Worship

“Living Sacrifice” by Brandon Lake

Scripture

“He replied to them, ‘Now is the time for the Son of Man to be glorified. Let me make this clear: A single grain of wheat will never be more than a single grain of wheat unless it drops into the ground and dies. Because then it sprouts and produces a great harvest of wheat—all because one grain died.

“‘The person who loves his life and pampers himself will miss true life! But the one who detaches his life from this world and abandons himself to me, will find true life and enjoy it forever! If you want to be my disciple, follow me and you will go where I am going. And if you truly follow me as my disciple, the Father will shower his favor upon your life.

“‘Even though I am torn within, and my soul is in turmoil, I will not ask the Father to rescue me from this hour of trial. For I have come to fulfill my purpose—to offer myself to God. So, Father, bring glory to your name!’ Then suddenly a booming voice was heard from the sky,

“‘I have glorified my name! And I will glorify it through you again!’

“The audible voice of God startled the crowd standing nearby. Some thought it was only thunder, yet others said, ‘An angel just spoke to him!’

“Then Jesus told them, ‘The voice you heard was not for my benefit, but for yours—to help you believe.’” -John 12:23-30, TPT, emphasis added

Jesus’ Final Week

Jesus had quite the prophetic celebration as He entered Jerusalem. The people were declaring His kingship and His salvation, even though they had no idea what this actually meant. Earlier that morning, Jesus wept over the city because they had missed him. Many had completely disregarded His coming. How He longed for them to really know Him and to know His heart for all of mankind. I can’t even imagine the vast territory of emotion Jesus must have scoured as He entered the first day of the last week of His life. I wonder if His heart was overwhelmed with a fresh gift of love deposited by the Father for those He was about to die for (Romans 5:5). Was it this love that evoked tears for all those who would miss Him? Was it this love that allowed Him to see the glorious Bride that would be handed to Him after the cross? I believe it was YOU, the very joy set before Him, that kept His feet walking.

Father God speaks up for a third time in Jesus’ life. First we hear His identity at His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17). The second time, Father God speaks of Jesus’ authority (Matthew 17:5). Now this time, His Father calls attention to His authentication and vision for all of Christ’s earthly life—His glory! Everything Jesus did pointed to the glory of the Father! He glorified Him continually through His life, and He would do it again, and this time it would be a final glorification. And then He would place this glory in us!

Oh Jesus, that You would want me, with all my frailties and inadequacies. You take this fragile life and You will manifest Your glorious life through it. This is hard for me to completely fathom. You found me and decided at Your first glimpse that You would put Your glory on me and together, Your life inside of my life would bring Yourself glory. How is that, Lord?

The Mystery of Glory

Jesus said in John 17:10, “‘And glory has come to me through them.’” It was in the Father’s perfect plan to bring forth a Bride for His Son that would be the image bearer of His glory.

“Behold the towering passion of your God: The Church, the ekklesia, is His ultimate passion. She is His central thought. She is His eternal purpose. This glorious woman is in Him, by Him, through Him, and to Him. God’s grand mission is to obtain a bride who passionately loves His Son.” -Frank Viola, “From Eternity to Here”

What I find so poignant in this passage is how the words of Jesus regarding the “harvest” are in direct relation to the glory of Jesus. The two are so beautifully connected. The great harvest of souls from the world He so loves is in direct relationship to God’s glory. There will not be one without the other. I have sensed, as many have been praying for a massive harvest of souls for generations, that He’s ready to pour revival out! I feel the stirring of the release of what is currently upon us in spite of turmoil and transition! I am seeing this take place in a two-fold manner: the Bride awakening to this overcoming love for her Jesus and the lost coming to salvation in groves! It is happening right now, before our very eyes!

