The last few years have been the most volatile, unstable and stressful in memory. From a natural standpoint, fear and failing faith seem to be “standard operating procedure” – IF we have failed to understand Who is allowing all of the shaking for His own purposes.
Transition is all around us, and very prominent within the individual and corporate life of the body of Christ. We are moving into a new season that has been prophesied about by not only different prophetic voices, but also in the scripture itself. To move into this new season means we must leave that past season and the things of the past season.
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times (kairos) of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times (chronos – season) of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:19-21)
We have been in an “opportune” (kairos) time of preparation to enter the new “season” (chronos) of restoration that must come to prepare the bride of Christ, the nations and the earth for the return of the Lord. We are fast approaching this “fullness of time” where the sovereign will and purposes of God converge with the faith and preparation of His people. This will establish agreement between heaven and earth that will allow His kingdom power and purposes to enter into the world’s sphere on an unprecedented level. This fullness of time is upon us. Here are a few thoughts on how to know the timing of the Lord is here….
The Dealing of the Lord with Internal Hindrances
To enter through the “narrow gate” of transition (see Matt. 7:13-14), the Lord begins to deal with internal hindrances within the individual member and corporate body of Christ.
Four of these greatest hindrances are: 1) offenses, which include unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment and subsequent anger and revenge; 2) ambition – which is anything that stems from self-reliance, self-fulfillment and control issues; 3) jealousy; 4) critical, judgmental or rebellious attitudes and actions. All of these aforementioned sins and hindrances are rooted in pride, and subsequently render us unable to pass through the transitional gate and temporarily disqualify us until we allow the Holy Spirit to deal with them. This does mean that we have to be “perfect,” but we must have our hearts perfectly turned toward Him in submission. This means we cannot justify ourselves or shift blame when we’re confronted with these weaknesses and sins.
No Way Out
Another way to know the fullness of time is upon us is that we have utterly come to the end of our own strength and wits. If I still have “fight” in me, or if I can still manipulate or try to bargain my way out the fullness of time has not come.
The vision is still in our hearts, just as it was with Joseph when he was in prison, but we realize it’s now impossible to see it fulfilled without direct intervention from the Lord. All fleshly attempts prove useless. In seeing this through, the Lord wants the glory!
Supernatural Release of Favor
The fullness of time has come when the Lord does a work or releases favor to us that is completely outside ourselves, our influence or our resources.
The Lord initiates transitional change by causing a situation in which our gifting, graces or wisdom will be the only remedy or answer. God gave Pharaoh two dreams that only Joseph could interpret. All human wisdom or resources fail, but the Lord supernaturally opens a door for the fulfillment of His promises and destiny.
Failure Turns to Victory
The fullness of time has come when the Lord works successfully at the exact point where we have failed in the past.
This could be a personal or vocational failure. But, out of nowhere, the point of failure is overcome and the ancillary ramifications are turned. We have not understood that the Lord has actually been demonstrating His love and mercy to us in allowing human effort to fail. He has been silently developing endurance in us, and this endurance produces character (Romans 5:4). Greater Christlike character can hold up when breakthrough comes, as our character can now support the authority and approbation that comes with it. When the victory comes, everything now reflects His beauty and glory and nothing of the flesh can receive any merit.
Christlike Character Formed
As previously stated above, God’s timing comes as Christlike character is developed. Our character has been so thoroughly disciplined and trained (Heb. 12:6-8) that we now can stand before kings without intimidation, compromise or be a reproach to Him!
God Moves Someone Else on Our Behalf
We also know the fullness of time has come when the Lord moves someone else to intercede or be a resource on our behalf.
Some else will plead our cause without us having to defend, vindicate or promote ourselves. Our anointing, graces, and dominion gifting are touted by others and not ourselves, and others begin to seek us out without any hint of self-aggrandizing. The Lord is glorified and our faith is strengthened and extended because we KNOW the Lord did this.
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To find out more about Lionheart Restoration Ministries and The Prayer Furnace of East TN, visit us at:
To find out more about Lionheart Restoration Ministries and The Prayer Furnace of East TN, visit us at:
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