2009: Year of Birthing, Harvest, and Fruitfulness
By Joni Ames
Another new year is coming forth! Praise God! Psalm 65:11 says of the Lord, "You crown the year with Your Goodness, And Your Paths drip with abundance!" - An awesome reminder of the Lord's provision in these times of world wide concern regarding the future! - So let us use this verse in this year ahead as a declaration of faith and thankfulness that He is taking care of us in these times.2009 is also 5969 on Israel's calendar. Nine is the number for birthing, harvest, and fruitfulness. Birthing, because in nine months, a baby is born. Harvest because the ninth month (September) is a harvest month. Fruitfulness because there are nine fruits and nine gifts of the spirit.
We must realize that this does not mean that all of the things that happen (or are "birthed") will be "happy" things. Jesus said (Matt. 24:4-31) that much would happen, yet it would only be the "beginning of sorrows."
Ps. 48:6 described fear and pain taking hold of people as being like that of a woman in birth pangs.
Jer. 48:41 & Jer. 49:22 described men's hearts as being afraid like the heart of a woman in birth pangs.
Now, all of that said, Rom. 8:22 says that" the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." - So even Creation, itself, is cheering us on to come into the fullness of what God has called us to! WHAT IS AHEAD?
In Mark 13:19 & Matt. 24:21, Jesus said "In those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be."
Luke 21:26 says that men's hearts will fail them from fear and even from the expectation of the things which are coming on the earth. That is pretty powerful!
THE FEAR FACTOR
We must not allow fear to overtake us in these times. Salesman trainer Zig Zigglar used to say: "F.E.A.R. stands for 'False Evidence Appearing Real'!" - And the Bible tells us, "He (God) hasn't given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." (1 Timothy 1:6)
Fear of disappointing God and causing the Holy Spirit to be grieved is good. Fear of man is not. If we fear man - or 'mankind' - they control us. Many times, we will be held back and withheld from walking in our purpose, call, and destiny by absolutely nothing except the FEELING of fear. That is why "terrorism" is so powerful. Sometimes they simply use the invisible THREAT of harm, constantly hammering away at the mind, causing people to become paralyzed from every day living. Nothing even has to be done!
Terror and terrorism are both a synonym for fear.
The dictionary defines terror as: (a) state of intense fear, (b) frightening aspect, (c) cause of anxiety; worry, (d) an appalling person or thing, (e) violence (as bombing) committed by groups in order to intimidate a population or government into granting their demands.
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. - Which means to restrain or dominate by force, to compel to an act or choice, to achieve by force or threat. Coerced compliance is forced compliance. - It is meant to cause (a person or people) to give in to pressure.
Control has three main ingredients: Manipulation, Intimidation, and Domination.
Manipulation tries to control you by tricking you.
Intimidation tries to control you by scaring you.
Domination tries to control you by forcing you.
Control can be accomplished in a blatant way, or even a silent way, as long as the purpose of control is accomplished. It is a power play. It can be done by nasty terrorist cells, or your own private little terror cell(s) in your workplace, at school, church, in your neighborhood, or even living under your own roof. It can be via a friend, someone you date, a spouse, kids, a boss, a co-worker, a parent, even a pastor or congregation member at church. - And of course, by the enemy himself, whispering in your ear, if you choose to listen.
Control can be done through blatant abuse, or by means of a person shedding tears, or hiding in their room and making YOU feel like the guilty party if they don't get their own way. In order to maintain peace, the controlling person is always right, even if they are wrong. If you have a different opinion or interest, they consider it a lack of love, respect, or commitment to them. The only way out of a controlling situation is to refuse to be controlled by that spirit. Even if it costs the relationship.
Lack of proper boundaries, and lack of believing that we are just as loved and important to God as the other person can open a door that would allow us to be controlled and manipulated. Therefore, the only cure is Jesus. Plain and simple. - Whether on an individual basis, or facing world wide terrorism. We must be willing to stand our ground and not back down, or we have lost already.
Peace and freedom isn't that if BOTH sides aren't able to have it. Therefore, peacemaking usually isn't peaceful when the rule of a dictator is brought down. But the choice is clear. It must be fought through to the finish. The peace and freedom will be worth it.
In the process of the days ahead, the control spirit will seem to flourish more and more, because it is false spiritual power. It is a fruit of the spirit of antichrist. We must learn now to have proper boundaries and to stand in the power and love of God, which will ultimately win the battle.
THE PRIDE OF AMERICA IS BEING SUNK
"Whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. (Prov. 3:12)
"Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty." (Job 5:17)
A few years ago, I was invited to be the guest speaker for a Christian Business Women's cruise that would go from San Francisco to the Hawaiian Islands and back to San Francisco. The invitation came at the start of winter 2003 for a cruise to happen in 2004. However, in mid January 2004, I got a phone call that the trip had to be canceled because the ship sank! When I found out the name of the ship, I felt there was a prophetic message in it. The name of the ship? The Pride of America! - The Pride of America was sunk!
