Do you know Him?  Check out - That's My King - Dr S M Lockridge - click here 

Marilyn:  If you only knew what He has in store for you His children.  He has abundance in store for you My children.
 
Pastor Suzette:
Father we thank you for the truth of your Word; we thank You for Jesus.  We thank You that through Jesus we are positioned for victory in everything.  100% victory over 100% of the enemy 100% of the time.  In all things we are more than conquerors.  God always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus.  We are overcomers. 
 
That’s my Jesus.  Let Jesus run berserk - give Him free reign. He wants to upset some things. Let's be radical on fire disciples for Jesus Christ.  We had this Malaysian pastor come to a church I was attending many years ago  when my kids were little and he said that Jesus has not come to rock your boat he’s come to sink it.  We’ve got to let God out of your box.  I know that some people are of English stock, others are fiery Romanians but Jesus is above culture.  We have to let Jesus free.  Set him free.  Certain things are left up to our self will.  Our traditions can make the Word of God null and void.  We’ve got the name of Jesus and every promise of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.  What God is saying is let go of earthly constraints.  Don’t look at things from the earthly perspective.  The power is in the promise. The power is in His presence. When you get the word of God don’t keep it in your head.  Release it from your spirit. God speaks it than you speak it.  That’s the way it works.  It’s time to rise up and walk in the fullness. We already have it but we have to walk in it.  You’ve got it on the inside and you’ve got everything – just step up and step out.  I don’t’ care how impossible it looks.  I just know that with my Jesus all things are possible.  I know that my God meets every need we have according to His riches in Christ Jesus.  I know that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. I believe that Jesus took our poverty and replaced it with his prosperity.  I believe that you are sanctified and justified.  If you could only see yourself the way that He sees you, you would live so differently.  The only thing that separates us from everyone else on this planet is His presence.  Not only do we abide in him but He abides in us.  It makes us different.  How about we start living as those peculiar people.  Just live differently.
 
We’re going to be looking at Jehoshaphat.  If you are facing challenges in life - impossible situations - we can learn a lot from Jehoshaphat.  
 
Background on King Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 17:1-10 - Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken. Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah. Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah—the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. 

His father was King Asa was a good king who did right in the eyes of the Lord so Jehoshaphat had a spiritual legacy.  Let's look at what he did.

therefore the LORD established the Kingdom in his hand and Judah brought him tributes and riches and honour in abundance.

The End Result was that the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah and he had peace on every side.  He was a pretty amazing king.

 
This was O.T. and what we have is so much more because we have the N.T. and the finished work of the cross.  So the victories he received, we can receive much more because of Jesus.  

On top of all this King Jehoshaphat had a massive army. There was 200,000 from one tribe and 200,000 from another and all up he had an army of 1,160,000 courageous valiant soldiers.  Because of Jehoshaphat's relationship with God, all of his kingdom's enemies were subdued as well.  All was peaceful and still.  BUT - three armies decided to join together and try to dethrone him.  Ever had days like this?  There's always a fly in the ointment; an Achilles in the heel; a rotten apple in the barrel, etc.  This king is awesome in showing us how to deal with the impossibilities and live victoriously.
 
2 Chronicles 20:1-30 -
It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 
2Ch 20:2  Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar" (which is En Gedi). 
2Ch 20:3  And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 
2Ch 20:4  So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. 
2Ch 20:5  Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 
2Ch 20:6  and said: "O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 
2Ch 20:7  Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 
2Ch 20:8  And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 
2Ch 20:9  'If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.' 
2Ch 20:10  And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them—
2Ch 20:11  here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 
2Ch 20:12  O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." 
2Ch 20:13  Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the LORD. 
2Ch 20:14  Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 
2Ch 20:15  And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. 
2Ch 20:16  Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 
2Ch 20:17  You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you." 
2Ch 20:18  And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. 
2Ch 20:19  Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high. 
2Ch 20:20  So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper." 
2Ch 20:21  And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever." 
2Ch 20:22  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. 
2Ch 20:23  For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. 
2Ch 20:24  So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped. 
2Ch 20:25  When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much. 
2Ch 20:26  And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the LORD; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day. 
2Ch 20:27  Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies. 
2Ch 20:28  So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the LORD. 
2Ch 20:29  And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. 
2Ch 20:30  Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around. 

Three nations joined together to dethrone Jehoshaphat and they came around the south end of the Dead Sea as far north as Engedi.  This was a common route for enemies because they were invisible to the people on the other side of the mountains
Even though the land was garrisoned and fortified, the enemies were able to come in through stealth to within about 80 km (50 miles) of Jerusalem.  
All of a sudden Jehoshaphat hears there is this great multitude of an army within 80 kms of Jerusalem. There must have been a huge army because he had over 1,160,000 soldiers himself.
The enemy is closing in.
He can't see a way out.

