So let those of us who are spiritually mature and full grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also. Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that. Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you. Phil 3:15-21 Amplified Version

When the Lord dropped “there is about to be a shift” in my spirit some months back, I had and still have no idea of the magnitude of this shift or what it would bring, but I do know that it is not a change that I can possibly fathom in the natural or even to a very limited extent, in the spiritual. I can say however, that I see and feel God moving quickly in a direction of change and if I were to use a Cynde vernacular, I’d say, “it’s huge!” To give example of what the subject suggests is in comparison to a street sign warning. It would be one that indicates a change in direction or position ahead on the road that may not be readily apparent or visible and or one indicating any potential conditions requiring special attention. Even though I can’t explain in totality this shift, nor understand it to the fullest, He is moving in a mighty way and moving quickly. We that are spiritual, let us be spiritual still and hear what the Spirit is saying to the church (1 Cor 2:12-13).

I gave thought to how He has given me the words, shifting and transitioning in the past in regards to our situations and circumstances, yet this shift is not of a personal nature in that sense. This shift concerns the entire church, the body of Christ and the direction in which God is affecting and stimulating His people. Now, according to the dictionary, to shift is to move or transfer from one place or position to another or to change in direction or position. Personally, my preference is to change in direction because of what God is speaking to my spirit, and I am anticipating what God is going to bring to fruition not only in our physical churches but in the spiritual church as well.

Even in this passage, Paul tells the Philippians to continue to delight and rejoice yourselves in the Lord, those of you that are in Christ. Also, stay prayerful, focused and watchful. Look out for those who desire to throw you off course and away from what you’ve been taught. Regardless of what things may seem, don’t look back and continue to press forward toward Jesus. Count everything as loss to obtain the privilege of knowing and understanding all that is Christ. Nothing else matters but knowing the excellency of our Saviour. This word again, live and well, comes to us as the children of God. Even though sometimes it seems as if it is too much to bear, we have to remember that it is not about us, it's about the Kingdom. Encouragement, comfort, compassion, understanding, and giving to the necessity of the saints, as well as our brothers and sisters are so important during our walk because we do get discouraged, tired, exhausted, worn out, burned out, drained and disenchanted from the problems, the trials, the situations, and the circumstance of life; our work in the church, stress from the church folk. When I think of the purpose God has for the church, I have to come to myself and I get back on track regardless of what I see or hear in the church or what is going on in the world around me. Our purpose concerning the ministry should not cause us to become weary or weak. The scripture tells us to not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Gal 6:9). Hold on to God and His word and remain prayerful, always remembering where our hope lies; it is not in man, it’s in God.

At some point, we have to come to terms with the fact that what we do is for God and for the ministry and not man. The scripture tells us in I Corinthians 15:58, “be you steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain.” Only what you do for God is going to last, so continue to stay on course with much fervency, dedication, commitment, and obedience to God. You don’t need to question it, doubt it, or analyze it because when the shift occurs, you’ll want to be a part of what God is doing. Keep in mind, there is a shift ahead, let's be ready.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:1-10

Last week was a wonderful time for me; it was a time of refreshing and renewal. It’s imperative that we still away often, so that we can be ministered to in order for us to continue being effective depositors of the Word. I’ve been experiencing a refreshing for some time however, I had the opportunity of hearing a word that absolutely knocked me off my feet; a word that makes you feel as if you’re hearing it for the very first time and the pleasure of slowly basking in it. It has caused me to leap to new levels of faith; it made me expectant and eager for even more of God. This word caused me to continually be assured and confident of His presence and favor in my life, as well as remembering that He is not short in His promises to me (Phil 1:6).

Our word for illuminating is leaping; generally, it's known as a symbol and is associated as a sign for joy, happiness, delight or excitement. Leaping can also be defined as increase, rise, soar, or fly. Think of leaping with the hope, the expectancy, and the anticipation of the possibilities of what God can and will perform in our lives according to His plan and purpose. I think of all He has in store for me. Not anyone else, just me. Which reminded me of a song, “What God has for me, it is for me.” Keep in your hearts and minds that God is concerned about you, and everything that concerns you (Psalm 138:8). If you could just believe that Jesus only has to speak a Word to your situation, your circumstance and condition. He can immediately turn everything around in an instant. Certainly, it is not always in our timing, or it might not happen as we think but He always right on time and it is always for our good. We have to walk and rest in knowing that God knows best.

We oftentimes make the word and this walk more complicated that it needs to be. Our ways, our thoughts, and our flesh gets in the way of what God is trying to do in us or through us. Verse 8 has been paraphrased over the years by saying, "this way is so easy that a fool can’t err in it." This is a good analysis, but we simply have to remember that if we stay the course of holiness, we the redeemed, the restored, the kept of the Lord, will then see the provisions that have been made for us. God’s divine grace, as well as His favor will always be our preserver. Without a doubt, we are going to have trials, tribulations, and sufferings, and the scriptures tell us of this. They come to make us stronger and to give testimony to someone along the way, a testimony and the witness of the God we serve. Testimonies, that you don’t have to be lost because a way has already been made and we fulfill the plan of the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

In the passage, Isaiah points out the privileges of being a chosen people and declares a message of hope. God is telling the children of Israel through a prophetic word of a kingdom to come; His plan for their lives is a word for us today as well. We can be strong and encouraged because God’s word comes to give us comfort, peace, joy, strength, and dirction. Regardless of what unexpected circumstances or situations arise, we can be assured of the blessings that the Word gives. If you take time to read the verses of text, you will find that many words express meaning and give visual images of what His word is trying to communicate, i.e., blossoming, blooming, refreshing and cooling, abundant blessings, a springing up, a rejoicing, singing, glory, splendor, strengthening, and certainly joy! Can you visualize each word? These particular words alone are enough to make you leap with expectation of what God desires for each of us and our lives.

It’s time for us as the people of God to begin to see, walk and react in the spirit. Beholding what God is trying to convey to our hearts and the established positioning in Him before we knew who we were. God is trying to do a new thing in us, shall ye not know it? Do you not feel it in the atmosphere? Can you sense an unction in your spirit? We can see clearly the signs of a new day approaching. It’s time out for business as usual, time out for religious traditions and customs that profit us nothing or recognized and set behaviors and attitudes, program after program, and souls are dying physically, emotionally, and spiritually because the people we need to reach are outside the building. It's time out for the way things were and God is showing us that time is of the essence and we should be redeeming that time (Eph 5:14-17; Col 4:5-6). There is a definite shift occurring in the body of Christ and we need to be ready for it.

Today, I have new perspectives on leaping in the natural and spiritual with expectation! I’m expecting the expected! I’m looking for the newness of God in my life so that I can pour out what He is pouring in. I am anticipating what God is doing in the body of Christ and our role in His plan. I want to be ever ready to move, to go and to be what God is calling for in this season. The Word is alive and breathing and speaks to the right now and this should cause us to jump and leap with new hope, new expectations. If we are walking in the ways of holiness, the Lord will not withhold any good thing from us. So, I’ve got one phrase for you today to remember, “Get ready!”

Are you leaping yet?

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde