The Cutting Edge: Insights & Strategies for the Emerging Spiritual Warrior

By Renata Ritter

Do you feel called to be an agent of change for God in the world today?

Are you ready to move nations and be part of His mighty army?

In The Cutting Edge, you will discover who you are, what God has called you to do and how the fire of the Holy Spirit activates you to do it. Like John the Baptist, you will be a voice crying

• Language: English
• Publisher: Renata Ritter
• Release date: Jul 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781947279476

Renata Ritter

Renata Ritter is an author and spiritual trainer. She is an experienced woman of God who inspires, motivates, and encourages people to recognize and use their spiritual gifting. She freely shares her vivid experiences so that you can use her knowledge and practical insights to remove obstacles that are holding you back, activating and establishing your dreams. Renata and her husband, Mike, reside in Minneapolis and enjoy spending time with their three sons and their families.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

I knew as a young child that God created me to be a warrior. Maybe some of you believe the same thing about yourselves.

When I was six years old, I would sit by myself in my room contemplating whether God really existed and if so, how I fit into His plan. I thought about who I was, who He made me to be, and where He would take me in life. I talked to God, and I could feel His presence. I readily accepted Him in my life. I had a burning desire to be a warrior for the Lord, and as I grew older, that feeling continued to grow stronger.

I was playing in my room one day as a small child when I heard an audible voice telling me that my dolls would be taken care of. I told one doll to take care of the other one, and as I turned to go downstairs I heard a loud voice say, I will. I was so scared that I ran to the steps and fell all the way to the bottom. I was not harmed, but that confirmed there was another presence with me that day.

Today, I know my angel was there, and I was assured my request was answered. From that point on, I had many personal internal conversations with the Lord throughout my life. I knew He was preparing me for greater things.

Years ago, the churches did not preach or teach about spiritual warriors or soldiers for the Lord, so my desire and destiny remained dormant. During those years, God loved me, encouraged me, and definitely was with me. I was a designated soldier for the Lord who studied and researched the scriptures and, in return, received revelation from the Holy Spirit. Advancing as a warrior, God gave me dreams, visions, encounters, missions, training, and so much more. He knows the desires of my heart, and within His timing, those dreams will be fulfilled.

STRONGHOLDS

You may have noticed the chapter title acronym of this book spells the word S.T.R.O.N.G.H.O.L.D.S. A stronghold can mean different things. For this book, the meaning I focus on is a fortified place, a place of refuge where we are protected by God. This book will help you discover ways to overcome the enemy. We must remain in the place of our refuge–the stronghold of the Lord. He is our strong right arm, our haven of safety. We are to sail into His harbor and commune with Him, and Him alone. He will teach us how to be victorious, and with Him, we always win.

He makes the impossible possible. Our book of life in heaven is already written, and our plan was designed from the beginning of time. Therefore, we are not to worry—He has us covered. We should always remember to remain under the shadow of His wing and wait for His instructions on how to walk out our everyday existence.

This book was written with you in mind as you continue to connect with your destiny. You will discover whose you are and who you are becoming. All of heaven will rejoice as you walk in the design and calling that you were created for. Experience the joy and peace God has for you as you begin your journey. Incredible events and seasons are on your horizon as you courageously begin to walk on water and pick up the sword of the Lord that is prepared just for you. Get ready—your greatest adventures lie before you.

The price was paid, the ransom given, the victory won. Jesus sits on the right hand of God the Father almighty.

We often wear ourselves out from stress, fear, and self-doubt, becoming so weak we can barely cry out to God for help. Our Father waits patiently until we recognize the battle is already won. Child, pick up your shield and sword and stake your claim, for you are the heritage of His kingdom. You were born for such a time as this.

Live the victorious life. Apply these principles and watch in astonishment as God brings heaven to earth within your life and environment.

The Bible says a two-edged sword slices through joints and marrow.

"For the Word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account."¹

The source of truth is the living Word. Truth is sincerity in action, character and utterance. Apply the living Word to every area of your life. Jesus said I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.²

Let's take a look at God’s commission to Isaiah and Jeremiah, which was the call of God on their lives. These scriptures apply to us today, just as they did during their time in history.

ISAIAH’S COMMISSION:

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Then I said, Here am I. Send me!³

JEREMIAH’S CALL AND COMMISSION:

Now the Word of the Lord came to me, saying,

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Then I said, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am [only] a young man. But the Lord said to me, Do not say, ‘I am [only] a young man,’ because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.⁴

I hope the pages of this book give you insight, instruction, and a broader understanding of becoming both a son of God and a warrior for the King. As you walk with Him, your life will utterly amaze you.

WRITING

I Have Never Felt So Alive

The depths and breadth of life are like chords that change from moment to moment. We embrace every experience as it comes our way, transforming us in every scene from the elaborate to the miniscule. The roaring voice of the Almighty is calling. Let the overture begin.

Arise, royal priesthood! Blast the trumpet! Children of God, take your places; the veil is parting. With weapons in hand, advance. Hear the echoing; prepare, prepare the way. Rush forth, setting the pace. Feet thundering and ground shaking, a swirl of dust flying behind you, you are unstoppable.

Pour forth from the north, the south, the east, and the west. It is time to be the driving force that no foe can conquer. Hear the voice of the whispering wind, Victory is yours. Be the way-makers. Gather together, strengthen yourselves, and proclaim the army of the Lord and the sword of the Word.

The whole earth is shifting, region by region and territory by territory. In the midst of the fray, the glory of the Son is piercing forth. The rays of your light announce: Wake up, I am coming. Reverberations awaken the cells within with great anticipation. The time is upon us to do His will. Now is the time. Lions roar; eagles go to flight. Eyes searching, hearts crying out, let all who thirst come.

PROLOGUE

WHAT IS PROPHECY?

A Bible prophecy is a word of divine revelation given by God to His prophets as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. This divine communication was meant to edify, encourage, and, at times, warn God's people.

"But understand this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."¹

Through the years, God has given me words of prophecy for individuals to edify and encourage them with a glimpse of what He has in store for their lives. A few years ago, there was a small group of fourteen youth who were hungry for more of God at an evening church gathering. While we were all praying at the altar, the Holy Spirit gave me a vision and a word of interpretation for each one of the group. I saw each of the youth with a beautiful white stallion, symbolic of the Lord. One would be a prophet; others would do great exploits; another would do mission work in remote areas of the world, and so forth. Each one would have an individual spectacular experience with the stallion chosen for their life.

I prophesied a Holy Spirit revelation over each one of them. Since I didn’t know their personal lives, the revelations were truly from the Lord. They were amazed that the Holy Spirit revealed, with accuracy, their deepest desires for their destinies. Since then, three years have passed by, and the words from the Holy Spirit and the visions I saw for them are coming to pass.

Praise God—He is so good. These young men and women are on fire for the Lord. They are ministering all over this nation as well as the world. It is astonishing to watch them lay down their lives to serve the Lord as soldiers of the King equipped and in-filled with His presence and glory.

PROPHECY

And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels] and your young men shall see visions (divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [divinely suggested] dreams²

Surely, we have heard the voice of the Lord speaking to us in and through a soft whisper of the wind. Elijah learned to hear the Lord’s voice in this way:

"So He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord was passing by, and a great and powerful wind was tearing out the mountains and breaking the rocks