Hope Again!

Starting in mid-February I kept hearing these two words “Hope Again” when I sat down to read God’s word, during prayer, meditation, and worship. They were needed words as many things going on in my life, let alone the nation, and world, have been anything but hope inspiring. Whenever I felt that  nudge from Holy Spirit to renew my hope, my response wasn’t stellar. It was more a question: Why can’t I hope in You like I used to, Lord? The cares of life had certainly bogged me down.

Praise God a friend told me about what was happening with the young people at Asbury College. Oh My! It was like a lightning bolt out of heaven of pure unadulterated hope hit my heart and the oppression dampening my spirit broke. It brought tears and great joy. It was Romans 15:13 fullfilled in my soul: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Since that day in February the elevated hope has not waned. Circumstances of my life haven’t changed, and in fact I am now dealing with more pain from the RA than ever, but it doesn’t matter. Refreshing, renewing, reformation of the way we experience “church” and worship our God is underway in our nation! To me that means souls will be saved, and that is what I have been longing for and waiting for. 

Then I had the vision… it’s permeating my mind even as I type. It’s of green fields, rolling hills, flowers electric with color, trees of all varieties swaying in a refreshing breeze. Birds are soaring overhead. Puffy white clouds against a clear blue sky. And then I saw Jesus, yes, then I saw Jesus smiling and hundreds of young ones running into His arms. How His arms could hold them all I don’t know, but they did. And He, Jesus, said to me, “Here is your reason to hope again!” The children and young people of our nation have been lied to, deceived, misled, violated and our God is in the process of changing all that! His loving kindness is drawing them!

It’s Jesus’ working in the hearts of the young ones that is the central reason I keep writing, praying, and believing. For I know the kind of revival I have been asking God for all these many years is happening right now. My hope was anemic but never gone, now it is Jesus strong ! Nothing, no one, can stop what Holy Spirit is doing and will do to save this generation. It is indeed seedtime, it is Spring in the heavenlies, salvation, deliverance, healing are all blooming! No matter what the headlines say, or politicians do, new life has come to the USA.

If you have been battling hopelessness, feel oppressed, or discouraged like I had been before this experience, ask Holy Spirit to guide you to the reports about the college revivals and youth group revivals going on right now. The passion for God is spreading! We have to shake off the doldrums with His help and when we do, we become part of this completely new, not like it used to be or was in the past, revival too! We become new wine skins ready to hold the new wine He is pouring out.

Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

With Joy in our amazing God!

Cheryl

Copyright 2023 Cheryl S Birch. May be shared in whole with author and copyright included. Photos require a Shutterstock license.

Temple Walk Part 1 – Where Heaven Meets Earth

Eastern Gate

It was Fall of 2012. Colorful leaves of the trees lit up all around me in bright sunshine. Unlike much of the nation, Autumn is on the warm side where I live and a great time of year to be outside. Sitting in my garden chair enjoying the fresh air, I read my daily Bible verses. After, I thought about the verses for a few minutes, I asked the Lord what He had in mind for my day and what He wanted me to share with others. At the time, I had sermons and Bible studies to prepare. In response I heard: You are the place where heaven meets earth.

A couple of months ago, now almost nine years later, Holy Spirit shook me during my devotions. Specific instruction to start a series of Blogs called Temple Walk followed His gracious visitation. In preparation, I wrote two articles: It’s Time to Climb Part 1 and Part 2. This posting is the first of a series that will aid us in our climb. Understanding that we are the place where heaven meets earth is the first step up. The posts will be a combination of what the Lord shared with me back in 2012 -2013, and the revelation He is giving me as to why it is important to update and re-release the messages in 2021-2022.

Part of deciphering His timing is: Nine years ago He first gave the message. The number eight represents completion or the full cycle of something God is doing. Number nine therefore is the first step of the NEW thing He is about to do. It is a time of transition to a higher level of understanding and a deeper level of application. Back in 2012, He launched a new thing for our ministry, and for me, using this series of teachings. This time around Holy Spirit explained He wants the information to launch something new for many in the body of Christ. This sense is so strong that I am sure it is for the whole body whether they read it or not. Prophetic teachings and encouraging words from the Lord impact the spiritual realm and everyone benefits from His word as it accomplishes His purpose.

