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Come out of the Shadows Sons & Daughters of Mighty Valor!
Did you know that when God called Gideon into his place of destiny, Gideon wasn’t exactly ready? Not in his own mind anyway. You could even say that Gideon was bitter or angry with God assuming that He had abandoned them. (Read Judges 6:13). The people of Israel had been under heavy oppression from the Midianites for many years, their food had been continually robbed and they were living in constant fear. We meet Gideon in his place of hiding, hidden away in a winepress, threshing wheat. Wheat was commonly threshed out in the open, up on top of a hill, but Gideon was hiding at the bottom of this winepress from his enemies. I can just picture him down there muttering to himself, frustrated and angry, but he had no idea that an encounter with an angel of the Lord was awaiting him…right where he was threshing wheat. For this place, even in his cowering, anger and fear just so happened to be the very mark of his destiny. In Judges 6:11, it tells us that ‘The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites.’
It was here that God called Gideon by his name and declared his destiny over him, a mighty warrior, a man of valor. God didn’t acknowledge the present fact that his ‘mighty warrior’ was in hiding, for He doesn’t see what we see. He sees the strength within. You may be in hiding right now, you might be saying to yourself, “How will God deliver me from this? How will I ever fulfil the calling upon my life when I am here, being pressed on every side?” You may be saying to yourself as the Israelites were, “God, when will I be free of this oppression that has been warring against me for years?” I am here to remind you today, son or daughter, that while you may feel as though you are in hiding, you may feel as though things are pressing in on every side, the threshing floor is the very launching place of your destiny. You may even find yourself bitter or angry at God, and I want to remind you today of who you really are. I want to remind you that while it may not feel it, He has never left you or forsaken you. Not once. He had been with you through the darkest of valleys, walking right next to you through it all.I feel this strongly in my spirit, you are about to step up and out of that threshing floor and into the shoes of your calling.
Leave it all behind.
Just as the angel called forth Gideons destiny, the Spirit of God is calling you out today… “Arise, step out of your grief, leave your bitterness and your questions behind. I have appointed you as a Mighty Warrior of the earth. I have already planned your destiny, and now is the time to leave your fears and wonderings behind.” I find it amazing that Gideon was in hiding in a place called Ophrah, threshing wheat under an oak tree owned by his father. Ophrah means a ‘fawn,’ and an Oak tree represents a pillar of strength and longevity. It prophetically points to the fact that while he didn’t yet know it, God had been growing Gideon, even in the pressing, as a pillar of his strength and longevity… it was just still in it’s infancy, like a fawn. In fact, it was his inheritance. A fawn also points to ‘sure-footedness.’ I don’t even think Gideon realized the significance of his own name, ‘one who cus down.’ But God knew. The Father knew the strength He had hidden inside of Gideon, for it was His own DNA, and it was about to come forth. I am here to remind you of this same thing: you may feel weak, you may feel not up to the task, but none of that matters when the King steps onto the scene. His power is made perfect in your weakness, all that He requires is a surrendered yes. He is calling you forth today, mighty warrior, men and women of valour, to take your place as His appointed ones across the earth.
Step into your inheritance.
There is strength, resilience and courage inside of you that you still may not know, but it is your inheritance to walk in it. God is reminding you today of what is on the inside of you. You don’t have to ‘feel’ it to know it’s there. Don’t live one moment longer below the line of your calling, get up, step up and take your place. Stand tall beneath the Oak of your Strength, Jesus Himself. It is not by your might, it is not by your power, but it is by HIS Spirit (Zech 4:6). You were not created with a weak spirit, you were created in the very image of Almighty God and his DNA is filled with MIGHTY POWER. He is calling you forth this day, not tomorrow, not next month or next year…today and calling forth your destiny! Today is your day of being marked with destiny and called up and out. Beloved one, mighty one, you are a son or daughters of valour. You are called to cut down the enemies plans and to establish the Kingdom of God across the earth. It is time to step into who you really are, and as you do, you will taste of the sweet wine He has created through your pressing. The amazing thing is, others will taste of your wine too and find their refreshment in Him through you. Arise mighty ones and take your place!
