Originally posted on Rivermail.
Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus our Lord!!!
I am a pastor of a A/G church in the middle of the bible belt U.S.A.. I am writing today to encourage those who are seeking revival/renewal/refreshing for their local churches, especially those who are laboring in difficult dry places.
This is a prophetic word that I received after coming through a difficult season.
"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in the high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water." ISA. 41:17-18
Conditions and circumstances that conflict with the current present day visitation of God's presence in your life and in the life of your church are nothing more than feeble attempts by your adversaries ( selfishness. sin, and satan) to captivate your energies and attention away from the presence of God. Your adversaries are using these conflicts to bring immediate immobilization of your vision of God to bring you into subjection to these problems. Your problems aren't your problems! Your perception of these problems are draining you of your time and talents. Look for the presence of Jesus, He is there with the visitation you are thirsting for!
Attack the enemy in the warfare of your own mind. Jesus' presence is more real than the perception of your problems. This is concerning your own attitude.
Concerning the warfare in that surrounds the atmosphere of the church:
1. The spirit of religion has its roots in the works that people do. They tolerate this spirit because it makes them feel good about what they do. That is why they brush off the conviction of the Holy Spirit that is contending for them. They have lost their first love (Rev. 3:1-3). The spirit of religion is broken by the power of real relationship with Jesus. Passion for God is the defining quality that will manifest as religion is broken off of lives!!!
2. The traditions of men has its roots in the way things have always been done. The worship of the past hinders the real worship in the present. They tolerate this stronghold because of they have learned spiritual behavior that revolves around a laziness to seek the Lord for new expressions of Him and new experiences with Him. Criticism and skepticism are the manifestations of this. The stronghold of tradition is broken by pursuing Jesus. Do not seek Him where He has been ( there are only footprints) but follow Him where His presence abides currently ( where He stands today). Jesus power flows from his fresh presence! The power of God is the difference between tradition and pursuit.
3. The Jezebel spirit has its roots embedded in the strong personality of flesh. They tolerate this spirit because it draws attention to who they are. The feeling of prestige and power they have gained through their manipulation and intimidation of others blinds them from true subjection and humility. When confronted strife and division often manifest. They will oppose any thing (especially those flowing in the government of God as in a Pastor) that conflicts with their way. Hatred and variance flow from them when scorned. The man or woman of God must guard diligently their own mental disposition when in the arena with Jezebel for depression and disillusionment will try to attach itself to their spirit.( see Elijah in 1 Kings 19). The spirit of Jezebel is broken by the power of God. Fire will fall when the wood is wet, it will rain when you travail, and Jezebel will be eaten and devoured by the prophetic voice of God in the church!(1 Kings 18:38,42-45, 21:23) Be not afraid for God stands with those who stand with Him!
4. The unclean spirit that prevails in the lives of many today that manifest through infirmity, impurity, and in the lack of integrity must be broken by purity. You have the power over this spirit (Mt. 10:1 & Acts 5:16). These spirits are loosed from the very mouth of the enemy and will plague our culture in these last days (Rev. 16:13). The youth and young adults are very susceptible to these unclean spirit. The very generations that have been targeted by these spirits are the very ones that the Lord is sweeping through in revival. The present day move of God is literally setting our children, teenagers, and young adults free cleansing them of all the uncleanness and every other vice associated with these unclean spirits. The children, youth, and young adults of your church are destined to be released from the influences of uncleanness and will arise as the Holiness of the Lord!!!
The heavens around you have been filled with warfare but God is prevailing on your behalf sending divine help to combat the evil one and counter the influences of these and more spirits and strongholds. The atmosphere will become clearer as you climb higher in your thirsting of God. As you seek the face of God others will feel the hand of God. Know Gods ways and see God's works.(Psa. 103:7) Your difficulties have not quenched your desire for the Lord and in greater measure they will not withhold the Lord from visiting you with his restoring presence.
SIMPLIFY..............
1. Love the Presence of the Lord! Make room for His presence in your Life and in your church.
2. Love People. Love the saints as well as the sinner. You have made more of an effort to please the saint than to receive the sinner. Seek to embrace and accept others as though they were Christ in your midst.
3. Love Prayer. It is only through prayer that the presence of Heaven will flow. The programs, the personalities, the successes of the past will not produce the River of God, but prayer will. The Lord is raising up intercession in you and others. Pray for the fire to fall that will consume. Pray for the river to flow that will produce a continual stream of refreshing. Positioned above you is a waterfall of the Glory of God it will descend and flow through intercession. It will start as a rushing stream then will become wider and deeper flowing into the desert wilderness producing life. Your land will be green and filled with growth!!!
My prayer in posting this is to encourage and to release faith. Also to let others know that you are not alone in your thirsting for God.
"Heavenly Father, I come in Jesus wonderful name. I ask that you would refresh your laborers. Encourage them not to give up or quit. Open our eyes to see you and your wonderful blessing. Let the powers of the enemies be broken Now!!! In the dry places let your river flow. Thank you Jesus, In your mighty name. Amen!"
Pastor Steve Young
syoung2@juno.com (Steve L Young)