Back to 2012.

The scripture I read that day was out of Joel 2 verses 17-32, emphasis on verses 17 and 18: Let the priests, who minister to the Lord , Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord , and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?'” 18 Then the Lord will be zealous for His land and pity His people.

It’s Time to Climb – Part 2

To prepare my readers for a series of posts called “Temple Walk” Holy Spirit inspired me to share two dreams and the revelation He gave me regarding them. Check out It’s Time to Climb – Part 1. In this blog post we are still climbing but the Lord used a different metaphor. Our journey this time is up a flight of supernatural stairs.

In the second dream, I was walking in a huge department store full of every imaginable item our world values. Clothes, jewelry, shoes, cars, golf clubs, hunting equipment, boats, sporting goods, electronics – everything one could shop for in this world. The entire time I browsed the selections, I was dogged by two people: a brazen looking woman with flaming red hair, lots of make-up, dressed in a dark high fashion suit and a tall raven haired pallid man in a black suit white shirt, and gray striped tie. He was holding a book. She carried a bright red designer bag. Wherever I went in this shopping haven, they followed me, watching and spying. I could not shake them no matter how many quick turns I made.

Then I walked by a department that was filled with sails…no boats, only sails. I stopped and stared at the vibrant colors of the sails. They were full of wind, rustling and billowing. There was a display against a wall of a particularly beautiful sail.

A short flight of pure white stairs led to a narrow platform where the sail was displayed. Thinking this sail is exactly what I am looking for, I headed for the display. I took three steps up the white stairs toward the sail to check it out. I wanted to touch it, to feel the fabric.  As I reached out, suddenly the stairs turned golden brown and the wall upon which the sail hung disappeared.

Compelled to discover where the stairs led, I walked through the sail, up the golden staircase. When I got about halfway to the top a loud voice said: “The Just Shall Live by Faith!” I turned toward the voice and looked up. There was a huge magnificent angel on a giant screen, or perhaps God Himself, making the announcement. Other scriptures about faith resounded with each step. There was a different scripture for each of the steps.

I looked back toward the entry wondering if I was still being followed. The two beings that had been after me and spying on me wherever I went did not come up the stairs. They were gone!

The closer I got to the top the more magnificent the place became. At the top of the stairs I stepped into billowing clouds of gold and silver light. Ahead of me were row upon row upon row of treasures. Uniquely grouped treasures went on and on for endless mile upon mile row after row.

I walked to the first group of interesting old antique furniture, highly polished woods, with crystal glass, pearls, lace, fine linen, perfect roses. A wonderful fragrance that was beyond description wafted from the items along with beautiful soul touching music that flooded my senses.

I went to the next and the next and the next group of treasures. No two groupings were alike. I saw ancient artifacts– some large, some small. Many cultures and styles where there, each with a specific song or melody, each with a special fragrance. The melodies and fragrances all mixed together in perfect harmony. I felt happy, free, excited, and then I simply took off running with great joy in order to see hear and smell all that I could. While I was running down one of the aisles I woke up.

These spiritual stairs we are about to climb are stairs of increasing faith that will lead us to the treasures of the heart of God and an appreciation for everyone in the body of Christ. To go up to God’s treasure room requires a final letting go of the stuff of this world. We must exchange what the world offers for His heart, ways, thoughts, gifts and HIM ALONE. Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven! Matthew 6:19-20

It’s an exciting exploratory adventure whether mountain climbing as in Part 1 or ascending golden stairs. the good news is when you go up in the Spirit, the material goods and things of this world matter less and less until they no longer matter at all. Making the choice to consider God as our most prized possession, we become rich in ways we never could imagine. Bonus is the constant interference of the enemy cannot persist. There is nothing left to attack when we have yielded all (denied self Luke 9:23). Those dark riders from the first dream in Part 1 or those spirits that followed me cannot enter into the “Sonshine” found on the mountain top or the treasure room of God’s heart.

