2021
Out of Darkness into Light
"The Demonic Lullaby or the Awakening, or Both?"
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thess 5:4-6
1 Thess 5:4-6
The decades of the 2020s rolled in with a vengeance setting the course for 2021. We have sensed for a couple of years that there is a divine “Reset” taking place. You probably have seen or heard the word repeatedly over the past couple of years, either through conferences harboring the word or in articles/books you have read. The “Reset” catapulted into a divine disruption with COVID 19 interrupting the “normal” routines of life…globally. No matter what your stance is on the issue, our lives have been distinctly disrupted.
The year has led us into this holiday season with a distinctly different sense and awareness of a shift. Governmental concerns and conflicts are rising across the nations. From Brexit to election irregularities and incongruities feeding uncertainties in nations such as Israel and USA, COVID 19 restrictions, severe weather patterns, the list could go on and on of the “disruptions” now happening. In a distinct spiritual sense, whether in this holiday season or in the coming months, the issue is that we are at war. The antichrist spirit is ramping and we are moving into new dimensions of needed wisdom and revelation lest its tricks take us captive. A massive spiritual battle is raging, and God is calling us to attention.
The sound of the battle:
The challenges before us are requiring new expressions and fresh revelation in our approach. The level and intensity of pushbacks and frontline engagement require many to come out of the sidelines and find their place in the ranks. Others on the frontline have had to re-arrange strategy and alignments to sustain or even maintain the ground taken in the past season. Looking back to the way things have been and figuring out how to keep them may not be the way forward in the future. The reset is taking shape.
The demonic lullaby
In such a shift, the war over our minds is real. Today the enemy has ramped his activity to separate us from God and from one another. From COVID 19, to outright accusations, financial upheavals, and intimidation the enemy is at work. Such tactics propagate fear and cause us to be intimidated, disappointed, isolated, weary, critical, fearful, and resentful. On the other hand, God is trying to strengthen us. Understand, when you toy with and agree to the sound of accusations, weariness, grief, disappointment in God, frustration, anger, bitterness, strife, selfish ambition, or jealousy (2 Tim 3:1-9), you are coming under the thumb of the demonic lullaby. Succumbing to these emotions prevent spiritual growth. The accuser of the brethren will be very active in the coming season to keep us from spiritual advance. Be forewarned and ready yourself in His Word to withstand such temptation. Scripture is clear that we are to “Bless those who curse us and pray for those who spitefully use us,” Mt. 5:44. If the road seems too tough and the pushback so strong that you want to give up, you are very much succumbing to the “Demonic lullaby!” Zechariah 3 and Revelation 12:10-11 warn of the enemy’s plans to take out the faithful. These taunts translate into thoughts that separate you from the redemptive plan of Jesus and put you under the thumb of the accuser.
The Awakening
God is now using the pressures of this age to strengthen us. Joshua’s stance before the angel of the Lord in Zechariah 3 relays a picture of the present times. Satan is speaking into Joshua’s ear. We can all imagine what Joshua was hearing. However, note Joshua’s stance. He did not run away from the enemy, point fingers, collapse, weep and wail, but stood dressed resolutely in filthy rags. The rags represent any weakness or failure the enemy had legal right in which to accuse him. However, he stood with his gaze firmly fixed on the angel of the Lord. As he did so, the time eventually came when the Lord said, “The Lord rebuke you!” to Satan. Immediately, the breakthrough came. Joshua received a new turban, a new mindset, and a new mantle, a new authority. It is a picture of the warfare today. As the antichrist spirit ramps, we too, need to be strong and of good courage. Know He is with us and that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world, 1 John 4:4.
The antidotes and fuel for awakening will not be easy, but when applied, will increase authority and capacity to love in increasingly dark days. What are these antidotes to keep us steady and in the right spiritual alignment? These are but a few foundations for a strong backbone for the year ahead:
Our mission:
As we stand as watchmen and link shields across our cities, regions, and nations, God is raising a powerful Church, an Ekklesia, that will set aside individual differences, but rather engages with your will and Word. The Isaiah 58:9 fast is powerful. By setting aside the pointing of the finger and speaking of wickedness, God will grant us grace to bridge cultures, genders, and generations to bring hope and beacons of light to an increasingly lost and disenfranchised world. Isaiah 58:12 promises we will be "Repairers of the breach and Restorer of streets to dwell in." What will emerge? A pure, passionate, and spotless Bride. We are privileged to live in a time when we will see His glory manifest in ways not yet witnessed. No matter what the challenge, press into the backbone of the "Awakening," and witness the testimony of Jesus manifest.
