WORD OF THE LORD 2011 - BETTY KING

I greet you in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ and also in His love, mercy and grace. I am always humbled by Jesus when He enables one to be able to bring these words to His saints.

2011 onwards will be years hallmarked by the supernatural doings of God. Let's take our text from Luke chapter 1:5-24:

"5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense (Place of Authority). 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’[a] and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."

Here we see the story of Zechariah and his dear wife Elizabeth. The Bible says that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were upright, blameless in the sight of God. They had no child because Elizabeth was barren.

An angel appeared to Zechariah saying that his prayers had been answered and that his wife would bear a son. When he doubted what he had been told, the angel told him he would be dumb until the prophesy was fulfilled.

Now let me explain some of the things God showed me through these scriptures.

Israel chosen and promised by God were under Roman leaders and in heavy bondage paying taxes to the Romans. It's fair to say that the last decade or so it appears as though the very life and voice of the church is being snuffed out. There have been so many injustices taking place in the church sometimes causing even the most devout man of God to doubt that God is real. It has been as though good men who should know better wearied seeing others getting away with "murder" and apparently still being used by God. Don't get me wrong there are also good men, doing amazing things with God and being blessed by Him.

In this context, church becomes almost like a secular profession or job rather than a high calling or holy vocation. Much injustice has been tolerated as people sought to make a living, fitting in rather than intercededing or preaching the full gospel. Those who have stayed true to the full gospel have not seen personal fulfillment and it has looked as though the more you do the right thing the more you are isolated. But God, who knows the heart and sees all things visited Zechariah and He will so visit such faithful individuals, churches and businesses.

There is an issue here. Because of the length of time the visitation takes the Body of Christ can begin to doubt whether God would really come through. Looking around we can see good men that served God are sick or even dying, people doing the right thing and yet losing everything. But God still knows that because He is God almighty, and He is able to restore what the cankerworm has stolen. The reality is that time has been wasted and things have been lost.

The truth is that in the restoration, there will be joy and laughter and that will cause many to rejoice and celebrate His goodness. Friends I need to say this to you:

Even in the days ahead some of you might be discouraged because of the way it may appear that the church has lost its voice because of the lawlessness ahead of us. But God will SHUT THE CHURCH'S MOUTH TO OPEN HER WOMB. LET ME EXPLAIN FURTHER.

The meaning of Elizabeth is "consecrated to God", and in spite of her age, being consecrated of God she still remained faithful, loyal and long suffering and more. Because of the 'delay' in the fulfillment of God's promise, she was labeled as barren, but what God consecrates He sustains! I tell you friends, people are about to eat their words!

In her old age Elizabeth was still able to be intimate with her husband. In spite of how long she had been married she was still able to stir up passion and receive the promise. So no matter how long you have been waiting, stir up your passion again and receive from God.

Now when it appears that the church is losing its voice it has not lost its power. As a matter of fact, find yourself a local church because although it looked like Zechariah had lost his voice he was used by God to impregnate his wife. Focus on the word of God. Do not look at what's going on inside the church or indeed outside of it in terms of the things being said about the church.

In the place of true intimacy there is always conception and I believe that all you have gone through is about to yield fruit. The interesting thing is that the child Elizabeth gave birth to made the loudest noise. He spoke the loudest. Although John the Baptist was outside the political structure men of all stations in life went to him. He didn't care how he looked or what he ate, neither did he care where he slept. His focus was to prepare the way for the Lord.

Stay in the world but out of it in the Spirit. Although the world WILL shake around us, when the womb of the church is open as it says in scripture they will rejoice. The open womb is for evangelism. Families will be added to the church and the world will see that He is God. Jesus said I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

So you that are consecrated to God and in covenant with Jesus:

• focus on Him and His word;
• stand for truth and justice for God is a God of righteousness and justice;
• defend the fatherless and the widows;
• stop cursing one another through negative prayers and start speaking blessing;
• break ungodly cliques;
• be one who reconciles and not one who divides;
• Pastors and Leaders: stop cursing your flock- instead forgive them and bless them. There is a reward of increase that comes when you walk in that spirit.
• Before you write off the Body of Christ remember that Jesus came out of a stigmatized woman.

WORD OF CAUTION: Please do not try to defend God in the worldly way. The time is set now for a great move of God and the signs will vindicate Him.

Let me a share a vision of a building site that God gave me. Now the building represents the Body of Christ. Even though the building was ongoing, there were parts that had been completed and these were already fully furnished. In those completed and furnished parts angels in purple were serving people. When I asked the Lord what this meant His words were clear. He told me that He was building His church and equipping His saints.

Saints, it is a year of the supernatural and of encounter with Him and for what is to come. It is also a year of justice for the injustices that have taken place. It is a year of fruitfulness - so buckle up and advance.

The team and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters for your generous words of support, love and prayers and giving. We wish you a Spirit-filled new year.

Grateful for His love.

Reverend Betty King