A Word for Today’s Remnant

Last week, I was sitting with the Lord, and as I sensed His precious counsel in my spirit, I began to pen these words in my journal:

A righteous remnant is being called up, consecrated and prepared for these last days. When confronted, many “believers” will say nothing. They will keep quiet so as to not rock the boat. But the remnant will lead the Church. The remnant will arise with boldness and with a voice. Their voice will help to draw the line between those who are with God and those who are not. I will anoint My consecrated ones to leadership with courage and boldness. They will not meld into culture but will be outcasts in many ways—a John the Baptist anointing to prepare the way of the Lord. These ones will be called up in this hour. They will not desire fame or recognition. They will not want the limelight. They will follow Me with passion and abandon because I will be their EVERYTHING. Even in the loss of family and friends, I will satisfy them with Myself so that they will not even consider the loss. I will take hold of them and lead them and satisfy them. My consecrated ones belong to Me. And no one will snatch them from My hand. They will be so undone with My wonder, My words, and My presence that they will be satisfied, content, and full. And these will lead the MANY to Me.

“This is your season that you will leave the sidelines and join the frontlines.”
-Nate Johnson

I have to share with you the story of one of my dearest friends, Stacy, who is a living testimony of this very thing I am writing to you. I met her on my first all women’s trip to the Middle East. We were headed to a country that is 99% Muslim and very intimidating when it comes to sharing the gospel. But that is why we were there. I can recap the entire 10 days in just a few words: it was the hardest trip for Stacy. She was overwhelmed and disenchanted with the whole thing. But in the midst of the tension and culture shock, something was happening inside of Stacy; her heart was awakening to being loved by the Beloved. She came home, and this persistent wooing of Jesus has not stopped. She since went with me to Latin America and Austin, and the Lord redeemed every detail and then some as scores of people said, “Yes,” to Jesus through her surrendered life. I am watching a woman being transformed by the divine romance of her Bridegroom! She has been a living picture of what Jesus wants to do to get his harvesters prepared, ready, waiting, and moving! And now she is coming on staff with East-West to help me build and expand this Arise movement.

The Coming Harvest

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” -2 Corinthians 3:18, emphasis added

A harvest will take place because of the cross. A harvest will declare the glory of God. Nations will come to Him. Generations will be drawn to this Jesus. But for this to have happened, His life must be broken and presumably fall to the ground and break open. Earth was not worthy of this precious life. But He did it so that an invitation of salvation could reverberate across the globe to places so unreached. Today, His invitation to be a harvester hangs in the balance. If we indeed bear the ever-increasing glory of God and His heart is for the world to know Him, we can’t skip over this divine moment and God’s booming words! He is “encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:12, emphasis added).”

We weren’t meant to hear the Father’s stamp of glory on the Son and dismiss our identity in that very statement because that glory is part of our identity now. That word of harvest is part of our life mission now because it’s the mission of Christ in you.

“‘Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.’” -Revelation 15:4

As you close out this time with Jesus, go back to that worship song and make it your prayer. His fire will fall on His consecrated ones. He will set you aflame for His glory and for His harvest. And together we will go find the remnant of women who are coming to the front lines. The Lord is raising up an army of people who will carry the fire of God and shift history, cities, and entire families for eternity! In Jesus’ name, do it, Lord!

A Few Key Notes

• Join us May 27-31 as we share the gospel with the lost in San Diego! Get more details on the Arise webpage.
• Patrice Vines will be hosting another Arise study in February about putting on the armor of God and standing our ground during turbulent times. You can join in-person or over Zoom. RSVP by emailing me at [email protected].

Time: 9:30 a.m. CST

Dates: Friday mornings beginning February 12

Location: Over Zoom or at The Hope Center (2001 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75075)

• Mark your calendars for two Harvest Day events: one in Waco on March 27 and one in Midland on April 24. We will be joining other women in Waco and Midland, Texas, for a day of going out to pray for people and share the gospel. Training will be available. If interested, email me at [email protected].
• Mark your calendars for the next Arise luncheon in May! RSVP details to come.

Date: May 7

Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: The Hope Center, 2001 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75075