INTIMACY WITH GOD JOURNAL
FEBRUARY 2011
Opening Article: Get It Yourself
Stressed or Impressed? Where are you?
Quad State Tour Update - Join the Army of Victorious Intercessors invading the land!
Get It Yourself
Recently while at a conference, one of the speakers said, “Don’t go to the internet for your prophetic words. Get them yourself!” I agree. However, it wasn’t so much of a reprimand as it was an encouragement to go the Lord in prayer yourself and hear what He is saying to you. Of course, many of you are indeed doing that and it’s most commendable.
Nevertheless, it’s still encouraging to go to the internet and see some of the same prophetic utterances you’ve heard in prayer. Wow! It’s comforting to see things confirmed in the Body of Christ as scripture testifies that “…on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.” (Deut. 19:15; Matt. 18:16)
But what the speaker was implicating was a word of caution for those who think they have to go to someone else to hear from the Lord, rather than hearing for themselves. Many in Christian circles have become ‘prophetic junkies’ so to speak, and are always seeking out others to see what God is saying in the ‘now.’
The lazy way
We must not depend on others to get ‘a word from the Lord.’ Quite frankly, that’s the lazy way. Let’s understand that indeed there is a time commitment of waiting upon Him in deep reflection, meditation and communion of mind, body, soul and spirit. Too often, many simply are not willing to do that. They have a million excuses.
Hey! If you’re hungry for His Presence and power in your life, waiting upon Him, spending time with Him certainly is no problem. You will be more than eager, even compelled, to enter into His Presence, spending time alone with Him. I’m not talking about ‘church time,’ but one on one communing with the lover of your soul. If you and I will do this, we will truly experience spiritual communiqués that transcend time and space that radically changes our lives. If we’re able to take time to go out to dinner, go to ball games, shopping malls, etc., shouldn’t we be able to take the sacred and holy time to be with the One who redeemed us from the pit?!
You know, He’s the best company in the world! Find out for yourself what He has to say about your lifestyle, your vocabulary, what TV shows you watch, who you associate with, what your tomorrow may look like (prophecy), etc. Discover TRUTH for yourself by reading His awesome Love Letters in His Word {the Bible}. And in humility, let Him be the boss of your life. Allow Him to rule and reign over your mind, body, soul and spirit. Invite Him to speak His will and His ways into your journey through this earthly existence, and without a doubt, you’ll be encouraged beyond belief! “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
Linda Schreurs
STRESSED OR IMPRESSED?
I don’t know about you, but for me personally, this New Year has already been quite challenging and we’re only a few weeks into it! Ah, such is life in the human lane. But wait a minute, I’m also born of the Holy Spirit, and that changes everything! My perspective has to change. It will!
I have to admit that lately I’ve been involved in the above phrases of being either stressed or highly impressed with God’s power to carry me in the midst of storms. I’ve been riding high and low waves of emotions as I’ve struggled with certain issues in my life. Have you ever experienced that? Assuredly, most of us have. So what becomes our stability in times of tossing to and fro? Is it not the solid Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ? I love how He rescues us day after day, hour after hour from the stresses of life. He’s the most faithful person you’ll ever meet! Turn to Him, tune in to Him and things really do begin to change for the better.
Compassion
I spent the year of 2009 fighting a debilitating rare form of non-contagious tuberculosis. It was an extremely challenging time for me personally. Nevertheless, Jesus gave me victories in many ways. Hallelujah!
Then, late last year (2010), I had surgery on my left thumb which had deteriorated significantly, (they want to operate on the right one as well!). Osteoarthritis had taken its toll in a number of ways. And for an author, that can be devastating. Unfortunately, the healing and rehabilitation process has been much slower than my doctor expected. It has caused restlessness in my soul and impatience in my physical reactions. Even though this is nothing of significance in the scheme of much bigger things going on in the world, it did affect the attitude of heart in ways I did not anticipate. My family could tell you that I probably became more of a ‘whiner’ than a ‘winner.’ I felt stressed because I was being hindered – again.
