It Is Time to Shift From A Motionless Shock To A Militant Seizing!
Before you begin to read this word prepare your hearts to be opened in faith.
Early this morning the Lord posed a question: “Why didn’t Rhoda open the door?”
After revisiting the details of the story more questions came: “how is it that Peter had the faith to believe what could happen but not the vision to recognize when it was actually happening”? And, “why didn’t the church believe the testimony of deliverance they had been praying for”?
“But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered. So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening.”
Acts of the Apostles 12:5-9 NLT
When you come together in prayer you send angels on assignments to fulfill Gods plans in the earth. As we agree over God’s promises a stability forms in our spirits and our determination becomes resolute. Peter followed the Spirit but lacked the faith to realize that he was actually witnessing a real time divine intervention in his destiny! He believed “God would” but did not recognize that “God is”! He thought it was a vision of what would happen, not realizing it was happening! Will we recognize God’s work as He is beginning to move?
“Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!” When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!” “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.” Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.”
Acts of the Apostles 12:11-16 NLT
Peter finally testified out loud that God had changed his life! “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me…” This led him to the full completion of God’s receptive work in his life returning him to the church.
Why didn’t Rhoda open the door when he arrived? She was divided in heart. Her spirit believed immediately but her flesh required confirmation.
Why didn’t the church believe the testimony of breakthrough? They were unaware of the power their prayers of agreement had the potential to unleash. Could it be that they planned to simply pray but instead, without realizing it, had pressed into true intercession?
The church had shifted to a new place without realizing it! At this point prayer shifts from a last resort to a divine outcry of triumph!
Time is in God’s hands. We have reached a point of reversal and restoration but we must press forward militantly in prayer followed by great expectation.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Romans 8:28 NLT
Taking this verse to heart begin to command every force that’s at work all around you to hear the Word of the Lord and begin to align with His purpose for your good and His glory.
“Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:10 NKJV
Adamantly decree “on earth as it is in Heaven”, that the Kingdom come to the threats you face. “God, let Your Kingdom come to my family, to this situation, to my business. Let Your perfect will be done here as it is automatically done in Heaven. Let my family life be on earth as it is in Heaven, let my physical health be on earth as it is in Heaven, let my resources be on earth as in Heaven and let the condition of my soul be on earth as it is in Heaven. Let the reality of your Kingdom manifest itself in every area of my life! We ask for the manifestation of Your perfect plans and design to come forth. Let us be on earth as in Heaven, restored, flourishing and thriving.”
“For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.”
Romans 8:16 NLT
“Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words! With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised.”
Psalms 119:57-58 NLT
Shift yourself out of a place of shock today from the actions of the enemy to true intercession where you move from stability in faith to seizing the holdings of the enemy. You will not just recover all but you will find yourself in an even greater position than when you started!