2012 Trouble For Them, Peace For Youi

2012 Trouble for Them Peace for You

In 2011 there was a lot of upheaval in the world. No one predicted Osama would be killed, Ghadafi would be killed, Mubarak would be deposed, Kim Il Jong would be dead, the Arab spring, the Fukishema melt down, and Japanese tsunami.

The world's deck is being shuffled and a new hand is being dealt. With that in mind I asked the Lord to give me a word of counsel for the year ahead. I feel like the Lord gave me three things, two are just short things and the third is my message this morning.

Thought # 1 for 2012 - give me something I can bless. I fell God is wanting to challenge us to give Him things He can bless. Things in our lifestyle, things in our attitudes. There will be a lot of pastor's this morning who will declare 2012 to be the year of jubilee or some such thing. It will be the year of more miracles, more blessing, more prosperity, etc etc. No one is ever told they need to repent, or pray more, or get closer to God, it is always a cost free blessing. I believe in grace as much as the next guy, but I also believe that if we want God to show up in a greater measure in our lives we need to be involved and doing the things He wants to bless.

Thought #2 this is from a guy by the name of Steve Hill, Steve is an evangelist God has used to stir many to God, he is in the fight of his life with cancer, he has been battling aggressive melanoma for three years, and was given only 3 days to live in June of 2011, so this is from a guy peering over the edge of eternity and this is what he thinks God is saying about 2012

December 31

A Word from the Lord by Steve Hill

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

James 4:8

The Lord spoke this word to me and it must be shared with you. These are serious days. He's calling us closer.

Live unsettled. Don't sink too deep into the soil of this earth. Keep your head up and your feet moving. Stay alert. Be sober.

I'm coming. The day of My return is at hand. Loose yourself of any ties that bind. If you don't loose yourself, I'll help loose you. I want no obstacles. I will return for a "pilgrim people." My final work is at hand. My Spirit's wooing is about to cease. No one will grieve Me anymore. No one will quench My Spirit anymore. No one will resist Me anymore. Their days will be over.

My warm season of grace and mercy will soon turn to a chilling winter of judgment and wrath. The warm days of My wooing will be exchanged for the fiery days of My vengeance. My pleading for the souls of man, the passionate cry of My faithful harvesters, the unselfish service of My holy servants, all their labor, all the charity, all the pain, all the suffering, it will be over.

I have heard the groans of nature. I have heard the midnight cries. My Bride has been longing to be with Me. The tree has born forth its fruit. The fertile soil has yielded the harvest. The planting will stop. The laborers will leave.

The sickle will rust.

It's almost over. I'm coming back. I will not delay My coming to you, so don't delay your coming to Me.

Wow.

3. The word I have for 2012 is trouble for them peace for you. I am going to talk about peace in the midst of storms. Peace with your past, peace in your present, peace in your future.

PPT1,2

Text: 1 Thess 1:1-7

1Th 1:1 ¶ Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

1Th 1:2 ¶ We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention [of you] in our prayers;

1Th 1:3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

1Th 1:4 knowing, brethren beloved by God, [His] choice of you;

1Th 1:5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

1Th 1:6 ¶ You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,