Who were the red headed woman and the man in the black suit? Dogging all of us in the body of Christ all the time are that nasty temptress we call Jezebel or more precisely a deceiving witchcraft manipulating controlling spirit. Her pale quiet co-hort holding the book is a religious spirit. That spirit seduces us into thinking we have it made because we go to church and read the Bible. He turns everything meant to bless us and teach us into “have to” rules. Using his book of the law he tries to shame and condemn us until he has murdered all freedom we gained in Christ Jesus.

This is a walk of increasing personal transformation.   It is a walk in the Spirit not in our flesh – Galatians 5:16 – 21

Magnificent Turning

I was awake most of the night praying and in personal repentance as well as identification repentance for the sins of our nation. Just couldn’t sleep because of all the activity in the spirit realms. Truly the battle over our nation and the nations of the world has ramped up significantly! (scroll down for the prophetic drawing and word the Lord has given regarding this time we are in). The demonic nature of our current environment is unmistakable.  The voice of the enemy is screaming out fear in order to fuel disease and death. Though God be blamed by many, though some Christians are saying it is God’s judgement raining down upon us, be assured nothing occurring is the doings of a loving God that wishes to draw us closer to Him and to redeem the lives of millions. It is the doings of the evil one trying to saturate our lives with fear in every form and to take out people before they can know the wonders and generous sacrificial free gift of Jesus as their Savior. Because we, the church, are off of God’s path ourselves in so many ways, nations are in jeopardy. It is our own sin that so easily besets us that is giving the enemy permission to continue this vile attack on humankind.

As I pondered all this at 2:30 am, Holy Spirit asked me if I was afraid. Well, the most wonderful thing is I could answer “No.”  After five straight years of intense warfare and circumstances beyond my control, I realized the war and testing had prepared me for this time. No pride in it! Without the training God gave me and learning to rely on Him no matter what, I know the answer would have been “yes” instead. To His glory alone, I am not panicked or hoarding or worried about whether or not there will be toilet paper, hand sanitizer, water or food. In fact, whenever my husband or I go to the store, even in the midst of this craziness, what we need is there. We go out on normal “we are out of supplies” shopping trips. No panic. When we shop it’s amazing. For example, I got the last bottle of antibacterial spray on Target shelves and husband got 6 packets of flushable wipes (no TP, but wipes work) just as Walmart opened up a box. God takes care of His beloveds!!

My prayers in the night weren’t because I was afraid but because so many thousands of people who don’t trust in God are panicked.  They need Jesus. They need an encounter with His love and grace!

This morning when I sat down to pray, I was reminded of something Holy Spirit revealed to me Jan 27th. He called it “The Magnificent Turning.” As best I can draw, I drew a picture of what He revealed to me.

As He revealed this image, I drew the path to His presence that veers off to the left. Then I drew 6 characters that each represent the heart condition of the Body of Christ. Some are caught up in the world’s view and they are encased by a black cloud of fear and questioning. They are off the path that leads to the joy, peace, and hope found in Christ Jesus. They are stuck on the right hand side which represents the mind of the world and works of the flesh. With head hung low, they are being bombarded with the evil one’s words of hopelessness, fear, and death not hearing God at all.

Four other characters are in various states of heart and mind. They stand to the left which represents reliance on the Spirit and faith in God. Three are questioning their circumstances battling doubt and unbelief, one is battling fear as well. Another is breaking through and can see the goodness and mercy of the Lord. Despite their current battles, they are about to step onto His glorious path of trust and hope. The final character has triumphed! In victory, after intense testing and warfare, they are seeing God high and lifted up and placing their hope fully in Him and Him alone.  They are unafraid because they see and hear God while ignoring the enemy’s voice and tactics.

Before I made the drawing I wrote a message in my journal: The Magnificent Turning is upon us. Simple_Profound_Supernatural turning toward our God as He opens our eyes and hearts to see and know how much we have turned away from Him. 

