The Feasts are an essential testimony of our Hebrew heritage that begins in Exodus. When the children of Israel left Egypt and came to Mt. Sinai, God asked the “Israelites” to marry Him so that they would become His “special treasure” (Ex. 19).

“Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people for all the earth is Mine.  And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel” (Ex. 19:5,6).

After the children of Israel accepted God’s proposal, the “Groom” created a “certificate of marriage” for “His bride/nation” to abide with Him. The Tablets of Testimony were given through Moses as a sign of God’s love and His heart to be one with His people and a witness for the world to see the one true God.

“Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people.  And they said, “all that the Lord has said we will do and be obedient” (Ex. 24:7).

The “Feasts” were also a part of that “certificate” that provided a pattern God established to set aside life to honor those “wedding vows.”  This pattern would prove to not only benefit and bless God’s people but later in time, would serve as the sign and witness of Jesus, the restorer of this “marriage covenant.”

“For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1Cor. 5:7).

When we honor the Feasts today, we honor the Father who sacrificed His Son for us.  And we step into our heritage. The Spring Feasts provide the blueprint (screenplay) on how Jesus would come to be our Savior and serve as our High Priest.

In Ex. 12, God established His Hebrew Covenant Calendar to start on the 1^st of Nisan.  He then gave Moses instructions to execute Passover on the 14^th of Nisan in which Israel was to slay the lambs and put the blood on the lintels and doorposts of their homes. (Ex. 12:6,7).  Passover was chosen to be the kick-off as the first Feast of the year.

On the 10^th day of Nisan, God instructed the children of Israel to select an unblemished male lamb.  This was the same day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey and the people cried out, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest” (Matt. 21:9).

Passover was fulfilled by Jesus in the month of Nisan, according to the pattern described in Ex. 12 and Lev. 23. This is why 1 Corinthians 5:7 says, “Messiah has become our Passover.” John the Baptist also confirms this fulfillment when he points to Jesus and says, “Behold the Lamb of God”  (John 1:29.)

On the eve of the 14^th of Nisan, Jesus was with His disciples at the last Lord’s Supper.  It was here that Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and broke bread (His body), and drank wine (His Blood) in remembrance of what He must suffer afterward as the Lamb was slain for our sins (Matt. 26:16).

On the morning of the 14^th of Nisan, Jesus was sentenced at 9am and crucified.  This was the same time the sacrificial lamb was bound according to the law (Mark 15:25).

At noon, three hours of darkness fell on the land supernaturally (Matt. 27:45). According to the law, no one was allowed to kill the sacrificial lamb in darkness. God prevented any lamb to be slain until Jesus cried out at 3:01, “It is finished.”  This is the same minute the eclipse is recorded to have happened, and afterward the Passover lambs were then slain.

The blood of the sacrificial lambs was put on the doorposts after the blood of Jesus was spilled out upon His death.  (John 19:34) Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus down and placed him in a tomb nearby before sundown since the Passover Dinner would commence that evening (John 19:38-42).

According to Ex.12, the “Passover” followed when they ate the lamb that was roasted by the fire with “unleavened bread.”  This they were to do as a memorial and an everlasting ordinance (Ex. 12:14).

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was to commence that evening and last seven days. (Lev. 23:6).  Because the Israelites left so quickly out of Egypt after the plague of the death of the “firstborn,” they left without any leaven in their bread (Ex. 12:39).  God made it easy for them to follow His instructions. Since leaven represents “sin” usually in the Bible, Jesus wiped out the penalty of “sin” through His sacrifice.

The soldiers were ordered to camp out at the tomb to make sure no one stole Jesus’ body.

Jesus rose before daybreak on Sunday morning.  When Mary and Mary arrived at the tomb, they found it open and the Roman Soldiers were not there guarding it.  They had already left to tell Pilate.  Mary ran to go tell others and met Peter and John who were also on their way to the tomb (John 20:2).

When they arrived at the tomb, they all discovered it empty.  Peter and John went home (John 20:10).  Mary was left alone in the garden.  When the sun arose, Mary encountered what she thought was a gardener.  When she recognized it was Jesus, she wanted to touch him.  But Jesus said to her, “ Touch Me not, for I am not yet ascended to My Father.”

The ascension Jesus was referring to was not after the 40 days where He rose from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:3-9). We know this because Jesus allowed the disciples to touch Him later (John 20:19,20). So Jesus must have ascended to the Father sometime AFTER He talked to Mary.  Why is this important?

