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.

Our Shield

Over the past few days as I was seeking the Lord on what He would have me share with you, I kept hearing “shield.” Then I felt the nudge of Holy Spirit to find the first mention of shield in the Bible. First mention in the word of God is always important because it sets the stage for God’s intent throughout His verses and chapters. In this case, first mention is in Genesis 15:1“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” That same theme is repeated in Deuteronomy 32:10-11. In the collection of Psalms, David and the other psalmists mention God as a shield of favor and protection some 20 times.

We are right now under extreme stress in the body of Christ. The enemy is trying to frighten and confuse us (confusion NEVER comes from God – he gives us a sound mind). The atmosphere is full of hatred and anger, a lying spirit is at work which we must discern at every step, and there is a rise in occult manipulative behavior like we have never seen. Frustration, discouragement, the “give-ups” come knocking nearly daily in an effort to thwart our prayers and weaken our faith in God. In these kinds of circumstances it is vital intercessors/believers remember we are not the shield. Our prayers aren’t the shield either. God and only God in conjunction with His holy angels is the shield about us and the shield that surrounds whomever we are praying for. He is our glory and the lifter of our heads. (Psalm 3:3) He is our fortress, stronghold, deliverer and refuge (Psalm 144) and so much more.

As we pray and enter into deep intercession for ourselves, our families, ministries, work, city, nation we can trust in our God to be our shield. However, Holy Spirit is asking me to remind you that we must not take on and carry the burden. The matters at hand are not ours to carry. The role of intercessor/believer is to ask God to take the situation upon His shoulders, into His hands. To ask Him to arise in His sovereignty and power, in righteousness and justice, and to trust Him to scatter the enemy.

The first mention of a shield in the New Testament is Ephesians 6:16-17. That verse tells us to take up the shield of faith to extinguish the fiery evil darts of the enemy.  It is our faith in God our Shield and exceedingly great reward that extinguishes the attacks of the enemy. Our faith and trust in His magnificent ability to protect and work everything out for our good brings us the victory.

If you are feeling heavy, like your prayers are useless, or feel like God doesn’t hear you or answer you, perhaps you are relying on your own ability and efforts. It’s a subtle sense of responsibility that is not ours to carry. This false sense of responsibility overtakes us a bit at a time until we feel weighed down, forgotten, even hopeless. We end up praying over and over asking for something when in fact, we should be thanking Him for His shield of favor and standing in faith that He has heard us and will take care of every detail. When we take responsibility like this we have stepped into God’s position as shield. That can be a miserable place to be as we simply are not strong enough to cover anyone, not even ourselves. Only He can do that! A simple declaration giving everything and everybody to God, who is our sole source, and trusting that He heard us the first time we prayed can make a huge difference.

Resting in Him and His ability to do anything and everything is so very needed in these perilous days. When we wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:20) We can rejoice with the psalmist no matter our circumstances: The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. (Psalm 28:7)

Answers are on the way for all of us who believe and trust in Jesus as our Savior. Get into position of resting and relying on Him and start thanking Him for His marvelous works. For indeed the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm  84:11) Your walk is blameless, beloved, for you have the Lord Jesus Christ on your side! No good thing will go unanswered! Thank you God Most High, our Shield and our Reward!

With JOY and Thanksgiving,
Rev. Cheryl

Copyright 2020 Cheryl S Birch – may be shared in whole with copyright notice intact.

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The “Just One”

Perhaps, because I’ve been studying Biblical justice with my Pastor,  Chandler Cleveland, a passage of scripture I read many times before leaped off the page this week.  But, I think it happened because the Lord wants me/us to start calling upon, talking about, declaring, and praising Him with one of His Names rarely mentioned in church services, or most prayer groups. 

We call Him: Jesus, Emmanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the Alpha and Omega, Savior, Deliverer, Healer, Bright Morning Star, Captain of Angel Armies, and so many more. While reading Acts Chapter 7:52 the name we hardly ever use regarding Him grabbed me. It says: “Just One.” Later, when I read Acts 22:14-15, the passage affirmed the name and made evident Apostle Paul’s first encounter with Jesus was as the Just  One. (Then  he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just  One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.)

