Do you remember this old Spiritual?
LET MY PEOPLE GO:
When Israel was in Egypt’s land,
Let My people go!
Oppressed so hard they could not stand,
Let My people go!
Refrain:
Go down, Moses,
Way down in Egypt’s land;
Tell old Pharaoh
To let My people go!
No more shall they in bondage toil,
Let My people go!
Let them come out with Egypt’s spoil,
Let My people go!
Oh, let us all from bondage flee,
Let My people go!
And let us all in Christ be free,
Let My people go!
You need not always weep and mourn,
Let My people go!
And wear these slav’ry chains forlorn,
Let My people go!
Your foes shall not before you stand,
Let My people go!
And you’ll possess fair Canaan’s land,
Let My people go!
Back at the end of 2009, I heard the Lord saying, “Only take into 2010 what you absolutely need. Leave everything else behind.” It was so significant to me that I wrote it on my calendar and reminded myself of it every month. This word came in very handy as we were moving and having to sort through almost 20 years of stuff we’d accumulated over our married years. I kept reminding myself to let go of the things I really didn’t need. Eventually we “let go” of two large trailers full of items, plus several lawn and leaf bags full of clothing, toys, etc. We also put everything else that wasn’t essential (but we wanted to keep for our new house) in a storage unit. It’s funny that after we moved, we ended up getting rid of even more things that we had stored!
Allowing the Holy Spirit to move in our lives in such a way that He refines and purifies is a good thing. He can bring radical change – even re-prioritizing our relationships and attachments. This is not only true for possessions, but of matters of the heart and spirit as well.
We also must be careful that things we feel like we just have to hold onto may in the end have a hold on us! Think about that statement for a minute.
I am not alone in the Spiritual Spring Cleaning concept. This theme also seems to running through my circle of prayer friends for 2011... "Let things go!"
I also find that in God's numbers 11 is the number for destruction. What does that mean for the church?
Be Prepared for a challenging year....
There are so many people that say, “Ah, I wouldn’t want to repeat 2010”, but I think in many ways people are going to be affected even worse than in 2010 in various ways. Not only do we need to learn to let go, but I feel like the oppression of the enemy is going to be very great and God’s people will cry out once again, “Let my people go!” We must declare in authority to the devil, “Let GO!”
But, I also feel the Lord saying that when the enemy comes in like a flood, He will raise up a standard against it. Even in the darkest of nights, His light still shines and we will be like the children of Israel in Goshen. Darkness fell across Egypt, but there was still light in Goshen and it poured forth from their homes. Those in the darkness marveled at the light and asked “How can this be?”
Even if circumstances around us seem to crumble, God will be the sustaining force in our lives. Now will be the proof of the work he has done in our hearts – as we shine for Him. I also feel like this destruction will boomerang on the devil as far as the righteous believers he tries to overcome. The foot of the righteous will hold firm, but the works of the enemy are going to be destroyed!
For the church, the true remnant will be revived...
For those who allow it, God will revive and they will be infused with power from on high! Even in the midst of turmoil, His glory shining through their lives will be bright - as the sun. The trials of life will bring out the best in the body of Christ. Pressures will cause purity to arise. Out of the abundance of their hearts their mouth will speak - praise, glory, honor, and power to God!
More shaking....
I would not be surprised if we see more and more events unfolding that are going to shake this world. Just think of what the Word warns us about in the last days... wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, earthquakes, famine, etc. etc. The Word also declares that everything that can be shaken will be shaken. That's not just referring to the physical world, but the Spiritual one as well. But, He also promises us that He will never let the righteous be shaken. When these things happen, we will stand unmoved because we are fixed to the foundation – the solid rock, Jesus Christ. In all this shaking, God wants to get man’s attention so that all may come to Him. He may allow things in this country that we haven’t seen before or at least in a long time.
God never wants us to be in the dark or informed about what is occurring individually or in the world around us. Therefore, I believe He is giving us a "heads up" on the current conditions.
Concerning the current conditions of the world, I believe God is using something very familiar to all of us to warn us of the days ahead... 9/11.
I was also reminded that every month this year, there will be a 9/11 (12 total):
1/9/11, 2/9/11, 3/9/11, 4/9/11, 5/9/11, 6/9/11, 7/9/11, 8/9/11, 9/9/11, 10/9/11, 11/9/11, 12/9/11
We can already see how January brought the tragedy in Tucson – and so close to 1/9/11. In fact, most people were hearing about it on Sunday the 9th. Then the connection with the little girl’s death and she was born on 9/11/01. Incidentally, we have a son – Leviticus - that was born on the morning of 9/11/01! My heart breaks for these families affected by this tragedy and they are in my heart and prayers. I can only wonder, however, what might be next….
The devil is seeking our destruction. He is going to reap havoc this year!
God has his plans for "destruction" as well....
BUT again, when the devil comes in like a flood, God will raise up a standard for His children. God is seeking to destroy the works of the devil this year. He will display His power in many ways. He will show Himself mighty and His name will be glorified. Watch for God to manifest Himself in wonderful ways, but we must also watch and beware because the false is going to flow. Only those close to the Lord will be able to tell the difference and guard themselves!
I do not share these things to inflict fear or doubt... but to share with you what God has placed on my heart so we can watch and be in prayer. These things are to protect us, not wound.
Conclusion:
What is this message saying to you today?
