2009 will be a year of rebirth, renewal, and redemption. People you’ve prayed for to receive Me but have rejected Me will be born again in 2009. This is your opportunity. Don’t give up. Pray for the reapers. Be a reaper.

Things in your life that have held you back from My best will be shed in 2009, and you will be renewed in My glory. But you have to make the first step. You have to make the decision. Forget the past. Press. Press for My best. Don’t accept less. Press. Press!

Things the devil has stolen from you will be given back 100 times over in 2009. Look for it. Put in the sickle. Redeem it with My blood and your words.

Don’t accept defeat. Abide in Me and you will bear fruit. And like My word says, I will come live with you, and we’ll have wonderful fellowship.

Don’t let the world steal your joy in 2009. Even when it’s hard, be joyful by faith. Don’t let the news creep in. Stay in My word. Meditate on My word. See yourself as I see you in My word. Don’t accept the way the world sees things. Accept My word and rejoice!

They’re weighing several job offers in different towns, including Athens.  Instead of jumping on the highest paying offer, or the one with the best benefits, or the one with the most impressive title, they’re looking for the  church God has called them to, and will take the job that’s in that town.

If they’re called to our church family, great!  If not, we’ve still been blessed with the opportunity to see how a job search is supposed to be conducted.  As Kenneth Copeland has taught for years, find the church God’s called you to, go there and roll your sleeves up, and the job of your dreams will follow.

My prayer for this family is that they be led by the wisdom of God to the church they’re called to.  Once they’re involved there, they can’t help but prosper!

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV).

Jesus is our Prince of Peace.  “Peace” is more than just the absence of conflict or torment.  The Hebrew word translated “peace” is “shalom.”  That word is packed full of meaning.  Here’s what Strong’s and Thayer’s concordances say about “shalom”:

Completeness, soundness, welfare, peace

a.  completeness (in number)

b.  safety, soundness (in body)

c.  welfare, health, prosperity

d.  peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment

e.  peace, friendship (of human relationships and with God, especially in covenant relationship)

f.  peace (from war)

g.  peace (as an adjective)

Jesus is everything!  In a time when the world’s economic system is plunging and whipsawing, in the kingdom of God (where we should be living), Jesus is our Prince of Prosperity.  As the world participates in the “flu season,”  and fears “drug-resistant bacteria,” Jesus is our Prince of Health.  In the midst of danger, He is our Prince of Safety.  While millions are tormented in their minds, Jesus is our Prince of Quiet, Tranquility and Contentment.

In this Christmas season, let’s remind ourselves who our Jesus is.  Let’s lay hold on all He is for us.  And let’s share Him with a scared, tormented, and struggling world, person by person.

Let’s share Jesus, our Prince of Peace!!

Crystal Dixon has been a human resources leader for twenty-five years.  In May 2008, she was terminated from her job as the interim associate vice president for human resources at the University of Toledo.  What was the terrible transgression that led to her termination?

In April, Ms. Dixon wrote a guest column in the Toledo Free Press.  She was responding to a pro-gay rights editorial entitled, “Gay Rights and Wrongs.”  In the column, Ms. Dixon emphasized that God values all people regardless of their choices, but took umbrage with the assertion that gays and lesbians are “civil rights victims.”  Ms. Dixon wrote that she can not wake up tomorrow as something other than a Black woman, but that many gays and lesbians choose to change, often because of a work of God in their lives.  She wrote that gay and lesbian practices violate God’s divine order.

The response from the president of the University of Toledo was swift.  The president opined that, having expressed her beliefs, Ms. Dixon could not possibly do her job well.  Her opinions, the president concluded, violated the university’s core values.  No doubt had Ms. Dixon written a column deriding Christians as mean-spirited and judgmental towards gays and lesbians, her job would have been secure.

When did our universities break free from the moorings of truth?  How can they call themselves “tolerant” if they censor and deny the free speech rights of people of faith?  How can universities trumpet “diversity” as they shed Christians who express their devotion to the God of the Bible?  And how can they expect to find truth independent of the God of the Bible?

Ms. Dixon has filed suit against the University seeking reinstatement to her position and back pay.  I wish her well, and pray for her success.  Just as she and her ancestors were forced to resort to the courts to protect their civil rights, so she is being forced today to defend her rights as a person of faith who believes in the God of the Bible.  And I applaud her church, End Time Christian Fellowship, and its pastor, Bishop James M. Williams, Sr., for supporting her.

Ms. Dixon has created a web site.  A copy of the letter that led to her dismissal can be found there, as well as her explanation of what has happened since.  http://www.crystaldixon.com/

As Ms. Dixon’s brothers and sisters in Christ, we are injured because she is injured.  Let us pray for her and support her as she perseveres in the Lord’s work.

We had a powerful Holy Spirit moment at church on Sunday.  A member of our worship team had gotten revelation as she was preparing to come to church that each time she takes a breath, the Lord is breathing life into her.  Isn’t that awesome?

So as you take a breath, say, “Thank you Lord for giving me breath.”  Feel your heartbeat, and say, “Thank you Lord for my heartbeat.”  Think of the hand that’s covering your heart, and say, “Thank you Lord for my hands.”  Remember the ears that are hearing what you say, and say, “Thank you Lord for my ears.”  Then be aware your mouth is speaking the words you hear, and say, “Thank you Lord for my mouth.”  Your brain is helping you form the words, so say, “Thank you Lord for my brain.”  Your eyes are taking in all around you, so say, “Thank you Lord for my eyes.”  You’re standing on your two feet, so say, “Thank you Lord for my feet.”  If you’re a born-again Spirit-filled believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, say, “Thank you Lord for saving me and for filling me with your Spirit.”

