As we continue to hear more about the special times we are living in times of recovery and breakthrough just on the horizon it is so easy to feel not only urgent but anxious to do anything to hasten the day. I've found myself wondering what to do to be ready, feeling unsure of how to pray, wanting to know what is God's part and what is mine. Through this process, I believe I have heard five things from the Lord which I want share with you.

1. This time is like that of Is. 30:15 22. The Lord has been waiting to be gracious to us and will conquer us so He can bless us. (vs 18 LB) In Is 30:15, the Lord told Israel that only in returning to and resting in Him would they be saved that in quietness and confidence would be their strength. BUT they would not! They ran to make their own solutions so God let them be overtaken by the very things they chose. And much of the trouble we are experiencing as a Body today is a result of God's allowing us to be overtaken by our own man made methods and security systems. But the good new is: it is not for our destruction but to bring us back to God as our only true Source. In vs 19 He promises that after conquering us He will be gracious and hear our cries and answer us. Although we may still suffer adversity for a time He will not hide Himself any more but be out Teacher, guide our every step and enable us to recognize and cast away every idol (vs 20 22). Do you feel like you're burning out or just spinning your wheels? Beloved, you may be in the process of being conquered, not by the enemy (he's had his day with you) but by God Himself. And even now God is saying, "Blessed are all who wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy and His matchless unbroken companionship]. (vs 18b Amp)

2. Understand that before every breakthrough there is always darkness even for those who fear and obey the Lord. Is. 50:10 (Amp) says, "Who is among you who fears the Lord, who obeys the voice of His servant yet who walks in darkness and in deep trouble and has no shining splendor in his heart? Let him rely on, trust and be confident in the name of the Lord and lean on and be supported by His God." Vs 11 goes on to warn us not to try to light our own fire at these times. God calls those who do this enemies of their own selves and tells us self made fires will end in grief. I have seen a trend lately of people running after signs and manifestations. Although there are breakthrough points already occurring, people tend to become so desperate for something tangible to happen that their focus subtly turns away from Jesus to a manifestation. Several years ago God gave me a special supernatural gift for specific purposes in intercession. I experienced thrilling results as God's power flowed through me. But soon I began thinking I could use this gift whenever I thought it appropriate and necessary. Not only did answers not come but I ended up doing spiritual damage and entering deep grief of spirit. I had begun to walk in a self made fire. Does the darkness around you frustrate you? Let it stir you up, but only to lean on your God, not on signs and manifestations. Thank God for them we really need them but let us not throw all discernment away. That is like drinking salt water instead of the water of life it will only leave you drier!

3. Beware of falling into a complaining attitude or scoffing at God's promises of deliverance. Is. 28:21 22 described a time when God was about to break through as He did for David on Mount Perazim (when He suddenly destroyed David's enemies) but warned the people, "do not be scoffers lest the bands which bind you be made strong". Towards the end of '95 I was deeply discouraged. I began speaking out doubts about the Lord's words to me. Soon I found myself becoming more and more bound by self pity and increased doubt. How could I go on believing "soon" after so many disappointments? One day a brother rebuked me as I shared my grief. I was hurt and thought him to be a Job's comforter at the time but as I sought the Lord He showed me how I was actually tightening my bonds by coming into agreement with my enemies instead of God. I saw the enormous consequences of unbelief again and again in the scriptures how it kept Him from acting. As I worked through to genuine repentance, the load lifted. Soon after, we were flooded with strong encouragement from several sources. I believe it had been held back because of all our scoffing we had quenched the God of all encouragement! Its so easy to let our sorrows slowly turn us to unbelief without even realizing it. If you've done this, may God open your eyes and deliver you right now in Jesus' Name.

4. Don't be surprised if encouragements are following by strong opposition. To believe and receive God's Word in our lives we must recognize the enemy will not sit idly by. He is determined to stop God's Word from bearing fruit at all cost. After definite encouragement came where God strongly confirmed things He had personally spoken to me (through others who could not have known except by the Spirit) our family came under multiple attacks designed to drain all hope and put us back into doubt. As I sought the Lord, He reminded me of what happened in Numbers 13 and 14 when it was time for Israel to enter the promised land. The people sent twelve to check out the land. Two gave a good report they saw God's promises and knew He would make them come to pass. But for two good reports there were ten evil reports! Five times as many! Unfortunately the people listened to the majority whose reports were true in the natural but whose conclusions excluded the promised supernatural help of God. Hebrews 3 recounts this sad story and exhorts us not to be like them who fell unto unbelief because they did not become acquainted with His ways (vs 10) and were therefore unable to enter His rest (vs 19). We are told we will share in all Christ has for us only if we hold our confidence firm and unshaken to the end (vs 14).

5. God's messengers may be ordinary and unexpected; keep an open heart and listening ear. The Lord dropped this into my spirit a few days ago. We are to be like Paul in 2 Cor 5:16 who determined to regard no one from merely a human point of view according to natural standards of value. Even Jesus was not accepted in His home town of Nazareth and told us a prophet is not received in his own country. We are not likely to listen to people we know all about. They may seem unspiritual or we may see obvious faults that keep us from receiving anything from them. Even Jesus could do no great works in His own town because to them He was just a carpenter, Joseph's son. But let us be of those who say, "Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord".

Father, thank you that Your Hand is reaching out to bless us. We want to be conquered by You and freed from all man made fortresses. Thank you that the darkness we may now be experiencing is setting the stage for your Light that you are a God who works for those who wait for You. We see that the work of breakthrough is yours but our part is to believe. Help us listen, hear, give heed and believe for all you want to do in our day. Strengthen us to stand against all evil reports and not shrink back to enter your rest where you can fight for us. Bring us all the way into your purposes that Jesus may be exalted now and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven for your Name's sake. Amen. We love you and give thanks to God for you!