Incredible August

This morning in my spirit, I saw many of God’s people in a train yard of sorts. There were new trains and old trains. There was some confusion and some of God’s people were jumping on every train that passed by. Some knew which were from the Lord and acted accordingly. The Lord revealed to me that these were the trains of thought. Some of them were “renewing” trains that would lead to hope and future callings. Those who sat in these heavenly trains had the eyes of their hearts enlightened and they saw the hope of God’s calling- in themselves, in the saints, and in the nations. They understood the power and authority of God to transform.  Other trains were old trains of thought which drove people to stagnant places without the hope of glory. These old trains were thoughts that boasted of false truths and accusations. They were reminders of rusty and dry places. They were trains in critical condition which led to critical thoughts.

Three scriptures came to my mind:

1. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
2. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? “If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. (2 Cor. 10:3-7)
3. “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14)

I personally have been sorting through this metaphorical train yard even more strongly in the last couple of weeks, having to exercise discernment and bring every thought captive. It has been more difficult to pray at times. I have experienced some blurry thinking in my quiet time and dreamless nights, which is unusual for me. I have had to will myself to continue in some of the things that are before me on a daily basis.

I imagined for a moment Mr. Incredible, from Walt Disney’s The Incredibles, in a scene where he stands in the middle of an old train yard. In a past attempt to save someone’s life, a series of unexpected disasters had taken place which lead to the derailing of a train and a personal derailing of his calling for a season. He has been in hiddenness and preparation when this scene develops. Part of his preparation is getting back into shape, painfully at times, transforming his body into something glorious. In a moment of irony we find Mr. Incredible using these old rusty trains as weight lifting materials. He is building his muscles with them. The very thing that brought him low is being used to build him back up.

I believe the Lord showed me that His body is also getting back into shape. We are in a transformational process. Many are working out their salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord. The cardio work is bringing the heartbeat of God back to its rightful place. What worked last season won’t work this season. It is a new season. The simple revelation of Jesus Christ is being brought to the forefront again. Renewed mindsets focused on the gospel of the Kingdom are prevailing. Some have felt like they have been derailed in certain ways. Whether it was last year or last week, be encouraged that God is using it to make beautiful His Bride.

We are learning how to navigate our lives through the train yard, that we might be confident in God’s unchanging nature and manifest His Kingdom in power. We are learning what to do with the passing trains of thought and know their source as we remind ourselves of His word. We are learning to build muscles with them without getting on board and heading to hopeless street on discouragement island. We are learning how to not to listen to the ghost stories they whisper in our ears.

I believe the Lord is releasing discernment in the month of August. I sense that understanding these trains of thought will lead to a glorious building up of the bride of Christ. Things that were hidden will come to life again, better and healthier than before. Where there has been little to no fruit, now there will be greater harvests that bring forth life and sustain it continually. I believe this month is the beginning of “incredible” family moments.  Mr. Incredible began his supernatural days as an individual. After a season of going low, he was revealed a second time, but with family. The Lord added to him. He was made better through it all. Joseph experienced much of the same in the Scriptures. Joseph had a train of his own; his coat of many colors had a train on the lowest back hem. The train was ripped in half and dipped in blood. God aptly named him Joseph, which actually means, “God increases”, because He desired to show Joseph what he was capable of when he allowed God to increase him. He went into prison alone, with his train wrecked. He came out into a family with a new train. This time his coat depicted a much greater favor and authority. His own bloodline family relationships were restored just after that. I believe there is a grace for criticism and negative influences in houses, both personally and in churches to cease, if the family will embrace it. I believe there will be momentum in the family mountain of influence for God’s glory. I believe there will be restorations of relationships that have been estranged and awkward. I believe there will be a righteous alignment in many marriages that have struggled. It is a time of renewal. I believe the Lord is defining discernment in a fresh way and His bride, as she listens to His heart, will begin to speak words of faith and life, words of hope and a future. I see that the Holy Spirit is teaching many who have been trying to see through muddy waters to look at things differently, seeing them with eyes of faith. I am reminded of the man who could not see and Jesus spit in the dirt and rubbed it in his eyes in order for him to see clearly. It was the Spirit of God on the mud that brought him clarity and wholeness. I believe there will be a greater anointing to see truth throughout the month of August. God is revealing the train of His thoughts and it is glorious. His majesty is matchless. As we see His majesty this month, I believe we will receive new trains of thought and new solutions. These renewed thoughts will bring new authority. It’s not because it is new revelation, but because God’s favor and authority are found in the renewed revelation of Jesus Christ. Whether it was a train wreck of thought today or you’ve wallowed for months, you can jump back into hope today. Take courage. I see an incredible August in Him.

I am praying for you “…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe…” (Ephesians 1:17-19)

-Jamie