Sustainable Breakthroughs

Keith Miller:

"Grace for Sustainable Breakthroughs for 2009"

We're living in a realm of incredible grace—a supernatural endowment from the Lord, a greater capacity to live as overcomers, and not as people overcome. I sense the Lord taking it up a notch, taking grace to an entirely new level. No longer will life be allowed to dictate our circumstances, nor will others, nor will our present realities. Instead, we will move and function by the unseen realm of the Kingdom by this incredible flow of grace exploding into the natural.

Impact for TODAY

No longer should we settle for what was yesterday. It is time to go after impact for today. Tomorrow, we will do the same. It won't be yesterday's fullness that we have to draw from, because we will wake up, filled fresh every day in the Holy Ghost! That is how I want to live the rest of my life here on earth. How about you?

Sometimes in our desperation or our struggles, we pull away, but this new level will cause us to want to press in for breakthrough. We will not back off anymore. If we press in we will have breakthrough, and it will not be the same breakthrough as yesterday. We do not need the same breakthrough. When new breakthrough for today comes, we will establish the land and walk in it daily. "Oh Lord," we should pray, "I want that grace for today for a fresh breakthrough, and I will press in until I get it."

Expect New, More!

Even if you have experienced the greatest breakthroughs, a million breakthroughs, the Lord has more for you! There are never enough. We should always be hungry for more. We have to "see" more than we see right now. We need to see sustained breakthrough in our lives. We need to see breakthrough that transforms a whole city by the glory and power of God and see that city witness to another and another, setting off a chain reaction that will transform a nation. We need to see breakthrough for salvation of our children that has them walking forever and ever in His grace and witnessing to entire schools. We need to see radical breakthrough for finances such that we are never in monetary need again, such that you can give to the poor and still have more than enough!

Believe!

For things like this to happen, we MUST believe EVERYTHING that is written in His Word! It is vital for a breakthrough with longevity to see whole nations saved!

When you rise to this new level of breakthrough for today—people will notice! My children notice! My son Troy saw me ministering on television not too long ago, and the first thing he said when I returned home was, "Dad, you're on another level, aren't you?" Troy has been with me in ministry for five years—he has seen the new levels the Lord has taken this ministry into. When the beauty of the glory of the Lord is upon you, your children will notice. Think of the impact on our young people! Glory!

Ask for More

We have to want it. We have to desire more. God loves us hungry! I know that I am asking for more in this season than I had last season. Last year was good, but today I am dreaming bigger. I have tasted awesome breakthrough, but I am craving more. If I get a taste of something I like, I want more and I won't quit until I get it. How about you?

Refuse to Quit

Don't be a quitter! Say aloud, "I can't quit!" God will give you grace that will empower you to sustain and break through to new levels in your divine destiny. Whatever realm of grace you are asking for in your life, God wants to release for the long haul for the good!

Benefits of Sustained Breakthrough

The benefits of seeking longevity in what God releases to you to move you forward are multifold. Primarily, you become:

• a person who is not tossed to and fro.
• a person not moved by the words of man.
• a person not moved by your circumstances.
• a person so deeply rooted and anchored in the love of God that you cannot be moved!

Someone who cannot be moved is a person firmly planted in and drenched by His grace. In short, this is the ammo of an overcomer! But there's one more thing we can be assured of. That is, that we will be glad.

Let God Arise and Be Glad!

"Let God arise. Let His enemies be scattered. Let those also who hate Him flee before Him; as smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad." Psalm 68:1-3

Contrary to popular belief, judging from the looks on so many Believers' faces today, God wants, desires, expects us to be glad. He desires to arise on our behalf and scatter our enemies. You'd be glad for that kind of breakthrough, wouldn't you? His presence brings breakthrough.

No More Sighing!

We've all encountered tough times, haven't we? Do you ever wake up in the morning and just heave a big sigh? This place of breakthrough is one where the floodgates of gladness, happiness, and joy burst wide open even if things in the natural aren't optimum.

I'm in that place these days where I awaken in the morning and I'm glad. Where I used to wake up and think, "What a mess things are," today, I just awake laughing. My wife Janet will ask, "Why are you laughing," and I just say, "I'm glad."

Glad has a look, and it's contagious! The Word says, "The righteous are glad"; it's right there in the Bible and often! Hey, I choose to be happy because I am the righteousness of God! Let the righteous be glad and "let them rejoice before God. Yes let them rejoice exceedingly."

