The Follow-Through

From Dutch Sheets:

My brother, Tim Sheets, sent me a very powerful and encouraging word I’m using for today’s post. You will appreciate this strong word.

“In Habakkuk 2:3 we read that visions, dreams, and prophecies are for appointed, God-planned times. When their moment comes, they will accelerate to fullness and there will be no delay. It is vital to discern our times and remember what Holy Spirit has spoken to us, so we know how to properly engage.

“Something incredible is now surging in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ is now amping up to a different level. What the body of Christ has been contending for, through prayers and decrees, has come to its divine moment. Holy Spirit has activated strategies that are now in completion mode to produce God’s plan for His ruling and reigning Ekklesia.

“I recently heard the Lord say to me, ‘My Ekklesia and My remnant have now entered the season of Our follow-through.’

“I knew that ‘Our’ was referring to the Godhead. The Godhead is now following through on promises they have made to us. Holy Spirit is overseeing it now on the earth. Prophecies that have been proclaimed are now being accelerated. Dreams that have been given to us are in the season of the follow-through. A season of supernatural completions has now begun.

“When the Lord spoke these words to me, I was reminded of a previous word He had given me. He said, ‘I will now reintroduce Holy Spirit to the world. He will function in visible leadership of My Ekklesia, in worldwide ways and with explosive power. My sons and My daughters will move to new levels of My dominion mandate. New and unadulterated authority will be seen on the earth as Holy Spirit activates divine strategies and multiple divisions of angel armies to reinforce those strategies. They will assist My heirs and implement My Kingdom government. A new Pentecost outpouring will be poured upon the earth and everything in My Kingdom will accelerate. Revival and awakening will come. I will have My harvest.’

“Holy Spirit is the architect, strategist, and guide of this end time move, and He has announced this is a season of the follow-through. As I continued to ponder and pray, I was reminded of other words I believe refer to this season of completion.

“Holy Spirit instructed me on the importance of angel armies several years ago and I believe we are now moving into a greater season of angelic activity. When He first began teaching this to me, He said, ‘The King has issued a command for a new campaign on earth. I will now be leading a campaign similar to what I initiated in the Pentecost outpouring in Acts Chapter 2, only it will be far greater. This time I will be bringing far more of the angel armies.’

“These words set me on a journey of years of study on the nature and workings of angels. Holy Spirit opened up God’s Word to me concerning angels assisting the King’s heirs, the Ekklesia, and a Kingdom revival. What we are entering into is not a local church based revival as we have seen in the past. The plan this time is for a Kingdom revival that will occur everywhere.

Holy Spirit then said to me, ‘The greatest days in church history are not in your past; they are in your present and they are in your future.’

“The current Word of the Lord is that the Ekklesia and remnant have entered the season of the Godhead’s follow-through. The promised outpourings, revival, discipling of nations, and the greatest harvest ever are now in follow-through mode. Holy Spirit has been leading a transition in the church to develop a Kingdom mindset within the Ekklesia.

“Additionally, Holy Spirit is being reintroduced as Lord Sabaoth, Lord of angel armies. There are many references in scripture that tell us when Holy Spirit moves, it is often with angel armies. One occasion occurred at the first Pentecost.

“In Acts 2, King Jesus issued a command for a new campaign of His Kingdom to begin on the earth. This new Kingdom era was to take the gospel of the Kingdom into all of the earth. Holy Spirit came to supervise and empower it with angel armies. This is referenced in scripture by the cloven tongues of fire that hovered over each of the remnant believers in the upper room. Angels are often described in scripture as appearing like flames, reflectors, tongues or carriers of fire.

“Five hundred people were told to go to the Upper Room, but only 120 did. Angels ministered the fire of God’s glory to that remnant under Holy Spirit’s supervision. These ministering angels were angels of glory. They are part of the glory division of angel armies that always accompany members of the Godhead. These angels reflect the glory of the Godhead and are carriers of the glory anointing of God. They minister to the heirs of God from His glorious, holy presence. These angels assist Holy Spirit’s actions, outpourings, revivals, awakenings, and moves on the earth.

“Glory angels are often symbolized in God’s Word as fire. Fire often represents the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit, the very essence of who He is. It’s a presence you can see, feel and experience. When Holy Spirit came into the Upper Room, it must have been like a glory bomb exploded. A glory surge of who He is erupted and flames of fire appeared over each believer. Holy Spirit has said He is now moving similarly, yet greater.

