Purposeful Year | Pastor Raph | Jan. 19, 2025

Purposeful Year

Two prophetic words are given for the upcoming year

A New Thing

Isaiah 43:19 proclaims God's promise of doing something new. Whether it is marriage, children, a breakthrough in finances, a new ministry, or meaningful relationships, God is preparing something fresh and unprecedented for His people.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).

Restitution

While one aspect of God’s promise is a “new thing,” the other side is restoration of what was lost.

Unlike human restoration, which seeks to return things to their previous state, God’s restitution brings a better outcome. It restores what was lost, surpassing its original state.

“As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior’s sword.” (Zechariah 9:11-13)

From a broken repaired chair to a royal throne.

Faith vs. Doubt

Zechariah’s Response

In Luke 1:11-20, Zechariah is visited by the angel Gabriel, who says that his prayer for a child has been heard, and his wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son (John the Baptist). Despite being an answer to his long-held prayer, Zechariah doubts the angel’s message, questioning how it could be possible due to his and his wife’s old age. 

Luke 1:18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

Luke 1:20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.

Mary’s Response

In contrast, the same angel, Gabriel, visited Mary and announced that she would conceive and bear a son, Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Although this message is even more extraordinary and humanly impossible, Mary responds with faith. 

Luke 1:37-38 […] For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her

It is time to respond to God’s promises with Mary's faith and humility rather than Zechariah's doubts. 

Like Mary, we should declare, 

“Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38)

The Lord is glorified in the fulfilment of His promise when we take it hold of it by faith.

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8).

Only princes and nobles give willingly.

Why Does the Lord Want You to Give?

The Lord’s will is not to choose a select few to prosper extraordinarily while excluding others. Instead, He desires everyone to participate in community worship.

Exodus 35:4-5 Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “This is the thing that the LORD has commanded. 5 Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’S contribution: gold, silver, and bronze;

It Must Come from a Willing Heart

God only accepts offerings from those who give willingly and joyfully.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

The seed of generosity only germinates when sown with joy and sincerity. Forced giving or offerings made out of obligation or manipulation are unacceptable to God. And it will not work for your multiplication. Don’t come afterward blaming the pastor for it not multiplying because you did not sow appropriately.

In Exodus, the word for “willingly” Is "נָדִיב" [nāḏîḇ] “naw-deeb’" in Hebrew.

It signifies “generous,” “noble," and “prince.” God expects nobility from His people.

As a symbol of nobility, princes give voluntarily—not out of necessity or coercion but from a desire to bless and contribute. We are called kings and priests. Our offerings should be made in a princely and noble manner, with the dignity of our divine vocation.

Revelation 1:5-6 […] To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The Materials for the Tabernacle

Exodus 35:22-24 So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD. 23 And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats’ hair or tanned rams’ skins or goatskins brought them.

The Tabernacle's specific materials included precious metals like gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple fabrics, fine linen, goat hair, and unique animal skins.

The type of material requested reflects God’s abundance, richness, and grace.

As princes in the house of God, giving is not just a duty but a privilege that honors Him.

Slaves into princes

The transformation experienced by the people of Israel reflects the same transformation of their patriarch, Jacob.

Jacob, caught in despair and a limited mindset, believed that acquisition could only come through stealing, deception, and cheating—where gaining meant taking from others. However, after becoming Israel and encountering the Lord, who blessed him, his first response was to send an offering to his brother Esau.

Genesis 32:28: Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Genesis 33:10-11: Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.

It's important to note that the people of Israel, while in Egypt, likely adopted behaviors common in many poor communities, such as exploiting others, cunning, and resorting to deceit.

Yet now, God was transforming their culture, calling them Israelites, princes of God.

Although the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, they were able to bring offerings of gold, silver, bronze, and other precious materials because of divine Restitution before their departure. 

Exodus 11:2-3 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.

That transformed a nation of slaves into a nation of materially wealthy people, from taking from others to giving to God.

Does it serve a purpose?

The wealth served a greater purpose than personal enjoyment or comfort. Although the Israelites might have initially thought the newfound prosperity was for their benefit, God revealed the true reason three months later at Mount Sinai.

They may have thought, “God is making restitution. Now we can finally get what is ours, right?” It is the year of Restitution, and I believe the Lord will restore what was taken from you.

The thief will not restore you. It is the Lord.

However, that was meant to build the Tabernacle—a sanctuary where God’s presence would dwell. 

The purpose of prosperity, as seen here, is to enable God’s people to participate in His work and bring His presence among them.

It shows the principle of wealth transfer.

Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.” 

Just as God orchestrated the transfer of wealth from the Egyptians to the Israelites, in the last days, there will be another divine restitution of resources for the benefit of God’s kingdom.

When the Israelites gave in the desert, it allowed the cloud of God’s glory to descend. That place the poor found justice, the sick found healing, the destitute found peace. Your wealth is to bless the dwelling place of God, which brings blessings to all communities.

Offerings bring blessings back to the giver by inviting God’s presence, healing, and provision.