RELATED prophetic WORDS:
RELATED prophetic WORDS:
By Nate Johnston
•
01 May, 2024
This is burning in my spirit to share for those who have felt stuck or put on hold especially in the last 4 months. It seems like you are back in waiting but aren’t sure what for. You feel like you have been on a wild-goose chase that has suddenly shipwrecked you in “no mans land”. It feels like you have been robbed of your vehicle - your purpose. Like you have been pulled over and forced out. You feel like you have ended up in a situation that looks nothing like what you envisioned, grieving what makes you come alive but is now out of reach. Looking behind you it feels like your best days are over like you hit your peak - but you haven’t even seen your best days yet. I saw the word I NTERRUPTION being crossed out and in bright red the word LEGACY was written over it. None of this is an accident - where you are right now is a setup. THE UNEXPECTED PATH None of this was a mistake. Your unusual path. The detour. The treasure hunt and blind faith journey. It wasn’t a tease. It was designed to go somewhere you couldn’t have found on your own. You wouldn’t have chosen the mess and the unknown, the struggles and wrestles, pressing and crushing - and you also wouldn’t have seen what was waiting for you at the end of this. But now your heart needs to adjust to the new landscape. The new thing that you didn’t expect or envision. It’s not settling - Its surrender. It’s not giving up - it’s finally moving with the new flow and accepting the new script. ADDRESSING THE LIES The lie of failure has shut down your creativity and confidence. It’s made you drop your sword and begin to bargain your way out. The lie of being abandoned has questioned your first call and whether you heard God at all. No, you didn’t miss it. The lie of “this is as good as it’s going to get” has made you begin to settle for second best and make your bed in the valley but you are moving through! THE SEED FALLING TO THE GROUND Many have been in an extreme 4 months of what has felt like a “falling to the ground season” where it has felt like everything they once held has had to be laid down. “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” - John 12:24 I heard the Lord say “If my people don’t lay down what they are holding how can they pick up what I am giving them next?” It feels painful to let go of a dream or expectation you built your life around but God isn’t taking it from you to hurt you but to ADD TO IT! God wants to multiply you! Have you been fighting it? The enemy has. He wants you to stay in the same place you have been. He wants you to hold onto the old seeds that have worn around your neck like a necklace, but if you don’t let them go they will become like a lead weight! As quickly as you lean into surrender God will pour out what he wants to give you. This refining and shaking moment is protection and promotion. It’s advancement and the breaking of apathy. It’s the pure ointment clearing away the old husks of an old season. ENTER THE RESURRECTION! I then heard the Lord say “I am resurrecting my people!” and then I saw the 4 winds of the Spirit whirling and could see the purpose behind this process - God has been seeing his people in bondage, trauma, and constant conflict with the enemy and so He sent us through the fire to DELIVER US! What emerges from this furnace now is going to be so potent. New movements, ministries, messages, and voices. New synergy, partnerships, family, and tribe. Watch what and who leaves the tomb in this season. Watch who comes out of complete disablement with a fresh sound and voice for this season. “In the midst of fiery hot trials, persecution, shaking, opposition, and warfare, heavyweight ministries and movements are emerging and birthing. This is far from a “stuck” or “decrease” season for those who have held onto the hem of Jesus garment. This is where we see the cross outwork powerfully in crisis” “He must increase, but I must decrease” - John 3:30 God didn’t cast you off or send you into isolation - He is REFORMING you and readying you for the next chapter of this pioneering adventure! THE NEXT SIX MONTHS The six months from now til September (Rosh Hashanah) are going to be WAY OPENING months. New direction and coordinates are coming where there has been only roadblocks and no options. New blueprints and fresh vision for the days ahead are coming. Old wineskins will keep falling away. Powerless seeker sensitive Christianity will keep losing its grip and fiery red hot believers will emerge to lead the way forward. Veils of religion and fear are going to drop off the ears and eyes of Gods people so we can see this season clearly and embrace and seize it instead of running and hiding. We won’t fall for the lies of false prophet media. Regardless of what we hear on the news or see in some circumstances. God is tapping us into the newsroom of heaven to see beyond the storm. We are going to shake off the death of this past season and begin to live through the glasses of hope and the victory of the finished work of the cross again. Foundations will keep shaking as God reveals the true rock to build upon on. Structures on sand won’t survive this season. We are coming back to what matters and shedding the weight of every thing that has cluttered us and held us in bondage. We are going to resurrected seeds multiplied. We are going to increased anointing on those who have walked through this shaking season and kept their eyes on the Lord. Jesus is taking center place again in the church. We will see the broken merchant tables of the old expired movements begin to make way for the oil lamps of the burning ones. We are entering an extremely high revelatory season - and Jesus will share this heart with his friends. We are stepping out of defeat and into strategic alignment to hear the counsel of the lord and action it. The Josephs will make themselves known with practical insight of how to plan and prepare and build. We are entering a season of visitation that turns the hearts of the cold back to the Lord. Families that have even under fire will begin to see their broken foundations rebuilt and God is bringing joy and recompense to those who have suffered loss and sowed in tears. And Jesus gets all the glory.
