From Shelly:

Hi Steve,

A couple of weeks ago the Lord gave me a word/message that I felt led to share at our church. His instructions were to start the message by saying one word, "PUSH!" This entire message was centered around not only the "birthing process" (the state we are in), but the difficult and trying developmental stages the church has been going through!

The next morning after I preached this message, I felt an anointing to submit this word to the Elijah List, but God didn't tell me when. Today, I read the word by Catherine Brown (Vision of the Sons of Glory) and when I saw "PUSH CHURCH, PUSH!", I felt the Lord nudging me to submit this.

I pray that everyone that reads this will take every word I have written to the Lord for confirmation. Here is the word/message:

I HEARD THE WORD "PUSH"

When the Lord spoke to me I heard the word "PUSH!" I thought, push what? The Lord said, "The church is about to give birth!" Again I thought, give birth to what? The Lord said, "TRUE REVIVAL!" It was very clear to me at that moment that what the Lord meant by PUSH, wasn't what people would expect. When a woman is about to give birth, she must push with all HER might to bring forth the child she has longed to meet. This is not the kind of pushing God is talking about! God is calling us to PUSH, but not to push with all OUR might! We are to push toward Him and He will give us the strength to deliver! The Lord was also showing me that nobody can give birth to this ENORMOUS child in their own strength!

The church has gone through several phases in the last decade. These phases paralleled that of a woman going through the process of carrying and birthing a baby (from conception to birth). Her body must go through several changes and some of them can be quite unpleasant!

PRIOR TO CONCEPTION: DOUBT AND UNBELIEF

Prior to conception- the church went through a long period of doubt and unbelief before becoming pregnant with revival. This state was quite similar to that of Sarah (Genesis 18: 9-15) when she not only doubted that she could conceive a child, but even laughed! The church was burned out on the word 'revival' and secretly laughed at the thought of true revival coming through 'the body' considering the state it was in. The church appeared to be barren!

1st trimester-

The church first became pregnant with revival! Much like a woman who conceives her first child, there was much excitement, joy and hope in the church regarding what was happening and there was a great deal of anticipation regarding what was to come.

Unfortunately, similar to a woman with morning sickness, there was also a lot of vomiting! There were many changes taking place within the body and because of the purity flowing through it, the impurities had to be omitted. As a result, there was a great deal of healing and freedom.

2nd trimester-

Much like a woman entering her 2nd trimester, the church began to GROW and the body was being s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d! The body began to feel a little tired, slightly uncomfortable, but still hopeful and full of anticipation of what was to come. Many had willingly given up their old garments for new.

3rd trimester-

This is definitely the last stretch of the pregnancy, but far from delivery. During this time there was much growth and the body was feeling quite uncomfortable! Some were feeling unappealing and quite ineffective. Great concern of ever making it flooded the church. Some reverted back to the first trimester and were quite content to stay there..it was more fun and definitely not as uncomfortable! Unfortunately, by reverting back, they missed a lot of CRITICAL development!

FIRST STAGE OF LABOR

1st stage of labor- Labor pains began and the body began to HURT! The pain would come and go but never-the-less, the pain would seem to increase in frequency and intensity. Worry and panic seemed to be a constant battle! Feelings of total insecurity swarmed in the minds of many. Those that shifted their focus from the Lord to themselves would undoubtedly make the pain harder to deal with. This was a time of INTENSE focus with short periods of relief.

TRANSITION

Transition- PAIN!!!!!! There was a great shift in the church. Something was different and there was no denying it! Similar to a woman in the phase of transition, (when the baby is coming down the birth canal) the body began to feel intense pain and an unbearable amount of PRESSURE! Some gave up, it was simply too hard! I believe the Lord was showing me that those who chose to quit during this transition phase would not only NOT give birth, but they would remain uncomfortable and in pain!

"I COULD FEEL THAT SADNESS THAT THE LORD FELT"

Tears came to my eyes and I could barely speak when I was sharing this part of the word because I could feel the sadness that the Lord felt for those that had quit and never returned. What I felt was (and is) very hard to put into words...it's a very deep, deep sadness. They had labored for so long and all the pain was about to have some meaning, but instead they chose to abandon the very child they were called to carry. As a result, they would now have to experience others' cradling the baby they so desperately longed for!

2ND STAGE OF LABOR -WHERE THE CHURCH IS TODAY

2nd stage of labor- I strongly believe this is where the church is at! The baby's head is crowning and it's time to push! This is the time of most doubt, but there is no turning back, no time to abort, no time for a c-section...THIS IS IT! "BE ENCOURAGED MY BELOVED BODY! KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON ME AND BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS! YOU ARE ABOUT BIRTH SOMETHING THAT HUMAN EYES HAVE NOT YET SEEN!"

We may be facing the most difficult stage of labor, but the Lord has given us labor support. In the world, a woman chooses her labor support system, but in the Kingdom...God chooses! A labor support person is one who helps the mother channel her energies toward her goal. Our goal (or focus) needs to be on Jesus, not ourselves, our church, our ministries or even what we are about to give birth to! We must be sure we are surrounded by those that God has chosen to support us regardless of how much pain we are in! We need to stop running from people (and pain) and push toward the Lord so we can deliver!

MANY HAVE BEEN DISCOURAGED

Many have suffered great discouragement and have traveled a long road of battling overwhelming doubts of others. But soon our doubts and sorrow shall turn to joy for we are about to experience a laughter unlike one we've ever experienced before! God's people may be feeling old and tired, but like Sarah, soon we will laugh (Genesis 21: 1-7)! We will laugh with a DEEP joy when the Lord fulfills His long awaited promises!

A WORD FOR THE FUTURE

I believe the Lord was also giving me a word for the future and it is this:

"After the birth, some will be called to give up the very thing that they have waited so long for. As Abraham was tested by God (Genesis 22) and asked to give up his one and only son, so shall many others. Why? During this time of great exuberance many will lose their fear of God! Some will view this test as a punishment, but God intends to test the heart! The preciousness of this beautiful new baby simply cannot (and will not be allowed) to take the place of the Father!"