cyrus Decree". It is interesting that Cyrus was not a Jew or necessarily a God-fearing man, but a shrewd conqueror that God calls, "My anointed"; not because he was so godly but because he was anointed by God to be powerfully used to bless the people of God during his reign. I'm sure all that he did and instituted was not pleasing to all of Israel, but the significant divine reversals he brought to their plight made the difference for generations to come.
So what did Cyrus do? His main mission from God was to free God's people from captivity and pass legislation that would authorize them and empower them to repossess their land, rebuild the temple and rebuild the city. He unlocked the money, manpower and legislative authority to go and rebuild the temple and the city.
I believe rebuilding the temple has everything to do with the restoration and reformation of the Church in the earth in our generation—restoring the Church to its original call to operate in the power and character of Jesus Himself, so it can rightly represent His heart and purposes in the earth. Restoring the "walls of the city" has everything to do with rebuilding the culture and addressing the ills of society in our generation.
This is emblematic of the prophetic and apostolic anointing, operating in concert in the Church and in the earth, to tear down the idolatrous and false and build the blessing of God's Kingdom call and covenant back into our land today (Jeremiah 1). God used Cyrus as the key conqueror and government official to unlock the land, and if you will, Nehemiah and Zerubbabel were the apostles of the work, and Jeremiah, Ezra, Haggai, Isaiah and Zechariah were the key prophetic voices that released the words which caused the work to advance.
"So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia." (Ezra 6:14 NKJV)

What Did Cyrus Do?

What did Cyrus do to help in this strategic plan from God?  Specifically, it says that Cyrus restored three things. He issued commands that helped Israel restore the judges, the teachers and the fathers of the land. It was this strategy that eventually turned the tide of the nation. (Photo via Wikipedia)
The Judges: were key to releasing righteous judgment back into the systems and culture of the land. The judges were to help relay the foundational principles so that justice and order, according to God's word and law, could prevail in the land.
What happens through our Supreme Court justices, federal judges and local judges will determine the course of our culture for a generation.
The Teachers: were key to turn the tide of iniquity, idolatry and depravity and reversed the effect of the mindset of captivity in the land. A generation had grown accustomed to the ways of Babylon and grown comfortable and fatalistic to the reality of captivity. Hopelessness, compromise and comfortability with captivity, had captured their hearts. God was releasing a decree through Cyrus for the opportunity to take back the systems of education of a generation that had led them into bondage.
What happens in our academic and educational systems, both public and private, will set the tone of the values and morals of a generation. 
The Fathers: had to be restored in order for true healing to happen in the land. The true father's heart had to be released so that a generation could be healed from abandonment, rejection and dysfunction. Cyrus authorized and enabled Israel to restore the judges, the fathers and the teachers back into the land, so that the curse could be broken and the blessings of God would flow again (Malachi 4:5).
The fathers in our government, in family, in business and in the Church can lead our land into healing or Hell. Restoring back and setting in those with the true father's heart in our generation will bring sorely needed security, stability, true identity, courage and healing to our land.

Conflict, Controversy, Confusion and Counter Attacks Arise

This is all exciting and wonderful stuff, however, where I believe we are living today is described in chapter 4 of Nehemiah. If we look at this chapter, we see that the Cyrus reversal had begun for the people of God and Nehemiah, and the prophets began to work with this fresh authorization from the government to restore and build. However, I want you to notice that it was not without great conflict.
First of all, let me note that reformation is often messy, complicated and full of conflict. That was true of reformation in Jesus' day in the first reformation. It was definitely true during the 2nd Reformation in Martin Luther's day. (I do find it significant that we are celebrating the 500th-year anniversary of that reformation this month of October 2017.) This was definitely also true in Nehemiah's day and in our day as well: what happened when the people began to operate to rebuild under the new Cyrus decree in their generation?

A Mocking Spirit

It says when the enemies in the land heard of it that they were furious, very indignant and mocked the Jews (Nehemiah 4:1). This is where we are today. The resistant, antichrist spirits in our land are furious and indignant at the results of this last election and the reversals of agendas in the land, and one of their main tools they are using is a "mocking spirit" sent to humiliate all those called to carry out this agenda.
They mocked them with words like, "What are these feeble Jews (Christians) doing? Really, will they be able to protect and fortify themselves? Will they restore service and sacrifice to God? Will they be able to build this in a day?" Or, "How long will this take, they can't get anything done or make progress. If they do restore or rebuild the foundation and the walls, then even if a fox goes up on it then it will fall." In other words, "It will not work, or be lasting or stand."
These are the words we are hearing today. Please try and be discerning today as we navigate through so many voices vying for our attention. Scripture does not say that we will live by every tweet from leaders and certainly not by every word that proceeds out of the talking mouths of CNN or our national news media, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God!

