"You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance." (Psalm 65:11) 

(18) "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; (19) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Matt. 4:18-19)

 

* Time To Take The Land; A Year of Confrontation

* First Things First

* Seek Wisdom & Discernment

* Don't Bow to Controlling Spirits

* New Understanding of God's Love

* Visitations From The Lord

* House Meetings on Increase

* Highways & Byways Ministries

* A "Go For It" Year

* Communion

* Pray In The Spirit

* New Songs

* Greater Revelation Re: New Testament Giving

* New Levels of Revelation

* Weathering the Weather

* Natural Disasters

* Animal Tendencies

* Politics & The Political Spirit

* For Business People

* Jubilee Restoration

* Prayer

  

2008! A pivotal year - An "acceptable" year! - A time of NEW BEGINNINGS - A door of hope - A time to PROCLAIM the acceptable (welcome, pleasing) year of the Lord and set the captives free!

 

How will it be 'NEW'? How can we experience the 'NEW'? What does 'NEW' mean?

 

NEW (defined) means: different from one of the same category that has existed previously; of greater/superior quality; has not been known or experienced; novel - not only new but strange or unprecedented; original - applies to what is the first of its kind to exist; fresh - applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness - such as a 'fresh' start.

 

So, if you want to experience the "new," don't look for or do the "same thing." - Remember the old saying, "Doing the same thing we've always done, expecting different results is the definition of insanity."

 

The Word says it like this: "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead." (Phil. 3:13)

 

Doors can open right and left, but if we are not willing to leave the old behind and go forward through those new, open doors, we cannot experience what God has for us on the other side of them. I'm reminded of what Alexander Graham Bell once said “When one door closes, another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”

 

We must let go of the old in order to take hold of the new.

 

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TIME TO TAKE THE LAND

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This is a year of confrontation because it is a year of taking the land.

 

Has your year seemingly begun in warfare? - Don't worry - the results are and will be good. It is time to take the land, and that means confronting some giants - and/or things that think they are - even those things within ourselves that have held us back. Who the Lord loves He chastens, so that we can be better equipped to go forward into the 'more' and 'better' in the Promised Lands that He has for us to take. So it is time to shift gears and make the changes that are necessary in order to go up to the top of the Mountain and experience those "Mountaintop Experiences!"

 

Another thing regarding the statement, "Time to take the land," is that there are areas of the country where the price of land has gone down and it has become a "buyer's market." If you are able to take advantage of it, and the Lord speaks to you to do it, this could be a good time for you to invest in the opportunity to literally "take the land" that the Lord would present to you.

 

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

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As I sat before the Lord the other day seeking Him about this NEW year, I felt that it very important to realize that going forward IN the NEW would individually mean that we would experience it to the degree that we each would be willing to go forward IN the 'newness' He offers. Exponential results will occur as a direct result of our obedience to Him.

 

However, there was also a warning that we could allow ourselves to be hindered by letting the enemy overthrow those plans through overwhelming us with emotions and feelings. This is truly a time when we need to FOCUS ON THE LORD so that He can and will keep us in perfect peace, no matter what opposing voices or circumstances may arise. - Personally, spiritually, in business, ministry, relationally, nationally, or internationally.

 

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." (Isaiah 26:3)

 

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SEEK WISDOM & DISCERNMENT - A REQUIREMENT

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"Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly." (Prov. 15:21)

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment." (Phil. 1:9)

 

"(1) My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, (2) So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; (3) Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, (4) If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; (5) Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. (6) For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; (7) He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; (8) He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. (9) Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path." (Proverbs 2:1-9)

We are in a time in this world when there are many distractions and deceptions. It's very important to be in communication with the Lord at all times, seeking His advise on how to handle every aspect of our life, and to operate in the Spirit of Truth. The enemy is a liar and the father of lies, so we also need to be in the Word, using it as our ultimate plumb line.

The Word challenges us to NOT "believe every spirit," but to TEST the spirits:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;" (1 John 4:1a)

Is there something about a situation that makes you feel 'icky' or uncomfortable? Even if it is a ministry situation, is there something about it that does not line up with the Word?

The antichrist spirit is a religious spirit, a spirit of religious deception, meant to turn people from seeing Jesus Christ as Lord. It was already in the world back when Jesus walked the earth as a man.

"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour." (1 John 2:18)

"Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:22)

"and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world." (1 John 4:3) 

"For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." (2 John 1:7)

 

Bottom line: Stop second guessing yourself and your ability to hear from the Lord. Be willing to take the time to engage and communicate with the Lord and ask Him about situations that put a "check" in your spirit, so that you and your loved ones are protected.

