Spacious Place | January Monthly Blog

Summary

In the month of January, God is refocusing our vision and stirring our hearts back to Him. He is leading us into a spacious place and breathing life and inspiration on old dreams. He is increasing our discernment and inviting us to take action and partner with Him amidst opposition. It’s time to hold fast to our faith and co-labor with Him to bring about the Kingdom of God. In addition, this is a month of taking action and moving forward with fresh focus and inspiration.

Remnant Restored

“‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.  I will bring [my people]  back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before.  I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me.  Then [my people] will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’

Jeremiah 33.6-9

Many have been burdened with the state of the world. Division, hatred, control, fear, death, disease, corruption, perversion, moral degradation have consumed our time and attention.  When we have our eyes focused on the negative report, all can seem lost, hopeless, and miserable. 

But God.  

God is not intimidated with the state of the world or worried about His people. God is bringing us back to what matters–worship and surrender to Him. God created us  in His image.  He created us to worship Him and to glorify His name. Just as God saved Abraham and Lot’s family in Sodom and Gomorrah and rescued Noah from the flood, God is always faithful to preserve His remnant. I believe there is a faithful, righteous remnant rising up today that unwaveringly believes in the goodness of God  and truly believes that all hope is NOT lost.  It may be darkest before dawn, but  the morning is breaking forth brighter than ever. 

God is bringing healing to His people and releasing us from captivity so that we may enjoy abundant peace and security.  He’s cleansing us from sin committed against Him and forgiving any places in us of rebellion.  He’s reminding us to have hope in His plan and submit ourselves to His ways. 

Partner with hope! You have been contending for God’s mercy in the face of evil, warring in prayer, and fighting on the front lines in the battle between good and evil. Your intercession matters. Stand in the gap and humbly repent on behalf of  your nation, your  state, and your city; remind God of His promises, pray Scripture, and watch expectantly for Him to move. As a declaration of faith, shout your testimonies from the rooftops of what He’s done and what He’s doing!

Warring Words

“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,  having faith and a good conscience.”

1 Timothy 1.18-19

In prophetic communities–where encouragement flows like water– it’s not the most popular idea that prophetic words are not a guarantee that something will happen. 

Rather, the prophetic is an invitation to receive, press in, and pray into existence the manifestation of the prophetic  word.  We must be good stewards of words spoken over us and partner with Holy Spirit to determine if it is a true word. If so, is the word for now or to put on the  shelf for later? Usually something in our spirit will align or resonate with the word when we receive it.  Many times, it will be confirmation of a word  we’ve already received directly from God or from someone else. 

God is inviting us to remember (and focus) on who we are and what He’s said.  Don’t get distracted by the plans of the enemy so that you lose focus on your part in bringing the kingdom to earth. If you have been feeling overwhelmed, tossed about, without purpose, lost or complacent, then it’s time to stand up and grab hold of His Word over your life again.  Hold onto the vision of your purpose and  the promises of God.  Remind yourself of what God has said.  Write out who God says you are. Remind God of what He has said, stand in faith and contend for God’s will, purpose and plan to prevail.  In the end, it is God who wins. And He is faithful to fulfill His promises.

Spacious Place

“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”

Psalm 18.19

God is clearing out things that have taken away your energy, your focus, your excitement, and your hope.  In the past, you might’ve felt like you couldn’t get started on a project or a dream.  You may have felt burdened or uninspired; spread too thin and without focus; or lacking inspiration or hope to start something that’s been in your heart.  Just as though God is guiding you into a wide open meadow, He is clearing out the obstacles that have distracted, drained, and depleted you in order to restore, refresh, and renew you.  Watch as in this new year, you are suddenly inspired to take action on something that’s been in your heart for some time.  The time is now and you’ll know because you’re seeing the obstacles cleared away and you realize that you’re inspired to give it a go now! Things that had previously felt overwhelming to you will now be easily doable (even enjoyable) as what was blocking you has been cleared out. 

God is making a way. He’s clearing the burdens and what has kept you blocked or from moving forward.  It is now time to step out and move.  It is likely a creative endeavor that He is calling you to act on and something you haven’t felt inspired to do for some time.  Pay attention. You will see distractions literally melt away.  You may find that you suddenly have more time. If you have been feeling blocked, overwhelmed, dried up; if you’ve been feeling uninspired, weary, and lethargic; or if you’ve been feeling like you’re  just getting by, you’re lacking passion, and you haven’t created anything in forever…then it’s time to ACT.  Spend some time with God seeking Him and asking Him how He wants you to use this newfound inspiration and time. He will lead you.  Partner with Him as He leads.  

Courageous Discernment

“the people who know their God will display strength and take action.”

Daniel 11.32b

Recently I was drawn in by  a scam.  Thankfully my discernment kicked in and I broke free before any real damage was done.   During this phone call, I began to feel pressured, rushed, manipulated, and afraid because of the things they were telling me.  After I was free of it, I had some excellent spiritual reminders.  As I reflected on the way they made me feel and processed all of it, I was reminded of the importance of discerning between God’s voice and the voice of the enemy.  I found an excellent reminder from James Goll’s book The Discerner in which he breaks it down so clearly. 

• God leads you.  Evil pushes you.
• God stills you.  Evil rushes you.
• God reassures you. Evil frightens you. 
• God enlightens you. Evil confuses you. 
• God encourages you. Evil discourages you.
• God comforts you. Evil worries you. 
• God calms you. Evil agitates you. 
• God convicts you (of the truth). Evil condemns you. 

We–as God’s dearly beloved children–are able to hear His voice.  Sometimes His voice can be hard to hear and ever so faint.  All the more reason to quiet the noise all around to pay attention to the only voice that truly matters.  Evil is all around and LOUD.  Will you take the time and intention necessary to know who is influencing you and to discern whose voice is speaking?

We have the Holy Spirit living inside of us.  Jesus referred to Him (in John 14) as our Advocate (or Counselor) and the Spirit of Truth.  I believe this to mean that we have been given an arbiter of truth through the Holy Spirit. We have been given the gift of discernment to recognize between truth and lies. When we submit ourselves to knowing God and allow Him free reign to speak into our lives, and when we ask Him to show us if we are being deceived, I believe He will undoubtedly do what we ask.  Are we actively practicing discernment in our own lives?  Are we seeking to know Him more? What is the fruit of truly knowing Him in your own life? We are in a spiritual war and, in the fog of war, it can be challenging to see the way forward.  It can often feel like you’re alone or like all hope is lost.  The way forward is increasingly dependent on us discerning His voice.  He knows the landmines that lay in our path.  He knows those sent to deceive us.  He knows when we’re hurting or scared.  And He knows how to lead us with kindness and wisdom.

As we pursue knowing God more, we are able to discern His voice above all others.  And God is filling us with courage to speak the truth and take action.  A righteous ROAR is rising up within His people that separate themselves from the incessant chatter, the noise, and the distractions.  We will lead others because of our confidence in knowing His voice and seeing the way forward.  This word is for those that have been pressing in to hear Him. You  have put out fleeces, fasted, and prayed.  Your  heart is tenderly broken to hear His voice.  You have felt confused, weary and battle-worn.  You may  have been deceived, and are now vigilantly and diligently pursuing truth.  Take the time to seek Him every day.  Ask Him to increase your discernment and practice it regularly.  Hone what He releases to you so that it becomes a weapon.  Pray against deception.  And rise up to speak truth and courageously do what He shows  you.  

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Written by Anne E. Ballard