Jeanette Reed: "PREPARING FOR THE DAYS AHEAD--WHEN DOES LOVE EQUAL CALAMITY?"

January 15, 2007

Jeanette Reed: "PREPARING FOR THE DAYS AHEAD--WHEN DOES LOVE EQUAL CALAMITY?"
 

"When I consider Your Heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place,
what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4

Words for Our Time

"How could love ever be expressed through calamity?"

Sometimes we read or hear words of prophecy which include warning or caution for our time. These are hard to accept, and the temptation is to ignore or reject them. After all, we are bombarded with bad news from media and newspapers everyday.

Who wants to think about something bad coming our way? Jesus said not to be anxious, so why would God tell us about coming disaster? He's promised to be our shield and fortress, so won't He stop anything horrible from coming to us? Besides, what can we do about it? What if it doesn't happen and I worried for nothing?

I don't know if you ever run into those questions, but I encounter them frequently. Sometimes people don't want to think about any more "bad news." Sometimes I have to ask God to get those questions out of my head, too. Whether the prophecy is for warning, encouragement or promise of prosperity, if it is truly from the Lord, then the words are out of His love, grace, holiness, and mercy, for God's character does not change.

So we can be assured that any revelation He gives us is from an unchanging God who is love. That's a difficult thought in our world where love often means self-satisfaction, meeting our needs, comfort, and happiness.

Partner with God Where You Are

First, let's look at how great the love of the Father is. No matter what the plans are, it is incredible that the Lord God Almighty reveals His plans to us. He doesn't owe us anything. He is not incomplete. He is God--complete, perfect and holy. What an amazing thing it is for the Lord God Almighty to not only make known His plans, but to invite us to participate in prayer and mission.

Since God created mankind, He has been inviting, commissioning, commanding, and desiring that we would partner with Him. Whatever marketplace job you currently have, have you pondered that God has placed you there with the intent that you would partner with Him in accomplishing His will for the people around you?

Have you pondered that God has placed you where you are with the intent that you would partner with Him to advance His Kingdom? If you have never pondered that, then I am pleased to announce to you that God has indeed given you that particular post, so that He would be glorified through you, and His Kingdom would advance by the work of His Jr. partner--YOU.

Once you absorb that thought, how do you know how to partner unless you know His game plan? All of a sudden, the nudges from the Holy Spirit become a little more important, don't they? The insights He brings through Scripture takes on a new significance, and prophecy becomes more welcome.

He Will be Glorified

"Give thanks, for the Lord is good."

We have heard several words of caution for the year 2007. I believe we would be wise to heed these words and to seek the Lord for what He has for us to do in these days. And I believe the Lord calls us not to focus on any event that may come, but to take to heart the urgency of the days, and to step boldly into our callings and proclaim the Kingdom of Christ to the ends of the earth.

For some time, we have received words of warning from the Lord. We have been given words calling us to repentance from our selfish ways, and to surrender in obedience to God's commission for His church. The Lord has been at work to correct and encourage us. As individuals, as the church, and as a nation, we have received warnings to turn from unrighteous ways and to seek righteousness in Christ Jesus.

I believe the days of warning are coming to a close and we are well into the days of preparation. I believe the days of God's correction are upon us. This is from God's mercy and love. It is not a time of fear or panic. It is a time to give thanks, for the Lord is good. Whatever comes, for those who are found in Christ Jesus, there is nothing to fear.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and Godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works." Titus 2:11-14

The Lord is calling His sons and daughters to serve without fear of man or traditions. He is calling us out of complacency and calling us to hear His voice and to obey. We can no longer stand in His way. All glory and honor belongs to Him and Him alone. We are to be His faithful Bride preparing for her Bridegroom.

God is holy and His name will be glorified. He is building His church, the body with Christ as the Head. God loves us so! How He longs for us to live in the freedom won by our Lord Jesus Christ. God's love is perfect. It is not the superficial fickle love we are tempted by in the world. His love brings life to dry bones.

