Dear friends\brothers&sisters\fellow ministers in Christ,
I want to share with you the word of the Lord as given to me for 2010 this week in prayer. I believe if we will put these 3 words in practice with fresh zeal and purpose this new year (and even decade) will be the greatest we have ever seen in the history of the church. (all 3 come from 2 Chron 6-9)
1. Prayer- 2 Chron. 6-7 “Then Solomon prayed…” WOW! Wouldn’t that be something if the church returned back to prayer both privately and corporately? The intense seeking of God’s face that is not a token gesture or a religious ritual. The type of prayer that Elijah prayed that caused the rain to come after a 3 year drought. The kind of prayer that Hezekiah prayed when God added 15 years to his life. The bold and disciplined kind of prayer Daniel prayed when he opened his window toward Jerusalem and prayed for restoration of Israel in the face of the lion’s den. The type of prayer that Jesus lived in His life and ministry (ending with His prayer at Gethsemane and Calvary). May God began to breathe a fresh wind of His Spirit upon the remnant of saints and churn within us a insatiable desire to be with the Master!
2. Work- 2 Chron. 8 God has called us to work for Him. Not for salvation but because of His glorious grace found only in Christ Jesus. The harvest is so great and the time is now! Be a laborer for Him that is mature and equipped for every good work. You will not nor can not accomplish this mandate without being a disciple! I see 2 things given to us for this mandate. First it says, “It took Solomon 20 years to BUILD…” We are not working to form our own little kingdoms or for the sake of our own personal needs but, like Nehemiah’s wall, we are all to build the same Kingdom and must do so under the plan of God’s Word and the supervision of God’s Spirit. Second, “Solomon also FOUGHT…” God has called us to fight the good fight of faith and walk in the victory of Calvary. Don’t wrestle against people and mistake the battle as being in the natural. Fight against your adversary the devil with the mighty spiritual weapons and armor that we have been given. The time to build and fight is NOW! Don’t wait for perfection but be daily discipled so that you may step out into the arena of battle you are called to.
3. Wisdom- 2 Chron. 9:7 How happy your people must be! What a privilege for your officials to stand here day after day, listening to your WISDOM! Now that greater communion with Jesus and the assignment of the Father are in focus we can move to our personal lives. It is time for the people of God to step into the wisdom of God for our lives. God has given me 5 words that articulate the new level we must all aspire to.
a. Health- vs. 4 She was amazed at the food on his tables. It is time for us to take care of the vessel that we have been given so we can be fruitful for Jesus and live a long life of service for Him. Don’t be super-spiritual or ignorant concerning your body and the importance of physical well-being.
b. Order- “organization of his officials” There is a desperate need for divine order in the lives of believers. From proper alignment with spiritual authority to time management we can all move to another level of effectiveness in Christ.
c. Look- “Their splendid clothing” Don’t think that as a believer you can look like a slob and be an ambassador of reconciliation! (you can but wont be very effective) Take initiative to be presentable and not excusing your outward appearance. This is not to bring attention but to keep from being a distraction as a witness of Christ. Would Jesus be sloppy? NO! Take pride in your witness for Christ and be excellent in every area of personal hygiene, clothes clean and ironed, and presentable hair cut.
d. Sacrifice- “and the burnt offerings Solomon made at the Temple of the Lord” Don’t just give God what is left over or what is convenient for your schedule. Be willing to make sacrifices to be at church EVERY Sunday and be a part of serving Him in ways that have been “impossible” up till now. He demands our best and the best never comes without sacrifice!
e. Stewardship- vs. 9,12 “The she gave the king” “King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba whatever she asked for–gifts of greater value than the gifts she had given him.” This is a year where God’s people are going to learn how to give extravagantly. You will never out give God! Even though the queen gave Solomon the largest gift ever given she still walked away with more! What a picture of what God wants to do in your life this year to come! This is all so you can continue to be a blessing and support world missions so Jesus’ matchless name will be heard by the waiting billions.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, bring us closer to you, help us work hard in the harvest fields, and give us supernatural wisdom in our lives. Forgive us for complacency in any of these areas and give us renewed passion for You and the work You have given us. Continue to pour out your unmerited favor and blessing on our lives and use us despite ourselves. Deliver us from apathy and release us into priorities of truth and righteousness. Remove all distractions to the life of humility and holiness. Destroy anything that would preoccupy our energies and attention from the ultimate goal of eternal life. Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven in 2010!!!
Awesome word… Thank you Pastor Joel
Amen!!! Amazing word from the Holy Spirit it is time for this generation to stand bold for our Mighty King. 2010 here we come better armed than ever!!!!
