The Empire Strikes Back: May the True Force be with You in 2017
May the Force be with you...
...as we enter into a new galaxy in 2017. The Force of goodness that pursues and runs after truth, wisdom and honesty. The Force of goodness that promotes peace, justice, and godliness. The Force of goodness which releases insight, virtue, and common sense in which glory will accompany us on the road of righteousness and right standing. The Force who created all things. The Force that surrounds us and binds all the galaxies together.
As I was praying and seeking God’s word for 2017, I immediately heard the Lord say, “The Empire Strikes Back.” Now I need to explain that I have never seen any of the Star Wars movies! I’m almost 60 years old and have never been intrigued or interested in watching any of these movies. However, being that the Lord spoke this word to me (much to my opposition to sci-fi) I realized that I needed to watch The Empire Strikes Back. Many of you know, Star Wars is about the epic battle of good versus evil using lightsabers and laserblasters, as well as training in the way of the Jedi, with Luke Skywalker. In The Empire Strikes Back, Luke goes in search of the best of the best, Master Yoda, for his training
Luke encounters the Master Yoda and Luke is trying to use the Force to raise his Starfighter, (Luke’s ship) which he does at first, but then fails. Luke states, “I can’t believe it.” Yoda replies, “That is why you fail.” “I can’t. It’s too big. Hear Yoda’s response: “Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm. Hmph! And well you should not for my ally is the Force. And a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us, binds us. You must feel the Force around you – here, between you and me, the tree, the rock, everywhere! Yes! Even between land and the ship. As Luke walks away, he says, “You want the impossible” – “I don’t …I don’t believe.”
Very interesting because what Yoda is saying is how important belief is for action. When Luke didn’t believe he could raise his ship, he indeed could not. When Yoda did believe, he could! Luke doubted, and as a result failed. This comes right down to “faith vs. doubt” and how it affects our ability to do incredible things for God.
Let’s see what Jesus has to say in Matthew 17:19-20:
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” (NASB)
If it is God’s will – then nothing will be impossible for you (Luke 1:37).
New in 2017
With that being said, this is what I sense the Father is saying as we all enter a “New Galaxy—a New Sphere, in 2017—no longer just routine as usual.” No, indeed it’s a year of embarking into new ways of thinking, new ways of investing time, money, and energy. It’s a new year of moving into new places that will cause you to depend heavily and mightily on the true Force—The Master Creator, Father God, and Comforter, His Holy Spirit—in leading you into new galaxies and new frontiers. There will be no “random” connections, only “divine” realities, no “intruding” invaders but friendly interveners.
Moreover, this year is going to be a year that will release a new enlightenment in your walk with the Lord. Revelations will be released in quantum and dramatic ways, great challenges with great encounters in order for us to enter into new “galaxies” which will shift your territories. Father is saying this is the year, the time to learn, grow, and seek out intentionally and purposefully in being trained by the best of the best—the Master—The Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is encouraging YOU to accept your destiny, to discover your ultimate fate, which will center on the importance of choosing allegiances and loyalties in the only one true God. Seek out His wisdom, His Spirit for it’s His wisdom and Spirit that is calling out to you.
This is Wisdom calling out and asking YOU to listen carefully:
“Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 8:32-35 NIV)
Where is your allegiance?
We need to ask ourselves: Where does my allegiance and loyalty lie? Does my allegiance lie in my own understandings? Does it lie with the Republicans or Democrats? Does my allegiance lie with my bank account or my job? Does it lie in some false worldly Force? If it does lie with any of those, then for sure you will have doubt just like Luke Skywalker did.
Being it’s a New Year, and in some ways a new country with new political leaders, we are all at a new crossing in our life. We all stand at the brink of a fresh life, ready to start new beginnings in 2017, not just following the same old routines. Or are we standing at the ruins of life, knowing we have to start over? For some we are ready to build or perhaps to rebuild. But where do we start with a new beginning, with building, or rebuilding? Someone has to be there to assist us in putting it all together in 2017, in the right order, in the right way, at the right time, in the right direction or else a year from now we will end up back at the same spot!
