"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side.' Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?'
"Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?' And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, 'Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!'" Mark 4:35-41
How many of you can relate to this story? I am sure that the Lord is hearing prayers from His people each day that sound similar to the words of His disciples: "Do you not care that we are perishing?" I guarantee you that His answer today is still the same as it was two thousand years ago: "Peace, be still."
Why are so many so fearful? If you are one of those, you aren't alone. There are days that it feels as though our lives have become targets for the enemy's fury and it is on those days that we wonder, feeling tired and tested, "How is it that we have no faith?"
We are in a great storm throughout the world, but I encourage you with the words that Jesus spoke to the storm (and to those who were with Him in the storm), "Peace, be still." His words were directed at the storm and were obeyed by the winds and waves, but I believe that they were also words to His disciples.
What Has Rulership in Your Life?
In May of 2008 the Lord gave me a word of caution for His people. I feel this is a "now" word that will help many during these times of storms. Here is what He spoke to me on May 1st, 2008:
"Watch carefully, for the enemy is coming like a thief who will try to steal your peace. He is unleashing demonic assignments to exaggerate emotions and to bring forth vain imaginations that will try to exalt themselves above truth, wisdom, and the knowledge of God. His goal is to cause My people to move off the Rock of their peace so that they are vulnerable to being harmed during times of storms and shakings."
As I prayed into this word, the Holy Spirit began to show me that when we give fear rulership in our thoughts and our actions, it actually creates a "landing strip" for the enemy to exaggerate and exacerbate difficult circumstances and causes our perspective of those circumstances to become warped. The key is to give the peace of Christ rulership in our hearts.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15
We must not allow fear-based rulership to drive us in any way. We are led by peace—the peace that surpasses all our understanding. The rulership of Christ is vital to the life of the Believer; without it we open ourselves to an amazing amount of unnecessary emotional and spiritual turmoil.
If you have allowed a spirit of fear to rule your heart and life, take a moment now to ask the Lord to free you of fear and invite His peace to come and take rulership of your life. You can also invite Him to speak to the "winds and waves" that are tossing you and bringing you so much fear. He has authority to speak peace to your circumstances, too.
Exaggerated Emotions and Vain Imaginations
When the Holy Spirit spoke to me regarding exaggerated emotions, I understood that the enemy was literally sending assignments that would attack the weak places in people's souls, attempting to trap them into being led by their feelings rather than by the Spirit. This is going on in young and old alike. The enemy is attempting to exaggerate situations in our lives in order to bring forth an emotional reaction.
On the other hand, God is in the process of strengthening His people so that they will live by the Spirit and respond to Him rather than react to the enemy's assignments or their fragile emotions. He is allowing many of these trials so that our spirits will rise up and be exercised and strengthened. Remember, our flesh will always try to gain rulership in our lives by reacting to circumstances with fear and unbelief. We must exercise our spirits to submit to the rulership of Christ, which will bring forth a response that is full of truth, grace, wisdom and peace.
We live in emotionally charged times. The enemy will use this to stir up our emotions and to create vain imaginations in order to keep us from the knowledge and the wisdom of God. This is a time to be very aware of what the Spirit is saying to the Church so that you are not moved out of your posture of peace and truth. Do not let the enemy move you from the Rock of your peace or you will be susceptible to imaginations that are not founded on God's truth.
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ..." 2 Corinthians 10:5
Overcoming Disappointment and Defeat
One of the things we are witnessing at this time is that the spirit of the overcomer is arising in the land. In the past season, the Church was often left vulnerable by many of our responses to the giants that we faced. As giants of opposition came face to face with God's people, many did not apprehend their God-given authority and found themselves believing the lie that they were defeated. This has left many disappointed with God.
I tell you the truth: If you are in God, YOU ARE NOT DEFEATED! Our Savior is the Master of every situation, the Victor in every conflict; therefore you, too, are victorious. Though you may not understand some of the circumstances that you have faced or the outcome of these situations, even so, you are not defeated. To believe so is to believe a lie!
We need the spirit of understanding and the knowledge of God to discern many of life's situations, so that we do not try to discern the things of the Spirit with human understanding. This is where we see vain imaginations exulting themselves above the knowledge of God.
"My son, if you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul." Proverbs 2:1-10
I personally believe that in this season and in this day we are once again coming face to face with giants of opposition, but there is a remnant of God's people who have been prepared to stand in the face of great adversity and not be moved. They will not be defeated by their foes. They will be a part of those who break the spirit of defeat and disappointment off the Body of Christ in North America and throughout the world.
This spirit has plagued God's people and harassed them endlessly. But God is arising in His people, they are grasping the truth of grace and will not be moved by these giants. Like young David, they are picking up the stone of faith and the slingshot of grace, to stand courageously before Goliath and overcome this enemy who speaks lies.
The Prayer of Agreement
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in Heaven." Matthew 18:19
God uses the "prayers of agreement" and the unity of the Saints to multiply the power that will overcome any spirit of defeat and despair. It is very important to walk with your brothers and sisters in Christ. This is a day of corporate unity and corporate agreement that will break the assignments that have strongly opposed the Body of Christ. As many arise as one, just as the Father, Son and Spirit are One, there will be a spiritual breakthrough that has not been seen before.
God is calling the Body of Christ to rise up in corporate authority to face these giants that previously caused us to walk in a posture of defeat. There is safety and victory in unity and agreement. Do not walk alone!
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that you gave Me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me..." John 17:20-23
Final Thoughts: I keep remembering the words of Jesus that remind us that while we are in this world, we will face tribulation, but He goes on to say, "...but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Let us face today with good cheer. Let us give the good report like Joshua and Caleb, who understood that there were giants in the land, but they knew that the Lord was with them and would grant them victory.
And so, I speak over you: "Peace, be still!"
May the Peace of Christ Be Yours,
Kathi Pelton
Light Streams Ministries
Email: jkpelton@sbcglobal.net
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