In Step with Holy Spirit

We must live in the Holy Spirit and follow after him. Galatians 5:25 TPT

It’s been a hard morning. Lots of tears over a recent loss in my life. As I listened to a meditation on Galatians 5:25, I poured my heart out to God and asked for His help to walk with Holy Spirit and be conscious of HIs presence.

Just then, I looked up from my tears, and from my window I could see a grandmother with a little toddler across the street. With her arms extended, she bent down, clapped her hands, and reached out to her grandson who was a few feet away, encouraging him to come to her. A little unsteady, he moved toward her with his newly-learned skill of walking. She scooped him up in her arms, gave him a hug, then set him down as they continued their walk. Something would catch his eye, and he would stop, turn, and change direction for a few steps. All the while, she was steadfast by his side with every stop and start.

It was then I heard Holy Spirit’s voice speak to my spirit.

“I’m giving you a picture of us, dear one. I am here, arms outstretched, encouraging you to walk in the spirit and not in your understanding. I am always beside you. When you are distracted, hurting, and even when you start and stop in your pursuit of Me, I am here…waiting with arms outstretched. Even from a distance you could see the love of the grandmother for her little one, as she waited and walked closely with him. Such is my love for you…I love watching you take steps into new and perhaps unknown, pathways. Just as she delighted in being with her grandchild, so I delight in time spent with you. I am here, by your side, every moment of your day, to walk with you, lead you, guide you, and always, yes always, love you.”

Maybe like me, you need Holy Spirit’s presence with you today. You need only reach out your hand and take hold of His, because He loves you and is as close as your breath.

Holy Spirit, will you take me for a walk in the spirit with You today?

Strategies from the Chess Board

Prophetic word received by Diane M. Fink, 2004

It was one of those mornings when your conscious mind coaxes you out of that place of deep sleep, nudging you along toward full waking. But you’re not quite there yet. It was in that state that I saw, in my mind’s eye, a picture. Some might call it a vision. What unfolded before me was a huge chess board with most of the pieces standing at attention, ready to begin. Other pieces waited to be put in play, positioned on the sidelines. As I surveyed the scene, I wondered, “Why chess?” I pondered the meaning of this picture and asked the Lord what He might want to speak through it.

The first thought that came was that chess was a game of strategy. It was a game of war. Unlike other contests, like tug of war, winning at chess was not about strength and might. Rather, it required an understanding of the all the players on the board as well as a clear strategy to win. Checkmate.

Having been years removed from my last game of chess, I found myself googling the rules and practices involved in winning. It was then I began to hear insights from the Lord that apply to the our lives personally and corporately as the body of Christ.

The right moves

Each piece on the board moves in a certain path, in a particular pattern.  Every path is individual, unlike checkers where all the pieces move across the board in the same way.  While each chess piece has a unique direction in which it moves, all the pieces work together to accomplish the goal: reach the other side and capture the opponent’s king.

The Knight moves in an “L” shape pattern and is the only piece allowed to jump over other pieces. 

The Bishop moves on the diagonal, backwards and forwards. 

The Rook moves horizontally and vertically, also backwards and forwards. 

The Pawn is unique. It is like the foot soldier and can only move forward, one square at a time.

• Unlike the other pieces, a pawn never retreats – it never moves backward.

• On its first move, it can advance 2 spaces.

• Its purpose is to defend the king and queen.

• Pawns are most effective when positioned together on the board. Separated from the others, they become weak and vulnerable to attack, and the security of the king and queen is compromised.

• Pawns are the foundation and wall of protection for the game. They open up diagonals for bishops, protect other pieces, and lead the way for attacks.

• A pawn can retrieve pieces previously lost in the game by penetrating the opponent’s territory. 

There are specific strategies for each piece that can either win or lose the game. Rooks belong on open files – lines where the squares are unobstructed by other pieces. Knights belong in the middle of the board – they are less effective on the outside of the board. Bishops can control a large area and are more successful towards the center of the board.

