I released the following word this morning to a group of friends involved in a ministry. When I sent this word out, the Lord said, “Release it to a wider audience. I am speaking this to others who are walking through a similar stretch of desert.”

“I just came from a time of prayer and communion. The Lord gave me a word that I think might define this time in which you are living and offer you some encouragement.

“I saw you all walking through a desert. You had depleted all your water and supplies and had entered a state of desperation. In your desperation, mirages began to appear on the horizon. Mirages cause people to run toward them without receiving the reward of refreshment and replenishment. 

“The Lord is coming to give you the wisdom needed to discern the difference between a mirage and a life-giving oasis of provision. With this wisdom, you will no longer chase after the mirages of false hope by following the promises of those who will not provide what they promised. Some will say, “Go after this and that” but the voice of the Lord will have you pass by a mirage of another failed blessing to make it to the springs of real provision that an oasis of God’s provision will provide.

“The mirages and their elusive false hopes are wanting to bring you to a place of resignation to believe these failed promises of provision are yet another failure and an end to the vision of what God has called you to accomplish. This is the voice of the deceiver, not your Redeemer. This desert must first be crossed before all that God has planned can transpire. Discern the difference between a mirage and a true oasis. This is a life and death moment where your trust in God will lead you forward.”