Just as Yoda was there to assist and guide Luke, there is one that is waiting, ready, and willing to assist you in this new galaxy in 2017 - THE HOLY SPIRIT! He is THE ONLY One who can empower, enable, enlighten, endow, enforce, enlarge, enhance, emancipate, and enrich YOU and YOUR life with divine wisdom and biblical blueprints in living in this New Year and in your mission in the New Galaxy in 2017. We all have new missions and adventures to explore and to step into. There will be major choices and decisions that you will need to take action on. You will not have the luxury of waiting and pondering; you will need to know what the Spirit is saying then and there. God has commissioned you and you have a mission with which to interact. Our allegiance and loyalty must lie with Him.
However, tensions will come as they did with Luke, who felt he was strong enough to defeat the enemy when he met him. If there is hatred, bitterness, resentments, envy, or pride lurking and lingering in your heart, you will move into areas alone as Luke did. Luke’s own battle grows within himself as he flirts with the “dark side” and escaping responsibility in the name of good. Thus, Luke became the very enemy he sought to destroy. Luke is no longer just a hero seeking to thwart evil; he is in danger of becoming evil himself.
The Spirit of Wisdom
Father is saying: Stop flirting with your pet sins, stop rehearsing your pain, stop enjoying your pity parties, and stop endangering yourself and those around you. Open your eyes so you can step into the Light. Drop your laserblasters—your self-protections—and pick up the sword of truth, the Word of God, and see what Wisdom says from the Spirit of the Living God. Read, listen, and study His blueprints and as you do that, your life will result in a beautifully built life, and not just a scrap heap of so many warped days and weathered years.
Father God’s Spirit of Wisdom is saying:
“I am Lady Wisdom, and I live next to Sanity;
Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street.
The Fear-of-God means hating Evil,
whose ways I hate with a passion—
pride and arrogance and crooked talk.
Good counsel and common sense are my characteristics;
I am both Insight and the Virtue to live it out.
With my help, leaders rule,
and lawmakers legislate fairly;
With my help, governors govern,
along with all in legitimate authority.
I love those who love me;
those who look for me find me.
Wealth and Glory accompany me—
also substantial Honor and a Good Name.
My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary;
the returns on me exceed any imaginable bonus.
You can find me on Righteous Road—that’s where I walk—
at the intersection of Justice Avenue,
Handing out life to those who love me,
filling their arms with life—armloads of life!” (Proverbs 8:12-21 MSG)
Father God’s Spirit of Wisdom is a Master Worker shaping something beautiful in your life out of raw materials day by day. Day after day the Spirit of the Living God is joyfully applauding and affirming you to place your faith and trust in His Company and to delight and celebrate in His truths and ways. This is the year that the Holy Spirit wants you to strategically and purposefully abandon yourself into His ways, into His heart and life, so you will know and see that life is not an awful problem filled with doubt and uncertainty but a playful adventure to be lived with Him—the Master Worker and Creator.
Please pray with me:
Father God, Master Creator, and Giver of truth, I thank You that you didn’t leave me alone to sort out things in my life without instructions or without someone to come alongside to help me put everything together. Sweet Holy Spirit, I embrace more of You in my every waking and sleeping moments and thank You for all the ways You help me turn the blueprints for my life into a beautiful well-built building, sturdy and strong and sure.
Thank You, Holy Spirit, that I am a work in progress and that You are overseeing all the ins and outs of my life from every minor detail to every major one in every stage and step. You, Holy Spirit, are my firm foundation, and I can rest in You because You have my very best in Your hands for 2017. Thank You, Holy Spirit, that You are the TRUE and ONE and ONLY Force that is with me leading me and guiding me into all good things in this New Year.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- Mari Anne Andersen
Write Mari Anne Andersen with any thoughts, questions or comments you may have: marianne@freedomhouseministry.net
Trumpets, Pitchers and Torches
Do you have a situation in life that you desperately need to see victory? Do you feel you're fumbling around in the darkness longing to know all will be well? Do you feel impoverished emotionally, physically, spiritually or financially? That the enemy has the upper hand in your life that things are swarming around you?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, dear friends, I pray that through the power of His Spirit, He will place in your hand a TRUMPET, a PITCHER and a TORCH.