See verse 3.  Jehoshaphat's first reaction is fear - his imagination kicked in and painted the wrong kind of picture.  My mind used to go crazy if someone was late home at night - I hoped they hadn't had an accident; or the car hadn't broken down; or.... I say 'hoped' but really it was fear.  
My Dad often had heart attacks, my mum would pray for him but before she would pray for healing she would break the power of fear in his life and then she would pray for healing. Often when you are asked to pray for people, for healing or finances or family issues, etc., break the power of fear and then pray for whatever is required. When fear comes – it’s a spirit and you just take authority over it.  Yes it’s an emotion that has come from a thought but it’s backed up by a spirit.
When fear comes take authority and turn around to God. 
Jehoshaphat was positioned in fear but he had a choice.  Jehoshaphat had a choice of staying in fear or turning to God.  When you take authority over fear, you turn your back on fear and turn to God.  It's a repositioning.  You turn away from what was trying to keep you where you were.  He repositioned himself.  Every choice you make will reposition you.  What fear does, it will paralyse you.  Maybe I should this / that?  Fear keeps you going round and round the mountain.  What Jehoshaphat did was he used the fear to spur him to his knees.  What he was saying was I will not allow fear to turn me from the Lord.  Stop it in the name of Jesus and get on your knees.
 
Verse. 3 - This is an amazing king. He set himself.  Like Jesus set his face like flint.  Sometimes we need to set ourselves.  He had to set himself to seek the Lord and he proclaimed a fast.  We are going to have a fast for 21 days in January.  Let me tell you what fasting does, some people think that when you fast it will move the hand of God.  That is such religious thinking.  When you fast give up something that you like.  David said I will not give a sacrifice to the Lord that does not cost me something.  We want to hear from God and have a hearing heart.  In 2016 my flesh needs to get out of the way.  Fasting is actually getting our flesh under submission so that we can hear form God.  It puts our flesh down, gets rid of distractions and you use that time to praise and worship God.  He proclaimed a fast in all of Judea.  From the babies to the elderly.  
Verse 4. They all fasted because they knew that was the only thing that could give them an answer was God.  The nation gathered together to seek God.  Synergy.  Jehoshaphat positioned himself in humility on his knees in prayer before the people.  He set the culture, the tone, the faith of his kingdm.  

 
I believe that we have it so comfy in this nation.  We’re blessed. But when we’re blessed like we are it often causes us to live without that hunger for more of God Himself.  When we’re blessed we still need him but it’s not as hungry.  Like one of the songs here this afternoon was that we would be more like him.  But we have to grow from glory to glory to glory.  We have to grow like him. Be conformed into His image.
 
Verse 5-12
If you want to know how to pray in a crisis check out Hezekiah’s prayer.  Note that he didn’t go straight into the problem.  What he did was tell God how great he was and this is before everyone in the kingdom. 
Jehoshaphat positioned himself in the house of the Lord.
He decreed God's greatness and sovereign rule over all the kingdoms of the nations.  No one can withstand our God.
He spoke of the blessings of Abraham and the land that was part of the blessing.
The God who drove out their enemies in the past.
He spoke of Solomon building the Sanctuary to carry His name and the prayer of Solomon that if disaster were to come upon the people, they were to cry out to God and He would save them.
And we were obedient to Your instructions when we were near the people of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir.  We didn't destroy them because You said not to.
But now look - here they come wanting to throw us out of what You have given to us.
We want justice.
We are powerless against them.
We are clueless as to what to do.
But You fill our vision.

We don't know what to do or how to do it but we do that You are The Answer.
 
There are situations in our life where we need justice.  These guys are saying we need justice. Because they are coming after us.  We want you to help us because in reality we are helpless.  He might have over 1 million army facing a multitude – didn't have a clue. Helpless, hopeless and clueless.  But for God. 
Jehoshaphat knew that the answer was found in his relationship with God. 
Notice that Jehoshaphat didn't make any sacrifices. 
God is for you.  He wants to promote you.  He wants to move you forward in life. 
Everything that Jehoshaphat did was based on relationship.  He had it because he knew he had a covenant relationship with God.  He sort of moved a little bit into new covenant relationship.
Old covenant was about us trying to reach Gods standard. How much we did; or how much we loved; or how much we gave, etc.
The new covenant is all about God loving us etc. 
The Old Testament was all about man trying to reach God. 
The New Testament is about God and Jesus Christ reaching out to man.  This is what Jehoshaphat kind of tapped into.  He was not trying to reach standards or reach the bar.  He knew he needed help and God would help him. 
 
How many of us think if I just sow this seed; or fast so many days; or do this or that, God will do this or that.  It's not about that.  God loves us and Jesus was sacrificed on our behalf.  God initiates and we respond.
 
