Prophecy: Don't Ignore the Angels of Transition - JENNIFER LECLAIRE CHARISMA MAGAZINE

We can ask the Lord to dispatch His warring angels, but if we stop there, we are limiting God. (Flickr )

Prophecy: Don't Ignore the Angels of Transition

8/30/2016 JENNIFER LECLAIRE  CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Before 2016 even began, the Lord told me 2016 would be a year of shifting seasons and suddenlies. That means transitions. Many are reporting shifting seasons, suddenlies and transitions—or feel one coming on. Others are frustrated because they bear witness to the prophetic word but feel stuck. Consider what the Lord told me:

"Many neglect the angels of transition, and they bypass the help I have sent to transition them into the next stage of their journey. Many ignore the angels of transition and, therefore, fail to enter into the new place I have set aside for them at the appointed time. Many are working in their own strength, struggling in the flesh and failing to embrace the work of My angels on assignment to help them transition into the new thing. Look for the angels in times of transition."

Only God can transition you from glory to glory, but there are angels to help you. Despite the acknowledged extreme teachings in the realm of angels, I was surprised at how much angelic activity we find in both the Old and New Testaments. Angels are mentioned 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament—and the New Testament is much shorter!

I believe we're neglecting this powerful resource. We certainly do not worship angels, but it's absolutely foolish to ignore their ministry. Let me show you some ways angels can help in times of transition.

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You Have an Angel

In Matthew 18:10, Jesus said: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven." We see angelic activity in the New Testament was common. When Peter was released from prison (by an angel) he came knocking on the door where intercessors were praying for his release—but they didn't believe when he actually showed up. They said, "It is his angel" (Acts 12:15). The Bible says angels are ministering spirits to those who inherit salvation (Heb. 1:14).

We focus so much on demons, but remember only one-third of the angels fell. Two-thirds are still on our side. We need to understand the ministry of angels.

Angels can offer information in times of transition.

"Angels" really means messenger, so this is one of primary functions of an angel.

• Gabriel announced the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25).
• Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).
• God used angels to interpret visions He gave to Daniel, Zechariah and John in the book of Revelation.
• Angels shared with the shepherds the location of Christ's birthplace in the manger (Luke 2:8-20).
• An angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill the child Jesus (Matt. 2:13).
• An angel announced Christ's resurrection to the women who found His empty tomb (John 20).

WARNING: We should seek the Lord for information, not angels. But we should understand when we ask Him, He may send angels.

Angels can offer direction in times of transition. An angel directed Abraham's servant in Genesis 24:1-7 to find a wife for his son. Abraham told him, "He shall send His angel before you and you shall take a wife for my son from there. The angel directed the servant straight to Rebekah."

An angel directed Philip in Acts 8:26: "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Rise up and go toward the south on the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.'"

An angel directed Cornelius to call for Peter in Acts 1:3-5: "About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, 'Cornelius.' When he looked at him he was afraid, and said, 'What is it, Lord?' He said to him, 'Your prayers and your alms have come up as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and bring back Simon whose surname is Peter."

WARNING: We should not ask the Lord to send angels to direct us. We should ask Him to direct us. But He may choose to send angels to direct you. Be mindful that angels can direct you.

Angels can protect you in times of transition. An angel protected Daniel in the lion's den in Daniel 6:19-22. Daniel told the king, "My God has sent His angel and has shut the lions' mouths so that they have not hurt me, because innocence was found in me before Him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm."

An angel protected Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:26-29. The Bible says God "sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They have defied the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God."

An angel spoke to Moses sternly about angelic protection in Exodus 23:20-22: "Indeed, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Be on guard before him and obey his voice. Do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgressions, for My name is in him. But if you diligently obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries."

WARNING: God is our stronghold, our fortress and our protector. We should not seek angels to protect us. We should cry out to God to protect us and know that He may choose to send angels. Psalm 91 promises angelic protection to those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High.

Angels can bring provision in times of transition. An angel provided water for Hagar after Abraham expelled her in Genesis 21:15-19. An angel bought Elijah food after his battle with the false prophets and his run from Jezebel in 1 Kings 19:5-6: As he lay and slept under the juniper tree, an angel touched him and said to him, "Arise and eat." He looked, and there was a cake baked on coals and a jar of water at his head. And he ate and drank and then lay down again.

WARNING: We should not pray that angels will bring us provision. God is our provider. We pray to Jehovah Jireh, and if He needs to choose to send an angel to bring provision, we should be alert enough in the spirit to recognize this.

Angels can war on your behalf in times of transition. God sent an angel to fight for Israel in 2 Kings 19:35: "On that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck one hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians. When others woke up early in the morning, these were all dead bodies." And God showed Elisha's servant the angel armies that stood with them in 2 Kings 6:15-7.

