There is a shift…

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness.I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)

There is a shift coming in the body people of God, it has already begun. Some of you that attend LWCC have seen the clip for the upcoming conference when it talks about a shift. The Lord gave me and Daryle that the night before the first promo rolled, and when we came into church that next morning God confirmed His Word! There is a huge shift coming in the body God is doing a separation among the flock. My girlfriend and I were talking about this the other day and she gave me this scripture…

“And as for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to his people: I will judge between one animal of the flock and another, separating the sheep from the goats.” Ezekiel 34:17 (NLT)

God is searching for all of those in His flock whose hearts are right, and who are willing to follow Him. It’s what Jesus did when He walked on the earth; He searched for all of those that would be willing to follow Him. Here are some examples in the Word…

“One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the ..Sea of Galilee.. , he saw two brothers-Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew-throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 (NLT)

“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.” Matthew 9:9 (NLT)

You see from those examples that Jesus came calling, and He required for them to leave everything, and follow Him. That is what He is calling us to do. When He says do something and follow Him we are to do that. That thing that He is asking you to leave is different for each one of you, it could be a person, a situation, a habit, etc. Whatever it is we have to leave it behind, we do not want to be like the rich young ruler, or the man that wanted to bury his father before He would follow Jesus….

“And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” Matthew 8:21-22 (KJV)

“Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” Matthew 19:21-22 (NLT)

To be a true follower of Jesus He says the following about us...

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 (CEV)

“Whoever is not willing to carry his cross and follow me cannot be my follower.” Luke 14:27 (NCV)

I’m not sure how many of you out there are feeling the shift, the change happening. I believe right now it is at the beginning stages, we are each being called to put down those things which have kept us tied to the world system, and to completely rely on God. Some of you are getting separated from people, things, and situations/circumstances, which without even realizing it, you had made them idols in your life. God is separating those with a willing heart. You don’t have to be the most charismatic, have the most education, have the most money, or have the best background. Look at the people that Jesus chose to be His disciples, they were not a “holy” group, but what set them apart from the rest, is that they had willing hearts. They were willing to leave those things that tied them to the world system, and follow Jesus. As long as you are willing to say “yes” to whatever God is asking you to do, then He will be able to use you during this new season that is approaching the body. The season of the harvest, the season of many souls coming into the Kingdom as in the book of Acts, the season of the blessing of Abraham flowing on all who where willing to say “yes” as water flows down a river. The time is approaching children of God, but you have to be willing to allow God in this time of preparation and separation to take those things which you no longer need. You have to allow yourself to stand on the edge of the cliff and when He says walk forward, you will walk. You have to allow yourself to get out there so deep and so far into the middle of the ocean, that only God could save you. You have to be able to eat meat; it’s time to place the bottles aside. It’s time to grow up. Just think of where you all have come from thus far. You’ve been through battles and challenges, you’ve faced sickness, and dealt with addictions, you’ve been abused, molested, and broken hearted, you have faced all types of things, and you have made it! You can make it through this, and on the other side, is something above what you could ever ask, think, or imagine. So I’m calling you to step out on complete faith people of God. Trust in your Father; let Him do what He needs to do in you right now, so that you can go forward moving with the shift that is coming, and not against it. God bless!

Tracy Willey