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Easy Rider ~ Riding with My King! ~ Keys to Victory! Jennifer Lynn Joy © 2005In 1969, the year of my high school graduation, the movie Easy Rider was released. Although I never watched the movie, I understood the timing was symbolic to graduation - a simple parable to the passing of a test or season. Last week a prophetic word was emailed to me, which included the sub title Easy Rider, a simple confirmation that it is time to release this vision. On September 30, 2001 while participating in a worship service, the Holy Spirit took me to a place of a living vision. I was seeking the LORD GOD in prayer concerning some of the challenges in my life and ministry, not seeming to have the strategies, expertise, knowledge, experience or understanding of how to effectively fight the spiritual battles before me at the time. In the vision, JESUS CHRIST was riding on a magnificent white stallion which was nothing compared to HIS Majesty and Glory. HE rode over to me, reached for my hand, and immediately I was behind him on this huge horse. HE was clothed in white riding gear with a white cloak. There was some kind of white leather garment that we were sitting upon which was not as confining or rigid as a saddle. I moved as close as I could to HIS back with my arms clinging tightly around His waist. The horse was all stirred up, stomping his feet, snorting, and pulling at the reins which were held tight by the Master. JESUS was very strong, confident and true. There was not a shred of anxiety, nervousness, fear or doubt in HIM. I had never experienced such confidence and strength like HIS. HIS voice was truly like the sound of many waters, powerful and strong yet very kind and caring. Tilting his head towards me where I was hidden behind HIM, HE spoke, “Get ready to ride.” I don’t remember responding with a single word as my voice had somehow got lost in my throat and the excitement of riding with My KING overtook me. It was as though I had waited my whole life for this moment in time. Noticing details, which, is my nature, my eyes were aware of HIS arsenal of weapons strategically placed near his right leg. Anticipating with delight the training session about to begin. I did not want to miss one single thing.
We began riding. As my head was hidden behind his back, I could not see anything forward but was watching the scenery to the right and resting against HIM. Focusing my breathing to be in cadence with HIS as HE took very full, deep, slow breaths. The ride was completely effortless to HIM. Slowly, I began to relax my grip around HIS waist. The sound of a chuckle erupted from within HIM and HE announced as only HE could, “You are safe with me.” Amazing how profound a truth sounds when spoken by the KING! HE leaned to the right just slightly, pulling out this overwhelming huge, beautiful, long, narrow-bladed silver, shiny two-edged sword. It made every sword I had ever seen on earth look like a tiny toy plastic sword comparatively speaking. The difference was not only ridiculous it was just staggering. I thought to myself, No wonder HE wins all the battles! HE chuckled again, “Ah, like my sword, do you? It is a good reason to ask me to come into battle with you!” Sometimes reality becomes real and it became very clear to me that some battles in my life I had just taken on my own. Some I had thought I didn’t need to bother HIM with, and some I just was not paying attention to the details. My eyes were not opened to all that was going on and in other situations I had created the battle by my own disobedience. There was a shift in my paradigm at that moment and I knew I would never take spiritual warfare lightly. I knew that I would never go into any battle without My KING. I knew that I would always be riding with the CAPTAIN of the HOSTS. My life changed dramatically in that moment in time, a radical paradigm shift of understanding. The muscles in HIS back became tightened as HE lifted the sword over HIS head and we continued riding north. I leaned to the left to see what we were coming up against and nearly fell off the horse in shock as I viewed a demonic army as far as I could see coming in full battle gear against us. I am thinking. . . The odds are not good here: 10,000 to one is not good. 100,000 to one is worse. As HE senses my fear, HE commands my thoughts to line up and stay with HIS. “Stay focused. Be Strong. Do not Waiver. Stay with ME.” There is something about HIM that just captures me. I riveted my eyes to HIS gleaming sword held high above his right shoulder and did not look at the encroaching enemy. In my inexperienced thinking, we were way too close for comfort and my heart was pounding in my chest. My hands were gripping HIS waist. I was thinking that I needed to pray or do something but there simply were no words. At a precise moment, with a force I shall never forget, HIS blade swung to the far left and with huge swinging movements HE took out row after row after row after row of the enemies of darkness. My confidence swelled to a new level and I was now riding with HIM in cadence of the movement, the fear evaporated, the anxiety disappeared and I was riding with My KING! Wahooooooooo! The battle lasted longer than I expected but HE never wasted a moment, never pulled back, never became disoriented or unfocused, never lost the cadence, the movement or the strategic plan of the battle. I just could not keep from laughing out loud very loudly over the Victory!
