Explosive Grace & Greater Victories

As I write this week’s blog, I have attempted to extract Faylene’s word over the house for 2024 as I believe it is significant, not only for FLBChurch corporately but also for individuals. My encouragement would be to read it, meditate on it, and begin to pray and expect it for your lives and the life of the Church.4 key points were brought forth and have been outlined below. 

Point 1. Fresh Wind of the Holy Spirit

A fresh wind of the Holy Spirit, symbolising an updraft of revelation and divine power is coming. This fresh anointing is expected to bring a higher perspective and expansion in personal lives and within the church community.

I have listed several Bible verses that can illuminate this idea. “a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit, symbolising an updraft of revelation and divine power,”  which we should be expecting to increase.

Acts 2:2-4 – This passage describes the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost as a powerful wind filling the house where the disciples were sitting, and tongues of fire resting on each of them. This event symbolises a powerful movement of the Holy Spirit, bringing new understanding (revelation) and empowerment (divine power).

John 3:8 – Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus about being born again includes the metaphor of wind to describe the work of the Spirit: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” This verse speaks to the unpredictable, sovereign, and transformative nature of the Holy Spirit’s work.

Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This verse can be seen as symbolic of the uplifting and empowering effect of the Holy Spirit, providing a ‘higher perspective’ and renewed strength.

Ezekiel 37:9-10 – In the vision of the valley of dry bones, Ezekiel is told to prophesy to the breath (or wind/spirit), and when he does, the breath comes into the bones, and they come to life. This passage symbolises the reviving and life-giving power of God’s Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” This passage speaks to the transformative power of the Spirit, leading to spiritual growth and expansion in personal lives.

Point 2. Expect Revival: A Generational Call

Faylene shared a Vision of two generations at a beach, with a wave coming in and then retracting, symbolising the cycles of God’s movements. The elder generation experienced God’s move, while the younger is poised for a revival.

This revival requires each generation to actively engage and pay the price for spiritual awakening, as highlighted in the scriptures about Christ being formed within us (Galatians 4:19).

Psalm 145:4 – “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” This verse emphasizes the importance of intergenerational transmission of faith and the recounting of God’s deeds from one generation to the next. Joel 2:28-29 – “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” This prophecy from Joel speaks to a time of spiritual revival where God’s Spirit empowers all generations.

2 Timothy 1:5 – “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” This verse shows the faith being passed down through generations, highlighting the continuity and growth of faith across different ages.

Point 3. Forged in the Fire

The prophecy speaks of being forged in the fire, indicating a period of testing and refinement.

Being “forged by fire” is a metaphorical concept often used in spiritual and personal development contexts, derived from the process of forging metal. In metalwork, forging involves heating metal to a high temperature and then hammering it into shape. This process strengthens the metal and improves its properties, making it more resilient and effective for its intended use. When applied to personal or spiritual growth, this metaphor has rich and multi-layered implications.

The result of forging is that it produces: Purification, Transformation, Increased Strength and Resilience, Divine Shaping, development of Faith, Personal Growth and Maturity.

1 Peter 1:7 - "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

Point 4. The Fall of Giants and Gatekeepers

This year is marked as the time when spiritual giants and gatekeepers fall, as illustrated in the story of OG, King of Bashan, in Deuteronomy 3. The defeat of these giants symbolises overcoming significant spiritual obstacles. The keys to this victory are found in the following principles.

Divine Assurance and the Rejection of Fear: 

In Deuteronomy 3:2, God commands, “Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land,  into thy hand.” This principle emphasises the importance of trusting God’s promises and rejecting fear. It illustrates the spiritual truth that God’s assurance is more potent than any intimidating circumstance. The principle here is to focus on God’s promises rather than the size or strength of the obstacles faced.

Obedience to Divine Command: 

The Israelites’ victory over Og was a direct result of their obedience to God’s instructions. God not only promised them victory but also gave specific directions on engaging in the battle. This obedience is crucial in overcoming challenges – the principle being that following God’s guidance leads to success, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

God’s Sovereignty in Battle: 

The passage shows that the battle’s outcome was not determined by human strength or strategy but by God’s intervention. In verses like Deuteronomy 3:3, where it says, “So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan,” it highlights the principle that ultimate victory in spiritual battles comes from God. This teaches the principle of reliance on God’s power rather than human abilities. These principles – trusting in God’s promises, obedience to His commands, and reliance on His sovereignty – are recurrent themes throughout the Bible, especially in contexts where believers face daunting challenges or ‘giants’. They teach that overcoming significant obstacles is not so much about human capability but about faith in God, adherence to His word, and reliance on His divine power.

Conclusion

I believe this is a significant word from the Lord for us for 2024. God has declared what He will do, our part is to get it on the inside so that we can see it on the outside.

“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare” – 1 Timothy 1:18 NKJV

This blog was inspired by Faylene’s Sparkes message at Faith Legacy Believers Church on the 7th of January, 2024. You can view the message below.