2014 2015 CROSS OVER SERVICE @ JESUS SANCTUARY
Be strong and be courageous – Joshua 1:1 – 9
The death of Moses was the end of an era, just as today (31/12/2014) marks the end of the year 2014 – with all of its challenges and testimonies; opposition and crisis; as well as provisions and victories. This would tell you why for some it must be a time of anxiety and fear. I am sure that for some of us like the children of Israel, we remember 2014 with mixed emotions because of the various experiences that the year has been made of. So, it is possible to be anxious of what 2015 would bring. But I am here to tell you the word of the Lord that you be strong and courageous.
The death of Moses also signifies the end of the known to the unknown, as today marks the end of 2014 and would usher in the birth of 2015. For instance, while the people had always known Joshua as spokesperson for Moses, they may not be able to comprehend his capabilities to lead them; more so, when they remember that the death of Moses was due to the frustration from the children of Israel. As a matter of fact even Joshua himself was not very sure of his own capabilities to manage the people, knowing what the children of Israel has made Moses his leader to go through.
As we see in verse 2, God said to Joshua “My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites”. First, from this we see the Lord telling us that 2014 is dead; now proceed into 2015, and into the abundance and opportunities that I am giving to you. How do I know that this is going to be a land of abundance and opportunities? I know because God said He is the one that is leading you into the year. Secondly, we see from here that it is only God that can lead a man into another year. The bible says in Rom. 9: 16 “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy”. This means that your seeing the end of 2014 and entering 2015 is not by your strength. No wonder the Lord is telling us to be strong and courageous. What does it means to be strong and courageous? To be strong simply means to be solid, unshakeable and sound. So, God wants us to be sound, solid and unshakeable in 2015.
Why is God telling us to be strong? The answer is in verse 3. God promised that “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses”. Today, I declare that as the Lord lives; wherever the sole of your feet shall tread in 2015 the Lord would give unto you in Jesus name. It means that whatever door you knock on in 2015 would be opened unto you in Jesus name. This means that all you need to enter is the boldness and courage.
As a matter of fact, in verse 4 we see God describing the extent of the land that He is giving to Joshua. It is an enormous vast of land and territories, some humanly difficult territories and land of nations that Joshua could probably not be able to comprehend. What does this tells us? It tells us that things that you think are impossible would be made possible for you in 2015 not because of you but because of Him. I declare that everything you have had difficulty to achieve in 2014 the Lord would make easy for you in 2015 in Jesus name.
In verse 5 the God said “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you”. I declare that in 2015 no enemy shall be able to withstand you in Jesus name. In the name of Jesus no challenge would be able to overwhelm you in 2015 in Jesus name. No matter how much the enemies may try concerning you they would fail in Jesus name. God would not forsake or leave you in Jesus name. His glory would not depart from you at any time in Jesus name.
In verse 6 to 8 God commands you to be strong and courageous as He is going to give unto His people the land He has promised. What does that tells us? It means that inspite of what the economist may predict or say about the economy, He is going to establish and prosper you and your children and nothing shall stop you from achieving this in Jesus name.
However, God wants us to ensure that we are courageous and strong in the things of His Kingdom. For instance, for some of us 2015 would be a time for us to decide to walk with Him totally with everything that He has blessed us with. It means not only would we start spending quality time in His Presence, but would also be strong to ensure that we are upright in the area of our Tithe, Offerings and First fruits. It means that 2015 would be the year when we would be immovable concerning the things of God. It is a year when our service in the vineyard of God would not be dependent on what any man or woman does or doesn’t do.
As we see in verse 8, God is expecting total commitment from us in the year 2015. This is not only important because of the many blessings that He has prepared for us, but more importantly because of the fact that the Lord can come for any of us at any time. My desire and prayers is that I would not mourn over any of you in Jesus name. However, He is the Porter and we are the Clay. It means that He has the right to do with us as it pleases. He decides when we come and when we go. My prayer is that you without fulfilling your destinies in Jesus name.
In conclusion, the word of the Lord for us in 2015 is found in verse 9. God is saying to you today “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” I declare that you would not be afraid or dismayed in 2015 in Jesus name. God would be with you wherever you go in Jesus name and His glory would not depart from you in 2015 in Jesus name.
PRAYERS
PRAYERS: God has given us 5 passages about His plans for us in 2015 that we are going to pray to reality today.
ONE: Joshua 1: 9 – “This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
PRAYER:
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Father, let me be strong, physically, spiritually, emotionally, maritally and financially in 2015 in Jesus name.
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Father, let me not be discouraged in 2015 in Jesus name. People commit suicide when they are discouraged; some stops making efforts when discouraged; some stops serving God when discouraged. In fact, discouragement leads to defeat and failure and inaction. Remember we were told that when the Amalekites raided Ziklag in 1 Samuel 30:6
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Father, wherever I go in 2015 please go with me in Jesus name. Please, Lord do not leave me alone in 2015.
TWO: Deuteronomy 12:10: "When you cross the Jordan and live in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit and He gives you rest from all your enemies around you so that you live in security”.
Now you have crossed into 2015 as He has given it to you, you are going to pray and say
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Father, give me and my household rest in 2015; rest from trouble; shame, pain, struggles, lack, sickness, failure, etc., mention what you want God to grant you rest from.
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Father, as for me and my household let us live in safety in 2015 – safety from diseases, sickness, accidents, physical and spiritual attacks, etc.
THREE: Psalms 31:20: You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues
PRAYER:
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Father, hide me and all that is mine in the secret place of your presence throughout 2015.
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Father, let no evil plan or conspiracies from any quarters overcome me and all that is mine in Jesus name.
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Father, shelter me and all my interest in 2015 form every negative tongues in Jesus name.
FOUR: Exodus 23:20: "Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
PRAYERS:
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Father, send your angel to guard me throughout 2015 in Jesus name.
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Father, that place of glory, promotion, uplift, breakthrough you have prepared for me in 2015 let me get there in Jesus name.
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Father, let me not miss my way in Jesus name. Father, let me not miss your plans in Jesus name. (Pslam 103:7 says He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel)
FIVE: Leviticus 26:5: “Indeed, your threshing will last for you until grape gathering, and grape gathering will last until sowing time you will thus eat your food to the full and live securely in your land”.
Prayer:
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Father, in 2015 let me not lack in Jesus name. Father, let me not know any lack whatsoever in Jesus name.
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Father, before any need arise, make the resources available in Jesus name.
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Father, let my Account never be empty in Jesus name.
SIX: Ask God for anything you want. Write it down and as we pray I am confident that you would come back to testify to His faithfulness in Jesus name.
BLESSINGS:
I pronounce the blessings of the Lord upon you today. I declare that in 2015
You would not weep
Your would not sorrow
You would not beg
The glory of the Lord would not depart from you
You would not fail
You would not fall
You would be strong
You would be courageous
The Lord would fight your battles
You and your household would dwell in safety
The Lord would give unto you wherever the soul of your feet would step upon in Jesus name
The Lord would defend you
He would give His angels charge over you in Jesus name.
You would not receive evil report in 2015 and you would not send any evil report in Jesus name.
You would reach your goal in 2015
You would not miss your opportunities in 2015
God would make a way for you in 2015
You would live in abundance in 2015 in Jesus name.
You would be a blessing in 2015
You would serve God with all your hearts in Jesus name
You would not abandon God for the devil when He has blessed you in Jesus name.
You would obey God fully
The lord would keep you in your going out an coming in Jesus name.
And it shall be well with you all around in Jesus name.
Shalom.