How He longs for us to humble ourselves and fall before His throne, for only He is worthy to be praised. When we quiet ourselves and simply seek Him, oh how wonderful the refreshment that comes! What could we possibly seek, but to dwell in the shadow of the wings of the Most High?

A Vision of Calamity

"The Lord told me, 'We are to be prepared.'"

Three years ago, the Lord showed me a vision of a time of calamity. This was part of a larger vision imparted two decades ago, during a visitation from the Lord Jesus. The larger vision was of a time when God would correct the church in a time of calamity to bring repentance, healing, and revival. The ending scene is of multitudes worshipping the Lord Jesus. What a beautiful sight! There will be a time of anointing for the church. The Lord will pour out His healing, and the gifts of the Spirit will be increased.

The scene the Lord showed me for the time of calamity was of "a fire." A city lay in rubble and everything was gray. It came suddenly. Communication was gone, infrastructure was gone. I believe this is coming soon. I do not know if it is terrorist attack or natural disaster. But I hear the Lord saying, "It is coming."

The second part of the scene was of ports and cities. There were lines going from city to city. Multiple cities will be affected, and multiple cities will have places of refuge and relational connections of communities of faith.

The third scene was of people walking across mountains and hills. There were places of safety and many came to faith along the way.

The Lord told me, "We are to be prepared." Some will gather water, some will grow food, some will gather tents or beds, and some will gather wood. Everyone should have the word of God planted firmly in their hearts.

He showed me a bulletin board where people agreed to leave messages.

He showed me homes of refuge where people would gather. He will impart His wisdom into His people that many will seek Him through His children.

The Lord said that we are not to go into hiding nor to become idle. We are to move into action to advance His Kingdom for revival tarries only because of our inaction.

He showed an army coming out of Russia/China and coming across the Middle East and into Africa. Then Africa was surrounded, and we could no longer get in. There was a treasure in the earth being dug up. I believe the current prompting for so many to reach the people groups of Africa is because the time is short.

The Lord said to beware a false peace treaty and to watch for Damascus. Many will be taken in by false teachings and turn away from Truth.

Most importantly, the Lord said this is a time when many will come to faith. Do not fear. Be watchful and have a listening heart for the voice of our Great Shepherd. Arise church and proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom for the days are short.

I do not believe we are to focus on the disaster that is coming. We are to prepare in whatever way He prompts, remaining faithful to the Lord enduring to the end with joy. We are to take every opportunity to advance His Kingdom.

These warnings are a call to prayer and a call to action, for the urgency of those who have not heard the name of Jesus must penetrate our hearts.

Whatever calling God has given you, take the steps of faith to engage now. Whatever assignment the Lord has given you in the marketplace, step with the intention of bringing the Kingdom of Christ into that place.

Wherever you live, reach out to your neighbors with the Gospel of the Kingdom as if the time were short.

"Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." John 4:35
 

Jeanette Reed
www.vision2advance.com 
Jeanette@vision2advance.com 

Jeanette Reed's Biography:

Jeanette has been involved in leadership development for church planters for many years, spiritual coaching for marketplace ministers, and she continues to have a passion to see the children of God equipped and emboldened in their callings in the Kingdom of Christ.

Having served as armor bearer and prophetic intercessor for ministries around the world, Jeanette currently serves Robert and Joyce Ricciardelli through Visionary Advancement Strategies, www.vision2advance.com; spiritual advisor for Heart For Africa, www.heartforafrica.org; serves on staff locally for Church On The Hill, www.capitolhillchurch.com; and supports accountability and encouragement for intercessors through membership in The Council For Fellowship of Intercessors, www.spchristianpub.org.

Jeanette will be speaking at various venues in the United States and in Africa this year. For a schedule or information on any of the ministries she serves, please contact her at: jeanette@vision2advance.com.

 

SUBSCRIBE TONEWSLETTER

or unsubscribe
(please allow 2-3 business days to process, you only need to submit an unsubscribe once)