By Nate Johnston
•
01 May, 2024
To all of you facing giants this week: As I was praying I heard the Lord say “This is a moment to REMEMBER a what I have said and what I have done” “This is a moment to remind yourself of the breakthroughs you have seen and the impossibilities I demolished in front of you” “This is a time to find your greatest trials that you saw me move in and anchor yourself to that testimony that I will do once again” “This is a time to dig up the words spoken and prophesied over you and go to war with them, arm yourself with them, and stir up your faith to see them come to pass” “I know it’s hard to get your hopes up right now, and it’s been so long since you have seen opposition budge but you are about to see mountains move!” “Cut off the sources of fear, and stop listening to the giants trying to talk you out of your inheritance because soon they will be gone and you’ll hold the keys to the land” “Reject the lies and the failure, and ask yourself; who is fighting for you? Who wages war with you? Who is by your side? Who will never let you do this alone? That’s right, I am with you” “So this week raise up a shout and press into my presence. Lift up your sword and pierce the thick air with your cry, because your worship is going to disarm the warfare and unlock the gates” “The giants in the land are no match for my power and anointing I have given to you. So shake off the defeat and feeling powerless because you have the same power in you that resurrected Jesus from the grave” Let every obstacle, principality, roadblock, and demonic assignment shake in their boots as you March into this week with your hopes up and your sword raised high... we are going to see VICTORIES for the battle belongs to the Lord! “I will sing of you, the one who gives victory to kings— the one who rescues David, your loving servant, from the fatal sword” - Psalm 144:10 “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” - 2 Chronicles 20:15
By Nate Johnston
•
01 May, 2024
This is burning in my spirit to share for those who have felt stuck or put on hold especially in the last 4 months. It seems like you are back in waiting but aren’t sure what for. You feel like you have been on a wild-goose chase that has suddenly shipwrecked you in “no mans land”. It feels like you have been robbed of your vehicle - your purpose. Like you have been pulled over and forced out. You feel like you have ended up in a situation that looks nothing like what you envisioned, grieving what makes you come alive but is now out of reach. Looking behind you it feels like your best days are over like you hit your peak - but you haven’t even seen your best days yet. I saw the word I NTERRUPTION being crossed out and in bright red the word LEGACY was written over it. None of this is an accident - where you are right now is a setup. THE UNEXPECTED PATH None of this was a mistake. Your unusual path. The detour. The treasure hunt and blind faith journey. It wasn’t a tease. It was designed to go somewhere you couldn’t have found on your own. You wouldn’t have chosen the mess and the unknown, the struggles and wrestles, pressing and crushing - and you also wouldn’t have seen what was waiting for you at the end of this. But now your heart needs to adjust to the new landscape. The new thing that you didn’t expect or envision. It’s not settling - Its surrender. It’s not giving up - it’s finally moving with the new flow and accepting the new script. ADDRESSING THE LIES The lie of failure has shut down your creativity and confidence. It’s made you drop your sword and begin to bargain your way out. The lie of being abandoned has questioned your first call and whether you heard God at all. No, you didn’t miss it. The lie of “this is as good as it’s going to get” has made you begin to settle for second best and make your bed in the valley but you are moving through! THE SEED FALLING TO THE GROUND Many have been in an extreme 4 months of what has felt like a “falling to the ground season” where it has felt like everything they once held has had to be laid