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DON'T BOW TO CONTROLLING SPIRITS

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The battle lines have been drawn, and we must stand strong, even when being battered upon by the enemy. The only way we can do that is to (1) submit to God and (2) resist the devil. When we do that, it says in James 4:7 that the enemy will then flee from us.

 

This year will again be a time of defining and re-defining our relationships, because the Lord desires to protect us. Part of that is our responsibility. We need to "Guard our heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." (Prov. 4:23)

 

If you are a peace lover and don't like confrontation, you often put up with things from people for a long time. But when the Lord lifts the grace to do that, know that it is time to confront and not back down. It may cost a relationship to do that, but any relationship that puts you in a constant situation of bowing to someone else's temper tantrums, control, manipulation, disrespect, or hard headed attitude will is not a good one. This is going to be a year of confrontation and thus release from those situations and relationships of control, manipulation, and bondage.

 

For those of us who truly do want to "do what is right," we often prolong the inevitable by operating in unsanctified mercy (having mercy on people who are really not doing what is right in the first place, but are manipulating your emotions or being co-dependent upon you). We end up wasting our time on situations where we are being taken advantage of and that are even robbing us of time and/or money - and definitely draining us emotionally and/or financially. A religious spirit can hover over us and condemn us if we try to release ourself from the situation, and make us feel "bad" or "mean" when we try to get out from under it.

 

So what do we do? Well, the enemy continues to be able to engage us as long as we refuse to confront situations that need to be handled. By allowing that to happen, we are merely prolonging our misery. While it may not be comfortable to confront the situation(s) that need confronted, we need to do so. People pleasing puts us in a position of continuing to be controlled and manipulated. It's time to fear God more than to fear man, and put the axe to the root. The more we try to minimize the fall out of situations that need to be confronted, the worse it gets. Better to handle it in the beginning than allowing the situation to grow bigger and prolonging the pain.

 

The bottom line is, bowing to fear of the fallout is to bow to control or manipulation. Plainly put, we are all learning to recognize and refuse submitting to witchcraft via controlling and manipulative powers. The best way to do that is by simply saying "no" and refusing to allow them to control and manipulate us.

 

Control is rebellion. And "Rebellion is as witchcraft." (1 Samuel 15:23) Bowing to someone else's control and manipulation is bowing to witchcraft. Needless to say, that is something we should not do.

 

We must not allow anyone else to be "God" or "Holy Spirit" in our life by submitting to them above God if we want to walk in the fullness of our purpose, calling, and destiny. Additionally, they need to learn to trust in God, not us, as their source. By our making healthy boundaries, we are helping to send them on a more healthy path in the Lord as well.

 

So the bottom line is: Submit to God. Resist the devil. - And he will flee. (James 4:7)

  

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NEW UNDERSTANDING OF GOD'S LOVE

----------------------------------------------------------------

In this day and time, there are many who do not have the understanding of the love of God because they have come from homes where they were not shown love. Therefore when people refer to God as Father, they immediately judge God by improper parental examples. I saw God sovereignly pouring His Love out on them and releasing to them into a radical revelation of it in this time.

 

Again, this is a time of RESTORATION! Be restored to the heart of God you came from!

 

In so doing, you will have surefootedness where there were wonderings and wanderings. - You will have the strength you need to confront situations that need confronted! - And you will find where you 'fit' in the Body of Christ.

 

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VISITATIONS FROM THE LORD

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I often come across people who say they have never had a visitation from the Lord. Expect to experience them because of the new understanding of His Love that He is pouring out. You've probably actually had some visitations before, but couldn't recognize that was what was going on because of not understanding how they occur, or maybe even not believing that He loved you enough for that!

 

A "visitation from the Lord" doesn't have to be some freaky, dramatic, multi media movie theater type of experience. Often His Presence comes like a blanket or soft comforter - because Holy Spirit is the COMFORTER! - And His Words often come in the "small still voice."

 

Once you receive the understanding of God's love, you will receive confidence in His Love in place of fear to the degree that you will allow yourself to stop doubting and start believing and experiencing His Love in many new ways.

 

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HOUSE TO HOUSE MEETINGS ON INCREASE

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While it is good to not forsake assembling together in the local church, the Body of Christ needs closer and deeper fellowship than can occur in a roomful of 100 or more people for an hour every Sunday. Therefore the number of house to house fellowships is experiencing a dramatic rate of growth. In these more intimate settings, it is easier to invite un-saved co-workers or neighbors, and for them to see and experience true Christianity and the love of God on a more personal level. - And then invite them to church once their fear of that is gone.

 

"(44) Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, (45) and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. (46) So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:44-47)

 

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HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS MINISTRIES

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The Harvest is ripe. It's time to "GO and get them!" They are waiting for you to do so!

