There is a time coming of an even greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
In a recent post to Facebook, Pastor Greg Locke shared how the Lord placed it on his heart that we are in a time of spiritual pruning to see a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
“God is preparing for the pouring,” Locke writes.
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
The last few weeks have been different and difficult. There’s a stirring in people’s hearts that I’ve not witnessed before. It’s not just a new hunger for the LORD, it’s an agitation of holy proportions that is causing uncomfortable introspection.
Locke says this is a time of relationships being altered, with a re-direction of focus and a rise of both boldness and humility.
Relationships are being dismantled. Focus is being corrected. Resources are being redirected. Boldness is increasing but humility is becoming more abundant. The LORD is waking people up in the night. Dreams are on the rise. There’s a restlessness that cannot be voiced or described. I’ve sensed it. I’ve laid awake for more hours than I can count. I’ve held my breath as well as my tongue. It’s bee a time of growth but only at the expense of extreme cutting away.
Locke likens this time of realignment and recalibration with the Lord as a moment for pruning to allow for new things to grow.
The pruning is here. The fruit can only sprout when the doubt is taken out. In this season, you’ve questioned things. If you’re like me, you’ve wanted to move on, revamp, pull back or even walk away altogether. There’s a constant knock at the door of “what could be.” There’s an internal desire to go deeper in the things of God and at the same time push everyone and everything that is a distraction completely away.
Locke believes that for the benefit of both parties, there are people who will not be able to come along with us into the next chapter of life.
There’s actually wisdom in what you feel. Some people cannot go with you on the next phase of your journey. If they did, both of you would suffer. This season can only be explained and expressed by your heart being loud and your mouth being silent. Correction is to be embraced. Conviction is to be obeyed. Like John the Baptists, you are being hidden in the desert until the day of your revealing.
So, what should Christians do to prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
Desire for spiritual things is increasing.
Passion for prayer and worship is deepening.
Revelation from the Word is abundant.
Sleepless nights and foodless days must continue.
Removal of the old wine skin must be thorough although it is painful.
To order your copy of Greg Locke’s new book, “The Generosity Journey,” visit Amazon.com.
We must keep pressing on and seeking the Lord above all else and in all circumstances. Locke encourages Christians to keep waiting for the voice of the Lord, no matter troubles we come across in life.
I sought the heart of the LORD this morning over my life. I asked for His wisdom. I desire only to hear His voice. I must confess times of confusion, frustration, exhaustion, embarrassment and discouragement. But I know that others will read and their Spirit-man will leap for joy inside of them as they resonate with every word.
These moments are not in vain. This season cannot and will not be wasted. This is only the introduction to what shall be.
So here it is. Here’s the answer I plainly received from the whisper of God…
You are being prepared for the pouring.
Through times of trial and tribulation, it’s key to remember that the Lord doesn’t allow us to go through anything without a purpose behind it. The Lord desires to take us to new heights, but we must first allow Him to refine us in the fiery furnace. When we let Him do what He needs to do, He will turn our lives into something greater than anything we ever could have imagined.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