WARNING: We can ask the Lord to dispatch His warring angels, but if we stop there we are limiting God. We should ask God to intervene on our behalf, which gives Him the freedom and flexibility to send angels or help us in whatever way He chooses.

Angels Obey the Word of God

Psalm 103:20 says, "Bless the Lord you His angels, who are mighty, and do His commands, and obey the voice of His word." The Message Bible says, "So bless God, you angels, ready and able to fly at his bidding, quick to hear and do what he says. Bless God, all you armies of angels, alert to respond to whatever he wills." 

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"You're A Messenger of Courage: For Such A Time As This" by Joey LeTourneau - The Elijah List

"You're A Messenger of Courage: For Such A Time As This"

Joey LeTourneau, Redding, CA 

The Elijah List

"And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!'" Judges 6:12

"Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" Luke 1:28

As happened with Gideon and Mary in these two instances, my heart has been pulled for the courage rising up within God's children to step into their purpose and calling. It's not just any courage, but a kairos kind of courage that empowers us to leap beyond the hope of our calling and into its appointed time of action and fruitfulness.

It's a crossing over of the mind, and an empowerment of the heart to fully believe, fully receive, and then to seize the purposes and promises we've prayed and waited for as the moment arises.

The last few weeks I've found myself sharing about a quote I hadn't recalled in a long time, from a movie called "We Bought A Zoo." I believe the words are very relevant to us in this time as we learn to seize what God has placed before us:

"You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it." (We Bought A Zoo)

I believe this is a now word for you and me. We are being presented "suddenly" moments, for such a time as this, to step into a breakthrough that is bigger than our hope can comprehend. 

These might be moments that look like immense risk or require vulnerability, but we have to seize that incoming wave at the opportune time with fresh courage. (Photo via Wikipedia)

We must realize the breakthrough starts within us – so it can be brought to life all around us – by stepping outside our comfort zone and recognizing the new thing that He is doing now.

Breaking Out of Our Comfort Zone

"I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?" Isaiah 43:19

Often, the hardest thing about receiving something new for us is that it almost always requires something new of us. Those new breaker waves we pray and believe for rarely flow through our familiar comfort zone. They don't stay within our boundaries or control, rather, they are the move of His Spirit calling us to jump outside our self-imposed box and ride the wave of a lifetime.

The above verse from Isaiah is quoted frequently, even hung as a banner to declare the new thing God is ready to do. But how often do we leave off that last part? How often do we turn a deaf ear to the question the Spirit asks us each day when He inquires, "Shall you not know it?"

Will we know the new thing God is doing in, through and around us? Will we recognize His fresh move, beyond our insecurities, critiques or judgments? Will we be able to embrace the very thing we've been praying for when it passes by just outside familiar waters? 

If we will, it will take courage.

It will require us to be lion-hearted, found among those through the ages who have – like Gideon – lived a courage that is not so much about a valiant charge into battle but about a radical step of obedience that joins God in what He is now doing.

Your Messenger of Courage

The Lord doesn't just send us into such a leap out onto the waters without equipping us. 

Like with Gideon and Mary, there are different times throughout Scripture where we see the Lord send a messenger to one of His chosen ones to call them over the chasm that lies between the promises they hope for and the purpose they are created to live. 

God goes all in to help us be who He has created us to be, and to prove it, He sends us messengers of courage to strengthen our leap.

"Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree...Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress...And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!'" Judges 6:11-12

"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 'Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!'" Luke 1:26-28

Gideon was addressed as "mighty man of valor." Mary as "highly favored one." It is not coincidence that God called them by such terms not after they completed their purpose, but before. This is how they were addressed from the outset; then God called them to step into the appointed time of their destiny.

You have a Messenger of Courage within you, a Helper, the Spirit of Truth, and He is calling to you like He did Gideon and Mary, already addressing you as beloved and a victor, not just hopeful of such. 

He wants to visit you, meet you, and call to the courage He already sees within you. He wants you to see yourself as He does, and He is imparting to you the courage necessary to leap out and seize the moment that is only just beyond your reach.

(Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

The Lord has aligned timing. He has aligned circumstances. He is calling you by a powerful name like "Mighty" or "Favored" to remind you who you are in Him, and that He is with you. For when you know who you are, you'll also know what you are supposed to do.

He calls you by your identity before you discover your victory. So, what is your messenger of courage saying over you?

"Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." Luke 1:45

Joey LeTourneau
Imagi-Nations LLC
Email: joey.letourneau@gmail.com
Website: goimaginations.com

Joey LeTourneau, along with his wife Destiny and their five kids, live in Redding, California, and work across the nations to see the Father's heart revealed, and want to see God's children empowered to live out every purpose they've been created for – that no purpose would fall to the ground. 