I  found it so amazing and encouraging that Jesus, the Just One’s, response to Saul’s persecution of members of the Way (as Christians were first called) was salvation. Sure He confronted Saul, but it wasn’t to harm him or kill him.  His response to the prayers of the Jerusalem believers was merciful and a blessing to us all. He knocked Saul off his donkey, saved his soul, and transformed him into the Apostle Paul.  

Justice in our culture has morphed. Sometimes it’s true justice, but more and more it’s another word for revenge.  When there is a massive cry for justice that includes violent and criminal actions, it is really a selfish self-serving heart’s desire for revenge. Folks aren’t looking for God’s justice at all when they think death and destruction are the way to go.  If we will look at Saul’s experience with the Just One, and cry out for His Biblical Justice, we are going to see much better results. A lot of “Sauls” will get knocked off their high horse and become transformed into disciples of Christ Jesus. What is truly unjust will be rectified in the Lord’s God’s merciful and gracious ways. However, HE must be the center of it all.

My resolve during this period of turmoil and change is to know the will of, to see the Just One for who He really is, and to hear the voice of His mouth. Of course, as you do, I have always striven to hear Him, but this desire is for a new holy filter that will give me perspective I did not have before.  To become acquainted with Jesus as the Just One is EPIC! It’s a 180 degree turnaround. As such, it felt paramount that I share this with you, because knowledge transforms everything in our lives. The promise is that knowledge of Jesus as the Just One will help me/us to witness to all the people He sends my/our way. And, it will help us to intercede more pointedly and powerfully on behalf of those people in our world who are like Saul or worse. 

Understanding Biblical Justice, studying it,  learning that the foundation of God’s throne is righteousness and justice (Psalm 89:4, 97:2) will change the way you intercede. Knowing that He loves both righteousness and justice will transform how you think about the world circumstances, and how you treat or speak about the people in your life. To add the component of nurturing close intimate relationship with Jesus, seeking Him as the Just One, is transfiguring. 

The message Holy Spirit impressed upon me is to approach Jesus in a new way both in worship and personal prayer. Sing about Him as Wonderful Counselor and as the Just One. Praise Him with His names, and add Just One. Talk to Him daily as the Lover of our Souls, our Savior, and also as the Just One. Call upon Him with our faith placed in the Just One. Intercede on behalf of others, not only crying out to the Righteous One, Merciful One, or Gracious One, but also to the Just One. 

It’s easy to say: We love you Jesus, our Deliverer, or our Healer. Now, we must learn to say: We love you, Jesus, our Just One. Plus, do so with the same fervor as we declare His other names. The addition will make our worship of Him and our bond with Him so much richer. Rich with treasures of His heart we have never encountered. Mind boggled is how I feel when I try to envision the wondrous changes. Our lives, families, and ministries are about to become fresh and new as we develop this aspect of divine connection and learn to live, breathe, and walk in Biblical justice.

May you all see the Just One and walk in His perfect will, and may you hear the voice of His mouth!

With JOY, Rev. Cheryl

Copyright 2020 Cheryl S Birch – This post may be shared in whole with copyright notice intact.

Smile at God Today!

This past week I was seeking the Lord for what we intercessors need in Him right now and every day.  I was directed by Holy Spirit to Proverbs 17:22  A merry heart does good,  like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. NKJV

 A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. MSG

 A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. But the one whose heart is crushed struggles with sickness and depression. TPT

It seems like doom and gloom, sickness and depression, and folks with broken dreams/hearts is all we hear about on the news and social media. Our hope and hiding place from all that is in the Lord, yet it’s getting harder and harder to let go of all that negativity and pain and simply “be” in His presence. Distractions are becoming all-consuming as there is so much unrest, illness, and stressful situations going on in our nation and the world. And, I don’t know about you, but the need, even demand, for intercession and prayer for friends and family dealing with sudden emergencies, unexpected deaths, and major challenges of all kinds is on the increase. Plus, lately there is an almost constant need to deal with issues, some very serious, in my own household. Likely it’s the same for yours.

