While at the beach this week I had an encounter with the Lord that won’t leave me alone. Since then as I’ve sought out His heart and dug through the Word, I’ve become convinced it’s a now word for the body of Christ.

I had been laying on the beach for about 30 minutes when I sat up on the sand and looked out on the waves.
I had been listening to worship music and praying for a couple different things.

It was as soon as my eyes hit the waves and water that I heard the Lord say “It’s time for Release”

The words seemed to crash over my mind at the same time as the waves crashed over the shore, in rhythm and in power with what was happening in the natural.

I began to have images of people being released into new areas of ministry and influence like arrows being shot from a bow. Voices being released that had been silent from wounding, fear and the enemy’s lies. Their voices now becoming a resounding echo of Heaven.
Others were receiving things that the Lord had purposed for them that had been held back or delayed until right now. Like a sudden and tangible shift in circumstances.

I saw people rejoycing at the release of loved ones from sickness and addiction. While others were having finances released to meet needs and further the Kingdom.

While all of this was happening a song started playing on my headphones and the lyrics repeated “Release, release, release” It was like the Lord was making sure I heard what was being said!

Everything in the air changed to what seemed like slow motion so I could take it all in. I could sense a swirl of angelic activity circling the waves and I could almost hear Heaven’s gates swing wide for the release of what had been held back.
It felt like there was a timing attached to it all, and that the release was for right now.

He continued to speak to me about the days ahead. The right now moment of what He wants to pour out on His children who are hungry and thirsty for Righteousness. The releasing of the Gory of the knowledge of the Lord the way the waters cover the Sea.
Overflowing in and through the ones who have faithfully waited and contended for His best not settling for easy or convienient, but seeking His heart even when it was hard.

With the release of what’s coming I sensed there also needed to be a release of what’s been.
It felt bittersweet but there was an assurance to it. That what was coming was greater, the measure of His Spirit more than we imagined.
That our hands needed to be opened to let go of what may have comforted, filled and been enough in the past.
Jesus died and rose to give new life, to make all things new!
We often say we want the more of God, we know these days require it, but that can mean letting go of the old to surrender to the new.

A release of what’s been to make room for a release of the new.

His ways are higher, His thoughts are higher… it might not look like we’ve planned it. But I’d rather have His ways than mine, His timing than mine, His plans than mine.

So if you’ve been waiting, contending for what has been delayed… I believe a release is coming and just like the waves can’t be stopped when He speaks them into motion. The Lord is releasing what’s been held back.

..and looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to the man, “Ephphatha,” which [in Aramaic] means, “Be opened and released!” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he began speaking plainly.

Mark 7:34-35 AMP

When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are released from your illness.”

Luke 13:12 AMP

“And you, because of my blood covenant with you, I’ll release your prisoners from their hopeless cells. Come home, hope-filled prisoners! This very day I’m declaring a double bonus— everything you lost returned twice over!”

Zechariah 9:11 -12 Message

Lord, keep pouring out your unfailing love on those who are near you. Release more of your blessings to those who are loyal to you.

Psalm 36:10 TPT

The song Release by Psalmist Raine