Centurions Faith Ministries
Ed's email: eweil@magicnet.net

As I was meditating and reading today (12/23/2000) I felt the LORD speaking again as this year closes out and 2001 comes to over shadow us with the presence of the Kingdom of GOD. The LORD spoke to me at about this same time last year regarding the seasons ahead. However I feel this word to be narrower in its time frame. I felt as though this word is focused on the year 2001 specifically.

The year ahead will be marked by GOD working on our hearts in a more significant way. Some GOD will put on an anvil for a deeper stronger shaping of those who resisted the working of HIS hand in the past. This will be true of persons, places and things. In other words, people, governments, institutions both secular and in the church. GOD will target specific churches for HIS glory and others HE will work on as they have resisted the shaping in the past. This should be seen as a good thing. The LORD says you must allow the suffering of the cross to come in power in your midst.

AS WISE MEN HEARING FROM THE HEAVENS

Some will be found as the wise men hearing from the heavens and finding their directions to JESUS, they will be found at the manger in awe of the innocence and strengths of the GOD Child. This will mark the beginning of their relationship with the LORD.

Some in the church will be found on the cross dying to self-ambition and worldly pursuits. My understanding here is that GOD is fixing to come in power and remove the moneychangers by changing those with less than pure motives in the church. It was a long way for JESUS to go from Bethlehem to Golgotha and we will be found on this same path according to our surrender to HIM. This is a strong year of perfecting and purifying, shaping and shaking will be the order of the day. (Read Psalms 101)

2000-- WAS POSITIONING OF GOD'S PEOPLE

In 2000, GOD spoke to me about positioning oneself for the coming move, and in 2000 it was a constant positioning of people and ministries so HE could orchestrate the heavenly realm for HIS glory. If things and people and places changed suddenly for you in 2000 you can understand that GOD was ordering people into their battle positions.

Now the LORD says that the shaping of a deeper walk in GODLY character is upon us. The maturing and the shaping of the Bride HE is pursuing are upon us. GOD is putting HIS Bride in a spiritual corset so to speak. The preparation of the Bride will be a more lasting and emphatic work of the LORD than in the past-- in 2001.

TESTING AND HARVESTING SIMULTANEOUSLY

As the winds of change come GOD says your victory in HIM will become evident in your surrender to let HIM continue the shaping of character HE wants in your life and mine. HE has focused on the gifts over the last decade, it is now time to be trimmed and grow more fruit. The testing and the harvesting will be simultaneous in our lives. GOD is the husbandman in 2001. Financial leanness will be in our futures; this will not harm us. It will be for the Glory of GOD'S advancing army. The church, however, will start to look like the lender not the borrower.

GOD will place some on the potter’s wheel to be shaped into HIS glorious purpose HE has intended all along. Don’t resist the trimming or the forceful shaping of HIS hand. For the LORD says it is MY hand that is the impetus behind the tool used for the shaping. Notice it is HIS hand that does the shaping with various tools and methods. The work will come in different ways and the pressure will vary from person to person and church to church, yet know it is HE. Surrender will determine the time frame of the process. It may come from your brother as one man sharpens another as like iron. Others may have a complete heart transplant but HIS hand is the gentle surgeon, the skill of HIS hand of mercy. It will be HIS hand regardless of the method used.

THE FILLING PROCESS

The LORD further described the past and current renewal movements as the virgins filling their lamps did. Some will now realize what GOD has accomplished in the quick work done all over the world during the recent past. The ones who have resisted letting HIM do a work will now be found knocking on the door wanting in. They will seek more oil in their lamps to show light to reflect the glorious presence of HIS nature. This will commence the filling process in their lives. A greater hunger for the things of GOD will be evident in areas where there has been little hunger. This will be evident in people and churches. There will be more GODLY wisdom used and reflected and should be sought by all of us. (Eph.1: 17). It will be a sign of the GODLY virtues working in a person as well as the church & body of CHRIST. Shallowness of any kind will soon show up for what it is. GOD will call from the depths of HIS Divine nature and will seek the depths of our hearts. There HE will fill us even more with GODLY wisdom. It shall be as the days of Solomon and his wisdom.

STILL MIXING MORTAR

GOD has given me a vision of wise stewards--as one who is found still mixing the mortar and sand for a solid future and one who can lead others into the position of HIS glory. Remember Nehemiah

on the wall. He left the position as the King's cupbearer and went out to rebuild a city. It is a type and shadow of going from Glory to Glory and more importantly, from a simple servant to a strong and steady builder of the Kingdom of the LORD of Glory. The watchman s ministry will be of greater importance in this year ahead.

Allow HIM HIS full position in your life in the year ahead.

Blessings,
Ed Weil Centurions Faith Ministries eweil@magicnet.net