After pondering what I drew, I wrote on the drawing: The Lord is Dawning in our Hearts in a brand New way! We’ve searched for Him, worked, wondered, partly turned toward Him, but are lost and going the wrong way. In this Dawning there will be a Magnificent Turning. Questions and wondering turned to zeal and passion! We will see Him and His green hills of peace. Though chaos be around us, WE WILL SEE HIM! The path will be clear!

On March 12th He further spoke to me about this season of Magnificent Turning. We, the Body of Christ, will make the magnificent left turn toward HIM and HIM alone! He spoke to me:  Hang on to Me for this ride, dear children. In two weeks time (beginning March 26th) the path will clear, everything will be clearer. Again, I say I will make all things clearer for My beloveds. As My declared New Year approaches and Pesach (Passover Exodus 12:2) begins April 8th you will see Me arise in My power and might. I will make all things new. My promises will pour out in abundance to those who rely on Me and Me alone. All who are mine, I will bless. Hold tight to Me my darling ones and fear not for I am with you always, even to the end of the age!

Let Faith arise in your hearts. (Eph 3:16-18).  Be anxious for nothing but through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving (not complaining), let your requests be know to God and His peace will mount up guard around your hearts and mind. (Phps 4:6-7) Even though it appears we are walking through the shadow of death, HE IS WITH US! If we will hold on to Him goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever! (Psalm 23)

With an abundance of love to all of you,
Rev. Cheryl

This post may be shared in whole with copyright notice and all end notes included.
Copyrighted 2020 Cheryl S Birch

1st photo found on Google labeled for reuse
2nd photo drawn by and the property of Cheryl S Birch

All scripture references are the New King James Version and link to BibleGateway.com

The Central Thing

It’s been months now that the Lord God has kept sending me back to a message He gave me that He called “The Central Thing.”  Today after prayer and meditating on His word I opened up my journal and flipped to the first page. There it was again: The Central Thing.  Yes, I think it’s time to share it!

When the phrase first came to me I saw along with it a target and bright red bull’s eye with an arrow in the center.  Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart about refocusing. His central message was that we members of the body of Christ can get sidetracked, distracted and even derailed by issues and situations that aren’t the most important in life. Certainly that was exactly where I was. Life had gotten hectic and seemingly out of control. Everyday was a new adventure in unforeseen and unexpected challenges and circumstances. As I pressed in during my devotion time, I remember letting out a big sigh.  What exactly am I supposed to do in the midst of this whirlwind of problems and stress coming out of nowhere? was my primary thought.

Very gently Holy Spirit spoke to me: Cheryl, just concentrate on the Central Thing. The words Central Thing kept echoing in my heart and mind. Questions flooded my stressed mind. Did He mean what was central to my life at this time? Or, was He referring to what is central to life in general? Was there some “thing” I was clueless about? Or, what? All  I got was more frustrated, but the words “Central Thing” kept flooding my mind.

Letgo Land

As I was praying a few days ago, I saw a funny thing appear as a flash vision. The Lord often grabs my attention with silly things that have a significant message attached. If you have kids or grand-kids or, if you are a young person, no doubt you are familiar with Legos toys. Maybe like me you have been to a Lego Land. (I was at the mini-Lego Land at Mall of America years ago). So, what I saw in the flash vision was the Lego Land arch and distinctive logo, only it said “Letgo Land.” I was standing in front the red, white, green, black, yellow, and blue arch. In the quick vision I turned and walked into Letgo Land. That was it.

Since that flash vision the Lord has been speaking to me about, guess what? Yup, letting go. The impacting part of His simple instruction to me is that in letting go there is power and freedom. Holy Spirit is leading us to this place of great peace, joy and freedom beyond what we have now. Surrender of this ilk to the Lord produces the most powerful intercession available on earth. So powerful our whole life becomes intercession, just like Jesus. In fact, His primary goal right now (no doubt from the beginning of our walk with Him) is to help us to learn how to surrender everything, absolutely everything, to Him.

When God Dismantles your Kingdom

Today I write because a great metamorphosis is taking place. A Call has gone out from our Father in Heaven to hundreds in the body of Christ and the call is: Give Me your kingdom.