down. “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” - John 12:24 I heard the Lord say “If my people don’t lay down what they are holding how can they pick up what I am giving them next?” It feels painful to let go of a dream or expectation you built your life around but God isn’t taking it from you to hurt you but to ADD TO IT! God wants to multiply you! Have you been fighting it? The enemy has. He wants you to stay in the same place you have been. He wants you to hold onto the old seeds that have worn around your neck like a necklace, but if you don’t let them go they will become like a lead weight! As quickly as you lean into surrender God will pour out what he wants to give you. This refining and shaking moment is protection and promotion. It’s advancement and the breaking of apathy. It’s the pure ointment clearing away the old husks of an old season. ENTER THE RESURRECTION! I then heard the Lord say “I am resurrecting my people!” and then I saw the 4 winds of the Spirit whirling and could see the purpose behind this process - God has been seeing his people in bondage, trauma, and constant conflict with the enemy and so He sent us through the fire to DELIVER US! What emerges from this furnace now is going to be so potent. New movements, ministries, messages, and voices. New synergy, partnerships, family, and tribe. Watch what and who leaves the tomb in this season. Watch who comes out of complete disablement with a fresh sound and voice for this season. “In the midst of fiery hot trials, persecution, shaking, opposition, and warfare, heavyweight ministries and movements are emerging and birthing. This is far from a “stuck” or “decrease” season for those who have held onto the hem of Jesus garment. This is where we see the cross outwork powerfully in crisis” “He must increase, but I must decrease” - John 3:30 God didn’t cast you off or send you into isolation - He is REFORMING you and readying you for the next chapter of this pioneering adventure! THE NEXT SIX MONTHS The six months from now til September (Rosh Hashanah) are going to be WAY OPENING months. New direction and coordinates are coming where there has been only roadblocks and no options. New blueprints and fresh vision for the days ahead are coming. Old wineskins will keep falling away. Powerless seeker sensitive Christianity will keep losing its grip and fiery red hot believers will emerge to lead the way forward. Veils of religion and fear are going to drop off the ears and eyes of Gods people so we can see this season clearly and embrace and seize it instead of running and hiding. We won’t fall for the lies of false prophet media. Regardless of what we hear on the news or see in some circumstances. God is tapping us into the newsroom of heaven to see beyond the storm. We are going to shake off the death of this past season and begin to live through the glasses of hope and the victory of the finished work of the cross again. Foundations will keep shaking as God reveals the true rock to build upon on. Structures on sand won’t survive this season. We are coming back to what matters and shedding the weight of every thing that has cluttered us and held us in bondage. We are going to resurrected seeds multiplied. We are going to increased anointing on those who have walked through this shaking season and kept their eyes on the Lord. Jesus is taking center place again in the church. We will see the broken merchant tables of the old expired movements begin to make way for the oil lamps of the burning ones. We are entering an extremely high revelatory season - and Jesus will share this heart with his friends. We are stepping out of defeat and into strategic alignment to hear the counsel of the lord and action it. The Josephs will make themselves known with practical insight of how to plan and prepare and build. We are entering a season of visitation that turns the hearts of the cold back to the Lord. Families that have even under fire will begin to see their broken foundations rebuilt and God is bringing joy and recompense to those who have suffered loss and sowed in tears. And Jesus gets all the glory.
