"And these things
we write to you
that your joy may be full."
1 John 1:4
____________________________________________________________
2015—God’s Abundant Favor and Mercy
Dear Saints who are called to pray for your counties, I received this from the Lord:
“These days you’re coming into are glorious beyond description.
Abide in Me
Abide in My Word
Abide in My love for you.
Love cancels out the plans of the devil and his cohorts. Love abiding is the most powerful force on earth. Love empowers your faith to work and move.”
God is love.
Love desired a family.
Love sent His Son.
Love chose you.
________________________________________________________________________________________
2015
THE YEAR OF FAVOR, FAITH, REST, and REWARDS!
1. YEAR OF FAVOR
“You will arise and have mercy on Zion;
For the time to favor her,
Yes, the set time, has come.” Psalm 102:13
What is Zion?
Zion was a Jebusite fortress in the city of Jerusalem which David captured. It was then called the “City of David.” Zion was eventually used as a name for the city of Jerusalem, the land of Judah, and the people of Israel as a whole.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reveals the spiritual meaning of “Zion” to The Church. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels …” See Hebrews 12:22-24.
Because of Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, those who are born again are children of God, citizens of Heaven, The Church. Christ has “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” Ephesians 2:6 When we pray prayers of intercession for our counties, this is the realm of authority we pray from. Tongues will help take you there.
What is Favor?
I don’t think this is as easily defined as one might think. Favor has many aspects, like looking at the brilliance of a rare and beautiful diamond. We can find definitions such as,
God’s undeserved kindness, mercy, grace, and pity, but in trying to define the word favor, we may tend to confine what it actually is.
Certainly it is an extension of God’s loving-kindness or His overwhelming desire to bestow His goodness, accompanied with good things, upon His children.
Parents sometimes go “all out” at Christmas time, even going beyond their shopping list and exceeding their budget. Why? They have an overwhelming desire to give good gifts to their kids that will bring them joy and happiness.
Our heavenly Father isn’t on a budget! He has an unlimited supply of things for us to enjoy … abundantly! See 1 Timothy 6:17.
In the spiritual realm, I believe favor can be described as Heaven’s “dew of blessings” coming down upon His children that make them joyful on the outside but also in the spirit man, as things of Heaven open up to us. Acts 4:19-21 declares “times of refreshing and restoration come from the presence of the Lord.”
The Set Time
God, who is love, continues in His pursuit to restore mankind. Old Testament and New Testament books reveal this truth. All along the way, there have been markers throughout history, set times and seasons, when God and His plan are made known to man. Jesus said those times and seasons are in God’s hands. Acts 1:7
Although no Believer or ministry can give a full account of what God’s plan is for this year, His Spirit seems to be stirring His Church with joyful excitement about 2015. We know that God is very precise about “set times.” No matter what time or season we are living in, we know we can trust Him to always be faithful to keep us and protect us as we hear and obey.
One generation of Believers are different however, as that generation will finish the race, bring in the harvest of the nations, and meet their Savior in the air.
Acts 1:11
“For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12
“Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;
Thereby good will come to you.
Receive, please, instruction from His mouth,
And lay up His words in your heart.” Job 22:21-22
2. YEAR OF FAITH
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
How can you receive God’s blessings of favor every day without believing that what He said is for you personally? You can’t.
Why? Faith is the personal connector, or the conduit, in which His promise of favor travels through. Faith is not dependant on what it sees in the natural five sense realm: taste, touch, sight, hearing and smell. It is totally dependant on believing what God said is for you, and when received and acted on, it will certainly manifest and change the natural realm. Mark 11:24
SAVED: By Grace through Faith Ephesians 2:8
You have faith. Born again children of God have been given a measure of His faith.
You cannot be born from above without it. You cannot be born again without having heard and believed the message of salvation. See Romans 12:3, Romans 10:8-10 & 1 Peter 1:23.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” That is not only a command but a “release of life” to us.
See Mark 11:22 & John 6:33.
Faith begins where the will of God is known…to you.
Faith lays hold of what God has already given you.
Attributes of Faith: Seeing the Unseen
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
The promise of God is the understructure that faith and hope build and create from.
God’s promise must penetrate the heart, just as seed does in soil.
Believing the promise in the heart produces a substance called faith.
Faith is always active in the now or present, never tomorrow.
Hope is in the future and gives faith the blueprint.
Its origin is in God, in His Word, in His promise. John 6:63
God formed the worlds with His faith which is invisible.
