The Stefanov Family Blog

Word for 2010 and Beyond

Submitted by Laurie Skipper

Tuesday, December 29, 2009.
(Scriptures are from NASB, unles

s otherwise noted.)

Part 1: For The United States

We, the Body of Christ in the United States, have become complacent if not despondent when it comes to the war on terror in this nation. We want to look, point the finger, and blame the government for their errors. The only true protection for our nation lies in keeping a spiritual hedge of protection in place. We have let down our guard and will pay the price for doing so if we do not re-establish it.

KEY: We must become re-engaged in the spiritual battle against all forces who want to destroy this nation.

“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads,” declares the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 22:30-31)

A nation is at peace only when the righteous rule.

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan. (Proverbs 29:2, NASB)

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. (Proverbs 29:2 KJV)

We have seen the result of allowing the unrighteous to rule. We have seen the result of allowing those who give lip service but whose hearts are far from what they say (or imply) to rule. The true Church, the true believers MUST mobilize politically to place righteous men and women in office to change the course of this nation and get it back on track with its God-given destiny. We, the Church, must quit squabbling over the minor issues and support those who uphold the major issues – of life and liberty for all. And, “liberty for all” includes liberty from excessive taxation and freedom to choose services and service providers.

KEY: We must become politically engaged to unseat those who want to destroy the destiny of this nation from within.

The Church must not forget the poor.

They only asked us to remember the poor – the very thing I also was eager to do. (Galatians 2:10)

With the current state of the economy, there are many who are finding themselves in need for the first time in their lives. The people of God must not turn away; but, rather, realize that this is an opportunity to bless those in our communities and, thereby, reach them with a true gospel message.

KEY: We must be socially engaged in our communities.
And if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. (Isaiah 58:10)

If we will:

re-engage in the spiritual battle for the nation,
re-engage in the political arena, and
engage to a greater extent socially in our communities,

then we will see the following:

God will use the current economic situation that the enemy has meant to destroy our free enterprise system (and our freedoms with it) to cause the wealth of the world to begin to transfer to the hands of those prepared to both receive and handle it. He will cause what Satan meant for evil – for our destruction – to work for our good.

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)

So they hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai, and the king's anger subsided. (Esther 7:10)

As Haman was hung on the very gallows on which he intended to kill righteous Mordecai, those who have laid snares for others will find themselves ensnared and brought down by their own trap.

Deeds which have been done in secret will be brought to light. Deals made in back rooms and “under the table” will be exposed. This includes political deals as well as business deals. Those things done in secret will begin to be “proclaimed from the housetops.”

"But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.” (Luke 12:2-3)

This will mean over the airwaves of not only Fox, but CNN and other channels.

KEY: We must pray for key business leaders as well as key politicians to be radically converted. Be sensitive to God laying a particular leader on your heart. Pray for them diligently until you learn of their conversion.

These two factors will cause a shift in this nation to alter its course back into a right direction. However, these results are conditional. We must do as directed.

Part 2: For Other Nations

Israel

God’s eye is always on Israel, but there will be no major shifts there this year.

Arab Nations

There will be some shifting of powers both within and between these nations in the year ahead – and for the next two or three years. Pray for these nations! There needs to be a window of opportunity to freely share the gospel with these people groups. Pray that as the power shifts within these nations, the shift would allow that window of opportunity to open. Soak these nations in prayer this year.

China

China has given lip service to becoming more open. In truth, it has become more repressive in many ways. Pray for the church in China. There will come a time when the gospel can be shared more openly. But there will still be much persecution before that time. Pray for strength, grace, and protection for the believers there – and for extreme wisdom for them, particularly their leaders.

North Korea & Iran

North Korea and Iran are the two nations to watch. By “watch,” I mean watch and pray. These are the two nations that would like to force international conflict – and it is not God’s timing for either to do so. Pray that their plans – and they do each have plans – will fail. Pray confusion in their ranks. Pray, specifically, for those within these countries who realize the evil workings within their government regimes and work against it covertly. Pray for their protection and their success. Pray that they maintain the courage to continue what they do. Pray that they have supernatural wisdom and words of knowledge about specific situations, both for their safety and their success.

Europe

Much of Europe is teetering in the balance, deciding which way it will go. Islam is pressing in on one hand and socialism on the other. Both are anti-Christ spirits. There are decisions to be made by both the leaders and the people of Europe this year that will set their course for the next decade – and, for some, beyond that. Pray for a revival in Europe. There is kindling set for the Fire of the Spirit to break out in Great Britain and the Scandinavian countries. It will either be ignited within the next two to three years (by 2012) or it will be squelched until another generation. Pray for a revival that will awaken all of Europe and call her back to the roots established in the days of the early Church and re-established by the Protestant reformation.

Pray for the eastern European nations that have never been freed from the spirit of bondage that was imposed by Communism – and, for some, centuries before that. This decade is to be a time for the people of these nations to experience true freedom – the kind of freedom found only in Christ. But, there is still much spiritual warfare to be done for this to break forth in the measure intended. Pray for the people in these nations. What they need is to experience the true love of God. Pray for them; but, also, seek God for His ways to express the love of God to them – in tangible, “God made flesh” ways.

Turkey

The region now known as Turkey was once Christian and God’s desire and destiny for it is that it be so again. Pray for a revival in Turkey. The blood of the martyrs there is crying out and the bowl is almost full. God’s desire is to send a major move of His Spirit to Turkey.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria will experience what seems to be a set back spiritually in the coming two to three years. Do not be discouraged. Once again, what Satan has meant for evil will turn out to be for good if handled properly. Instead of responding in panic or discouragement, respond by turning to seek His counsel on how to turn what seems like defeat into victory. Remember, Satan thought he had won when he killed Christ. What he thought was a mighty victory was his biggest mistake and will lead to his ultimate defeat. Remember that principle when you see what looks like defeat in this nation. Prepare yourself now to handle it appropriately. Do not be caught off guard. Ask even now for strategies to be revealed to you in that season.

Globally

Without intervention, the next decade will bring more natural disasters and destruction. More islands will be hit with hurricanes or cyclones as well as tsunamis. Earthquakes will be felt in places not accustomed to having them. Rivers will overflow. Pray now that the loss of life and the destruction will be minimized. This warning is given so that there is opportunity to avert most of these. Be sensitive when God tells you to pray for a specific area. You do not realize how many such incidents have been averted or lessened by the intercession of God’s people – or how many more could have been averted. Again, I urge you, be sensitive when you feel a prompting to pray for a specific area or region.

Final Exhortation

While many are looking at 2010 and the next few years as being difficult and bleak, the darkness can be turned to light and God’s people can shine as they noon-day sun in the midst of it – if they will heed His warnings, seek His strategies and directions, and follow them.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. (Proverbs 4:18-19)

"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples;
But the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you.
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." (Isaiah 60:1-3)

Verse 1:
Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for Heav'n and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Refrain:
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Verse 2:
"Let not your heart be troubled,"
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth
But one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Verse 3:
Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him,
From care He sets me free:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He cares for me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He cares for me.

* picture taken in our back yard