Prophesy to the Builders

It's time for the work of God to be established in Waterford. It's time for the building and rebuilding of His house to take place. Prophets, prophesy to the people of Waterford! Prophesy to the saints in the name of the Lord. Prophesy to those who are called to build His house. Let the builders arise and build! Let the prophets be with them, and support them!

When the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them, then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them supporting them. Ezra 5:1-2

And the elders of the Jews were successful in building through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they finished building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. Ezra 6:14

It's time. It's time to build the Lord's house, even before our own homes. It's time to gather in His name and worship Him. It's time to turn back to Him, keep His Word, and obey His commands.

...the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel....Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the Lord. “You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?” declares the Lord of hosts, “Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house. Haggai 1:1,7-9

'I am with you,' declares the Lord....'My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!' Haggai 1:13, 2:5

 Let the prophetic voice arise in Waterford--the prophets, the psalmists, the minstrels, and the worshipers of God. Arise and release the Word of the Lord to the builders of God's house. Apostles and prophets rise up and complete the work of the Lord!

The Atmosphere of Heaven

Recently, the Lord spoke to me about the colors and sounds of heaven. He said the reason there are colors in heaven that we can't even describe on earth is because the atmosphere of heaven is unobstructed and undistorted. The same with the sounds. The light and sound waves travel freely, accurately revealing the beautiful sights and sounds of heaven.

When I heard that, I asked if it was possible to have that here on earth. How can we have an unobstructed and undistorted atmosphere around us--in our lives, our families, our churches, our cities, our states, our nations? The Lord began to show me hearts that receive the Word of God, absorbing what He speaks and what He reveals to them--the sound and light waves He sends their way. As a person continues to receive these waves into their heart, the atmosphere around them remains clear. A pure heart keeps distortions away.

On the other hand, when a person rejects the Lord, knowingly or unknowingly they are creating a distorted atmosphere around them. Rejection, neglect, or rebellion of Him and His ways cause obstructions and distortions to form and remain around a person. It becomes a breeding ground for deception, and a vicious cycle of deception-distortion-obstruction begins. however, a repentant heart will clear all of this away. God is merciful! (Of course, the enemy can send obstructions as well, which we deal with in the Name of Jesus).

Lord, we want the pure atmosphere of heaven around us! We want the obstructions and distortions cleared away. We repent of any and all rejection of You, Your Word, Your revelation, Your ways. We ask for Your mercy and forgiveness. We will listen to You. We will follow Your ways. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace.

Matthew 13:10--17, Isaiah 6:9-10, Matthew 7:22-23, John 8:43-52, Isaiah 55:11, Ezekiel 36:26, 2 Thessalonians  2:10-12

Send a Thirst!

As I was seeking the Lord once again for His plan and purpose for Waterford, I was reminded of when Pray for Waterford Michigan started and what He had to say about Waterford being a place of hospitality and a place where people could find rest and refreshing. I was also reminded about God's desire to raise up Innkeepers--those who would minister to the ones who were wounded by the violent and ignored by the religious (see article here). This may be what is on God's heart for Waterford, but we have a ways to go to fulfill that call.

So what is standing in the way of Waterford fulfilling her purpose? To answer that, we need to look at two things. First, is there some way we are missing God's purpose because of sin or a misguidance of some sort? Second, is there a demonic interference that is blocking people from fulfilling His purpose? It could be both.

With something like 71,000 people in the township I'm sure there's all kinds of sin and misguidance going on, but I asked the Lord to show me something specific that I could pray about. I felt like He showed me an attitude of indifference to the things of God. People not knowing Him, and not caring to know Him. If you are reading this, and live in Waterford yourself, I would ask you to repent along with me on behalf of the Township so we can receive God's forgiveness for this.

Lord we cry out to You! We want You in our lives, our families, our churches, and our Township. We seek You and Your ways. Teach us Your ways. Come into our lives. Come into Waterford. We invite You, and welcome You to live and move among us! Forgive us of our neglect of You, for not seeking You, for our indifference to You and Your ways. 

We don't want a drought, but we do want a thirst to come to the people of Waterford. A thirst for the things of God. We don't need a drought for this to happen, but if people don't thirst, then a drought will come. God loves people so much that He will allow things to happen that will make them thirsty.

