The prophetic is meant to inform, to inspire, to speak with the tone of the Lord. It’s meant to speak from the heart before one speaks or thinks from the mind, the mentality. It is not just emotions. It is connection with He Who is above.

And when it is uttered — words from on-high, including prophetic ones — remember that prophecy is not to scare but to prepare.

This is a theme of our upcoming retreat.

Look at it as bolstering our determination to win as disciples of Christ.

No matter how dark things get, this is an opportunity — a golden one, a radiant one — to shine.

Do you really think we have it any worse than the early Christians — who were thrown to wild beasts? Do you really think we in the West are as persecuted as followers of Jesus who were used along the Appian Way as lanterns — burned to death? Do we not recall the words of Ephesians, and how we are to arm and clothe ourselves — with faith — how when we do, we split all darkness?

We are bright lights, we are the lamp of the Holy Spirit when we do His Will and purify, when we rid ourselves of distractions, when we start every single day with adequate time for  praise and conversing with the Lord.

Yes, on earth, one day will be bad; perhaps very bad. The next day may be good — great.

We see this teeter-totter in life.

Good day — God day — bad day (evil one).

Test. Reprieve.

Work. Rest.

All redounds to our eternity when we let Jesus take over.

“Christ suffered in the flesh; therefore arm yourselves with His same mentality,” says 1 Peter 4. “He who has suffered in the flesh has broken with sin. You are not to spend what remains of your earthly life on human desires but on the Will of God.” Read and re-read those words.

He who has suffered in the flesh has broken with sin.

Often, discomforts and problems and accidents and tragedies change our perspective, turn our “ocean-liner,” our Queen Elizabeth, around, and give us a new better orientation. Suffering can break evil.

This is a reason Christ suffered for us.

“The consummation of all is close at hand,” continues the chapter from Peter. “Remain calm so that you will be able to pray.”

Stop the mind from racing and the heart from trepidation. You have Jesus! We have angels!

How often do we call up these “servants of fire,” as one evangelist phrased it? Do we remember to do so every day? Perhaps every hour? Do we realize that they stand at the ready and are only too happy to assist when we make the request (through Scripture and prayer)?

When we direct specific tasks their way, angels — servants of God — are activated.

Activate angels around you at this time.

It’s important. It’s dark out there and getting darker. Not Roman times as yet, but headed swiftly in that direction.

So what?

The darker it gets, the more we illumine. It is our time. We step forward in the prophetic pulse. We seek what Christ has won for us: total victory. He stripped to raw nakedness every evil — and when we realize we have this ability in His Name, we do the same.

“Do not be surprised, beloved, that a trial by fire is occurring in your midst,” says 1 Peter 4:12. “It is a test for you, but it should not catch you off guard.”

When we invoke the Holy Spirit and His angels — through the day as well as the watches of night — we have that preparation.

Focus on being light, not part of the surrounding darkness. You were made for this! You will win. You will conquer. Succumb not. Never.

“The season of judgment has begun, and begun with God’s own household,” says 1 Peter.

“If it begins this way with us, what must be the end for those who refuse obedience to the Gospel of God?”

Remember, as we so quickly approach Lent: What is crucified on earth is risen with Christ.

“Greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Hold those words in your mind always.

When the “ruler of the world” comes (John 14:30), remember that he has nothing in Jesus.

The more we pray, the more we worship, the more we praise, the stronger we march, the more we love, the more we shine.

You are made to shine. You are made to win. When Jesus flows through you, you are Illumination.

Shine now in the moment we were designed to embrace and then transcend.

[resources: Michael Brown retreat, Saturday, February 10, 11 a.m. EST]