As we come into a 2009, why don't you contend for the breakthrough that will make you glad? When people are glad, they rejoice, so in our gladness, why not contend that this will be the year of exceeding rejoicing before God? Exceeding rejoicing for exceeding breakthrough—what a combination!

God's people should be happy. Why then are so many of us going around with sour looks on our faces? What would happen to the Church if this year, we all began rejoicing over everything God does, big or seemingly small? Let's make everything big! Let's not take anything for granted. What to do in your circumstances? You might as well rejoice!

Prophetic Rejoicing

In Joel 2:21, the people are told by God through the prophet, "…be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done marvelous things!" Harvest was breaking forth. Then, He told the children of Zion again in verse 23, "…and rejoice in the Lord your God…He will cause the rain to come down for you—the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month."

God didn't say, "Let Me bring forth harvest, the former rain and the latter rain and then rejoice." No, He said to "Rejoice, rejoice" first. Rejoicing is like a prophetic decree that brings forth the marvelous things of God; that brings breakthrough to the forefront of your life.

Rejoicing somehow establishes the rule and reign of the Kingdom into our hearts such that we can, in the face of the enemy, of adversity, actually exceedingly rejoice in the mess to bring in breakthrough, instead of letting the mess weigh on us, scare us, or mow us down.

We're coming into an apostolic realm this season that's not so much about the apostolic as it relates to an individual gifting, but a corporate apostolic anointing—a people, an exceedingly rejoicing and glad generation who know their God, who are commissioned by God, and sent forth by God to prophetically decree breakthrough.

Rejoice! His Word Never Fails

A word from God can change everything in an instant! Breakthrough can happen just like that! God rides on the clouds and when we rejoice before Him He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.

"Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him." Psalm 68:4

"Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord…To Him who rides on the Heaven of heavens, which were of old! Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice. Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds." Psalm 68:32-34

God rides ON the clouds, on the Heaven of heavens. Here again, we're told to sing to God, to rejoice before Him. Significant? I know so. We rejoice, His voice thunders, rattling our enemies, causing them to scatter.

Do You Know the Sound?

His word won't ever fall void. He does what it says He will do. Every word that goes forth from His mouth shall not return to Him void, but will accomplish what He pleases, AND it shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it (see Isaiah 55:11). His voice brings breakthrough. Psalm 89 tells us that we are blessed if we know the sound. The sound is God speaking. Everything He says He will do; He will accomplish. Not some things. Everything. Whether it was something from a thousand years ago, 500 years ago, 100 years ago, 20 years ago, or just yesterday, His voice will accomplish it.

When Does Restoration Come?

The Holy Spirit watches over every word God ever spoke. He has spoken words over entire cities and regions, and do you know that they have never fallen to the ground? Words that He sent forth to accomplish haven't returned to Him empty, and they won't.

The Word is there, the plan is there, the purpose is there. Who will rejoice and release the thunder of His voice to scatter the enemy? Rejoice! Release His voice. Rejoice! His voice will drop the rain (see Psalm 68:8). The former and the latter rain will come together. The former has not yet come to pass but the time is near when the two become one, when the two become one!

When breakthrough happens, restoration comes. His voice will break every inhibitor of His word. Everything ever prophesied or decreed over your family, even generations ago, He will accomplish. When breakthrough comes, so does restoration.

When the threshing floors are full of wheat and the vats are overflowing with new wine and oil, He will restore to us the years that the swarming locust have eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust! (See Joel 2:24-25). He will bring back to the original state what He always meant for us. Right now, though, He is searching for those who will decree, "Let it be unto me according to what You have spoken."

Many Blessings,

Keith and Janet Miller
Stand Firm World Ministries
Email: info@sfwm.org
Website: www.sfwm.org

Got the goods?

Al Thomas:

"Have You Got the Goods for 2009?"

In Acts 8, we find the story of Simon the sorcerer. Phillip had come down from Jerusalem, preaching the Gospel with signs and wonders following (see verses 5-7). Simon also believed but apparently it didn't completely take because (after Peter and John had showed up) he saw people being filled with the Holy Spirit and was so impressed, he offered those apostles money for the power to be able to do this (verse 18).

