Over the past number of days I have been seeing in my spirit what looks like a scene from a movie or a prolonged vision. In this “scene” there is a family in their home. The husband is sitting in a room busying himself with the things he likes to do and the wife is in another room taking care of household duties. As time goes by I see them pass one another in a hallway but they do not connect or speak. The children are in their rooms doing the things that keep them occupied. When dinner has been prepared and the family comes together once again there is little interaction beyond asking for someone to “pass the potatoes”. As dinner finishes everyone helps clean but the only words exchanged are questions such as “Can you take out the trash?”Then everyone goes back to doing their own thing in separate rooms and the cycle of being together but divided continues.

Then a second scene plays through my mind. It is the same family but the children are now teens. I see the same patterns playing out of being together yet divided and the oldest daughter approaches her parents and says to them, “Dad and Mom, I see you each day but I can’t feel you. You are in the same home but I don’t see you connected to each other and that makes me feel divided. We live here but don’t love here.”

As these two scenes kept replaying in my mind I asked the Lord what He is wanting specifically to say through them. He answered me by taking me back to a vision that I had about a year ago of clock gears turning over lives, families and even churches, but they turned independently of each other. It kept individuals busy but they were just going around in circles (not going forward). Then God reached down and like a pieces of a puzzle coming together, these individual wheels were connected and it caused the “hands of time” to move forward. Forward motion began as unity and connectivity was restored.

God is reaching down even now to bring the divided parts together. As we yield to His hand and cooperate with His Spirit, He is highlighting relationships. Just as the family I saw lived in the same home but was divided relationally, we can allow our relationship with Jesus to become functional. We can lose “first love” and begin to move independent from the oneness and unity that God so desires. We can even go through the motions of what we think intimacy looks like, but lose our heart connection. God is inviting His bride back into the place of “flesh of my flesh,bone of my bone.”

He is not only reuniting intimacy and connectivity with Him but also with one another. He is highlighting couples, families, friendships, and fellowship. This work will be a partnership with His Spirit. Where the busyness of life has created divisions and independence from one another, God is calling His family to come back into intimacy and oneness of spirit. He is restoring first love between husbands and wives, healing the separation between fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers. He is pulling each of us like separate puzzle pieces and connecting us to create a picture that represents His Kingdom—which is a family.

It is like time has stood still due to disunity; like a wristwatch that has stopped ticking. As the interlocking wheels come together, time is reset and forward movement takes place. The Kingdom advances.

Recently I was with someone who I have been very close to relationally. While we were together everything appeared fine but I felt very disconnected from this person. Finally I stopped and said, “I can’t feel you. I don’t feel your spirit or the intimacy of heart with you.”
Then this person shared the struggle and warfare that they were going through and how it had created a disconnect in their heart; first with God and then with others. I felt that this was a picture of an assignment that the enemy had sent against many to bring divide Hs family.

Revelation 2:4 says,
But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love].

We must not allow familiarity to replace first love. We call out for the wind of the Spirit to blow upon the embers of intimacy and love, first with God and then with one another.
If we walk in God’s statutes and truths apart from intimacy and first love, then we begin to create rules and laws rather than partnership and true unity. We become that resounding gong because we don’t have love.

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
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Today, invite the Spirit to rekindle first love. Ask Him to add love to all that you do and then watch the wheels come together to advance the Kingdom, and the puzzle pieces connect so that the world sees a family.

Here in North America we have entered the winter months where, in many places, the ground is covered in the winter’s white snow. If you go to the mountain tops the snow is untouched, undisturbed and looks as if the purest white linen has been laid upon the ground. A hush comes with this beauty that causes the onlooker to find stillness and rest.
As we finish the second 8-day segment of “The Yielding” we also finish the focus verse from Zechariah 3:5,

“Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by.” Zechariah‬ ‭3:5
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The angels brought new clothes that represented Joshua’s restoration and purification. We, too, have received a “new turban” as our minds have been renewed and new garments as we have yielded to a deep purification in our hearts. Just like the undisturbed snow-covered mountain tops, a hush and stillness has come upon us. The beauty of “Christ in us” and the peace that comes with alignment and purity causes a “Selah” to come upon our lives. I even sense Heaven’s holy hush as they view this act of grace as the pure white linens have been laid upon God’s people.

Today is a day to rest in the work that has been done. It is a day to feel the peace that purity and grace has brought to us.