As I meditated on this scripture and also Proverbs 15: 13 and 15, I knew Holy Spirit was telling me it’s important, even vital, that we not be overwhelmed by life circumstances. And, to remember that it is still okay to relax, unwind and laugh, not only during prayer and worship, but also in the natural daily course of our life. We intercessors and praying Christians are a serious bunch. We take on burdens for many, many people including the our neighborhoods, cities, states and nations. Thus, we have responsibility to heed God’s advice to not become overburdened and drained–to implement His word that “a merry heart makes good medicine” and that it is healing for our bones and well-being.

So, here is my prayer and directive from the Lord for all of us: I pray we all get out in the sunshine as much as possible, after all it is SUMMER. And, join me in this challenge: Give Father God a big smile every day. He always smiles back and in His smile is love, life, abundance, favor, grace and blessings of all kinds. His joy and the gladness of heart it brings is the refreshing we most need to thrive even in the midst all that is going on around us!

The crux is: Neglecting R and R is the worst thing a busy in demand intercessor/minister of God can do. It will drain the very life out of us. But, resting in the Lord, plus daily fun, smiling, laughing, and seeking Him in and for gladness makes us more powerful intercessors/ministers!

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Receiving the gift of entering God’s rest and choosing joy is vital in this day and hour. Our families, friends, and ministry, even our nation and the world, need us to make this a priority.  We will find that the trials and challenges of life won’t be such a heavy burden. The sense of doom and gloom in the world will disappear; concern yes, doom no! When we minister and pray from a place of rest and joy there is strength and authority in the Spirit that flows through us that we did not know was possible. In fact, I believe getting this “rest and joy thing” is a big key to supernatural intercession where we pray and God answers right away. Wow! That is a goal to shoot for!!!

May summer (and whole life) be filled with gladness, fun and relaxation!

Remember: Give God a Big Smile Every Day!

With Love and JOY in our Lord,

Rev. Cheryl

Copyrighted 2020 Cheryl S Birch – May be shared in whole with copyright and end notes intact.

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Tipping Point

Greetings today from my backyard. The weather has been lovely here in Modesto so our table with the sun umbrella has become my getaway retreat. Other than an intrusion by my kitty wanting to sit on the keyboard, it’s quite peaceful in the mornings in my garden setting. It’s wonderful to have natural realms quiet in a sunny green place. As I reflected on that, I had the thought that it’s even more wonderful to have peace in a SONshine setting! During this roller-coaster transition time to reopening our states and nation my prayer for all of you is that you find a SHALOM retreat in the restorative light and wonderful presence of our Lord!

As I prayed this day in the warm sunshine, the Lord highlighted to me for all of us in the Body of Christ Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us?

With everything going on in our nation and the world, it has come to my attention that many intercessors/praying Christians are overwhelmed with requests for prayer from their family, friends, co-workers neighbors and even strangers. Combined with an assault by the enemy against our own families and work situations, stress and a sense of being pummeled by the enemy can sneak up on us. This is especially so when our personal challenges increase in intensity, or become chronic in persistence with no apparent answers from God to ease the storm we are experiencing. And, on top of it all, we usually have ministry commitments that require more prayer, not less.

Thoughts or feelings of abandonment can cloud our life as we wonder if we are being effective or if our Father in heaven has heard our prayers. Have you ever asked Him if He’s there? Wondered if Jesus is interceding for everyone but you and yours? Asked Holy Spirit if He was ever going to move on your behalf? I have, and I figure I’m not the only one!

In the middle of seemingly insurmountable personal challenge I am facing right now, those questions flowed out of me with tears. Then I picked up a book I just started called “IF” by Pastor Mark Batterson. Chapter 2 starts with Romans 8:31. About the verse he writes:

God is for you.

God is for you in every way imaginable.

God is for you for all eternity.

And a bit later he says: Spiritually speaking, the tipping point (in a person’s life or situation) is when you believe, without any reservation that God is for you. It’s the revelation that God doesn’t just love you, He likes you. He loves you enough to die for you, He likes you enough to spend eternity with you.

