2008 A YEAR TO GAIN WISDOM & TO SHINE and OF SPEAKING TO HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS

CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON

I see and feel the new year building on the horizon like great white cumulus clouds.  The year will be full and intense - are we ready for it?

Isaiah 19:1 See, the Lord rides in a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt.

The clouds look huge and intimidating, as if they block the way - it will be important to remember the composition of clouds, that it is possible to walk right through them.

This reminds us that only God can create - the enemy moves with counterfeit and deception.

This emphasizes the need to ask the Lord for increased wisdom and discernment for the year ahead.

SEEK WISDOM AND SHINE

Daniel 12:3 is the scripture I am hearing for 2008 ... (In a time of distress) ... Those who are wise (who impart wisdom) will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

I believe the Lord is exhorting us to seek Him for the wisdom that we will need in the coming year, in order that we will indeed shine for Him in the darkness.

We are made to shine!  Not so that men can gather and admire or bathe in the glow of our success, but so that the light of the world can be reflected into the darkness of souls and circumstances and shine in the darkest places in order that the darkness will flee.

Matt. 5:14-16  You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matt.13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears let him hear.

Rev.2:1-7 speaks to God's people today - it is a critical time to take care of the lamp stands, to return to our first love, to get oil for our lamps, and to SHINE.

There continues to be an urgent sense of our need to gain wisdom in this time, God's wisdom rather than the understanding of this world.

Daniel 11:32 speaks of a people 'WHO KNOW THEIR GOD'  who will BE MIGHTY AND WITHSTAND the pressures evil, and says that even in the midst of great tribulation (v.33) "Those who are wise will instruct many".

How do we obtain this precious commodity that we so vitally need?  James gives us the answer in chapter 1:5 "If any lack wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

THEREFORE we hear again the words of Proverbs 8:11

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

WE HAVE A MODEL AND EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.

PROPHETIC EXPERIENCE 

Twice a year for the past 3 years the Lord has consistently led me back to Amos 3:7 and 8

Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.  The lion has roared - who will not fear?  The Sovereign Lord has spoken - who can but prophesy? 

Amos is speaking "what he saw concerning Israel 2 years before the earthquake.."  The Lord was giving warning to the people of real shaking that was to take place.  In the light of that I take the highlighting of these scriptures very seriously.

Amos 3:4 "Does a lion roar in the thicket when he has no prey?"

It is time to cease from idle and soulish chatter and to listen intently for His voice.

Isaiah 21:3 & 4 speaks of the prophetic man's physical experience after having received a 'dire vision' from God.

"At this my body is racked with pain, pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labour; I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I hear.  My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me."

We remain men and women in physical bodies serving our God, and Isaiah reminds us that there is a physical price to be paid for the increased seeing and hearing that is required and is to come.

NEW ZEALAND

I see the two oceans meeting at Cape Reinga and see that the northern tip of New Zealand juts out into the collision of two great oceans.

New Zealanders will be sent out by God into the great oceans of humanity in the midst of great spiritual battle, and will be used to bring God's love and peace, even in the midst of collisions of culture and creed.  Many events, and the outworking of God's call, have been building the nation towards this.

The enemy would have us focus on politics and negative events in our nation and communities - even become consumed with these things - but the wise will continue to pray for 'ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to understand' what God is building at this time for His purposes.

There are many in our nation who have faced great pressure, pain and hardship, and are no longer afraid of, or bound by, the things they will face in this and other nations.

One national anthem continues to be a prophetic statement that has been sung and spoken over the nation for decades.  We would do well to continue to speak, pray and sing it in this day.

 Lord please  give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to understand what You are wanting to speak to us in these days.