Now, here is what I want you to see: this man, Simon, having previously practiced sorcery (verse 9), fooling the people with his deeds of darkness, was the ideal candidate to know the difference between the real stuff and the phony - what power really changed people and what simply fooled them. He knew (having previously been a professional dealer in darkness) what the real goods were. He had now come into contact with real power and was so enamored by it that he wanted to buy it. Of course he was severely rebuked and urged to repent (verse 22).

Here's the point the Church needs to see: Simon recognized the real thing. Can you? Can you so discern the people in your circle of influence so you can minister to them effectively? Do you have the goods?

In Mark 2:1-12, we see four kinds of people in the Church. Can you effectively minister to each one of them?

THE HUNGRY

Mark 2:2, "...many were gathered together, so much so there was no room to receive them..." Hungry people mobbed this house - each one wanting to see Jesus. The Master said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).

Are you hungry or are you satisfied where you are with God? Do you want more? This kind of person is never satisfied. No, they aren't unhappy or discontented; they just want more of the Father. They refuse to get to a certain level and get comfortable and be average. Average people are content with where they are and have no desire to go deeper with heavenly things. But the hungry person, although keeping their feet on the ground, have a heart that longs to soar for more of Him.

David said, "One thing have I desired, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life…" (Psalm 27:4). Paul said, "One thing I do…" (Philippians 3:13). Dwight L. Moody said, "Give me a man who says, 'This one thing I do,' and not 'These fifty things I dabble in.'"

Is this you? Are you a hungry person?

THE HINDERER

Mark 2:6, "...There were certain of the scribes reasoning in their hearts…"

There are many ways we can be a hinderer. When we carnally reason in our heart it is usually revealed in how we speak with our mouth. Proverbs 26:20 says, "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth." All of us occasionally need to bridle or hush our tongue (James 1:26). Henry Beecher said, "He who loves flowers will find flowers; and he who loves weeds will find weeds."

Did you ever notice that nothing stops a conversation quicker than the arrival of the person you happen to be talking about? The secret of a gracious tongue is not self-control, but Christ-control. The One whose words were described as gracious (Luke 4:22) also said, "...that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37).

Is this you? Are you a hinderer?

THE HELPLESS

Mark 2:3, "…and they came unto Him bringing one sick of the palsy…"

You've seen them in the Church - helpless people. I'm not just talking physically, I mean emotionally also. Some are high maintenance people. Sometimes we wonder if they will ever come around and begin to grow. Be careful here. Never give up on people. Remember before you came to Christ? Remember not responding to His love at first? Resisting His touch? Aren't you glad God never gave up on you?

What troubles some people is that they are in a hurry, but God isn't. What's worse is that we want other people to hurry and grow up (or get well) etc., but we don't put the same standards on ourselves. Be patient with the helpless. (We are all helpless in one way or the other, didn't you know?) Jude 22 says, "And of some have compassion, making a difference."

Is this you? Are you helpless? If so, God will give grace to those in need (Hebrews 4:16).

THE HELPER

Mark 12:3-5, "Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven you.'"

It is important to notice that the word "they" is mentioned five times in these verses. The "they" are those four helpers who brought the "helpless" one to Jesus. Also notice it says in verse 5, "When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven you.'" Those four were responsible for that fellow's healing!

Are you involved in the Body of Christ? As we grow spiritually our capacity for caring for one another should be on the increase (1 John 3:16). If it isn't we are not growing. Martin Vanbee said, "The best place to find a good helping hand is at the end of your arm." Are you doing something for someone? Is the love of Christ being practically applied?

Is this you? Are you a helper?

Do You Have the Goods?

Which of the above are you? And do you have the goods to help each one? We, the Church, are different from the world. In 2009 as the world sees the Church in action they will see:

• HUNGRY people wanting more of God.

• HINDERING people being corrected and lovingly taught the value and power of their words.

• HELPLESS people being ministered to by being brought to Jesus for healing.

• HELPERS abounding with compassion and energy to minister to any and all in need.

When this happens then the world will say (as in Mark 2:12): This is amazing, let's praise God because "we have never seen anything like this!"

The world is waiting to see if the Church has the goods.

Al Thomas
Celebrating His Life Ministries
Email: a.thomas@myactv.net

2009 Fruit

Sandy Warner:

"2009 - The Year Our Fruit is Made Manifest"

2009 is the year that the fruit of our lives becomes manifested. Spiritually speaking, the number 9 represents the nine fruits of the Spirit. Before a baby is born, a seed is planted, and then it takes shape and silently forms within limited boundaries. In the fullness of time, that baby breaks forth outside its limits and suddenly appears. In that moment of breakthrough, we see its "face" for the first time. That is a good analogy for 2009 in regards to making known the manifestation of the seeds that were planted and nurtured in our lives.