I believe many of us are at a tipping point time in our lives. A time of critical mass, on the threshold of huge change, and it’s about to boil over, or tip like a balanced rock when the earth shakes. The question for us overwhelmed intercessors/believers is will we tip for God and the new thing He has for us, believing He is for us? Or, will we tip toward giving up on His promises and against His new thing? This is reality right now for many, maybe all of us, as what our God is doing is very different. It can make us hesitant and afraid to venture His direction. This season has brought us to a place of deciding whether we are “all in” knowing He is good all the time, or rejecting His high call. Rejecting results in mediocrity, walking with Him constantly struggling in the land of fear and doubt.

The tipping point choice WILL change our lives forever. It’s scary, but it’s GOOD, because God is good and He is for us every step of the way! He, in His love for us, has brought us to this place of choice. Now, we must believe He is for us and bravely choose His new plan. The result? More powerful connection with God, more power packed prayers, and more of MORE! Not only that, there’s more on top of the more, because the verse also says that if He is for us no one can be against us! He will scatter the enemy!

In this season, May the King of kings surround you with His army of angels as you crossover the point of no return and head full speed into the GOOD THINGS our God has for you, in Jesus Name and for His glory alone…AMEN!

Praying health and wholeness for all of us!

With Love and JOY in our Lord,

Cheryl

copyright 2020 Cheryl S Birch
May be share with copyright and end notes intact
Photo found on Google labeled for reuse

Repentance Factor

Day after day for a week now I keep hearing two words when I seek the Lord:

REPENTANCE FACTOR.

It all started when an intercessor prayed regarding COVID 19 and launched their prayer using 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now, they prayed a beautiful and heartfelt prayer with which I agreed. And, I really love God’s word. Truly I love Him and love all He has to say, but I realized during the prayer (wonderful as it was) that I am worn out by the quoting of this verse. It caused such upset within me that I had to seek out Holy Spirit to explain to me what was wrong with me.

That was when I heard Repentance Factor for the first time. The “thing” that was bothering me was not this important verse in the Bible nor the strong prayer prayed by my fellow intercessor. It was revelation of my own heart condition, revelation of the lack of repentance in our nation, and in the church most especially. Yes, the church! Without the Body of Christ’s lead in repenting for our sins and for the sins of our citizens, how would the nation ever know it was important to do so? Without the all important “IF” being fulfilled by God’s people, we can pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 until Jesus comes for us and our land will not be healed.

It says if MY PEOPLE will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways…MY PEOPLE. Who are God’s people? At the time it was given to Solomon, the Jews were God’s people and the temple was being dedicated. Today the Jews are still God’s people and, Praise Him, so are those who have the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. In fact, those of us that have Jesus as our Savior are now the dedicated temple of God! In Solomon’s day the stone building was filled with the glory of God. Now, the Redeemed of the Lord are filled with the glory of God via Holy Spirit. Since we are God’s People and His Temple we need to seriously and profoundly take ownership of this verse of scripture and do what it says.

By and large during this crisis or any crisis we, the church, have the prayer part down pat. In fact,there is more prayer right now in the world than ever I have seen! Social media, Zoom, Skype, conference calls are a buzz with prayer and intercession. Praise God! We easily caught the part of the scripture that says to pray. Myriads of people are asking God for protection, healing and provision. No doubt the Father will be pouring out answers to these personal prayers going up to the throne of grace by the thousands. Nonetheless, this scripture is not being fulfilled. We are still lacking greatly in the Repentance Factor that will trigger healing for our land; the part of the scripture that says: HUMBLE THEMSELVES, TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS and also SEEK MY FACE.

Tackling “seek My face” first. Seems simple. Even Easy. But seeking His Face is far more than a prayer for protection, healing, and provision. God hears those prayers from everyone and in His mercy, he answers. But, He moves quickly and precisely for those who have a close relationship with Him. Why? Because the closer one becomes to God, talking and walking with Him daily, minute by minute, the more likely it is that we will pray prayers that are initiated by HIM and are flowing from HIS heart through ours as His vessel. When we move from personal survival requests and pray those kind of “seek his face” prayers, they get answered.

