Let Go of What Used to Be
Recently, I began watching the series, “The Lost Kitchen.” I’m only on the second episode of season one, but God has been speaking so much to me through Erin French’s story of her life and restaurant.As her 2020 story unfolds in the second episode, she says, “I have to let go of what it used to be.” The Lord spoke to my heart in that moment, telling me to pay attention to those words.
I believe many of us have been looking backward at what things used to be like. Maybe without even realizing it, our hearts seem to long for what once was – the familiar, the secure, the known – even if it wasn’t the best.
We’ve been in transition, and it’s taking longer than we’d expected. We knew what to leave and had a sense of what we were moving into, yet we’ve been in this messy middle of it coming to pass and it leaves us looking back, longing for some of the things of the old season.
God has called you out into a new season and He’s asked you to leave the old behind.
Erin French was forced to rethink the way she’d done things. The Lost Kitchen had become an incredibly successful, well-oiled machine; then she had to reinvent everything. She was willing to innovate, think outside the box, and be creative. Because of her unwillingness to not give up and her willingness to transition into what she’d never done before, not only did she “make it,” but so did her family and closest friends (who work beside her), as well as her entire community.
It’s never just about us. Our perseverance in pressing into this new season has a far-reaching impact, but we can’t move into the new still holding onto the old.
Whether what we’re holding onto is “the good old days,” or instead, disillusionment, regret, disappointment, or even the determination to never have things be like they once were, if we’re holding onto it, we’re weighed down by it.
Forget what lies behind. Reach forward to what’s ahead. Press on toward all God is calling you to in this new season. Don’t turn back! (Philippians 3:13-14, paraphrased)
We can learn from the past, but it can’t become an idol we long after. Be willing to let go of what used to be – for your sake and others. Be flexible, think differently, focus forward, and keep taking the next step. All of heaven is cheering you on!
Living for Him,
Andrea
*Photo by Greta Rybus
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
This is NOT the Fool's Month!
A thought came to me this morning about how odd it is to start a month with practical jokes and fooling people. I was brought up short when I heard in my spirit, “This is NOT the fool’s month!”Sensing the Lord’s unhappy heart in His statement, I immediately stopped and asked Him why He responded as He did. I heard two things:
- I give wisdom - “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6, NASB 1995)
- Look up the history of April Fool’s Day.
The history of April Fool’s Day is a bit muddied with historians not certain or in agreement on where or how it originated. It may have originated as far back as festivals celebrated in Roman times or tied to the vernal equinox and Mother Nature being unpredictable, or instead, in the late 1300's with Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. It could have been instituted as a result of a calendar change in the 1500's, or others have said it may have originated with Noah, coinciding with him sending the dove out of the ark too early. However it began, the day is marked by practical jokes, hoaxes, gullibility, mocking others, and no surprise – some explanations of its origins are rooted in the occult. The idea is to good-naturedly make a fool of others on that day.
The sense I was getting from the Lord for this April is He wants this month marked by wisdom, rather than foolishness. There are many needing wisdom and strategy RIGHT NOW for the plans of the Lord to be fulfilled in this season. There are outworkings of destiny and calling happening, including positioning in various realms of society (business, political, etc.), that are unfolding this month. We need His wisdom for the strategies for these alignments, as well as for walking in these new positions of leadership and authority.
I heard His words inside my spirit: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5, NASB1995)
If you need wisdom, ask Him for it – He’ll gladly give it to you, but there’s another part to this passage that’s incredibly important to keep in mind when asking. Reading on in verses 6-8 we find: “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
"Double-minded" is another way of saying doubting or hesitating. When we ask God for wisdom, we need to believe He’s given it and when it comes with strategy or next steps, we need to act on those, rather than hesitating.God doesn’t want to leave us as “fools.” According to Merriam-Webster, a fool is “a person lacking in judgment or prudence, one who is victimized or made to appear foolish, a person lacking in common powers of understanding or reason.”