Jesus told us to "know" the fruits. In the Greek, this means to be fully acquainted with, to be sure, understand, resolve, perceive and be knowledgeable about what kind of fruit we are producing and what to do about it. The Lord wants us to understand; understanding is a well of life (see Proverbs 16:22)!

Without this knowledge, we see through a glass darkly and only know in part. But when the Lord shines His light, then we see the face of our fruit and we will "know" even as we are "known." This same Greek word "to know" (#1921 Strong's) is in both of these Scriptures below:

"Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know (#1921) them." Matthew 7:17-20 (Emphasis added)

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know (#1921) even as also I am known (#1921)." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (Emphasis added)

As we suddenly see the face of the good and bad seeds we have nurtured in our lives, what can we do in 2009 to partner with the Lord? Here's some tips on how to "face and embrace" both kinds of fruit and understand them as God does.

See God's Perspective: Swallow His Love

Bad Fruit: When the Lord spotlights our bad fruit, it is so that He can deliver us from the death that bad seeds cause in our life. See destruction from His perspective. He loves us so much, He wants to deliver us from destruction and death!

"Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all manner of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" Psalm 107:17-21 (Emphasis added)

I am suffering the bad seeds of affliction in my body that seem to have come to full-blown manifestation in one year's time. That Scripture has become one of my favorite verses. I am crying out to the Lord in my trouble, and He is saving me out of my distresses, sending forth His Word to heal me and delivering me from all my destructions. I want everything that is planted in my body, soul and spirit that is producing death and destruction in my life to be cut off and thrown away. I don't want death, I want abundant life. Jesus died for me so that I can have life and have it more abundantly! (See John 10:10.) GO GOD, GET IT OUT AND GET IT GONE!

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." John 10:10-12

Good Fruit: When He reveals the good fruit we are producing, Scripture says that we bear fruit to God. We can produce nothing without abiding in the Lord as our Source, but if we do, then what we are overcoming become our gifts back to Him. To think we can actually give God a gift (who is the richest and has everything); it is a wonderful honor to be able to give to Him something that really ministers to Him.

"Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the Body of Christ, that you may be married to another - to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." Romans 7:3-6 (Emphasis added)

For instance, if someone is treating me unkindly and it hurts me deeply, it is a chance to overcome this and bear good fruit. I take the circumstance back to the Lord, cling to Him for help, and then start pouring seeds of kindness back into that person. Through my sacrifice of kind words, deeds, prayers and forgiveness, I am starting to grow the fruit of kindness in my life. In the fullness of time when that fruit of kindness is generating good fruit, I give it to God as a loving sacrifice for all that I suffered. Regardless of whether I ever receive kindness back from that person, the Lord receives it unto Himself, knowing the pain I went through to bear that beautiful fruit. He receives the gift of our fruit as very, very precious.

Examine Our Fruit Through Scripture

I am overcoming an affliction in my bones. So what did I do to cooperate with God? First, I looked up the word "bones" in Scripture and it revealed a LOT of understanding about my life and my past.

Scripture told me that a good report and pleasant words makes my bones healthy, and the fear of the Lord strengthens them. I learned that when David sinned, he was tormented at night in his bones. I learned that bone pain is a rebuke and chastening, and that a broken spirit also dries them up. I learned if I take away the pointing of the finger, the Lord will strengthen my bones. Best of all, I learned that if I walk upon the Holy highway, I will be healed (see Proverbs 3:8; Proverbs 15:30; Psalm 6:1; Psalm 31:10; Psalm 38:3; Psalm 102:3; Proverbs 17:22; Job 33:19; Isaiah 58:9, 11; Hebrews 12:12; Isaiah 35).

I also learned to honor (esteem and value) my parents and honor the Word through the prophets so that it will go well in my life and I will prosper (see Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:3; 2 Chronicles 20:20).

As a result of these findings, I started to change and make serious choices to speak good reports and pleasant words, and no longer judge others and point fingers at them. I resisted fellowshipping with sources that did not speak good things. I learned to honor those whom the Lord has placed in my life as His representatives. I learned how to fear the Lord in believing His promise of reaping and sowing. Have I arrived yet? No, but I am sincerely improving and making my best efforts in the fear of the Lord.

