Restoring Joy
Chuck Pierce
Restoring Joy: A Ten Day Prayer Focus"
by Chuck D. Pierce
Dear Radiant Saint:
May the Lord bless you during this season! As we approach the holidays my heart is filled with gratefulness toward you. The prophecy of Zacharias seems amazingly relevant today. He prophesied about the change that was to come upon the earth. He decreed that a Deliverer would come. This prophecy is really speaking to me as I am praying for you.
Luke 1:71-75 says:
"That we should have deliverance and be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who detest and pursue us with hatred; to make true and show the mercy and compassion and kindness [promised] to our forefathers and to remember and carry out His holy covenant [to bless, which is all the more sacred because it is made by God Himself], that covenant He sealed by oath to our forefather Abraham: to grant us that WE, being delivered from the hand of our foes, might serve Him fearlessly in holiness (divine consecration) and righteousness [in accordance with the everlasting principles of right] within His presence all the days of our lives." (AMP)
May the JOY of His delivering power overtake you. Sing this with me:
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
I love the third verse of this Christmas Carol! I am pondering and processing your faithfulness in light of the meaning of the year ahead! This is a year for things to come FULL CIRCLE!
FULL CIRCLE -- AN END OF SOME THINGS, AND THE BEGINNINGS OF OTHERS
In the Hebraic year of 5765, the character "7" is Shin, and means to come full circle, consume, and destroy. That means we will come to an end of some things and begin other things. That also means that old cycles will attempt to hold us captive and keep us from breaking fully into our future.
Therefore we must destroy some old patterns that would love to resurface in our life cycle. The Lord will give you a second chance to confront and deal with that thing that defeated you in the last season!
I am decreeing that you will go UP your mountain called ZION which will cause you to be favored with the Lord's presence all year. I am decreeing you will not go AROUND any wilderness SINAI mountain again.
Our life cycle is, Biblically, like a circle. You are on a boat, rowing backwards into your future. Your past connects to your future. But your future is opening now into your cycle of victory. This allows all of your expectations in and of God to be fulfilled. I am declaring no more thorns to infest your ground. May every curse let go from deep inside your thought processes.
A TIME FOR JOY
Joy comes from the verb "gil" or "gul." That means to go in a circle or to be excited, dancing around for joy, or rejoicing. In the New Testament, joy is linked with grace. Another word for joy is agalliasis. This word expresses exuberant joy or exultation.
JOY is a positive attitude or pleasant emotion or delight. Joy includes gladness, contentment, and cheerfulness. Joy should be holy and pure. This joy rises above circumstances. Joy embraces the highest emotion of God and His character.
The joy required of the righteous person (Psalm 150; Philippians 4:4) is produced by the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22). This kind of joy looks beyond the present to our future salvation (Romans 5:2, 8:18; 1 Peter 1:4,6) and to our sovereign God, who works out all things for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28-30).
This kind of joy is distinct from mere happiness. Joy like this is possible, even in the midst of sorrow (1 Corinthians 12:26; 2 Corinthians 6:10, 7:4).
Sameah means "to be bright or to shine." Joy expresses His Glory. Proverbs 13:9 says, "The light of the righteous rejoiceth" -- literally, "is bright."
Joy has a bodily expression. The Hebrew words mean "to spring," "leap," hence, "exult" and "rejoice"; and "rinnah" means "shouting." Joy is the response of the mind to any pleasurable event or state (1 Kings 1:40; Esther 8:17).
Joy as a religious emotion is very frequently referred to in the Old Testament. Religion is conceived of as touching the deepest springs of emotion, including the feeling of exultant gladness which often finds outward expression in such actions as leaping, shouting, and singing.
May every religious spirit that is robbing your joy let go! May your communion with God be full and expressive.
"In thy presence is fullness of joy; in thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)
This is a time to experience a new release of JOY. Therefore, the following 10-Day Prayer Focus: Restoring JOY and Gaining Strength to Break Old Cycles will prepare us to enter into the beginning of the year.
10-DAY PRAYER FOCUS: RESTORING JOY AND GAINING STRENGTH TO BREAK OLD CYCLES
Day 1: Read Psalms 4, 5, 51, and 35. Let the joy of the Lord fill you. Praise Him that He is your source and the object of your joy.
Day 2: Read Zephaniah 3. Hear Him rejoicing over you. Receive His love. Let Him pour His grace and mercy over you.
