For the last month or so, I’ve been sharing about a trading platform in the heavenly realm where we all trade all the time, whether we realize it or not. So far, we’ve talked about:
1. Is It eternal or temporal?
2: Is it resonating with love, joy, peace and all the fruit of the Spirit?
3: Is it God-ordained or “good” flesh initiated?
4: Leveraging Your Suffering
Today, is the last of the 5 criteria given to me by Wisdom to determine whether something is a 30-fold, 60-fold or 100-fold investment: The Power of Sacrifice
Sacrifice works much like the suffering we discussed two weeks ago, but, unlike suffering, it is voluntary. Disciplines like fasting, prayer, watching through the night and sacrificial giving all serve to subdue the flesh and “sow to the Spirit.”
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
-Galatians 6:8, NKJV
In a recent encounter, I saw a herd of horses…. wild, fierce, strong, fast as lightning. At first they appeared to be untamed because they had no bit or bridle (yoke of man), but then I realized that they were the King’s horses. They did not need an external yoke because they wore His yoke. His law (an even higher standard) was written upon their hearts.
I once heard that, when selecting horses for the king, the potential horses were put through rigorous training. Then, exhausted and thirsty, they were allowed to run toward the water. At the very last moment, they were given the command to stop. Only the horses that obeyed were selected for the service of the king.
I then saw a picture of the Holy of Holies, which I knew represented that place of 100-fold return. I knew in an instant that the 100-fold directly correlated with being “100-percent.” God is not looking for the smartest or most talented. He is looking for ones that are wholly His and who remain totally abandoned even during difficult times, ones that keep giving that unconditional yes as He offers opportunities to expand and grow. At each gate of expansion, there is a sacrifice. God loves us no matter what and uses us at every juncture, but His heart is longing for ones who are fully His.
I then saw these “wild” horses becoming huge pylons that were positioned strategically all over the world. They were driven deep into the depths and reached to the heavens. Then the Father placed upon them His canopy, covering the earth. There was particular emphasis on the word “canopy.” It is defined as: “an ornamental cloth covering hung or held up over something, especially a throne or bed.”
When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, then the Lord will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering. And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.
– Isaiah 4:4-6, NKJV
Each sacrificial “yes,” no matter how small, serves to strengthen you to support the canopy of the glory of the Lord, which will cover the earth!
Today, I feel that the Father wants to encourage some people concerning the difficulty of things in their lives right now. Yes, the resistance we face is often demonic in origin, but it filters through our Father’s hand UNTO our overcoming. Every sacrifice tips the scales of His justice on our behalf. Be encouraged. Be strengthened this day. Be renewed in strength and grace and purpose. You are entering another gate and with that, promotion and increased authority and dominion… as you are trained to be His “wild” stallion.
Until next time…
Virginia