Monday, February 3, 2014

“Get Your Blinders On” - Ahava Love Letter/Now Think On This (Steve Martin)

                    
                            Now Think On This...


 “Get Your Blinders On”

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility He plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” 
(Heb. 12:2-3 The Message)


The big game just finished. Not as great as we expected. In fact, it was a letdown for many.

On other past occasions, we have experienced days we so looked forward to, which then came and went. It turned out not being the big deal we had so longed for. We think, oh well, we’ll start looking to the next one, which will be better of course.

We have expectancies. We have fulfillments. We have disappointments. They come and they go. Personally, I get weary of some of them. But then I am reminded of Him.

Back in the day, yes, even before my time, farmers used to plow their fields with the one horse powered implement. Or if they were on the more affordable side of profits, they had even two or three horse power pulling. Literally. Before tractors manufactured by John Deere and Harvester International were invented, horses and mules were it. And these powerful animals wore blinders.  Even today you will see horses with these things on their head called blinders. Why?


In one article, it reads, “Horse blinders are firm leather squares or plastic cups that attach to a horse's bridle or hood and prevent a horse from seeing behind and beside him. Horses that pull wagons and carriages wear blinkers to prevent them from becoming distracted or panicked by what they see behind the wagon.

In fact, horses can see a nearly full circle around themselves except for a small blind spot in front of their noses and behind their tails. Blinders cover the rear and side vision of the horse, forcing him to focus only in a forward direction.

During World War I, horses were essential to transportation of weapons and cavalry units. Horses used during battle often wore blinkers to block out distractions like artillery and approaching armies form their view. (Alie Maheux, Demand Media Animals.pawnation.com )

I like how The Message Bible has written the Hebrews 12:2-3 verses, used as the encouraging word for this message. It says of Yeshua (Jesus), “He never lost sight of where He was headed. He plowed through.” Makes me think He had blinders on, in the spiritual sense of the word.

Having spiritual blinders on can keep us focused on the plan and purpose the Lord has for each. With daily distractions continually coming our way, we can easily lose track of the field’s row in front of us, that we are planting in that which the Lord has placed us in. World news, national news, the local new, which is ever before us, can get us looking away from the Author and the Finisher of our faith. We can get so caught up in the now moment that we get our eyes off THAT which the Lord has asked us to keep our eyes on.

We need to get, and keep, our blinders on.

A little odd looking, but you get the point!

Focusing on the big picture ahead of us can keep our emotional health in better shape than if we don’t. If we allow ourselves to get caught up needlessly in distractions around us, we will become weary, our faith will dwindle, and we simply may miss the mark that we are aiming for, to hit, in the long haul.

In addition to the large worldview perspective the Lord has given us and wants us to maintain, in seeing His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven, each of us has at least one specific calling, which we need to know. Having that true sense of purpose, giving us direction to our steps along the way, comes with the help of the Helper, the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh, Hebrew).

Each of us has a direct call and assignment on our lives which we need to give ourselves to. It may be the teaching gift you have, the administrative work you do, the passion to see the next generation know Him, the Giver of Life, as their own personal Lord and Savior. Whatever it is, our focus must remain steady and enduring, persevering to completion.

For me, my calling is to support and stand with the nation of Israel, and the Jewish people. As a Gentile, I know that is my assignment, and when I get distracted by all that which happens around me, I need to put my own blinders on, and get refocused on the vision I have been given. This, one of His primary heart beats, has become mine also.

Encourage yourself today in the fact that you have been given a specific purpose, needing continual focus and attention. As you maintain vision, you will complete the assignment you have been given. As it has been said, keep the main thing the main thing in your life.

May His Holy Spirit make this even clearer in your walk with Him today. That is His desire.

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.


Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

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Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

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Ahava Love Letter #106   “Get Your Blinders On”   Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (02.03.14) Monday at 7:00 am in Charlotte, NC).



All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: Ahava Love Letters

Sunday, February 2, 2014

SEAHAWKS QUARTERBACK RUSSELL WILSON - What Matters Most


WHAT MATTERS MOST 
TO SEAHAWKS QUARTERBACK 
RUSSELL WILSON

Mark Driscoll » Interview Series - theresuregence.com



Some members of the team will play the game to the glory of God.

Recently, some of the Seahawks players and a coach were kind enough to sit down and talk with me about their faith in Jesus Christ and how it intersects with life on and off the football field.