By Nate Johnston
•
01 May, 2024
To all of you facing giants this week: As I was praying I heard the Lord say “This is a moment to REMEMBER a what I have said and what I have done” “This is a moment to remind yourself of the breakthroughs you have seen and the impossibilities I demolished in front of you” “This is a time to find your greatest trials that you saw me move in and anchor yourself to that testimony that I will do once again” “This is a time to dig up the words spoken and prophesied over you and go to war with them, arm yourself with them, and stir up your faith to see them come to pass” “I know it’s hard to get your hopes up right now, and it’s been so long since you have seen opposition budge but you are about to see mountains move!” “Cut off the sources of fear, and stop listening to the giants trying to talk you out of your inheritance because soon they will be gone and you’ll hold the keys to the land” “Reject the lies and the failure, and ask yourself; who is fighting for you? Who wages war with you? Who is by your side? Who will never let you do this alone? That’s right, I am with you” “So this week raise up a shout and press into my presence. Lift up your sword and pierce the thick air with your cry, because your worship is going to disarm the warfare and unlock the gates” “The giants in the land are no match for my power and anointing I have given to you. So shake off the defeat and feeling powerless because you have the same power in you that resurrected Jesus from the grave” Let every obstacle, principality, roadblock, and demonic assignment shake in their boots as you March into this week with your hopes up and your sword raised high... we are going to see VICTORIES for the battle belongs to the Lord! “I will sing of you, the one who gives victory to kings— the one who rescues David, your loving servant, from the fatal sword” - Psalm 144:10 “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” - 2 Chronicles 20:15
By Nate Johnston
•
28 Apr, 2024
Many are right now experiencing “People fatigue” which is the bewildering burnout after long seasons of being used, manipulated, and pulled in every direction by people for extended periods of time. People fatigue is the result of being constantly coerced and controlled, told what you should and shouldn’t do, being pulled into drama and situations there was no grace on, and/or worn down by people who keep overriding boundaries, and then gaslighting you when you confront it. People fatigue comes to the surface when you realize that you are either bitter and resentful at any level of relationship or involvement with others, overly wary, cynical of all people, or are noticing yourself hiding and retreating. Other signs are anxiety at gatherings or events, scrolling through social media, and anger/frustration seeing others in healthy relationships. If this is you, it’s because the enemy wants you to never find family and genuine covenant relationships. In fact, I believe it’s one of the enemies tactics to isolate you further after you have already come out of a long wilderness, sending you back into obscurity and a Lone Ranger lifestyle. If he can cause you to fear people or have you attempt to do kingdom without people, then he knows he has won in keeping your calling at bay. But let’s go one step further. People fatigue at the surface is people burnout but underneath it’s a triggered area of soul trauma that is rooted in feeling abandoned or used by God. What? How does that work? Let me explain; Think of a pastor who knows his job is to look after his flock. He gives his life to that congregation often at the expense of his family and own wellbeing. Then one day he crashes hard with a moral failure or just mentally/emotionally. Who does he feel let down by? People? Not necessarily. He feels let down by God. “Why did you call me to something I couldn’t keep up with?” He says. But the issue isn’t that God overloaded us, but that religion did. We did. Hang on, how were we part of the problem? It’s easy for us to accidentally slip into the role of fixer when we are in ministry or doing kingdom because we see the great need and think that if we don’t do it, who will right? Before too long we have been spread thin, see the warning signs, but often don’t stop until we have become completely shipwrecked. Is this where you are? Are you in people fatigue? The first step, is dealing with your heart towards the Lord. Ask Him to show you what He called you to without all of the extra baggage and hats that he didn’t tell you to wear. Make the clear distinction between that which He called you to and the over bearing religious burden you have taken on. Also, ask Him to heal and restore your heart from the weariness of the last season. Secondly, deal with any areas of people pleasing in your heart that keeps you in bondage to people or feeling like you owe everyone your time and energy. Is there a reason you keep getting to a place of burnout? Ask the Lord to show you. Thirdly, forgive people who have worn you down and whether knowingly or unknowingly, used you over and over. Maybe you also need to forgive people who have promised things or said things but haven’t delivered. And lastly create some boundaries. Write out a list of rules for yourself of how to effectively do relationships. How can you be in connection to others and a community of people where you feel valued, can pour into them but not feel like you get drained of everything? How do you interact without getting pulled on in an unhealthy way? Decide to up your communication game and value yourself more. You