Breathe it in and let the light burden of the Lord bring us into a deep rest. As we rest we will be taken higher. It is in the high places that the gentle snow falls and covers everything with a white garment. The rains came to wash and at times it felt like a flood of debris being removed accompanied by the sound of thunder. Now we have been washed and clothed anew. The sound of the silence is the sound of the peace that surpasses our understanding.

I am reminded of the verse in Isaiah 1:18 that says,

“Come, let us settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool.

It is settled and today we can rest. God will bring the new instructions but we will carry them out without the burdens of all that we’ve been carrying. He has removed our iniquities and taken our burdens. His yoke is as light as the soft white linens that now covers us. His gentleness surrounds us and His peace rests upon His chosen ones. .
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~Selah~

​Today I read a vision that an artist from South Africa had that I feel is very significant during this time that we are experiencing a sovereign work of the cross that is ushering us into the NEW.

The vision was this:

“VALLEY OF THE KINGS _ A DOORWAY WITH A NEW INSCRIPTION (Lynette Van Todder)

I saw an ancient doorway made of huge yellow blocks of stone (sandstone), the second focus was on the pillars on either side which indicated the importance of the building. The colour of everything was ‘botter geel’ (butter yellow) these words kept playing around in my mind as if the colour is really important. Above the huge entrance was some hieroglyphic writing. As I looked it kept dissolving like sand in an hour glass, revealing a new inscription in ancient writing. This kept disappearing as the sand dissolved and fell down to reveal the next writing. I asked the lord what is this I am seeing? He said: I am changing the script. After quite some time and after many different inscriptions, it stopped. There was indented Greek like writing, but I could still not make it out. I Asked The Lord what is the new script, I can’t read it well and He impressed on me that it was what was written on the cross above Jesus’ head. INRI (King of the Jews).

As I read this vision of the “scripts being changed” it immediately brought me to words the Lord has been speaking to my spirit for the past few months. The words have been,

“Whose narrative are My people listening to?”

In Zechariah 3, we see that Joshua the high priest has the Lord on one side of him and Satan on the other. He had been living according to the narrative of the enemy; causing him to be clothed in garments soiled with iniquities and accusation. In the great mercy of God, He is “plucked like a brand from the fire” (Zechariah 3:2) and becomes a sign and wonder for generations to come of the grace of the cross of Jesus.

Her vision took me into my own vision in which I saw men and women with ancient writings upon their foreheads (minds). I knew that it was Egyptian writings and they represented their “former captivity”. They represented old mindsets, former beliefs and the messages that remained from the former life. These were falling away like a sand castle collapsing. Just as in the vision above, which concluded with the inscription appearing that was upon the cross being now written upon the ancient doorway “INRI” (Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews), I saw those same words written now upon the foreheads of God’s people. Forevermore, they were marked with the declaration of the cross and their lives were engraved with His signature, “King of the Jews”.

I believe that this is a “doorway season”. Many have already passed through but God has extended grace and time so that all of His children may pass through. This doorway is inscribed with the words, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”. As we pass through there is a sovereign work done where the former things, the old mindsets and wrong alignments are being set in alignment with His rule over our lives. This is not a tyrannical rulership but rather an intimate relationship that removes all of the former things that have ruled over your life causing strongholds, captivity and accusations. The pillars of God’s truth and justice are upon this doorway and His name is inscribed upon the doorpost.

I encourage you to go through this doorway today. Begin by taking communion; for this is your declaration of remembrance of the grace by which you have been saved. It is an agreement that your life is forever marked by the grace and salvation paid for by the “King of the Jews”. You have surrendered all (yielded all) and you now rule and reign with Him. You are marked with sonship and a signet ring that give you kingly authority has been placed upon your hand. Your priesthood is restored, your garments have been changed and the former things that were built upon sinking sand are now being secured upon the Rock of Christ and His unshakable Kingdom.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
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He makes all things new…even you!

 
~I awoke with an old Keith Green song in my mind. I immediately knew that the Spirit gave me this song as a prayer for today
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Rushing wind blow through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within,
Come and breathe your breath upon me,
I’ve been born again.

Holy spirit, I surrender,
take me where you want to go,
Plant me by your living water,
Plant me deep so I can grow.

Jesus, you’re the one, who sets my spirit free,
Use me Lord, glorify Your holy name through me.

Separate me from this world Lord.
Sanctify my life for you.
Daily change me to your image,
Help me bear good fruit.

Every day you’re drawing closer.
Trials come to test my faith.
But when all is said and done Lord,
You know, it was worth the wait.