Lev. 23:20 says of the Feast of the First Fruits, “The priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before the Lord…” In 1 Corinthians 25:20, the scripture says, “Now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the FIRSTFRUITS of those who have fallen asleep.”

In order for Jesus to fulfill the Firstfruits Feast, He had to present Himself to the Father at the same time the priest offered up the Firstfruits. Jesus was actually alive before the priest wave offering in the temple, but He could not present Himself as “legally” alive in heaven until the same time that the priest bore witness on earth.  It was the third hour that the priests offered up the firstfruits.  It was then Jesus went before the Father!

Between The Feast of Firstfruits and the Feast of Pentecost is 50 days in which is called Counting of Omer.  (Lev. 23:15-17) After these 50 days, the children of Israel were to offer a new grain (wheat) offering.  On Pentecost, farmers would bring the firstfruits of their spring harvest to the Lord.

 Pentecost would be the exact same time that the Law (marriage contract) was given to the children of Israel at Mt. Sinai and when God would manifest Himself as a witness to this union (Ex. 19). This would be the time when all the people heard the voice of God speaking in their own language out of the midst of the fire (Deut. 4:12).

In Acts 2, we read that on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down like tongues of fire upon the heads of the disciples who were waiting in the Upper Room. They became the new grain offering, the “firstfruits” of the indwelling of His glory presented to the Father since they had “accepted Jesus as Savior and Covenant restorer.” Now the Law was written on their hearts and they were one with the Father.

Christians today generally don’t celebrate these Feasts simply because they don’t understand their significance to Jesus.  Some have not fully grasped they entered into this Hebrew heritage and Covenant when they accepted Jesus as their Lord. But God wants to open up our eyes to our birthright and our inheritance in His marriage Covenant.  And as we abide in His blueprint (screenplay), we begin looking like the “Bride” set apart unto Him.

 

 

 

 

 

It is awesome to see how many Christians are now identifying with the Hebrew calendar and learning how it can speak to us today as to what God is doing in the earth right now.  This Hebrew Covenant calendar begins a new decade, so this indicates a huge shift taking place.

The number 57 in Hebrew is associated with the 16th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which is the letter ayin.  Ayin means to see, know, and experience.  God has taken us through a century of experiencing His power and presence through the manifestations of the Holy Spirit that we have seen and experienced:

“The Azusa Street Revival was a historic revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California.^[1] It was led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher. It began with a meeting on April 9, 1906, and continued until roughly 1915. The revival was characterized by spiritual experiences accompanied by testimonies of physical healing miracles,^[2] worship services and speaking in tongues. Today, the revival is considered by historians to be the primary catalyst for the spread of Pentecostalism in the 20th century” (Wikipedia).

The Holy Spirit is about to pour out an upgrade this decade.  Wow!  Can you imagine God’s glory coming in great power in the earth?  It will happen because God promised us so.  We are heading toward the promise of receiving our “glorified bodies” when Christ returns, so this upgrade is a part of getting closer to that set time.  And the “sound” of God’s people will break it forth!

“But we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:23).

The number 80 in Hebrew correlates with the 17th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which is the letter pey. Pey has the numeric value of 80 and it symbolically means “mouth or to speak; an opening; or to breathe.”

When we put these together, the translation of the 5780 overall is: “God’s eye is upon the Word, the expression, the breath, and the speech or sound of His people.”  

“There is an amazing mystery hidden within this letter pey, as it is believed that this one letter is also made up of two other letters, kaf and yod. Without going too deep, it paints the picture of the divine spark (yod) of God, within the soul, or the place in the body where potential is actualized (kaf)” The pictorial letter itself looks like a spark inside an open mouth. This year holds a divine invitation for you to open your mouth with the spark, or decree, of God that will set into flame the fires of revival”(Charisma News; Christy Johnson).

As God spoke, “Let there be light,” and creation came into existence, we will see the creative power of our voices shape the decade ahead.  Last decade, what we saw was what shaped us.  This decade, what we SAY will shape us because the power of God’s glory will be exponentially greater.  We are already seeing this on the earth right now:  Those who are speaking God’s word, decreeing His promises, and allowing the sounds of the Holy Spirit to usher in God’s presence are seeing quicker manifestations of their prayers.

The “sound” that God anoints us to sing, speak, and join as His instruments of praise and worship will be the key that unlocks the glory of God in this decade.  The glory of God is actually here, yet veiled as God has commanded.  We were not ready for what God has in store for us, nor have we had the capacity to contain the glory He wants to reveal in our own bodies.  This is why He is calling a people to be “set apart,” and synced into God’s voice and heart for it is His time to release the sound that our cells will respond to for His transformation. Our bodies will be able to contain and release more of God’s glory.

