Introduction from Dutch Sheets:
Many find the account of Gideon's commissioning somewhat humorous. He was hiding from his enemies, the Midianites, while threshing wheat; these oppressors loved to steal the Israelites' crops (Judges 6:11). An angel came to him in his hiding place and said, "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor" (Judges 6:12 KJV).
At that moment, Gideon looked nothing like a "man of valor." Aren't you glad God sees into the future, knows the plans HE has for us, and deals with us accordingly? In today's post, Gina Gholston reminds us of this truth and applies it to God's prophetic timetable. Her insights will encourage you! Gina's title is "God Is Ordering Our Steps."
God Is Ordering Our Steps
By Gina Gholston
A few years ago, the Lord showed me a vision of clock hands rotating at a very high rate of speed. Then I heard Him say, "Time has accelerated." By the Spirit, I understood that we were entering a specific time God had set on His timeline, and things were going to begin happening very quickly. We are definitely seeing that acceleration take place now governmentally, socially, and spiritually. It is a holy moment, and God is calling the Church to get into position. He is joining and positioning His Body. As we each take our place and release our supply, we will function in the demonstration of the Spirit that gives evidence of the reality of Jesus (Ephesians 4:13–16).
This is a set time, and set times bring acceleration. This isn't an indication that God is behind schedule, trying to catch up; rather, He causes things to shift and align with His timing and plans. Though these actions may feel like "suddenlies," they're actually the unfolding of plans God has been weaving. For many of us, what unfolds in these times may stretch us beyond our perceived limitations, but we must trust that God knows what He is doing. The Holy Spirit will awaken us to gifts and abilities He has placed in us that are necessary for His plan. God has led us, prepared us, and now He will launch and position us for the fulfillment of His plans and purposes. (Photo via Unsplash)
"I Placed in You a Purpose for This Time"
I recall a transitional moment in my life that unfolded several years ago. During that time, many things in my personal life shifted and stretched me. One evening, as I was driving, the Lord visited me in my car and began speaking to me about what He had been doing—and was about to do—in and through my life. Words cannot explain what I felt in that encounter. It was life-changing! I was hearing God say to me, in essence, "I placed in you a purpose for this time, and now I am opening the way for you to be and do what I've created you to be and do."
This was a defining moment for me. His words did not produce pride; to be honest, I struggled to fully embrace what He was saying about me. My initial thoughts were more like those of Gideon's: You must have the wrong person! Who am I that You should say such things to and about me? My mind immediately began trying to figure out the "how" of what He was saying. Nothing in my present moment indicated that what I was hearing could possibly be true. But God wasn't speaking about who I WAS; He was speaking about who I was BECOMING. What He revealed that night pointed me in a direction I would never have been aware of had He not spoken. His words awakened in me a right perspective for the things that would transpire in the days and years ahead, as He unfolded the future He had planned for me.
As we surrender ourselves to the Lord, He will guide us down the path of destiny He has designed for our lives. God's part is to order our steps and plan our ways; our part is to trust Him and obediently step where He orders. As we do, this enables us to release the supply He has placed in us.
He Will Bring Us Into Launching Moments at the Right Time
When God began unfolding His plan for my life, I never thought that sharing the dreams, visions, and prophetic words He gave me would be an avenue through which He would use me. But He knew and was orchestrating all the necessary components to mature and harvest the seeds He had planted in me... because it was time. Though I had not realized it, all along my journey, God had been ordering my steps. He saw what was ahead and had been consistently guiding and preparing me.
More often than not, we don't realize that our steps are being ordered by the Lord. But God, in His infinite wisdom, is always working His plan for our lives. And at the right time, He brings us into launching moments for His will to be fulfilled.
Proverbs 3:5–6 instructs us to "Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth" (AMP). The focus of these verses is not so much on straight and smooth paths but on the fact that if we follow and focus on the Lord, He will direct our steps and clear our paths. The fulfillment of God's intentions for our lives will only be fully realized as we trust in, rely on, recognize, and acknowledge Him in all our ways. With faith in Him, we can follow the path and discover all that the journey has in store. (Photo via Flickr)
Yahweh knows every step we are to take. He knows the "how" and He knows the "when." And we have entered a "when" moment! There are things that will now be put in place quickly in order for the purposes of God to be realized. We must not allow our perceived limitations to dictate our responses to His leading. Rather, we must trust His wisdom and allow Him to strategically position us for His plan to be revealed and fulfilled... because it is time.
Our Prayer and Decree
Pray with me:
Father, You are awakening and launching important aspects of Your plans for this season. You have declared the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), and at Your command things are quickly aligning with Your will and purposes. Though we do not know every detail concerning what is ahead, we trust and believe that every part of the plan You have established for us will be fulfilled. You are imparting great grace to instruct and enable us to perform our part in Your plan.
Help us to believe and embrace the revelation of who You say we are and of what You are calling us to do—without filtering it through the confines of our perceived limitations. As we trust in, rely on, recognize, and acknowledge You in all our ways, give us the understanding and strength to accomplish all that You have called us to. Like Gideon, we will become who You say we are, defeating the enemies of our destiny, and partnering with You in Your present plans. It is time, and we will reap the harvest of Your full intentions. In Jesus' name, amen.
Our decree:
We decree that God has prepared and positioned us for our future and will fulfill His plans and purposes for our lives.
(Today's post was contributed by our friend Gina Gholston. Portions were taken from her new book, Along the Journey. You can find out more about her at GinaGholston.com. To watch the full video of this GiveHim15 post, click here.)
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Dutch Sheets
Dutch Sheets Ministries
Email:Â click here
Website:Â dutchsheets.org
Dutch Sheets is an internationally recognized author, gifted teacher, and conference speaker. He travels extensively, challenging believers for passionate prayer and societal reformation. Seeing America experience a sweeping revival and return to its Godly heritage is Dutch's greatest passion. Dutch has written over twenty-three books, many of which have been translated into over thirty languages. His international bestseller, Intercessory Prayer, has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. Dutch has pastored, taught in several colleges and seminaries, and served on the board of directors of numerous organizations. He is fondly known to many as Papa Dutch. Treasuring time spent with their family and grandchildren. Dutch and Ceci, his wife of 40 plus years, enjoy quiet walks in the woods, reading, and playing a little golf. They make their home in beautiful South Carolina.
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