War...and Thankful Resolve....WHAT!?
Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts,
and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21
and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21
While on a retreat this past week, I had two very different experiences with the Lord. One was a word that there “will be war.” It was very clear. The second was more of a sustained encounter with an overwhelming sense of “thankfulness.” What in the world does thankfulness have to do with war? In spite of the dichotomous nature of the two expressions, war and thankfulness, I went on to experience the Lord in a way that left me changed.
In my personal walk, I have always tried to keep thankfulness at the core of my journey. However, this was different. The sense of thankfulness completely overtook my head and thinking. What I experienced was a powerful shield against attacks, and clarity in hearing and sensing the Holy Spirit. Through this experience, a key scripture unlocked revelation of the importance of thankfulness in this hour when wars and economic shakings threaten the landscape of the nations:
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Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21 |
Since the elections in the United States, profound tensions have escalated across the nations. The Russia/Ukraine war front has intensified. From genocide in Syria, threats of nuclear war from Iran, tensions and political upheavals brewing in No./So. Korea, Christians killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, almost every nation is being touched by wars or rumors of war. Now, insurrections are rising to rebel against the order God is trying to establish. These tensions reflect high level spiritual activity and the spirit of the anti-Christ now rising in the nations. This sense of war was affirmed this week when the new IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. General Eyal Zamir said that “2025 will be a year of war.” As tensions rise, they reflect Paul's observation to the Romans about the darkening condition of human hearts due to lack of thankfulness.
Earlier this past year, the Lord spoke about a reprieve. Does this sense of war do away with a reprieve? No! A reprieve is a stay of judgment. In practicality, a reprieve gives us a second chance to correct course and re-align with the Lord. It (reprieve) does not imply that the sentencing and its legal effects are no longer enforceable. Once the reprieve expires, the criminal sentence will be executed… unless there are legal circumstances that change the initial sentencing.[1]
War is conflict and may carry a message of judgment in it, but for us as believers, there is a bigger question. With war looming, is the reprieve over? No! The bigger question is, how do we handle war? On a more personal note, how do we handle the challenges, disappointments, and opposition in our lives? Times are changing and shaking. In that question lies the issue of a reprieve. How we handle adversity will determine the trajectory of our lives. Are we overcomers or “succumbers?” I would submit to you that thanksgiving and a grateful heart are key to unlocking the treasures of heaven, no matter what the circumstances are.
As we are now in a war season, here are some thoughts in the power of thankfulness:
SUMMARY:
In the upheavals, and insurrections, adversitites of the present times, may God strengthen and encourage you with a "Thankful Resolve," not to give up, to press in beyond whatever challenge you may be facing or distress that you see. He is a God who is there.
A bit of testimony: During this encounter with the Lord, the cares of the world became impenetrable. What replaced my thought life was a sound of an orchestra. It was a continuous orchestration and sound for three days. One particular song that recurred was a very powerful worship song “Yeshua”. Yeshua means salvation...
May this sense of thankfulness continue to spread as Jesus gathers the harvest and calls forth His worshiping-warring bride!
Earlier this past year, the Lord spoke about a reprieve. Does this sense of war do away with a reprieve? No! A reprieve is a stay of judgment. In practicality, a reprieve gives us a second chance to correct course and re-align with the Lord. It (reprieve) does not imply that the sentencing and its legal effects are no longer enforceable. Once the reprieve expires, the criminal sentence will be executed… unless there are legal circumstances that change the initial sentencing.[1]
War is conflict and may carry a message of judgment in it, but for us as believers, there is a bigger question. With war looming, is the reprieve over? No! The bigger question is, how do we handle war? On a more personal note, how do we handle the challenges, disappointments, and opposition in our lives? Times are changing and shaking. In that question lies the issue of a reprieve. How we handle adversity will determine the trajectory of our lives. Are we overcomers or “succumbers?” I would submit to you that thanksgiving and a grateful heart are key to unlocking the treasures of heaven, no matter what the circumstances are.
As we are now in a war season, here are some thoughts in the power of thankfulness:
- A thankful spirit is a powerful shield against the schemes of the enemy to disqualify the saints. While experiencing a deeper expression of thanksgiving, I could feel a shield surrounding me where no discouraging, disqualifying, critical, negative thought could enter. It is like a picture of poking a finger into a marshmallow. You can poke it, but it doesn’t penetrate, and the indentation re-expands to its original design…soft on the inside but impenetrable. That is the power of a thankful heart. Soft on the inside but secured in its position in Christ.
- The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence.
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:2-4; also 2 Sam 22:2-4
- The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
- Thinking and thought-life are completely cleared with access to “Hearing the voice of the Lord,” without hindrance or veil.
- Therefore brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:19-23
- We receive revelation from the Lord that can turn spiritual battles, wounding, offenses, and any hindrances we have in our relationship with God into victory. Adversities will always test us. In a rising environment of war, thanksgiving aligns us with God's purpose in all things. As difficult and horrific as they may be, thanksgiving will help us see God's purpose and answers in the midst of trials. Through thankful heart positions, we become overcomers...not succumbers.
- And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
- Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
- Thankfulness is unifying. Our walk with the Lord takes on a whole new dimension of depth, spiritual understanding, and victory in the midst of adversity. In other words, when thankfulness rules, our walk with the Lord and with others takes root and can bear lasting fruit.
- And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15
- 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. Hebrews 10:24-25
- And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:17-20
- The Word of God becomes living and active and accurately divides the soul and the spirit so that the Spirit grows and emanates from us. Such expansion allows the spirit to flow through us, shifting spiritual atmospheres.
- Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2 Cor 2:14
- Thanksgiving yields a healthy, spiritually active walk with the Lord. It gives us clear eyes to see and a heart that can discern the times. This is not a “Pollyanna” type walk promoting naivety, but rather a deep-rooted walk in the Lord that can work all things together for our benefit and for those around us. Some examples:
- I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-19
- And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, most gladly, I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
- Thanksgiving is key to unlocking the harvest. As the spiritual climate is escalating, the harvest is knocking at the door.
- Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
SUMMARY:
In the upheavals, and insurrections, adversitites of the present times, may God strengthen and encourage you with a "Thankful Resolve," not to give up, to press in beyond whatever challenge you may be facing or distress that you see. He is a God who is there.
A bit of testimony: During this encounter with the Lord, the cares of the world became impenetrable. What replaced my thought life was a sound of an orchestra. It was a continuous orchestration and sound for three days. One particular song that recurred was a very powerful worship song “Yeshua”. Yeshua means salvation...
May this sense of thankfulness continue to spread as Jesus gathers the harvest and calls forth His worshiping-warring bride!
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And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. Revelation 21:3-7 |
