PROPHETIC WORDS

BE STRONG, BE STEADFAST, BE WILLING

by Lyn Packer

I believe that this year there is a call sounding out from heaven. I heard it first in the words of a song which say - Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui - be strong, be steadfast, be willing.

I feel that in these three statements is an Infusion from the Lord, an Encouragement from Him, and a Request from Him.

Be Strong 

Our natural tendency is to read this as a command, and we think that we have to somehow find strength within us to face whatever comes our way. Yet as I've prayed into it I've felt the Lord say that this is not a command from Him at this time, it is an infusion, an infilling, a grace from Him. He is infusing strength into His people saying...Be strong! There may be battles raging around us, yet we are being graced with strength from the Lord. And we can be strong because He has given us the means to do so. His joy is there to draw from as our strength. Let His joy fill you. Learn this year how to see from His perspective. You'll see the battles far differently if you see them from heaven's perspective, from Papa's perspective. We can be strong in faith because we get to live by His faith, we get to exchange our weak faith for His unwavering faith. We can be strong because we know the battle is His, not ours.

Yes there are principalities and powers at work, but the Lord is asking us to put our focus afresh on Him, not on them, and to ask Him for the strategy He has for that situation, and to simply follow Him in obedience in each trial we face. Our part is to follow in obedience; His is to bring the victory. Remember, He promises that He will always LEAD US in triumph in Christ. He leads, we follow! And we do so in rest and peace, knowing that He is the all powerful one, and we do not need to fear evil tidings when our trust is in the Lord.

Be Steadfast

Next is an encouragement - Be steadfast. The Lord is encouraging us to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labour is not in vain. We will reap if we do not give up.

I also felt the Lord say that it's time to be steadfast in our pursuit of growing up into maturity in Christ so that we are not tossed around so much by the winds that come against us. It's a time to build ourselves up in our most holy faith. How do we do that? Take stock of the areas you find you constantly battle in; reinforce those areas by allowing the Word to work in you in a deeper way. Decree the scriptures over your life. Let the Word go to work in you. Pray in the Holy Spirit (in tongues). Scripture says very clearly that it builds up your spirit man. Spend time around other people of faith who will encourage you and spur you on in your walk with the Lord. Make sure that you have regular times with the Lord so that you can get to know Him better and be encouraged by Him and His love for you.

Be Willing

Then a request from the Lord - Be willing. Be willing to step up and step out in new ways. I believe that the Lord is going to ask many people to step out in new endeavours this year. That will mean stepping out over the 'chicken line', out of your comfort zone, but it will be so worth it as you see the Lord do mighty things as you obey Him.

This year will be a year that many of you will look back on and say, "This year was the year I grew up and took responsibility for my growth and walk in God. This year was the year I stepped up, this year was the year I overcame this fear... this year was the year I started... this year has been my best year ever."

Does that mean that it will be an easy year? For many it will not be easy. Stepping up and taking responsibility isn't always easy. Overcoming means there will be things to overcome; learning and growth will mean pushing past insecurities and fears. But will it be worth it? Oh yes, it will be worth it when you stand at the end of the year and look back at what you've achieved and how you've grown.

Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui - be strong, be steadfast, be willing!

BIO