I was down at the river today, playing guitar, praying and waiting on the Lord. As I was sitting there God had me watching the fisher birds, you know, those birds that fly along the water, see a fish, dive into the water and catch the fish and then fly back in the air again. When the fish swims where it ought not to swim and isn't paying attention that fisher bird just acquired dinner!

Well, God began talking -- Birds of prey are increasing and becoming more blatant in their attacks. This is a different season we are moving in now! We have to watch what we do, be observant of things around us, and pay particular attention to what God is saying at any given time! We cannot do things as we used to!

It used to be we had a lot of leeway in how we walked and what we did. We could sin and have "slop" room to recover and move back in God's will. It's like there were bumper rails on each side of us and a wide expanse of room we could move in. But then God began narrowing the path we walk on. We still had bumper rails on each side, but not as much "wiggle" room. Now He is showing me a very narrow line we are to walk and there is no bumper rails. The only support we have is Jesus on one side and the Holy Spirit on the other. But to have them on either side of us we must develop a relationship with them in prayer so we hear what they are saying!

Economic times are changing radically. In our churches and gatherings we hear the cry that we need to be as the First Century church, sell all and take care of those in need. Well, that heart cry is excellent, but there is a "balance" point we don't have yet. We want to operate from a humanitarian mindset, which is good in the naturally. But it is not a God mindset! It is not a mindset born by the Spirit, where we spend time contending to know God's heart and desire. We are in a time where if we operate from a humanitarian mindset (where we are moved by OUR heart and emotions and not God's heart and desire) we will give all we have to causes and people where God has not called us to move, and when we have given all away and have nothing left we will have to reap what we sow! God will walk through it with us, but we will reap the crop we sowed! It is much better to contend with God until we hear His voice and desire, walk in that desire, then we reap the benefits of that crop and share in God's joy and end up having more than enough to live!

We must become wise stewards of what God gives us. We must be watchful of where we walk, what we do, and how we do things each day. We are not promised tomorrow, only today. This day we must press into God until we hear His voice. Even things such as evangelizing! If we go into areas where God has not called us to go and begin witnessing to people we can be hurt! But when we pray and wait on God and say, "God where shall I go today?" Then we wait and contend with Him until He tells us what street, what house - well, we can go to that house and practically say, "peanut butter" and the people will fall on their faces and give their hearts to God because He has already done the work. Then we become incredibly fruitful and the labor becomes very joyful for now we are being the conduit that His Holy Spirit flows through and He draws all men unto Himself!!

So the bottom line of all the above - we must become men and women of prayer. We must rearrange our schedules and activities and begin spending time with our Lord. I challenge you to begin acknowledging to God where you are, what you are not doing, how you spend your time now - begin asking Him to change your schedule and prorities, to make you a man or woman of prayer, to give you a passion for those things that are on His heart. You cannot change your heart, but God can. That is His job anyway!

Someone said the other day that the only difference between a sinner and a Christian is the Christian gets up when they fall and continues walking. Stop worrying about your sin - we all sin and fall short of God's Glory. He knew all about it before the foundation of time! What you do does not surprize Him! Just get up, acknowledge to Him you fell again, cry out to Him to change your heart - and He will come in an onrush and before you know it that thing you kept falling on will not be there anymore! Rather, you will find a strength and brokenness you did not know dwelling in that spot - and you will continue growing and going deeper with God and He will move through you!

My word to you today - turn from where you have been. Turn to the living God who can change your heart and life. Turn to the One who loves you more than anyone else. Turn to the One who gave His life and poured out His blood that you can be free and walk in liberty! Do it today.

In Christ's love,

Darrel
www.godspropheticvoice.org