Merriam-Webster defines prudence as “the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason, sagacity (foresight, discernment, or keen perception; ability to make good judgments) or shrewdness in the management of affairs, skill and good judgment in the use of resources.”
This is NOT the fool’s month! What areas in your life need self-governance and discipline? In what ways do you need to apply foresight, discernment, and keen perception as you lean in and listen to the Lord for wisdom and strategies? Do you need to make any adjustments in your stewardship of the resources God has given you? Act on what the Lord shows you!I also felt it important to declare you are NOT victimized, and neither do you appear foolish! You think clearly, have deep understanding, and possess sound reasoning. Any words to the contrary spoken over you by yourself or others are broken off NOW, in Jesus’ mighty name!
God always gives us invitations to grow in our faith, which includes our trust in Him. (The two words are synonymous and often interchanged depending on the Bible translation you read.) This is a year of alignment in every way and this month has a particular focus on implementing the wisdom and strategies needed to move forward in the things He’s called you to in partnership with Him.
Don’t doubt. Don’t hesitate. Wisely implement what God shows you and take action by faith! This is NOT the fool’s month!
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.” (Ephesians 5:15, NKJV)
“Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:6-7 NIV)
“Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:6-7, NKJV)
I bless you with incredible wisdom! Please share any stories about how this word unfolds in your life this month - I would love to hear them! If Brian and I can pray for you in any way, reach out to us. We’d love to hold you close to the Father’s heart!
Living for Him,
Andrea
P.S. Brian and I are launching out more in the ministry realm, including me writing more and Brian working to end sex trafficking. If you'd like to sow a seed by "buying us a coffee," please click the link below (more information is included on the page), and thank you for partnering with us!
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
March 2024 Prophetic Word
IN LIKE A LION, OUT LIKE A LAMB
As we approached the start of this new month, I kept hearing the old proverb about March - “In like a lion, out like a lamb,” rolling around in my spirit. As I asked the Lord about it, He began to speak to me about the lion and the lamb.
I pondered on the lion and Aslan came to mind. I thought of an excerpt from C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver were answering Susan and Lucy’s questions about Aslan being a lion and whether or not he was safe.
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
Following Him isn’t going to feel “safe.” It will be a time of risk-taking, stepping out in faith, and being uncomfortable in the unfamiliar and unknown. Much greater trust will be required of us, yet the yes on our lips will be founded on knowing He is GOOD, even in the tension of things being utterly beyond our natural abilities.
The lamb is representative of the sacrificial Lamb of God. Isn’t it interesting Easter falls on March 31st this year, bringing new meaning to “out like a Lamb”?
This lamb isn’t meek and mild. This Lamb represents being fully surrendered in a “not My will, but Yours, be done” manner (Luke 22:42). Strength and courage are required to surrender one’s will, especially when knowing what lies ahead is death. In our case, it’s death to self, agendas, plans, ways of doing things, and anything else asked of us by a Father who knows the new life that will come from our choice to die. Our surrender is our love and trust response to Him.
Expect to not feel “safe,” but at peace in knowing His goodness.
You’ll also be invited to surrender your will to His in very specific ways. There will be death to self and certain things hindering you from walking in the fullness of your destiny and calling. New life will be your reward, but don’t be surprised if there’s a time of waiting before it’s revealed.
Embrace the tension of this month. Lean into His presence. Worship the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God. Keep expectancy in your heart!
Living for Him,
Andrea
P.S. As always, if Brian and I can pray for you, please reach out!
P.S.S. Photo credits are linked to the photos.
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
Where He Is . . .
Is always where we want to be and that very rarely looks like what we expect.
Ever have one of those moments as you’re reading the Bible when you can’t move past a verse or two – you have to know more? That was the case with me this morning. I love those moments because they send me on the most glorious rabbit trails of searching out word meanings, reading commentaries, and researching on the internet. That may sound boring to some, but I’m unapologetically an avid student and when I’m learning about my favorite subject, faith, it’s an absolute joy to me!
