With 2016 winding down many are asking what I see ahead for the New Year? Over the next few weeks I will be sharing what I am both hearing and seeing for 2017. Tuesday morning December sixth I was awakened around 2 am very early to these words, “Gird up your loins”. In the Spirit, I immediately understood that this was a specific word for specific believers that Linda and I were ministering to as their faces passed before me in the moment. And then with a sense of immanent urgency, “Tell my people to prepare themselves-to gird up their loins”.
It was exactly 75 years ago today, December 26th, 1941 that Winston Churchill became the first British prime minister to address the U.S. joint Congress. He warned, “Many disappointments and unpleasant surprises await us,” but Churchill then declared, “The British and American peoples will, for their own safety and for the good of all, walk together in majesty, in justice and in peace.” I fear those prophetic words of Churchill might fall on deaf ears if he were to address Congress in our day.
I was familiar with the biblical references to the term “gird up your loins” in scripture but as I inquired of the Lord and researched further I believe the expression and exhortation for each of us in 2017, “to have the loins girded,” means to be prepared and ready for anything (Luke 12:35; Eph. 6:14; 1 Pet. 1:13) The Body of Christ will face many disappointments and unpleasant surprises in 2017 but for those who stand firm resting in the abiding presence and glory of King Jesus they will know the favor of God and demonstrate the supernatural power of His Kingdom.
“…The people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].” - Daniel 11:32b, Amplified Bible
Weary from the political presidential campaign many Christians celebrated the victory of Donald Trump for President but quickly and “bigly” the church has already returned to business as usual deceived with a false sense of security.
Even as I write, the world is witnessing unthinkable genocide and atrocities with over one million people slaughtered in Syria and the major humanitarian and refugee crisis continues to escalate. The Middle East conflict continues to unravel exponentially daily! Terror is unfolding in Libya and Turkey. The ISIS attack in Germany last week. Putin and the Russians invading the Ukraine and taking Crimea…Nuclear threats from North Korea. Brexit and chaos in the European Union and the global economic bubble are just a few of the realities before us as we usher in 2017. In light of these and other major global threats facing the United States who could have possibly imagined the dark decision last Friday by President Barak Obama to side with the UN Security Council against Israel. With less than one month of his presidential term remaining the church is witnessing the desperation of Satan and the spirit of Anti Christ lashing out. Any individual or Nation that aligns itself against Israel has aligned themselves as an enemy against Almighty God. Keep your eyes on Israel in 2017, God will not be mocked!
STAND FIRM IN VICTORIOUS BATTLE
This is an hour of increasing darkness in the world but for the church, this is the hour to shine. The glory of God will always outshine the darkness. We don’t focus on the darkness for we walk in the light as we carry the light!
2017 is the year to embrace your promises and claim your inheritance in Christ Jesus. Declare the truth of God’s word over your life, family, ministry and business. Friend, what the enemy meant for destruction…your setback in 2016 is actually being turned around as a setup by God in your life. Draw closer to Jesus and He will draw nearer to you! This is your moment to embrace FAITH & COURAGE. Faith has a position and faith declares victory in the heat of the battle. You are more than a conqueror positioned in Christ.
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” (Eph. 6:14-17)
Yes, there are many challenges and surprises that lie ahead in 2017 but I can declare this promise over every true son and daughter of the King:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).
Blessings and uncommon Favor in 2017 – Gird up your Loins,
Tom Elkins
A Note From Charis Partners International
Charis Partners,
Thank you for you partnership in ministry. Your prayers and financial support make it possible for Charis to take the Gospel to some of the most difficult and restricted Nations in the world. End of the year contributions will be credited to your 2016 contribution statement if received by December 31st 2016. Thank you for being part of the Charis team.
Tom Elkins
OR write a check to CPI or Charis Partners International and send it to
CHARIS PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL, PO BOX 34 BOSTIC NC 28018