“While the first Pentecost happened in one place, this next outpouring will occur in hundreds of locations. It will be a widespread Kingdom revival. A glorious Ekklesia will rise in power and the government of hell will not prevail against it. Holy Spirit is now activating multiple divisions of angels to assist.

“The different divisions of angel armies now being activated are: government, revival, breakthrough, alignment, awakening and reformation, evangelism, healings and miracles, and special forces. Holy Spirit is bringing these angels in this season of great follow-through to encamp around all of the Ekklesia hubs He has been preparing.

“I recently had a vision of hundreds of different hubs all over the world. Encamped around one hub I saw angels of alignment, healings, miracles and glory. Around another, I saw angels of breakthrough, harvest, evangelism and awakening. Surrounding another, I saw angels of war, special forces, breakthrough, and glory. It continued in this way throughout the vision with each Ekklesia hub assisted by more than one division of angels, depending on their needs. Sometimes, I saw the angels moving as if on missions. Other times, I saw a division of angels moving out as another division came in. It looked like an active operation in process.

“Holy Spirit then spoke these words, ‘I am increasing the power, influence and voice of my regional spirit capitals.’ He called the Ekklesia hubs His ‘regional spiritual capitals.’ The King has been building spiritual capitals, which clearly indicates governmental authority.

“The Godhead is in follow-through mode. King Jesus is building His regional spirit capitals. He is providing keys to their regions and hell will not be able to hold out against them. These Ekklesias will occupy the territorial thrones, dethrone demon powers, and from the spirit capitals, the spirit realm will influence the natural realm, thus beginning to disciple nations.

“God is now doing this. Not one word of His good promises will fail. We are moving into the most amazing days of God’s Kingdom. Hell doesn’t stand a chance.”

Pray with me:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the dreams, visions, and prophecies You have given us. You have made so many promises to us, Lord. I believe You remember every one of them and You have promised You will follow through. We declare we have stepped into a season of supernatural follow-through and completion. Signs, wonders, and miracles are coming in abundance. A Kingdom revival will roar throughout all of the world. Holy Spirit is reintroducing who He really is. He is all-powerful, supernatural, all-knowing, ever-present, and a strategist who never loses.

God, release Your divisions of angel armies to assist us. Release Your glory angels that reflect Your presence. Let healings be manifested across this nation. Healings of mind, body, and soul.

We also call out to You, God, to heal our nation. You have promised America shall be saved and we call on You to follow through. We trust You, God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Our Decree:

We decree we are in a season of supernatural follow-through and completion.

Copyright © 2022 Dutch Sheets Ministries, All rights reserved.

Dutch Sheets: "Is God Sovereign?"

 Is God Sovereign?

My intent with this post is not to open a theological can of worms. I am certainly not the final voice on all things theological. I do want to make a very important point regarding theology, however: The sovereignty of God does not mean He controls everything that takes place on earth. This should be obvious, but a religious mindset permeates the church (and many unbelievers, as well) that says God is in control of everything that occurs on earth.

The obvious negative connotations of this are dealt with through beliefs and statements such as, “there must be a reason;” “everything happens for a reason;” “all things work together for good;” “well, God is in control;” “nothing happens unless He allows it;” and so on. These statements and beliefs bring a degree of comfort to people, causing them to insert a sense of purpose into their pain. I understand this. However, problems, pain, loss, and difficulties don’t have to be allowed by God in order for Him to make them serve us. And the fact that He uses bad events doesn’t mean He is behind them.

God did not put sinful motives into the hearts of Joseph’s brothers causing them to sell him into slavery. He did, however, have the ability and sovereign power to use their evil, turning it into good. Yahweh did not put into the heart of King Saul to falsely accuse and persecute David. No part of this was caused by God, yet He did have a plan to use it for David’s good. The cave of Adullam, David’s home through much of that season, became his classroom and writing chamber. He wrote many of the Psalms from that cave, psalms that have touched hundreds of millions of people.

God does not have to cause it, to use it.