We’ve got some great content, and I’m hoping they make it all the way to the Super Bowl, giving us some weeks to roll it all out. Until then, here’s a preview of that lengthy interview:

Please pray for our brothers as they step into the national spotlight. Go Hawks!

In this video (part one in a forthcoming series), starting quarterback Russell Wilson tells his story and shares some of the ways that Jesus influences his life. 



Published on Jan 10, 2014
Leading up to the Seattle Seahawks 2014 playoff run, Pastor Mark Driscoll sat down with a few of the players and one of the coaches to talk about their faith in Jesus Christ and how it intersects with life on and off the football field.



Moses Reports from Pakistan on Shalom Today kids ministry

Moses Julius with his Shalom Today Ministry kids

Shalom Aleikhem from Pakistan

Dear ministry partners and prayer warriors, 

This is good news to all of you because for the first time in Pakistan history Shalom Today worldwide is going to arrange a Kids Convention on 15 Feb 2014.

Last year Shalom Today worldwide ministries participate in Kids Olympics games along other organizations. But in this year's gathering we have decided to arrange a Kids Convention to promote Yeshua (Jesus) and love of Israel among the 500 children, and to especially teach about the Bible (Torah).  

Children can also wave Israel flags in their hands to show the love with the Jewish nation all over the world,  Our total budget is $1,000, but thanks to God we have arranged $320. We need the remaining $680 before the 15 of February, So please consider a gift today. We need your cooperation and prayers to arrange this historica kids convention in Pakistan.

So we are waiting for your positive response. 

Mr.Moses Julius 
(Director)

Love For His People Editor's Note: I have been communicating with Moses since last year. We support his work and I encourage you to do so too. If you would like to contribute to this upcoming Kids Convention, you can do so through MoneyGram or Western Union.

Name: Musa Julius 
Phone number : +92(345-4382961)
Country: Pakistan




Moses sent the photos from last year's 2013 gathering of Shalom Today Worldwide Ministries. There is also a link to his videoes of the event: https://www.facebook.com/moses.julius/media_set?set=vb.713306323&type=2










A Prophetic Newsletter - "You Shall Know the Truth..." By Karla Shrake Jan. 30, 2014

"You Shall Know the Truth..."
by Karla Shrake
Jan. 30, 2014 
Those of you receiving this most likely already know Jesus / Yeshua as the truth, as "the way, the truth, and the life" - you have come to know Him as your Savior and all that includes.   And we know Him also as the light of the world as He spoke about Himself in John 8:12;  "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 

We must have His truth and light to walk in daily victory

As believers who live in the last-days we so very desperately need more of heaven's truth and light to permeate every aspect of our lives. We need illumination for not only our spiritual walk, but we also need truth and divine illumination in every area of our personal lives as well.  

We would all agree that we need Holy Spirit enlightenment and guidance in our finances as we continue to hear of the lack of stability of our economy.  Most likely we have all been hurt or stolen from through relationships with people who were not honest and good to us, and hence we so need enlightenment as to whom He wants us aligned with in this season.  

And of course regarding the new Obamacare we most certainly need His enlightenment and guidance in our decisions that relate to our medical and health choices. And we do have choices, so we must be led of the Lord in our decision-making rather than being manipulated by the pressure-propaganda of the system.

Those who have followed me for any length of time have heard me share the scripture from Isaiah 60:1-2:
"Arise and shine for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold darkness will cover the earth,
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the Lord will rise upon you,
And His glory will appear upon you."

 
I believe dear ones, that we are living in the best of times and the worst of times.  I think we would all agree that darkness is now covering the earth and deep darkness the peoples -- so it would seem we are the ones that Isaiah the prophet saw long ago.  The good news is that He is arising and shining through us as His children, His ambassadors and His Bride.  Glory to His name for that!  


We must not be Ignorant of the Schemes of the Enemy 

For me personally the Lord has led me on a bit of a different pathway the last nine or so months.  He has prompted me and required of me to become more informed and educated as to more of the nature of the 'darkness & deep darkness' that is now covering the earth and its peoples.  We are told in II Cor. 2:11 that we must not be ignorant of the schemes of the enemy, lest he be able to take advantage of us and Ephesians 6:11 warns us 'of the wiles of the devil.'   

