I’ve been fasting and worshiping and pressing into what the Father is saying during this season. I’ve found that it’s been really important to silence all the other voices that are constantly coming at me from the news and social media so I can hear the Father loud and clear. His voice is more important to me than any other voice. We’ve discovered in our home that even talking about what the virus is doing seems to feed its effects. The virus has inflicted our society with a whole lot of collateral damage, namely fear and anxiety, and I won’t allow it in my home. I’m getting better at recognizing it immediately and taking authority over it when I feel it. Holy Spirit always brings His peace in its place. I had noticed that I was eating more than usual (due to boredom and a need for comfort), but as a result, my hunger for God had decreased. I was never experiencing physical hunger and as a result my spiritual hunger had taken a hit. After a day of fasting I felt a spiritual and physical reset. My times of worship while fasting were so powerful and I felt His presence so strongly. It was a beautiful day and one I plan to repeat on occasion until this virus is past. Worship shifts the atmosphere in our homes and neighborhoods more than we realize. Anyway, this is what I heard from the Father this morning. I’ve been passionate about hearing his heart for this season and particularly about encouraging the body of Christ. Here it is:
I am roaring over the earth. It is completed. The virus will soon subside, but you will be left with an economic crisis like this generation has never seen. This is why I’ve called my Church, for such a time as this. There will be families in need, families devastated. The Church is my answer. As people become desperate, they will soon find that no government can save them – only the name of Jesus. The Church will be my hands and feet to deliver compassion and practical help to the multitudes. I will bring creativity and resources so the Church can do this. Now is a season of redemption for the Church. The Church has made so many mistakes. It has a bad reputation in this nation and many others, but I am bringing about a holy reversal. Where once the Church was avoided and mocked, now the Church will become a beacon of hope and a vehicle for help. Where the Church once stood in judgement over the world, it will now be the instrument of my mercy. I am empowering my people even now, as they spend time with me in the secret place, to explode onto the scene at the right time. I am giving them creative strategies and ideas. People who were once dormant or even in hiding will be bursting forth onto the scene with ideas, strength, and leadership.
I am stoking the fires of passion and revival in the secret place. Tell my people to get into the secret place, for there is the Source of their strength. As they press into Me, apathy and survival-mode will melt away and be replaced by passion. Passion for Me, passion for the world that is hurting. I want a people who are hungry! Hungry for Me, my Word, my Presence. And not just My written Word, but My “now” Word. I want a people who fine-tune the art of listening to my Spirit so that they become people who “do what the Father does”, just like Jesus did (John 5:19). I do not want people who are works-oriented; I want people who have been with ME, and my Presence leaks out from them. I want a people who are passionate about seeing my kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven.
Rise up, oh Church! Rise up, warrior generation! Your battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities of the kingdom of darkness (Eph. 6:12). It is so important that my people are people of prayer. That my people are wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt. 10:16). That they understand the schemes of the devil but are not intimidated. It’s important that my people recognize the principalities at work and come in the opposite spirit, in the power of my Spirit. In an atmosphere of fear and anxiety, my people are called to embody perfect love and peace. This is how battles are won.
Call them out of hiding for such a time as this. This is my Esther generation. I am calling them to be a people that is less concerned for their own safety than for the safety of others. I am raising up intercessors and a kingdom of royal priests who will represent Me to the hurting masses. This is to be a time of active waiting; not just biding your time, but preparing yourself by practicing listening to my Voice and living in my Presence through prayer and worship. Get ready, my Bride; for I have called you to be mine FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14
I am calling the prodigals to return. They will work alongside you and their passion will stoke the flames of yours. They will bring a fresh vision and energy with them. They should not be looked down upon, but welcomed home with open arms. I have called them, too, for this time. They have been like the Israelite exiles of old that were dispersed among the nations, but I am calling them back and gathering them unto Me.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” – Jeremiah 29:11-14
One last thing. The Church has seen fit for generations to practice religion over seeking My face and My presence. The old age is finished. It is dead. The new age will be focused on My face and on My presence. The Church in this new season will be in love with me and with My Spirit. Anything less will fade away and be rendered obsolete by the culture. Religious practices come and go, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I am calling My Church to lay their crowns down at My feet and join the elders around My throne in falling down before Me and confessing Who I Am.
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
- Revelations 4:8-11
COURTNEY GOODWIN 