Strategies of the game reveal that there are 5 steps to victory (which have spiritual application):

1. Identify your own weakness. 

   We all have weaknesses; don’t be afraid to acknowledge areas of weakness.

2. Fix the weakness. 

   We do this not in our own strength or ability, but by submitting it to the Lord.

3. Look for your enemy’s weak area and attack there. 

   Your opponent will be forced to defend his weakness.

   The very place the enemy attacks you, such as intimidation or fear, becomes his place of weakness when you choose to let God work in that area of your life. Goliath tried to intimidate young David, but when David chose to trust God, he defeated his enemy using Goliath’s own sword. We need to shift the mindset that keeps us on the defensive to one that is on the offensive.

4. Finally, attack the weakness with a pawn.

It doesn’t require a knight or a bishop to take a king…a pawn will do!

Then there are the king and the queen. 

The King:  

We tend to think of the king as the most powerful piece on the board since “checkmate” spells game over. The king can move in any direction – forward, backward, diagonally, horizontally, vertically. But he moves only one space at a time. 

The Queen:  

It’s interesting that the queen is the only “female” piece on the board. Unlike the other pieces that move in a prescribed path, she can move in any direction – backward, forward, diagonally, horizontally, vertically. Unlike the king, the queen can sweep across the entire board and penetrate enemy territory in one move. When it comes to scoring each piece, the queen scores the most points. The Bishop gets 3 points, the Rook, 5 points, but the Queen…she scores 9 points! (Interesting that there are 9 gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit.)

The key strategy related to the queen is this: Don’t bring your queen out too early in the game. If you do and you lose your queen, you are likely to lose the game!

Playing without the queen

The church has, in a sense, been playing without the full force of the queen – the female gender – for many years. She has not been operating at full power. Therefore, the church has not had the full benefit of one of the most powerful pieces on the board.

As I mentioned, it is possible to regain pieces lost to your opponent and bring them back into play. I believe that is what God is doing with women – His queens – bringing them back into the game at full strength. 

Whether it is the traditions of men or the strategy of the enemy that has held the female gender back, the truth is, now is the time God is moving the queens out to the forefront for His purposes and His plan for the end time season in which we are living. The female gender is being re-positioned “for such a time as this.”

God is reclaiming some who have been on the sidelines…He’s putting them back into the game. 

Others who have been in certain positions on the board are being shifted into a different place.

Every piece is powerful when positioned in the right place. 

It is about positioning. It is about advancing.

As I pondered this word, in my mind’s eye, the chess board began to morph into a map of the world. I saw women being positioned in different cities and nations. Positioned to advance and take the Gospel into the dark regions of the world. The Lord is calling you back into the game, taking you from the sidelines, bringing you into the midst of the battle. 

It is a critical time. When you understand the power you have, you can advance regardless of the enemy’s tactics. You don’t know how much power your car has until put your foot on the accelerator pedal. It’s “pedal to the metal” time! You are moving forward in the power God has ordained, but not in an angry, strident, militarist way. Rather, you move out from a place of rest, knowing that you are loved by your Bridegroom…His beloved, His queen. You have the confidence of knowing that you war from a place of victory because the King has already secured the territory you are to occupy. So be confident, be encouraged, and step out clothed in the love of your Bridegroom.

If you lose your queen, you lose the game.

Seeing is believing?

Reading the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ passion, crucifixion and death, this Easter season I’m struck by something different this year as I’ve read. To be sure, this Easter is different from past years, due to the COVID-19 quarantine affording me a lot more time to think, ponder, and wonder. 

 At His crucifixion, as Jesus hung on the Cross barely recognizable for all the torture and beatings, the chief priests and religious scholars mocked Him saying:

He saved others, but he can’t even save himself. ‘Israel’s king,’ is he? Let the ‘Messiah,’ the ‘king of Israel,’ come down from the cross right now. We’ll believe it when we see it! (Mark 15:31-32, TPT).