Yeshua says in John 10:10 that "the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy."  The truth is we have an adversary who dwells in the shadows of darkness and deceit, but we must understand that he is nevertheless a very real enemy, one who wants us poor, sick, and dead!

What is really going on? 

Believers can sometimes be naive about what is going on in the real world and I agree it is tempting to look the other way and stick our head in the sand, but we cannot do that in the hour of treachery in which we live.   We must look to our Father and walk more closely with Him than ever before in order to avoid and overcome the snares, assignments and schemes of the powers of darkness, for they are many, and aimed at all areas of our personal lives.  

Yeshua said 'the gates of hell' would come against us, but that they would not prevail. Dear champions of the faith in order for us to overcome we must live in the reality of what is really going on.  We can no longer blindly buy what the mainstream media is selling nor can we live in a fantasy world of what we would like to believe.   But as followers of Yeshua who IS The Truth and The Light........we must also live in the light and reality of what the scriptures reveal regarding the challenging last days.

The Fresh Oil of divine Courage is Pouring Forth 

The Lord is eager to pour out a new oil, a new grace upon us for the hour in which we live. He is empowering us as His people with a new courage so that we are both able and willing to see and know the truth of how and what the enemy is doing behind closed doors. When 9/11 happened it was challenging to comprehend who/ what could be so evil as to do that to innocent people.  

And that is still our challenge precious believers, to comprehend the depth of the horrific wickedness and the hellish things the enemy is planning for our country and yes, even for us.  

You were Born for this Day

Dear Champions,
And while it is imperative that we become aware of the deep wickedness of the world around us, it is also imperative that we realize who we are -- we are the solution!  Yes, like the saints of old, we are God's solution to what is going on! We are the Gideons, the Moses, the Davids, the Queen Esther & Mordecais, the Deborahs, the Elijahs, the Peter, James' and Johns.   

We are those Daniel saw long ago who know our God and who are stepping forth to do great exploits in the name of our King!   We are arising and shining, emboldened and empowered by His glory!

I hope you will read the newsletter below from last August, as it provides a faith-perspective on what I shared with you in the article above.  As I went back and reread it this morning I was lifted and encouraged.  And please join me as you scroll down below to the Davidic Warrior's section, as we receive together the Father's outpouring of fresh oil, fresh courage!
  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
From August 2013: 
"I am The Divine Globalist," says the Lord,
"and I am Lifting the Veil of Deceit"
by Karla Shrake 

"My champions, you were chosen to be born for this day and you have My DNA," says your Father.   "As The One who conceived and fashioned you I want to assure you that you shall surely stand and even flourish in the midst of all that is on the horizon in this late hour of human history."  

Change at Hand - My Peace I Give to You

"In your personal lives be not concerned that there are things of the past season that are coming to an end, for you must understand this must be so in order to make room for the new commissionings and faith-adventures I have for you.  Be not anxious as many things begin to shift, change and turn, for the prophetic time-clock of history is accelerating.  As the Father-of-all I am very busy on the planet, on every continent, for I so love all the diverse peoples and cultures of the earth."  

"I am the Divine Globalist!" laughs the Creator of the Universe.   "I have the whole world on My mind and I have had a plan of redemption from the beginning.  Did I not tell you in detail that the time near the end would be marked by birth-pangs and much change?  In the midst of circumstances that are changing and shifting, the one thing that will never change is that you are Mine and I watch over My covenant children.   There is no power in heaven nor on earth that can snatch My blood-bought children out of My hand," consoles your Father, the Lord God Almighty.  

"For while the seas may roar and the mountains may fall know that I AM the first and the last, the One who changes not. I am The Faithful One who has you securely in My mighty hand."

"So do not become consumed with excessive focus on the markets or on your government and its politicians, but rather focus on The One who made the heavens and the earth, the One who formed you within the belly of your mother, The One who has loved you from the beginning."  


I am The Righteous Judge

"You will also come to know Me as The Righteous Judge as I am now beginning to judge the powers of darkness and the enemies of the cross, and I will judge the enemies' of My children, My bride.  I am long-suffering but because I am also forever just you will now begin to see My righteous judgments increasing in the earth, for it is through these that many prisoners will finally be set free."