False Accusations

"We are living in a time of distinct "divine reversal" and a Cyrus decree"

We know in Ezra 4, that they tried to dishearten and discourage the people of God by falsely accusing them about their motives and making them out to be the problem in the land. They hired lawyers to try and stop the work and frustrate their purpose in rebuilding.
"Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose." (Ezra 4:4-5a NKJV)
• Their Prayer to God
In response to all these attacks, this is what the people of God prayed:
"Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity! Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders. So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work." (Nehemiah 4:4-6 NKJV)
• Our Prayer to God Today
I believe this must be the type of prayer the Church is praying in this hour:
"God, we are despised in the sight of our enemies but turn the reproach back upon their own heads and turn our captivity as you bring them into captivity! Uncover the schemes and sins of our enemies and fight for us out of your righteous indignation! Lord, we have a mind to work to rebuild and restore the righteous foundations in our nation so that it and we might be blessed by Your hand!"
Even after this prayer, it says that the enemy gets even more angry when they see the restoration in the land taking place.

"Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion. Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.

"Then Judah said, 'The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.' And our adversaries said, 'They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease.' So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, 'From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us.'" (Nehemiah 4:7-12 NKJV)

The Enemy Wants the Work to Stop at All Costs!

They are intent on causing the work to cease! It says that they became extremely angry and began to conspire together to attack and create confusion. The confusing voices were not just from the outside, but from the inside as well. Judah says that the work was too hard, too much, and there was just too much junk to deal with. The adversaries said that they are too cunning, powerful and sneaky in their attacks to be defeated; and some of the Jews (Christians) in the land were saying about themselves that no matter what they tried to do, they couldn't protect themselves or stop what was happening. (Photo via Wikipedia)
But Nehemiah had a strategy:
"Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, 'Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.' And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work." (Nehemiah 4:13-15 NKJV) 
Be prepared to fight! He told every tribe or family to be prepared to fight. Don't try to take on the whole cause but wherever you are stationed, you can fight and make a difference!
In other words:
• Don't be afraid!
• Don't let fear or fatalism rule your hearts or win the day.
• Remember the greatness of your God!
• Remember God's covenant with America, God's call on this land and your life, and never forget that God will fight for you, and fight for your family and your generations!
• If you love your family and this land, then fight for it!
• God knows how to bring the enemy's plots to nothing so we can return to the work of rebuilding.

A Sword and a Trowel

Later in this chapter, it relays the ongoing strategies that Nehemiah employs. He says let everyone fill in the gaps. These are the intercessors taking their positions along with prophetic watchmen on the walls. He fills in the gaps and calls everyone to be both a fighter and builder. Be prophetic and apostolic! Carry both a sword and a trowel! Then he says because we are separated on the wall at times, we must have a strategy when the attack comes. His strategy is simple. When you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally together for the cause and fight as one!
The trumpet is always symbolic of the prophetic voice of the Lord that releases strategies from Heaven. At the sound of the trumpet, rally, unify, listen for the strategy and commands from Heaven and then fight! He says let us be diligent to watch and pray. Let everyone take their shift to stand guard. Let's be diligent to guard our progress in the work. Watch day and night! Don't take off your clothes he says, or don't ever let your guard down or be caught ill-prepared but stay awake and alert. Be ready to fight and God will fight with us, and we will rebuild the temple (the Church) and we will rebuild the walls (the foundations of our nation for God)!
Our God Will Fight for Us!
"Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, 'The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.'" (Nehemiah 4:19-20 NKJV) (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
Tom Hamon
Vision Church @ Christian International
Email: click here
Website: www.visionchurchci.org
Tom and Jane Hamon are the senior pastors of Vision Church @ Christian International in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Their ministry together is an example to the Body of Christ of a husband and wife team working in tandem and unity to accomplish God's purposes. Their ministry is characterized by a rich deposit of God's wisdom

“God is Launching You Into Your Supernatural Calling!”
by Michael Van Vlymen, Carmel, IN