This decade comes with it a greater responsibility to guard our lips and to speak only those things that come by His Spirit.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who speak life will see the fruits of their lips.  The restoration of the psalmists singing His Word will come with a breaker anointing.

Because we are in the year 2020, many have said this is the year for 20/20 vision.  While I agree we must see what God sees, our vision will become clear as we hear His voice and declare His promise.

We are also in a season of acceleration both spiritually and physically.  Healing and medical breakthroughs will be astounding, and so will be God’s healing power.

“But to you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves” (Mal. 4:2).

The Hebrew letter pey is also associated with great power.  The “Joseph’s” of this hour will be empowered to step into their authority and influence.  It is the decade of the orchestration of team Jesus uniting for His cause in one rhythm and heart that produces great power as their voice unites and creates His sound….resulting in the Spirit of God moving the unified body out into the cities. So for all the Joseph’s out there….you have been trained in humility and wisdom to wait upon the Lord.  And it’s your time to arise!

The elevation of ministry leaders will be leveled to ground zero, at the cross, where all the other leaders are waiting in assembly to “deploy” in the great army of the Lord, waiting for their Commander in Chief to lead the way.  Great authority comes with it a greater surrender to the Lord.

It’s a decade that will be known for many FIRSTS!  Even the “firstfruits’ remnant will arise in this season. NO longer will they be alone and hidden, but they will be found and linked together with those who understand the sacrifice of surrender and a hunger to follow God’s ways.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come!   And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.  The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Lift up your eyes all around, and see: they all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side.  Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you.  the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you” (Is. 60:1-5).

 

 

Since 2012, God has been trumpeting this time we are experiencing at this hour through many prophets He has raised up.  But the Word prophesied of this day many years ago:

“The Lord also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the Lord will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel” (Joel 3:16).

When God spoke a shaking was coming, He was speaking to the Church first to be ready.  So God gave the body of Christ  7 years to prepare, speaking this same message so we had ample time to respond:

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God” (1 Peter 4:17)?

He warned the body of Christ to get rid of their idols and to prepare their hearts for the shift that would transpire.  God highlighted these same scriptures He spoke through Joshua at the end of his leadership for us today:

“Now, therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt.  Serve the Lord!  And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:14.15).

The Church at large will change through this shaking, and we will see a church without walls emerge.  Religious structures will not be able to withstand this shaking, nor idols in ministry.  Fear and faith are at war.  God will use this shaking to also get the flock back to leaning on the true Shepherd and hearing His voice first.

“And the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (John 10:3,4).

So many people right now are searching to and fro to hear the voice of God through social media, and God is wanting all to stop and be still before Him.  He has much to say to each of us first because we all have a role to play in this hour. Once we get our intel from Him, then we can join the other voices.  But first things first, and that is resting in His presence so we can receive His peace.

“Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

What is God teaching the Church at this hour?  We are called to be His light, to walk in His ways, and to abide in His love……..We need to cry out to God as David did, pleading to help us stay in the center of His peace as we pray:

“Search me O’ God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties, and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way of everlasting” (Psalm 139:23,24).

As we continue to accept this sanctification process and allow God to heal and lead us, a great reservoir of God’s peace and rest fills our spirit, soul, and bodies.  This training through “trial by fire” leads us into maturity in the ways of the Lord.  Great reverence and a fear of the Lord are produced for those who are seeking His face.  And we will be prepared for what He is bringing us into because we can hear His strategy.

God will shift His people into positions of influence to establish His righteous authority through this shaking.  But the method with which it happens will look different than expected.  Our maturity to lean into the Lord will be necessary to gain the intel and walk in His ways that may seem strange and new.  How we see and do things will forever change.  Guaranteed.  All these things are coming not to punish and destroy, but because He loves and is forwarding the promise of Christ returning and reigning in the earth.

For years, the saints who have been oppressed by the religious, political and governmental evil have cried out to the Lord.  The saints have waited patiently for God to move, much like the children of Israel who were crying out to God while they were under the hand of Pharoah’s slavery.  But at God’s “set time,” He heard their prayers:

“So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.  And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them” (Ex. 2:24).

God raised up Moses as His deliver, and gave him instructions as to how to get the Israelites through the process of the shaking so they would be protected:

“On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover” (Lev. 23:5).