"The veil of darkness, the shroud of deceit, I have begun to lift so that the enemies' lies and wicked schemes would be exposed.  Among those who oppose Me are those who have a counterfeit plan of destruction and take-over of the peoples and resources of the earth. But I sit in the heavens and laugh as these enemies are being made a footstool under the feet of My Son."

"My righteous judgments are going forth, for it is My gavel that shall crush your adversaries," explains the Lord.


Ambassadors of Truth Commissioned


"For truly the enemy has lied and schemed from the very beginning
in the garden, causing humanity to question My love and goodness
toward them. In this age of deceit know that as I send you to
represent Me, the light of My truth will burn ever-more-brightly than
ever before. For who among you like to be lied about and
misrepresented? And neither do I!" says the Lord of Hosts.

"So go dear champions, in the power of My Spirit and herald the
truth that I am a very good and faithful Father and that I am not only
merciful, but also just. As you partner with Me in complete obedience
in this challenging hour you will see your enemies hung on their own
gallows as it was with the enemies of Mordecai and Queen Esther
long ago."

"For I am the ultimate whistleblower! For not only do I tell the truth,
I released the fullness of truth to the earth in the form of My Son,
who is forevermore The Way, The Truth and The Life, and the only
way back to Me. It was The Lamb who purchased the mercy that
covers you but understand it was The Lamb who also purchased the
judgment that overtakes your enemies. All was purchased with His
pure and holy blood, so honor The Lamb/ Lion wherever He treads
among you. For the government is most assuredly upon His shoulders
and He is bringing heaven to earth as you partner with Him by allowing
Him to rule and reign in and through you."

"For you are very greatly loved and treasured My little children,
My last-day champions of the faith," says your Abba-Father. "I have
much trust in you to carry out My bidding, for there is much riding on
your obedience as billions of souls are ripe for harvest and the end of
the age is not far off. Please go and quickly gather them into the
family-ark," pleads the caring Father.



"Partner with Me in declaring My Word and you shall see My
righteous judgments go forth as fire and lightnings."


Davidic Warriors

Greetings to the Warriors,

As I stated above in the first part, I am convinced our Father
is eager to pour out fresh oil and fresh grace for the days we
are living in, and for the days ahead. Please join me in receiving:

"Heavenly Father,

We come to You as your children and as the Davidic Warrior
prayer family, and we say that we are willing to cast off and
leave behind all fantasy-thinking about the world we live in.
 We set our faces to live in more of Your light and truth regarding
the challenges and rigors of the last days.

We now by faith receive a fresh outpouring of heavenly oil,
a fresh outpouring of courage and strengthening...to grace
us to step forth, to step up to take our places of leadership
and valor. We receive from You, Yeshua our Lamb/Lion,
more of the laser-focus You modeled and taught us. Holy Spirit
we so love and honor You, kindly grace us with greater yieldedness
and obedience in daily doing the Father's will. Let us as Your Bride
run the race before us, and grace us to finish strong....for You
our Beloved.

Know that you are loved and appreciated dear faith-friends,

Karla


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A Prophetic Word to this Generation
      Click for more information

Our heavenly Father is opening the storehouses of heaven and releasing
a greater anointing that has been reserved for this generation. Empowered
by the spirit of Elijah these mantles will bring restoration, including to those
who wear them and to their households.

Written in a prophetic style, this book brings fresh perspective and strong
encouragement to its readers. As you move through the pages of "Mantles"
the Holy Spirit will unveil, stir and establish more of your own unique
calling and mantle.

For more information, go to: www.MantlesOfGlory.org




Arleen Westerhof with Sharon Stone: "The Year of Open Doors - To Positions of Influence" - Prophetic Word For 2014

Love For His People Editor's Note: The words that continually jump out in prophetic words, for 2014, is "acceleration" and "open doors." Personally, since the Jewish new year 5774 began in September, 2013, I have experienced this. I hope you do too!  
Steve Martin


Arleen Westerhof with Sharon Stone:
"The Year of Open Doors - To Positions of Influence"
Prophetic Word For 2014 
From The Netherlands Prophetic Council
(The Elijah List)

Arleen Westerhof
A Short Testimony

Since the last time I sent you a prophetic word I've learned personally how God can use you to start to fulfill your own prophetic words. In 2011, The Elijah List published my word "Advance From Breakthrough Into Victory." One of the paragraphs in this word was:
Apostles and prophets will be raised up who have the wisdom, strategy and grace to mentor and disciple people who can lead corporations as CEO's, entrepreneurs, heads of communities, states and even nations.
Apostles and prophets will not just plant and build churches, but they will have the structures for managing and rebuilding ruined cities and nations. Prophets will serve in government, helping to structure the educational policy of nations, etc.

