A look at 2009

Contrary to my stated policy to NOT read anything that looks the the next year before I get the word given me, so as not to pollute my brain, this crossed my desktop. John Mark Pool is the Prophet on this. I post it not so much as thus saith the Lord. I just happen to think that this is a really safe bet. And, it's a good thing.

2009 is a Year of Evangelistic Harvest!

The year 2009 will indeed become the beginning of one of the most unprecedented times of harvest this nation and the world has ever experienced. We must be ready for such reaping. Reaping is best for those who have prepared their nets. We must now have our visions of a move of God raised higher. The world around us is experiencing this in a way most Americans have not yet experienced.

Take time to follow the Lord drawing you into a deep hunger for intimacy with Him and the sheep of His pasture. He cares for everyone in His creation. He made us to glorify Him in all the earth. 2009 will be a year that is initiated in many exciting ways. Begin to thank the Lord for all His love and grace and care that He gave us - it's more than we would ever deserve.

2009 will be a Year for Praise and Thanksgiving!

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4

King David appointed Levites to lead in prayer, thanksgiving, and praise in 1 Chronicles 16. At the heart of this chapter is thanksgiving. Beginning in verse seven, David recited his own "psalm of thanks to the LORD.'' The verses following reveal a beautiful song of gratitude to God. True worship of God issues forth from grateful hearts.

A feeling such as bitterness, envy, hostility, and pride disqualifies anyone from genuine worship. Thanksgiving opens up the door of the heart toward God in such a way that the individual is freed for true worship of God. Everywhere in Scripture this spirit of thanksgiving is revealed as vital to our worship experience. Let's exchange a spirit of bitterness for a spirit of thanksgiving!

King David had a lifestyle of one trial after another which could've been his ending at any moment if he ever gave into defeat. However, like the same sinew of faithfulness that Joseph and Jacob possessed, they allowed themselves no room for destruction. Praise and worship before Almighty God became not only a healing salve to their tattered souls, but also a weapon of praise against the wiles of the devil. Yes, incorporate praise as a lethal weapon in our spiritual arsenal.

"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give You thanks forever!" Psalm 30:11-12

Be like David and then have a spirit of thanksgiving for saving him from his enemies. "You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of Your name, lead me out of this peril. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in You alone. I entrust my spirit into Your hand. Rescue me, LORD, for You are a faithful God" (Psalm 31:3-5 emphases added).

Many battles will indeed come our way in the next few years, as God is about to shake our nation as never before, but we will learn in this season of testing to "entrust our spirit into the Lord's hand."

We have had a real year of trials of our faith, yet that is what makes Christians stronger! King David said it this way, in Psalm 34:19, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."

Now is the time to begin drawing into the heart of our Lord and to thank Him for all He has done for us. This is a season in time to decree and press in for you and your family to experience in 2009 and beyond - the Fullness of Blessings!