Prophetic Encouragement:
From Ivan:
Praying and seeking the Lord on what the source of the warfare is for John and how it can be stopped. The impression is that the Lord is moving him to a higher levels of authority.
Prayer for both he and Laura with Elevate 29. Favor in meetings and work with written material.
The Lord is doing the impossible for them with the Nehemiah project.
In regards to John’s authority there is a story that might be helpful to him.
Many years ago, David Wilkerson, founder of Teen Challenge, was in a rough part of New York City by himself and at night. He could hear footsteps in back of him and they were gaining ground on him. He knew it was trouble as he could see the reflection of light off of a knife blade from a streetlight in the corner of his eye. He start worshipping and praising the Lord silently. He got so caught up in worshipping the Lord he momentarily forgot about the threat of what was going on behind him. And all of sudden he just shouted out loud Hallelujah, Hallelujah in worship to the Lord. Just as he shouted the guy with the knife was almost upon him. When he shouted to the Lord Hallelujah he turned around and saw the guy with the knife trembling and terrified and the guy with the knife ran away for all he was worth.
There is much authority in you John but the Lord is encouraging you to keep his focus on him. He will keep lifting you above the warfare as you focus on the Lord.
From Vicki:
I prayed for greater strength from the Lord and for clear direction on how to use the authority the Lord has given you. If the saints of the Old Testament were able to operate in the divine with only the blood of bulls and goats being shed to cover their sins, think about what we should be able to do based on the blood of Jesus! (Read Hebrews 9:11-14 – actually, all of Hebrews 9 is a good reminder)
John 14:12 (NIV)
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
In Colossians 1:13 is tells us that we were delivered out of the enemy’s authority:
Colossians 1:13 (NIV)
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
1 John 5:4 (NIV) says:
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Romans 8:31-39 (NIV)
31 …If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 23:5 (NIV)
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
John and Laura: You both have great authority in the Kingdom of God. It was purchased at a great price to be used to bring glory and honor to God. Our right-standing with God is what the enemy has to bow to; he doesn’t have it and never can have it. It is a large part of your authority in Christ. Remember what Hosea 4:6 says (NIV):
6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
Pamela’s Prophetic Encouragement:
CLIENT – The whole Family
I keep feeling God wants to bless you and encourage you in how much He loves you and how proud He is of you. And to remind you that He has a purpose for each one of you.
I would encourage you to pray over each other and Jordan and Jack. I would also suggest some of these verses lend themselves to easily being personalized. For I know the plans I have for you (John, Laura, Jordan, Jack)…
Jeremiah 29:11
New Living Translation (NLT)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 31:20
Amplified Bible (AMP)
20 Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a darling child and beloved? For as often as I speak against him, I do [earnestly] remember him still. Therefore My affection is stirred and My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy, pity, and loving-kindness for him, says the Lord.
Matthew 7:7-11
Amplified Bible (AMP)
7 Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent?
11 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!
2 Corinthians 7:4
Amplified Bible (AMP)
4 I have great boldness and free and fearless confidence and cheerful courage toward you; my pride in you is great. I am filled [brimful] with the comfort [of it]; with all our tribulation and in spite of it, [I am filled with comfort] I am overflowing with joy.
Psalm 18:2
New International Version (NIV)
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Hebrews 4:16
Amplified Bible (AMP)
16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Zephaniah 3:17
New Living Translation (NLT)
17 For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”