That word has not left me alone since then and has even kept me awake some nights praying for God to raise up the Josephs and the Daniels who have solutions for the global economic crisis. In Europe people are already starting to talk about a "lost generation" with a continental average of almost 25% of 18-25 year olds being unemployed.

European Economic Summit 2014To make a long story short, last year God started to give revelation on the solution. The result – the European Economic Summit, which will be held in Amsterdam this year from 18-20 September (economicsummit.eu).

The goal of the European Economic Summit 2014 is to formulate and present new Biblical models for the crisis-plagued economies of Europe in the 21st century. We desire to see a healthy and vital Europe that is able to offer opportunities (education, work, spiritual renewal) for the many, both inside and outside of Europe's borders. God has given a lot of favor with 11 European and International networks locking shields to make this happen.

Who says that prophets can't be practical!

Blessings and kind regards,
Arleen Westerhof

Facilitator, Netherlands Prophetic Council
Coordinator, European Economic Summit

2014, The Year of Open Doors

Winds of change are blowing across the earth, and this is visible in both the natural and the spiritual realms. These violent winds of change are blowing out the old era and ushering in the new: "Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new'" (Revelation 21:5). Political and religious structures are shifting. New leaders are being raised up, and many of these will be appointed and/or elected in 2014. While this happens, doors are opening in the heavenly realms.

2014, the Year of Open Doors"2014 is the Year of Open Doors,"says the Lord; doors that will bring us into a new era. 

These doors will have a visible effect upon the earth, e.g. spiritual renewal vs. a further hardening of our hearts as individuals and as a nation, and transformation vs. the acceptance of the status quo. These open doors will be doors of unprecedented opportunity and influence. 

How we respond to them will determine the destiny of nations.

Open Doors

• In 2014 great doors of opportunity for the preaching of the Gospel will be opened.
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
 2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's Gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord...

It's harvest time!2014 will be the season of the evangelist.
This will set the stage for a fuller manifestation of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God on the earth. It's harvest time! Not only will we see multitudes coming to Christ, but we will see nations discipled as God's principles begin to be applied in different societal spheres of influence.
Even now, God is equipping and positioning Kingdom-minded Believers for this task. New training schools will be started to facilitate this process.
• Doors will open in 2014 for Believers to step into positions of influence in the media, economics, government and the judicial system.
One of our Council members saw in a vision how people influenced by the anti-Christ spirit were busy dictating how the spheres of influence, and society as a whole, should function, e.g. job creation, housing, health care, education, etc. Laws were being drafted which will place people under a yoke of slavery. Righteousness and justice, however, are the foundations of God's throne (see Psalm 89:14).
Believers will step into positions of influenceThere are 60 verses in the New King James Version Bible describing the things that happened at the door of the tabernacle. These were not just limited to religious activity.
Civil Law, justice, family issues (from baby dedications to inheritance rights), etc. were legislated and carried out there. Our mandate is to establish God's Kingdom on the earth: "On earth as it is in Heaven" (Matthew 6:10). 

This does not mean that we should expect that things will be perfect, but rather that God's principles will become increasingly evident in the different influential spheres, as Believers with a Biblical world view step through these doors and take the positions in the world that God has prepared for them. 

(Photo via Vimeo/by Echo)

• A double-door of opportunity is opening up to marketplace ministers who have allowed God to weed out the roots of Mammon in their hearts.
Open double doorsIsaiah 45:1-3 Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held – to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut:
"I will go before you and make the crooked places straight. I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel."
In 2014 God is going to blow to bits the idea that Christians have to be poor in order to please God. Cyrus was lavishly resourced by God to accomplish His purposes – to finance the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. 
Levels of resourcing will be released to several in 2014 that we haven't even begun to dream about yet, and the concept of "businesses that bring transformation" will become widely known.
A new time of Christian philanthropy has begun.
• We are going to have to recognize the Day of our Visitation.
Genesis 18:1-5 Then the Lord appeared to Him (Abraham)... as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, and said, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. Please let a little water be brought, and wash Your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant..."
Day of VisitationAbraham did not know that it was the Lord who was passing by at that moment. Something inside of him, however, caused him to recognize that this day, which at first glance looked like any other normal day, was different.
That is why he ran from the tent door to meet the men. In doing so, he received the promise that within a year Sarah would have the son that they had waited so long for. God also told him about His plans for Sodom and Gomorrah. In 2014 we will have to stay alert to be able to recognize these kinds of moments. 

