From the desk of Steve Shultz:
This is one power-packed word by Sandie Freed. I couldn't stop reading it! You can tell she was under the anointing while writing it for sure. It was like a crescendo until the very end...wow! Yes, it is a time of new beginnings and seasons AND a time to not only exercise but INCREASE our FAITH as Sandie shares. I like her vision too of the Body receiving new shields of faith from the Lord for the new season.
This is a must read and a must share...please forward it on to everyone you know.
Here are also a couple of awesome, prophetic books by Sandie Freed that are full of wisdom for this hour:
Sandie Freed:
I Saw Each of Us Removing Old, Worn Out Armor and Receiving New Shields of Faith
Believers, I am aware that we do not need to be reminded that we are in the midst of change. Most of us understand that we are also experiencing a spiritual and natural shift. Along with all of this, we are transitioning...whew! Now, that is A LOT of movement, isn't it?
Statistics prove that 90% of the population does not like change...however, we cannot negate the fact that it is here. However, I believe that God is using these uncertain times to draw us nearer to Him, so that He can sharpen our sword of the Spirit and give us strategy on how to properly use our spiritual weapons against our enemy. Much of the change we are experiencing is challenging our faith in God's ability to provide for us and restore what appears to be lost. We will discuss later the importance of using our shields of faith during this season of experiencing the fiery darts of the enemy, but for now let's get down to the nuts and bolts of "change."
Change is the simplest, bottom-line way to describe words like shifting and transition. I do not intend to take away from the definitions of other words describing how God moves us, but this article is meant to be basic and written in a simplistic overview so that we can understand how to remain connected to our faith during such uncertain times.
Change
The dictionary describes change as "a cause to be different, to give a different form or appearance." It also uses the word "transform" (we relate transformation to the word "metamorphosis" which is the change that occurs to the worm as it is changed into the butterfly). I discuss transformation in great detail in my book Destiny Thieves. Further definitions for change are "to exchange for or replace with another" (like changing jobs, churches, alignments...replacing something with another thing). Allow me to now write more selected definitions in a format in which we can relate so we can better comprehend the change we are experiencing during this uncertain time. As you read, see if you are experiencing any of these changes:
Change also means:
• "To put a fresh covering upon." Again, this can involve spiritual re-alignments. We must become connected to our destiny links. Many of us will be encouraged, by God, to reconnect and to seek new connections. Also, has the enemy falsely "covered" you with his lies? Has the devil attempted to overshadow you with his evil words? It is time to rise up in faith, denounce what the enemy has spoken over us and declare what God says concerning our future. Declare Psalm 91 over your life and let Him cover you with His wings.
• "To become altered." Have you ever taken your clothing in for an "alteration"? Maybe there was a tear and the garment needed mending. Some of us need mending during this season. God will allow change so that you can be mended. Some may need a "hem" in their garment. God will use change to complete you, to hem you into His divine will.
• "To put on other clothing." I believe we are in a season where God is changing our garments. We are removing, taking off the old and putting on the new. The Bible refers to the changing of garments during times of "cleansing." God is cleansing the priesthood. The priesthood is in the midst of great change (see Hebrews 7). We are embracing a freedom from legalism, the law, and, instead, seeking present truth. God is unveiling mysteries concerning His glory and present-truth direction for the days ahead. We cannot wear an old garment in this new season. Use this season as a time to "repent" and turn back to God. Repentance means "to change." During great change we can ask God to show us our hearts. Repentance opens the door for us to change and shift into our future.
• "To become deeper in tone." I love this definition of change because it refers to a teenager's voice becoming deeper (changing) as he/she matures. Deep calleth unto deep. In this season, we will experience a voice change. As we go deeper in God, our voice will change; we will speak differently with a new sound! We will unveil the mysteries of God to those with ears to hear. This will cause the atmosphere about us to shift and transform others into God's image.
• "To experience something different; as a change of seasons." We are in a season of uncertainty. Our economic situation seems to dictate our future. However, we must not fear. This can become a season of developing greater faith if we will focus on Him rather than the economy. Use these seasons as opportunities to know God more intimately; let faith arise!
• "The replacing of one thing for another; substitution." The dictionary uses an example of "changing the atmosphere"! I love that. Just as I previously explained—we can use opportunities of change to mature, grow in God, use our faith and shift the atmosphere from fear to great faith, from darkness to His light.
• "To alter one's approach or attitude." This is where we will end the discussions of various definitions describing change because this definition leads to where I really want to discuss our need to shift from fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of today, to the faith we must develop in our God who changes not! We must alter our attitudes if we blame God for our circumstances, or judge Him wrongly during uncertain times. God will use change and uncertainty to cause us to pray and seek His face, but we must be careful not to judge Him wrongly. He says that He will use everything (even the economy or other losses) for our good:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.—Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)
Developing Greater Faith
During our First Friday Fire service that we host the first Friday of every month in Bedford, Texas, I had a vision of the Body of Christ experiencing a garment change. Each of us truly needs a garment change for our season ahead. We cannot move into this New Year with out-dated armor! I encourage you to read about transitioning in my book Strategies from Heaven's Throne: Claiming the Life God Wants for You. In this particular book are strategies which will empower you to shift and receive a new mantle, not simply for yourself but for your family and your generations! Another powerful book (which I wrote during my own very challenging time) is Heaven's Voice Touching Earth: Hearing the Sounds of Heaven. In this book are guidelines concerning being active as a member of God's "Third Day Church."