Then we rode for a while. I was savoring each moment of the ride galloping gently over the grassy terrain. Sensing another battle was coming, I was not nearly as anxious and nervous as with the first battle. Before us was an exceedingly dark, creepy forest and I pulled back on HIM, as I did not want to go into this place. Creepy, dark, places with icky crawling things are simply not my cup of tea. I felt HIM lean forward and I knew it was HIS answer. Sometimes HIS answer is the slightest of movements. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I am thinking - Why do you take me places that overwhelm me with fear? HE did not pull out HIS sword and I wondered what is HE going to do. Stuck to HIS back like glue and amazed at how frightened I feel considering the last Victory. The main difference being in the last battle, I could see the enemy and see the weapon the LORD was choosing to use. In this battle, not only was the enemy hidden, so were the LORD’s weapons. The moment we crossed the threshold of the dark forest, radiant, powerful beams of shooting light began emitting from HIS heart, dissolving the creepy darkness into a beautiful garden-like forest. Of course, the weapon was Light! Why didn’t I know that? Obviously, JESUS is the LIGHT. HE moves back the darkness. HIS light, HIS love, HIS power, HIS being dispels the darkness. Gradually HIS light transformed the entire darkness into a breathtaking, beautiful place. HE took the time required to transform each acre of the darkness to glorious light and beauty as we sauntered through the tall evergreen trees and the velvety, mossy floor of the pungent forest. Melodic songbirds were flitting around us. As the light beams transformed the forest around me, they exposed the fears (darkness) within me. The KING of GLORY, assuredly there is no one else like HIM anywhere!
The time in the forest was very healing, bringing me much greater peace and comfort. Clinging not quite as tightly, I rode in more synchronized rhythm with HIS movements. The motion of the rein was barely noticeable but the powerful white stallion took the message to heart. Lunging forward in full gallop across a grassy field adorned with colorful wildflowers, we then crested a small knoll that overlooked a valley. My heart sunk as I saw the enemy in the valley below us because I knew it meant another battle and I was so enjoying the ride. The LORD turned to look at me, holding my face in HIS hands, smiling with tenderness and strength. HE spoke, “Little One, The Victory is Always Mine!” Turning forward, HE pulled polished golden arrows with silver tips from a sheath. Yanking on the reins, HE pulled the stallion back into position. As I watched, strategically HE took out the enemy’s camp and they never even saw us or knew what hit them. This was my kind of battle ~ from a distance. With complete trust, I rested my head against HIS back and felt the pull of each arrow as it was released, amazed to be in a position of rest while fighting a battle.
We turned from the knoll and headed west toward another encampment. Entering through a narrow place of some sharp rock edifices, it felt as though a thousand eyes were watching from the dark shadows of the caves, cracks and crevices. Although I am sure HE knew what was coming, it was an abrupt surprise to me as dark warriors leapt toward us. With quick precise action HE pulled out a different sword. Then with a strong, determined rhythmic motion in the shape of the eternity symbol, HE fought until the enemy was defeated. This hand-to-hand combat was too close for any comfort. The battle did not seem to surprise HIM. Never growing weary, HE remained consistently confident and strong. What amazed me the most was how very tender and kind HE was to me during the training session. I asked HIM, “How did you know they were there?” Sometimes HE speaks the most profound truth, “I hear what my FATHER is saying…..” Realizing I had read that Scripture many times and that now HE is quoting it to me. We laughed together. HIS Word is still truth and is still true.
