Woman be Loosed:
“But when Jesus saw her, he called her to Him and said to her:
‘Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.’” [Luke 13:12]
 | “Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who for eighteen years had a sickness caused by a spirit, and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her: ‘Woman, you are freed from your sickness.’ Then He put His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.” [Luke 13:10-12] |
What holds us back? What causes us to be stooped down? Why can’t we rise up and stand victorious? Where have we believed Satan’s lies over God’s Truth? See the lie and stand up for the Truth because the Truth will set you free. Let there be a change of mind, which will result in a change of action, and restoration will begin brick by brick. But be warned: when you start breaking down false walls you can expect opposition from the enemy. Satan does not want the walls of his lies (which hold you prisoner) to be replaced by walls of truth (which protect and fortify you). The enemy of our soul will try to trip us up and make things go wrong. The enemy puts half-truths next to full truths to try and deceive us. The enemy tries to create doubt and confusion: “Did God really say that?” So be alert and discerning: break down what does not serve you, and strengthen and build up what does. In the Book of Nehemiah, the people rebuilt the city walls with a sword in one hand to fight the enemy, and bricks in the other hand!
| | Spirit break out Break our walls down Spirit break out Heaven come down. [Song] |
SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THE GATES OF JERUSALEM:
In Biblical times, the strength of a city depended on its walls and gates: on who comes in and goes out. So too, our strength depends on what we allow in to build us up or break us down. “Like a city whose walls are broken down, is a man who lacks self-control.” [Proverbs 25:28] We must tear down false walls and build strong walls of truth to protect us. We must restore our gates and consecrate them to the Lord. The Book of Nehemiah tells of 10 gates to the city of Jerusalem. Each of these gates has personal and prophetic meaning.
SHEEP GATE: SALVATION GATE:
The first gate is called the sheep gate, because sheep and lambs used for sacrifices were bought in through this gate. Jesus enters our spirit through this gate. Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the gate, whoever enters through me will be saved.” [John 10:7,9] This gate represents our confidence in Christ; our belief in who He is, and what He did for us.
OLD GATE: OLD WAYS:
This gate calls us to learn the old ways of truth that never change. Jeremiah 6:16 states: “Thus says the Lord, Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Eternal truths are both ancient and applicable today. The Ancient of Days calls us back to His long established eternal ways that do not change, and remain the same yesterday, today and forever.
VALLEY GATE: PRAYER LIFE:
The valley gate speaks of humbling caused by trials and testings – valley type experiences used by God for our personal growth. These experiences are often not easy, but we must remember that in the natural world, not much grows on the mountain tops, but the valleys are fertile, and produce much fruit. So too, are hardships and suffering a fertile cause for growth. Our faith and our prayer life can and must sustain us during these difficult times.
FOUNTAIN GATE: OBEDIENCE:
This gate represents obedience to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Do we listen to the Holy Spirit or do we argue with Him? “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within him.” [John 7:37-38] This gate speaks to us of the living waters of the Holy Spirit that cleanse our lives and empower us.
WATER GATE: WASHING OF THE WORD:
The water gate depicts the Word of God and its effect in our life. Reading the scriptures washes and cleanses us. “Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” [Ephesians 5:25-27]
EAST GATE: RETURN GATE:
The east gate speaks of the return of Christ. Jesus will enter Jerusalem through the East Gate. [See Zechariah 14:4] Are you ready for Christ’s return? Are you preparing yourself to be His spotless bride, purified and blameless? We can live with hope, and a specific crown is given to those who do so. [2 Timothy 4:18].
FISH GATE: WITNESSING GATE:
The fisherman of Galilee brought their catch in through this gate to be sold. It speaks of evangelism as we have been called to be fishers of men. [Matthew 4:19]. Do you speak with conviction and confidence, or do you lack boldness?
HORSE GATE: WARFARE GATE:
This gate was close to the King’s stables, and the men of Jerusalem would ride their horses out this gate when they went to war. This gate speaks of warfare as horses were used in battle and were a symbol of war. Ephesians 6 instructs us to put on the armor of God because we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Are you ready to fight the enemy?
INSPECTION GATE: EXAMINE GATE:
Examine your heart and mind and life. What is the state of your heart and mind and life? Be honest, as the truth brings healing, and in any event, you can hide nothing from God. “The Lord will bring light to what is hidden in the darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.” [1 Corinthians 4:5]
DUNG GATE: RUBBISH GATE:
This was where the rubbish was carried out. This gate had a one-way hinge: there was no entry through this gate; you could only go out. It should be the same with us. Strongholds caused by the power of darkness must go out. Strongholds include: fear (God has not given us a spirit of fear), condemnation, unbelief (we don’t trust God), unforgiveness, bitterness, anger (with yourself, others, life, with God), disrespect, unworthiness, guilt, jealousy, pride, anxiety, manipulating (to get your own way), controlling others (due to insecurity), insecurity, gossiping, hopelessness (negativity), taking offence, ungodly mind-sets, depression are all strongholds of the enemy. Where do you believe lies? Where are you insecure, fearful, vulnerable, controlling? Throw out the lies and believe the truth. You are a daughter of God. Know who you are in Christ. We must align ourselves with the Word of God. Whatever comes into our mind that is not of God’s truth – exit through the dung gate!
DECLARE: I AM A CHILD OF GOD
NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER!
