Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 LESSONS IN WAITING - A Word from the Lord --- By Sis. Ching Co Cebu City, Philippines ching@cebumail.com

Dear posts,

The first three weeks of this year has been times of learning for me. As I read about all the prophecies that has been coming forth about God's move this coming year, I can feel excitement rising up from within my heart.

We have heard from many of God's mouthpiece of this year being the year of God's favor, but we also heard that this will also be the year of God's judgment, we further heard that God is calling His people to prepare themselves and to get their house in order and to walk more closely and intimately with Him, we heard about a mighty army of God about to move forward.

My heart have strong witness to all that has been shared and said by many, but within me is a greater desire to know more about the details.

I perceive that many of us WILL FIND OURSELVES THIS SEASON WAITING ON GOD TO CONFIRM AND TO OPEN THE DOORS FOR US. And waiting can be frustrating at times.

This morning, the Lord reminded me about some of the people who were in similar situations in the past, some of them failed in their waiting and have to suffered the consequences while there were others who were successful and what great blessings come out of it.

The Holy Spirit impress in my heart that it will be worth while for us who found ourselves in that position to BE REMINDED ABOUT THESE THINGS.

Abraham and Sarai cannot wait for God's time and acted on their human understanding, and because of that, Ishmael was born and Abraham and Sarai and even the Israelites in latter times have to live with the consequences of that action.

Saul was not able to wait for Samuel to come and he acted on his own because he was distracted by the people and event surrounding him and because of that he loses his anointing and the kingdom was taken away from him.

Elijah waited faithfully upon the Lord after giving the prophecy about the drought, and even to the last moment, he has to wait and has to go back seven times before seeing the clouds as small as a fist, but what glorious victories come out from those times of waiting.

So did the disciples of Jesus, they waited patiently for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and what awesome results it produces.

Joseph also waited, despite the pain and disappointments, he manage to keep his focus and never took matters into his own hands but submitted himself to every authority placed upon him each season and serve them faithfully, and what glorious promotion God has given to him.

What then is the Lord trying to teach us this season and while waiting for Him to uncover His plans for us and waiting for Him to open the door for us. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF US THIS SEASON?

I keep on being reminded about that call of PUTTING OUR HOUSE IN ORDER. And what was strongly impressed in my heart is in the area of relationship. Furthermore, the Lord was explaining to me that the MAIN REASON WHY THIS IS A PRIORITY is because this has something to do with CLOSING SPIRITUAL DOORWAYS FROM THE PAST.

Many of us have experienced hurts and disappointments. These come from people from our own family, or others whom we have build relationship with. Many times, because of the pain, we have chosen to cut communication or contact with them to further aggravate the situation. For a season, this has worked and the Lord had graciously allowed us to live in peace.

But what the Lord is impressing to me is the NEED TO CLOSE THOSE DOORS THAT HAS BEEN OPENED BEFORE. What it meant is that during this season of waiting and of preparation, the Lord will somehow lead our thoughts and our minds more on this matter and it is important that we act upon it, because by doing that we are closing all spiritual doors that the enemy will try to use to hinder us in the future.

THIS WILL MEAN THAT FOR MANY OF US, WE HAVE TO CALL OUR PARENTS AND FORGIVE THEM FOR THE PAINS THAT THEY HAVE INFLICTED TO US AND TO SPEAK FORGIVENESS TO THEM AND TO AFFIRM OUR LOVE TO THEM.

IT WILL ALSO MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO CALL OR TO WRITE THOSE THAT HAVE HURT US DEEPLY IN THE PAST.

TO THOSE THAT WE CANNOT CONTACT PHYSICALLY, WE STILL HAVE TO DO THAT EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.

The Lord guided me to Luke 1:17 as my confirming words: "And he (John the Baptist) will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

It is not important how the other party will respond or react to us. They are accountable to the Lord for that. But we are accountable to God for the things that He wanted us to do.

Another area impress is that the Lord will work also in the area of INTERNAL HEALING. Many of us have to go through times of deliverance. As to how, the Lord will guide us. Some will do it alone with the Lord, others maybe be led to places or people who will walk with them through it. But in whatever manner, God will show each one.

The Lord showed me a vision of a man who was walking in the desert, initially that man has a back pack that holds some of things that he will need for the travel. There were water jug, a hat, lotion, some cloths. But after sometime, I saw the man throwing these things away and I wanted to shout to him and to tell him to stop because he will need it for his trip. But funny is that after I saw him leave these things, one at a time...the load in his back became lighter, and his walk became faster and his countenance was glowing more and more until finally, everything was removed from him and he was running and never seem to have to stop to drink water or wipe his brow.

The Lord then explain to me that our journey with the Lord is very similar to that man. Those things that we think are very important for our trip, many times the Lord will asked us to give up, and as we obey Him each step of the way, we will discover that our walk will actually become lighter and His divine provision will be enough for us and will sustain us through the desert. It is important that we must not be afraid to let go of all AS THE SPIRIT LEADS US for where He directs, there will be joy and fullness.

The Lord is saying to us today:

"My children, I AM YOUR SUFFICIENCY. My children, I am helping you unload all the baggage from the past. My children, I will be your provider for the future. The journey that you will soon be embarking is different than what you've walked before. But do not be afraid, for I go over you. Do not worry about your provision, for they are waiting for you. Come and draw near to me this season and let me show you the things that you have to prepare for the great journey that is ahead of you. I am putting all things right. I am ordering all matters. Do not be afraid to follow where I lead you for your obedience will be greatly rewarded."

I pray that once more, the Lord will use this to speak confirmations to many of you. And if any is receiving the same from the Lord, I too would love to hear from you as well.

MARANATHA!!!

Sis. Ching Co Cebu City Philippines