The time with HIM is like nothing on earth and nearly impossible to adequately describe yet is so transforming and life changing. It seems as it would be dishonoring to HIM not to share. We rode for a while, my face resting on HIS back. Mentally HE seemed preoccupied as if preparing for another battle, yet was riding holding the reins with HIS right hand and HIS left hand was over mine imparting to me at the same time. Lost in HIS presence, the snorting stallion jarred me to sudden alertness. I looked around and could not see anything alarming and then noticed JESUS was looking up toward the east. Then I saw it. My breath sucked in backwards like a vacuum in reverse. I had heard about the dragon but didn’t really believe it was real, just a type and symbol of the evil darkness, a mystical imaginative legend, a child’s fairytale. Then YESHUA’s full attention was on this battle as HE pulled another sword from the arsenal, a gold two-edged sword with a very wide curved blade. HE strongly commanded, “Hang On! Do Not Let Go!” I knew that simple command would take the fullness of my focus and energy. The horse reared up, as the dragon flew close overhead, its putrefying stench sickening me. I pulled the KING’s White Cloak over my head, hiding from the terror, and hung on. I could tell by the sound of the pitiful screech that the sword had hit the mark and I thought the battle was over. So I pulled back the cloak and to my horror, the dragon was overhead, caught by the sword, wailing and fighting with all its might. The KING, completely focused with purpose and tense with action, began moving the sword with the grotesque dragon attached in a circular motion. The overtly large dragon began to spin into a humongous knot of writhing pain. The KING was totally focused and I noticed HE sweat drops of blood as HE maintained HIS position with determination to win this one. All the rest of the battles seemed like child’s play compared to this one. In a strategic move the sword twisted through the dragon. The screaming beast went flying into a whirlwind of fire. Suddenly Elijah’s whirlwind came to mind and I had a new revelation of the power of GOD. Taking deep breaths, I relaxed my grip around HIS waist. The snorting and stamping of the horse stopped and gradually his breathing returned to normal. With a release and recognition of a completed battle, the gold sword was carefully returned to the white leather sheath. The KING’s gentle demeanor returned. With agony and victory HE whispered, “It is finished!”
Scripture References for further study: Ephesians 6, Hebrews 4:12, John 8:47, John 4:34, John 5:30, John 8:29, John 8:55, John 10:15, John 17:4, John 5:19, John 12:49, Zechariah 10:5, I Samuel 17:37, I Samuel 17:48, Proverbs 21:31, Psalm 140:7, II Chronicles 20:15 and II Chronicles 20:17. Remember to take your KEYS! It is easier to open locks, doors, windows, and treasure chests with KEYS! Ø Key 1 ~ Never Go Into Any Battle Without Knowing The Captain of The Hosts ~ JESUS CHRIST! Ø Key 2 ~ Prepare Your Weapons In Advance. Ø Key 3 ~ Listen And Follow Instructions Implicitly. Ø Key 4 ~ Completely Trust Your CAPTAIN. Ø Key 5 ~ Stay Focused On HIM. Do Not Waiver. Ø Key 6 ~ Never Pull Back When HE Is Going Forward. Ø Key 7 ~ Stay With HIS Battle Plan. Ø Key 8 ~ Know Which Weapon to Use. Ø Key 9 ~ Sometimes The Answers to The Battles Are Obvious but Our Fears Hide Them From Us. Ø Key 10 ~ Take The Time to Complete The Assignment. Leave Nothing Undone. Ø Key 11 ~ HIS LIGHT Is Always With Us. LIGHT Always Invades Darkness! Ø Key 12 ~ The Enemy Has Not Changed – His Tactics Are The Same: Lie, Kill, Rob and Destroy. Ø Key 13 ~ Trust HIS Battle Plan. Ø Key 14 ~ Not All Battles Are Hand-To-Hand Combat. Ø Key 15 ~ The Victory Is Always The KING’s. Ø Key 16 ~ Positioning Is Crucial. Ø Key 17 ~ Listening Is Equally As Important As Seeing. Ø Key 18 ~ Fighting a Battle With The Enemy Does Not Alleviate Kindness To HIS Lambs (People). Ø Key 19 ~ The Word Of The LORD Is Still Living, Vibrant And Revelatory. Ø Key 20 ~ When You Need Something….ASK! Ø Key 21 ~ The Battle Is Real Not a Figment of Your Imagination. Ø Key 22 ~ Immediate Obedience Is Essential to Life And Victory. Ø Key 23 ~ There Will Be A Cost. Ø Key 24 ~ The KING Will Prepare You Completely For Any Battle As You Submit to HIS Authority And Love. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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