Day 3: Read Luke 1-2. Rejoice! Ask the Lord to deliver you from grief or trauma. Thank Him that He has come to deliver you from any prison the enemy has devised.
Day 4: Read Matthew 13. Ask the Lord to uncover the true joy of life to you.
Day 5: Read Acts 3. Ask the Lord to remove any spirit of infirmity that is holding you back from accomplishing His purpose. He is coming to the Gate Beautiful.
Day 6: Read John 2, Luke 10, and Mark 2. Rejoice! Clap your hands. Be willing to go into the fullness of joy. Do not stop participating halfway through the wedding feast. Ask the Holy Spirit to remove all of your religious ritual that has robbed your joy. Break any power of pharisee-ism. Thank God for the new wine.
Day 7: Read Luke 1:14,44; Acts 2:46; Jude 24; Hebrews 1:9; Matthew 5:12; Habakkuk 3:18; 2 Corinthians 7:13. All of these verses will connect you into joy. Memorize two verses. Stand up and twirl. Express to the Lord that you love Him.
Day 8: Read Isaiah 9, 11. Thank God for the shifting government. Thank Him and rejoice that change is coming. Thank Him that your territory will rejoice. Read Joel 2 and 3.
Day 9: Read Psalm 16. Declare that the fullness of God's purposes will overtake you.
Day 10: Read Revelation 1-5, and 12. Receive strength to go through the open door that has been set before you. Declare the accuser of the brethren is bound. Receive power, wealth, and favor.
HOW TO PRAY FOR ME PERSONALLY IN THE COMING YEAR
I consider that the Lord has given me a great honor to represent Him and you as a prophetic voice around the world. The prophetic voice is going through a metamorphosis and is getting ready to emerge. Many have grown weary of a lack of integrity and immaturity in the prophetic. However, I have seen the prophetic since 1986 being like a butterfly emerging out of a cocoon.
When the butterfly emerges, there is great beauty. A metamorphosized beauty is linked with holiness. Psalm 96:9 says,
"O, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth."
God is removing the old garment from His prophets, transforming their minds and spirits, and preparing them to speak a clear word in season.
This is a generation that is arising that will enter into a holy clarity of God's expression in the earth. Thank you for praying and believing in the gift the Lord has given me. Pray that I seek and gain wisdom for us and declare BOLDLY the word He gives me with grace!
As I have said earlier, let us hear from you and pray for you. We realize you have probably had many testings this year on your path. However, recognize that you are on a path of life. It is set before you. We urge you to press along that path and endure that path until you reach the end.
There are big boulders and potholes in the way and, often times, the path needs to be cleared out before you can begin. There may even be boulders all along the way. However, our Father in Heaven is going to watch after you from the beginning of that path until the finish-line, because He already knows the end. With this reality we should never lose faith or hope along our path.
The real issue along the path is to have a reality of who God is and what His purpose is from the beginning until the end. A verse that I want to remind you of is Jeremiah 33:3 from the Amplified:
"Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand)."
Let God show you things that you do not know so you can walk in victory.
I am including my top TEN priorities for the next year. I would love to have you support me in doing these:
Thank you for supporting my staff who help me accomplish all I do. You help support the most efficient staff in the world. Finally, thank you for praying for my family. In the midst of a very demanding year, I have watched each one of them prosper. They are a wonderful bunch who seem to be moving forward on God's path.
Pray that I have the time to enjoy watching each one of them further mature in the Lord. Daniel marries Amber Sauce next weekend. She will finish her last semester at Texas Woman's University and he will continue his call to the Police Force. They will reside in Denton.
Rebekah will continue her studies at University of North Texas.
John Mark is working and involved in bowling and the band Strategy of A Launch.
Isaac and Ethan are in Texas Tech's Distance Learning Program. Isaac also is a member of Strategy of A Launch.
Joseph, Cynthia, and their four live in Denton where they serve on staff in Youth and Children ministry.
Pam supports us all and makes sure we accomplish the call of God on our lives. She is a Saint!