(Photo via thebiblerevival.com / Public Clipart Collection #67)

• In 2014 the open door will see God coming down to talk to His people.
Exodus 29:42 This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you.
Exodus 33:9 And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.
Open Door by Robert BartowThere has already been a door open in Heaven for quite some time now, and many have received revelation as they have been taken up to the Third Heaven (see Revelation 4:1). This will be different however.
When God came down to speak to Moses, He talked to him about how to lead the people and shape society. 2014 will see an increase in the number of people receiving practical revelation from God for the world we live in. Third Heaven experiences will also continue. 

(Photo via Elijahshopper.com/by Robert Bartow)

• Doors of fast and miraculous answers to prayer have been opened.
Acts 12:16-17 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. But motioning to tem with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren." And he departed and went to another place.
Liberacion de San PedroA few weeks ago there was a story in one of our national newspapers about a failed assassination attempt on someone in one of our cities. A criminal had held a gun to the head of a man and had pulled the trigger twice. Both times the gun failed to fire. The would-be assassin ran away but was later caught by the police. 
(Photo via Wikipedia/by Bartolome Esteban Murillo)
The intended victim was an acquaintance of one of our church members. When we asked this person about it, he told us that God had woken him up one night two weeks earlier and had told him to pray for the other man's protection.
This he did immediately until he received God's peace on the matter. He then said, "I know the type of gun that was used and it is very reliable. It always works. It's a miracle that it did not fire!" Miraculous answers to prayer like this are going to start to become so commonplace in 2014 that after a while we won't even be surprised anymore. The supernatural power of God in answer to the prayer of His people will become increasingly visible in our nation(s).
Know Who You Are
NetherlandsAnother one of our council members also had a vision. He saw a magician standing on a stage with a big red button on it. The magician invited a boy from the audience to come up onto the stage and push the button. Our council member said: "I had the idea that when the boy pushed the button, fireworks would go off and a huge celebration would erupt. I realized instantly that the magician was God, the Father, and that the little boy was the Netherlands." 

The Netherlands is called to push the button to start the new era. The Netherlands is small compared to other nations, but it has played this role in the past. 

(Photo via The World of Maps / 123Digitalmaps.com)

In spite of the fact that the boy had been invited to push the button, he didn't do it. Instead, he hesitated. We hesitate because we lack assurance and we do not trust that we have the ability to do what God has called us to do. 

The Spirit of God is saying, however, that, "The time when we did not know who we were has passed." The Netherlands is called to push the button and to change the world.

Heroes

Daniel 11:32b ...but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

David and Goliath2014 will see a new outpouring of the "hero spirit" as God raises up a new generation of mighty men and women. 

The sons and daughters of God will rise up, shake off their lethargy and fear, and confront the armies of darkness that have our nation(s) in their grip:"Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 

This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands'" (I Samuel 17:45-47).

Many will be encouraged and will themselves rise up and do exploits as they see and hear the stories of the modern-day Gideons and Davids who God is raising up even now. The hero spirit and taking back ground that has been lost will be important characteristics of this new move of the Spirit that God is unleashing upon the earth and which will pick up speed in 2014.

Arleen Westerhof
Facilitator, Netherlands Prophetic Council
Coordinator, European Economic Summit

Arleen Westerhof is the founder and facilitator of the Netherlands Prophetic Council and is the co-senior pastor of the church God's Embassy Amsterdam together with her husband Dick. She is the Coordinator of the European Economic Summit 2014 and an associate with Christian International Europe. Arleen has a passion to see prophecy made practical and prophets raised up who are able to be problem-solvers.

The Netherlands Prophetic Council consists of church and ministry leaders from across The Netherlands and is a platform  where prophets from different denominations and movements are trained, encouraged, and raised up. Their goal is to release the prophetic voice in The Netherlands and in Europe. Each year they come together to seek the Lord about what He wants to do the following year. Several times a year they organize events aimed at seeing the Kingdom of God advanced across Europe.