Wow! What a start to this marvelous decade of 2011-2020. 2011 was awash with transition and new beginnings but as we move forward into 2012 there are so many things materializing in the Spirit! Here are a few things the Lord has been speaking to me concerning this new year. I pray that you will be blessed, encouraged, and motivated to seek the Lord for yourself in regards to His amazing plans for your life in the NOW dimension of FAITH! Enjoy:
1. Release of the old (Acts 1)- the old decade and ALL it’s remnants are gone and the newness of life found in this 2nd decade of the 21st century has come. We all have a tendency to hold on to what is familiar and I see the Lord has taken out all regret and focus on what could have been and shifted our whole attention to the great work at hand.
2. Release of the new (Acts 2)- there will be significant progress made this year toward fresh vision. As revelation came in ’11 now confirmation by supernatural fruit will come to pass. If 2011 was the spring weather shifting then 2012 will be the first buds to break forth and CONFIRM that we are indeed moving into amazing life and expansion.
3. Release of sons and daughters (Acts 6)- 12 is the age of accountability and I hear the Lord saying that there will be many faithful sons and daughters that will find themselves at the moment of release into greater roles. Those who have labored as spiritual fathers and mothers should not be stingy in holding them back but gracious in understanding what the Lord is doing. We must be careful to not allow those who have been faithful to keep going on and on in a role that they now have matured out of and others should step into. The Kingdom is always expanding and this expansion will happen in 2012 through young Timothy’s being sent on their first assignment without Paul’s direct oversight. This is the picture of where many of our loyal disciples find themselves these days. We grieve at losing their help because it is so valuable, and we hate to see them grow up and leave (as a parent with their beloved child), BUT this is their season of release. We must not keep them past the moment of release or risk hindering what we have worked so hard to achieve in their formation. RELEASE THEM, says the Lord!!!!
4. Release of the warring spirit (Judg. 3:1-2)- The time is now for the adolescent Bride to learn how to war. A holy zeal is rising in the remnant of true believers as the comfortable atmosphere of godliness we have known in past decades is nearly gone. The erosion of the “godly soil” has been catastrophic and a new foundation must be layed through the tears and travail of the saints. The Lord is saying to me that He is indeed teaching a new generation how to war and this begins with becoming a warrior! He is preparing young disciples to overcome their selfish ambition and take up their cross. These young warriors will be skilled in the word of God and know the voice of the Holy Spirit. As fathers and mothers we must foster this “warring spirit” with times of extended prayer that is not self related but focused on Kingdom expansion through the winning of the lost. Nations must be adopted, tribes must be possessed, burdens for regions must come with great passion in order for this new generation to take up the cause of finishing the Great Task (Commission). It is time for the warring spirit to be released! See 1 Jn. 2:14
Im excited about 2012, thanks for sharing. God bless you.
Thanks for this word Pastor Joel. I have been a Bethany member since 1997. I am a single mom. I am an engineer by day and I attend law school at night all this while going through a divorce. I recently received a great opportunity, which would require relocation to another state. After praying and fasting this post was confirmation that this opportunity is from God. Thanks for speaking a word without knowing how great an impact your words would make on one family. I will truly miss my Bethany family. I am so proud to say I am a product of the Stockstill minister. May God continue to Bless you and keep you. You are one class act.
Good word!!!
Very short, sweet and too the point!
Thanks Joel for the motivating and encouraging words. Let’s push back Hell in 2012. “And the kingdom of hell will not prevail…”
That was a great blog post. It stirred my heart!!!
Yes and Amen!!! Let it be so Lord!
Amen! Blessed be the Lord!
Pastor Joel,
My wife and I are starting a new Youth and Young Adult Ministry at The Heights Church in Houston, TX. This word was exactly what we needed to hear as we go into this new year. We have both read this and receive all the Lord is saying through you. Thank you for being obedient and sharing this word with everyone!!! Blessing on you and your wife…
Blessings,
Matt and Lyndsey Ortiz
AMEN! AMEN!! That stirred my heart and definitly my spirit for what the Lord has shown me in revelation and vision for this year! God Bless! Thank you!
Release of is word God has laid on our hearts. It’s a confirmation for us. God bless you.
As the release of sons and daughters in the church proceeds, our hearts are expectant and open for the new thing God will bring forth this year. This was a good word and spot on for so many across the nation. Thank you!