A WARFARE THAT DOESN'T MEAN DEFEAT

Around the first of the year the Lord began speaking to some intercessors about a greater warfare being released against the church. He showed us that our warfare would have to go beyond forgiving those that have sinned against us, and even beyond blessing those that curse us and praying for those that use or hurt us. He is bringing us into an understanding of Matt.5:23-24; leaving our gift at the alter when it comes to our attention that someone has something against US, making it right with that person, and THEN moving on with God.

OBEDIENCE IN HUMILITY-A POWERFUL WEAPON

In the last year, so many people have clung to their own "rightness", and not taken that extra step of humility. Much victory and grace has lifted from people and they don't even know why. People that should be walking in great Kingdom authority right now are eating crumbs from His table because they won't suffer this humiliation. (This does NOT entail going back to people who have abused you with control, manipulation and false guilt.) It is a greater warfare that can only be won by a greater authority. This authority can only be gained through obedience, and a deeper humility. God has been sending us the precious gifts of Offences, Misunderstandings, False accusations, Insufficiency for our tasks, and of being Overlooked. He has been sending these wonderful gifts of "humiliations" to help us walk in the grace of Humility, and we haven't been receiving them very well.

HE HIMSELF IS COMING TO THE CHURCH

Now, He Himself is coming to the Church to offend us. He is bringing us into the valley of John 6:47-71. Jesus told the Jews that unless they ate His flesh and drank His blood they would have no part of Him. He knew just what to say to tear their heart with offence, and He didn't bother explaining Himself. He deliberately assaulted their area of confidence and strength. The result was that, "At this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him." Many people have already passed through this valley in defeat or in victory. Many more are in it right now, and still more have yet to enter. Preachers' words dropping dead from their lips, Teachers with no one to teach, Worship leaders with no one to lead, Prophets with no one to believe them. He is offending us, striking at the one thing we think we know, the one thing we "can do". We will either leave that place of offence, or like peter, we will stay because, "Lord, where else would we go? You alone have the words of eternal life." This is not a time to judge or point the finger at those we simply disagree with; And it is a dangerous time to get defensive toward those that judge US. We must not be caught disdaining the very hand of God in our lives. We must pass through this valley in order to be prepared for how God would like to use us in the future; But more importantly we must pass through, because that is where He is.