This verse pretty much describes our nation at this time. BUT that description will not be the final outcome. Isa.59:14, NASB — “Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter.” That has a ring of hopeless finality to it but the Word of God continues with the delivering acts of God because our Holy Father is not finished with this nation. Let us now read what God Almighty is in the process of doing. Job 5:12, Amp — “He frustrates the devices and schemes of the crafty, So that their hands cannot attain success or achieve anything of [lasting] worth.” Our Lord will not simply step in and do some frustrating, He will also bring judgment and meet out the consequences of their attempts to destroy this nation. Isa.29:15, Amp — “Woe (judgment is coming) to those who [try to] deeply hide their plans from the Lord, Whose deeds are done in a dark place, And who say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?” Yahweh sees and knows. 2Pe.2:9, Msg — “So God knows how to rescue the godly from evil trials. And he knows how to hold the feet of the wicked to the fire until Judgment Day.”
Kathy — I’ve always thought the only reason to go to war is to win, but I’m beginning to realize there are other reasons for warfare. Some battles are a matter of training our soul (our mind and will and emotions) to stand and develop muscle to be able to stand no matter what. Eph. 6:13 puts it this way: And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm. The goal of warfare can also be to take ground incrementally in Divine timing. There are many maneuvers needed to pull down strongholds in this present darkness. It is a bigger war than we can wage from one battlefield. This present darkness is a matter of world rulers that are spirit forces of wickedness in the spirit realm. These forces gather to form strongholds, and there they influence and manipulate people like puppets for their evil intents to kill, steal and destroy. That’s why Eph 6:12 tells us we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. These forces must be dismantled strategically and incrementally along with the workers of darkness they deploy into this present darkness.
”Through faith we understand that the ages were framed (arranged, completed) by the word of God”(Heb.11:3). It would appear that God is not looking for people to attempt to “overcome the reluctance of God” but He is looking for those who will hear His heartbeat for the ages and get into alignment with that purpose. Then we would actually be praying God’s prayer requests, not our own.
Kathy — We’ve got to believe more in our Redeemer than we believe in the past. “Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me and give me life according to Your word.” (Ps.119:154, Amp)
As the people of God assemble today, may they see plainer than ever the road that they are purposed to run in the new year. May one be an encouragement to another to steadily get on down the path this year that leads to fulfillment and success for our Lord’s plan. “…I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.” (Eph.4:1b-3, Msg)
The MONTH OF JANUARY IS FOR REACHING BEYOND FORMER BARRIERS. In January, (and throughout 2021) we will reach beyond the stopping points we have always stopped at before. We will not allow poor self-image, sense of unworthiness, family-accepted pitfalls, world chaos or limited resources to keep us from “reaching forward to those things which are before” (Phil.3:13). We will press forward and extend our reach to some markable degree greater than we have before.
A huge, muscular draft horse was pulling a weighted sled in a competition. The horse was obviously straining forward with every ounce of strength he could muster and was making some progress. But he was, with every step, getting closer and closer to a definite stopping point. It didn’t matter that he had dragged the heavy steel sled farther than any of the other horses in the competition, he still came to a sudden halt. It just happened to be a halt that was a bit farther down the track than the other horses’ halts. The “Year End Wrap Up” theme seems to speak to the need to not drag old stuff from the previous year (or even previous years) into the new year. Even though it is a burden, we tend to wrestle with old issues that seem to never get settled or worked out and we just continue to take them along with us into the future. Lethargy, wavering commitment, fear and neglect are some of the weights that make for burdensome sleds that we drag with us from one season to the next. There are issues to resolve before the end of this year that would be easier dealt with and resolved more readily without adding the laborious task of not having ended things well. It is time for a season in our lives where we “wrap up” what has been left at tattered ends. (Gal.6:9; Phil.3:14)
Kathy — Whatever is on the horizon, God does not intend that we live in fear or dread. We are to live in expectancy that we will do all that we were born to do and that the supernatural presence and power of God Almighty will be manifest through our lives to His glory. Ps 91:7, TPT — “Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed.”
Melissa — We are not sissies. We have the DNA, the breath of THE all powerful God in us. We can be a Change-Agent wherever we are! Here’s something else about a Change-Agent: they stay in their ordained sphere and deposit heaven there. They do not go running all over the world looking for the bad guys. Just imagine Change-Agents waking up all over the world carrying the atmosphere of the Kingdom right in their own region. This Kingdom is way more potent than any other kingdom we see activated right now, so can you imagine what this thing is about to look like?! I’m getting excited over here!
Kathy — As you look back and close out the year, you may be one of those folks who kept a daily journal and accounting of the details of life. Or, your accounting may simply be memories highlighted for the moment or forever, but all of us have matters that mattered this year as we laid our heads down each night and then awoke to face them again the next morning. There is no closing the books, no relief, on unresolved matters whether they concern healing or relationships or circumstances or finances. Even if we don’t note them in a journal or speak of them, still they sit in the silence of the night and trouble our hearts. That’s the reason that we, like David in Psalm 56, must lean into our God, the Great Accountant who can and will balance the books and bring us to peace of mind. “You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.” Psa 56:8 (MSG). Remembering He is there and aware and that He will take action in our behalf, we can trust Him by breathing out a grateful sigh over 2020 and breathing in hope for 2021.