As I was listening to God about this call, I saw a great tug o’war. A castle and all it’s surrounding lands were the “rope.” The hand of God held on to one end. He ever so gently tugged at the rope. The other end was held by His kids. Unaware Father God was doing the tugging, they interpreted the disruption as attack. They used every bit of their strength to hold onto the rope and protect their castle and its lands. Father God let that go on for awhile lovingly watching. Then He pulled a little harder. The castle and the lands shook under the pressure of His loving grip and He spoke to them softly: Let Go. On the other end, His kids shook too. They were alarmed at the perceived intensity of attack hitting their kingdom. They armored up and went to war. They called reinforcements. They cried out to God for help to defeat the enemy destroying their land and what they had built for Him. Father God smiled so lovingly and let them go on like that for awhile listening carefully to their cries. And, then with great mercy He pulled even harder.  This time louder, He said with loving firmness: Let go.  At His voice part of the buildings around the castle collapsed. Part of the land fell away. On the other end, His kids collapsed with fear, confusion and grief over the losses. They fell on their faces and finally said the words Father had been waiting for: We repent. Show us Your will, Your plan, Your ways. We humble ourselves before You. We give you all. Help us in our weakness. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. With that, Father God took hold of the rope with power and the tug o’ war was over. The castle crashed to the ground. The castle was demolished.  But, the land was perfectly preserved, in fact better than before! He restored what had fallen away then He placed it back in their hands. It had turned ever so green and and lush. His love poured out to heal, strengthen and renew His kids. He swept away the castle ruins as His kids willingly gave Him each bit of the rubble. In exchange for the rubble, He gave them new dreams, new vision, new materials to build with, new plans, new ways and the land got more and more green. They flourished in His abundance and favor.

Our God requires a lot of those whom He loves. He requires absolutely everything!

Change and sacrifice is an ever constant process in the Kingdom of God that produces wonderful new things that glorify our King.  Or, perhaps more precisely,  it is the result of the advancement of the Kingdom of God in the earth. Wherever His breath blows, wherever He is working, there is change.    And, since the whole earth is His and the fullness thereof, that means our world is experiencing constant changes.

Who doesn’t get excited over the prospect of all things becoming NEW? The part we forget is that we have to let go of the old in order to receive the new. Sacrifice is always required if there is to be transformation.  If you are like me, I am very excited over prospect of all things becoming new in Christ Jesus.  I can pray and ask for that of God with enthusiasm and truly desire the change… that is until I am one of the souls in the middle of His mighty work of transformation.  My response and maybe yours too is WHOA, what’s going on here.  More than one time I dug in my heels, just like the vision He gave me, and fought for what is mine, not discerning the huge change was an answer to my prayers and a gift from my God.

Mercifully, He works soul by soul with slow, steady, deeply profound internal changes, perhaps over many years.  As we yield to those small steps, we become more like Him and step out doing His work.  We build our lives and ministries are launched.  Then the time comes for His new plans and seemingly overnight the ministries, the works, the thing we do for Him, what we thought was rock solid and even our highest call in Him,  He closes. The season is finished. The training is over.  Something new is on the way. When we don’t discern that He is requiring change and stubbornly hang on, suddenly those castles we have built  get shaken and eventually they collapse so that He can build up something better, something more reflective of Him. Something He has prepared for us and us for it. Yes, something that gives Him more glory and benefits humankind in ways we could never have imagined if He did not take this action.

Who’s Your Daddy?

“Lay down your spiritual warfare weapons,” said the voice of the Lord I have come to know, love and obey. My response: HUH?

The apparent warfare around me and around the body of Christ screamed out in demand of increasing every spiritual warfare technique I had ever learned.  To lay down all of that felt contrary to everything I had learned from my mentors, teachers, and pastors. In six words the Voice I loved had negated every spiritual warfare seminar and conference I had attended as well as every book I read and video series I had watched. Even closer to home, it wiped out what I had taught hundreds of others. Thus, it was hard for me to receive those 6 words.

