“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
 

January 2009

Dear Friend,

Here we are at another crossroad, a brand new year!  What will this year bring for us? Last year was a roller coaster year with so much happening with the economy and the Presidential election. Now that we have a new President going into office this month, we wonder what changes will be made, and how they will affect us as Christians, and as citizens. Our prayers are with Mr. Obama as he steps into this new role faced with many challenges. The Bible tells us “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.” (1 Tim. 2:1-3)  As Christians, we should make this a priority each day, and pray for God to speak to his heart with His Word, and that our nation will uphold it’s Christian values. Let us press in and hold on to Jesus as we tackle our economic problems and world situations!                                       

I believe God’s Word for this year is to look up and hold on tight! God is looking for a remnant of those willing to seek His face in intercessory prayer with fervency. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered.” (Rom. 8:26) It will be a year where those of us who profess to be Christians will be called upon to step up and be counted. Either we are for or against our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For those of us who step up to the plate Jesus will give real and lasting peace. This is a year to totally trust Him with every fiber of our being! We cannot let outward circumstances rule our emotions! God is still on the Throne and He sees you and He hears you! The Psalmist says “...Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor His descendants begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25) Glory!

I also believe that this year will be a year of breakthroughs for those who have been faithful, holding on to Him, and trusting all the way. It is not a time to faint, because God is coming as a Lion to defend, uphold, pour out anointings, and bring peace and order into lives that have been in turmoil. He is saying  “Fear not, do not be troubled!” For those of us who hold on tight, and who place all of our trust in Him, this will be a great year! A year to celebrate what God is doing! In the midst of trials, we have a Voice that comes forth from heaven with thunder! God knows who His children are, and He says “Don’t mess with My kids!” and He says it with the fierceness of a Lion! He is our Hope, our Protector, our Shield, our Provider, our Healer, our Deliverer and more! Let us hold on tight, for we are going for a ride!

This year, God will turn to those who have sought His face and He will say “This is the time! This is the time of My visitation, and I will appear swiftly! This is the time of greater anointing, of greater outpourings of My Holy Spirit. Seek Me, and you will find Me! “I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me.” (Prov. 8:17) Of the economy God says “My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and My revenue than choice silver. I traverse the way of righteousness. In the midst of the paths of justice, That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasures.” (Prov. 19-21) Glory!! It is not too late! Start now! Seek God’s face! Turn off the television! Use the cold, wintry nights to cry out to God and intercede for our President, our Nation, our Neighborhoods, our Churches, our Families, our Friends! Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) This comes with a promise: those who do, will prosper!

There has been heavy, prevailing prayer going out among our young people to cry out for the unborn, and for the sanctity of Marriage to prevail. Stadiums were filled to capacity before the elections with young people, fasting and praying for hours on end. And Proposition 8 won in California! Marriage is decreed to be between a man and a woman. Other states followed suit, so God is moving! Let us praise Him, and let us follow the example of these radical young Christians who are not afraid to be a voice in the wilderness! Let us join with them in fasting and prayer and decree righteousness over our land! Let us not lose hope! Let us press in and be counted in God’s army! Let us make our voice heard by writing to those in authority. Let us DO something! Let us radically seek His face and not give up! Let us be bold to speak for righteousness sake! Let us desire the salvation of Jesus Christ for every man, woman and child. Let us change the course of history by our prayers!

God will take care of us as He has promised. As His children, we are the head and not the tail. “And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath...if ...you heed the commandments of the Lord Your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.” (Deut. 28:13) As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not under the Law, but Jesus said that He came not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” (Matt. 5:17)

This will be an exciting year! We have every opportunity to draw closer to Jesus, to seek His face, and to be a part of the answer to our prayers. Let us rise up to the challenge and let us give Him Glory! Father, in Jesus Mighty Name, I lift up this reader to You, and I ask You to bless this reader above and beyond his or her wildest expectations. Father, let this be the year of breakthroughs, blessings, anointings, radical changes for Your glory! Let this year of change be the year that people will say that “God showed up.” We love You lord, and we trust in You. We give You praise and honor and all of our hopes and dreams. We thank You for what You are doing right now, and for what You are about to do! Amen & Amen! 

God bless you!

Rev. Barbara Anne Yovino, Ph.D.