Proclaiming the year of the Lord's favour
Earthquakes, floods, ethnic troubles are some of the predictions for the year 2012 by many 'prophets' of out time. True, we are facing floods even in our own country, times and seasons themselves defy what we are normally accustomed to. As the year end 2012 approaches and all the signs were pointing to a bleak 2013, I sought God with much fasting and prayer for His Word to the church.
God's mandate and promise to The Breath of God Church for the year 2012 is :
"To proclaim the Year of the Lord's Favor - to bestow upon you a crown of beauty, the oil of gladness and a garment of praise. And we will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor."
All of us are constantly seeking the favor of the Lord, the smile of God upon our lives. In times of despair and anguish, the favor of God is enough to turn the tide around and lift our spirits. Seasons of mourning, betrayal, and rejection are familiar to all of us and oftentimes, after such painful experiences some have no desire to go. Traditionally ashes are placed on the head to signify mourning, either for death or some other form of tragedy. This year, the favor of God is your's because God is blowing away the ashes that were on your head and replacing it with A CROWN OF BEAUTY and pouring upon you the OIL OF GLADNESS.
The OIL OF GLADNESS speaks of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus dwelt among man and knew what man is. He was tempted just as we are yet without sin. Jesus, our High Priest, is familiar with our weakness and pain. As He ascended to the heavens, He gave us the blessed Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us. The Holy Spirit will make our sad heart glad, arrest our fears and fill us with faith and drive the darkness of our souls and fill it with glorious light. The Holy Spirit is our comforter, friend, teacher and counselor. When friends can only minister to us skin deep, the Holy Spirit will go into our inner person and repair our heart, spirit and soul. This year the oil of gladness is poured upon you and you have the greatest power ever living within your person!
What are you wearing today? Does your rainment speak of things past that you have not let go? Is your apparel heavy and worn out with all your bitter experiences? Remove that old cloak and put on the garment of praise, made and specially fitted for you right out of heaven's closet. The garment will make you thankful and full of praises for the One who favors you. This garment will remove the spirit of heaviness and fill your heart with joy.
As you praise Him and thank Him, every chain of oppression that has bound you for so long is loosed in Jesus name.
Friends, all the gloomy projections for the year may be right but in the midst of tribulations the Lord's favor will be surely be upon us. He will see you through every storm, flood and earthquake as you abide in Him, you will see favor on every side. You are a special planting of the Lord, an oak of righteousness that He many be glorified!
In His Majesty's service,
Reverend Aloysious