Then, one recent morning as I sat down with my cup of tea to enter into my intimate time alone with the Lord, I was instantly overcome with His profound compassion. Oh, how hard it is to describe! It literally took my breath away! I immediately froze perfectly still trying to savor and drink in the astounding moment as long as I could. Warm tears streamed down my face. He had come! He had come to comfort me! He loves me! He really, truly loves me! Yes! His holy Word declares in Isaiah 30:18, “The Lord longs to be gracious to you and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him.”
Lovingkindness
O let us jump for joy at this amazing comfort found in His divine bosom! He comes to us gently in tenderness and in ‘lovingkindness.’ That word comes up as a misspelled word on the computer because its combination is found only in scripture! When kindness is mixed with deep, passionate love, it changes everything. People can do good deeds for a lot of worldly reasons, but lovingkindness comes only from the Holy Spirit. Let us seek for this kind of compassion that will change our spheres of influence.
Dear friend, let each one of us realize the astounding depth of compassion our Wonderful Lord Jesus has for us. His Name truly is ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace,’ just as Isaiah 9:6 says. Oh the depth of love that surpasses anything of this human existence. Every cry of your heart, every tear, every pain, sorrow, heartache, challenge…whatever it is that has kept you bound up in stress, He wants to IMPRESS you with His compassion that will overwhelm your heart taking you into astounding victories!
Quote and live Psalm 126:5 often in your daily existence: “Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping carrying his bag of seed {God’s Word/God’s promises}, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves {bounty} with him.” What a hallelujah statement!
Exercise
For years, in what I suppose may sound childlike, I quite often ‘clothe’ my soul with a smile on the outside as a spiritual exercise. In other words, early on in my walk with God, I learned He is the lifter of my countenance. Therefore, when I keep my gaze upon Him, there is no other facial expression than to smile! (Ps. 3:3; Ps. 4:6; Ps. 89:15; Numb. 6:26) Consequently, one morning as I awoke feeling stressed, I realized I did not want to start the day in that manner when suddenly the Holy Spirit nudged me to smile – I mean, a BIG SMILE! It wasn’t necessarily for the world to see, although that’s not a bad idea. It was simply for me personally. It made me laugh! I laughed and laughed as if overcome by wine. It was quite wonderful to say the least.
I began singing an impromptu song: “Good morning, Lord! YOU make me SMILE! You are worthy of a smile! You are worthy of our praise now and forevermore. You make me smile for all that You are ~ my exquisite joy, my profound salvation, complete healing, restoration, provision and a million other glorious things! O what a joy You are! O what a SONG You are! I am thrilled and fascinated by Your love. You make me SMILE!”
Enjoy your God!
Precious friends of God, let us ENJOY our God. This is something the Lord’s been showing me for over a year. We have made it all too laborious. Let us begin to enjoy our walk with Him, just like a little child. Have wild expectations for all He can do and will do in your life. (Eph. 3:20) It’s so much more fun that way!
In all this, the Lord was teaching me yet again, to trust Him with faith like a child. Everything was going to be OK. He assures you and I that it must be this way – this ‘childlikeness’ as stated in Matthew 18:3, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
I sense there are far too many Christians trying very hard to figure things out on their own instead of trusting the Lord like a little boy or a little girl. Take His hand and He’ll walk you across the street through ‘heavy traffic’ (enemy onslaughts). Trust your Papa Abba!
Examine yourself right now. Are you stressed? Wouldn’t you much rather be IMPRESSED by the magnitude of God’s power, healing, deliverance and provision with His glory, majesty and splendor that covers your life with His own by Calvary’s blood? Absorb Psalm 30:5 into your soul which so aptly comforts us saying, “Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” Verse 11 is just as awesome, “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; that my soul may sing praise to Thee and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to Thee FOREVER.” ‘Forever’ means right now, in this current hour of trial, but also for tomorrow and forever. His love never wanes or ceases. Therefore, I am totally impressed by His glory! Aren’t you?
Whatever the situation we may be going through or will ever go through, the Lord Jesus is our Rock of Ages, our strength, our song, our joy – always! (See Rev. 12:10-11)
Fire of His Altar
In my frustrations of the slow, but progressive physical therapy for the restoration of my thumb and wrist, the Lord has given me much more compassion, more revelation, insight and understanding that I otherwise could not have had. This is true for each one of us. Trials make us or break us. We can be bitter or better, go lower or higher, backward or forward. Which do you choose?