 But would they have believed even if He had come down from the Cross? They had ample evidence of His true nature by the sheer number of miracles He performed. Healing the sick, the blind, and the paralyzed, delivering the demon possessed, raising the dead. What more proof could they want? When Jesus was being reviled by the Jewish leaders about His deity earlier that week, He had said:

Don’t believe me unless I’m doing My Father’s work. But if I am doing His work, at least believe in the evidence of the miracles, even if you don’t believe my words. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in Him (John 10:37-38, NLT).

 So, even if Jesus had come down from the Cross, which would have violated His Father’s will and plan of redemption, they would not have believed. A.W. Tozer expressed it well:

 We shall not seek to understand in order that we may believe, but to believe in order that we may understand. The unbelieving mind would not be convinced by any proof, and the worshipping heart needs none.

 My prayer this Resurrection Sunday 2020, is that many hearts would be open to believe before seeing, trust before experiencing, and know before verifying. 

 Blessed are those who believe without seeing me (John 20:29, NLT).

And when they had broken through... (Mark 2:1-12)

I’d read the story many times. It was so familiar. The cast of characters was simple: A paraplegic man, four determined friends, and Jesus. News spread quickly in this village. The Man of God they’d heard about was teaching in a home nearby. Hoping for a healing miracle for their friend, they picked him up and headed for the house. There were people everywhere with the crowd spilling out into the street. Knowing they would never get through, they took their friend up to the roof.  It was a crazy idea, but if they could break through the tiles, maybe they could lower him down in front of Jesus. If they could just get him before the Miracle-maker, their friend might walk again.

One particular morning, my heart was suddenly gripped by the phrase - 

And when they had broken through…

Here were four men, desperate to see their friend healed. They were willing to do anything – including destroying private property! The King James Version states that they uncovered the roof.  The original language more accurately reads: They “unroofed the roof.” That means they were digging through and gouging out the mortar, tar, ashes, sand, and tiles that comprised the typical roof in those days. 

 After opening the roof, they then had to lower their friend, probably by attaching ropes to each corner of his cot.  Maneuvering an essentially dead weight, they had to be careful not to tip the stretcher, lest he fall into the midst of the crowd below.

 I marveled at the faith and intentionality of these men. Their great love and compassion for their friend compelled them to not only break through the roof, but also risk the anger of the crowd below. What a distraction and a disturbance they must have caused!

 Nonetheless, they broke through, setting the stage for a life-transforming miracle for their friend.

 I had to ask myself: How determined am I to see friends and loved ones break through to the miracle of forgiveness and healing Jesus has for them?

 What kind of roof needs to be broken through in order to experience His presence and miracles in a greater way?

 Are there mindsets that hold us back?

Wrong teaching?

Areas of sin that need break through?

Disappointments, trauma, wounding, hurts…life experiences can be the roof.

Have we knowingly or unknowingly made agreements with the enemy that keep us paralyzed in our faith?

 God’s good intention towards us is that we live in fullness, not limitation. Jesus has already made a way for us to live in His abundant love, forgiveness, healing, wholeness, and provision. Why not purpose to take the roof off whatever is keeping you from fully experiencing His goodness toward you? Maybe you need to get a few caring, determined friends to help you “break through.” It will be well worth it!

God Is Like Windows...

When you turn on your computer, unless it’s a Mac, you will see something like “Windows 2010” or another version of Windows running on your PC. When opening a program like Word, or Excel, or email, the Windows logo disappears. What’s happened? Windows is the operating system that allows you to work in programs like Word or Excel; it’s always there, it’s simply working in the background where you can’t see it. God is like that - like Windows. Working in the background where you can’t always see Him.

For 22 years of my marriage, God was working in the background. During those years, I considered myself spiritually single. By that I mean that I was alone in following the Lord. My husband, while he believed in God, wasn’t walking with the Lord. I continued to pursue God, was involved in church, tried to impart spiritual truths into our children’s lives on my own. It didn’t appear that anything spiritual was taking place in my husband’s life, though I prayed regularly for him. However, God was working in the background of my husband’s life, drawing him to Himself. One night, God’s background work became evident and my husband gave his heart to Jesus. I had the joy of watching God’s promise to me fulfilled.

