I Won't Complain

John 12:27 Now My soul is troubled and distressed, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour [of trial and agony]? But it was for this very purpose that I have come to this hour [that I might undergo it].
John 12:28 [Rather, I will say,] Father, glorify (honor and extol) Your [own] name!

I have been crying out to God on behalf of the saints. So many are going through problems and trials like never before. This is a season where many are facing difficulties they have never seen before, sufferings they have never had to deal with in the past. Yet, in my crying out, God has been dealing with me about complaining. Not only about what others are dealing with, but about my own dilemmas as well.

I heard God ask me, “Didn’t you say ‘YES’ to MY will? Did you not offer your body as a living sacrifice unto me? Did you not say that you would count it all joy and rejoice when you suffer for My name’s sake?”

Yes, so many times we take our hurts and scars to God asking for a way out. Yet, the Father reminded me of what Jesus when through. He knew what was to come, and yet understood that if He asked His Father to deliver Him for the persecution unto death, His very purpose would not be fulfilled.

The Lord had me take a long look at things this morning. Unfortunately, many in the church have been taught that we are supposed to be prosperous…have all our bills paid and no problems. We’ve been taught that everyone should be healed and happy all the time. Yes, God provides these privileges at times, but we must learn to pray that His WILL be done. Yes, it is true that suffering is sometimes in God’s plan. I must ask some of the prosperity teachers, was Jesus lacking in faith because God did not take away the pain of the whips or heal the nail wounds in his hands? NO, because this fulfilled His purpose. Jesus wasn’t concerned with praying for his so-called rights to wealth, healing or prosperity, just because He is the Son of God. Instead, He prayed that’s God’s will for His life to be fulfilled. Yes, He truly presented His body a LIVING SACRIFICE. How many of us are truly ready and willing to do the same.

Yes, God even dealt with me about the counsel and comfort that I give to others when they are going through. As a prophet, God said I have to stop telling people “It’s going to be alright” unless He instructs me to do so. “Some people,” He said “are just fulfilling their contract with Me. Do not speak them out of obedience to my will.” Oh, that hurt. I hate to see people suffer, but the Lord showed me that it’s necessary for some. As He was with Christ, so will He be glorified in the trials and testimonies of His people.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a crucial season in the spirit realm. We must be ever so careful to allow God to use us without our own interference due to our opinions of what’s right or wrong. What is God’s will for the situation? Are we allowing Him to use us freely? Can we truly say that we have laid down our lives for the Gospel’s sake? Have we truly died to self and grown to a point where we completely depend on the Father? In this season, the wheat is being separated from the chaff, even within the Body of Christ. Will you be able to stand – not on your job, your finances, your health, your family, your possessions – but on the WILL OF GOD for your life?

Those who are called to be leaders and priests in the Body must understand that prophecy is being fulfilled even in this hour. My Father gave me instruction to share this Scripture with those who are being “shaken” from the world’s point of view:

Mal 3:2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap;
Mal 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the priests, the sons of Levi, and refine them like gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord offerings in righteousness.
Mal 3:4 Then will the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in ancient years.

Glory to God! Fuller’s soap contains a harsh cleanser which is used to get deep down into the crevices of woven materials. It is coarse and scratches the surface of everything it cleans. It burns the flesh and kills impurities. It’s a sanitizer and it exfoliates, if you will. A refiner’s fire is a hot, blue flame. It’s used first to burn off impurities, then to shape an object into the required form.

Notice the Scripture is directed to the priests, or the leaders of the church. As Christ returns, these are the things the leaders will feel and experience. It must be done, according to the Scripture, so that the offerings of the people (represented by Judah and Jerusalem) will be pleasing to the Lord. Yes, the priests must be purified so the remainder of the church can be cleansed. The priests must be broken so they will understand how to direct and teach worship that our Father will receive.

Some of us are being pulled, stretched…even burned and scratched. Before praying against it or crying over it, seek God for His will. Could you be in the refiner’s fire?

To GOD be the glory!