God instructed the children of Israel to kill an unblemished lamb and take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses were they eat it.  In their response to His command, the death plague would pass over their dwelling:

“So this day shall be to you a memorial, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations.  You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance” (Ex. 12:14).

Moses told the Israelites that they would do this as a remembrance every generation so that the history of God’s deliverance and faithfulness to keep His promises He gave to Abraham would be handed down to the sons and daughters:

“And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, who passed over the houses when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’  So the people bowed their heads and worshipped” (Ex. 12:26,27).

The children of Israel did not expect Moses, who grew up in Pharoah’s palace, to be their deliverer.  A similar situation happened with the Jews later in history who didn’t see their Messiah right before their eyes.  We all should be shouting and praising God that He is in the midst of this chaos we are experiencing today, although we cannot recognize some of it in the midst of the panic that is prevailing.

Christians today inherit this great legacy of promises that God spoke through Abraham, confirmed through the nation of Israel, and later fulfilled through Christ:  

“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29).

Our job is to rest knowing He is on the throne, and these events will give us a new landscape that will be free of some of the strongholds that kept Christians in slavery to sin and those who the enemy was using to destroy His people and plan to establish His righteousness in the earth:

“For thus says the Lord of hosts:  Once more (it is a little while) I will shake the heaven and earth, the sea and dry land, and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill the temple with glory, says the Lord of hosts.  The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, says the Lord of hosts.  The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former, ‘ says the Lord of hosts, And in this place, I will give peace, says the Lord of hosts” (Hagg.2:6-8).

We are about to start the New Hebrew Covenant Calendar this March 24th, sounding the trumpet and beginning the year with a shout of praise that God is on the throne.  God is working all things out for His good.  Our response to the coronavirus and all the chaos ensuring with praise is the greatest weapon of warfare.  It signifies to the enemy we are not moved by his work. It is a gesture of faith that responds to the fear that is running rampant.  It is with hands held up and palms wide open to accept we are not in control but praise the one who is that the enemy flees and bows to the boldness of faith.

Let’s praise…and then let’s honor the Holy Day of Passover fourteen days later, which is on April 8th at twilight. We must remember what God did for our forefathers of faith, and then what Christ did to set us all free from sin and death:

“With fervent desire, I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled int eh kingdom of God………And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”…….Likewise, He also took the cup after supper saying, ‘ This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’……….that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on the thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’ (Luke 22:17-30)”

Let us then rejoice knowing He protected His people back then, and now, the blood of Jesus protects us even greater, even against the coronavirus.  Let us remember that Christ became the sacrificial lamb that saves us from sin and death.  We must rejoice that God is working out a miracle in our midst that the history book will later reveal was His finest hour of the breakthrough.  Praise Him!  Praise His Holy Name!  We will Passover!

On March 24th, we will begin the Hebrew Covenant Calendar! God proclaimed to Moses in Ex. 12:2 that His Hebrew calendar year was to begin with the month of Nisan. Nisan means “to take flight,” so it was appropriately named since this was the month the children of Israel took flight from the captivity of Egypt and journeyed through the Red Sea to Mt. Sinai.

Nissan is associated with the tribe of Judah. Judah means “praise.” God called for “PRAISE” to go first into their “flight” from Mt. Sinai to the Promised Land (Numbers 10). When the trumpet was blown twice, signifying it was time for all the tribes camped around the Ark of the Covenant to journey on, Judah was given the leadership position of moving out first.  Judah was also the first tribe to cross the Jordan, and first to be allotted land in the Promised Land (Numbers 14.) This month is known for FIRSTS!

In Genesis 49:10, we read the prophetic destiny that Jacob spoke concerning the tribe of Judah in the latter days.  “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh comes, and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.”

Judah was destined to carry the Messianic rulership (scepter), which we can see documented in Matthew 1 that traces the lineage of Judah.  Jesus was born out of this tribe when he came to earth to be our Savior, and He will return as our King of Kings. This month is significant to His “kingship” and stepping forward under His command to take “dominion.”

Judah was also responsible for making sure the “tablets of covenant/testimony” were safely passed down from generation to generation until Jesus came.  The “Torah (first 5 books of the bible) was canonized during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah during the 7th year of King Artaxerxes.  Ezra and Nehemiah were both a part of the House of Judah. When Jesus died and gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit, the law was then written on all of our hearts.  This is when the obedience of the people then became unto HIM (Jesus the King).

Judah had a notable flaw in his character that was difficult to overcome; the love of money.  In Genesis 37, we read the story of how Judah and his brothers decided to kill Joseph because they were jealous of their Father’s love and favoritism toward him.  After conferring, they decided to throw him in a pit to die.  But Judah later assessed the situation and said, “What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?” (Gen. 37:26).

