BE SILENT ALL FLESH

by Marsha Burns

I dreamt that Bill and I were in a huge empty building like a warehouse, which began to fill up with people. The people came in and just milled around, but they were looking to Bill to preach and pray for people and looking to me to prophesy. But, we did nothing because the Spirit of God was not moving us. We were waiting for God to come, and it seemed like a long, long time that we just waited from Him to show up.

At one point a man on the other side of the room began to preach to a few people who were gathered, and his wife was ministering to some of the women – hugging and consoling them. Then, she raised her voice and began to prophesy, but it wasn’t God. She was prophesying out of her own soul. I got angry and confronted her saying that I knew that she knew that what she prophesied was not God. She answered me saying that somebody had to do something and we were doing nothing.

By this time the people were generally getting bored and distracted and were just milling around, and we continued to do nothing.

Then, in one section of this huge building Bill walked through; he was quietly praying and seeking the Lord, when suddenly people began to fall under the power of God. People gathered around what seemed to be a hot spot of heavy anointing.

There were a number of people in the room that wanted attention – to be seen, heard, and appreciated. Those people found it very difficult to get their focus off of themselves long enough to realize that God was in the house. At one point, I caught a glimpse of a few women wearing red Mandarin costumes, and they were just deciding to perform. The temptation was just too great to not take advantage of a huge audience. They were getting in rhythm and took a few dance steps when I looked up and shook my head, and they stopped.

Again, I saw the woman who had been ministering and prophesying out of her own soul. She was still on the other side of the room and had not stopped. She was totally unaware of the presence and power of God. I overheard her talking to what I assumed to be her grown daughter, and she was saying that she felt the anointing to be a grandmother and that she would pray over her to have a child. And, I said to myself that not only was she involved in soul ministry but witchcraft as well.

I considered all of the people in the building who had come to see a man of God without ever considering that God Himself would show up. And, when He did, they were not prepared to receive from Him; they were still wanted to receive from God through a man or woman.

And, the dream ended.

When I woke up, I had such a desire to seek God until He shows up. It does seem like we’ve been doing nothing. We’ve been in the time of the clean foundation, not willing to build or do anything apart from His leading. We’ve been in a time of silent obedience. And, this is good.

Psalms 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
We are in the season where the seductions to satisfy the flesh are stronger than ever and it is more tantalizing than usual to get distracted from spiritual things.

But, what if God is preparing to move on His people? What if it has already begun?
We don’t want to miss a move of God because we’re distracted with the things of this life!

Remember the parable of the sower who sowed seeds that feel among the thorns?

Luke 8:14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard (the Word), go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.

And, we know that the flesh wars against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. Who will win? We get to decide.

Zechariah 2:13 "Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!"

This was my third empty warehouse dream or vision in less than a week, which is probably significant.

In the first dream, I was in a huge empty warehouse, and I didn’t know where to go or what to do when a bull came near wanting me to ride him. I did get on. He liked me, and he was taking me where I needed to go.

I thought of the bull as power to move ahead. I also thought of the economy (bull market). And, I was glad that he liked me.

Small Straws: I keep having a vision of an empty warehouse with ladders that lead to the rooftop. Lord, what does this mean? And, I heard Him say that the empty warehouse represents those whose resources have been depleted -- emotionally and financially, but the ladders represent opportunities to rise above loss and lack. Do not lose hope. I will make a way when there is no way. Nothing is impossible with Me. Trust Me, and I will lead you, says the Lord.

Small Straws: In a vision I saw small openings in the heavenlies like little windows, but each one would stay open for a short time and be gone and another would open for a short time and close. I sensed that these windows represented opportunities to receive, but I also had the sense that if we procrastinate in taking advantage of these opportunities, we could miss them.

What if what we are to receive is a new move of God; a closer and more substantive relationship; a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit?

Then, we need to move in that direction to be watching and waiting with purpose. Bill calls it “quality waiting time.” This means to stop obsessing, worrying, and focusing on the external and really trust God.

2 Chronicles 7:
14 "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
15 "Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.
16 "For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.

What if we decide to pray more for His presence than we pray for our needs and things that are temporary?

What if we REALLY begin to seek God and Him alone – at any cost, by any means?

Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

And, the battle rages as the enemy clamors for attention while we try to seek God.

2 Corinthians 10:
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
7a Do you look at things according to the outward appearance?

Strong’s definition of obedience: 5218 upakoh hupakoe hoop-ak-o-ay’
obedience, compliance, submission

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you

As I have said probably a thousand times: our flesh won’t kill our flesh; we can’t overcome our flesh by focusing on our flesh, but as soon as we submit to God and focus on Him the battle is won.

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

We have been praying for an open heaven. We want prosperity, blessings, favor, grace; all of God’s goodness. But, I’m thinking that we need the open heaven so we can have more of Him!
And, that we need to earnestly and diligently pray for His presence to manifest in our lives, in our homes, and in our church.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Faith Tabernacle

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