The dictionary describes pride as:
The quality or state of being proud; inordinate self esteem; conceit; ostentatious display; highest pitch; proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; a showy or impressive group.
The Bible says, "For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world." (1 John 2:16)
And, in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall."
I'm glad God loves the U.S.A. enough to correct us rather than to allow us to be destroyed.
Pride will cause people to ignore those who are suffering, considering them "lesser" beings. And thus to ignore their needs.
One of the reasons Soddom was destroyed was pride:
"Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy." (Ezekiel 16:49)
KINGDOM FINANCES 101
In this time, you may be one of those who feel that they are called to Kingdom Finances, but are going through being on the "needy" end of the spectrum. You may be asking God, "What's the deal? I thought I was called to give and help others, so why am I going through this?"
I felt the Lord showed me that what you are going through is NOT a 'detour,' but rather a part of the process of becoming a Kingdom Finance leader. Why? Because when we are humbled to be on that end, we learn about what it feels like, and will not be condescending or unkind when we are on the giving end.
For those who are on the "high" end: Don't be prideful and forget what it was like to be at the other end, or you are in for a fall so that you can learn that lesson over again.
When I was a young single mom, there were times I had to "get help" with things. Even to getting holiday food baskets or going to the Salvation Army to get toys for my kids for Christmas. It was a real lesson in learning to be grateful, not prideful, and to just say "thank you" and "God bless you," and go on my way.
I can't say I was always treated kindly when in that situation. There was one time in particular when I was given 4 bags of groceries. Some were ok, but some were canned goods that were dented in, bent over, and even rusted. Along with that came bags and boxes of pasta that had been half used and taped back up, and had strange brown things shaking around inside. (Evidently dead bugs.) I was given a rusty bicycle for my kids, and used and broken open toy packages.
When I commented that I was afraid to feed my kids that stuff, a friend said I was being ungrateful for saying that. Thankfully, when some true Godly friends saw what happened, they "came to the rescue." But I asked God to never let me forget that, so that my heart wouldn't be hardened to others in similar situations.
Later, I became the singles assistant to over 1,500 singles, and single parent's leader of over 500 single parent families at a huge 5,000 member church. The Lord allowed me to develop a program where we made sure that EVERY single parent family got a huge basket of new food and brand new presents for every child in the group. God is faithful!
The Lord showed me in His word that there are two things that cause Him to be upset at the way we give:
(1) To give damaged goods to Him.
- And remember, what we do to the least, we do to Him! (Matt. 25:40)
This is in Malachai 1:8, 9, 13b & 14:
(8) And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?" Says the Lord of hosts. (9) "But now entreat God's favor, That He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, Will He accept you favorably?" Says the Lord of hosts.... (13b) "...you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?" Says the Lord. (14) "But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished-- For I am a great King," Says the Lord of hosts, "And My name is to be feared among the nations.
(2) The second is by complaining about giving:
In Malachai 2:13 it says: "And this is the second thing you do: You cover the altar of the Lord with tears, With weeping and crying; So He does not regard the offering anymore, Nor receive it with goodwill from your hands."
We don't want to miss out on our Promised Land by complaining.
Heb. 7:8 reminds us that, while we give here, HE is the one who receives there.
Let me bring some balance here. I don't think this is about sending money to a large "machine" that builds buildings. I believe this is talking about doing what God says to do in taking care of the widows, fatherless, poor, and needy.
FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS
We must keep our focus on the Lord in these times. The Bible tells us that if we keep our mind stayed upon the Lord, He will keep us in perfect peace. But how do we do that when there are so many scary things confronting us on a daily basis? Is that possible when everything around us seems to be caving in and going down? I believe we truly can have the "peace that passes all understanding," as His Word promises:
(6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. (Phil. 4:6-8)
2009 PRAYER FOCUS ITEMS
We need to pray re: the following:
(1) The Lord would continue to hold back the devastating earthquakes, because there are many fault lines that are seriously stressed at this time.
(2) Protection for our nation against terrorism. Even the news media has been warning of the chance for some serious incidents.
(3) Protection against serious flu viruses.
(4) Protection of our nations' power grids.
(5) Protection against severe weather.
(6) Protection of our troops.
(7) Protection & salvation of our nation's children.
(8) Pray for our nation's leaders, for salvation, wisdom, deliverance, wise counsel to surround them, and as outlined in 1 Timothy 2:1-8
"Do Overs"
PRAYERSome friends of mine and I have been discussing how it seems that this is a time when the Lord is bringing many full circle and into a time of grace to "do over" some things. This is personally, business, and ministry wise. Know that He loves you enough to do this. However, in the process, we are to be discerning and do not get involved with the same people or situations that were part of what caused us to fail the first time.
Lord, help us to keep focused on You and walking in Your Truth and Light. We love You, Lord. Send your Holy Angels to surround and protect us, our families, and our Nation in this time. Amen
- Joni Ames
JONI AMES
P.O. Box 99
Elkview, WV 25071
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