Judah’s first interest was in making a profit!  He suggested selling Joseph and made a bargain with the Midianite traders who agreed to purchase him for twenty silver coins.  As time went by, the guilt weighed on Judah over the years, and his repentant heart made him respond differently to his brother in need. This time, instead of bargaining for profit, Judah pleas with Joseph for his brother Benjamin, offering to sacrifice his own life (Gen. 44:14-34).

Judas (Greek for Judah) Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, also had this same weakness in his character that caused him to break God’s Commandments.  The Bible reveals his greedy heart in John 12:5 when Judas cannot understand why Mary poured costly fragrant oil on Jesus instead of selling the oil and giving it to the poor.  The scriptures go on to say in verse 6, “This he (Judas) said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief and had the money box, and he used to take what was put in it.”

It wasn’t too long until we read about Judas betraying Jesus by making a bargain with the religious leaders for 30 silver coins (Mark 14:10,11). In both cases, the stronghold of the need for wealth was more powerful than family ties or intimate relationships. Judas, however, ends up taking his own life because of the guilt he bore in betraying Jesus.

Jesus tells us how difficult the struggle is for those who have a gift to profit once they have accumulated wealth for self-gain. “Assuredly I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:23,24).

Looking around the financial world today, many Jews are the world’s top financiers and control many of the banks, including the Federal Reserve. This is because they have been left a legacy of profiting so that God’s people could and would be blessed.  However, left to selfish gain, it can do more harm than good in the world. When Judah submits to God’s headship, their gift can benefit the advancement of the Kingdom of God, especially in helping visions “take flight.”

There were three tribes, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, who were positioned around the Tabernacle on the east side to form a branch.  Judah’s banner of the lion represented this branch, and it was these tribes who worked together to move the whole army out when the Lord’s cloud by day and pillar of fire moved.  Judah was chosen to “sound the alarm!”

Starting with Nisan, we enter into the “spring season” with the Lord. This season has a pattern for new beginnings; new seeds to plant, new alliances, and new battles arise during this season.  Kings go to war, praise leads the way, and the authority of Judah sets the foundation. Coming out of the “winter” rest and revelation season guides and directs the movement of the Hebrew year beginnings.  Also, coming full circle in the “winter” season lends itself to the new doors opening up.

This month also honors God’s redemption plan as we celebrate and remember the Spring Feasts of Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Firstfruits (Lev.23).  All of these Feasts were a blueprint of how Jesus would fulfill God’s Covenant promises of redemption and reconciliation.  As we read the New Testament, Jesus fulfilled these Feasts completely through His death and resurrection (Luke 23,24).  Fifty days later, He fulfilled the final Spring Feast, Pentecost, when He sent the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).

When Jesus rose from the dead, He presented Himself as the “FIRSTFRUITS” offering unto the Father in heaven.  Judah goes FIRST as Son of Man, and Son of God!  In doing so, Jesus made a way for heaven to come to earth in Holiness, and for a people (harvest) to be presented to the Father after He returns.  Thankfully, He sent the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of His return (2 Cor. 1:22).

God gave us a key this month to an individual intimate relationship with the Lord: REPENTANCE. Humbling ourselves under the Lord of Hosts (the one who rules over the armies of heaven and earth) connects and keeps us under HIS COVERING!  Jesus will come back as judge, conqueror, and king to fulfill the Fall Feasts through His second coming.

Through some of the Israelite Kings, such as Jehoshaphat, we can see the power of repentance and humility. Jehoshaphat understood complete dependence on seeking the Lord for His leadership. The minute he turned to the Lord, God gave him strategy, strength, and victory.

In 2 Chronicles 20, we read about Jehoshaphat’s humility as he seeks the Lord when the odds were up against his army. “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chron. 20:3).

God gave Jehoshaphat a strategy of winning the war through praise.  Jehoshaphat asked the worshippers to go before His army, and this opened heaven to help him overcome in times of need. “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated (2 Chron. 20:22).

The landscape of seeing the kingdom of heaven here on the earth will shift ahead through the praises of God’s people.

This month, above all else, God wants us to praise Him.  PRAISE HIM as you take flight! PRAISE HIM as you go into battle! PRAISE HIM because you have been CHOSEN to rule and reign in Him! PRAISE HIM for “FIRSTS!”  Your praise will spring you forward into the Hebrew Covenant Calendar New Year!