Author: Whirlwind

In The Pit – Shelia Burrier

Whirlwind Devotional, Hearing the voice of the Lord , , , , , , , , ,

If, lately, it feels like you’re trying to climb out of a pit while getting knocked back down, here’s what you need to know.
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Though you’re at a point of desperation, you are in a position to know your surroundings. So, look around.
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Examine everything. Look for the claw marks on the sides of the wall from your attempts to escape, the puddles of tears you’ve released during this hard + holy process, the hole of freedom at the top of the pit taunting you with all of what could be.
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But more than anything, when you look down, may you find the imprint of your knees in the dirt ground. It’s where you’ll remember that “His arm is not too short or weak to save, nor his ear too dull to hear”. I pray you’ll recall the faithful hand of a Father who doesn’t abandon His children. He’s been good for a long time, friend. He’s right here with you.
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As you find yourself disoriented and absolutely exhausted, I pray you’ll muster up enough strength not for an attempted escape, but to lean into these surroundings and kneel. Get familiar with this place and disarm the enemy with the posture of surrender + prayer. Kneel.
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And kneel again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
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If you’re gonna be in the pit, it might as well be for His glory. And at just the right time, He will place your feet on solid ground again. You WILL come out of this.

Jesus Is Our Rest – Sheila Burrier

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Matthew 11:28-30 New Living Translation

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

May we bow to nothing and no one, but the Father Himself.
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Not to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, depression, or addiction.
Not to the opinions or approval of others.
Not to the ways or the weight of this world.
Not to the stagnant or victim mindset.
Not to toxic generational behavior.
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Nothing.
Let all that we are be a posture of complete surrender to the One who is truly worthy.
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If you’re feeling weak these days, check your posture. You might be bowing to the wrong things and our shoulders aren’t big enough to carry the burdens that God has asked us to lay down.

What We Have Been Given (Part 1) – Frank Work

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I have never thought of myself as the smartest man in the room, I don’t have that mindset because I do know my limitations. To a point. I have learned, more through trial and error, what it means to make mistakes, and continually making mistakes, sometimes the same one over and over again. I am fallible. I am weak. In and of myself, I can’t stop the sin which wells up within me on a continuous basis. I battle the urge to not sin, my flesh wants to sin, because that is what the flesh does, it sins and it rebels against the precepts of God and His Holy Word. What I want to say is that I am broken in my desire to fulfill the will of God through my own accord. I can’t accomplish anything that God has set forth before me, because the flesh has no desire to seek the will of the Lord.

I know I am not alone in this. I am not alone as the enemy will assault my mind with the, “What could have been.” I lose my ability to reason, because there is no reasoning in the flesh. The flesh is filled with it’s own desires, it’s own plans and scenarios. Trying to reason with the flesh is like trying to reason with the wind to change direction, it’s impossible. Impossible, unless there is a power above the wind. A force that controls the wind. A Father who has spoken the wind into existences with a small exhale of His nostrils. In the flesh, we are lost in a cave with no light.

This page was a vision I had to bring the word of God to life in some form or fashion. To see the living word of God manifest in reality for those that read it’s articles. I heard today that the church has lost it’s way in seeking the true prophetic word of God. I as the church have lost my desire to hear the real truth of God. Why? Because the prophetic word as we know it today has been prostituted for gain of wealth, fame, and notoriety. Accountability of the prophetic has been lost. What once was, has grown dark. Matthew 5:47 to me, sums it up.

Matthew 5:47Amplified Bible

47 And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that?

Don’t get me wrong. I do believe that God still speaks to His church. I do believe that the same Spirit that is in Jesus, is the same Spirit that resides in those who call Him Savior and Lord. We prophesy to those we know, because it’s comfortable to us. The enemy knows this, and exploits a weakness in us. It’s call insecurity of worth. If our only desire is to speak to the same 5-10 people over and over again, because we know they will agree with us, then we/I have lost my way into true intimacy with the Lord. I can only gain intimacy with the Lord by spending time with Him and in His presence. Getting to know who He is, and why He chose to save a poor sinner like me. Listen, the reason why Jesus saved me is just as important as the next question. What now?