Ironically, during these past several months of recuperation and exhaustion, the Holy Spirit has gotten me up 2-4 times a week in the middle of the night for hours to pray. My flesh would say, “Doesn’t He KNOW I’M TIRED?!” And yet in my heart, in my spirit, I must… I have to… I will always - answer the call of my Holy Beloved. He’s my strength, my joy, my Divine Love. I cannot say ‘no’ to Him. Who would want to? If He calls, He will strengthen you. He will equip you. He will give you the victory! Go. Sit. Wait. Love. Pray. Praise. Rejoice. Celebrate!
One night after many intercessory prayers, I went back to bed after being up for almost five hours. It was nearing daybreak. Exhausted, yet exhilarated in the spirit, I felt as if I’d been in a war zone all night (like soldiers in Afghanistan) interceding for so many dear souls. As I began to lay my head on my pillow, hoping not to awaken my husband, I whispered to my Divine Beloved, “I feel as though I’ve been under fire!” Instantly the Holy Spirit said, “Yes you have! You’ve been under My Fire, the FIRE OF MY ALTAR, the Fire of My Presence. For have I not said, ‘Fire shall be kept burning continually on the altar; it is not to go out.’” (Lev. 6:13) It was a sweet ‘wow moment’ for me.
New Assignment
I had kept the night watch of the Lord without realizing it. Such sweet words from our Holy Master caresses our soul into deeper passion for Him at any cost. Sleep depravation. What’s that?! A fast from food, water, pleasures or various things, what’s that? Persecution. What’s that?! Did not Paul say, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword…But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:35, 37-39)
In conclusion, the fact of the matter is, in your times of suffering, the Lord may very well be preparing you for a higher anointing and a new assignment. How exciting! For me personally, the lung issue of TB of course is a matter of life and breath. Most certainly the enemy does not want me, or anyone else, to reside in God’s Presence, power and divine Breath (John 20:22). Likewise, I discovered the thumb represents authority! (Ex. 29:20; Lev. 8:23; Judges 1:6-7)
So use your blues for clues into His divine purposes for your life. Exchange your frown for a crown of elevation into the things of the Spirit.
From shepherd boy to king, David’s trials and tribulations made him the man of God he was ordained to be. What are you destined for? Don’t be surprised if in the ‘school of life,’ the Lord is sharpening your spiritual skills for His glory to advance His kingdom on earth. That’s a divine assignment and it’s an Amen!
IOWA INTERCESSORY MAP ACTIVATED!
JOIN THE SPIRITUAL ARMY NOW AT:
Iowa of course lies within the heartland of America. As with your own state (if you’re not from Iowa), it has a divine destiny the Lord purposes to accomplish. Since Iowa lies near the center of the nation, whatever the pulse beating here in the court systems, will spill over into the whole county. The road to the White House also begins here, so this is a strategic state to be sure.
Our ministry’s prophetic journey to its 99 county courthouses a few years ago was prolific in its spectrum. My resulting book, Words Aptly Spoken, is a powerful guide for intercessory prayer for Iowa. However, every state in the union would do well to follow suit. No doubt we are living in precarious times. You and I have been born for this time! We are here in this generation to impact and change history with mega prayers and godly actions. A powerful intercessory army is marching across the land. Put on your spiritual armor (Eph. 6), and march with us by signing up right now at: www.intimacy-with-God.com, click the Tab: Iowa Map, and register as an intercessor for your COUNTY in Iowa. Then forward this link on to the churches, ministries and prayer groups in your area.
SCHEDULED QUAD STATE MEETINGS to mobilize and encourage the marching saints in Iowa. Come to all of them if you can! Mark your calendars now for:
1) April 29, NW Quad, Twin Lakes Christian Center in the Northwoods Room, Manson,
Ia. (about 7 miles from Ft. Dodge)
2) May 29, NE Quad, Host: IHOPE, Mike Peters, Waterloo, Ia.
3) Sept. 23, SE Quad, Host: Trinity Friend's Church, Rev. Tim Hadley, Richland, Ia.
4) Oct. 14, SW Corner, Host: HHOP, Jim and Teri Kohl, Council Bluffs, Ia.