There’s a great story in 2 Kings 6-7 that illustrates my point. The king of Syria had laid siege to Samaria, resulting in a great famine in the city. Food was so scarce that a donkey’s head was selling for 80 shekels of silver and dove droppings were selling for 5 shekels of silver. Pretty pricey for wild vegetables! It was so bad that Israel resorted to cannibalism (see 2 Kings 6:26-29). The king blamed the prophet, Elisha, and sent his assistant to kill him. Elisha prophesied that the famine would end within 24 hours. 

 “Then Elisha said, ‘Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’”(2 Kings 7:1)

One shekel was the standard rate for flour and barley. In effect, Elisha prophesied that within 24 hours, God would restore the economy to what it had been before the siege and famine. To put it in our context, that would be like saying, “Within 24 hours, I will restore the economy so that a loaf of bread sells for 50 cents!” Impossible, right? The king’s assistant thought so and dismissed the word of the Lord through Elisha: “Could that happen even if God opened the windows of heaven?” (2 Kings 7:2) Elisha responded: “You’ll see it but won’t eat of it.”

Suddenly the scene shifted to 4 lepers sitting at the city gate waiting to die.

God was working in the background - 

The lepers decided to go to the camp of the enemy in hopes of begging one final meal before they died. However, when they reached the Syrian camp, they found it empty of soldiers. What remained was all the food, clothing, weapons, horses, and donkeys. No Syrians, just spoil!

Long story short, when the Israelites discovered there was food to be had, they rushed out of the city to the enemy camp. The king’s assistant, standing by the gate, was trampled by the stampede of starving people and died. Just as the prophet had spoken - he saw it, but didn’t partake.

 The word of the Lord through Elisha was fulfilled and the economy was restored (2 Kings 7:18).

You see, God was working in the background to fulfill his word! And he used 4 lepers to do it.

So, what are you believing God for? What promise are you believing God to fulfill, even while it may appear nothing is happening?

Take heart, because just like Windows, God is working in the background and circumstances of your life to fulfill His word. Keep believing, keep trusting, because God keeps His Word.

Can you hear me now?

Has this ever happened to you? You’re having a conversation with a friend on your cell phone when suddenly, the call starts breaking up. Poor reception - static and interference - making it hard to hear. Your friend’s voice begins fading in and out and you’re only hearing every other word - then nothing. The line goes dead. Dropped call. Pretty frustrating, isn’t it? Of course, one telephone provider assures you that won’t happen with their service. Remember Verizon’s commercial, the guy with glasses asking, “Can you hear me now?”

How many times have you been in an area where your phone shows no connection bars? There’s no reception because there are no cell phone towers nearby. 

Sometimes, hearing from God can feel like He’s breaking up, or worse, there’s no reception. We often think, “God, can you hear me now?” 

You know the feeling? You’re faced with a big decision and you desperately need God’s wisdom. You’re struggling with a relationship and need God to show you whether to keep moving forward or let it go. You’re feeling disconnected spiritually and want to hear God’s voice and sense His presence. 

There will always be an ebb and flow of the Spirit as we navigate this life. He teaches us to move with Him when the flow is there and trust Him when it isn’t. What kinds of things cause our reception to be spotty or make it seem like His voice is breaking up when we need to hear a clear sound?

It’s not always the big things like sin or disobedience, although those certainly do break the connection. I think more often than not it is the subtle things that can put us “out of range” and interfere with our reception. Things like:

• Busyness – In our frenetically paced world, we can miss the gently nudge of the Spirit on our way through the bustle of everyday life. The still, small voice whispers:

  • Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10, NKJV).

• Stress – A tension-filled life can result in trying to juggle all the responsibilities of life. Revelation diminishes in the presence of stress. Into the pressure in our soul, He speaks:

  • You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, All whose thoughts are fixed on you (Isaiah 26:3, NLT).

• Weariness – Battle fatigue is a very real thing in both the natural and the spiritual realms. Psalms records David’s heart cry when his strength was gone. His lament echoes our own:

  • My soul melts from heaviness, Strengthen me according to Your word (Psalm 119:28, NKJV).

