Three weeks ago, while I was preaching one evening, the Holy Spirit interrupted and said, “Hold the Line.” The words had such a strong impression that I moved forward towards the people and told them, “Hold the line, God is telling us to hold the line!” I wasn’t sure what the purpose was at the moment, but I knew these words were used as military terms while in battle. I saw a vision of the movie Braveheart with Mel Gibson, and he put his hand out to direct the warriors to stop and stand. In the movie, all eyes are on Gibson, and they await his next move before they make theirs. That is what God was telling us; we were not to move from what we had advanced into until He gave us the order to do so.
Upon further research and prayer of these words, I found the word hold has several definitions one of which is to support in a particular position, to keep from falling or moving, to maintain position, and to refuse to give up ground; and my favorite, do not yield to the pressure of a difficult situation! Once I saw these words, I was confident that God was speaking to our little ecclesia of people, but I also believe He is speaking this to everyone in the Body of Christ that has done all they can to fight, and now they are simply standing firm. Let’s be confident in the standing that God is our rear guard, our mighty fortress and strong tower. He is the one who supports us on eagles’ wings so that if we grow weary, we won’t faint.
The past couple of years for our ministry has been difficult, full of challenges, some advances, and some standstills but we have been on a constant trajectory towards the kingdom will of God for us and those with us. As my husband and I have pursued God’s destiny and purpose for our lives we have encountered numerous demonic assaults and a lot of fatigue. I have had many days by which I have said things like, “I feel like a hamster on a wheel, burning energy but not advancing.” I have also felt and even envisioned myself pressing through something that looks like a clear plastic wrap, the more I press into it, the more it stretches without breaking! Have you ever been in these places? They can be exhaustive and stressful places, the kind that wreaks havoc on your faith when you are trying to get through a season and onto the promises ahead.
Let us hold fast the confession of [our] hope without wavering, for He who promised [is] faithful. - Heb 10:23
God has promises for all of us, but when we retreat in the times of difficulty, we will not receive the promise. The plastic wrap vision I mentioned started to make me think of a woman’s water breaking at the time of childbirth (not a pretty picture I know but relevant). I felt like I needed to push harder to get the breakthrough I so desperately needed. This can be a dangerous mindset because it can become more about laboring in one’s own strength instead of the Lords. I then began to see words about giving birth and how “you are about to birth your destiny” I even bought a book written by Apostle Dr. Brian Alton called Born for Destiny, Giving Birth to Your Life’s Purpose. Apostle Alton talks about the birthing process of a person’s destiny while comparing it to a woman giving birth to a baby. He also talks about the right alignments with those who can help you bring forth your destiny. At the time I purchased the book I didn’t realize what the topic was about but as soon as I started reading it, I began seeing articles and blogs on the same subject.
When we see repetitive things such I am talking about with the words on birthing, they are either confirmations or warnings. In my case, they are confirming what God is about to do in our lives and ministry.
It is my hope that as you read this article that it will confirm to you what God desires to bring forth in your life. It doesn’t have to be ministry it just has to be purpose called forth in Christ Jesus. A purpose that advances the kingdom of God in this world is one worth the labor and energy expended to break forth.
Stay the Course
The words “Hold the Line” came after a season of the words “Stay the Course.” Clearly, the Lord is speaking; I am even getting some of the revelation as I type this! To “stay the course” means to keep going strong to the end of a race, pursuing a difficult task or activity to the end. Staying the course is to continue in doing the thing you start until it is finished or until you achieve something planned, or until we achieve the goal of the Lord in the thing, we are doing.
Jesus Christ stayed the course even when all adversity and rejection presented themselves. He never wavered in what His destiny was to be, and He never gave up nor veered away from His calling.
but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. - Heb 3:6
God is saying to continue in what you are doing until you reach the desired goal, whatever that may be and after you have reached a certain point the Lord will cause you to remain strong to hold the line (the territory or position gained) until He says to MOVE! Since God never does a thing for just one person or church, then He must be speaking this prophetically to those who are to receive it.
On the Move
At the end of July, the week of my husband’s birthday we moved. My husband said we would sell our home in three days and we did and within four weeks we were in our new home. Three months later our Deacons decided they were selling and moving after living over 20 years in their home and shortly after that decision they were living in their new home. During the same time frame, our worship leaders (my son) bought their first home and moved in during Thanksgiving. Another worship team member is scheduled to move in a couple of weeks around her birthday, and our ministry had to relocate this week! All of these moves centered around birthdays and Thanksgiving, bringing me to my next point.
New Beginnings
God is obviously speaking in our lives through these moves; He is strategically positioning us where we need to be in the physical and spiritual before He tells us to take more land. Only He fully understands this strategy as of yet.
18 "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness [And] rivers in the desert. - Isa 43:18-19
Just because we cannot always see the full picture as God does isn’t a reason not to trust Him and to move when He says to. When God is doing something in our lives, it often requires us to let go of something in order to grab something else. We should be on the move when God is on the move. When God is doing the new thing we should be able to perceive it through the word of God, prayer, and even in natural occurrences such as it is with all of our ministry and leadership team moving.
The problem with making moves is that it is often a fearful step into an unknown territory which requires some kind of change and not many people like change. However, change is necessary to advance and grow, without change things become stagnant. We are ever changing, being transformed into the same image of the Lord from glory to glory (2Cor 3:18).
God is a good God, and He says you are His and He called you by name. Whenever you come upon turbulent or difficult waters, He will be with you and the rivers shall not overflow you nor shall you be burned when you walk through the fire. God is a Protector and a Projector! As the Projector God is the One who plans and sets up our lives and He knows how to protect His people when He thrusts them out into unchartered and unknown territories. So, if you are called to move in any capacity remember this, He is with you and promises not to leave you nor forsake you, and though it may seem like you can’t push another push you are the co-laborer, and He is the One to bring it forth. Stay the course then hold the line and don’t give up for in due season you will reap a harvest!
Let’s Pray,
Heavenly Father it has been a tough time getting my life to this point, I want to be co-laborer and not controller! Thank You for giving me the opportunities for advancement in my life, the kind of advancement that will help build Your kingdom and bring Your plans and purposes to earth. Thank You for giving me a new day tomorrow whereby all my failures can be washed in the blood of Jesus, and all my victories can bring You glory. Help me as I go forward to remember that when I am blind, You see the end from the beginning and everything in between and are never surprised at the difficulties that come my way. In Jesus name, Amen