Blessings,
Chuck D. Pierce
Glory of Zion International
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P.S. My schedule through the end of January is:
Dec 13 Fresh Wind Rising: Turning the Battle at the Gate - Fresno, CA (559) 225-0411
Dec 17–18 Amber Sauce and Daniel Pierce Wedding
Jan 2 (AM) Shekinah Christian Church, Ann Arbor MI (734) 662-6040
Jan 2 (PM) Annual USSPN Strategic Gathering, Straight Gate Church, Detroit MI (734) 662-6040
Jan 4 Trinity Fellowship Church, Pastor Lonny Robbins, Pampa TX (806) 665-3255
Jan 5 Trinity Fellowship Church, Pastor Jimmy Evans, Amarillo TX (806) 355-8955
Jan 6–8 Starting the Year Off Right Conference, Denton TX (888) 965-1099
Jan 10 WWJC Radio Interview, 10 AM CT
Jan 12–14 Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders, Colorado Springs CO
Jan 14 (PM) Springs Harvest Fellowship with Dutch Sheets, Colorado Springs CO (719) 548-8226
Jan 21 Business Meeting with Hal and Cheryl Sacks, Phoenix AZ
Jan 21 (PM)–22 Pressing Through the Gates of Change for our Nation, Phoenix AZ (800) 296-0659
Jan 23 (AM/PM) Church for the Nations with Pastor Michael Maiden, Phoenix AZ (602) 861-0000
Jan 27–29 Victory in Spiritual Warfare Conference, Charleston SC (888) 965-1099
Jan 30 Harvest Rock Prophetic Conference, Pasadena CA (626) 794-1199
Time For Treasures
Chuck Pierce
A Time For Treasures To Be Released -- Key Dreams And Visions For The Year Ahead
Dear Watchful Worshipper:
As Hanukkah comes to a close, I am praying that your LIGHT fully manifest and be set on the hill around you to radiate for all to see. I am also praying that as we approach the Holiday Season that you will be filled with strength and power. I hope you are enjoying the 10-Day Prayer Focus on Restoring Joy and Gaining Strength to Break Old Cycles. I want to wish you a great Holiday. I wanted to share with you some things I feel the Lord is saying. I am including several dreams and visions for you to ponder over the next 21 days.
I am studying the Wise Men from Matthew 2 during this season. Bethlehem was the place, and God's perfect timing was during the days of Herod. God always has a perfect timing to shift things. His timing seems to be connected many times with a change or shift in civil government as well as a shift in spiritual government.
We need to expect big changes this coming year. We have entered the fourth year of a seven-year war season. Things will escalate in both heaven and earth to press us toward the fullness and completion of God's plan for this seven years.
Remember, the war is over God's covenant blessings and plan being released and established in the earth realm in this generation. You are warring for personal, corporate, and territorial blessings. We are also warring for the mantle of God to be released upon the next generation. Watch every anti-Christ force very carefully.
KEYS FROM MATTHEW CHAPTER TWO FOR 2005
Matthew 2:1-12 says:
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.'"
"When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born."
"So they said to him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.'"
"Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.'
"When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy."
"And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
"Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way." (NKJV)
THE LORD WILL LEAD FORTH WITH HIS REVELATION AND INTERPRETATION THIS YEAR
The Magi was used as the name for priests and wise men among the Medes, Persians, and Babylonians. There will be supernatural movement in the earth realm in the prophetic realm. You will hear much from diviners, soothsayers, magicians, diviners, astrologers, those who prophesy by the stars, and those who predict by the new moon. However, the Lord will raise His prophets up this year to lead forth in revelation (Daniel 1:20, 2, 5:11).
Listen carefully to revelation that is coming forth in the sphere that you operate in. Much revelation will be released that encourages, exhorts, warns, and directs this year. I am praying that the GIFT OF INTERPRETATION mature in the body of Christ. Below is some key revelation that has come forth in the last month or so.
DREAMS ARE ONE WAY OF GOD SPEAKING REVELATION TO YOU
When a dream comes forth in the Body of Christ this year, we want to be sure we press in for the interpretation. In When God Speaks, we have three chapters on dream interpretation (see below for book). This is so important for this year.
A DREAM: "GO UP THE STEEP MOUNTAIN"
from Susan Stanfield, my [Chuck's] assistant
I was driving on a highway, headed toward a hotel up the road, when the road started up an enormously steep mountain. The road must have been a four-lane road, like the road from Monument to Castle Rock, Colorado, and I was in the far right (slower traffic) lane. It started raining heavily and I saw a semi-truck in my lane up ahead.
Before I could shift down and signal to change into the left lane free of the truck, an SUV from behind me whipped around me and popped into the space between me and the truck.