Faith is fortified by meditation and the act of confessing the Word.
Steps to faith: Romans 4:17-25 and Joshua 1:8-9.
Strong faith annihilates evil circumstances. 1 John 5:4
What you see in your spirit man will affect your faith.
We believe in our heart—then we see in the natural.
What we see in the natural is subject to change. 2 Corinthians 4:18
We walk by faith not by sight.
Faith expects the best and boldly ignores circumstances.
Faith has enemies. Be careful what you hear. Fight the good fight of faith!
Faith takes every thought captive to the Word of God.
Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. 1 John 5:4
Faith is a requirement to effective prayer.
Praying in tongues will embolden your faith.
You shall declare a thing and it shall be established for you. Job 22:28
Faith collapses under the darkness of an unforgiving heart.
Faith works through love.
God is love.
THE HOLY SPIRIT: Closer Than a Brother
Teachers know that learning is a process. Jesus gave us His Spirit in our heart: our Teacher, Helper, Companion, and Coach. He is there to direct us and reveal how spiritual things work. As we yield, He will always lead us to victory through faith; after all, Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith! Hebrews 12:1-2
3. YEAR OF REST
What is rest?
Relief from work or exertion; refreshing ease, recess, ease, peace, quiet, relaxation, repose, mental or spiritual calm, tranquility
What is toil?
Hard work, labor, exertion, pain, drudgery, struggle, sweat, hardship, travail
Adam and Eve did not experience the drudgery and labor of hard work until their disobedience in the Garden of Eden. As a result of their sin, “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it…” Genesis 3:17-19 Previously, Adam had kept the garden but now he and his family would experience hardship… that is, until our blessed redemption!
By Grace through Faith: 2 Peter 1:2-11
Before the day of your birth, your parents had already provided for your every need. Because of the cross, born again children of God have already been given all the provisions for life through Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:3
We should never strive to work for this or His love and acceptance, for that cancels out the cross and brings bondage and fear. See Galatians 3:2-3.
Supplies of the Kingdom of God are already resident in our spirit man through the power of the Holy Spirit. How can we receive them?
Begin by putting God’s Word first place in your life. Intimate times of fellowship and study release love, revelation knowledge and understanding about how spiritual things operate through us. That fellowship is never a requirement, but should always bring life and the glorious benefit of REST!
JESUS CHRIST: True Rest
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus at the Home of Martha and Mary
Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to Him while Martha was distracted with much serving.
“Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?
Therefore tell her to help me. ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’” See Luke 10:38-42.
Whining and Worry: A Sign of Little Faith
“Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” See Matthew 6:30-34.
Put Him first before each day!
Failure of the Children of Israel: Unbelief
“And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:18-19
Unbelief will erode God’s rest.
Faith in God Brings His Rest
“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” Hebrews 4:1-2
4. YEAR OF REWARDS
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
The woman with the issue of blood, who had suffered with many physicians and only grew worse, heard about Jesus. “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” As she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment she immediately felt that she was healed. Jesus responded. “Who touched My clothes?” As she fell down before Him, He said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Read Mark 5: 21-43.
This is an amazing woman who someday we will meet! Her experience, though, is not at all different from the way we got born again and the steps to receiving promises from the Kingdom. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” See Romans 10:6-10.
We experience God our Rewarder by having heard and believed His good promise, saying it and acting on it with expectation so strong that we persevere through hindrances, seeing that the desired end belongs to us.
Our Father cannot lie. Whatever He says…is!
JESUS CHRIST: Favor, Faith, Rest, and Rewards
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2
___________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER WITH PURPOSE
Much of what is written in our Bible Studies is for the edification and strength of the Believer who is standing in the gap for others. God wants His children in good health and prospering. A healthy, prosperous, care free intercessor who is working with the Holy Spirit is a powerhouse for change on the earth.
As time is accelerated and moving us to the glorious event when we will meet the Lord Jesus in the air and forever be with Him, — 1 Thessalonians 4:16 — our assignment to pray grows ever more important. Study this lesson again, get the scriptures in your heart and act on them. Forget past failures. God is bringing about a Glorious Church and 2015 is the year of His Favor, Faith, Rest and Rewards!
Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts:
‘My cities shall again spread out through prosperity;
The Lord will again comfort Zion,
And will again choose Jerusalem.’” Zechariah 1:17
PRAYING FOR: The Church The Lost Elected Leaders
Copyright © 2013 – 2014 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org
Dear Saints who are called to pray for your counties, I received this from the Lord:
“These days you’re coming into are glorious beyond description.
Abide in Me
Abide in My Word
Abide in My love for you.
Love cancels out the plans of the devil and his cohorts. Love abiding is the most powerful force on earth. Love empowers your faith to work and move.”
God is love.
Love desired a family.
Love sent His Son.
Love chose you.
________________________________________________________________________________________
2015
THE YEAR OF FAVOR, FAITH, REST, and REWARDS!
1. YEAR OF FAVOR
“You will arise and have mercy on Zion;
For the time to favor her,
Yes, the set time, has come.” Psalm 102:13
What is Zion?
Zion was a Jebusite fortress in the city of Jerusalem which David captured. It was then called the “City of David.” Zion was eventually used as a name for the city of Jerusalem, the land of Judah, and the people of Israel as a whole.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reveals the spiritual meaning of “Zion” to The Church. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels …” See Hebrews 12:22-24.
Because of Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, those who are born again are children of God, citizens of Heaven, The Church. Christ has “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” Ephesians 2:6 When we pray prayers of intercession for our counties, this is the realm of authority we pray from. Tongues will help take you there.
What is Favor?
I don’t think this is as easily defined as one might think. Favor has many aspects, like looking at the brilliance of a rare and beautiful diamond. We can find definitions such as,
God’s undeserved kindness, mercy, grace, and pity, but in trying to define the word favor, we may tend to confine what it actually is.
Certainly it is an extension of God’s loving-kindness or His overwhelming desire to bestow His goodness, accompanied with good things, upon His children.
Parents sometimes go “all out” at Christmas time, even going beyond their shopping list and exceeding their budget. Why? They have an overwhelming desire to give good gifts to their kids that will bring them joy and happiness.
Our heavenly Father isn’t on a budget! He has an unlimited supply of things for us to enjoy … abundantly! See 1 Timothy 6:17.
In the spiritual realm, I believe favor can be described as Heaven’s “dew of blessings” coming down upon His children that make them joyful on the outside but also in the spirit man, as things of Heaven open up to us. Acts 4:19-21 declares “times of refreshing and restoration come from the presence of the Lord.”
The Set Time
God, who is love, continues in His pursuit to restore mankind. Old Testament and New Testament books reveal this truth. All along the way, there have been markers throughout history, set times and seasons, when God and His plan are made known to man. Jesus said those times and seasons are in God’s hands. Acts 1:7
Although no Believer or ministry can give a full account of what God’s plan is for this year, His Spirit seems to be stirring His Church with joyful excitement about 2015. We know that God is very precise about “set times.” No matter what time or season we are living in, we know we can trust Him to always be faithful to keep us and protect us as we hear and obey.
One generation of Believers are different however, as that generation will finish the race, bring in the harvest of the nations, and meet their Savior in the air.
Acts 1:11
“For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12
“Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;
Thereby good will come to you.
Receive, please, instruction from His mouth,
And lay up His words in your heart.” Job 22:21-22
2. YEAR OF FAITH
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
How can you receive God’s blessings of favor every day without believing that what He said is for you personally? You can’t.
Why? Faith is the personal connector, or the conduit, in which His promise of favor travels through. Faith is not dependant on what it sees in the natural five sense realm: taste, touch, sight, hearing and smell. It is totally dependant on believing what God said is for you, and when received and acted on, it will certainly manifest and change the natural realm. Mark 11:24
SAVED: By Grace through Faith Ephesians 2:8
You have faith. Born again children of God have been given a measure of His faith.
You cannot be born from above without it. You cannot be born again without having heard and believed the message of salvation. See Romans 12:3, Romans 10:8-10 & 1 Peter 1:23.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” That is not only a command but a “release of life” to us.
See Mark 11:22 & John 6:33.
Faith begins where the will of God is known…to you.
Faith lays hold of what God has already given you.
Attributes of Faith: Seeing the Unseen
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
The promise of God is the understructure that faith and hope build and create from.
God’s promise must penetrate the heart, just as seed does in soil.
Believing the promise in the heart produces a substance called faith.
Faith is always active in the now or present, never tomorrow.
Hope is in the future and gives faith the blueprint.
Its origin is in God, in His Word, in His promise. John 6:63
God formed the worlds with His faith which is invisible.