As the people of God assemble today may they rejoice and be glad and grow strong in the Spirit and be filled with wisdom. Jesus was born with purpose and so are we. From the beginning, He not only grew physically but in His spirit and in wisdom for what was to come. In 2021 let’s make one of our major goals for our children to be to see them filled with the Spirit and to train them in godly wisdom. “And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.” (Lk.2:40)
Melissa—Our stance in this season is standing — standing on the truth that our magnificent God is doing something BIG. He is establishing His plan for 2021 and beyond. We GET to be a part of this. We GET to be a change agent simply by standing. Yes, YOU have what is needed for this moment. Now is not the time to throw your hands up. Now is the time to take a deep breath and watch the glorious show unfolding in the days ahead. Yes, there will be shockers. BUT all we need to know is that those shockers are proof that God is shaking what can be shaken (Heb.12:27-28)! Thankful to be Your daughter, my King. “The kingdom of God doesn’t come by counting the days on the calendar. Nor when someone says, ‘Look here!’ or, ‘There it is!’ And why? Because God’s kingdom is already among you.” (Luke 17:21 MSG) It’s time to wake up, and be who we were born to be. Let’s win this war, as God has intended.
Kathy — Miracles are begun in grace and perfected in glory. They start with God’s supernatural enabling and come to complete manifestation through His intent and purpose and timing. As I wait on God, I shall continue to pray for miracles this Christmas season because the coming of the Christ is still in effect as well as God’s goodwill toward men. May His presence and power and purpose and timing change your life as His goodwill touches the earth again.
Kathy — Jesus did not leave us the example that persecution should leave us a shaken, bloody victim. He glorified God. Jn.17:4, TPT “I have glorified you on the earth by faithfully doing everything you’ve told me to do.” By example He showed us that persecution cannot take you out. He left when it was time to leave by God’s direction and not a moment before God said, not a slap before God said, not a false accusation before God said, not one human or demonic maneuver before God said.
Melissa — “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2) That’s a Change-Agent’s life right there. We PROVE the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. How? By changing our thought habits. We meditate on God’s will, His original intent for this earth. We stop fixating on the enemy’s war around us by realizing his war has intensified because he is feeling the pressure of this never-ending Kingdom in Luke 1. We turn our thoughts toward that powerful fact. We engage in power, love, and a sound mind by dumping fear-thoughts that have wreaked havoc (2 Timothy 1:7). This is all possible in our lifetime!
Kathy — If persecution is for righteousness’ sake and not our own, we can expect the promise: “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!” Eternal life comes through Jesus, not persecution. This is the promise of God’s authority and rule and power manifesting in our lives–our lifestyle reflecting His goodness, faithfulness and power. It is the kingdom of heaven demonstrated on earth as it is in heaven in our lifetime. (Matt.6:33)
We are part of a great plan of God that has been intricately designed from before the foundation of the world. Added to the dimension of personal issues and concerns is the dimension that each of us has a part to play out in that great design. Eph.2:10, TPT — “We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!.” Those who stay the course AND those who do not will both have an effect. (2Tim.4:10)
Kathy — Battle heats up by reason of the needed outcome. Heat determines the strength of a weld, so does the intensity of battle establish the strength and longevity of the victory. The vehemence of battle welds the outcome in undeniable purpose rather than just leaving us with fragmented memories of war. Heat is one of the components of long-term victory and intense battle yields intensely awesome results! Ps.18:39, Amplified Version — “For You have encircled me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.”
As the people of God assemble today may they experience the elation and joy of realizing that, in the moment of praise and hearing the Word of God, they have won battles over satan. May they experience the lifting of burdens and lifting of the weightiness of despair. Ps.68:19-20, The Passion Translation — “What a glorious God! He gives us salvation over and over, then daily he carries our burdens! Pause in his presence. 20 Our God is a mighty God who saves us over and over! For the Lord, Yahweh, rescues us from the ways of death many times.”
The month of December is for recommitting ourselves to prayer for one another and matters that matter. It seems to be easy to fall out of the habit of regular prayer when the stuff of life happens and pulls on us and disappoints us and distracts us. But we can refocus and return to (or begin) the all-important discipline of regular prayer in December. Eph.6:18, Amp — “With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.” 1Tim.2:8, Amp — “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing or quarreling or doubt [in their mind].”
Kathy — Wisdom is working to equip us to prevail in days ahead over key forces like offense, self-pity, anger and fear. The power of those forces is that they condition us to defeat ourselves. Offense is stumbling and it causes us to cripple ourselves. Offense causes us to become distrustful and desert our post. We do not have to take in offense even when it comes banging on our door with every logic. Ps.119:165, TPT — “There is such a great peace and well-being that comes to the lovers of your word, and they will never be offended.”
martygabler 