 

" (15) And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (17) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (18) they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (19) So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. (20) And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen." (Mark 16:15-20)

 

"Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' " (Matt. 22:9)

"So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests." (Matt. 22:10)

"Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." (Luke 14:23)

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A "GO FOR IT" YEAR

---------------------------------

Restoration often "comes to us" only to the degree that we are willing to "go for" it!

 

For instance...

 

If you don't work, you don't get a paycheck!

 

We have to WRITE a book if we want to get one PUBLISHED!

 

We have to learn to play an instrument before we can get good at it!

 

We have to go to the party if we want to attend it!

 

It's time to get off the shelf and be a part of what God is doing.

 

But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:18)

"But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20) 

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26)

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COMMUNION

===========

I sensed a very precious longing from the heart of the Lord to gather us at close to His Chest to hear His Heartbeat through private, personal, individual times of literal communion. I sensed that it would be a time of greater understanding of the power of His Shed Blood as well as His Love.

 

In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (1 Cor. 11:25)

 

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PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

=================

This is a time to seriously take prayer to a new level by using our prayer language as often as we can. - While driving down the street, typing an email, doing dishes, or even walking the dog.

 

Why? Because the Spirit is wooing us to do so:

 

"Oh my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart! My heart makes a noise in me, that I cannot hold my peace, because you have heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war." (Jer. 4:19)

The enemy of our souls is out to kill, steal and destroy, but the Holy Spirit within us wants to use us to properly do battle against the enemy. However, we must remember, "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty THROUGH GOD for pulling down of strongholds." (2 Cor. 10:4)

We must allow the Holy Spirit the "right of way" to take it over and to direct it. - We must turn TO it and not from it...."Today if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Heb. 3:7) ~ We must not be ashamed even of the weeping that He desires to cry out through us!

We need to allow the Holy Spirit to cry and to pray through us and to NOT "shut it down." - Not publicly like the Pharisees, but in our own prayer closets. Additionally, don't worry about the "words" you will pray....

Romans 8:26 & 27 says...(26) "the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.." (27) "Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

As we allow the unction of the Holy Spirit to pray through us, we will be praying for the things for which the Spirit within us desires, in the way He wants it prayed about, and in the will of the Lord for the outcome.

And then, Romans 8:28 says... "and (then) we know that all things (will) work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." 

Be led by the Holy Spirit. ~ And understand that even if you don't have your prayer language, you are still His Sheep and you can still hear and obey the voice of the Lord and be directed to pray according to the will of God. ~ In whatever way He desires for you to pray! ~ And "pray it through!" - Until you have a "release" or a sensing that of peace that it has been "taken care of."

But, don't be concerned about "words"!! ~ It may be that you will experience tears and/or groanings alone! ~ Also, we don't need to be embarrassed by tears (ours or others') if they begin to flow! We just need to "let go and let God"! ~ NOT to "fake it" or get loud to get attention! ~ It may well - and most likely will - occur when we are all alone!!

Let's just allow the Holy Spirit total access to and through us, to be led by Him, for His purposes to be accomplished when and how He causes that unction to come. It is a time to let the "rain" of the Holy Spirit "reign!" ~ To let Him cry out through us for souls and for mercy!

Especially in times when so many have serious needs, let us heed the voice of the Spirit to "pray it through."

Rev. 2:11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches..."

 

And as we do this, He will build us up in our faith, and keep us from stumbling:

 (20) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (21) keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (22) And on some have compassion, making a distinction; (23) but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. (24) Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, (25) To God our Savior (Jude vs. 20-25)

 

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NEW SONGS

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I'm continuing to hear that there are some powerful new songs and even some powerful new singers coming onto the scene. The songs that are coming have the anointing to bring in the harvest, and to bring forth healing and deliverance, even across the airways - even over secular radio.

 

Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. (Ps. 33:3)

A Psalm. Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. (Ps. 98:1)

----------------------------------------------------

If you have not been "called out in meetings," etc., don't be upset. God wants you to hear from Him for yourself. This isn't said to pacify you - it is the truth. He is pouring out His Spirit to ALL of us - He is no respecter of persons! And in this time of "open doors" we must remember the most important one - "Behold, there is a door open in Heaven; ....Come up here, and I will show you of things to come. " (Rev. 4:1)

 

There is a seemingly thinner veil between the natural and supernatural that occurs when we are in closer relationship and communication with the Lord. These are exciting times in which God is revealing more to us. We need to remember that it isn't because of us - but Him. "Not by might or power, but by His Spirit." (Zech 4:6)

 

As we understand His Love more, we are more open to believe that He would speak to us. Thus, we will find in this time that we are hearing and seeing clearer. Thus we can believe His promises:

 

Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them." (Isaiah 42:9)

 

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.  (Isaiah 43:19)

 

"You have heard; See all this. And will you not declare it? I have made you hear new things from this time, Even hidden things, and you did not know them.  (Isaiah 48:6)

 

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.  (Isaiah 30:21)

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WEATHERING THE WEATHER

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Whether you like the weather or not, you'll have to weather it. Sorry for the pun, but expect radical weather patterns and strange weather to accelerate over the next few years.