Awesome WORD!!! Every time you blog you inspire me…I pray the Lord keeps sending you more and more revelation!
Brad Barker–Pensacola, FL
P Joel,
I’m so inspired by this word. I was already excited about starting a new year, a new decade no less, from a totally new place in my Christian walk, but I am gad to receive some extra practical direction. Knowing there is an army of brothers & sisters in Christ out there focused on more or less the same tasks stirs my heart & encourages me greatly. I look forward to kickstarting the year with 3 weeks of cooperate prayer in January, but I know, as you said, the time to build & fight is now. When I’m hesitant or intimidated about evangelizing or offering my testimony in a given situation, I have to remind myself about the seed – how God wants to draw us a picture if we just offer a little faith. He’s like the training wheels on a toddler bike. We don’t have to know how to ride; we just need to get on the seat & start peddaling. Daily prayer, discipling, and wisdom in our personal lives are all so critical to staying in tune with His will. When I let my own whims and preferences take priority over an ordered lifestyle, I wallow in self-centeredness and either don’t hear or don’t react properly when the Holy Spirit calls on me. I don’t want to add more missed opportunities in the harvest to my eternal storehouse by allowing myself to stay bogged down in the daily drum content with a mediocre spirit life. The devil likes to say we can’t be focused on the harvest and do well with the tasks the Lord has already assigned us, but that denies the power of God. If I didn’t already know there’s nothing God can’t do, I know from experience, that with the Lord, I can focus on & resolve any number of things I’m not particularly good at, but without the Lord, I can’t spell my own name. So, indeed, Lord Jesus, renew us, bless us, use us, & remove all distractions to the life of humility and holiness. Amen! Thank-you for your dedication to equipping people to live for Jesus & strengthening my pursuit of whatever destiny the Lord desires for me. I’ll be praying for smoothe operations for you on Tuesday & that it be the last procedure you have of its kind. Keep us posted, & have a blessed & merry Christmas!
Prayer, Work, and Wisdom… these are definitely three things I need more in my life, as well as most likely everyone else. I’ve learned that just doing these things more isn’t the key, because doing them even with the best intentions, I can still fall short if I don’t do them correctly. “…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” is a verse in James 5:16 which I feel can help us to understand that even in prayer, there is a correct and incorrect way in doing it if you want to your prayers answered. I feel that in life, we should have a high priority to focus on loving one another and forgiving each other, the way the Lord loved us and the way He first forgave us. Thanks for the word Joel, I love you man.
WOW!! That was a very Good word!!! May the Lord bless and keep you.
Divine direction indeed!
I know that the Lord is once again calling His people to be in His presence more than ever before. We can do all kinds of work for the Lord which we should but sometimes the busyness of life takes over and we forget about the presence of God. As for me and the prayer ministry here prayer is going to another level in 2010! Praying for you Pastor Joel! May the HS fill you with JOY this Christmas season.
Hey Ps. Joel,
Thank you for the word. I just recently lost my husband from cancer after 3.5 yrs of marriage. It’s been less than 3 months now, it has been hard but I knew everything will be okay. But for the past 3 days, it is almost like I was reverting back with my coping process; I was sad constantly. I hated that I was just feeling so tired emotionally and spiritually. Thank you, this word refreshed me so that I can continue to fight the good fight of faith, and endure the race that God has set before me. GBU.
Awesome revelation from our Lord, Pastor Joel! I agree with you 100% in all you have written.
It is a shame how some try to “witness” for Christ but their life doesn’t show it. A few years ago I was riding on an Amtrak train when I was approached by a man who had a Bible tucked between his belt and the front of his pants where all could see it. This guy took it upon himself to “witness” for the Lord, yet he stunk to high heaven because he had not bathed in any manner for what seemed to be several days. While it was not possible to shower, he could have, at least, taken a washcloth to himself in the sink in one of the bathrooms. He certainly did not reflect the life of an overcomer by the stench that surrounded him. When I politely asked him to take a seat where I could quietly talk to him about his condition, he became offended and did not realize the seriousness of his representing my Lord in such a manner.
Keep up the good Word, brother Joel, and let the chips fall where they may!
Bless you Melissa. I will be praying for you. I pray that God becomes your Husband and that He wrap His arms around you to keep you safe and comforted in that wonderful way that only He can. I also pray that loved ones around you this Christmas season pour out extra love to you so that you know and feel loved. Love you dear sister.
Thank God for the wisdom he has given you. God is an awesome God!!! Thank God for Jesus Christ!!! Have a bless Christmas and Happy New Years,Pastor Joel !!!!