Then started the conversation with Holy Spirit.  Not sure why I persist with this habit, none-the-less, it always starts out: But, Lord….

I had a lot of “But, Lords” to state and “How can it be” questions to ask. Seemed that He already knew that and He spoke to me in His loving, soft, gentle, yet firm way, “You’re doing it all wrong.”  My answer: HUH?

No doubt, we His kids, can be quite comical to Him at times I am sure.  In this case, I am certain my astonishment must have been amusing because I heard His wonderful laughter wash over me. All I could feel was joy and peace followed by love and acceptance. What could I say to that except, “Yes, Lord”? And, because He apparently knew I was ready to hear Him on this topic, I yielded, albeit a bit begrudgingly, and turned my inner ear toward Him.

It wasn’t what I heard, but what I saw next that impacted me.  I saw a small child (couldn’t tell boy or girl) chased by the enemy (demonic beings) running toward flowing purple fabric. The child ran into the fabric and disappeared. While watching this vision, I realized the child was hiding behind the leg of a man wearing leather sandals. In moments, the child, comforted and strengthened by the encounter with the man, peeked out. The enemy was a great distance away.  The enemy could not approach the man or the child.  The man spoke over the child lovingly and kindly. After awhile the child lifted their hand and repeated the words of the man. As the words were released, power flowed and the enemy disappeared completely.

Hiding in the robe of the Father

A lesson in an intense way of intercession began that day.  Holy Spirit pointed out the child was not dressed in armor as I had pictured it. The child was not holding a sword or a shield.  The child was not shouting or yelling at the devils. The child was standing strong, at peace, full of joy and lovingly protected in the purple skirts. The child listened, learned and repeated what the man said.  And the man? ….

Perceptions

Today the Lord  spoke to me: Your perceptions must be My Perceptions.

For the past week Holy Spirit has been reminding me of revelation He gave me years ago about our Noema – that is the Greek word used in the Bible to describe how we perceive things. It is a complex combination of what are the facts and what we feel about those facts. Interestingly, how we feel about the facts can outweigh those facts. Sounds, smells or fragrances, good and bad memories, mindsets, habits, and imagination form an oleo that becomes our truth about a situation, our lives, or other people.  Once we believe something is true we begin to live our life according to it – whether it is really true or not.

Many in the body of Christ have or are about to step through a wide open door into a new season of walking with the Lord and being demonstrators of who He is. On the Other Side of the Door is increased glory on earth and the Beginning of Signs.  We will be freer than ever as we will have cleansed hearts and minds. We will have let go of heavy burdens at the feet of Jesus. We have learned how persevere, to remain humble, to rest in Him and we will have received His light yoke in exchange for our busy work, work, work religious attitudes. (Read Beginning of a Light Yoke Era)  The first days on the other side of the door flowing in glory will be so full of JOY!  There is always celebration when burdens are gone and we are released into a new season. The people of the world will be drawn to what they see in us. The harvest will increase as we share our joy in Jesus! We will be living Psalm 126.

As I visioned with the Lord, suddenly I saw…

Beginning of a Light Yoke Era

Good news is pouring out of heaven to me today as it has for the past two days. As Yom Teruah just ended and we have begun the 10 days of Awe, ending with Yom Kippur,  Holy Spirit is leading all in the body of Christ, who will listen and yield to His promptings, into a new era. Yes, I said ERA.

This is the season of the year when our God makes changes. He ends things and begins things. Sometimes that is for the year, or the decade, or the century or all three. Today, I kept hearing from Him that a new era has begun where the body of Christ will steadily become the spotless wrinkle free bride for whom Jesus will return. She will be worry free, fear free, prejudice free, bitterness free, hate free… she will be FREE! No wrinkles of life will be left that cause her to stumble and fall. She will rise out the ashes of this life with none of the sorrows upon her. She will have finally developed eyes for Jesus only.  And, as she goes to Him He will present her with His “Light Yoke.”  This is the KEY to the new door He has opened wide. (Read Other Side of the Door). This is the KEY to the new era.

Matthew 11:28-29 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Holy Spirit also showed me today …