Joey has authored six books and recently created a revolutionary new board game that helps people dream into their potential purpose – especially for youth around the world. Together, he and his wife founded Imagi-Nations LLC, a movement to "Imagine nations changed because you lived your purpose and dream."

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Kathie Walters: 2014: "A Peppermint Year" (The Elijah List)

Kathie Walters:

2014: "A Peppermint Year"
The Elijah List

My good friend, Pastor Paula Douglas, from Hemingway, South Carolina, received this word regarding 2014: "A Sweet Peppermint Year." I believe there is more than one word for a situation, or a time, or season.

And, when I read this, I actually smelled peppermint. Isn't it great when God speaks through signs, like the different aromas?

I did a booklet with Bob Jones (mostly Bob) called "Spiritual Meaning of Aromas, Flowers, Trees, and Colors," so I remembered what the peppermint meant: it means refreshing, and also cleansing, and sweet. But then, whatever Jesus does has sweetness, doesn't it?

What Does "Sweet Peppermint" Mean For the Weary Traveler?

You know, often as we go in the business of life and even ministry, you can kind of gather some dust from the journey. It was the custom in the Middle East, when a traveler arrived from a journey, the people would wash their feet. Jesus said to the disciples, "As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." When Jesus washed their feet, I don't believe it was just an act of humility. He was acknowledging them as "messengers" or "sent ones," just like He was a "sent one" from the Father – a messenger of Good News.

For the weary travelers and messengers, when Jesus breathes on us the fresh breezes of the Spirit, it blows away the dust, and the sweetness of His presence refreshes us. That's why it's important to take a break and enjoy His fellowship.

We were iced-in recently in Macon, Georgia, where I live – we couldn't go anywhere, everyone was home. It was a great excuse to do nothing. Sometimes it's good to do nothing. That can be very hard for some of us...people begin to feel guilty if they are not working for God all the time. Let me just squeeze in here that God doesn't want us to run around working for Him. He wants us to yield to Him so that He can work through us. Much easier that way, and also much more effective.

Back to sweet refreshing...it's like a cool drink of water on a hot day. In Proverbs 25:25 it says,"Good news is refreshing, like water to a weary traveler." Our inheritance is the Spirit of Good News...when we dwell on His goodness it's refreshing, like water. Or sweet, like peppermint.

Prophetic encouragers have a big place here as you can see: the Good News brings refreshing to the weary traveler.

Just Relax, and Think On That!

I was ministering in Houston a couple of years ago. In the church that day (Little White Church in Katy), I had stayed and prayed for people until about 5pm. The meeting had started at 10am, and it was HOT – the pretty little wooden church was really baking. Something had gone wrong with the air conditioner and it felt like it was 100 degrees inside.

When I got back to my hotel room, I felt a bit dusty and like a rag. I closed the door and just went and laid on the bed to cool off. I had prayed for a lot of deliverance for people too, so it was good to be on my own for a bit.

Suddenly, an angel, who is always with me, said to me, "Just relax." Well, I had no problem with that. Then he began to sing to me an old revival song, but he sang one line at a time, and asked me to think about it.

"'His love has no limits.' Think about that, Kathie. Your mind can't even imagine something limitless."

"'His grace has no measure.' Think about that too...there is no measure at all to even be able to measure Jesus' grace. There's nothing in the world to measure it with."

He went on singing one line at a time, and then telling me, "Think about that," which is what "selah" from the Psalms means ("think on this").

Then a light shone on me – like I was on a warm, sunny beach. After a while the light went to the ceiling, and it stayed there for about three hours. At one point I smelled strawberries (which means "friendship with God"), and then I remember the whole room being filled with an aroma like peppermint. I felt so light and refreshed.

Refreshment You Can Chew On

I love these Scriptures below, too; when you dwell on them (selah), then there is a refreshing that comes into your spirit, your mind, and your body.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me... Psalm 42:7-8

How lovely is Your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! Psalm 84:1

"How lovely is Your dwelling place" is so refreshing. When I think about it now, I can smell peppermint; I am praying you will too. Let me know if you do. Put your spiritual antenna up.

We Can All Be Refreshed, And We All Have a Ministry of Refreshing

I was once in a meeting and standing on a hard floor; you know, some of those carpets are actually on concrete – and, my, you can feel it after a while. It had been about six hours and my ankles and feet started aching, but I couldn't sit down yet as there were still people waiting to be prayed for. I sent a silent prayer for my feet and confessed that my feet are lovely because I bring Good News.

I smelled peppermint slightly and knew refreshing was on the way. The next minute it felt like cool waves washing over my feet, like how it feels in the early evening when you are standing in the water just at the edge of the ocean.