5) Nov. 11 (11-11-11!) Center, and Grand Celebration for all the Lord has
done, is doing and is about to do! This will be a Spiritual CPR (Christ Performing
Resuscitation) Revival Meeting! It will be held at the Foxboro Conference Center on 86th St.
in Johnston, Iowa.
Each Quad Meeting (consisting of approximately 20 counties in those regions), will consist of prayer regarding specifics in those counties, not just those from our book, but things others are seeing/hearing as well. Worship will key, followed by a brief message with Randy Bixby from KHOP. Linda Schreurs will bring the conclusion through leading the group into an intimate, life-changing encounter with the Lamb of God in Holy Communion. You are welcome to bring your worship banners and shofars to add to the celebrations of what the Lord is doing!
God’s Shekinah glory is prophesied to fall in our midst, where an atmosphere is charged with healings, signs and wonders from on High! Purpose to attend the Quad meeting in your area, or all of them if you can, but especially the Grand Finale Celebration on 11-11-11. Anything can happen! In fact, we are required by the Holy Spirit to look for it! (Eph. 3:20)
A prophetic word
I want to emphasize here that as you sign up to pray for your county, please forward us any prophetic words you may receive from the Lord regarding your area to: LindaSchreurs@intimacy-with-God.com. We will try to share as many of those as we can in the Quadrant meetings. It’s imperative the saints unite in the spirit of humility, grace, honor and astounding love for one another. No one is to be lifted up. No one is to be exalted, but the King of glory!
This past week the Holy Spirit has spoken to my heart once again regarding this strategic Quad Tour. He said, “This will not be accomplished by might, nor by power, but my My Spirit. (Zech. 4:6).” I then saw thousands of people overwhelmed by God’s love, mercy, grace, compassion, healing and deliverance and they were calling out to Him while on bended knees. He continued… “Linda, I’m showing you change! Change is coming and it’s coming from on high! Few in number, mighty in deed. Gideon’s army of intercessors is arising and the incense of their prayers has reached My nostrils. Continue to pray and you shall see My glory. I will come through in ways you do not expect. Wait and see. Look and see. Behold, I am doing a new thing. Strength and courage is required. Follow me.”
Starting engine for revival
The above phrase was given to me by the Holy Spirit this week as well. I couldn’t be more excited! How about you? Listen. Iowa, this is your time! Unite, and fight the good fight as Paul admonishes in 1 Timothy 1:18-19a, “This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience…”
You and I must realize that indeed prayer changes the landscape of our lives in the natural and spiritual realms. Our prayers shake, rattle and role the earth and the heavens! Revelation 8:3-5 testifies to this: “And another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer and much incense was given to him that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints went up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” Now that’s power!
See you in April for the first Quad State Meeting!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Quad State Tour: See above.
Women’s Hermitages for 2011: The spring one will be May 12-15; the autumn one, Oct. 6-9th. Put these date on your calendar and pray about which one the Lord would have you attend. These are precious ‘alone’ times with the Lord that take you deeper and higher! Contact us for more info.
KHOP (Kingdom House of Prayer) led by Randy Bixby. Let this be the time in your life where you become enthralled with prayer, praise and worship of your mighty King of glory. May you be inspired to come and partake of amazing things happening many hours of the day and night at KHOP. Healing and prophetic ministry are also available. It’s located at 1212 NW 36th St. in Ankeny, Iowa 50023. Check the schedule by clicking: www.kingdomhop.org
LINDA’S BOOKS:
Words Aptly Spoken, endorsed by Francis Frangipane, Randy Bixby and others, is about IWG Ministry’s prophetic prayer journey to Iowa’s county courthouses declaring righteousness and truth to come into these places of governmental decisions on various issues. All the states of America ought to do this very thing for the area in which they live. May our prayers shake America for revival! ($20, plus $4 shipping & handling) Order from web site or address below.
Armageddon Bride, endorsed by Lou Engle, the late Jill Austin and others, is about true intimacy with God and the moral issues of our day that are playing havoc in many societies globally, mainly the marriage issue. Who is the true Bride of Christ? Will she stand up for truth at all costs? ($14, plus shipping & handling). Order from web site or address below.