A Pastor’s devotional that I just finished called them “dangerous prayers.” They are the kind way beyond “protect me and my family.” Seek His Face Prayers always include “use me”,”change me”, “Help me to do YOUR will for me, Lord.” Dangerous intercessors ask God why things aren’t changing, stop and listen for His response AND implement or do what He says. Even if it means their lives are turned upside-down, God’s face seeking people allow Him to transform them into a reflection of Him in the earth, including their prayer priorities… and their whole lives.

That leads me back to the Repentance Factor. To be used by God, changed by God, and to gain ability to speak and do His will not our own, REPENTANCE is the only way. To see our land miraculously healed, REPENTANCE is the only way. We must let Holy Spirit reveal to us the depths of our own wicked ways. Let me phrase it another way for those of you that are bothered by the words wicked and sin in relation to a born again Believer. Think of it this way: God has an opinion clearly stated in His word and at salvation His opinion was written on our hearts. Even so, we have our own opinions formed from birth and opinions we have adopted from our culture. Those opinions do not always line up with God’s Word, do they? Every one of our opinions that do not line up with God’s Word is a “wicked way.” He wants all of our opinions to line up with His opinion!

Shocking isn’t it? Reflecting on where our heart leads us and what thoughts we have compared to the Bible (God’s opinion) can be hard to handle. Thank God Romans 8:1 starts out by saying: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are IN Christ Jesus.” (emphasis mine) If you desire to be a useful effective vessel that God can really use, simply repent. Ask Him to reveal every contrary opinion that you have and go to Him often! That is living “IN Christ Jesus!” When your opinion differs from His, repent. And ask Him to change your opinion to match His. No condemnation! Every second of every day is a second chance! He is overjoyed when we grab onto the truth that we need to continuously seek His face while turning from our opinions (wicked ways). Grab this truth and healing of your personal land will flow. If we grab it corporately, healing of our nation will flow!

We will also receive the promise of less quoted yet far more wonderful verses
2 Chronicles 7:15-16 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.

Please join me in prayer regarding a paradigm shift within the greater church, especially leadership, that will open an all important door to healing our land: the Repentance Factor.

My prayer is that the walls of separation between denominations and styles of worshiping our God would fall. That our prejudices toward one another in the body of Christ would be washed away in a flood of repentant opinion changing. And, that our leaders would stop for a moment in their own efforts and hear God’s voice of unity and love He has for us all. As a result that they would stand together (via all the electronic avenues we have available) in the midst of this crisis, ask forgiveness from God and each other, and then move into repentance for our collective sin of having a different opinion than God. Especially to repent for continuously trying to build the kingdom of God in their own strength while ignoring Jesus’ commandment to “Love one another as He has loved us.”

Start with me, Lord. Start with those who read this message. Holy Spirit help us to step into the Repentance Factor needed to heal our land, in Jesus Amazing Name I pray…AMEN!

With much hope in our Lord,
Rev Cheryl

Article may be share in whole with end notes include
Copyrighted 2020 Cheryl S Birch

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All Bible verses are from the New King James Version

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

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.

Celebrate!

A couple of months ago I was asked to do the closing remarks and closing prayer at a rather unique prayer breakfast. This breakfast was an intercession filled supernaturally unified prayer breakfast with no key note speaker and simple adoration worship of our Lord. About 300 folks attended from many walks of life, ethnicity, and cultural background. It was exciting to see the diversity of the body of Christ so well represented in that room. This gathering every year goes beyond several churches in town. Joining in with Pastors and intercessors were our Mayor, City Council reps, Police Chief, Parole Officers, Sheriff, Highway Patrol officers, County officials, business leaders, educators and nonprofit leaders.  The tenor of the breakfast was worshipful and everyone was deeply engaged praying at their tables. No doubt that the Father was hearing our prayers as our city leaders from nearly every sphere possible humbled themselves before Him!