I saw each of us, as soldiers in God's army, removing old, worn out armor and exchanging them for an entire new armor. The new armor was shining with God's glory. The breastplate had such brilliance, the sword was sharpened...everything glistened as the SUN (SON) shone upon each intricately designed piece. What stood out to me the most was the shield. It had taken the most "hits" from so many fiery darts that God had to give us each a new shield.
During the garment exchange, the shield that was given was not only new—it had "changed." I just knew that we had to shift into new levels of faith for this new season. The shield of faith was shining with God's glory...but it was more...I could see the face of Jesus on the shield! It was as if the shield itself was in the image of Jesus.
When I began to study more on the shield of faith, I realized that Jesus is our shield. We must realize that if we do not have complete trust in Him, then we can get out our shield of faith and quote all the right Scriptures but never win the battle. Why? Because we rely on our "words" and have no relationship with Him. Knowing that Jesus, Himself, is our shield will equip us for battle in this season.
Satan has pulled out all the stops...he is using every tactic to defeat us. He comes with storms of great adversity to discourage us and cause us to "go back to the old." But, when we remember that Jesus won the battle against satan at the Cross, we can take our shield of faith and use it against the lies of the enemy...and WIN the battle!
You see, our faith relies on the finished work of Christ. In other words, our "faith" must have the "image of Jesus" attached to it. If we simply jump up and speak Scriptures over our situation and call that "faith," then we will experience defeat. To do that would mean that we are praying and declaring out of head-knowledge and not out of a "knowing-that-you-know" type of faith. How do we "know-that-we-know"? Well, dear ones, that type of knowing comes from intimate worship and relationship with God. We must become those who worship and war. Worship will empower us for spiritual warfare. We cannot enter into this season without being pure worshipers. The worship will develop the image of Christ within us and will empower us for victory. Keep reading, this gets even better!
Using Our Door-Shaped Shields
When Apostle Paul described our shield of faith, he used the word thureos, which is the Greek word for "door." Interestingly, the Roman soldiers had "door-shaped" shields. It was referred to as a "castle shield"...symbolizing a portable fortress. My attention was drawn to the "door-shaped" shield. Why? Because Jesus is the door! His victory is our fortress against the enemy. When we hold up our shields, the enemy sees the reflection of Jesus! No devil can stand against that!
Also, as we hold up our "door shields" which reflect the image of Jesus, doors which the enemy has closed have to open! Jesus, the Breaker, goes before us—through new gates of opportunity and thresholds of new victories! Knowing Christ intimately empowers us to boldly declare Micah 2:13:
The Breaker (the Messiah) will go up before them. They will break through, pass in through the gate and go out through it, and their King will pass on before them, the Lord at their head. (Ex 23:20,21; 33:14; Isaiah 63:8,9; Hosea 3:5; Amos 9:11.) AMP
It is because Jesus is our SUN and SHIELD that we will be empowered to fight the good fight of faith. Psalm 84:11 describes the Lord as a sun and shield, and promises that those who walk blameless He will protect and provide for and not withhold any good thing!
Bottom line: Because He is WHO He says He is, a God that does not lie, He will not withhold any good thing from us. No matter what the economy, the government, or daily circumstances are, He declares that He is God and He changes not! Psalm 34:9 promises each of us, "Those who fear Him lack nothing."
Get Out Your Shield of Faith and Use It!
Let me end with some directives:
1. Use this time of change to develop greater faith.
2. Identify what tactics the enemy is using to keep you from advancing.
3. Spend intimate time in worship. During worship allow God to speak to you concerning Scriptures to decree and stand on. These Scriptures and declarations will become a part of your shield that you will use in battle.
4. Use your time in worship to allow God to change you into His image.
5. Come into agreement with what God says about you—let it become part of your spiritual arsenal against the devil as your true, God-ordained identity arises. Allow God to replace your old shield with a new, "door-shaped" shield.
6. By faith, begin to declare and decree what God has spoken to you. Boldly declare His promises. Remember, you have spent time with Him in the secret place. He has been changing your image. You look more like Jesus, sound more like Jesus...you can rebuke the enemy and he must flee!
7. Remember as you declare your victory, that Jesus took your poverty, your sickness, your lack and your sins to the Cross. He died so that you could walk in freedom.
8. By faith, believe that Jesus has defeated your enemy. Choose to reject any discouragement or fear. Jesus is your "door-shaped" shield to break you out of your past. Walk through the open door to your future!
You have a new, deeper voice in the Spirit. It's time to use it!
Blessings, as always,
Sandie Freed
Zion Ministries
Email: zionministries1@sbcglobal.net
