From the desk of Steve Shultz:
This is a very well put together article on us being "First Responders" in the Body of Christ. As I read through Phyllis Ford's word...I took it as a challenge to us to rise up and be part of the Army of God in the great harvest at hand.
Phyllis gives us this challenge:
We must operate as the army of God in a responsible manner—as first responders. We must be able to answer the call to rise up and become part of the solution to the conflicts for this hour. Not as if we willed it or wanted it, but to respond to quell those things that will try to keep us from being people of God. The earth is in travail. The question is, will we rise to the call as the Body of Christ; through fervent prayer making a stand against the principalities within our nation?
There is a continual need to Rise and Pray and Watch over our nation and the communities where God has placed us. Who can you be a First Responder to today? (To Subscribe to the Elijah List go here.)
To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link http://elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Enjoy! And thanks for forwarding this to your friends! They can subscribe just below...
Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News
http://www.elijahlist.com
P.S. – Oh, and a Quick Note to our readers: To have daily, encouraging prophetic emails from The Elijah List sent to your inbox, just CLICK HERE or go to: http://elijahlist.com/subscribe. PLUS: HEY! Please EXPLORE our more than 4,000 Christian Prophetic books, CDs, and gifts at: elijahshopper.com.
"Army of God: We Are The First Responders"
Phyllis Ford, Arlington, TX
The Significance of the Month of Kislev
As we enter into the season of Kislev, I believe the Lord wants to encourage us and even stretch us to cross over into deeper realms of faith. The Lord began to speak to me concerning several things regarding this time of year.
Kislev is the 9th month and symbolizes a time of trust and security. It reflects a time to draw near to that which we trust and rely upon. So it is only natural to ask, "With whom and where does our trust lie?" We ask this so that as we stand as Believers, the principles upon which we stand will have a meaningful effect. This time of year could also mean security because it balances upon the thought of obtaining favor from the place of your security.
Lev in the word Kislev carries an emphasis of the heart—it literally translates "heart". So it could also mean loving with a full heart. It is the rainy season in Israel, a type of cleansing, even a time of travail and birthing in the realm of the spirit. This time of year has also been a time where conflicts were resolved or escalated—based upon the undercurrent present beneath situations which arose in that season.
The tribe of Benjamin is also highly associated with this season. This month will bring to surface or give birth to that which is hidden in God, in man's hearts, and in one's convictions. Too much is being done and said with the absence of love, and the fruit of what's really in the hearts of people will only continue to come to the surface.
The Lord said something to me which I feel spokevolumes, "If My people's lives are governed by My instructions, teachings, and commandments, then these attributes will yield more righteousness and even more passion for Me. This will lead to the willingness to rise up and fight for the manifestation of My will in the earth." (Photo via Flickr)
Prophetic Insights
I believe we must consider several things that are before us. Standing in this place in time we will be faced with opportunities and challenges. This will be a time where we can see a maximum yield spiritually that opens up greater opportunities, because of the price that was paid in the midst of overcoming difficulties—further challenging us and changing us.
It will even cause us to step out and stretch ourselves in ways that will define areas of growth and maturity in our lives. These opportunities, as we face them, can unveil great moments that could shape us and open doors we have not previously seen.
Become first responders to the Lord's clarion call. As an army of prayer warriors, it will challenge us to cross over and step beyond what we are looking at and instead, create new avenues and expand our areas of growth by doing great exploits. We cannot carry a mindset of observation—just sitting back to see what we will see or what we will be on a day to day basis.
This cross over is an entry way to walking into a new level in faith by accepting the new challenges that can greatly affect our future from a local stand point. We will deal with the very things that will stand in our way, hinder our progress, and even try to sabotage our growth potential as well as Kingdom expansion.
The reason we must take a good look at this is because as we walk over into the January 1st, we land upon the last day of Hanukkah. We will be walking through great light and revelation that will be unveiled to us so that we can see our situations from a different place as it is presented to us in 2017.