What can we do to improve reception, to minimize static and interference? It can be as simple as two words: Slow Down!  Years ago, Coca Cola’s slogan encouraged us to relax, have a Coke, and take “the pause that refreshes.” How about setting aside some time this week for the “pause that refreshes”?  Disengage from the busyness, stress, and weariness; plug into the stillness, peace, and strength found in God. I think you’ll find your connection is crystal clear.

Violet's Surprise

I'm not much of a gardener. In fact, truth be told, I don't even like gardening. I feel sacrilegious even saying that, seeing that I live in the Northwest where everyone gardens. I get green with envy (pun intended) when I see the pristine, well-tended, park-like yards of many of my friends. I'm lucky if I can get a rhododendron to bloom again the year after I plant it. Rhodies, as we affectionately call them, are the native plant of the Northwest and are nearly impossible to kill. However, I have one in my yard that's looking like it's about to cross over and follow the bright light into eternity.  

You can't really blame me. I grew up in the Bronx, after all. Not much call for green thumbs on the asphalt and concrete streets of Tiebout Avenue and Fordham Road. 

I used to pass a triangular postage-stamp of a park, if you could call it that, on my way to school. I could count on both hands the number of trees that graced its solitary path. 

I did make a valiant attempt when I first moved to Washington. We purchased a house – the first one I’d ever lived in since my growing up was in apartment buildings.  A yard and grass and some bushes…Oh my! This was a new experience for me. I even tried my hand at a vegetable garden (about the size of a kitchen table) but gave up when the slugs were harvesting more of my veggies than I was.

I didn't do much better in the house-plant department either. My husband used to sigh when I brought home another green prospect. 

"Poor plant," he would say, "the minute it comes in this house there's a death sentence over its head!" 

And he was right. Nine times out of ten, my lush, vibrant new plant would be dry, drooping, and dead in no time flat. 

Which is why I was so surprised by this inconspicuous little African violet that I have in my master bathroom. It's just a tiny thing, in one of those 4-inch plastic green containers. I think it was all that remained of one of those lovely planted baskets that you get as a gift. I must have kept the violet because it hadn’t given up the ghost quite yet. It's been sitting on my sink for some time, the outer leaves yellowing and falling off. I thought it was a-goner more than a dozen times. After all, I didn't water it regularly and pretty much ignored it. The only attention I gave it was to move it when I was cleaning the sink. Every once in a while I'd give it a drink. 

One day I noticed something curious. There were new, fresh leaves growing! Sure enough, small, fuzzy circular leaves were sprouting and growing bigger each day. So I began to pay more attention to the sweet little violet. Watering it more frequently, plucking off the dead leaves; I even thought I might get a pretty planter and give it a new home. With fresh soil, and some room to spread out, who knows how big it might get! I haven’t gotten around to doing that yet, but I have great intentions.

Just last week, the most amazing thing happened. I was standing at the sink, brushing my teeth, getting ready to head into my day, when I shot a quick glance at Violet (seems a fitting name, don't you think?). Out of her middle sprang 3 shoots high above the nestled, velvety leaves. Bending down for a closer look, my jaw dropped to realize that those shoots were flower buds! OMGosh! My little Violet was blooming! It may seem silly, but I can't tell you what joy that brought to my heart. 

Three tiny pink flowers, smiling up at me as if to say, "I did it! I did what I was made to do...produce beauty that brings joy."

In that moment, I heard my Father's voice teaching me an object lesson though this little plant. I too, was created with a purpose not unlike Violet's. I was made to produce beauty in the dark and ugly places where joy is desperately needed, to spread the fragrance of Christ wherever I go, and to keep on growing even through the dry spells when I am parched for some of His living water. 

And if I am faithful to "keep on keeping on," I am sure to bloom!

How about you? Need a Big Gulp of living water? You won’t find it at Seven-Eleven. However, there is a never-ending supply from the Master Gardener. You see, He’s totally committed to seeing you bloom and bring beauty to those who need a touch of His joy in their lives. So, keep growing, keep blooming, because that’s what you were created to do!

