How To Prepare For An Outpouring

Dear Friend,

Do you ever look around and connect earthly things to heavenly things? Jesus must have! That’s why His parables flowed from lessons hidden all around His creation. Today, I’m writing to you about recognising the signs of the current season to prepare for an outpouring. Just as you read environmental elements to prepare for a season, you should understand what heralds spiritual seasons.

As it happened in the days of Jesus, so it is now. Therefore, when God wants to visit the earth, you will see four (4) elements expressed through different people. Pay attention to the heart and fruit of these elements and align your heart and purpose accordingly.

John the Baptist

Known by many titles—prophet, baptiser, preacher, forerunner, and even cousin to Jesus—John was a key figure in the coming of our Lord (‭‭John‬ ‭5:35-36). The Bible says John came in the spirit of Elijah. Similarly, today, some people herald the coming of a new move of God. Just as John’s message seemed hard to the people, the messages of these heralds are often hard. This is because they are tilling hearts in preparation for God’s move. When you hear or see heralds, don’t scoff at them. They are playing their role in building up the body.

‘Jesuses’ on the Street

Is it not interesting that right on the heel of John came Jesus, whose approach and character seemed to be the opposite of John’s (Matthew 11:4-6)? God works in myriad ways, even today. Some come in like Spirit to wash hearts with love, the gospel of the Kingdom, and lowly service that show us the Father. Beware of looking down on them though, for these same ones show up powerfully in power and glory, like Christ.

Sadducees, Pharisees, and Scribes

They have the letter but not the Spirit. In the time of Christ, this category of people had spent their lives studying about the Messiah and waiting for Him. Yet, the Bible tells us they rejected Jesus when He came. They didn’t recognise Him because of their proud hearts. Today, these ones can be likened to people with a religious spirit. They know the doctrine and the scripture but have missed out on the Holy Spirit behind it, so they cannot interpret it correctly and they lack love (John 5:39-42). 

The Disciples

The final element to look out for during a move of God is ‘disciples’. The gospel of the Kingdom did not spread through the world until after Christ’s ascension. Despite His divinity, Christ entrusted the disciples with the work of preaching to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19). A disciple is a multiplier; they take what is given, and they hand it out to many others.

We see a physical example of this when Christ fed crowds (Matthew 14:13-21; Matthew 15:29-39). Christ blessed and broke the hitherto limited bread, then handed it to the disciples. As they shared it, the food multiplied. So does the Word in the mouth of a disciple. Therefore, leaders must pay heed to what they give disciples, just as disciples must pay heed to what they receive. As God moves, ensure that only what He gives is being handed by you to others and vice versa. This is how the true gospel—the Good News—multiplies worldwide as we prepare for an outpouring

So, dear friend, I encourage you to be sober and vigilant this season. Discern where God has called you to operate, and take your place. The road to discernment starts in prayer that flows from a meek heart. As we humble ourselves, we eliminate anything in us that does not align with God’s move. Don’t be in the category of Sadducees, Pharisees, and Scribes; instead, go beyond the letter and into intimacy. Seek God for His Kingdom and not just for His gifts. Remember, as the Word says in Acts 2:39, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

The Outpouring is not an event or concert but a movement, an agenda of the Spirit. On this platform, the Holy Spirit will pour out Himself without measure. The promise is to everyone. The promise is to you.

Keep these four (4) things in mind as you enter into God’s new move and prepare for an outpouring:

1. Circumcise your heart: get rid of iniquity, unforgiveness, and other sins
2. Consecrate yourself: choose to love and serve God
3. Be Expectant: ask, and you will receive
4. Seek His heart: Pray that your eyes will be open to His purpose for you in this time

Shalom,

Read my previous note here.

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