I learned to embrace His loving chastisement so that I can produce the peaceful fruit of righteous choices in my life. Why? Because when I don't make righteous choices, it produces death and destruction in my members. When I make righteous choices, it produces a healthy tree. I WANT A HEALTHY LIFE.

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner." Proverbs 11:30-31 (Emphasis added)

"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:10-11 (Emphasis added. See also Proverbs 12:12-14; Ephesians 5:9-14.)

Examine the Seeds in Our Past to Change Our Future

I wanted to know where the seeds of this affliction came from. The Lord began to highlight my ancestors; their employment and personalities and how I emulated certain choices that did not honor the Lord. And on the balanced scale, He shed light on the good gifts that have been passed down from my ancestors, then gave me a thankful heart and creative, tangible ways to honor them for their cultivating their good gifts.

He reminded me of past dreams, visions and words revealing the seeds of affliction I had my whole life, and how ALL was a part of my destiny in overcoming. He showed me where I had made bad choices to feed those seeds, which then gave me ideas on how to change. And on the balance scale, He showed me where I was doing a good job at overcoming and closing demonic inroads so that I could be delivered and healed and keep my healing.

When the affliction hit me full-blown and the impact suddenly came fully manifest, He told me places where I was being corrected because I had resisted His voice and not obeyed His Word. He also showed me places where I was NOT being corrected, so I would not fall prey to condemnation, but to hold my life in light of His truth on what Scripture says He feels about me. He is very jealous and loves us passionately and fiercely; He is relentless to gain every portion of us, even if He has to correct us and take us through spiritual surgery.

Examine the Fruit of What We Say

Scripture promises that we are known by what we say, and we will eat either death or life by what we say. If we fear the Lord, we will realize how scary it is to eat the fruit of our own lips. Scripture also promises that those who are teachers will be judged by a greater accountability and standard.

Parents, what are we speaking into our children's lives? If we speak correction, do we also speak the good promises of what comes from change? Do we honor the good fruit and changes when we see them?

Are we speaking positive and helpful things into people's lives? Are we tearing them down? Do we seek the good in people and speak into their potential?

Are we blasting our leaders, nations, schools, cities with judgment and criticism? Do we want to be judged in that same way? Are we thankful for what we do have? Do we pray over our concerns?

The Lord is saying it is a time to fear Him and speak in the right way. When we speak, we need to balance the scales between good and evil and then tip the scales to where goodness overcomes evil (see Romans 12:21).

"For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:43-45 (Emphasis added)

"A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:20-21 (Emphasis added)

"'I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,' says the LORD, 'And I will heal him.' But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked.'" Isaiah 57:19-21 (Emphasis added)

Examine the Fruit of Our Doings

When I raised my young son, instead of yelling "NO!" (and thus producing deaf ears), I taught him to make choices. I would stop his behavior and help him see the results, often with the wisdom of understanding himself and the behavior. I would give him much praise when he made good choices. It was based upon the reap and sow system. That method is exactly how our Heavenly Father is raising us. Due to fallen generations where we have not heeded Scripture, we have lost the understanding about the fruit of our lives.

Listen to the following Scriptural principals and promises of how God treats us: "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings" (Jeremiah 17:10, Emphasis added).

"You show lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them - the Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts. You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah 32:18-20, (Emphasis added)

"Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates." Proverbs 31:31

So, how does it help us to accept that we will eat the fruit of our doings? Accepting the fruit of our lives is coming to peace with God's ways and being encouraged to change - so our lives will be better.

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:7-10

In the good fruit, Scripture promises us that when give in our productive seasons, then in times of leanness the fruit of it will come back to us when we need it.

Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, everyone's needs will be met. Do you remember what the Scriptures say about this? "Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough" (2 Corinthians 8:14-15).

We may be suffering a painful time, but the Lord will bring us a harvest of the good fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and even self-control through how people treat us when we need the help the most. And we will experience these fruits in our own emotions during difficult circumstances (see Galatians 5:22-26). And best of all, God will heap upon us these same good fruits in how He treats us during our time of need.

Better Choices For a Better Future

We may feel like our lives are tottering on the edge, but we still have the rest of our lives to make better choices for a better future. YES? It is never too late to change, and God will honor us as we bow low, repent, and submit to Him.