”Violet””

The Unforced Rhythms of Grace

The human spirit resides in us as a divine instrument with strings tuned to resonate with the rhythms of grace.  (Ken Gire, The Divine Embrace)

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. (Jesus, Matt 11:28-30)

Some days I fall into bed at night, drained of every last ounce of energy, wondering why I am so very tired…worn out…burned out, perhaps. To be sure, there may be very real physical reasons for fatigue, but I have a hunch more often than not in our frenetic world, it is weariness of soul. It’s the deep disconnectedness between the longings of our heart and the demandedness of the duties of our soul.

What are the “unforced rhythms of grace” Jesus is talking about? And how do I learn them and live my life from them? It means slowing down, allowing my heart to release the hidden longings, longings I don’t give time or energy to. Better not to get in touch, because to do so might lead to disenchantment or worse, an ache for something more. And so, I allow the din of the day to drown out the desires and dreams of the heart.

But in the stillness of my quiet morning time with the Teacher of the unforced rhythms of grace, the longings rise from the depths of my spirit to break the surface of my soul…unexpected and unbidden. I am in touch.

Before the day begins, in the quiet of my home,

                                       in the quiet of my soul…

Before the cacophony of sounds from the world around me rises to a deafening roar, 

silencing the still, small voice and the gentle rhythms of grace…

Before the mundaneness of life streaming incessantly breaks the divine connection of spirit to Spirit…

In those moments, I call out to my spirit to arise, to take the reins of my soul and mind…to hear, once again, the gentle strains of the unforced rhythms of His grace. 

And I find, from the core of my being, springs untapped creativity, divine inspiration, and enthusiastic incentive to embrace the longing once again. And to live “freely and lightly” within the “unforced rhythms of grace.”

- Diane Fink

Seasoned with Fire

For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  (Mark 9:49)

Remember those old, cast-iron skillets your Mom used to cook with? We had one when I was growing up and my Mom cooked everything in that pan. You didn’t see them for quite a while, but they seem to be making somewhat of a comeback. I bought one not long ago, but it had to be “seasoned” before I could cook in it. Had I tried to use it before being “seasoned,” anything from eggs to chicken would have just been a sticky mess. 

You see, when you first buy a skillet, it’s pretty much raw iron and has to be “seasoned.” The seasoning process goes like this: First, liberally rub the pan with oil. Then place it on the stove over very high heat. Wipe the pan with a paper towel when it cools and repeat. After you have repeated that process several times, the skillet becomes “seasoned.” And you have yourself a very valuable piece of cookware!

Cast iron skillets produce great culinary results when cooking on high heat, unlike Teflon-coated pans which are meant to used at lower temperatures. And there are just some foods that taste better when cooked on high. Like pancakes! You heat the pan so that a droplet of water sizzles on the surface. Then you add the oil – just enough to coat the pan. Next comes the pancake batter... watch the edges bubble as you pour it in the pan. A few moments later, you flip your pancake. Ah…golden brown perfection! You just can’t do that in a Teflon skillet. (In my humble opinion anyway!)

When I ponder my life and my walk with God, I see there have been times when I have needed to be “seasoned with fire.” Trials, temptations, difficult circumstances, have been the “fire” God used to “season” me so that I can be a vessel fit for His use in the Kingdom. 

When I have been “seasoned,” things don’t stick to me like they used to. Offenses, the devil’s lies, old beliefs and wrong ways of thinking slide off more quickly. I don’t have to hang onto them, which makes me a cleaner, purer vessel for Him to flow through. 

So if you are in the midst of the fire of His “seasoning,” remember that the day is coming when you will “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Not only will your life be enriched, but He will have a “seasoned” vessel through whom He can feed those hungering for the food only He can provide…and it’s a lot better than pancakes!

Positioned for Victory (Elijah List Post 5/2017)

They run like mighty men

They climb the wall like men of war;

Every one marches in formation,

And they do not break ranks.

They do not push one another;

Every one marches in his own column. (

Joel 2:7-8)

You Are Positioned for Victory!