In Biblical times, the strength of a city depended on its walls and gates: on who comes in and goes out. So too, our strength depends on what we allow in to build us up or break us down. “Like a city whose walls are broken down, is a man who lacks self-control.” [Proverbs 25:28] We must tear down false walls and build strong walls of truth to protect us. We must restore our gates and consecrate them to the Lord. The Book of Nehemiah tells of 10 gates to the city of Jerusalem. Each of these gates has personal and prophetic meaning.
SHEEP GATE: SALVATION GATE:
The first gate is called the sheep gate, because sheep and lambs used for sacrifices were bought in through this gate. Jesus enters our spirit through this gate. Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the gate, whoever enters through me will be saved.” [John 10:7,9] This gate represents our confidence in Christ; our belief in who He is, and what He did for us.
OLD GATE: OLD WAYS:
This gate calls us to learn the old ways of truth that never change. Jeremiah 6:16 states: “Thus says the Lord, Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Eternal truths are both ancient and applicable today. The Ancient of Days calls us back to His long established eternal ways that do not change, and remain the same yesterday, today and forever.
VALLEY GATE: PRAYER LIFE:
The valley gate speaks of humbling caused by trials and testings – valley type experiences used by God for our personal growth. These experiences are often not easy, but we must remember that in the natural world, not much grows on the mountain tops, but the valleys are fertile, and produce much fruit. So too, are hardships and suffering a fertile cause for growth. Our faith and our prayer life can and must sustain us during these difficult times.
FOUNTAIN GATE: OBEDIENCE:
This gate represents obedience to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Do we listen to the Holy Spirit or do we argue with Him? “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within him.” [John 7:37-38] This gate speaks to us of the living waters of the Holy Spirit that cleanse our lives and empower us.
WATER GATE: WASHING OF THE WORD:
The water gate depicts the Word of God and its effect in our life. Reading the scriptures washes and cleanses us. “Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” [Ephesians 5:25-27]
EAST GATE: RETURN GATE:
The east gate speaks of the return of Christ. Jesus will enter Jerusalem through the East Gate. [See Zechariah 14:4] Are you ready for Christ’s return? Are you preparing yourself to be His spotless bride, purified and blameless? We can live with hope, and a specific crown is given to those who do so. [2 Timothy 4:18].
FISH GATE: WITNESSING GATE:
The fisherman of Galilee brought their catch in through this gate to be sold. It speaks of evangelism as we have been called to be fishers of men. [Matthew 4:19]. Do you speak with conviction and confidence, or do you lack boldness?
HORSE GATE: WARFARE GATE:
This gate was close to the King’s stables, and the men of Jerusalem would ride their horses out this gate when they went to war. This gate speaks of warfare as horses were used in battle and were a symbol of war. Ephesians 6 instructs us to put on the armor of God because we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Are you ready to fight the enemy?
INSPECTION GATE: EXAMINE GATE:
Examine your heart and mind and life. What is the state of your heart and mind and life? Be honest, as the truth brings healing, and in any event, you can hide nothing from God. “The Lord will bring light to what is hidden in the darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.” [1 Corinthians 4:5]
DUNG GATE: RUBBISH GATE:
This was where the rubbish was carried out. This gate had a one-way hinge: there was no entry through this gate; you could only go out. It should be the same with us. Strongholds caused by the power of darkness must go out. Strongholds include: fear (God has not given us a spirit of fear), condemnation, unbelief (we don’t trust God), unforgiveness, bitterness, anger (with yourself, others, life, with God), disrespect, unworthiness, guilt, jealousy, pride, anxiety, manipulating (to get your own way), controlling others (due to insecurity), insecurity, gossiping, hopelessness (negativity), taking offence, ungodly mind-sets, depression are all strongholds of the enemy. Where do you believe lies? Where are you insecure, fearful, vulnerable, controlling? Throw out the lies and believe the truth. You are a daughter of God. Know who you are in Christ. We must align ourselves with the Word of God. Whatever comes into our mind that is not of God’s truth – exit through the dung gate!
DECLARE: I AM A CHILD OF GOD
NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER!
| | I AM A CHILD OF GOD I am surrounded by the arms of the Father I am surrounded by songs of deliverance We have been liberated from our bondage Let us sing our freedom ... I'm no longer a slave of fear I AM A CHILD OF GOD |
We must fortify our walls and gates and let Christ be the light of our lives. In the New Jerusalem, God is the light. Let us become the New Jerusalem and shine God’s light into the world. “Our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.” [Psalm 144:12]
Lift up your heads, O you gates:
be lifted up, you ancient doors
That the King of Glory may come in.
Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty!
The Lord almighty – He is the King of Glory!
[Psalm 24:7-10]
Arise, shine, for your light has come
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
And thick darkness is over the peoples,
But the Lord rises upon you
and His glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
[Isaiah 60:1-3]
Lift up your heads, O you gates:
be lifted up, you ancient doors
That the King of Glory may come in.
Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty!
The Lord almighty – He is the King of Glory!
[Psalm 24:7-10]
Arise, shine, for your light has come
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
And thick darkness is over the peoples,
But the Lord rises upon you
and His glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
[Isaiah 60:1-3]
Rise up and be all you were created to be. Be released to your destiny!
I attended a woman's retreat hosted by the Plett Community Church at the Harkerville Forest Lodge at the beginning of August 2015. Driving to the retreat, I was behind a white bakkie with the registration number: JESUS EC! (Jesus Eastern Cape!) This newsletter was inspired by a talk given by RONEL called Rebuilding the Walls and supplimented by Google, and includes songs sung during the worship sessions. I hope it inspires you :-)
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