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." Psalm 1:1-3

Sandy Warner
The Quickened Word
Email: swauthor@usa.net

Website: www.thequickenedword.com

About Sandy Warner: Sandy Warner was visited by the Lord Jesus on August 22, 1984. He imparted His anointing and handed her a solid gold pen. Since that time she has written over 22 books, maintains a devotional email list of several thousand subscribers, and facilitates a website containing thousands of pages of personal examples of how God speaks. It is her passion to teach about the language of how God speaks and build a bridge for generations yet to come.

Psalm 29 for 2009

Jeff Jansen:

"The God of Glory Thunders!
Psalm 29 for 2009"

The Voice of the Lord

In the last few weeks I've been asking the Lord what 2009 holds for the Body of Christ and the corporate Church. The Lord said that this year will be filled with the release and reverberations of His Voice. He told me it's the year of the release of the "Voice of the Lord" in Psalm 29.

Psalm 29 - A Psalm of David (amplified version):

1. ASCRIBE TO the Lord, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

2. Give to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness or in holy array.

3. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is upon many (great) waters.

4. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; yes, the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6. He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion (Mount Hermon) like a young, wild ox.

7. The voice of the Lord splits and flashes forth forked lightning.

8. The voice of the Lord makes the wilderness tremble; the Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

9. The voice of the Lord makes the hinds bring forth their young, and His voice strips bare the forests, while in His temple everyone is saying, Glory!

10. The Lord sat as King over the deluge; the Lord [still] sits as King [and] forever!

11. The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

The Voice of Healing and Creative Power

"The voice of the Lord is powerful..." (verse 4). This is the year of "only speak the word and my servant will be healed" (see Matthew 8:8). It's a year of the spoken Word that manifests tangible power. Great power surges will take place in 2009. We'll see an increase and a release of consistent power. Scripture reveals that Jesus came into a region and healed all the sick. 2009 and beyond will prove to bring a more consistent release of power into many regions around the world.

"...the voice of the Lord is full of majesty" (verse 4). 2009 will also be the voice of the Lord that releases creative power on the masses! In 2008, we traveled extensively throughout the nations. Like never before, in conferences and crusades, we witnessed the raw power of God released with explosive demonstrations of creative miracles - this will only increase in 2009. I believe we will see more extremities recreated in crusade and glory gathering events around the world. The world is looking for the God of the Bible, and He intends to be found!

Yielded Broken Vessels of Christ's Love and the Voice of Authority

"The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars...the cedars of Lebanon" (verse 5). According to Scripture, trees are like men (see Mark 8:24). This is a season and a year of breaking and making the men and women of God - either being qualified or disqualified for the next level of glory. We will see many young "Johnny-Come-Latelies" rise on the scene and demonstrate glorious wonders and signs never before witnessed as yielded broken vessels of Christ's love.

"The voice of the Lord splits and flashes forth forked lightning" (verse 7). Job 37 also states that God does not restrain His lightnings! This will be a year of the release of new assignments of angels that will be working with those who release the fresh voice of the Lord in authority - angelic thunders and roars will be released. Angels listen for the voice of authority coming from the sons of the Almighty. "Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word" (Psalm 103:20).

Birthing That Which Comes from the Wilderness and Preparation for the Greater Glory Works

"The voice of the Lord makes the hinds bring forth their young..." (verse 9). This will be a year of birthing that which comes from the wilderness! This is a year of stepping forward into possessing your inheritance. Don't be alarmed at the trials that arise - as though "some strange thing has happened to you." It's the perfecting, trying, and proving of your faith that will settle the matter once and for all. This is a year for settling issues so you can be thrust forward and birthed into your destiny! Settle it now: God is supernatural and so are we!

"The voice of the Lord...strips bare the forests (stripping away everything that seems to hinder and entangle us), while in His temple everyone is saying, 'Glory!'" (verse 9) This is a year of God releasing greater glory in the earth. We are the temple He is preparing for greater glory works! We are His sanctuary!

The Voice of the Lord in the Earth

In the midst of calamity in the earth, "The Lord sat as King over the deluge; the Lord (still) sits as King (and) forever! The Lord will give (unyielding and impenetrable) strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace" (verses 10-11).

"Whoever speaks, (let him do it as one who utters) oracles of God..." (1 Peter 4:11). This year the mature sons and daughters will arise and speak as the oracles of God - literally the Voice of the Lord in the earth.

Jeff Jansen
Global Fire Ministries

Email: jeffjansen@globalfireministries.com

Website: www.globalfireministries.com