What is the next step to understanding and walking in true and mature relationship with Jesus? Hopefully in the next several weeks, you and I can help one another understand the true nature of what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and how the Holy Spirit works in and through us. I don’t have any answers. I have a lot of questions. I have been following the Lord 20+ years and I am still asking questions. Is the prophetic still true and alive in our day, or have been duped by the charlatans who have tarnished it because of insecurity of worth? Help me with this journey and join me on this adventure.

How to Battle the Wolves – Karen Austin

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Today I want to address something that is very important for the days that we live. This subject was spoken of as a warning repeatedly in the Scripture. What I want to address today is the wolves in sheep’s clothing infiltrating the church and social media. I came across this very subject three times today so I know it is on the heart of the Father.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.”

As believers, we inherently want to think the best of everyone and that everyone else who claims to be a Christian has the same character qualities that we work to reflect. It is actually difficult to even write about anyone who would pretend to be a Christian so as to influence others’ lives, decisions and morals negatively. I remember when I was first saved, I believed every Christian was as passionate about Jesus and wanted to reflect His character as I did. I was so disheartened when I found out that wasn’t always the case.

Some of these wolves are very easy to pick out. The mistruths they slyly speak are so out of line with Scripture, that if you read the Word at all, you will quickly recognize them as false. Religion is quick to quote the Word in situations, but it is absent of the heart of the Father. Love always overcomes law. This is another excellent example of why it is so very important to read and study the Word. Here you will not only read about His will, but you will get to know His character. This makes it quicker to discern the true followers of Christ from the false.

The enemy will stop at nothing to get his agenda accomplished…even deceiving well-meaning Christians. For many, many years he has been quoting scripture with a twisted application. This is what is hard for immature believers to discern. They reason, “Well yes, the scripture does say that so it must be true.” His goal is to mislead and manipulate the Word to lead many astray. The problem is, many wolves know the scriptures better than most would think. Their goal is to get us to question ourselves and what we really believe.

When we begin to see the miraculous, signs and wonders, we must look at the fruit of the one ministering. Who do they associate with? I have witnessed so many humble ministers who that are so easy to know they walk in purity and the fear of the Lord. I’m not speaking of false humility…that is another subject. We know even the enemy performs signs and wonders. Remember the miracles the magicians of Pharaoh performed at the time of Moses.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,”

Matthew 24:23-25 “…false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.”

~~to be continued

Heed the Lord’s Invitation – Karen Austin

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“My Spirit that is upon you and within you shall be your constant companion – revealing hidden truths that shall be as stepping stones to guide you in this season. Heed His voice in even the smallest of matters because, unbeknownst to you, it could mean life or death. As you well know, the enemy of your soul comes to steal, kill and destroy. But remember, I came to give you life! These are crucial times but you need not fear.

I knew of these days and have prepared for these days long ago. I have been and am even now preparing for you to be victorious in this hour. I see you as an overcomer! There shall rise from your very midst giants of faith who shall lead and gather My troops.

The invitation is given to all, but not all will chose to take up this last day’s mantle. Remember David as he could not wear Saul’s armor? I have a mantle prepared just for you – not another man’s mantle. Upon the breastplate of your mantle shall be tokens of your previous victories. These tokens are not only to cause you to remember My faithfulness, but also will serve as tokens to remind the enemy of his defeat!

I say that victory is Mine! I have procured this as I led captivity captive and made a show of the enemy openly. Your victory is in the Blood! Your assurance is in the resurrection!”

Human GMO’s – Frank Work

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Every day we allow and even encourage people to dump garbage into our minds and into our lives. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t just consume nutrients from food through your mouth. You also consume through your eyes and through your ears. Have you ever wondered why you’re feeling negative or angry? It’s because your input determines your output. You reap what you sow. The garbage that you listen to and watch on the radio or television, the ridiculous words that you hear from people you hang out with, it rubs off on you. Soon, before you know it, you have become just like them. Everybody talks about “GMO’s” ,”stay away from GMO’s”.

Well stay away from human GMO’s.

The greedy

The miserable

The obnoxious

Those who constantly blame others

The ones who run in a victim mentality

These people are toxic. They drain you. They complain. They remind you of your mistakes. They tear you down, they gossip. They aren’t there for you when you need them, and some of these people may even be in your family.