On the wall
Susan Rowe
The year has led us into this holiday season with a distinctly different sense and awareness of a shift. Governmental concerns and conflicts are rising across the nations. From Brexit to election irregularities and incongruities feeding uncertainties in nations such as Israel and USA, COVID 19 restrictions, severe weather patterns, the list could go on and on of the “disruptions” now happening. In a distinct spiritual sense, whether in this holiday season or in the coming months, the issue is that we are at war. The antichrist spirit is ramping and we are moving into new dimensions of needed wisdom and revelation lest its tricks take us captive. A massive spiritual battle is raging, and God is calling us to attention.
The sound of the battle:
The challenges before us are requiring new expressions and fresh revelation in our approach. The level and intensity of pushbacks and frontline engagement require many to come out of the sidelines and find their place in the ranks. Others on the frontline have had to re-arrange strategy and alignments to sustain or even maintain the ground taken in the past season. Looking back to the way things have been and figuring out how to keep them may not be the way forward in the future. The reset is taking shape.
The demonic lullaby
In such a shift, the war over our minds is real. Today the enemy has ramped his activity to separate us from God and from one another. From COVID 19, to outright accusations, financial upheavals, and intimidation the enemy is at work. Such tactics propagate fear and cause us to be intimidated, disappointed, isolated, weary, critical, fearful, and resentful. On the other hand, God is trying to strengthen us. Understand, when you toy with and agree to the sound of accusations, weariness, grief, disappointment in God, frustration, anger, bitterness, strife, selfish ambition, or jealousy (2 Tim 3:1-9), you are coming under the thumb of the demonic lullaby. Succumbing to these emotions prevent spiritual growth. The accuser of the brethren will be very active in the coming season to keep us from spiritual advance. Be forewarned and ready yourself in His Word to withstand such temptation. Scripture is clear that we are to “Bless those who curse us and pray for those who spitefully use us,” Mt. 5:44. If the road seems too tough and the pushback so strong that you want to give up, you are very much succumbing to the “Demonic lullaby!” Zechariah 3 and Revelation 12:10-11 warn of the enemy’s plans to take out the faithful. These taunts translate into thoughts that separate you from the redemptive plan of Jesus and put you under the thumb of the accuser.
The Awakening
God is now using the pressures of this age to strengthen us. Joshua’s stance before the angel of the Lord in Zechariah 3 relays a picture of the present times. Satan is speaking into Joshua’s ear. We can all imagine what Joshua was hearing. However, note Joshua’s stance. He did not run away from the enemy, point fingers, collapse, weep and wail, but stood dressed resolutely in filthy rags. The rags represent any weakness or failure the enemy had legal right in which to accuse him. However, he stood with his gaze firmly fixed on the angel of the Lord. As he did so, the time eventually came when the Lord said, “The Lord rebuke you!” to Satan. Immediately, the breakthrough came. Joshua received a new turban, a new mindset, and a new mantle, a new authority. It is a picture of the warfare today. As the antichrist spirit ramps, we too, need to be strong and of good courage. Know He is with us and that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world, 1 John 4:4.
The antidotes and fuel for awakening will not be easy, but when applied, will increase authority and capacity to love in increasingly dark days. What are these antidotes to keep us steady and in the right spiritual alignment? These are but a few foundations for a strong backbone for the year ahead:
- Truth: We are in and will be going further into an epic battle between truth and deception.
- “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will ad to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” Pro 3:1-3
- Faith: Fight from a place of victory and trust in God and His Word not what you see or hear.
- “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie.” Psalm 40:4
- Hope: Do not fall into the hands of fear.
- “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” 1 Peter 3:14-16
- Love: In the face of accusations and intimidation, refuse offense. Bless and do not curse those who revile you.
- “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Mt. 24:12
- “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” Heb 12:14-15
- Wisdom: We will be increasingly challenged to seek wisdom in times when resistance to God’s way is obstructive. God will make a way where there seems to be no other way.
- “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Pro 4:4-7
- Revelation: God will reveal Himself to make a way where there seems to be no way.
- “They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” 2 Chron 20:20
- Do not forsake gathering with others. Community is essential for spiritual health, accountability and well being.
- "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Heb 11:11
Our mission:
As we stand as watchmen and link shields across our cities, regions, and nations, God is raising a powerful Church, an Ekklesia, that will set aside individual differences, but rather engages with your will and Word. The Isaiah 58:9 fast is powerful. By setting aside the pointing of the finger and speaking of wickedness, God will grant us grace to bridge cultures, genders, and generations to bring hope and beacons of light to an increasingly lost and disenfranchised world. Isaiah 58:12 promises we will be "Repairers of the breach and Restorer of streets to dwell in." What will emerge? A pure, passionate, and spotless Bride. We are privileged to live in a time when we will see His glory manifest in ways not yet witnessed. No matter what the challenge, press into the backbone of the "Awakening," and witness the testimony of Jesus manifest.
On the wall
Susan Rowe
