This word is submitted by Andrew Combe (JonCombe@aol.com)

Carrying The Shield

God's People

Vision :

I look upon a knight, laying on the floor, propped up by a mound of earth. He is aged, tired and weary looking . . . I sense ready to go "Home" ( Heaven ). He is asking the question, " Will you take my shield ? " I look at his shield and it is laying across his body.

To the Church he is asking, "Will you carry the faith ? Will you embark on a crusade; an expedition; a pilgrimage? Will you pick up my shield and fight the good fight?"

The Lord says . . .

"He who answers the question, must be ready and prepared to fight. He who answers yes, will indeed be given the shield. To try and carry it in your own strength will be impossible, for it is far too heavy. To carry it and walk, you must pick it up in My strength!

For the question is here, the answer comes from those who want to - their free will must choose. I know those who will answer yes and I know those who will answer no. I know them all by name.

Those who pick up the shield are those I have prepared and are ready to walk and fight for Me. Many will try and pick the shield up in their own strength but the result will always be failure, unless they receive My strength and direction, enabling them to carry it. Many want to carry My shield, but do not want the responsibility in carrying it. Again, in My strength you will succeed but in your own, you will not.

I am asking the question for many of My warriors are now coming "Home". My chosen time for them has come and I am calling forth My new leaders - My new warriors. Many of My warriors, who many lean upon and depend upon because of My relationship with them, I am now bringing "Home". Those who have relied upon these strong warriors will now have to 'walk by themselves' -- of course with Me but not dependant upon man! Some will slip; some will fall; some will repent for serving man and not their God; some will develop the inner strength to walk alone with Me, not relying upon others; some will be My new warriors."

As I watched this knight, I see to the side of him an uprooted tree. I look at the roots and I notice that the tree is hollow.

"Those dependant upon man have no 'meat' within them, thus resulting in a brittle Christian. When the winds and storms arise, the tree falls over because the roots are not planted deep enough into the ground and there is not enough weight in the tree to hold it up.

My children, those who are not grounded in Me will be easily uprooted by the storms of the enemy, even through the storms I send to strengthen and test you. Those who are not dependant upon Me alone, have no 'weight' within them and are easily pushed over.

Children, indeed I say to you, strengthen yourselves, by asking Me and I will strengthen you. Ask Me that you may stand strong through all storms!

The knight is ready to go "Home". He has run the race and he has finished in the strength of His Lord. Children, stand therefore having girded yourself with My strength, with My Word and with My armor.

These are the days that the prophets of old have written about and now is the time to look up to Me for direction in your every movement. Stand strong in Me, O children of God, that as I bring forth My new leaders in these last days, I may use you for My glory:
To be used does not mean world wide fame and fortune
To be used means you are humble and obedient - that delights My heart
That's the heart of a true warrior - humble and obedient.

Take the shield and walk with Me into battle. We have the victory already, but many battles are still to be fought and won.

I have asked the question:
Will you take My shield?
Will you carry My faith?
will you carry My gospel?

Zephaniah 3 v 8 - 13

Every blessing to you all,

Yours in Christ,
Andrew