I had been praying for weeks before the breakfast asking Holy Spirit to reveal to me the Father’s heart regarding this gathering.  I longed to hear what He thought would be the best closing words and prayer that would glorify the Lord Jesus and express His message to all. About a week before the breakfast, I had still not heard anything from Him. No scripture, no special inspiration of any kind for this important 7th annual event in our city. So, I pressed in and asked again for His heart on the matter.  Well, the Lord speaks to me in really funny and even silly ways sometimes! This time when I prayed immediately the words to a song from 1980 by Kool and the Gang popped into my head and I started singing to myself “Celebrate good times, come on! It’s a celebration! Woo Hoo!”   (Unfamiliar with this golden oldie? You can Listen on YouTube) (Or read the Song Lyrics)

 

Exiting Time Space Limitations

This past week I was reading the book “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day” by Pastor Mark Batterson… crazy title, but a great book to read if you haven’t already. Something he said about space, time and prayer really inspired me. He described our human finite space, time, dimension limitations and used an example of a drawn cartoon to explain… “imagine if a comic-strip character could take on a third dimension. The added degree of freedom would enable him to jump right off the page. Isn’t that what faith does? Maybe we underestimate our freedom in Christ. Maybe it’s not just freedom from sin. Maybe it is the freedom to do the extra-dimensional.  Faith gives us the dimensional freedom to overcome our human limitations by exiting space-time via prayer.”

I added in my notes “Exiting space – time limitations via strong faith-prayer launches us into God’s multi-dimensional (really unlimited dimensional) Presence.  In the Presence of God anything and everything is possible!!”

To me there is little doubt that Apostle Paul (probably all the Apostles) had extra-dimensional experiences and freedom in Christ that most of us are just starting to learn about or walk in enough faith to experience. Seems that life’s challenges constantly batter our faith and it’s hard to use our sanctified imagination to envision prayer that breaks the space-time barriers of our life in this world. But, Paul broke through! If he did, we can, but it takes overcoming faith like Paul had.

Truly if I were beaten, stoned, nearly drowned at sea, got bitten by a poisonous viper, thrown in prison (more than once) and my preaching caused an entire to city to riot, I would wonder if I was on the right track. Paul dwelt in a different spiritual space. He walked away from the beatings and stoning alive, sang songs to the Lord with Silas in a dank dark dungeon of a prison, wrote to the Philippians amazing encouragement despite his prison chains, didn’t drown at sea, shook off the viper and lived. Plus, the rioting city ended up with a move of God as did everywhere he set his foot for Christ. Signs and wonders followed him wherever he went. On top of that under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he wrote most of the New Testament.

Why was his ministry so supernaturally successful and lasting despite all the seemingly huge setbacks? Because he had encounters with God in prayer. He prayed and he asked others to pray for him and his ministry. (2 Thessalonians Chapter 3, Ephesians Chapter 6, Romans 15 are examples.) Not only that he likely exited space-time dimensions of this earth and he saw and heard “unspeakably” wonderful things. He got to see life in Christ Jesus from God’s multi-dimensional perspective.  (Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-6)

No doubt James is describing this kind of prayer experience when he wrote: “The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.” (James 5:16) And that is exactly what is happening as we continue to press into prayer for our families, cities, states, nation and for the body of Christ. We are breaking through to God’s multi-dimensional ability to move mountains of problems and illness, uproot deep-seated transgressions,  and see both cast into the sea of God’s forgiveness mercy and grace. How exciting!!

This month let’s ask the Lord for multi-dimensional faith to pray prayers that breakthrough all limitations of space-time. Let’s ask Him for things impossible for us to accomplish without Him… Things that He can answer and get all the glory. As the world becomes more and more challenging, we all need this kind of prayer support and so does every aspect of this earthly realm Father God has assigned us to!

Father God is calling us to come up higher!

I can hardly wait to see what He is about to do…

Blessings of JOY and Peace,

Cheryl

Authored by Rev Cheryl Birch

2-15-19

May be shared with author and date intact

Copyrighted 2019 Cheryl S. Birch

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