Jesus, you’re the one who set my spirit free,
Use me Lord, glorify Your holy name through me.

Rushing wind blow through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within,
Come and breathe you breath upon me,
For I’ve been born again.
~~~
As these words rushed like wind through my mind, I knew it was the song of surrender and the prayer of yielding that invites the Holy Spirit to blow through me.

His wind has been blowing away the dust from places that we didn’t even know were there. It is going to the very roots of wrong beliefs or patterns that we’ve conformed to. It’s changing behaviors and old habits. His rushing wind is blowing upon all that keeps us hindered from fully surrendering to Him.

This deep work is not only about iniquities being removed but also about being realigned in even the most subtle things. Two years ago I received a prophetic word from a stranger passing by and she said to me,

“The Lord is about to recalibrate you for the new season that He’s moving you into.”

Then she shared with me about when she moved to a new state where the altitude was higher and the winters were colder. She said that her car was not running well after moving there. She took it to a mechanic and they told her that it needed to be recalibrated for the new climate and seasons. When they recalibrated her vehicle it ran better than ever because it was now aligned and calibrated to the new.

We are being recalibrated for the new climate and season. We have gone up higher and this is requiring fine tuning and adjustments that will give us strength and alignment for the future.

The grace and mercy of our loving God has given us the gift of repentance as an invitation into transformation. God never forces us into transformation (or even recalibration) but invites us to come and stand before Him so that He might blow this rushing wind on and through us.

Today pray with me the words from the song above. Say yes to the invitation into transformation. We have been given new, white linen garments in place of the former garments that were soiled with sin and accusations against our God. We pray these words now,
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“Rushing wind blow through this temple,
blowing out the dust within.
Come and breathe your breath upon me,
​for I’ve been born again.”
​

​As I took time to hear from the Lord this morning, what I heard surprised me. I heard a sound that was loud and roared with fierce passion. It was strong like ocean waves breaking over the shore and loud like the sound of thunder on a stormy night. I asked the Spirit what the sound was and He answered,

“It is the sound of the Father arising to answer the cries of distress that come from His children.”

Then I was led to Psalm 18,

“The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.” Psalm‬ ‭18:13-15
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As we have been yielding to this deep work that the Lord is doing within us, the enemy rages against this mighty work of grace. If you have experienced a warfare against your life or your family during this time then know that the Father is arising to answer your cry and once again rebuke the enemy,

“The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭3:2‬
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As we yield each day we are being changed; renewed in mind and spirit. Our deepest thoughts and subtle agreements with the Accuser are being removed causing us to be clothed in oneness of spirit with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17). Though this terrifies the enemy, it provokes the jealous love of God to arise with the sound of protection and power of His hand to defend His people.

“In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.” Psalm‬ ‭18:6-12
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The Lord is our defender, protector, provider and a shield around us. As we stand before Him as yielded ones, allowing this great work of grace to transform us once again, He defends us and watches over the work of His hands. He guards us in all of our ways.

“As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”
Psalm‬ ‭18:30-32‬
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I encourage you to read through Psalm 18 on this 11th day of “The Yielding”. We enter into thanksgiving and praise for who He is and all that He has done for us.
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“The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!” Psalm‬ ‭18:46‬

​The Spirit of the Lord is doing a deep and sovereign work within His yielded sons and daughters. He is renewing our minds and giving us the mind of Christ.

When God’s people are aligned with His ways, causing our minds to be renewed with His truth, we receive breakthrough in wisdom, understanding, favor and freedom from all the chains that have bound us to the former ways.

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:21-24‬

Once again we are brought back to Zechariah 3:5 where we see God putting a new turban and new garments on Joshua the high priest,

‭”Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by.” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭3:5
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Our thoughts and beliefs (minds) have been ‭formed by many different influences: culture, family, experiences, media and education. Many of these influences have been formed by the “patterns of this world” but God is renewing our thoughts and beliefs to be aligned with the pattern of our King and His Kingdom.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬
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There is a cooperation with the Holy Spirit that we are invited into in order grow in maturity. It is the yielding of our will and ways to the transformative work of Christ in our lives.

During this second 8-day segment of the 40 days of yielding, we can pray as David prayed,

“Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23

The grace of God has come to usher us into a time of renewal. This includes the renewing of our minds to set us free from every thought and belief that has been connected to the former ways.

“Jesus, today we yield to the renewing and transformation of our minds.”
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~Amen