Over the next few weeks there are going to be some major shifts taking place. These shifts are a launching pad into this next year 5780/2020. September has been a month of birthing and just as it is when you birth a new baby, nothing remains the same; everything changes! There are challenges but even more so, there is a brand new level of joy. In the changes, challenges and joy, there is a heavier weight of responsibility and greater desire for rest. This has to be our posture – recognizing the weight placed upon us and keeping the unquenchable desire to be at rest in our Heavenly Father.
I have continually heard “Heaven and Earth colliding”. Now, we know that we, as children of God, carry Heaven, His presence and His authority everywhere we go. Yet, we know we are still fully reliant on Him to make manifest His will; His plans for His purpose in each of those moments and places. With that said, we also know we are in a great company of other believers of massive diversity. This diversity is in wisdom, revelation, maturity, gifts and callings. I have sensed a major urgency to encourage you to remember that we are fruit inspectors; not “groupies” or harsh, unloving judges.
We are to listen to and support voices the Lord is using to sharpen us, we are to submit to the voices of authority placed over us not only for accountability but for our protection; protection from others and ourselves. But, what I have continually been seeing and hearing in the Spirit are voices acting like “celebrities” – stepping on stage and refusing to look at, engage or support their “audience”. For lack of better terms, they have taken on a “diva-like” status. The Lord has shown it to me across the board; in life situations and on social media.
As things continue to shift and change, I believe we will see this more and we need to be aware of it. Our awareness isn’t to be a vocal one, but one of “watch and see”, to approach each person, place and situation in a silent observation; not a loud, knee-jerk reaction. Know our Heavenly Father sees it, too, and He is bringing an end to it all!
There has been a tremendous disregard of the Fear of the Lord. Not a fear of His vengeance, but a Holy fear; a reverential fear. When you weigh the power of His words and presence, you will humbly steward and carry it the way it’s meant to be and the temptation to promote yourself and/or what you’re doing will not be able to manifest. Your desires to promote anything but His name cannot and will not exist.
This is also in no way accusatory of any one person or persons. This is simply something the Lord has shown me over and over ONLY to bring encouragement to every single person reading this.
We are ALL “in ministry”. Our lives, how we live, how we spend time with our family, how we go about our days, in all our work and interactions; that is our ministry. In doing life, in our quiet with the Lord, in those we listen to, we have to be bearers of good fruit and be able to discern the good fruit others are producing. We have to recognize what fruit is immature at the moment, see what is ripe and also see what is rotten. Sometimes the rotten looks ripe on the outside but is riddled with rot under the surface. In all of this, we are to ignore the stages, stop measuring them and begin weighing the fruit of everyone known and unknown.
The discernment and sight required will only come from your time with the Lord. It will not come any other way. Read His Word, ask Him the hard questions, receive His wisdom, correction, love and expansion of all He has set within you.
As we move through these next few weeks and into this New Year, we HAVE to be anchored in our Heavenly Father and our time with Him. Our posture and position has to be surrendered, silent and not worried about achievements or elevation.
Remain steadfast like Shammah (2 Samuel 23:11-16), willing to stand alone and defend your field (i.e. your family, your peace, your provision, etc.) and your promise. Shammah stood obediently in a seemingly priceless field. No one was watching, no one cheering him on, no one promoting him, no one helping him – it was just him and God.
This shift and change is going to require you to stop seeking others’ applause and assistance. They can’t do anything for you in these moments that will bring the victory or the next level the Lord has set before you. It has to be just you and God. Know the enemy has already been defeated and that land is yours!
All these changes may not look as you expected them to. They may not come in the fashion you thought, but it will all be as the Lord has said it would be.
Stay in the quiet, not looking to the left or the right. Ask the Lord to grow you in your good fruit production and to be a gracious fruit inspector.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV)
“Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.” Hosea 14:9 (NIV)
“Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions. Watch where you’re going! Stick to the path of truth, and the road will be safe and smooth before you. Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked for even a moment or take the detour that leads to darkness.” Proverbs 4:25-27 (TPT)
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
“But the wonderful anointing you have received from God is so much greater than their deception and now lives in you. There’s no need for anyone to keep teaching you. His anointing teaches you all that you need to know, for it will lead you into truth, not a counterfeit. So just as the anointing has taught you, remain in Him.” 1 John 2:27 (TPT)
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
“And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace.” James 1:5 (TPT)
Amie Rogers
rawandrealministries.com