If the Holy Spirit tells you to sow a seed – yes.
If you do it because a ministry tells you to – no.
 
It’s not what I say to you it’s what God says to you.  You have a responsibility to take what I have taught you and study it out to make sure that I’m not leading you astray.  The thing I care about is your relationship with Jesus Christ.  How you live it is between you and God.  I’ve had enough pastors tell me that I have to attend so many meetings, etc.  You are free.  Hear the Holy Spirit for yourself.  I am only here to help you.  I love it because I have people calling me telling me that they can’t make it to this meeting because they have things to do – I love the courtesy but it’s between you and God.  Jehoshaphat knew that he didn’t have to jump barriers or run through hoops – it was from relationship.  The minute you think you have to do anything it’s law and we have slipped from grace.  (Galatians).
 
He prays this amazing relational prayer and basically he says I don’t know the answer to things but I know You are the answer.
It comes back to your relationship with Jesus.  The thing about Jehoshaphat is that he was a king of influence and significance and when he called a fast the whole kingdom came.  The important thing is that you know Jesus more today than yesterday.  You understand the school of the spirit more today than you did yesterday.
 
What’s more important than success?  Influence.  With wealth you can fund things but you can’t necessarily influence things.  That’s what you are to be - significant and influential.  Peter was so influential that when he walked down the street his shadow would heal people. He influenced God and influenced people. You are to be people of influence and significance for the kingdom of God.
 
V 13-14
Every citizen, from the babies to the elderly, stood before the Lord.  Power of agreement.
After the prayer.  After Jehoshaphat saying in front of the whole kingdom – I am completely dependent on you God.  Now, this is a key for when you get prophesies.  How many of you have prophesies from forever ago and you’re still waiting for them to come to pass?  I could put up both hands and a foot.  Some prophesies have a shelf life. Some prophesies are for a lifetime.  Some have a shelf life.  We want confirmation that what we ‘re hearing is true.  When a prophet comes through I believer that they should teach you how to bring it about.  Because you were given a prophecy doesn't mean that it will just automatically come to pass.  We have to wage warfare with our prophecy.  We have to learn what we have to let go of and what we have to learn.  We take the prophecy as a compass to move in a certain direction and to become the person we should be so that we can live the fullness of that prophecy.   
 
V 14-15-
The Spirit of the Lord moved.  He was ready to move and He moved. Hear the prophetic word.  Listen nation – Judah listen - King listen.  He’s calling the attention of every group - national, city and individual. Listen.
When you’ve got the bills piling up and the diary not as full with appointments as it should be and the family is mucking up; hear the word of the Lord, don't be afraid and don’t be dismayed.  The battle is not yours it is Gods.  Then the prophecy becomes very specific.

Verse 16
Here we get timing, strategy and instruction.  
Some prophets are very general.  You must know the strategy, timing and instructions. So if you get a 'general' prophecy and it witnesses with your spirit, go home and carve out time with God and seek Him for His timing, His strategy and His instructions.
 
He’s saying this is what’s going to happen, tomorrow you are going to go down and the enemy will be doing this.  I love specifics.  When you don’t get the specifics that’s when you go home and ask God for the strategy, timing and instruction.  The prophecy is a compass to where God wants you to go.  Old revelation, old wine skins, old wine will not carry you nor sustain you on a new prophetic journey to where God has called you.  Often we just get that word from the Lord – yea I’m going to have that 24 hour prayer tower.  But where is it going to be and how am I going to get the money and when and what are the specifics.  It comes from God - a prophecy or a revelation but there must also be a practical outcome.  How do I walk with this Lord.  What is the timing, strategy and instructions? What is the enemy doing that I need to be aware of?  The number of people that come to me and say I believe this prophecy is mine but they haven’t looked at it and sought God for the specifics..  Usually the prophecy before this one will be foundational to this next prophecy.  Honour the word / the prophesy if you agree with it. 
 
Verse 17
You don’t need to do a thing.  We’ve got the finished work of the cross. 
Don’t be afraid.
You don't need to fight.
Take your position.
Stand still.
see your deliverance.
The Lord is with you.
No fear.  No dismay.
tomorrow - do it.
There is a shelf life on this prophecy until tomorrow.
 
Verse 18-19
When you get a prophesy – when you get the details - worship.  Jehoshaphat fell down and then all of Judah fell down and worshipped.  There have been times when I have received a word I haven’t worshipped or honoured the Word of the Lord.  We have lost the art of honour.  When you get a word from God in your private time put down your pen and take the time to worship Him.  Seal it in your life with worship.  You don’t have to do it but that is a relational response. 
 