are not being unloving or mean by stating your boundary lines. LAST THOUGHTS Learning to trust people again is a big deal and can be easier said than done but it’s worth fighting to achieve. There are aspects of God we don’t get to experience without community and a close knit group of people to run with. This doesn’t mean we have to open up the floodgates of our hearts to everyone either. In fact, we need more discernment in the days to come and need to know who we are meant to do covenant relationship with and it’s not everyone. One other source of people fatigue are those in “wrong companies” or yoked to people or leaders who are using them to do their bidding. You keep wondering why you are depleted in every way when you are “serving the man of God” but it’s because you are being used. It’s time to break those yokes and as you do you’ll start to be healed and get refreshed again. Some people attract drama and by being in the pig pen with them you keep getting their mud on you. Leave it! Shut the door! “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way” — Isaiah 35:3
By Nate Johnston
•
24 Apr, 2024
Opposition to the deeper REST/RESET This is where the enemy wars against you entering the secret place, bombarding you with busyness, striving, pressure to get things done, and sudden overwhelming distractions. The healing and heart clearing is so important right now and for some God is doing a complete makeover, cutting hidden ties, and removing wounds and trauma you didn’t even know you were carrying. Opposition of CLARITY to receive revelation/blueprints This is where the enemy sends chatter and words against you, where the atmosphere feels foggy and confusion tries to set in, and while God is always speaking it feels like the pieces don’t connect or seems unclear. For many this is manifested in the battle of the mind coming against them right now and the temptation to fall back into old mindsets, fears, and panic, but has been mainly been coming through peoples words of mockery and judgement. The war against you to RECEIVE is because the delivery is vital right now. Opposition on your VOICE In a time that the pure and clear prophetic has never been needed more there has been an obvious assignment to shut down voices rising up. Often disguised as wisdom, safe-guarding, and protecting purity (which are all necessary) this imposter spirit wants to shut down the prophetic by causing division, fault-finding/critical spirit, and instead of broadcasting hope - broadcasting opinions and agendas. This causes true voices of hope to shut down and hide. Opposition on what God is BUILDING in you This is where the enemy very directly hits you in the very area God is really adding favor, anointing, conviction, and vision in. He wants to sabotage it by making you second guess yourself, bring in controlling people and measures to taint it, or cause delays and setbacks/closed doors in the places God has promised. Opposition to your MANTLE and new mission/appointment Very much the same as what God is building in you but specifically the opposition that comes as a direct result of the noticeable increase you have stepped into and the office/appointment you have before you. The enemy sees the new mantle, your sudden fire and rising authority and has been warring against that appointment with weariness and disappointment. This is where you need wisdom and discernment to know that you aren’t taking on yokes, wrong armour, or peoples stuff, but only what God anoints and mantles you with. WHY AM I DEALING WITH OPPOSITION RIGHT NOW? - God is taking you from GLORY TO GLORY. - Your story is changing. Your track history is changing. - God is LIFTING you out of a whole way of living you got way too used to, administering his healing balm, restoration, and justice from many years ago. It’s the line in the sand so you can move into this season FULLY. - New blueprints and VISION are coming to you! You are in a new unknown era and God is giving you clear GPS directions, coordinates, and mission details for you to steward and walk out. - Your once hidden, squashed, silenced, and timid voice is suddenly ROARING from within you and making its way to the surface. You have no agenda, no territory to selfishly protect, and no motives or self-promotion and the earth needs the pure sound of your voice to cut through the noise. - God is BUILDING you, ESTABLISHING you, ANOINTING you afresh, and moving through you in a way you have not seen Him do! - You have been commissioned by God in the wilderness and now you are coming out of that season with a weighty governmental mantle and call to the nations to see them come to Jesus! SO HOW DO I RESPOND? - Take higher ground. PURSUE the secret place. FIGHT for it. It says in Hebrews 4:11 “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest” It can be difficult in pressure but it's the only place you can get free/clear. - Be armored up. Take communion regularly. - Rebuke the wind and waves. This is your offensive stance. Get out the word and bind up what is coming at you. Clear the atmosphere. Tell the opposition to STOP in Jesus name. - SHAKE IT OFF & MOVE ON! In Acts 18:6 it says “But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Don’t let it stop you, hold you back, or slow you down. - Keep your vision before you regardless of what you see. Write down the vision, prophesy it, steward your promises, and guard them with your life. Look at what GOD is doing! We must keep our eyes on Jesus more than the storm that surrounds us, more than any pandemic. What is God doing and saying over you right now ?