 

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NATURAL & OTHER DISASTERS

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All of creation is stirred up and groaning (Romans 8) - even the land. Expect increased strong earthquakes, tsunamis, storms, volcanos, signs in the heavens, and the like.

  

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ANIMAL TENDENCIES

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Expect more strange animal stories as well. It's all a part of what is going on in this time - all of creation is groaning!

 

(21) Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God, (22) the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together...(Romans 8:21-22)

 

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POLITICS & THE POLITICAL SPIRIT

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Expect the unexpected to happen in the political arena this year. Young people who have never voted before are going to go to the poles, and the older generation that has sat home and complained is coming out of complacency. Nothing is final until it's over. Don't even try to forecast the results. - Prayer is great, but faith without works is dead. Don't complain about the results if you don't vote! <smile>

 

Don't allow a religious spirit to separate you from your right to vote. Your vote matters.

 

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FOR BUSINESSES PEOPLE

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There are opportunities for exponential increase for those who are in or called to business in this time. Why? Because God wants us to know that He IS Jehovah Jireh - our Provider - and it is Him who does it.

 

Taking all of the above into account, know that God may well speak to you regarding opportunities that will be contrary to what is popular or even advised by some "in the know." Therefore, it is very key to be in communication with and obedient to Him so that you do not miss any kairos moments of opportunity.

 

I also saw that God may be moving many people from the geographical location in which they have been to another one where they will flourish to a greater degree. This is a time when being in proper geographical alignment is of utmost importance. What you've done in one location may not "fly" there any longer - that may not mean you are in the wrong business - just the wrong location for your business. Seek God about your designated geographical positioning for such a time as this and be willing to make the changes to go where He tells you that you are to be. - For instance, real estate may be your forte, and in a huge slump where you live, but flourishing in another place. Be willing to adjust to the 'climate' of what God has called you to do.

 

It is very key to be in relationship with the right people per the business God has called you to. Don't entangle yourself nor continue to stay in relationships that are stagnate or pulling you downhill financially. Be willing to make the necessary changes for the time period you are in. Remember what happened when Jonah was on board a boat that he was not supposed to be on? If there is someone on board that is causing your ship to sink, be willing to release them so that you - and they - can flourish where you all are meant to be. Keeping them on board isn't helping them or you - it is keeping them from their purpose and causing your ship to sink. To everything there is a time, season, and purpose. By the same token, if you are the one trying to stay on board when God has told you to move on, then move on. Don't be like Jonah and wait until you are thrown overboard and land in the belly of a whale before you finally listen! (Jonah 1:4-10)

 

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JUBILEE RESTORATION
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Don't forget - this Fall, we entered into a Jubilee year on Israel's calendar. On January 1st, we entered into the year 2008 on our commercial calendars. Eight is the number for new beginnings. Additionally, we will have an extra day in 2008, as it will be a leap year.

 

Joel 2:25 promises us that God will restore the years the Locust and Cankerworm has eaten. Truly, this is a year of great promise for exactly that.

 

God knew all those many years ago that His Jubilee Year would fall in this time period of "new beginnings" and "leap year" on our natural calendar.  Since "A day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as a day" (2 Peter 3:8), I believe this leap year of Jubilee restoration will be exponential. - I believe we can call for, proclaim, and declare for jubilee generational restoration for 1,000 years back.

 

It is time for restoration of lands, homes, finances, relationships, family, jobs, giftings, ministries, and much more - spiritually, naturally, and materially.

 

In a time of serious financial crisis throughout the earth, those who trust in the Lord as Jehovah Jireh will experience breakthrough. (Ref. Is. 60:1 & 2)

 

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PRAYER

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Lord, We love you and thank you for all that you are to and for us. We ask you that you would give us wisdom, discernment, and greater courage to go forward and not look back, and to accomplish great things in your Kingdom! We know your love is unconditional and we don't 'have to' do that - but we want to! These are exciting times, and we ask you that our lives would count and we would accomplish all you put us here for! In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

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Joni Ames
P.O. Box 411501
Charlotte, NC 28241
E-Mail: JoniAmes@aol.com
Main Website: http://www.joniames.org
Prophetic Newsletter Archives/Web site: http://www.joniames.net