December 16, 2013 – Allen and Diane Lake
An Explosion of Fruitfulness
For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matt. 22:14)
Everyone has their calling or gift. We don’t choose it; we simply choose to say “yes” to what God has gifted or called us to do. And by doing so, we become “chosen.”
I don’t know why, but for some reason the Lord gives me a sense of what He’s doing in the earth, and the timing of what He’s doing. Timing in this sense has more to do with a fullness or maturing of time, as opposed to specific dates.
As I wrote in Help is On the Way, there’s been a sense about this season of being in a temporary place, as if we’ve been caught between two places—what was and what will be. The Lord doesn’t intend the saints to be confused or frustrated, but has granted us to understand the mysteries of the kingdom. (Matt. 13:11-17)
After Jesus was baptized by John and tested in the wilderness, a door opened which launched him into public demonstration as the Manifest Son of God. (Matt. 3:13-4:17) Similarly, a door has opened for those who have passed the recent season of testing to launch them into public manifestation of new levels of the kingdom.
It’s time to go for more. In some ways, we’ve all been happy and satisfied, but for mature sons who rise up and are ready to move forward, there’s been a launch into a new dimension of fruitfulness.
There’s reward at the end of the tunnel—it’s an explosion of fruitfulness.
A Mature Son
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Gal. 4:7)
When we believe in Christ, we become children of God. The Greek word for son used in Galatians 4:7 (and the rest of the passage beginning in 3:26) is huios – the word used for mature sons – vs. the Greek word teknon, used of a child or newly born believer. (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1)
Being a mature son is not about age – nor even how long you’ve known the Lord—it’s about relationship. Jesus, at 12 years old answered as a huios to His anxious parents when He said, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)
As children of God, we possess the right of inheritance; as mature sons we hold the key of access. Mature sons go about the business of their Father by accomplishing the purposes of God.
New Doors of Opportunity
While it’s true that many saints have labored faithfully to impact culture and advance His purposes, there are some things God’s doing to help increase our ability to impact culture.
Every one of us will be able to soon demonstrate new levels of power, which He has done through the next level of anointing released. It is the time of Zechariah 12:8, where “the one who is feeble among them… shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God…”
And, there are new doors of opportunity opening which will bring promotion and expansion, much like what David experienced with Goliath.
As a teenager tending sheep in the fields, David quietly established his relationship with God as a mature, proven son after God’s own heart – ready to do all His will. (Acts 13:22) He did not promote himself as a giant slayer, nor did he change his tactics from the sheep field to conform to how someone else thought things should be done. (1 Sam. 17:31, 37-40) God provided the opportunity, and David simply walked through a door and expected His covenant-keeping God to supply all that He needed – just as He’d always done.
There are times when silence is courage—this season is not one of them. David spoke up with the courage that comes from godly confidence—sometimes mistaken as pride, but in actuality, humility. (Vs. 26-30) This is the year of the door swinging wide for the humble.
You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet
Another story that has ministered to my spirit recently centers on Deborah. (See Judges 4.) As a prophetess, it was revealed to her that the glory for upcoming victory would not go to Barak, an established military leader, but a woman. (V. 9)
Most are familiar with the story of how this was fulfilled by the hand of Jael. She allowed the enemy to find refuge in her tent, and then drove a tent peg through his temple as he slept. (Vs. 17-21)
While the battle for the saints today is not physical but spiritual, it is still violent men and women who advance the kingdom by force. (Matt. 11:12) There’s a warrior spirit necessary in this time by which we must be able to recognize our enemy (satan) and do whatever it takes to overcome him. (1 John 2:14b)
I mean no disrespect to those who have already experienced a large measure of success, but I feel like the Lord says that the season has arrived for the “little man” to step forward. For those who have quietly remained in the background, it’s your time to shine. Indeed, you ain’t seen nothing yet!
A Blast From the Past
Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around. (Prov. 13:12, MSG)
As we close out the year, it’s good to reflect on where we’ve been. Almost a spiritual blast from the past, if you will.
Many of us expected to see some promises come to pass this year that didn’t. There can be different reasons for this—including that finite minds can easily misunderstand what an infinite God has said. (Isa. 55:8, 9) Whatever the reason, in effect, we put a chain around our neck when our expectations come from someplace other than God.
As the scriptures say, hope deferred makes the heart sick. (Prov. 13:12) If you recognize yourself in this, ask the Lord to deliver you from a spirit of hope deferred.
And, it’s time to let go of regret… “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32) She turned into a pillar of salt because she looked back. (Gen. 19:17, 26) There she stood, frozen in time, unable to escape her regret.
Persistence and Prayer is Key
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. (Luke 18:1)
A parable particularly relevant to this season is that of the persistent widow in Luke 18. Most will remember that the unjust judge she petitioned did not fear God nor regard man, yet he granted her request lest she continue to weary him. This is not the prettiest parable, but the woman gets what she wants.
This has not been the prettiest of seasons, yet we are about to get what we want. (Vs. 8; 1 John 5:14, 15) As we lift up the banner of Jesus’ name, He will draw all men unto Himself. (Isa. 62:10; John 12:32) A door is opening by which the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ. (Rev. 4:1; 11:15) And then He is coming back.
Lord, it is time to set Your people up. It is for this purpose that we came to this hour… Father, glorify Your name. (John 12:27, 28)
Prayer
1. Ask the Lord to deliver you from a spirit of hope deferred. (Prov. 13:12)
2. Ask the Lord for godly confidence and courage, and for the renewed spirit of a warrior. (2 Cor. 10:3-6)
3. Ask the Lord to glorify Himself through you – and the entire body of Christ – in this hour. (John 12:27, 28)
Action
1. Leave the past behind – decide to let go of regret. (Gen. 19:17, 26; Luke 17:32)
2. Determine to be persistent in prayer – do not give up! (Luke 18:1-8; 1 John 5:14, 15)
Diane is a writer, speaker and minister ordained with both Christian International and Generals International. Her articles are regularly featured on The Elijah List, as well as platforms like Charisma Magazine, Charisma News, Intercessors For America and others. She and her husband, Allen, co-founded Starfire Ministries with a vision to see the kingdom established beyond the four walls of the traditional church. They host a podcast with Charisma Podcast Network, and serve as Church Mountain, Regional, and Montana Coordinators for the Reformation Prayer Network, and as Media Mountain Leader/Facilitators for C.I.’s Culture Influencers.