And remember that your breath, your heart, your hands, your ears, your eyes, your mouth, y our brain, and your feet are instruments of worship and of ministry.  So say, “Thank you Lord for letting me minister in Your Name.”

So rejoice - and be thankful!!

Many evangelical Christians are wary of the president-elect.  Some of his vocal supporters pushed an agenda of unrighteousness, and the positions Mr. Obama took during the campaign seemed to mirror that agenda.

I don’t want to minimize the apparent differences we have with his stated opinions on issues of life and righteousness.  We need to be vigilant.  Yet we must also be mindful that God is still on the throne, and His Word says that the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, and that He turns it (the king’s heart) wherever He wills.  (Proverbs 21:1).

We also must be mindful of this admonition:  “You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”  (Acts 23:5 NKJV).  In that passage, the Apostle Paul had just spoken some strong words to Ananias, not knowing he was the high priest.  The words of Exodus 22:28 leapt to Paul’s lips, just as they should to ours.

Let’s also remember this.  During the years of his ministry, the Apostle Paul was living under the ungodly pagan authority of the Roman empire.  Wickedness in Roman society and among Roman leaders was no less prevalent than it is today.  Yet the Apostle Paul wrote this to the church at Rome, the seat of the empire’s authority:

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  (Romans 13:1 NKJV).

We have marching orders straight from the Word of God:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV).

Let us pray that the Lord turn the president-elect’s heart to rule righteously in the fear of the Lord.  Let us pray that he selects godly counselors.  Let us pray that the Lord give the president-elect and his advisors the wisdom of God.  Let us pray that the Lord give this nation and the church peace, quiet, and prosperity, and that we may live godly and honestly without interference from our government.  Let us pray that in the next four years a revival of the gospel sweep this nation, and that many people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

At all times - first of all - let us pray!  And when we pray, let’s pray in faith, not doubting, but believing we receive.  Pray!

My son, fear the LORD and the king;

Do not associate with those given to change;

For their calamity will rise suddenly,

And who knows the ruin those two can bring?

These things also belong to the wise:

It is not good to show partiality in judgment.

He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”

Him the people will curse;

Nations will abhor him.

But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,

And a good blessing will come upon them.

Change has been a predominate theme in the presidential campaign.  But the passage above instructs us not to associate with those given to change.  Some other translations of that passage use the word “rebellion” instead of change in verse 21.

I will not tell you how to vote.  I will instruct you to pray, ask God to show you how to vote, and vote in light of scripture.  Are you being asked to vote for, and therefore associate with, a candidate who seeks to change this nation from its Judeo-Christian values?  Are you being asked to vote for a candidate who regards as righteous what God has called wicked?

Unless we are firmly tethered to God, we will drift with the natural flow of this world.  As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, though, we are called not to drift with the current, but to swim against it with all our might.

So pray.  Search scripture.  Vote.  And on Wednesday, no matter who wins, begin fervently fulfilling our privilege and obligation from 1 Timothy 2:1-4:

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4:4 NKJV)

Satan tried to tempt Jesus to turn stones into steaming hot loaves of bread to fill Jesus’s hungry stomach.  Jesus denied what his flesh wanted and resisted Satan’s lure by declaring Deuteronomy 8:3.  As we read it today, we need to be reminded that we are to live by God’s Word, and what God finds important, not by “bread alone.”

In the current election, candidates for offices from President to commissioner are emphasizing the economy.  Even Christians have been swept up in making their voting decision based on what they think will benefit their pocketbooks.  That’s bread alone!!  We’re not supposed to be living by bread alone, but by what God values.

If we ignore the candidates’ positions on the sanctity of life, we’re living by bread alone.  If we ignore the candidates’ positions on sin (by other labels), we’re living by bread alone.  If we ignore the candidates’ positions on issues pertaining to the poor, widows, and orphans, we’re living by bread alone.

As those who call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ, we need to shake off temptation, crucify our flesh,stop living by bread alone - and start living by God’s Word!

We know that Christ has borne the curse of the law for us, that the Blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles.  (Galatians 3:14-14).  The Blessing is an empowerment - a “super” applied to our “natural” to accomplish the supernatural.  The Blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow (or painful toil) to it.  (Proverbs 10:22).

What are some things we can do to open the door to the Blessing’s operation in our life?  One is to do those things Jesus discussed in his sermon on the mount, including being merciful, peaceful, humble, and ready to bear persecution for the sake of Jesus.  (Matthew 5:1-12).  Another is to trust the Lord - to live by faith!  (Psalms 2:12; 34:8; 40:4; 84:12).  Yet another is to consider the poor.  (Psalms 41:1).  Still another is to confess our sins.  (Psalms 32:1-5).  Living in the worshipful, reverential fear of the Lord opens the door to the Blessing as well.  (Psalms 112:1; 128:1-6).

Just like Abraham, we can walk in the Blessing, and be rich, healthy, and victorious.  And also like Abraham, we can be spreaders of the Blessing - blessing others to multiply the Garden of Eden in the Earth today.