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For Gideon and the Israelites (Judges 6 - 8) their hour was dark and desperate, and it was a time when the enemy was ruling over them. Their country was continually invaded for seven long years: their land was literally stripped bare of crops and animals. They were overwhelmed by an enemy too great for them to defeat. Granted, the Israelites had problems with sin and their stubborn, stiff-necked ways. They were only reaping what they had sown, continuously living in a state of distress because they did not want to adhere, submit or surrender to their only true God - they did it their way and the results was bearing very bad fruit.
Gideon was hiding in a dark winepress, feeling fear and always looking over his shoulder, threshing wheat in secret to protect it and himself from the Midiantes. How has the enemy kept you in the dark winepress of your life through sinful self-protections? Do you feel you have places in your life that you are a coward or compromising truth by hiding?
The love of our Father God came to Gideon even in his state of cowardice.
The Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of (fearless) courage." And Gideon said to him, "O sir, if the Lord is with us, why is all this befallen us? And where are all His wondrous works?" The Lord turned to him, and said, "Go in this your might, and you shall save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?" Gideon said to Him, "Oh, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? I am poor and I am the least in my father's house."
- Judges 6:12-15 (emphasis added)
This actually reminds me of Moses when God appeared to him on Mount Sinai and said to him, "Go to Pharaoh and tell him to let my people go." Moses refused 4 times because feelings of fear, unbelief, and insignificance, as well asThis actually reminds me of Moses when God appeared to him on Mount Sinai and said to him, "Go to Pharaoh and tell him to let my people go." Moses refused 4 times because feelings of fear, unbelief, and insignificance, as well as feeling "dumb." He said, "O Lord, I am not eloquent or a man of words. For I am slow of speech, and have a heavy and awkward tongue." Ex. 4:10
How many of us refuse God, His encounters as well as His love and power to defeat the enemies of our lives, because we feel insignificant, unimportant or full of shame?
May we take up our trumpet, pitcher and torch to defeat the enemy in those areas where he has stolen from us and improvised us. RISE UP YOU MIGHTY VALIANT WARRIOR - and know that "I will surely be with YOU, and YOU shall smite the enemy down as one man."
That is good news - because God is calling you to enlist into His army and it only takes one - YOU, to respond to His call.
The Israelites were saved from their oppression when they cried out to the one true God for help. God gave very specific instructions to fight this overwhelming enemy and it came down to just 300 men, all just carrying a trumpet, pitcher and torch - that's all it took - oh - and one more thing of importance - OBEDIENCE.
A trumpet is used to herald important news - to warn of impending danger. Sound your trumpet and let it be heard all through the enemy's camp that you are coming to take back your land, to take back what the enemy has stolen. This is the trumpet of decision to deal with our problems.
The pitcher was to create a great distraction, to be smashed and pulverized into many pieces - all were to do it at the same time creating great waves of thunder to accomplish confusion in the camp. What do you need to smash into pieces? What habitual structure do you have that needs to be pulverized? feeling "dumb." He said, "O Lord, I am not eloquent or a man of words. For I am slow of speech, and have a heavy and awkward tongue." Ex. 4:10
The torch represented His Light – to be personified into the darkness of sin and evil. With the torch of light in our hands we are no longer hidden in the dark places of our shame, pain, and sin. Father God will help us as we hold the torch to overcome our weakness. For in Him there is NO darkness.
And then as in Judges 7:12, what the men did was, “they each STOOD in their place.” God is saying to each of us, “Do not back away, do not sit down but stand, remain, and maintain in YOUR position to face your enemy, your giant.” Be pro-active in His army and YOU can see your deliverance at hand.
Gideon and his men stood blowing their trumpets, dropping their pitchers, waving their torches and shouting, “The sword for the Lord!”
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My prayer for each one of us is that we can rise up like Gideon and encounter our Lord, that we will be filled with courage, having ears to hear the Lord, even if it is seemingly ridiculous, to have a fearless heart to advance into those areas of our lives that keep us in poverty. Grab hold of your trumpet, pitcher and torch and let’s go.
- Mari Anne Andersen
Write Mari Anne Andersen with any thoughts, questions or comments you may have: marianne@freedomhouseministry.net
Promises, Promises That’s All I Ever Get…and Then Came Christmas!
What comes to your mind or heart when you hear the word “promises?” Have you ever had a promise made to you that was never kept or have you ever made a promise that was impossible to keep and to fulfill? Of course, you and I both have experienced broken promises on both ends of the promise. That’s why, famous country pop turned gospel singer, Lynn Anderson’s song back in 1968 was such a hit: Promises, promises, that's all I ever get, that's all I ever get. Promises, promises, that's all I get. All you gave me since the day we met. You break my heart in two again I'll bet. But promises, promises, that's all I ever get, that's all I ever get. We’ve all been let down in life, and we’ve let other people down, too.
AND then comes Christmas! Do you know that there are very specific Christmas promises that God made for us? Let’s look at some of these glorious and wondrous Christmas promises that He made just for you and me. The Mighty God has pledged troth, vowed and made a covenant for you and for me—our Christmas promises! He always, always keeps His promises.
For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
“For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders.” Just think—Yahweh would raise up a child, a newborn no less, to deliver his people to establish peace, justice, and righteousness! Now that is a promise to behold! “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This child would become a man Who would fulfill the promise of these four amazing names, which express the essential character of this new, coming King and what He will do for me and for you.
- The Promise of a WONDERFUL COUNSELOR: The child will be a wise Counselor, the divine Counselor that will guide, counsel, and direct His people in times of distress and anguish. This Wonderful Counselor loves His people enough to become involved in their everyday lives and situations no matter how small or no matter how big. How many of us need a Wonderful Counselor in this season of our lives? How many of us need hope for our future, directions into our Promised Land, and His Blessed Assurance of His abiding Presence? Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:6)
- The Promise of a MIGHTY GOD: He is filled with Godly power to lead faithfully. His power will protect us against the fiery darts of Satan and even our own foolish minds. Our Mighty God has the power to preserve when strength fails, when promises aren’t kept, when all seems too overwhelming or too impossible. Further, He will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) The Mighty God has the power to provide, power to heal, the power to deliver, and the power to release freedom. Isn’t this the kind of leader we are looking for and hoping for in today’s world but can never truly find outside of our great, Mighty God?
- The Promise of an EVERLASTING FATHER: Our earthly fathers (including father-figures such as kings) live and reign for only a period of time, and then they are gone. This child will become a father whose reign will last forever. The promise of an Everlasting Father is one who loves us unconditionally, totally, and unreservedly, a Father who is always, permanently and constantly there. The Everlasting Father will usher in great joy, great love, and great hope as our Kingly Protector. Don’t we all need a Father like this since in most cases this Everlasting Father is so unlike our own, fallible father that we had growing up? Isn’t He like the true Father that we always have longed for? What a comforting promise!
- The Promise of a PRINCE OF PEACE: This Prince offers Peace, wonderful peace that rains into all the areas of our lives, our minds, and our hearts, that comes when all seemingly looks lost or destroyed in our circumstances and situations. His perfect peace is given to us as our Christmas Promise, as an anchor to hold onto when we are in fear, in distress, and tossed to and fro from pain, disappointment, betrayal, and broken promises. In Jesus Christ, we see eternity revealed. The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. Isn’t this Peace something—no SOMEONE—we are all longing for in this uncertain, tentative, and faltering world?
So you’re not getting empty promises this Christmas. You’re getting God’s faithful promise of a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peach in your life! Hold these Christmas promises near and dear to your heart, believing that these characteristics of our Savior Jesus Christ are YOUR Christmas Promises to unwrap and take great delight in. These are promises that you can definitely count on!
The promises that Jesus Christ has given to us at Freedom House are based upon this promised character of the Christ-Child who is born at Christmas:
- We counsel through the Wonderful Counselor’s guidance.
- We rely on the Mighty God who has the power to heal every area of our temporal lives.
- The Everlasting Father is the good daddy who will be with us forever.
- And through the Prince of Peace, we will know His quietness and confidence in our everyday lives.
Freedom House continues to operate under our specific mandates and promises that the Lord has released to us. We want to share a brief update with amazing outcomes of those promises in 2016:
- We are to Proclaim Liberty to those who are spiritually imprisoned, to heal the brokenhearted, and to comfort those who grieve:
He has extended our reach to minister to more hurting people in Chicagoland, but also in faraway places like, Dubai, Norway, Canada, England, Washington, New York, and California via Skype. - Through the promise of Releasing Destiny, we empower believers to go forth in their gifts and talents doing good works, which the heavenly Father prepared in advance for His sons and daughters:
28 students are in our Course 201 and 202 classes this School year and are indeed flourishing as they discover their God-given gifts, purpose, and design, which is the ultimate goal of prayer ministry. - The promise of Harvesting Humanity, which releases His children into being mature sons and daughters for the great-end time harvest as the Body of Christ taking its rightful place in the Kingdom is manifesting:
More people are stepping up into leadership roles: 7 Small Group Leaders and 3 Shadows in our Schools and 5 more Counselors on our website ready to do prayer counseling ministry.
We at Freedom House thank you for allowing us to fulfill these mandates and promises, which were given to us by Jesus Christ—the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. We are blessed by the privilege and honor we have as we hold your hearts close while walking through your healing and promises. Freedom House says thank you faithful friends, wounded warriors, and our brothers and sisters in Christ.
As we approach the end of 2016, we humbly ask if you would donate a love gift to Freedom House that will help us to reach more people, to help us continue to fulfill our mandates and promises, and to release more of the captives that are hurt, empty, and in need of healing. We are living in challenging times financially so that Freedom House is being stretched in many directions while God our Father is doing great NEW things as well as DIFFERENT things.
We need your help, our brothers and sisters, to achieve what He is calling us to do. I would personally like to ask you to prayerfully consider blessing Freedom House this December with one of the biggest donations you have ever given, as we end 2016 and go into the New Year, 2017.
May God our Father bless you, heal you, and release you into YOUR fullness this coming New Year. May our Holy Spirit rekindle and refresh YOUR promises that you have been given for your life and for your loved ones. Remember: God loves to answer our prayers as well as seeing His promises being released through His matchless character revealed in Jesus’ coming at Christmas.
Merry Christmas and a Very Blessed New Year!
Thankfully and Prayerfully,
- Mari Anne Andersen
Write Mari Anne Andersen with any thoughts, questions or comments you may have: marianne@freedomhouseministry.net
Are You Slow to Grow?
Do you feel that at times you are slow to grow into what God has for you? Do you feel spiritually immature and not established in your walk with Christ? Why do some Christians not grow, as they would like to? Do you have a desire to grow deeper into God’s ways but don’t know where to begin? Would you call yourself a spiritual baby or a spiritual giant? Have you checked yourself lately to see if you have grown more in the ways of God or are you actually slow to grow up in Him? Do you feel spiritually weak or spiritually strong like Jesus?
If we saw one of our family members not growing and having difficulty in maturing and developing we would quickly whisk them off to the doctors. We would want to find out why they were not growing and developing towards the physical functions appropriate to their age. As we grow and develop and become adults, we are encouraged to have an annual physical examination, which is a source of reassurance that we are growing healthfully and towards a well-fit maturity.
Why do we think it would be different spiritually speaking? Paul states in Ephesians Chapter 4:1-2 from The Message: “to get out there and walk – better yet, run! – on the road God called you to travel. He doesn’t want any one sitting around on their hands and he doesn’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere.”
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” - Ephesians 4:14-15 (NIV)
The Message states these verses in this way:
“No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love – like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.”
Well, I have the perfect prescription just for YOU! This is my personal prescription designed and intended for you, my dear friends. This prescription will give you greater strength, greater endurance, and greater stamina to increase and intensify growth, maturity, and development . . . it’s likened to spiritual steroids.
DOCTORS URGENT CARE ASSOCIATES
FREEDOM HOUSE MINISTRY
DIVINE SPIRITUAL CLINIC
SPIRITUAL CARDIOVASCULAR ASSOCIATES
Tommy & Mari Anne Andersen
Primary Care Provider: Jesus Christ
Open 7 days/week, 24 hours/day
Rx Course 201 School - no substitute or generics
Course 202 School - no substitute or generics
FHM – 708-6567-3658 for questions
Refills: 1x a month – Second Saturdays – September, 2016 thru May, 2017 (excluding Dec)
What Can You Expect By Taking This Course?
This prescription (Course 201 or 202) will help you discover spiritual answers to many searching questions about life, God, and yourself. It will give you clues to why you think, feel, and act the way you do. These schools will bring you into wholeness through true change and will help you break through long-standing areas of your life. Your Primary Care Provider—Jesus Christ—wants to equip you with greater vision and hope for the future . . . to take you into a deeper, more exciting and fulfilling love relationship with Him . . . and to prepare, empower, and release you into a new anointing of maturity.
With each lesson, you will gain understanding, be given principles of healing, and begin the healing process. Because we are dealing with the hearts of people, the school can, at times, be very intense. Personal responses to teaching and small group interaction may include, but are certainly not limited to, some of the following: expression of anger, prejudices and resentments; apprehension; anxiety; insomnia; depression; dissociation; etc. Because of time restraints and group process, all of your personal life issues will not be dealt with during the course of the school, but some healing will happen. This is a life-long process. We simply give you the tools to further your healing, restore your relationships, and minister to others. Many seek further ministry once the school is complete. If you feel there are already significant life issues that need to be addressed, prayer ministry or counseling prior to your enrollment in the school is advisable and always beneficial.
Vision and Purpose For Course 201 & 202 Schools:
In prayerfully planned, instructional, and ministry settings, we will impart keys of knowledge, opening the heart to receive truth and renewing the mind, that result in life transformation through Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, we are co-workers with Christ, working to restore broken and hurting hearts, reconciling relationships. In keeping with the Elijah House mission, our vision for the Schools is to equip, encourage, and release Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18 – 20), who will pick up His mantle and continue His mission of restoration and healing.
Sign up for an upcoming course:
Course 201 School
Course 202 School
Write Mari Anne Andersen with any thoughts, questions or comments you may have,
to write her an e-mail click here: marianne@freedomhouseministry.net
Come and Step into Jordan
A few weeks ago I wrote an article titled “Stepping into Your Next Step” and was sharing with you that God the Father is calling each one of us to “step into” our next step: our next season, our next miracle, or our next unknown adventure in Him.
This message is a sequel to that article, and for those who are taking the time in reading this, please know God has something very endearing and appealing for you. He is asking YOU, His child, to trust Him in this next step of your life. You are standing on the banks of the Jordan and in this precise place you are purposely positioned in a holy place—a place of transition, a place of changeover, and a place of significance and importance. For this place, the Jordan River, is a place of new beginnings for YOU. How many of us would like to have some new beginnings in our life? I know I would. What would your new beginnings look like for you? Would it be new challenges, new experiences, or new opportunities? Or maybe your new beginnings mean a new job. Or it could be a new home, being debt free, a new community of believers, or getting physically healed and cleansed like Naaman in 2 Kings 5 in the Jordan.
Friends, please hear with your heart and listen with your spiritual ears. There is a shift that is happening in God’s people. The Father is saying this is the hour and the day for YOU to come into the Jordan and be washed and cleansed as well as healed. This is a time when the Father is inviting YOU, to begin a new journey of hope and healing by “stepping into” the Jordan River. Though there have been many disappointments and you have lost some of your zeal and passion, the Father is saying He wants to rekindle your heart and life and renew your first love once again. This is a time in your life for cleansing, healing and new life; the Jordan represents for you a place of healing, hope and new life. A place in which to connect with the true Messiah, a place to be baptized in His presence of love and new beginnings. A place where we will gain new understandings and new revelations of our God.
There is a purification that is happening among His people, among the churches and even in our government. God wants you and me to have our new life in the Promised Land (on this side of eternity) and to enter into that place of new beginnings.
For many, like the Israelites, it has seemed like you have been in the wilderness—a place where life is just difficult, struggles seem to be a steady diet. In this wilderness, it seems all we do is walk, walk, and walk never seemingly arriving at our destination. This wilderness experience brings confusion, temptation, and exhaustion, as well as deep sorrow. Listen up friends! This wilderness experience is coming to an end! This wilderness is no longer giving room for you to wander because you are at the banks of the Jordan, ready and willing to “step into” the Jordan and ready and willing to experience new beginnings. These new beginning will set your feet to dancing, will cause you to arise and shine, and will release you into the Promised Land.
Your Jordan is the boundary between your wilderness and your Promised Land. It is the obstacle standing between you and the Promised Land. Your promised land is in sight. You know what God’s promises are, what His truth is, and what He has spoken through His Spirit to you. However, we are often like the Israelites who, standing at the Jordan, saw a river in flood stage, overflowing its banks. There was no low water crossing in sight. They could not go around the river; there were no bridges, so they also could not go over it. The way was blocked. The river was impassable.
Yet God the Father is calling you, inviting you, and encouraging you to “step into” the water so that HE can act on your behalf. You may have many questions, like the Israelites, but the Father is saying that all your questions, doubts, and fears will be washed away as you “step into” the Jordan River. The water will not part until WE step out in faith and “step into” the water.
One step is all it took for the Israelites! As soon as their feet were dipped in the edge of the water, God acted—the flowing waters stood still, there was dry land, and all the people crossed over. With that one step, they followed the ark of God’s presence into the Jordan, and we can, too.
Joshua 3:11-13 – Just watch the sacred chest that belongs to the Lord, the ruler of the whole earth. As soon as the priests carrying the chest “step into” the Jordan, the water will stop flowing and pile up as if someone had built a dam across the river. (Translation – CEV)
Now this is your divine moment! Your next step into the Jordan will be a game changer for you. Don’t hesitate, don’t vacillate, and don’t fluctuate for this is the hour, this is the day, and this is the moment when He is saying . . .
Come and Step into your destiny
Step into your Promised Land
Step into your wholeness
Step into a higher realm of His glory
Step into the unknown
Step into awaited favor
Step into your miracle
Step into the fullness of life
Step into maturity
Step into intimacy
Step into dependency
Step into God’s supply
Step into your blessing
Step into your future
Step into your physical, emotional, and relational healing
Step into your Jordan with Jesus!
Freedom House would love to bless you in this season and time in your life. We would like to place your Jordan River in front of you so that you may take that next step into the river. Freedom House will be having a Prophetic Conference “Stepping into Prophetic Destiny with Joseph & Heather Zupetz from Z Ministries Thursday August 11thr through Saturday, August 13th 2016.
FOR MORE EVENT INFO CLICK HERE
Write Mari Anne Andersen with any thoughts, questions or comments you may have,
to write her an e-mail click here: marianne@freedomhouseministry.net
Stepping Into Your Next Step
Have you ever wondered about the adage “stepping into?” These two words, I believe, are very powerful and commanding, as well as, a vivid description of what God is calling each one of us to do, at various times in our life, in our walk with Him. He is encouraging, wooing, calling, and cheering us to “step into” our next step: our next season, our next miracle, or our next unknown adventure in Him.
Where are you in your walk about “stepping into” your next step? The Israelites were called to “step into the Jordan” while the water was swiftly flowing past. That must have seemed daunting; after all, it would certainly be much easier to step into the Jordan after the Lord had stopped its flow, rather than while it was still flowing! What does the River Jordan represent for you, for me, and for our destiny? How can stepping into your Jordan make a monumental shift in your walk with the Lord? What can one little step do in our life, in our situation and in our spiritual journey no matter how daunting it might look?
I would like to invite you to “step into” the scripture below with me and explore together God’s heart as we unfold this life-changing word for you and for me in this season.
Joshua 3:11-13 – Just watch the sacred chest that belongs to the Lord, the ruler of the whole earth. As soon as the priests carrying the chest “step into” the Jordan, the water will stop flowing and pile up as if someone had built a dam across the river. (Translation – CEV)
Introduction – The two Israelite spies had returned from Jericho, having followed Joshua’s orders to check out the land and the city. They had escaped with Rahab’s help and now they are reporting all their experiences to Joshua. And with great delight and joy they told Joshua, “Yes! God has given the whole country to us. Everybody there is in a state of panic because of us.” (Joshua 2:23-24 CEV)
This was the news Joshua had been waiting for. The very next morning they would break camp and pitch their tents on the banks of the Jordan River.
Jordan’s literal meaning is “The Descender,” goes downwards. Jordan represents the line of distinction of the carnal life and stepping into the spiritual life, from death to life, and from the old to the new. Crossing the Jordan River for Joshua and the Israelites meant entering the Promised Land and leaving the leadership of Moses—a change from the old to the new. Another significant transition occurred when Elijah, just after crossing the Jordan, transferred the prophetic mantel to Elisha right before Elijah ascended to heaven, indicating a change to new leadership. Lastly, the Jordan was the place where John baptized Jesus but instead of the waters parting, the heavens did (Mark 1:10). This was the beginning of Jesus’ spiritual ministry. So we can see that Jordan is a place of TRANSITIONS, CONVERSIONS, and ALTERATIONS. It’s the place of decision-making to pursue God, to trust God, and to lean not in our own understanding even when to the natural eye there are clearly obstacles, barriers, and overwhelming currents to “stepping into.”
I believe that we all have times in our lives when we seem to reach the banks of our own spiritual Jordan River. We reach a point where a transition, a change, or a shift must take place in our lives; something needs to happen in a big way so that God’s promises are able to move into our reality. How many of you are on the banks of your Jordan in this moment of time, but yet you are hesitant to “step into” that Jordan? Perhaps your fear comes from unpleasant past experiences, and you do not want to be disappointed or hurt again. Maybe you have come to the end of your striving and figured out it’s not working for you any longer. Perhaps the same recording plays over and over in your mind reminding you of the past failures, or you are tired of walking in circles ending up at the same place.
The Jordan River always looked uncrossable—an impossible physical barrier to cross before the Israelites could reach their freedom, their promises, and their destiny. My question to you is what is stopping you? What options do you actually have? To go back, stay behind, or sit and wait another 40 years in your own personal wilderness?
Friends, realize that “stepping into” the next step will be a game changer for YOU and your life. Literally, a shift will take place—a suddenly of His majestic wonders will be unveiled and revealed. The Father reassures you not to fear, not to hold back, and not to put off taking that step of obedience and faith. This is a divine moment with your God for transition, conversion, and alteration.
Whatever your “stepping into” looks like, know that He is trustworthy to walk along side of you. He will give you strength, perseverance, endurance, wisdom, resources, and people to help. Obedience and faithfulness always glorify God. God the Father rewards our step of faith. Nothing pleases Him more than faith (Hebrews 11:6) because you are “stepping into” His plan and purpose, which is learning to develop, grow, and mature in the ways of Him. It’s living in His Kingdom glory on this side of eternity; it’s expanding our borders to be blessed, to be fruitful in all areas, and to increase in intimacy, dependency, and confidence with the one true King of kings.
Looking at Abraham, similar to the Israelites who had to “step into” the unknown when crossing the Jordan, God called him to “step into” his personal unknown, leaving all that was familiar like family, friends, and his home. He had to “step into the next step” of his journey, the next season of his life. He certainly didn’t know all the particulars, all the encounters he would have and where the journey would lead or end. Up to this time, Abraham was not a leader. However, he had God’s word and promise that He would not forsake him. Therefore, God called him to a new position, a new destiny—a place of leadership to fulfill his potential that God was calling him into. Did you know that is our same promise? When God calls us to “step into our next step,” He will not forsake us nor will He leave us. By “stepping into” the next step of obedience, reliance, and faith, Abraham was blessed and honored, and we too have been the recipients of those blessings. It is always His will and desire to bless us in giving us more than we could ever imagine, dream of, or ask for. That is the Father’s heart to pour upon us, to heap upon us, to overwhelm us with His abundance of blessings, goodness, and love.
In a word, God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. Paul said it best: “But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
You are on the banks of your own Jordan and the Father beckons you to believe, to walk into a newness of life, and to “step into” your Jordan with Him!
Come and . . . Step into your destiny
Step into your Promised Land
Step into your wholeness
Step into a higher realm of His glory
Step into the unknown
Step into awaited favor
Step into your miracle
Step into the fullness of life
Step into maturity
Step into intimacy
Step into dependency
Step into God’s supply
Step into your blessing
Step into your future
Step into your physical, emotional, and relational healing
Step into your Jordan with Jesus!
Mari Anne Andersen would love to hear from you, write her an e-mail, click here: marianne@freedomhouseministry.net
To view Mari Anne's video and read her bio click here:
http://www.freedomhouseministry.com/our-staff/prayer-counselors/mari-anne-andersen/