PROPHETIC WORDS

RAISE YOUR EXPECTATIONS

by David Peters

On a personal level, raise your expectations for the coming year.

Be aware of being on cruise control or settling into present patterns. Expect more from God and you will see it. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us," (Ephesians 3:20 NIV) Ask big this coming year. It will be a year of open doors. Journey through 2017 in faith. Let your faith be strong. Do not let fear of disappointment stop you. There will be surprises. There will be wow moments. There will be breakthroughs. God is forewarning us not to stroll casually into the New Year but rather to run into it with our spirits fuelled with the fire of faith.  

And not only expect more from God but also expect more of God. 

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8a NKJV) 

We can have as little or as much of his presence and power as we want to. He is offering us more. Ask for it. Hunger for it. Do some things to go the second mile in seeking Him. Don't repeat the pattern of 2016 - go beyond it. Then get ready for Him to draw near to you. "And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:6 RSV) 

On a global level

On a global level, there will continue to be shocks that awaken many that are the spiritually blind, and surprises that delight those that already see. It's going to be both a volatile year and an exciting year. God is shaking the Tower of Babel that the global, liberal elites have sought to build in recent decades. Jesus warned us in 2013 that ideological civil war and division would increase.  

However, in the midst of it all Jesus will bring a great harvest of souls into His Kingdom. In Bible days, Jews and Gentiles hated one another. But the Bible says, "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14 NIV) We may possibly see the greatest harvest of history in the years ahead. In these next eight or more years, God will open a window of opportunity for the church to advance the Kingdom like never before. Reformation is coming. 

Let's remember that there is greater power in prayer than in protest. Whatever you do, keep close to the Lord and if you have been distant, now is a good time to get closer.

BIO