Faith is fortified by meditation and the act of confessing the Word.
Steps to faith: Romans 4:17-25 and Joshua 1:8-9.
Strong faith annihilates evil circumstances. 1 John 5:4
What you see in your spirit man will affect your faith.
We believe in our heart—then we see in the natural.
What we see in the natural is subject to change. 2 Corinthians 4:18
We walk by faith not by sight.
Faith expects the best and boldly ignores circumstances.
Faith has enemies. Be careful what you hear. Fight the good fight of faith!
Faith takes every thought captive to the Word of God.
Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. 1 John 5:4
Faith is a requirement to effective prayer.
Praying in tongues will embolden your faith.
You shall declare a thing and it shall be established for you. Job 22:28
Faith collapses under the darkness of an unforgiving heart.
Faith works through love.
God is love.
THE HOLY SPIRIT: Closer Than a Brother
Teachers know that learning is a process. Jesus gave us His Spirit in our heart: our Teacher, Helper, Companion, and Coach. He is there to direct us and reveal how spiritual things work. As we yield, He will always lead us to victory through faith; after all, Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith! Hebrews 12:1-2
3. YEAR OF REST
What is rest?
Relief from work or exertion; refreshing ease, recess, ease, peace, quiet, relaxation, repose, mental or spiritual calm, tranquility
What is toil?
Hard work, labor, exertion, pain, drudgery, struggle, sweat, hardship, travail
Adam and Eve did not experience the drudgery and labor of hard work until their disobedience in the Garden of Eden. As a result of their sin, “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it…” Genesis 3:17-19 Previously, Adam had kept the garden but now he and his family would experience hardship… that is, until our blessed redemption!
By Grace through Faith: 2 Peter 1:2-11
Before the day of your birth, your parents had already provided for your every need. Because of the cross, born again children of God have already been given all the provisions for life through Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:3
We should never strive to work for this or His love and acceptance, for that cancels out the cross and brings bondage and fear. See Galatians 3:2-3.
Supplies of the Kingdom of God are already resident in our spirit man through the power of the Holy Spirit. How can we receive them?
Begin by putting God’s Word first place in your life. Intimate times of fellowship and study release love, revelation knowledge and understanding about how spiritual things operate through us. That fellowship is never a requirement, but should always bring life and the glorious benefit of REST!
JESUS CHRIST: True Rest
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus at the Home of Martha and Mary
Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to Him while Martha was distracted with much serving.
“Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?
Therefore tell her to help me. ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’” See Luke 10:38-42.
Whining and Worry: A Sign of Little Faith
“Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” See Matthew 6:30-34.
Put Him first before each day!
Failure of the Children of Israel: Unbelief
“And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:18-19
Unbelief will erode God’s rest.
Faith in God Brings His Rest
“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” Hebrews 4:1-2
4. YEAR OF REWARDS
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
The woman with the issue of blood, who had suffered with many physicians and only grew worse, heard about Jesus. “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” As she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment she immediately felt that she was healed. Jesus responded. “Who touched My clothes?” As she fell down before Him, He said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Read Mark 5: 21-43.
This is an amazing woman who someday we will meet! Her experience, though, is not at all different from the way we got born again and the steps to receiving promises from the Kingdom. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” See Romans 10:6-10.
We experience God our Rewarder by having heard and believed His good promise, saying it and acting on it with expectation so strong that we persevere through hindrances, seeing that the desired end belongs to us.
Our Father cannot lie. Whatever He says…is!
JESUS CHRIST: Favor, Faith, Rest, and Rewards
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2
___________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER WITH PURPOSE
Much of what is written in our Bible Studies is for the edification and strength of the Believer who is standing in the gap for others. God wants His children in good health and prospering. A healthy, prosperous, care free intercessor who is working with the Holy Spirit is a powerhouse for change on the earth.
As time is accelerated and moving us to the glorious event when we will meet the Lord Jesus in the air and forever be with Him, — 1 Thessalonians 4:16 — our assignment to pray grows ever more important. Study this lesson again, get the scriptures in your heart and act on them. Forget past failures. God is bringing about a Glorious Church and 2015 is the year of His Favor, Faith, Rest and Rewards!
Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts:
‘My cities shall again spread out through prosperity;
The Lord will again comfort Zion,
And will again choose Jerusalem.’” Zechariah 1:17
PRAYING FOR: The Church The Lost Elected Leaders
Copyright © 2013 – 2014 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org