So, what captured me today? It was Matthew 11:16-17, two verses that hadn’t yet been underlined in my over 25-year-old Bible, so they’d obviously not made an impact previously. This is Jesus speaking . . .
“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament.’” Let me give you a bit of background before I dig into what the Lord was speaking to me in those two verses. In the larger picture of this passage, Jesus is talking to the multitudes and is validating John the Baptist and his ministry. He’s calling out the people, including the teachers of the law – the Pharisees and Sadducees, for their responses to John’s ministry. While many people believed in the message John preached, they didn’t all believe he’d come as Elijah to prepare the way for the Messiah, many ridiculed him for the way he lived as a Nazarene and fasted, and some certainly didn’t like how he delivered his message. Jesus, on the other hand, didn’t fast, He hung out with “sinners and tax collectors,” and drank wine. There were plenty of those who weren’t pleased with that either. They refused to be satisfied.
Now, back to verses 16-17. What Jesus was doing was likening the people to children who played in the marketplaces. Several commentaries mention children would have seen their parents at weddings and funerals and could easily pretend play at those things and likely often did. These children were frustrated because whether they played the flute and danced, like at weddings, or “mourned,” their friends weren’t happy with either and didn’t want to join in with them. It was the same with John and Jesus – the people weren’t satisfied with either way of living and preaching.
This got me thinking about dissatisfaction in the church body today. For instance, some are “Team Traditional,” while others are “Team Contemporary” (and there are different views on what “contemporary” looks like among churches). There are cries of dissent over all kinds of things in the church.
- “There’s too much grace preached and not enough repentance!”
- “Worship has become a glorified, too-loud concert all about people and their needs, rather than it being focused entirely on Jesus!”
- “Tradition has no place in modern Christianity – that’s for churches that don’t preach the salvation message. It’s just dead religion.”
- “People have become too familiar with the Lord in their desire for intimacy with Him. There’s not enough fear of the Lord in the church today.”
I’m not saying there aren’t valid points in what I’ve written above. What I’m pointing out is that there will always be those who oppose one “side” or the other, just as people opposed John or Jesus.
My question for God was, “Where is Jesus in all of this? Is He in the flute playing or in the mourning?” Here are some personal opinions of mine that lead me to believe He’s in both.
- I’m so thankful for His grace given to me every moment of every day . . . and I believe in the importance of repentance in our walk with Him. I love that it’s His GOODNESS and KINDNESS that draws us to repentance (Romans 2:4 ) – that part of the message is often left out.
- I see beauty in the hymns and the ways they can draw us into His presence. I really appreciate the words and meanings of those songs written so long ago and love how many of today’s artists have re-recorded those hymns in powerful renditions. I’ve been totally caught up in His presence through those yet choose much more contemporary worship on a daily basis because that’s what I love. There’s a place and room for both. I’ve been grateful for each time I’ve needed Jesus to meet me in hard places in my life and He’s done so through songs that are more about me and my needs than about the beauty of His holiness. In this season, I’m much more in search of songs about Him than about me because I’ve finally discovered everything I need is found in His presence.
- I have pretty strong feelings against religion because I believe Jesus died to forgive us of our sins and free us from the law. To me, religion is the law – it’s the trappings of legalism that hold people in bondage to “do/don’t,” “should/shouldn’t”, and “have to.” I want to see people freed from the shackles of religion and brought into encounter with God. Why? So they can experience the truth of who He is, rather than be bound by legalism and a wrong view of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and so the things they do or don’t do stem from the love for and depth of relationship they have with Him. That doesn’t mean I believe Jesus looks at all traditions and things of the past as “bad” or “useless.” For instance, I believe there’s a place for quiet contemplation and meditating on Him, spending quiet time in His presence, much as monks and others have done for centuries. There’s also such power and transformation that takes place through Communion, yet for most, it’s mainly become an act done on a specific Sunday of the month and lost its meaning and purpose. I also believe in the supernatural and the realm of the Spirit. I believe in praying in the Spirit, miracles, healing, raising of the dead, partnering with angels, visions, dreams, the prophetic, and so much more that’s available through our relationship with God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Many discount so much of what’s available to us through the Spirit realm because the New Age movement hijacked much of what was meant for Christian believers and accessed it through an entirely different spirit realm.