But these aren’t necessarily evil people, they are just trapped in a vicious cycle. You can pray for them. You can ask the Lord what is driving them to be who they are so you can properly pray for them, but you can’t fix them. We have to allow the Lord to work on the wounding in our lives so we can become an example for them. So politely just give yourself some space from them. Give the Holy Spirit a chance to heal your wounds, to stop the bleeding of the emotional, spiritual, and yes sometimes physical wounds of your past. Boundaries are not only welcome, they are needed. If people don’t know what your boundaries are, don’t blame them when they are crossed. Establish your boundaries. Let the Lord heal you and strengthen you. If we take an honest look in the mirror, who do we see? Do we see them or do you see the person God has created you to be?

You can’t minister to those you are becoming yourself.

The Obstacle Can Become the Blessing – Karen Austin

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We know the story of Moses in Exodus where he was given the assignment to set God’s people free. He was well aware of his shortcomings and bravely stated them to God, as if God didn’t already know. Moses was given an assignment that was so big, that it would have to take the supernatural to fulfill it. Time after time, God showed Himself greater than any acts the magicians of Pharaoh could perform. He allowed calamity and even death upon the Egyptian’s first born, yet all the while keeping His people safe. He even caused the Egyptians to give them gold, silver and clothing as they exited that place of slavery. All was looking good to the Israelites. After over 400 years, they were finally being set free from slavery.

We read that Moses and his people set out from Egypt and came to the place where they knew they had to cross. All they saw was an obstacle in front of them…the Red Sea. I would say that is quite the obstacle. Then they heard the hoof beats of the Egyptian army horses coming up behind them! Six hundred of the finest warriors were now coming in from behind. Once again, the Israelites forgot the bigness of their God.

Exodus 14:21 “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided,”

That body of water was holding them back from crossing over into what God had promised them. But God dried up what was holding them back. The Israelites had to make a decision to cross over as Moses held his staff over the sea. God made a way where there was absolutely no way, but it took faith for them to make the step.

Another place we read of water being an obstacle is in 1 Kings 17. Ahab was the most evil of the kings of the land. Elijah was told by God to flee after he pronounced a drought in Israel until the Lord instructed him to decree the drought be lifted. He was instructed to go and remain by the Brook Cherith. At this place the ravens would feed him and he was to drink water from the brook. But after a while, the brook dried up.

God told Elijah to camp there. The ravens were feeding him, but the brook dried up. Elijah had not been disobedient. But God had a purpose in drying up the brook. He had another assignment for him. Elijah was told to go to the home of a widow in Zarephath. There the widow had food. Elijah had a roof over his head.

Some of you may have recently experienced that which was going well in your life or ministry just dry up. You were obeying God and kept your heart pure. It could very well be that God is drying up that which is holding you back. There may be something even better that before you, a Zarephath, but you have to release that which was and step out into that which will be.

All of us will face obstacles before us as the Israelite’s and Elijah. But as we put our faith in the One who knows our destiny, we will be given a way to cross over and enter in, regardless of what we are facing. The Father knows how to dry up that which is holding you bank and He knows when to dry up that which has been your sustenance so you will go on to your next place of assignment

The Consistency of God – Karen Austin

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Life is filled with so many twists and turns. Even those who love to plan believe things will go on as they are if they remain diligent in our efforts. But things happen we never imagine happening…the job ending, a spouse wanting a divorce after many years of marriage, family moving, unexpected illness, Covid. Each of us can all fill in the ____ of life events you did not expect.

None of us know how many “new beginnings” we will have in our lives. We can reason, pray, plan or be stubborn and try to hold onto what was. Although, if we do this, we may very well miss the next step in this journey called life.

One thing I have found in life, the only thing that is consistent is God. His love for us never changes no matter what we do. There is nothing you can do that would make Him love you any less. His Word is always true. When people failed me, when jobs transitioned out, when a health crisis in our family lingered on, when my child and my father passed within twenty-two months, when I didn’t know how I could make it…through every one, He was faithful. That is who He is, faithful.

When you have relationship with Him, you know He will be there for you, even when others are not. He will make a way when there seems to be none. If we choose to yield our lives to Him, He will orchestrate all things to the counsel of His will. Which is always better (even though it may not look like at the time). There is not one thing, not one thing that has happened or will happen that He is now aware of and has a way for you to come out on the other side. Things may not look the same as they did, but you will see a stronger, more resilient you facing your next “new beginning”.

