Increasing Pressure

January 2021

Like a pot of boiling water, so increasing pressure will either make you or break you. You either believe, or you don’t. Obey or disobey. Either He spoke, or He didn’t. It’s that simple. There is no in-between. God is either faithful or He isn’t. Faith has no room for the word “maybe.” Faith makes things possible and it’s under pressure that we see what we are truly made of.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 ESV

Personally, this pressure building around us doesn’t scare me. I know what it’s like to be in the fire and have to trust that I will escape unharmed and without the smell of smoke. Been there, done that—a few times over. Bought the coffee cup and have the t-shirts. So, I understand the process many are walking through right now.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 ESV

But, I can easily say that I am so stinkin excited, I honestly can hardly hold it in. What an absolutely exciting time to be chosen to be alive. Maybe I am the only one feeling it, but I am jumping for joy. I can’t help but look up and rejoice. We are stepping into the most amazing time we have ever seen.

Don’t get me wrong, the building pressure is real. I am not diminishing what is going on, I just chose not to look at the distractions and only focus on the Promise Keeper. I, as many of you, have always been super sensitive to the spiritual atmosphere, and believe me, I get it. Many have even reported feeling such a pressure shift that their physical body has even reacted. I encourage you to not focus on the ever increasing pressure you are sensing and look up. See and feel past the illusion of outside pressure and discern what is really going on.

“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 ESV

Although the pressure intensifies, the excitement of Heaven is building. Those who choose to look past the smoke screen will see and know what is happening. Put your eyes on Jesus and open your arms to receive all He is pouring out right now. Give yourself permission to rejoice, for His time has come and this is by far the greatest season to be alive. Instead of allowing outside influences to determine our focus, we need to focus on Jesus, what He says, and get excited for what is to come.

We now have a unique opportunity to see what we are made of, who we completely depend and look to, and what is the true intent of our heart. We each are finding who we have put our trust in. Is our trust in man, systems, jobs, family, our rights, freedoms, liberty and justice for all, or is our trust in Jesus?

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” Psalm 118:8 ESV

“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!” Psalm 40:4 ESV

For some time now, many of us have been shouting from the rooftops that everything that shall be shaken, will be shaken. Yet, when it does happen, we act surprised. An awakening is just that, waking up. But now that the awakening is happening, we fight against each other. When the separation between the wheat and tares begins, we question who’s fault it was. The illusions of the enemy can become reality if we are not tuned into Heaven and see the truth from His view. So, as the pressure increases, we must spend more time in the presence of the Lord, in His Word, and fill our hearts and minds with Him.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 ESV

Many have been asking our take on things. We have not moved from our stance. We remain fixed on Jesus, what He has spoken, and refuse to move or focus on the illusion, but on the promise. We all see in part and hear in part, but this is a great reminder as to why we need to ask the when, where, why, and how questions when the Lord reveals His secrets to us. Ask, ask, and ask again until we get exactly what He wants us to release. Then, we must double check to see if we are in alignment with Heaven and only speak what we see and hear the Father speak; nothing more, nothing less. Then, STAND. Don’t back down, but remain firm knowing that what He said shall come to pass. It may not happen like we thought, but nonetheless, He is faithful.

“God is forever faithful and can be trusted to do this in you, for He has invited you to co-share the life of his Son, Jesus, the Anointed One, our King!”

1 Corinthians 1:9 TPT

“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9 ESV

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Matthew 21:22 ESV

Over the last six months or so, we have felt an attack on the womb of the Bride of Christ. The attack has been fierce. Our intercession was targeted at just that for some time. We felt the intense birthing pains as new life sprang forth. Then, a few weeks ago in my time with the Lord, He explained to me that this was now a custody battle for His children, land, and creation. I, as many others, know exactly what that means. Those who have not experienced a custody battle may not quite have the same vantage point as others that have gone through it. I instantly knew how to fight in the spirit; how to hold onto a promise from God no matter what it looked like in the natural. To hold on as long as it takes until it comes to pass—days, weeks, years, or decades. We are in a fight for the custody of God’s children, His land, and His creation. If you give up too soon or back down for the safety of His children, you will lose.