I remember thinking the truck would have to really slow down and I needed to still change lanes, when all of a sudden the truck slowed to a halt, and the SUV in front of me lost traction and began heading back toward my vehicle, fast. All I could do was get on the shoulder out of its way, and then I lost traction and slid/steered all the way down to the bottom, into another four-lane highway, into a sea of darkness, pouring rain, and headlights.
Even though I thought for sure I'd crash into oncoming traffic, the Lord took me through without a scratch, with the only mishap being I was now facing traffic that was stopped at the red light at an intersection. I wondered if I should pull up on the esplanade to get out of their way, but knowing I had to make the trip up the hill, I must have headed out again because I then found myself in the hotel.
I was in my room (that was sort of like "my area" rather than a four-walls designation) when my hotel-neighbor walked in. She was a large black woman and she indicated her trip up the mountain had been awful, too. She said, "I'm going to start a song and then you're going to finish it."
She sang something like, "When you start up the mountain and it looks like you can't make it to the top..."
I finished up with, "Then you keep going one inch, one inch, one inch at a time and you don't give up."
INTERPRETATION: "THIS WILL BE A YEAR OF CHANGING LANES"
This will be a year of changing lanes. The Lord is going to put some roadblocks in our path, but supernaturally shift us from one seemingly closed path into another path. We will be fearful at first, but all of a sudden we will see that the Lord has fully planted us on a new path. However, on this new path will be an intersection of choice. At this intersection, if we will trust the Lord, He will supernaturally make decisions on our behalf that will "get us up the steep hill that was ahead of us."
Do not let the steepness of your path stop you in any way this year. God will also intervene with some unusual people in our lives this year that will help us get moving in a new song that will break old cycles. Listen carefully for the beginning of the song of deliverance and you will complete this season with great joy.
"There will be a gradual advance, and I will be working in mysterious ways that you do not understand, even while you sleep."
A VISION: "DO NOT FEAR TO BE SHEARED"
at the FMC Meeting (November 16, 2004) by Chuck Pierce
I saw a LOOM. On the loom was a half-completed, wool garment. This garment had a beginning pattern that was forming.
The hand of the Lord took out the spindle and spinning wheel to ready Himself to spin more wool. He then also took out shears. He began to find sheep that were grazing, held up in stalls, or some that even seemed to be ready for slaughter. However, I could see the faces of the sheep and they were many people I knew. He would raise them up and begin to shear them.
He took that which was sheared and used their wool to begin spinning and weaving it into the garment that was half finished.
INTERPRETATION: "BRINGING COMPLETION TO WHAT HAS BEGUN IN THE PAST"
God has a mind to finish many things this season that have been begun in the past. Do not fear. Many of you think that you have been put on a shelf or sent out to pasture, but the Lord is about to find you and take you off the shelf or out of the place of confinement where you've been.
Many of us have had things held up for a season. However, during this season you have been forming a new mantle. The testings you have been going through have caused you to be prepared for the future.
Do not be afraid, for the Lord to now strip and shear you, for He is ready to use the testimony of your testings. What you have grown through will become key in the pattern for the new season.
The Lord will even remove what has seemed to be fruitful. This removal will only last about five months because He is taking what has been fruitful and weaving it into a more fruitful plan. He is now weaving the garment for us to wear into war for these next few years. Don't worry about being vulnerable. The Spirit of God will give you favor in the vulnerable place. He will hold and protect you until you fully see this new pattern that is arising.
There will be a divine connecting with others who are also being sheared. The mantle that God is preparing will win the war in the future. This is not a time to move quickly into war. Wait for the mantle and the connections, and God will multiply it into a troop. God will be finishing many things this year, and tying many loose ends -- you will no longer be confused.
The Lord has been preparing a corporate army. He is also preparing the weapons for this army. We cannot use the weapons of victory nor the armor from the last season. The garment He is preparing will lead us into harvest. Don't be afraid to lay down what God says to lay down. Get ready -- God is developing what you will wear in days ahead.
"TREASURES OF DARKNESS ARE BEING GIVEN UP AND RELEASED"
A Word by Keith Pierce at the December Firstfruits Gathering (December 4, 2004)
I hear the Lord saying, "Treasures of Darkness. Oh, Treasures of Darkness. Oh, Treasures of Darkness come forth to My people. Come forth to My people. Come forth to My people. This is a season that the mountains are breaking. This is a season that the circumstances are changing. This is a season that the bronze gates are unlocking. The hinges are breaking, the heavens are opening, and the treasures of darkness are being given up and released! Watch for closed gates to begin to open up in the next 60 days.