Isaiah 40:2-3 “When you pass through the deep, stormy sea, you can count on me to be there with you.When you pass through raging rivers,You will not drown. When you walk through persecution like fiery flames, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you, for I am your Savior, Yahweh, your mighty God, the Holy One of Israel!”

Destiny – Karen Austin

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Time marks the realm of man. Eternity marks the realm of God. We are always in a state of transition, ever changing, ever growing. Your destiny is not far away in your future. You are living in the present, which includes your past, as you are entering your future. You see glimpses of your future, even as you live in the present, and have stones of remembrance from your past. Can you look back and see where your past has thrust you to where you are now? Are there places in your life that seemed impassable, but you overcame which placed you in an area where you may never have dared otherwise?

Our lives may look like a patchwork. But as we trust Him, the Father will take every part of our lives and sow them together to make something beautiful. He desires to redeem every pain and every failure and turn them into our greatest testimonies. His design for our lives are originals and are so very precious to Him.

His timetable is not like ours. Forty years is not a long time to Him. We are the ones with a microwave mentality. We call it delay. He calls it perfect timing. We call it slow. He calls it just right. Your journey will last your lifetime. There is always something going on in the spiritual realm. We do not always see this in the natural. This is a faith journey. If we try to make it happen in our own strength and in our timing, our dreams may suffer.

When we allow others to squelch our dreams or determine what we can do, it is like a slow poisoning, We are not being who we are created to be. No one benefits from this. We are not being who we were created to be. The measuring rod for our life is God’s Word and His intent for our lives…not anyone else. If we really knew how much our Father loves us, our lives would be dramatically different. We would know who we are and what our purpose is. This is why He desires for us to spend time with Him, so He may tell us who we really are.

God once told Jill Austin, “Your dreams are like a cup of water, but My dreams for you are like the vastness of an ocean.”

These are the days of dreams and destinies coming to pass. God wants to partner with you in your dream. He gives you the ability to imagine, to create, and then He speaks with gentle whispers in His still small voice – all the while teaching you to trust His perfect timing.

Jesus is calling you to come forth, to take off the grave clothes as He did Lazarus. He is saying to put on your running shoes. It is time for the adventure to begin. This is the hour for the adventurous and not the faint of heart. Come and run with your Heavenly Daddy.

Psalm 20:4 “May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.”

Putting the Kingdom of God First – Karen Austin

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Hebrews 11:6 “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

In order to please God according to the scripture above, we must believe that He is and that He desires to reward us as we seek Him. It pleases God when you and I live by faith. Faith is not to be released only regarding His promises for our lives, but also we are to partner with heaven in faith for the harvest of souls that are to come in. The Father desires that we pray and stand in faith for the protection of the unborn and for the young children to be delivered from sex trafficking. There are many injustices that are happening in our world. As the Father places that burden on our hearts, we are to pray in faith for His will to be done.

When we put the Kingdom of God first, all the other things we are stressing over the Father said will be given to us. When I only had a short amount of time to get some things done, I decided to put spend time in prayer. Later, I was amazed at how much I got done in a short amount of time. He multiplied my time!

Galatians 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”

Faith works by love. So in order for our faith to function as He intended, we must check our love walk. A lot of us have to change the way we see others. Jesus saw the tax collectors, the fishermen, the prostitutes from the Father’s original design for them. He treated them as if they were already restored to Him and His will. I believe this is just one of the area His Bride will have to mature in these last days. We must be looking through the lens of the Father’s heart to love people into the Kingdom as Jesus did.

I really believe that the Father is putting His finger on the prophetic culture today. Pure heart prophecy will be key in reaching the goal of bringing in the harvest. We cannot afford to have our personal judgment or opinions get in the way when the Father desires to release His heart to the world. Yes, we will see judgment come upon the earth, but this amazing love of the Father is going to shock the world. I believe it will even shock some church folks too.

He is looking for those who will partner with Him in faith and make a determined decision to love. This will pave the way for the outpouring of His Spirit upon all mankind. Can He trust you? Can He trust me?

Isaiah 62:10 “Pass through, pass through the gates, and go from old to new. Prepare a new path for the people. Build! Build up a highway for them to come to me! Remove every hindrance and unfurl a banner for the nations!