Then the Levitical people stood up to praise.  Worship is when you can’t stand because he is so great. Then when you rise up on the inside and stand up in praise him with everything you’ve got because of what He's done.  Let's worship Him and honour Him simply because he’s spoken to you and revealing the strategies of the universe to you.
Everybody worshipped.

This was a meeting called because of an impossible crisis but it turned into a worship and praise service.
They didn't BUT God, they simply embraced God's instructions and were obedient.
 
Verse 20
They rose early, they didn’t sleep in or dawdle over their morning coffee.  They didn't procrastinate.  
They rose early and went.
Jehoshaphat spoke to them and said Believe.  Believe is the Hebrew word ah mahn which means to establish.  There are 3 x establishes in this verse.  Look at this.
Establish yourself in the Lord your God and you shall be established; be established in His prophecies and you will prosper.

Verse 21
He consulted with the people and chose the ones he wanted.
Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever.
when you are in a dry place or it's hard and nothing is moving - concentrate on this.  Check out Psalm 136.  the Lord is good and His mercies endure forever.  Speak and decree it over your life.
The singers went out before the army.  The singers led the way.
 
He said before the solders goes out to battle I want the singers to out in front singing.  Jehoshaphat knew the power of praise and worship.  That’s why the worship that you have in church has to have the apostolic/prophetic thrust to it.  it needs to come from heaven.  There’s this new sound in heaven and it’s not yet manifesting on earth just yet. 
They praised and they praised.  And the soldiers marched in format behind them. 
Verse 22-25
As they praised, the Lord set ambushments against the three armies and confusion reigned supreme and they turned upon themselves.
When Jehoshaphat's singers and army got to where the enemy was the enemy was already and completely dead,.  God fought the battle, they were the victors.
It took them 3 days to carry back the spoils.
 
Verse 26
On the 4th day, they assembled in the Valley of Blessing and blessed the Lord.
Verse 27
They all returned rejoicing - victorious, wealthier, and whole - no battle scars
Verse 28-30
When they got back to Jerusalem they worshipped.  They praised and worshipped before, during and after the battle.  And again the presence of God was so strong on Jehoshaphat's kingdom that the kingdoms on every side feared his Lord and Jehoshaphat had peace on every side. He was right back to where he started with peace on all sides but this time he was wealthier.  Double for his trouble.

This is basically the foundational pieces on how to handle crisis.
 
The best question to ask when you get a prophetic word is ‘God what are you doing”.  What’s the purpose in this prophetic word for me?  You know how we have that question: what’s in this for me?  Flip it:  God what's in this for you? 
I just want to say that Jesus came to give you victory.
1 John 3:8 - Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy
Every accusation against you was dealt with at the cross.  You have been made the righteousness in Christ.  Our victory comes in knowing that the battle has already been won. You already have been given absolutely everything for life and Godliness.  Everything you need you already have.  We don’t pray for health we already have it.  You come from a place of victory.  I don’t care how my bills / finances look like – I command my finances to line up with the word of God.  I rebuke limitation in the name of Jesus.  I declare that my God will meet all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  You have to know what belongs to you.  Then you tell satan to get off.  Stand up in the realm of the spirit and know that the victory is already yours.  All faith is is coming into agreement with God. 
 
Let me finish with a really good quote: we stand tallest and strongest when we are on our knees. 
 
Your relationship with Him holds the answer to everything you need.
 
The end result is of sickness and disease is to kill you.  So don’t tolerate anything.

Ministry

Finances:  Father God we thank you for the finished work of Jesus Christ.  We thank you Father that poverty, need, lack was destroyed at the cross.  Father, I pray that we will see the opportunities.  I decree of this church family that every debt and every bill is paid before its due date. 
 
communion -Gayle:  Father God we thank you that you sent your son to die on the cross for us.  We thank you for the awesomeness and significance of the cross.  That everything goes through the cross.  Father I thank you that we can come and take the bread and the wine that’s symbolic of your body and your blood.  We take it not in a dishonourable way but as a remembrance of what you have done for us. 
 
Elizabeth:  tithes and offerings.  It’s such a blessing to give.  We can’t be a blessing unless we are already blessed.  He gives us all things.  When you’re given something, it’s a gift and there’s no strings attached.  God has shown me something a long time ago that people have not unwrapped their gift.  Receive the gift and open it.  I do it every day.  The most amazing things are happening. 
Father we thank you, we thank you for the gift.  You give abundantly.  I pray for all of those that have given and those that have given over the internet.  I pray that they will begin to unwrap their gifts.  Bless your people Father.  Thank you Father in Jesus name.  Father we hold the tithes and offering and we worship the Father with it.  Father we have all things that pertain to life and Godliness.  Father you bless your people.  Thank you Jesus.
 
December 20 – Dee can I put you on the spot for some Christmas carols.  Come here we’ll have a Christmas service and then we’ll go to Kampong Malay for dinner.