“And He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” Malachi 4:6 ESV

Just like the two mothers who fought over a child before king Solomon, the true mother arose (1 Kings 3:16-27), so the one who holds truth, doesn't back down, but comes out on top. The ones with truth on their side stand confident in their Savior. The true mothers are arising.

We must trust God with everything in us and hold onto His promises no matter what. Trusting God is sometimes like holding tight as you ride an upside down roller coaster with no safety restraints, but nonetheless, even though it might be a bumpy ride, there will be many wonderful pit stops along the way. This is where greatness arises. It’s in the intense pressure that faith arises and impossible things become possible. Instead of focusing on the wild ride, I encourage you to focus on Jesus and trust that with Him, all things are possible for those who believe.

“‘“If you can”?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’”

Mark 9:23 NIV

Trusting Jesus in moments like these doesn’t mean we cower, back down, or hide. We can stand confident knowing that our help comes from the Lord, therefore we are not limited by what the world has to offer. Look to Jesus and see what He sees. Don’t back down or fight unnecessary fights, but hold firm, have courage, bravery, and choose to trust that our God is a Promise Keeper––He will do what He says He will do.

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 AMP

Like any battle, this is showing us what we are made of, what we are fighting for, and who we can trust. The spirit of truth is the only way to win. Although it is heartbreaking watching the events unfold in such an unfortunate way, get excited, because God always wins. Even in the battle weary moments life throws our way, praise, for the battle is already won. When God is on your side, nothing can stop you.

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” Psalm 118:6-9 ESV

We must choose what side we are on and remain firm on Jesus our Rock. Do you trust in flesh or in the Kingdom? It is crystal clear that we are watching the divide take form. You either believe or not. It is that simple.Those who we normally look to have backed down and those who have been hidden in the shadows are rising. Many have been confused watching these events unfold, but Romans 9:30-33 in the Message Bible explains,

“Isaiah had looked ahead and spoken the truth: If our powerful God had not provided us a legacy of living children, we would have ended up like ghost towns, like Sodom and Gomorrah.

How can we sum this up? All those people who didn’t seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as He straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their “God projects” that they didn’t notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into Him and went sprawling. Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together:

Careful! I’ve put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, a stone you can’t get around. But the stone is Me! If you’re looking for Me, you’ll find Me on the way, not in the way.”

Many times, when pressure intensifies, we only look at the needs and wants of our own fleshly desires instead of what is best for others. If we’re not careful, we can want things our way instead of God’s. If we act and speak out of turn, we are in danger of missing what is right in front of us. If we begin to speak for God or add self into His words, we put trust in ourselves or in another person instead of God. The ones who truly know Him are arising in this hour. They have seen Him come through when all seems hopeless and put all their trust in Him and Him alone. He is their Savior.

“Since the day I was born, I’ve been placed in Your custody. You’ve cradled me throughout my days. I’ve trusted in You and You’ve always been my God.” Psalm 22:10 TPT

We have to be careful that we don’t get so wrapped up even in the seemingly good things of life that we get our eyes off Jesus. Like the verses in Romans said, “They were so absorbed in their “God projects” that they didn’t notice God right in front of them.” If we are not careful, we can get so wrapped up in politics, our platform, life, and agendas that we miss God. I don’t know about you, but I want to be wherever He is and follow Him at all costs––go when He says go and do what He says do.

Even as the pressure around us builds, may we put our trust in Jesus and follow His lead, not backing down, but standing firm in His Word. May we be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that we only follow His lead and voice––staying unmovable against the world around us.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1Corinthians 15:58 ESV

There are many voices right now swarming around and it’s hard to know what is an illusion and what is truth. I encourage you to seek first the Kingdom of God and ask what He sees—see from His standpoint instead of blindly following the smoke and mirrors. This is not a time to cave under the building pressure, but to stand in faith and rise. This is the greatest time to be alive and you have the choice to flake or FLY.

Flake

: A flake is someone who generally makes plans with you, promises to do things with or for you but can never seem to follow through. When confronted with their behavior they usually get defensive and run away.

Fly

: to move in or pass through the air with wings.

“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV