27 February 2020
On 24 December 2019, I had a significant dream. I saw a huge cruise liner on the ocean. On each level of the ship people were busy "doing church". They had a ball and enjoyed their time together, all the while feeling safe and secure and comfortable in their “doing church”.
The next moment, I saw a big wave coming and there was no time to warn the people. The wave hit the cruise liner and people tumbled over the railings falling from the back of the boat, screaming. Fear took over in the resulting havoc.
There was not much time to get back on the boat before the next wave hit. This time people were flung even further off the boat into the ocean. They screamed in panic, shouted for loved ones and ran around in fear. Some started to swim, but they just did not have the endurance or even the energy or capability to swim in the tumultuous waters.
I looked at everything and wept as I asked Jesus who stood with me, "What has just happened?" With tears running over His cheeks, He answered me, "2020 will be a year that will shake the nations. Dangerous things will happen. Great trials and tests will happen all over the world. Those who played church will not be ready. Their spiritual capacity and faith muscles will not be trained for the hour we are facing. They have never learned to walk on the waters. They are not strong in the Lord. They have not learned what it means to be one with Jesus. This is a time of preparation!”
You can either learn to walk on the waters, or you can ask Jesus to make the boat stronger so that you can stay safe when the waves come. But that will not be of any help much longer – the waves will hit everyone. You need to be strong in spirit, united with the Spirit, walking in the spirit and bearing the fruits of the Spirit. You need to be anchored in the Lord Jesus with all of your heart.
A tree is known by its fruits – and our garden which is our hearts will be known by its fruits. That which is in your heart will spill out when trouble comes. If you are one with Jesus you will still operate in peace and faith in Christ. But, if you have been playing church and find your security in being anchored in your own abilities, finances, positions, titles, comforts and strengths – then your fear levels will rise. You will not be equipped to face the greatest war ever to be faced – FEAR.
Jesus is not asking about the size of your church, or how perfect you are. He is looking at the fruits of our hearts. 1 Samuel 16:7b for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
He is looking for a pure heart – for those will see God.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous--possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!
A house divided by itself cannot stand.
Matthew 12:25 And knowing their thoughts, He said to them, Any kingdom that is divided against itself is being brought to desolation and laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will last or continue to stand.
That is why Jesus wants our hearts healed, undivided and pure so that it can be a landing place for His Kingdom to come to earth. And our hearts will be rooted and grounded in Him. No wave will be able to throw us off track – we will be one with Him.
We must remember that it is not the size of the tree that counts. So many people have huge trees with big leaves and many people sit under your shade. But Jesus wants us to bear fruit, not to only have works – but to bear fruits! (Luke 13:6-9).
Be transformed – that is a message that the body of Christ don't appreciate. They love the comfort in what they’ve always done. But to have a transformed life is a life that is daily pruned from its dead branches. We have to die to self and our own ideas and ambitions; we have to review the times and our set paths and receive fresh instructions daily. We have to challenge our molds of comfort and tradition. We have to practice what it means to live and move and have our being in Him. This enables us to know His heart, to discern the times and to bring Kingdom on earth. We need to face our fears as we examine our hearts. We need to listen to Holy Spirit’s prompting and purposefully exercise our muscles of faith, hope, trust and love.
2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, in the last days, perilous times will come.
Daniel said "Darkness will cover the earth". These are the times we are in.
I read this scripture and realized that for the last 15 years Abba Father has trained us, through very difficult trials and tribulations. We had to learn to face the enemy in the lion’s den. We had to face our greatest fears. We had to look at the raw condition and the amount of darkness in our hearts. And in all of this, we had to learn that nothing is greater than His love and nothing can separate us from His love. These faith training years have prepared our hearts for the perilous days that are coming.
Fear is the war's name and the whole world will fight it. When fear knocks on the door of your heart – what will you tell him?
You have to start to receive healing for your broken heart – because a divided house will not stand. You have to deal with your unresolved issues, unmet needs and unhealed pain. Don't wait until it is too late. Prepare your hearts like never before to see the Glory of the Lord. Strengthen yourself in the Lord, not in yourself and your abilities!
Jesus asks of us to become one with Him. To truly live in a love relationship with Jesus Christ. Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness – all the rest will follow.
This is a process, but know that Jesus warns us to know the times and seasons that we live in.
I thank you for all your love and support.
Through your heart, I continue to see His faithfulness and goodness.
He is truly a good, good Father who loves His children.
Doesn't matter what you face. While it is called today do not harden your hearts – yield to His training program and prepare.
Bless you my friend.
Retah and family