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For those who fast periodically - especially for spiritual reasons - I wanted to offer you some helps and experience I've picked up along the way. Much of this also applies to fasting for physical reasons. I am not a medical professional, but I have never had to take a regular prescription medication in my life and have been to the doctor so little in my adult life that I will simply pay the penalty not to be enrolled in heath insurance under the ACA. The Lord Jesus has paid the price for me: spirit, soul and body (I Thessalonians 5:23-24).
We have recently entered into a new year once again! With a new year always comes a renewed hope for those longed-for goals to be achieved and a sense of crossing over into a fresh opportunity for greater success. I personally believe that 2017 holds tremendous greatness and renewal for us. Shortly prior to crossing over into a new year, around the time-frame of the U.S. presidential election, there was a spiritual shift that moved us into a new season. As I felt the shift take place, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me of what can be expected during this time.
"He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver." (Isaiah 49:2) I sense the Lord saying, I desire to send you out to make a far greater impact than you could ever make on your own. Your calling and purpose are sure and desperately needed in this day, and because of that great need I am taking time to refine and transform you. For the year 2017 will be more preparation for the days ahead—a year of purification and refinement so that you will live and move and have your being in me alone. Many are asking, "Why do I feel as if I'm stuck, making no progress toward my destiny? Why is this process taking so long?"
The Lord told me in November that 2017 is the Year of Victory. (I thought He told me "early" but over the years, I have learned that He has His reasons for things.) He asks: What can you believe God for victory of, from or over? Think BIG!!! Now think FAITH – that is the "I want to." Now think BELIEF, making it happen. Now what will aid all that? This is your work in God, to believe. Be practical, in the Spirit. God can do the impossible! If you can honestly agree with God for it, you can have it! You just have to tend it in the Garden of your faith. Are you agreeing with God?
In case you have forgotten, in case you never knew: you are not crazy, you are not alone, you are loved. "Why do I believe what I believe? Is this really real? I want to believe, but I'm struggling." I hear you loud and clear. I know you're exhausted. This road is full of heartache and existential angst, but it's so worth it. It's worth it, because at the end of the pursuit of truth is not more certainty but more hope--hope that compels us to love and live more deeply than we ever knew possible.
The other day the Spirit of the Lord asked me a question, "How long will you have been married in 2017?" I answered, "34 years." Then the Spirit said, "Yes, this is double 17's! There will be a release of double portions in 2017. Double redemption, double restoration and double repayment for every promise that has been delayed." Then I confirmed the math that 17 + 17 does indeed equal 34. Then the Spirit told me, "It will be double for all of your trouble. Go to Psalm 34:17 and I will confirm this to you." So I did!
This is the day and the hour that I am drawing you closer to Me than ever before. I am filling you up to overflowing just by you coming to Me and basking in My intimate presence and love. It is most important that you partake of My presence in a way where I am able to fill you up so fully that My springs of Living Water gush up and spread out and touch everyone you make contact with. Yes, this is not the time to go off by yourself and harden your heart with complacency. Taste and see that your Lord is good. Yes, blessed is the man whose god is the Lord.
At the end of October 2016, I shared a message about how 2017 was to be a year of extreme sensitivity to the Spirit of God. According to the Jewish calendar, we are in the year 5777. We are still in the decade of the 70s, which is represented by the letter ayin. Ayin, in the Hebrew alphabet, is characterized by a pair of eyes, which give clarity and vision. Recently, Holy Spirit began speaking to me more about this year—5777—being the year of the sword of the Lord. The fact that the number 7 is repeated three times and the crown on the pictograph caught my attention. Biblically speaking, seven represents perfection, maturity, completeness, wholeness. The pictograph in the Hebrew alphabet for zayin also shows a spear or a sword, a weapon, an arrow, or a royal scepter.
I hear the Spirit of the Lord saying that a fresh oil is flowing from Heaven upon the church. This anointing is the Kingly Anointing. It is reserved for those who are fully committed to the call of advancing the Gospel of the Kingdom. This anointing is a necessity if the church is to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in Heaven. Signs and wonders will follow as the Word is carried out into fruition.
Hebrews 4:3,9-10 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,'" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world… There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 2017 is going to be a time for rest and refreshing in the presence of God. That is good news! God wants to take His people to another level of rest.
