Worship
Scripture
“Then out of the smoke, one of the angels of fire flew to me. He had in his hands a burning coal he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, ‘See? The burning coal from the altar has touched your lips. Your guilt is taken away; your sin is blotted out.’ Then I heard the Lord saying, ‘Whom should I send to my people? Who will go to represent us?’ I spoke up and said, ‘I will be the one. Send me.’” -Isaiah 6:6-8, TPT
“What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory … ?” -Romans 9:23
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” -Romans 10:14-15
A Vision for Today
I have a vision brewing in my spirit. It’s a movement of women all over the United States who have their affections set on Jesus and who are rallying women to get their lamps filed with oil. It’s an army of revivalists who are raising up spiritual daughters who too have their eyes fixed on Jesus and their lives ablaze with His glory. The Bride, ready, walking in intimacy, is positioned in the harvest field bringing in the great harvest. It’s time. (I will share more of this on our Zoom call this Friday. Details are at the end of this devotional.)
Last week I met my friend, Wade, at Arbor Hills to go and pray for people and share the good news of Jesus. Wade is one who has made going out to minister to people in public places a lifestyle. I remember years ago when he was training himself to courageously go, he would tell his new wife Hannah, “I am going to Walmart for two hours to pray for people and do the grocery shopping.” He put it in his weekly calendar. Now, it just flows out of his life all of the time. Intentionality created a lifestyle.
Upon our arrival at Arbor Hills, we immediately came across two sisters walking their dog. We asked them if there was anything they wanted us to pray for. Karla said she wanted us to pray for their older sister, who is taking her nursing exam. After we prayed, we naturally transitioned into sharing our personal stories of meeting Jesus. We each took just a minute to share. They listened intently. Karla had spent her life looking for God. Her mom was Catholic, but her heart longed for God—not religious works. She didn’t know how to say this to God, and no one ever told her the good news of salvation. She is a nurse and works with several nurses who are Christians. None of them ever shared with Karla even though they would invite her to Bible study over and over. As we explained how to know Jesus intimately, she said, “Why wouldn’t everyone want this? Will you help me to have this right now?” It was so tender and sweet. We prayed with her, and as the Holy Spirit filled her, she just began to cry. She couldn’t stop and didn’t know why she was crying. She was being touched by Jesus—He was coming like she asked. And I watched Karla and her sister become miracles, from death to life.
“In order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—” -Romans 9:23 (ESV)
Wade, Julie, Karla, Keely, Patti, Kim, Emily, Ann, Pam, Jessica—we are all objects of His MERCY! And we have been made GLORY CONTAINERS! We get to carry His glory, His purposes, His heart because He lives in us. And out of us flow living waters that touch the lives of those we engage with here and all over the world. What a joyous calling and privilege. I know that in our American culture of individualism—and now emphatic “distancing”—it’s intimidating to share our lives and our stories and our Jesus with people. But will you come with me on a grand adventure?
Preparation’s Purpose
The Bride is arising! I receive testimony after testimony of women whose hearts are coming alive. They are experiencing a revival of love for the One their hearts adore. The Holy Spirit is being poured out on sons and daughters, fueling courageous and passionate resolve. As you are reading these words, if this is the desire of your heart, will you say to the Lord, “I want this, Jesus. Will you do this in me? I surrender my life and plans and purposes to you today.”
In 2004, I was sitting at Saddleback Church in California, where we were attending at the time. Rick Warren said, “I dare you to pray the most dangerous prayer of your life: God, send me.” I remember distinctly thinking, “I have prayed that hundreds of times (just having had daughter No. 4) and He never answers. But here it goes.” I think I got a wink from Heaven because months later we received a clear call from the Lord to move to Texas, and the journey began.
Just a few weeks ago, I penned these words: “Do you think Jesus is getting His sandals back on?” It was pertaining to His long-awaited return. But this morning, the Holy Spirit promted this question on my heart: Will you get your sandals back on?
Do not despise the days of preparation. He will restore all the years the locusts have eaten. You have been made ready for this time in history! The harvest field needs your beautiful feet, your authority in ministry because of the places only you have walked; your hours of deep intercession for all God has called you to stand in the gap for; the tears you have sown; your voice of victorious worship; your glorious testimony that’s covered in the blood of Jesus; your YES you have declared for all these years. Get ready for your YES to be answered! He has long ago put the longing in your heart to follow Him no matter where He takes you and He will be faithful to answer it. I promise. I can testify to this truth.
So, glorious one, whose beautiful feet will bring Jesus His inheritance—the nations—it’s time to get ready! Our greatest days are upon us. Throw off fear and intimidation from the spirit of darkness. There’s a harvest field and a great number of women who need to be brought out of the shadows and sidelines.
“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” -Habakkuk 1:5 (ESV)
You should have received a survey yesterday about partnering with me on a very fun adventure. I will be training women over two, one-hour Zoom calls in July. Then we will go two by two to pray for people and share the hope of Jesus over two Saturdays in August. I would love to see women all over the U.S. (and even internationally) going out in teams of two, so please fill out this form if you are interested in being trained and going into the harvest. The fields are ripe for harvest indeed.
A Prayer for Awakening
In closing, may I pray for you?
Lord, bring my Sisters an encounter with You this week—an encounter with Your power, Your presence, Your hope, and Your joy. Release to them a renewed calling. Strengthen them to believe You for impossibilities and to pray with a fresh gift of faith. I pray for this army of revivalists to arise all over the world—women who move and live and find their life only in You, Jesus. Pour out Your Spirit on them that they would be influencers in culture and in their nations that have been assigned to them. Give them vision and passion to see dead bones rise again. Give them vision to see what You see and to pray it forth. Lord, call forth spiritual mothers in this hour. I ask You for a movement of sold-out women to arise who are courageous, fearless, bold, passionate, and radical lovers of Jesus. And from this identity of Christ in them, they will be sent by Your Spirit. Call them now, in Jesus’ name!
A Few Key Details
- Our next Arise Bible Study will take place at 10 a.m. CST this Friday, July 10
Link: https://zoom.us/j/2410161101?pwd=ak9qaWFsTE4vaHNIRWJUZUNnTGYwZz09
Meeting ID: 241 016 1101
Password: 072485
- If you know other women who desire to receive these weekly devotionals, send them this link to sign up.
- My book “Arise My Darling” came out recently. You can purchase it here.
- Join the Arise Facebook group to start sharing prayer requests and testimonies as we passionately pursue Jesus together.