He is sweetness; His Word is like honey. I pray that your ministry – we all have a ministry – will be like the Bible says, "...Refreshing like spring rain on the freshly cut grass, like the showers that water the earth" (Psalm 72:6).

Kathie Walters
Good News Ministries

Email: kathiewalters@mindspring.com
Website: kathiewaltersministry.com

Kathie Walters is an international speaker who brings freedom to those who feel they have to "qualify." She also ministers in the supernatural and believes that the supernatural realm is for everyone.


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True Messengers: The Great Voices of History - Who are the Sons of Zadok in Our Time? (Rick Joyner)

Rick Joyner:

True Messengers: The Great Voices of History - Who are the Sons of Zadok in Our Time?

Great Voices in History

When we have more faith in people than in God, we tend to get our security or confidence by how many people share our views. Jesus had a different perspective, saying in Luke 6:26: "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way."

It is noteworthy that the great voices in history and those whose perspective proved true were almost always rejected by the majority, and often stood completely alone. 

We see this with the first apostles. Even so, if we know we are sent by God and that we have received our message from Him, then it really does not matter what men think about us.

As Paul said, "If I [were] still [seeking to please] men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ"(see Galatians 1:10). Just the mentality of seeking our approval or encouragement from men can be the biggest stumbling block that keeps us from being true messengers. 

Paul understood this well. When his apostolic authority was challenged, he pointed to his afflictions and persecutions as evidence that he was indeed an apostle. How different is that from most who claim to be apostles today?

Of course, just because not many people listen to us does not prove that we are right either. However, we must heed such warnings as Matthew 24:12: "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved" (NIV).

If we get our security from the crowd rather than from the Lord, we will follow the crowd instead of the Lord. The Lord did not say that the love of "some" or "many" would grow cold, but "most." 

If we are prone to follow the majority, then we will end up being deceived just as "all Israel went astray" following Absalom and turning on his father, King David.

How could this thing happen in Israel? The same way it has happened so many times since and still happens today. Like a good politician, Absalom met with people and showed sympathy for their problems. He gradually increased his authority with people because he was a good politician. Then David's sin with Bathsheba was exposed. 

You would think that God would certainly depart from David after such a diabolical sin. However, God has considerably more grace than people do, and He did not abandon David. He disciplined David because He loved him, but He would never leave him or forsake him.

Sons of Zadok

Zadok was High Priest during Absalom's rebellion. At the risk of his ministry and even his life, he picked up the Ark and followed David into what seemed like certain defeat. Even though "all Israel" was following Absalom, Zadok had the discernment to know that the anointing was still on David and that the Lord was still with David. 

So, he risked everything to follow the Lord. That is remarkable spiritual discernment and faith. It is the kind that is desperately needed in spiritual leadership in these times.

Centuries later, one of the greatest commendations of all time was given by the Lord to Zadok through Ezekiel the prophet. The Lord said that it would be the "sons of Zadok" who would be allowed to come near to Him to minister to Him personally (see Ezekiel 44:15-16). So who are the sons of Zadok today?

When the Pharisees told Jesus that they were free because they were sons of Abraham, Jesus replied that if they were children of Abraham, they would do the deeds of Abraham (see John 8:39-41). Likewise, the true sons of Zadok are those who do the deeds of Zadok – those who follow the Lord even when they are a minority or are alone, and even when it seems certain to cost them everything, maybe even their lives. 

We are in desperate need of "sons of Zadok" today.

Rick Joyner
MorningStar Ministries

Email: info@morningstarministries.org

Website: morningstarministries.org

Rick Joyner is the founder and executive director of MorningStar Ministries and Heritage International Ministries and is the Senior Pastor of MorningStar Fellowship Church. He is the author of more than forty books, including The Final Quest, A Prophetic History, and Church History. 

He is also the president of The OAK Initiative, an interdenominational movement that is mobilizing thousands of Christians to be engaged in the great issues of our times, being the salt and light that they are called to be. Rick and his wife, Julie, have five children: Anna, Aaryn, Amber, Ben, and Sam.

Rick Joyner's Itinerary:

Note: Events are subject to change at the ministry's discretion. We suggest you always check first with the event contact listed here and/or directly visit their website for latest updates on each event.

October 14-19, 2013

MorningStar Worship Creative Intensive/Worship Conference
MorningStar Fellowship Church
375 Star Light Drive, Fort Mill, SC
Contact: 877-446-3836

October 24-26, 2013
Kingdom Business Association
MorningStar Fellowship Church
375 Star Light Drive, Fort Mill, SC
Contact: 877-446-3836

October 29-31, 2013
Triumphant Church
Erie, PA