The word sovereign actually means “the greatest in power and authority.” This is obviously true of God - He is sovereign. The word does NOT mean “in control of everything.” The Bible is filled with actions that occurred that were not God’s will, nor did He “allow” them. God “allowing“ everything on earth is only true in the sense that He allows humans to possess a free will - we have the power of choice. I once heard the great Foursquare Pastor, Jack Hayford, say regarding this topic, “God is sovereign, but in His sovereignty, He has limited Himself.” He also said, “The quest of Jesus Christ on the earth is greatly crippled by wrong notions of the sovereignty of God.”

Pastor Hayford has a way with words! His point in the second statement was that a wrong concept of the sovereignty of God causes complacency and passivity in people...at times, irresponsibility. They believe - whether consciously or unconsciously - that God is in control of everything and will do what He wants, regardless of our involvement. This is so wrong. God works on earth through people. He needs our cooperation.

Having stated this balancing truth, I want to share the fourth passage of scripture regarding Holy Spirit shifting us from phase to phase, season to season. His divine shifts, changing the times and seasons (Daniel 2.20-21), occurs in us, not just in the world around us. Psalm 84:4-7 says we go from strength to strength:

“How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house! They are ever praising Thee. How blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the highways to Zion! Passing through the valley of Baca, they make it a spring. The early rain also covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength, every one of them appears before God in Zion.”

“Baca” means weeping; therefore, the valley of Baca means “the valley of weeping.” We frequently refer to difficult times and situations in life as valleys. As we pass through these valleys - aren’t you glad they aren’t permanent - refreshing springs can burst forth as we cooperate with God. A valley of tears can be transformed into a place from which the water of life flows. A barren, dry place can be transformed into a place of springs.

Notice that the place of new strength, doesn’t emerge after Baca, it is actually born at Baca - the place of weeping. The Hebrew word used for “strength” is also very revealing. Chayil is from the root word chuwl, the Old Testament word for travail or giving birth to something. What a picture! When we walk in faith and perseverance through difficult places, God can actually use them to birth (chuwl) new places of strength (chayil) in us. Like the cocoon of a butterfly, Baca can become a place of transformation. And like the butterfly, our destiny is not the cocoon of Baca - weeping; our destiny is the flight of freedom and victory.

The dry, barren places in our lives can indeed become places from which the river of life flows and new strength is born. God has been doing much work in this troubling time on earth. Unfortunately, many Christians have not realized that the difficult seasons of travail are often the conduit to bring us to new levels. Rather than persevering through these seasons, many have despised the Bacas in their lives and grown bitter or cynical. Rather than going from strength to strength, they unwittingly choose to remain in Baca, making it home. They don’t move from a place of plowing and sowing to one of reaping and blessing. Tragically, many miss the shifting of the times and seasons God wants to do for them.

Chayil, the word for strength, is also the word for army and for wealth. We can fight more effectively and prosper to a greater degree after having gone through the valleys of Baca - if we make them our servants. Yes, it can be difficult; we may not understand what is happening at the time, and it may even seem like we’re losing ground. But if we faithfully press on, allowing God to use the Baca times, He will transform them into boot camps and springs of blessing. Once on the other side, we’ll realize we’re stronger and more prosperous than before.

God wants us to go from one position of victory to another, from one phase of soldiering to another - enlistment to Bootcamp to infantry and so on. Some will go on to special forces.

Allow Holy Spirit to do what is necessary to shift you into the new. He will take you from one stage to another, and another, and another.

Pray with me:

Father, You have the necessary omniscience and omnipotence to transform anything satan, people, or life’s circumstances bring our way. What they mean for evil, You can use it for our good. Places of weeping can become birthing chambers, cocoons that house us while we’re transformed into those who can fly. Nothing can outmaneuver, outsmart, or out-plan You. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

This is true for us individually, but it’s also true for nations. You are Ruler over the nations. We anchor ourselves to this truth. In America, though the righteous have been weeping, You are going to use this season to birth something new and good. We will allow nothing else. We use the authority You gave us to bind and loose, forbid and allow (Matthew 16:18-19), and we will accept nothing else.

We pray now for our brothers and sisters who have gone through difficult circumstances. The season has been very painful for many. But we now agree with them that You will do something good with it, and bring them forth as pure gold. Heal their hearts and strengthen their wings. In Christ’s name, amen.

Our decree:

We decree that going from strength to strength is our destiny; Baca is not our home.

Copyright © 2021 Dutch Sheets Ministries, All rights reserved.