- The fear of the Lord is crucial in our walk with Him yet often, we ignore this aspect because we don’t know how to walk out fearing the Lord. I don’t believe our loving Father would ever ask us to be afraid of Him. He would never require something of us that would drive a wedge between us, especially not after having sent His Son to die on the cross so that we might be forgiven, redeemed, and restored to right relationship with Him. To walk in the fear of the Lord is to walk in reverence, awe, and wonder. We simply haven’t understood how fear is defined.
In response to the John and Jesus debate about which was right or better, Jesus said in the second part of Matthew 11:19 (NKJV), “Wisdom is justified by her children.” In another version (NASB 1995), you read, “Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” My favorite is “God’s wisdom will become visible by those who embrace it” (TPT).
Wisdom isn’t found in arguments over this or that being right or wrong. It’s found in the person of Jesus. Together, let’s find Him in the dancing and in the mourning. Where He is is always where we want to be and that very rarely looks like what we expect.
I think there’s a lot more we can discuss on this topic and what I’ve written has just scratched the surface. What are your thoughts? Reach out and let me know!
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
2024 Prophetic Word
At the end of each year, I set aside extra time to spend in the presence of God and listen to His heart for the New Year. He usually begins downloading things a bit earlier in the month, pulls it all together as the days pass, and surprises me with additional words from His heart. (Those are usually dropped in my spirit in the most random places, like the shower, but I think God speaks to people in the bathroom more often than not!)This year has been no different, but what is different is that the one-word focus He’s given to me personally for 2024, He’s told me is also a corporate word He’s giving to the body at large. First, let me share with you a bit about this year’s word because it’s the foundation for what’s ahead.
For me, 2023, has been focused on partnership (my one-word focus) with God in every area of life. It’s been learning to be His partner and been a revelation to my heart of the fact that He views me as His perfect partner. How often have I read Song of Songs 5:2 in The Passion Translation this year, letting it sink into my spirit and soul? It still holds me in awe with each fresh reading!
“. . . Arise, my love. Open your heart, my darling, deeper still to me. Will you receive me this dark night? There is no one else but you, my friend, my equal. I need you this night to arise and come be with me. You are my pure, loyal dove, a perfect partner for me. My flawless one, will you arise?” (Italics mine.)
What I’ve been left with is His question to me – “Will you arise?” He’s calling me to partner with Him in things that are far greater than my skills and abilities and it leaves me quaking in my boots, totally recognizing I’m utterly incapable apart from Him.
He’s asking the same of each of us – “Will you arise?” No longer can we shrink back waiting for someone else to do something He’s created, called, and destined us to do. Will He allow someone else to step into our place to accomplish His plan on earth if we don’t step up? Yes. But that’s not His Plan A; it’s His Plan B.
It’s imperative we recognize He views us as His perfect partner. His desire is to fulfill His plans on earth in partnership with us, and He’s asking us to arise – take action in bringing heaven to earth in every sphere of society. We’re called to shape the world in which we live, making it more closely resemble heaven on earth, not idly sit by as others shape it into something God never intended for it to be.
This has been a year of massive transition for so many and most are still feeling the “upendedness” of that transition. We may be taking the steps forward we feel led to take, but the dust still hasn’t settled, so we can’t see very far ahead of us, and it still feels messy.
This brings us to the word for 2024: ALIGNMENT.
