To me, patterns and cycles are spiritual highlighters God uses to get our attention. A pattern is an arrangement or sequence discernible in how something happens. A cycle is a periodic sequence, usually a short period of intense activity of a specified kind. 

Patterns and Cycles in My Life

I was speaking to a friend when I began to discuss patterns and cycles in my life.

I noticed that May has been remarkable for me for more than thirty years. Later, the Holy Spirit impressed me to review my May diary notes from the last thirty years. What I found was exhilarating.

Glorious Times Coinciding with Challenging Times

Over the years, some of my most glorious times in the Lord occurred in May. Ministers spoke great prophecies to me in May. I received some of the most significant illumination after fasting and prayer in May. Some major changes in my life occurred in May. I also discovered that I had to persevere through the most intense pressure against my soul during these times. 

Patterns and Cycles in Jesus’ Life

In Jesus’ life, the tempter—the devil—appeared after certain significant events. Then, Jesus set the pattern or example for others to follow when dealing with temptation or solicitations to do evil.

For instance, after Jesus was baptized in water, “the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven saying, ‘This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.'” (Mt 3:16-17)

The next thing that happened is the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Mt 4:1)

Notice the patterns and cycles. The evil one came after Jesus was water baptized, anointed by the Holy Spirit, confirmed as the Son of God, and was in the wilderness fasting and praying 40 days and 40 nights, about to start his public ministry.

The devil came to try to get Jesus to abort His mission. The tempter assaulted Jesus’ soul with strategically designed temptations.

Jesus set the pattern for our response to evil solicitations. He held out the shield of faith and skillfully wielded the sword of the Spirit—the Holy Spirit-inspired Word fitting the occasion—to destroy the devil’s temptations.

Patterns and Cycles in Your Life

Most likely, patterns and cycles in your life connect to prophecies spoken to you by godly men and women. The devil heard these prophecies. He brought temptations and pressures against your soul to get you to cave in and abort your mission.

Remember, the devil can only attack us in natural ways. On the other hand, we have God’s supernatural spiritual weaponry to defeat the devil every time.

I encourage you to revisit your anointed personal prophecies. Pray over them and triumphantly declare them. Keep pressing forward in faith and confidence that God will fulfill His promises to you.

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