Dearly Beloved,
How was your 2021? Did you take out time to truly reflect on the flagship year of a new decade? What tone has 2021 set for you? I hope you discovered your faith in a new, refreshing way and connected with people who made life worthwhile and full of joy!
As is the custom of this house (gossipforjesus), we encourage you to seek the Lord for personal scriptures, songs, and instructions for the new year. We cannot overemphasize how important it is to know God for yourself and find out by yourself what He has in store for you so you’re not led astray by false prophecies and doctrines.
2022 arrives with the promise of big things. However, we must do all we can to lay hold of them. As a result, we’re keeping our vision board for this year very minimalistic, so this post will be short. As the Holy Spirit leads you, hold fast to any or all of the words, promises, and instructions we received for 2022, the year of execution!
Oxford dictionary defines execution as:
the carrying out of a plan, order, or course of action.“he was fascinated by the entire operation and its execution”the technique or style with which an artistic work is produced or carried out.“the film is entirely professional in its execution”the carrying out of a sentence of death on a condemned person.“the execution of juveniles is prohibited by international law”LAWthe putting into effect of a legal instrument or order.“obligation to pay the deposit before the execution of the lease”COMPUTINGthe performance of an instruction or program
Please keep this in mind, as we shall return to it towards the end.
This season sieved the faith of all who call themselves followers of The Way. Many broke their covenant with God to “explore life” outside the secret place. Yet, a remnant remains, and this remnant must begin to take action. This is expanded upon in Daniel 11:32.
AMP: With smooth words [of flattery and praise] he will turn to godlessness those who [are willing to] disregard the [Mosaic] covenant, but the people who [are spiritually mature and] know their God will display strength and take action [to resist].
TLB: He will flatter those who hate the things of God and win them over to his side. But the people who know their God* shall be strong and do great things.
EXB: ·The king of the North [L He] will tell lies and cause those who have ·not obeyed God [L transgressed the agreement/covenant/treaty] to ·be ruined [L become godless]. But those who know God and obey him will be strong and fight back.
NLT: He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.
What’s common in these translations is – taking action to resist, fight back. These are the great things we are set to enter into. We have spent a lot of time knowing our God, now it’s time to take the strength we have found in knowledge and execute godly exploits. To the remnant, listen carefully! Like Nehemiah against Sanballat and Tobiah, We are the RESISTANCE! Dear resistance, It’s time to DO MORE. We have major projects to execute for God’s kingdom this year! I believe no further explanation is needed. This year will bring many opportunities to execute large-scale projects personally, professionally, and most of all, spiritually. Isaiah 61 [ERV] is our key text with a picture of some works for execution in 2022:
The Spirit of the Lord God is on me. The Lord has chosen me to tell good news to the poor and to comfort those who are sad. He sent me to tell the captives and prisoners that they have been set free. He sent me to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness, when our God will also punish evil people. He has sent me to comfort those who are sad, those in Zion who mourn. I will take away the ashes on their head, and I will give them a crown. I will take away their sadness, and I will give them the oil of happiness. I will take away their sorrow, and I will give them celebration clothes. He sent me to name them ‘Good Trees’ and ‘The Lord’s Wonderful Plant.’
The Year of Execution is also about “making crooked paths straight” – John 3:4-6. Executing the aforementioned projects straightens the path to the day of the Lord. A number of other strategic keywords involved are:
1. Prayer (and fasting): There is an increasing emphasis on prayer (and fasting) across the body of Christ. We know from II Chronicles 7:14, James 5:16, and several other verses of scripture that we cannot execute exploits for God’s kingdom without harnessing the power of prayer! Many versions of Matthew 17:21 & Mark 9:21** read: Jesus (He) answered, “That kind of spirit can only be forced out by prayer.” with many versions adding in footnotes: Some Greek copies continue, “and fasting.” **taken from the EXB translation.
This is why “and fasting” is in parenthesis. We’re not here to start a debate about the correctness of the text or the importance of fasting so do not expect that. Instead, focus on the need for and importance of prayer. I will encourage those who see value in the doctrine of fasting, to fast. Dedicate at least 3-12 days in the New Year withdrawing from life’s pleasures to seek God’s face. It is through prayer (and fasting) that we build up the spiritual capital needed to reverse the decay in our lives, families, churches, and societies.
As mentioned earlier, John 3:4-6 reveals the inherent power of prayer to make crooked paths straight. Prayerful declarations are like the voice of the one in the wilderness making preparations for the way of the Lord. Through prayers, rough roads are made smooth so that men may repent and receive the salvation of God Hallelujah! Through prayers, we harness the spirit of God to execute judgment upon the works of the enemy and pull down strongholds.
Beloved, I am so excited about prayer (and fasting) in 2022. It seems like a daunting task, but it is one we have been called to and equipped for. So, nothing to worry about, this yoke is light.
2. Reconciliation: An important sub-theme this year is reconciliation, so we will dissect the story of the lost son in Luke 15, one of the principal texts on reconciliation in scripture. Another important text is Luke 22:32 [AMP]:
but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].
Last year was all about keeping fervent faith. Because 2021 sieved our faith, many who remained are exhausted and out of strength! And some who left, are surely set to return. Our execution this year will be centered around reaching out, strengthening, and supporting them.
3: Joseph: The story of Joseph’s life embodies the motif for the year in terms of execution and reconciliation. No matter where he found himself, Joseph kept executing God’s agenda! His talents could not be hidden! He stood as a resistance against the enemy! Separated from his father and homeland by his own brothers, he chose not to see them as enemies, instead, he cheerfully reconciled with them and was able to see how God used them to usher him into destiny. Beloved, pay attention to Joseph this year.
Let’s revisit the definition of execution. Can you see why we chose execution to define this year? Execution is about performance and carrying out. Carrying out God’s plan, performing God’s instructions and programs via the technique of prayer. Resisting by sentencing to death the works of the enemy to make crooked paths straight and putting into effect the legal instrument of God’s grace to reconcile, comfort, and proclaim salvation unto the captives. Hallelujah, what a packed year!
4. Book Reviews:Okay so I know this is a carry-over from last year right, but are you even human if you’ve never repeated a new year resolution?! It persists and we intend to make good on it this year. Under this heading, we’ll be highlighting and reviewing books that may or may not be related to the keywords for the year.
5. Music: This year almost went without a song. In fact, I had already written this post concluding that there was no song on our board this year, till a sudden whisper of “may we never lose our wonder” came to me on Friday morning. I struggled with it because I felt it didn’t line up with everything else. After I returned from crossover service, the Lord said to me, all execution must come from a place of wonder – staying connected to the Father’s heart. This is the balance. We must not get so busy this year that we literally lose our wonder for the one we serve. We must, like children, remain in awe. So as the year gets packed, let this song keep you grounded. Stay in awe!
Wonder (Spontaneous) – Amanda Cook, Bethel Music.
Hope you enjoyed our Vision Board 2022, we’re most excited about prayer (and fasting!) and we hope you are too! Let us know what you’re excited about in the comments. Hope this blessed you!
May God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give you grace and peace!
SELAH
The Gossip 4 Jesus Initiative 