“I have told you that I will be putting holy alliances together. These are relationships that you will be able to trust completely. They are designed to accomplish My will in the times ahead. They will be My kind of alliances, held together by My power, not the power of the flesh. These covenant relationships will be the example of what My church should be. They will not fall apart because of the intrusions that the world and the church place on them. Tried in the fire of affliction and having stood the test of the enemy’s onslaught, I will be able to use the gifts and talents of one to complement the others and fulfill any task that is ordained for their particular association. What a joy it will be to see trustable friends working together to accomplish My will and represent My church as I desire My church to function one with another.
"Soon, I will also establish safe harbors throughout the land similar to My “cities of refuge.” They will be places where My presence dwells to protect those who are implementing My plans. These will not necessarily be communities or large areas. They might be a single home, building, or piece of land. People that I trust will be able to function there when there is little else being accomplished in the land. Supernatural forces will oversee these places to keep out intruders as long as I desire. They will not be for the faint of heart who desire to save themselves. Those who dwell in these havens will have given away their lives long ago, hold on to nothing but My Word, and desire to do only My will. When the land burns, these places will bring forth the refreshing water of My Word and the life of My Son to a parched land.”
Mark 4:24 AMP
And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you – and more besides will be given to you who hear.
Acts 4:29-30 AMP
29) And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bond servants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly,
30) While You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs and wonders through the authority and by the power of the name of Your holy Child and Servant Jesus.
There is a fascinating scenario that is continually played out by those who call themselves followers of Christ. It depicts the contrast between the ways of the world and the ways of God.
In the wisdom of the world, riches and power are usually achieved through personal strength, hard work, and dedication to self preservation. God’s contrast to achieving true wealth and unlimited power is to give away all strength and submit totally to the power of the Lord. Preserving one’s self never enters the picture; in fact, He desires us to hold nothing as our own, not even our lives.
As the “rattling of swords” becomes louder and louder, the typical worldly reaction is to find a safe harbor for all of the possessions that hold one’s attention. The objective is always one of striving to hold on to as much wealth and safety as you can and emerge unscathed when it’s all over. The remarkable thing is that in the Lord, that very attitude is the most dangerous place one could be. It is so foreign to the character of Jesus, that God cannot honor it and remain true to His Word.
In contrast, at the first sign of peril - especially on a large scale - those who really love their Lord spring into action. They see such times as opportunities to carry the life and love of Jesus to people who would never entertain the possibility of serving Him when things are safe and sane. It is a time when all the training employed by God before perilous times arise becomes evident in unstoppable power.
Similar to the contrast described above is the different attitudes evident within the body of Christ. There are those who see God only as their provider, protector, and implementer of their desires. However, true believers understand the price paid for their salvation and live only to prepare for and implement the plans of their Lord. In the times ahead, one will seek his own safety and find none, while the other will seek God’s will and find safety in His promises.
Just needing the ability to hear and the power to walk in obedience,
Jim Corbett