In a quick Google search, I found some of the definitions of alignment include: arrangement in a straight line or in correct or appropriate relative positions, an arrangement of groups or forces in relation to one another, being positioned in relation to something else or to its correct position, a condition of close cooperation, the proper adjustment of the components for coordinated functioning, a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups, nations, etc., with a common cause or viewpoint.*
As God has spoken to me about alignment, He’s been giving me pictures of things being aligned, put into their proper positions, closely cooperating, and functioning together for a common cause. In my mind’s eye, saw huge gears heavily set into place. It was jarring and yet when they synced with one another, there was the ease of smooth movement and almost a musical hum of working together. Puzzle pieces were fit together so as one, they would reveal the larger picture. The chain on a bike fell into place with each link swiftly falling over the gears as it moved the bike forward to its destination. Each of these became visuals of what alignment looks like in action.
I believe 2024 must be a year of alignment in order for us to continue to partner with God in what He’s doing in the earth. We’re going to see an alignment in the church. I don’t believe the church can continue to function as it has and as it aligns in partnership with God, we’re going to see a massive shift and transformation occur. There will be those who will stay as it’s always been, but we’re going to see a move of change in the church that will more closely resemble the books of Acts. The current structure can’t stay the same for this to occur and it will take longer than a year for it to happen.
We’re also going to see new alignments in nations – alliances that have been prophesied centuries before this and fulfilled in the closely coming days. There’s going to be a shifting and setting into place in measure we haven’t seen in quite some time. Prayer over these alignments is critical for the world at large. Watchmen take your places on the walls!
Each one of us is being set into correct positions for “such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14) All of the transition we’ve been walking through has led to this – to being positioned in relationship to the people, things, spheres of society, and nations He’s called us to partner with Him in bringing transformation. Job changes are imminent if they haven’t already happened. Movement into the political realm, education, and business in new ways that will draw you out of your comfort zone is happening. Influence into society, particularly through social media, will exponentially grow for many whose voices are to be heard in partnership with God and the messages He wants to convey. This will be beyond each of our natural capabilities and will require a trust walk with God in every way. We will also need to know Him as Jehovah Jireh as never before.
Some of the new alignments will feel very heavy and jarring, but once the alignments are made, they’ll run smoothly and branch out to align with others. Think of multiple gears functioning together as they do in a clock. This is also related to the passage of time.
God is aligning timelines, as well. What once seemed like delays will accelerate and sync perfectly with God’s predestined timeline. He also stands outside of time as the Creator of it and we’re going to see just how fluid time is, rather than it being as structured as we have believed it to be.
We’re also going to see groups of people arising – those who are answering His call of “Will you arise?” We’re going to see pockets of people being aligned in communities and within them, God revealing Himself as the pillar of cloud in the day and fire by night, showing His glory and power in communities around the world. As we align with Him, we’re going to see His presence made evident in far greater measure because the groups of people will be aligned/united. It will draw the hearts of people to Him because what they’ll see is His unending love in action, not religion.
Isaiah 45:2 says, “I will go before you and make the crooked places straight.” God has already gone before us in the year ahead and has made the crooked places straight.
Before this, in Isaiah 42:16, He says, “I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them.” We’re going to see this happening in the lives of those who have been “blind” to the truth of who God really is – they’re going to see Him as never before and they’ll be some of those gears falling into place, aligning with others. They’ll go on paths that have been unfamiliar to them, but His light will bring light to where they’re walking, and they will know He’s with them always. An unprecedented number of prodigals will come home as in their lives, the darkness is made light, and the crooked places are made straight.
The alignment of 2024 is a shifting into place of destiny, calling, timing, and the fulfillment of the of the transition and preparation we’ve been walking through in 2023.
Will you arise, His perfect partner, and align with Him?
Blessings in 2024, my friend!
Living for Him,
Andrea
P.S. As always, if Brian and I can pray for you, please reach out!
*Definitions of alignment from: Oxford Languages, Miriam Webster, Cambridge Dictionary, Collins Dictionary, Dictionary.com, & Vocabulary.com
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
