He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 148:14
A few months ago, The Lord began highlighting worship & praise as a sacrifice to The Lord. Every time I had a thought, I heard the Lord say, “Put it to praise!” By doing this, I was able to peel back every thought, attitude, word and deed by just praising YAH! I was shocked at the amount of peace I walked in all day long.
It made me realize that much of our thought-life, feelings, attitudes and words are tinged with negativity and have destructive power. The mixtures of contradictory and impurities steal us of peace. Once I received this revelation, immediately the warfare arrived. And since there are no coincidences in God, my family and I entered the most intense battle.
For three months, I practiced praise and thanksgiving from the time I got up and then again throughout my day. I must admit, I found it extremely difficult to stay at it. I had to pray to put myself in The Lords Hands to overcome the adversity I felt. It seemed the moment I tried to praise YAH, I would be viciously attacked by the enemy; either in my mind, by a stranger, a rock chip, no 2 rock chips in my windshield, a coworker and even a family member.
I’m usually very positive but this was something new because my mouth felt gagged and my spirit was down trodden. I was riddled with negativity and the nights were even more difficult than the days. Every night, I prayed a hedge of angelic protection over my household and family but it didn’t matter because I would be woken with the most intense anxiety. This feeling came over my body like a speeding freight train waking me up in a panic with my heart racing in my throat!
Not only was it difficult to pray, sing or praise the Lord to ward off this spirit but the fear I felt was irrational and it didn’t feel like my own. My only resolve during these laborious nights was to never give up -knowing God had a reason for it. And if it meant, I was exhausted the next day, and believe me I was exhausted, the enemy would not win!
You see, once I was “raised for the occasion” as Oswald Chamber so equitably puts it- to practice praise throughout my day was critical for facing the warfare each night! This what it means to exercise our mortal flesh. The enemy was beaten while my family and I never gave up earning an upgrade. Praise the Lord!
For encouragement, the Holy Spirit reminded me of this dream that I was given that highlights another aspect of truth that bears witness during our battles. This dream came at a time when I had not received the special infilling of the Holy Spirit. But I had experienced anointings for specific assignments and tasks needed to witness to others.
MY DREAM
I had a dream of a beautiful doorway full of iridescent light. As I got closer, I could see this was a doorway to new positions for the body of Christ. I heard The Spirit say,“This doorway takes you to My Harvest. More are coming, but those willing to enter will find a land of abundance. Many Mountains sides will be dry like a dessert but not for those who enter who have found the key in their secret place of prayer [praise\. Come to the Door, step inside.”
As I stepped through the doorway, The Glory of the realm supernally blinded me and the only thing I could see was a black floor mat just inside that read, “17:11” in bold white numbers. I woke up.
I had a knowing that the numbers in my dream were referencing The book of John 17:11, “So the Jews were looking for Him at the feast and saying, “Where is He?”
Jesus was exercising sensible caution. In our Lord’s actions, we see a beautiful illustration of The Father’s plan for His Son, and nothing could spoil that plan. Jesus did not tempt the Father by rushing to the feast, nor did He lag behind when the proper time had come for Him to attend the feast. It requires spiritual discernment to know God’s timing.
If we really seek God’s will, then we will not worry over who gets the glory [feast] or when it takes place. All truth is God’s truth, and God alone deserves the glory for what He has taught us.
Everything that needs to be done IN you was completed at salvation, and now that salvation is being worked OUT, overtaking and aligning your soul, your body and all of creation! Just like the Israelites, who were given their Promised Land, yet had to go in and literally possess it, so you have been saved (spirit), you are being saved (soul) and you will be saved (body).
When salvation touches your soul, you are healed from trauma. Lies you have believed are replaced with truth. You are able to connect intimately with God in your mind and emotions, and your will comes under His government. When salvation is worked out into your body, your entire being enters into divine order and complete wholeness, and what you are experiencing in the heavenly realm manifests physically and tangibly. You are transfigured. You shine!
Prayer:
I come before Father Yah on my knees to put myself in Your hands, seeking YOUR instruction and help in obeying your “Praise” command like we read in Psalm 103.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Jesus, I acknowledge that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You are the only Way to the Father and the only way to legally access spiritual realms and dimensions. Whether I have known You for years or whether I am just now becoming acquainted with Your beautiful heart, I choose You and I repent for any ways I have leaned on my own understanding, and I choose humble myself before You.
Holy Spirit, you are invited to remind me to inquire of your vast knowledge. Thank You that IN YOU, I can discern between good and evil and can grow into Your likeness. Cleanse me from all defilement and mixture, until Your image is formed in me. Connect me rightly with Your body. Thank You, Father, that You withhold nothing good from me. I now drink of your generosity and feast upon your divine wisdom and of every beautiful gift that flows from Your hands. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