God we pray for a thirst to rise up in the people of Waterford. A thirst for You and Your ways. A thirst that will cause them to seek You, to humble themselves before You, surrendering to Your plans and purposes, and finding refreshment in You that can't come any other way!

As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So my soul pants for You, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;

When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 42:1-2

The Strong Spring of Truth

I see a shaking and a stirring going on which will cause something to be dislodged. Something that has been blocking Truth from the minds of people. As this thing is dislodged, people will clearly see areas they have been deceived. These are very core beliefs, and these people will be angry that they were deceived. But then it will turn into passion. Passion for the Lord Jesus Christ as they see He is the Truth. To the same degree that they fought against the truth, they will now have a passion for it and boldly declare the truth of Jesus as Lord and courageously fight for Him.

When this thing is dislodged, a strong spring of truth will spring up in such a way that it causes a flood. A flood of truth. A powerful force.

Commercial Property Owners Arise!

Lord, we pray for godly Christians--those who are watchmen on the wall and are guarding the gates of Waterford, protecting against infiltration from the enemy in whatever form it might take--to acquire the commercial property of Waterford, promoting godliness and righteousness in the township! 

These businessmen truly are watchmen who guard the gates. Raise them up, Lord! Draw them to Waterford and open the doors for them. Bless their businesses here in the township! The commercial property owners, and the business owners alike.

We've Won the War

As I went for a walk early this morning, enjoying the sound of all the neighborhood critters waking up and singing their songs, I noticed a small American flag someone had put on the back side of a yield sign. I didn't think too much about it at first, but the Lord kept calling my attention to it. So as I looked at it further, I thought it looked like something a person would do who just went through a battle, and came out victoriously. A stake on the neighborhood, laying claim to it as a part of the United States of America. I heard the words, "We won the war."

We have been in a war. Not a physical war, but a war for the soul of our country. The enemy has been subtly taking ground, not by conquering territory, but minds. In large part through public education and media, battles were fought, and won, without much of a notice by patriots or the church until suddenly it seemed as if we'd lost the heart of America.

But now, we want our country back. We may not be the loudest, but we're the strongest. If we've won the war, or have even just crossed the tipping point, then that means we need to think about rebuilding. Whatever has been destroyed, needs to be restored. Whatever has been lost, needs to be recovered. The target has been the heart and soul of our young people, and that is what we need to tenaciously go after until we win that ground back, and rebuild.

What does this rebuilding look like? Every member of the body of Christ needs to look at their children and their grandchildren. What has this war done to them? To what extent has the enemy gained a foothold in their lives? How much damage has been done to their foundation of truth? What is left that can be restored? What were the weapons used by the enemy? And then, pray. Pray as one who has been give authority over "all the power of the enemy." Pray and "believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Speak the Word of God over your children and grandchildren. Pray until Christ is formed in them. Pray that the weapons that were used by the enemy are confiscated and used by God and His people for good, not evil anymore.

Father God, show us how to rebuild--our families, our neighborhoods, our cities, states and country. We proclaim, as Your Word says, "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears; for your work will be rewarded," declares the Lord, "And they will return from the land of the enemy. There is hope for your future," declares the Lord, "And your children will return to their own territory."

Luke 10:19; Acts 16:31; Galatians 4:19; Jeremiah 31:16-17

The Opening of the Books

After John ate the book which was open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and the land, he was told to prophesy concerning many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings. This angel had brought the open book down out of heaven. (Revelation 10). Ezekiel also ate a scroll, and afterwards he was told to go the house of Israel and speak God's words to them. (Ezekiel 3:1-3). There are books in heaven which contain the destinies of people and nations. From these books, the purposes of God can be prophesied, causing them to happen.

"Lord, I ask for the books that are in heaven which record Your purposes for Waterford be opened. I (and anyone who prays this prayer from the heart) make myself available to receive Your words and Your will for Waterford. I want to know what was on Your mind as this parcel of land was being created. What did You envision? What was (and is) in Your heart concerning this land? What have You written down and decreed for Waterford--the people and the land?"

I've felt for many years now that Waterford is to be a place of hospitality. A place of refreshing where people travelling through can receive rest and encouragement--spiritually as well as physically and mentally. Recently I've seen His desire for unique businesses to rise. Businesses that meet basic, common needs in a creative and refreshing way. Yet it will remain primarily a place for families, with education and government supporting strong, godly families. These strong families will be the reason for strong churches in the region.