Encouragement

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STEPPING UP - EZEKIEL 1:1-3

"In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. On the fifth of the month - it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin - the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the Lord was upon him."

The Prophet Ezekiel served as God's voice to the people of Israel living as exiles in Babylonia. There are differing opinions about the thirtieth year mentioned here. Some say it was the thirtieth year of the prophet's age, because as a priest, he was able to enter into the full execution of his priestly office when he turned thirty. It was in the fourth month, (corresponding to our June), and on the fifth day of the month, that Ezekiel had this vision. (It was probably on the sabbath day, because in Chapter 3:16 we read that "at the end of seven days, the next sabbath, the word of the Lord came to him again.") What is important is the fact that God is purposeful about dates and times, and His plans for each of our lives include specific victories and blessings on or after specific dates or milestones, or times of waiting. There is a 'kairos' time, an optimum moment for everything that comes to pass in our lives.

Ezekiel was not enjoying happy times. He was with the exiles from Israel. They were far from their nation and their home. They were looking back with tears to the times they disobeyed God and distanced themselves from Him. They had lost their culture, their temple worship and everything that was familiar and comfortable. But in the midst of their desolation, God had raised up a prophet to speak to them and to bring His Word to them in their need.

The people were just sitting around by the Kebar River. They probably did not have much hope in their hearts. Even their leader and king - Jehoiachin - was in bondage - he had been an exile for 5 years. They felt powerless, and were lost in a cycle of empty tomorrows. They were just trying to survive another day in captivity, and their prophet sat with them. They were sitting by the river and watching the life giving waters of the Kebar flow past them, and it was at this time that 'the heavens were opened', and Ezekiel saw 'visions of God'. He saw and heard a message from God! He experienced the hand of the Lord upon him!

Friends, God has a message today for two specific groups of people: Firstly, those who know Him and claim Him as Lord, but have lost their first love. Life has become stale and hopeless. Life has become ruled by something which you feel it is beyond your control to overcome.

Secondly, there are precious people who have been serving the Lord, but lately you feel like you are watching the River flow right past you. You have lost the zest and the fire that was once your life. You are clocking in the hours but you have become an exile - far from the heart bursting worship with which you once served the Lord. You are far from the intimate spirit to Spirit connection you once walked in. You are talking about yesterday's testimonies, when each new moment can be an opportunity for fresh glory to be seen in your life.

There is blessing and power in the Word of the Lord for both these groups of people plus everyone else who will receive it!

I was excited to find out that "Kebar" means "force","strength" or "power". These people were all sitting beside the power and the strength; they were gazing at the life giving force, but it was flowing right past them. They needed to jump in and be immersed in it, and swim in it; but all they did was sit by it! There was healing and refreshing and life in the river, but they did not even get their feet wet! They were not expecting to hear God's voice or see the heavens open, so all they saw and experienced was the waters flowing right by them.

On the other hand, Ezekiel saw the heavens open, and experienced glorious visions of God. The name 'Ezekiel' means 'strength of God'. He was serving an exiled people and he was far from home, but he had consecrated his life to God and God takes our commitments seriously. From the moment he entered a covenant relationship with God, the Lord had never left his side. God was with him, even when he felt like God was far away and he was all alone. God's presence was always upon him, even when his circumstances got him down, and he focused on the fact that he had been dragged into captivity with a captive people. The strength of God was upon him. Each time someone called his name 'Ezekiel', it was a reminder and an affirmation that the source of his strength was God and no other, and that he could rely on no one else but God.

Friends, God wants us to step into a higher dimension today. He wants us to open our lives and hearts to receive the glorious revelations He has for us. He is looking to pour out His powerful end time anointing on churches, communities and individuals who will step into the River of the Holy Spirit - the Kebar River of strength and power - and receive in faith the hand of the Lord upon them. There is strength and overcoming in store for you. There are heavenly dreams and visions, and revelation anointing. There is a time and a season of blessing which God wants to take you to; a freshness and favor upon every aspect of your life - including your health and finances - if you decide today to jump in to the Kebar River and allow the Lord to take over!

It is the same river which John writes about in the book of Revelations 20:1 - "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse." You will never again simply sit by the River! As it flows to you and through you, you will be God's instrument to break curses and set the captives free. You will be His hands to bring healing and life, and fruitfulness to the people around you. You will flow in the kebar the strength and the power of the precious Spirit of God.

Friend, Jesus came to give us abundant life so let us break out of the "survival mode" which we see was the life of the people of Israel who sat by the river. It may be what the world has slipped into, in the present economic context around the world. But it is not our portion!

Whatever your situtation, today is a day for rededication. Ask the Lord Jesus to wipe away the stain of every littlest sin and fill you afresh with His Holy Spirit. As you surrender yourself to Him, and take time to worship and wait on Him, and simply dive into the River of His anointing, you will rise up in His strength and overcome everything that bound you to the ground and kept you in exile. He will fill you with new joy. He will open your spirit to visions from Heaven! All you have to do is believe, and receive! My prayer for you is that you will experience the ezekiel (strength of God) rising up within you as you soak in the River and receive cleansing, new power and a fresh vision for your life. You are rising up to a new revelation and a deeper walk with God!

Minoli Haththotuwa
www.wingslikeeagles.info

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