"I am speaking to My Shebas right now and saying, 'Shebas, fill your boats. Shebas, fill your boats with precious cargo and start your journey to the house of faith.' For I will open the doors of the Church and I will release keys that will unlock the gates of hell.
"I will change the favor of the Church and there will be a supernatural shift this year of those who are controlling the keys of the gate. I will remove keys from some and give them to others. I am sending many to come and test what the Spirit of God is doing in My House."
The Spirit of God, in all of His power and all of His wisdom, is going to begin to speak to the Queens of Sheba to begin to load their cargo and bring it to the house of God to unload. Watch for key women that God brings into your path over these next several months.
"I WILL INTERVENE IN A MOMENT'S TIME"
A Word and Song given to LeAnn Squier at the November Firstfruits Gathering (November 6, 2004)
I hear the Lord saying, "A moment of favor is worth more than a year of labor and toil in the field." We need to grab hold of this principle.
I asked God, "What does that mean?"
He said, "In one moment I can drop something into your spirit; in one moment I can drop something into your dream; in one moment you can respond to me.
"In one moment you can say I'm tithing on my gross, not on my net. In one moment those decisions, those words can open ways that have never been opened. It is not by might, not by your power, not by your strength, but by one moment of divine favor. Listen carefully this year and receive from Me. I will intervene in a moment's time.'"
DREAM: "TREASURES IN THE HOUSE"
Listen carefully to the next generation this coming year. Abby Squier, the daughter of John and LeAnn Squier, had the following dream. She came to her mother and said, "We had moved into a new house (which by the way, they have done this year) -- an older house, sitting on a hill.
"When we came inside the house, in the middle of the floor was a pool. We began to reach down and pull treasures out of the pool. It looked like those big gold doubloons. We gathered them up and began putting them in a box."
INTERPRETATION: "YOU WILL BEGIN TO RECOVER AND UNCOVER THAT WHICH IS ALREADY IN YOU"
The Lord would say, "In My house are many treasures. I am putting those in your keeping at this time. Matter of fact, I have already hidden them in the place of your dwelling. Come into a new abiding place with Me. If you will allow Me to dwell in your midst and My Spirit to be richly at home in you, you will begin to recover and uncover that which is already in you.
"I am taking you to some past places and circumstances where you missed certain treasures that I had put in your path. When you come back into that day where you diverted from My path or failed to press into My fullness, I will show you the pool that was filled with My treasures that has been waiting for you. I have been keeping them safe until now.
"This is a year for you to recover. You will gather what you have missed and you will bring them into safe keeping and a new dimension of stewardship. What you gain now must multiply. What you gather now will be your supply for days ahead. I am pulling you back to an old place so I can advance you into a new place. In you are great treasures. In your midst you will find the treasures and supply for your future."
GET SUPERNATURAL WISDOM AND STRATEGY
Keith Pierce then began to prophesy the following:
"I am releasing a new power inside of you. This is a power that will propel you outside of your present comfort zone and the walls of what you know as church. This is a power that is propelling you into the streets, highways, and byways. There is an anointing that I am releasing that will even be upon your shadow. As your shadow passes by, bondages will be broken.
"Even right now there is a strategy that is hidden in the shadow, because I AM overshadowing My people in a new way. This is a shadow of conception. This is the shadow of victory. Within this shadow is a powerful sound.
"There is a new sound of the anointing that will unlock that which has been held back this hour. This sound is the sound of a new trumpet. This is a sound that will cause the wickedness, that has held captive the treasures of My city, to be overthrown."
COME UP INTO HIS WISDOM
Marty Cassady then began to share that, several years ago, the Lord took her to the desert and she spent 7 days before the Lord, asking Him about wisdom.
She began to prophesy, "There is a supernatural wisdom that is overshadowing My people. There is wisdom in your desert. Wisdom has built her house. She has hewn out her seven pillars. Wisdom is a place. Wisdom is that place that exists in the spirit realm for My people to abide in. Lift up your head! Get your head up, for I AM releasing wisdom to My people. Wisdom will overthrow demonic forces."
Receive new strategies; strategies to overthrow the enemy in your life, on your bank account, on the savings account. Lord, we agree with you and say, "We come up! We come up! We come up into Your wisdom."
Chuck D. Pierce
Glory of Zion International