God is Showing Us Signs and Wonders!
We are in a time where God is revealing Himself in powerful ways to confirm the things He has promised us and to direct us with a supernatural precision. In just listening to some of the testimonies of the prophetic voices lately, you’ll see that the signs and wonders they share show that we have a supernatural God. These testimonies are only increasing.
Every day “regular” Christians are experiencing incredible things in this hour that tell me there is increase coming on many levels. I have felt it for awhile now that the Lord is getting ready to launch people into their callings and destinies. It’s going to be powerful and it’s going to be supernatural.
“I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.” (Acts 2:19 NIV)
Our Walk With Him
This week, the Lord spoke to my wife Gordana and me, and gave us a word for those who are in a season of waiting for that launching to take place. Last Sunday as we were driving to church, Gordana said, “What Scripture would you like me to read?” I replied, “Whatever the Lord shows you.” As she turned through the New Testament, she got to the book of James, chapters 2- 4. When she opened to those chapters, her Bible was suddenly covered with brilliant blue sparkles. We couldn’t help but believe that the Lord wanted us to read those Scriptures. As she read those chapters, I felt the Lord was telling us the importance of our walk with Him.
“And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” (James 2:23 KJV)
We should believe God in the promises He has given us, just as Abraham believed. Our walk should be Christ-like, showing mercy and love and living with godly humility as we seek to do His will on the earth.
“But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6 KJV)
Walking in Power
I felt that God was saying through these Scriptures that He is fine-tuning His people to walk in power but there are adjustments to be made in us so we can carry that power. Although the Lord told us many things from those chapters, the overwhelming message was that we are in final preparation where God is bringing a greater level of sanctification so that we might be launched into the plan the Lord has for us.
About twenty minutes after Gordana read those Scriptures, we just worshipped God for making it so clear. By His willingness to use signs and wonders to really get our attention, we again experienced something totally off the charts. As we drove along on an almost deserted street on our way to church, Gordana shouted to me, “Look at that plane!” When I turned to look, quite frankly, I was stunned at what I saw.
I have seen many strange things these past few years but this really challenged me. There, hanging in mid-air motionless, was a passenger jet probably no more than 300-500 yards away from us. My first reaction was to try to reason and come up with a natural explanation. I could not find one. A jet, in a banked turn, was hanging in the air like a picture hung on a wall and we were both seeing this as clear as day. The jet remained motionless for about 15-20 seconds as we sat there in the middle of the street looking. Then it just took off. I pondered this for several hours and the Lord then showed me that the earlier sign in the Bible and this sign in the heavens were related.
Many people have said that they feel like they are in a holding pattern. They know God wants to use them and He has given them confirmations again and again, but they are not yet moving. The Lord said that the blue sparkles spoke of the things of Heaven and being heavenly-minded—seeing and doing from Heaven’s perspective and being prepared in that. The jet being motionless speaks of the fact that we really have been launched, yet the lack of movement in or into our calling looks and feels unnatural and abnormal. We feel like we should be moving.
The fact that the jet was only motionless for a very short time told me that this season of waiting will be very short and then we will be released to go, even as we have desired to go…and some are going eve now! This day of signs and wonders not only spoke to us but was the Lord’s confirmation for those who are in that season that feel like a “holding pattern.” This word is for you.
Believe God, stay in faith and get ready to be launched!
Michael Van Vlymen
River of Blessings International Ministries
Email: info@riverofblessingsinternationalministries.org
Website: http://www.riverofblessingsinternationalministries.org
Michael Van Vlymen is an author and speaker who teaches about the supernatural things of God. It’s Michael’s passion to share that everyone can learn to see in the spirit realm and walk in the supernatural. Michael travels the world sharing and teaching the revelation God has given him and equipping Believers to fulfill their destiny in Christ. Michael is the author of several books including “How to See in the Spirit” a best-seller on the subject of spiritual sight.