Alignment…a word we hear often these days. The word refers to the aligning of time, of circumstances, of organizations. As in this verse in Joel, it also refers to the aligning of people, as in an army. God is raising up an army in this hour, with each person knowing their place and purpose in the alignment of God.

Timing and circumstance also indicate alignment. Don Finto, apostolic leader in the body of Christ, has defined this crossroad as a “suddenly”:

When the timing of God and the promises of God intersect. 

We experienced a “suddenly” of sorts when my husband and I recently moved from a home we had lived in for 25 years to a brand new house. The process took 60 days from the purchase offer on the old home to the move into the new one. I’d call that a “suddenly”! 

I experienced another suddenly in the prophetic when many things began to align around the number 17. I released a word related to that number in October, 2016. The number 17 means “Victory, God’s Elect, Transition, Promotion.” [You can read the full word here 2017 – A Pivotal Year] 

Let me give you a few examples:

·     12/17/16 – We accepted the offer on our home and would close on 1/31/17.

·     1/17/17 – A key date as the builder and mortgage company were meeting to determine our closing date.

·     2/17/17 – First day in the new house… and the new season of our lives. Incidentally, this was the day before my birthday. 

Each significant step in the process aligned exactly 30 days apart. 

Even more amazing is that when we signed the documents on the new house, the legal description of our property is Lot 17! God was saying something!

I have learned that part of being a prophet is hearing what the Lord is speaking through the circumstances of your life. As I have reflected on this process in my personal life, I also understand it is a picture God wants His people to grasp in this season. Here are the prophetic insights I feel the Lord wants to communicate to us:

Many are in a season of transition.

Our move represents a major transition in our lives – from one place where we have lived for 25 years, to a new house in which no one has ever lived. It indicates a change of season, a place that may not be familiar. For example, I turn to go to the sink in the kitchen, and it’s on the opposite side of the counter from my former kitchen. I go upstairs and have to stop and think which side the bedroom is on. 

So it is with the season we are in:

It is not yet familiar as we leave the old places to enter into the new. 

The broader application is that in our nation, things are moving very quickly with our new President. Things he campaigned on are being done NOW. Again, major transition. Despite the negative media reports, a positive shift is occurring as evidenced by the rise in the stock market and the decline in unemployment. God is doing something. 

·     In global prayer, there is a divine alignment in several areas as we have moved into 2017. Many ministries and churches are aligning in prayer for the new government as never before. A cry is going up from the Body of Christ for sustained prayer and intercession for our nation in a unified, focused effort that is new. Transition, alignment. 

·     Governmentally, there is an order coming that is rocking the status quo, which needed rocking. The major transition occurring is from the old guard of “politics as usual,” to a new breed of leaders who aren’t afraid to lead. What was once the “silent majority” is silent no more. Where the liberal agenda reigned supreme for more than the last 8 years, the conservative agenda has taken the lead, and has been given a great “victory” to move the nation forward. We are entering a new season in our nation…amid all the demonstrations, protests, and anger, there is an equally growing sense of hope for the future. It will be a year of victory as God’s people continue to pray and decree His purposes over our nation.

·     And finally, when I realized the legal description of our property was Lot 17, I felt God speak a word to me for His people:

God is giving us legal authority in the courts of Heaven to move into, and dwell, in the place of #17: Victory. This new position may take some adjusting to, just as I spoke of in my new home. Some may be accustomed to living from a place of defeat or pain or lack. 

But the Lord is saying to you –

It is a new season! You have legal authority to let go of the places in the past that have held you back, and take possession of the position I am giving you this year. Move into and take up residence in your place of VICTORY. It’s already yours – it’s been bought and paid for with the blood of my Son. Don’t let the past determine your future. Get comfortable in your new surroundings. Let expectation arise in your heart once again. Let dreams be rekindled by the breath of My Spirit. So, today, sign on the dotted line of the legal document that is already recorded in Heaven, and receive ownership of your new house. It is yours, it is waiting for you. WELCOME HOME.