December 09, 2001
In the past weeks, various pictures, impressions and stories from the Bible kept coming back to my mind. Using all these, the Holy Spirit began weaving a spiritual landscape which I felt is a reflection of a spiritual season that is coming upon us.

As I share these with you today, please test them and allow the Lord to speak to your hearts.

The first vision that came to me was the picture of a forest blanketed in white color (meaning winter). The trees were bare and snow flakes were falling all around. In the midst of this landscape, I saw a hand stripping away the bark of every tree in that forest.

The second vision was the picture of a camel walking through a very narrow door. The camel had to kneel down and squeeze itself through that passageway.

The third vision was that of a person standing on a rug-- and suddenly the rug was pulled away from under his feet. I saw a surprise expression on his face, he staggered a little but did not fall.

As I watched and waited for interpretation to these visions. The Holy Spirit began adding the story of Abraham's parting ways with Lot and how he offered Lot first choice in selecting the land to settle in (Genesis 13:8- 11).

This was followed by the story of Abraham offering Isaac at the altar (Genesis 22:1-11). After that, the scene of the fire from heaven consuming the sacrifice prepared by Elijah during his confrontation with the Baal priests on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38) was brought back to my mind one after the other.

Following everything, I heard these words impressed in my spirit. "A new day is coming upon my people. And I'm releasing a new wineskin. Everything related to the old will be stripped away and burned." (Matthew 9:16-17)

The winter landscape represents a season of decrease, of loss, of seeming barrenness.

The stripping of the bark of the trees meant two things. First, the Lord exposing weakness or areas in our lives or in our ministries that need correction. It also refers to someone or something that is close to us.

The camel passing through the narrow door represents that the process will not be easy, but hard.

The rug pulled out from under the man's feet reflects a suddenness at which events will dawn upon us.

All these are a warning for us to prepare for a time ahead which will be marked by difficulty, and it further implies that unpleasant events will come upon us suddenly and in ways that we will not expect.

When viewed from a purely human perspective, it will initially seem like death and disaster has descended upon us whether physical or spiritual. We will see decrease, experience loss, and taste isolation.

The area that will be affected will be very significant and important to us. It will be our Isaac-- something or someone that is very close to our hearts.

In the midst of these trying times, those who are affected by it will find their hearts sovereignly covered by the Lord--especially against feelings of "fear and regret". Yes, there will be a season of mourning, wondering and even questioning. But God will sovereignly shower His grace upon us and feelings of great RELEASE will begin to flood the hearts and minds of His people.

The path that each will take may be different but the lessons will be the same.

The first lesson will be a stretching of our TRUST in the goodness of our God. Like Job, many of us will cry out" The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." (Job 1:21-22)

Just as Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. So too will we stand strong when we enter the winter season that will come upon us.

Secondly, we are encouraged to put into action HONORING others above ourselves. Just like the generosity that Abraham extended to Lot on many instances by giving him first choice and even helping him when he was attacked-- So too, the Lord is challenging us in the coming days to act in the same manner towards people, not just those who support us, but even those who persecute or hurt or disappoint us-- To bless them with our prayers and even our resources. To honor them before others even before ourselves. To be willing to give them first share of any blessing or inheritance which we feel rightfully belongs to us.

The new wineskin that God is preparing to release to His people is symbolic of a very great anointing--- so powerful and mighty, and one that is purely from Him. This will be made available to those who hold nothing back from Him.

After this season is over, some of us will receive back the visions and dreams which we thought had died--while others will find themselves receiving a new one which will be totally different from what they have surrendered to the Lord.

What God will give to us will be the best. It will be complete and we will find ourselves planted in the middle of it suddenly . We will not need to labor as we have in the past.

If this is a race, we are entering the last laps of the run. Yes, many of us at this point are physically weary. We bore many scars and have sacrificed everything we hold dear to qualify for this race. WE WILL NOT FAIL-- FOR GOD HAS CALLED US INTO THIS RACE.

"Father, we all sense in our hearts that we are coming to the end of our human ability. We have given our all to the call that You've assigned to each of us. We ask You today to accept our offering, flawed as it may be and blow Your breath upon it. Let Your heavenly fire purify each of the offerings that we lay before You. Thank You for giving us Your grace not just to endure but more importantly to rejoice in the midst of our suffering and pain. For we know that You are with us and that You have a purpose for this season. We look forward to receiving the new wineskin which You have prepared for us. Fill us now with more of You. In Christ's Name we ask these favors. Amen!"

Blessings in Him,

Sis. Ching Co Cebu City Philippines ching@gsilink.com