As we stand at the door of 2017, I believe the 17 stands for victory over adversity. I believe it will be the challenge to stand before obstacles and opposition in fervent prayer with strength and impetus that could catapult us in the face of conflicts and uncertainty. We sometimes find ourselves not riding the next wave of what could potentially take us into becoming what we have been called to be. By finding ourselves laying back, we are taking a pass to stepping beyond where we are to become who we have been called to be.
A Lesson from Firemen
The Lord gave me this analogy of firemen in the station, working on day-to-day activities. The firemen keep up the efficiency of the fire station and their equipment by checking and rechecking them—not waiting until there is a fire to begin their checks. The diligence put into this maintenance becomes the very thing that continues to improve who they are and what they are capable of accomplishing.
Our "first response" is the order of the day. The Lord showed me that we need the mindset not to question "will there be a fire that day?" but to be prepared for the fire and put it out quickly and efficiently; and for us to be good, faithful, and efficient in what we do so that when conflict arises we have the skill, the proper tools, and a heart to do great exploits. This is so we, as people of prayer and principle, knowing and understanding the Word of truth, can go forth and do our due diligence.
We must operate as the army of God in a responsible manner—as first responders. We must be able to answer the call to rise up and become part of the solution to the conflicts for this hour. Not as if we willed it or wanted it, but to respond to quell those things that will try to keep us from being people of God. The earth is in travail. The question is, will we rise to the call as the Body of Christ; through fervent prayer making a stand against the principalities within our nation?
When fire arises, as "first responders," we go to save the house, the building and all that are in it and as many as we can or as many who will allow us to help. Why? Because that is our goal. To make sure that none perish. Saving as many as we can—even those who started the fire—knowing that God will see to them in manners that change their lives instead of destroying it. We are the solution, but are we willing to move out of our place of spectating to be who we've been called to be?
First Responders, Army of God
We are the Army of God—prayer warriors with many battles before us to fight. Discern the type of fight I speak of, because these victories will be won in the place of prayer. The greatest battle we will fight will be on our knees. Praying not out of what we think or feel, but according to the will of God, the Word of God, and the heart of God. (Photo via Pixabay)
Being prepared means we need to examine ourselves and take a serious look as to who we are. We must inspect and make the proper adjustments so that the Lord Himself will strengthen and add more virtue to us.
Recently, I spoke to a friend who is a real first responder. He is a fireman and someone who loves the Lord with all his heart. We talked about the adjustments that were being made in the natural, but more so in the spirit. He confirmed to me the diligence and dedication of what he lives and stands for; then in the midst of the conversation, I heard something that confirmed so strongly what the Lord had spoken. He made a reference to what his commander was saying. He said, "Make sure you have your cold weather bag!"
Well, that did it for me I could hear the Lord say, "Will My people carry the right garments for the season? Will your robes of righteousness and truth be carried with you? Will you take off the spirit of heaviness and put on the garments of praise as you attend to the work of the Lord? Will you wear integrity in the hour so that you may pass over into open doors and receive divine favor?"
Our answer will be "it was the Lord whose grace and mercy has given us the victory in Him." Our challenges will not end there, but if we rise up there will be things that we will be able to avert. I encourage you to answer the call of the Lord. He is waiting for you to respond. Meet Him in the place of prayer and there He will equip you and take you to the place where you are now prepared. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List go here.)
Phyllis Ford
Phyllis Ford Ministries
Email: PhyllisFordMinistries@gmail.com
Website: www.phyllisfordministries.com
Phyllis Ford has been called by God's grace to be a prophetic vessel. For the last 30 years she has been active in women's ministry and carries a strong emphasis toward prayer and intercession. She travels internationally and has released the Word of the Lord on the Internet for the past 10 years. She has conducted training in spiritual warfare, prophetic schools, and deliverance workshops, and also worked with abused and addicted women in secular settings for the State of Illinois. Phyllis lives in the DFW area in Texas and has three sons and one daughter.
To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link http://elijahlist.com/subscribe.