Incredible Increase, Breakthrough and Abundance…Don’t forget

Yesterday I heard the song:  “Don’t You Forget About Me.”
By Lana Vawser
About two years ago I had a radical encounter with the Lord that changed my life. Sitting on the floor of my prayer room delighting in Him, He began to show me a season of incredible breakthrough, blessing upon blessing, increase and abundance that was coming to the Church. That season of incredible provision, that season of incredible harvest and fruitful abundance, there would be SO much blessing all around, but in the midst of all the blessing, all the provision and all the increase, I heard Him whisper to me… “But don’t lose Me. Don’t forget Me.”
This incredible sense surrounded me that in the midst of the increase that was coming that was so significant, so beautiful, so refreshing, the change of the season into a land full of breakthrough of promises, to not forget Him. To be “intentional” in the blessing and abundant “new lands” to be pressing deeper into the quiet place, the secret place of intimacy with Him unlike never before.
Recently, this encounter has been stirring in me SO much. When I asked the Lord why it was stirring in me again, He whispered to me that two years ago I was forerunning what He is releasing now.
The Lord recently brought me back to a passage of Scripture that He brought before my eyes a year ago. It’s from Deuteronomy 8:7-18:
“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.
Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
There is so much in this passage which I believe the Lord is speaking through today, and I will continue to unpack this and share as the Lord leads me to, but today I want to encourage you with this.
The Lord is bringing you into a good, new land. It is a land that is going to be a land of refreshing. There is going to be new wine, there is going to be healing, there is going to be increase, there is going to be abundant provision – the camels are coming. There is going to be financial increase for many of you. There is going to be favour, opportunity, increase, blessing upon blessing, hearts desires fulfilled, tremendous fruitfulness and your heart is going to DELIGHT and BE SATISFIED in all that the Lord releases in you and to you. His heart is for you to THRIVE in your new land.
There is going to be tremendous blessing…
Deuteronomy 1:11 says:
“May the LORD, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!”
There is going to be tremendous increase that you will receive, but in the midst of the increase, in the midst of the blessing… I feel the heart of God SO strongly..
“Don’t forget Me”
I feel a beautiful, loving warning from the heart of God, that in the midst of the tremendous increase and blessing coming to you, stay deep in the secret place. Stay close to His heart and I feel the Lord saying that as you stay deep in the secret place, “YOU WILL REMEMBER”.
Be intentional to continue to “come away” with Him. He is bringing you in the midst of tremendous blessing and increase to a greater place of “union” with Him.
OBEDIENCE OVER OPPORTUNITY
I have been talking a lot about this lately, but the Lord is having me repeat this over and over. “Obedience over opportunity”. In this new land of blessing, of provision, of increase, stay close to His heart and seek His strategy. Seek His guidance and His WAY to steward all that He is releasing. For in this new land, there will be many opportunities, but the Lord is encouraging us to continue to choose Him and choose to obey His voice, no matter how sparkly the opportunity is that comes. Do not forget the commands of the Lord, do not forget the strategy that He has given you. Do not forget to hold to His decrees. For the “pathways” in this new land of significant increase, may be completely different to what you expect and the Lord may have you “go against the grain”, but I encourage you to OBEY His voice even when you don’t understand.
I had a significant dream this year where the Lord showed me increase coming to the people of God and the wisdom that would be NEEDED to steward the increase He is releasing. As I was waking the Lord spoke to me “Lana, in this season, increase and wisdom are marrying.” So I implore you, in this season of incredible increase that is about to burst forth in a whole new way in the new lands, to be seeking the wisdom and strategy of God to know how to STEWARD the land of incredible blessing and increase. (James 1:5)
BE INTENTIONAL TO REMEMBER – A WARNING AGAINST PRIDE
“Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “
In this new land of increase and blessing, as we continue to remember His decrees and obey His voice, staying deep in the secret place, close to His heart, our hearts will be guarded. I felt the Lord saying to “BE INTENTIONAL TO REMEMBER”. Be INTENTIONAL to remember what He has done for you, who He is, and where you have “come from” in the place of incredible increase and blessing. Whatever that looks like for you, be purposeful to REMEMBER all He has done for you and brought you through.
“…….who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you.” (verses 14-16)
I felt this warning from the heart of such a beautiful Father, our perfect heavenly Father, because He is wanting His people to be guarded from the place of pride. I saw in the new land of incredible blessing and increase, I saw MANY beginning to struggle with pride, and pride creeping into hearts and a great “forgetting” was taking place, but the Lord is releasing such a beautiful warning to us as His people, that as we enter into this place of incredible blessing and increase, that we stay deep in that place of intimacy where He develops humility within us, He refines by fire, He purifies and He leads us. In this new land as we live deep in the secret place, He is going to bring about great rest, He is going to bring about great refreshment and He is going to continue to remove the things within us that continue to wage war against against what He is wanting to build and release.
SO MUCH IS ABOUT TO CHANGE
SO much is about to change!!! This is the season of radical change, and I sense the strategy of the enemy to attempt to lure hearts in their promised lands into a place of busyness or hinder that quiet, secret place, deep place of intimacy with Jesus, because He doesn’t want us as God’s people to know how to STEWARD the increase, He wants it hindered.
But friend, I encourage you today, as the Lord leads you into this new land, as the blessing, the increase, the financial blessing, the breakthroughs explode all around you more and more, stay close to His heart. Be intentional to come away with Him and remember what He has done and from where you have come. There is a glorious new depth of intimacy awaiting you in your new land of promise. The Lord wants you to be filled with great joy, your heart glad and rejoicing in your blessing and the increase He is releasing upon you, but He also wants you to stay in the place of deep communion with Him. He wants to develop your union with Him in greater ways in the land of blessing.
The Lord whispered to me…”Many know how to steward the deep place of intimacy in hardship and trial and at times lack, but few know how to steward the deep place of intimacy in the increase, in the blessing and in the abundant favour.”
He wants to teach us in a whole new and fresh way how to steward increase and blessing with integrity, humility and purity and I believe that is why it is so imperative as He leads us into these new lands of increase and blessing that we are sowing into the secret place of knowing Him, delighting in Him, our beautiful Jesus, as our true source, our first love, our all in all, more than EVER before.
I saw many of God’s people swimming in the rivers of the Spirit at depths they had never experienced, moving in such a powerful flow of revelation of His Word and who He is as they stayed deep in the secret place. A whole new realm of flowing with Him, the leading of His Spirit and being sensitive to heaven’s strategy.
The land before you is BOUNTIFUL, and in His heart and the secret place, He will teach you to steward it and enjoy it with great joy!!!!