Looking Into the New Year
Prophet Bob Jones taught us to always research the meaning of each Jewish new year. Through doing so, it can help us to see what is ahead for us in each year. He also taught us that we all get our shepherds rod (our 'word for the new year') every year during this season, and encouraged us to pay attention to the dreams, activities, and impressions that occur.
For the Jewish people, Rosh Hashanah is a time of inspection, repentance, and promotion. It culminates with the Day of Atonement (which occurred at sundown on September 15th-16th of this year).
During this time, we are told we need to repent of any sin so that we can be promoted by the Lord and receive our instructions for the new year. As Christians, we also know and believe that these instructions are important and appropriate to apply every day.
The Battle Lines Have Been Drawn
This Jewish new year we've now entered is 5782, and the battle lines have been drawn. The numerical value of 80 is represented within the Hebrew letter "pey." Its symbol is an open mouth of declaration, as well as an open mouth of prayer. Remember, we will be in this arena for the entire 80s. It's important to note that we will have to pray, pray, pray to war through it.
Also, our words have power. We need to be cautious with what the words of our mouth build. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).
The numerical value of 2 is represented in the Hebrew letter "bet" (or "vet"), which means "house, duality (or division)."
"...Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it..." (Psalm 127:1)
The number 2 is also a symbol of witness and agreement. Where two or more are joined, He's in our midst (Matthew 18:20). (Photo via Flickr)
The context of each situation will determine the meaning and outcome. Witness and agreement can occur regarding both good or evil. Therefore, as the year progresses, boundaries will be drawn and argued over.
A Time of Radical Division and Radical Unity
2022 will be a time of radical division as well as radical unity. It's not going to be a time of either/or; it's going to be a season of both. It will produce what both bring.
The Bible tells us that where there is unity, the commanded blessing of God flows (Psalm 133:1-3). But this is talking about being unified in God. Sadly, people can be unified in creating division. When this happens, the opposite of blessing is created: anarchy, disorder, confusion, strife, and the like.
Remember, we are still in the 80s portion of the Jewish years, which is signified by an open mouth; so both sides will be very loud. It's up to us which one we listen to—as well as which one we follow and choose to become.
The old lessons we have learned still apply:
Be a complainer and miss your promised land (Numbers 11; 14:27-35).
Be a worshiper and it will confuse the enemy. You will win your battles, and they will turn on themselves (2 Chronicles 20:22).
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but He also does new things. You may build a new house, but you still have to follow the old rules regarding the foundation in order for it to be a sturdy and lasting structure. Likewise, being rooted and grounded in the Word of God, and being unified in it (in the Body of Christ and as a nation), will be of great importance throughout this time period.
God's Word warns us that a house divided cannot stand (Mark 3:25). Matthew 12:25 says: "But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: 'Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.'" (Photo via Pixabay)
Whose Report Will We Believe?
There's fake news all around us. It's pretty loud, and it can cause fear to abound. Fear creates division. Fear is not from God. Fear is believing the enemy's lies instead of God. God gives us self control over fear and the power to overcome and trust in His love. It is our choice as to which voice we believe: the voice of fear or the voice of God. God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
The enemy has been relentless, but the good news is this: God is more relentless. Being on God's side is definitely the better deal.
Whose report will we believe (Isaiah 53:1)?
"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision." (Joel 3:14)
"...Let God be true and every man a liar..." (Romans 3:4)
"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)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
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Joni Ames
The Ministry of Joni Faith Ames
Email:Â joniames@aol.com
Website: click here
Joni Ames is an itinerant, prophetic minister, writer, teacher, encourager, mentor, mother and grandma. Joni has taught in Churches of many varied denominations including: conferences, government offices, Christian businesses, Women's Aglow groups, Full Gospel Businessmen groups, house groups, prisons, and wherever the Lord leads. Joni believes that the Lord wants to encourage and activate the laborers as we continue to move into the harvest and does share specific types of teachings (activating others in personal prophetic ministry, intercession, etc.). Joni believes that the job of the five-fold ministry is "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry" (Eph. 4:11), and that "...the whole Body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the Body for the edifying of itself in love" (Eph. 4:16).
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