A brother shared how he loved the church and its community from a young age. He has already built three Vine church buildings. Every church he builds includes modern amenities such as cushioned chairs, porcelain tile floors, LED lighting, and projectors. Beautifully designed, reflecting the dignity of a house dedicated to God. His generosity brought about unexpected blessings. Initially, his company had a turnover of $14 million USD. After he began building these churches, a multinational company acquired his business, leaving him as a partner. This dramatically increased the company’s turnover, soaring to $60 million USD overnight.

This building is not God’s house, but it is where God’s house, the people, gathers. Each believer is a living stone; when these stones come together, a cloud of glory and a heavenly perfume fills the room. 

It is not you who blesses; instead, you are blessed. It is not the believer who gives; they receive abundantly. The living word and the powerful anointing reach each person where they are, warming their hearts, uplifting their souls, and filling them with the joy and peace of God’s Spirit.

The Israelites offered offerings in the desert to build the Tabernacle, allowing God’s cloud of presence to descend over the whole nation.

Make the house of the Lord your purpose this year.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

David connects the house of the Lord and goodness and mercy following Him.

God, in His omniscience, knows the exact location of every resource, including where hidden gold veins lie beneath the earth. He could have easily led Moses to the precise spots by saying, “Climb this mountain, turn left, dig here, and you will find a treasure of gold.” With a single command, God could have opened access to limitless wealth for His people.

However, God worked through what the people already had. God wanted the people in the process. He teaches the value of trust and generosity. Through their willingness to offer what they already had, they became active participants in the work of God

Many years ago, a prophet visited a church and declared, “God is going to make everyone here rich!” Because God has shown me where there’s gold! All you have to do is dig.”

One man, thrilled by the prophet's promise of a detailed “divine map,” packed his tools and set off. Following the instructions, he climbed mountains, turned left, walked 10 more paces, and started digging. Day after day, he dug deeper, sweating and straining, imagining piles of gold waiting just a few feet further down. His excitement turned to exhaustion, but he kept at it.

At one point, he’d dug so deep he joked he could feel the heat from the Earth’s core—and still, no gold. He returned to the prophet and said, “You told me there was gold!” The prophet, unfazed, replied, “Brother, you lack faith. You need to act like you already have the gold. What would you do if you had it?”

Half-delirious from digging, the man answered, “I’d buy a TV station.” With a twinkle in his eye, the prophet encouraged him, “Then go act in faith! The man, fueled by more ambition than sense, marched his way to the TV station and declared, “I’m here to buy your station!” The owner raised an eyebrow as if he were trying to solve a riddle and replied, “It’s not for sale, but I’ll take a donut if you’re offering.” The man, still puffed with self-declared “faith,” pestered, “Name your price!” With a smirk, the owner said, “Sure, I can name a price—but first, do you have the gold?” 

Sometimes, the real treasure is just realizing that your dreams might be just as ridiculous as they sound!

What God asks, He wants to bless.

In Exodus, God instructed the Israelites to bring fine skins. These skins were known for their toughness and durability and were commonly used to make shoes.

Exodus 35:23 And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats’ hair or tanned rams’ skins or goatskins brought them.

The term for “goatskins” has a meaning that remains uncertain ( תַּחַשׁ ṯaḥaš; an animal with fur, probably a species of antelope, maybe a badger or even a sea cow or dolphin. Some scholars suggest it refers to badger).

Despite this ambiguity, it is clear that the material was highly durable and often used for making shoes. It was an exquisite and rare type of skin.

The Tabernacle required four coverings, with the outermost layer made of these resilient skins designed to withstand the harsh elements of the desert, including sand, wind, and rain. When God asked for these fine skins, He was, in essence, asking for something precious—what they would have otherwise used to make shoes. The Israelites were offering something practical and valuable to the Lord by giving these skins.

(

Nehemiah 9:21) “Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell.”

Despite the harsh conditions of the desert, their clothing remained intact, and their feet did not suffer. God not only preserved their well-being but specifically blessed the very area of their sacrifice—their feet.

(Deuteronomy 29:5) “I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet.”

When the Israelites offered their shoe leather, God ensured their feet would remain protected and healthy for 40 years. 

Shoes lasting 40 years. Imagine never needing to shop for shoes again.

40 years of not needing another clothing.

God can bless us not just externally but also internally. He cares for our needs and even our preferences.

Give your beauty and youth.

Moses also instructed the people to contribute their mirrors to create the bronze basin for the Tabernacle. These polished bronze mirrors continue to serve the same purpose today, reflecting our vanity and desire for beauty.

“(Exodus 38:8) He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting.”

What is the function of mirrors in our lives? Are they just for vanity? Or for sanity? Can they serve a higher purpose?

By offering their mirrors, the women surrendered their beauty and self-care. God values offerings from the heart. The people gave what was valuable to them—fine skins, shoes, and mirrors—trusting that God would use their sacrifices for His purposes. 

The offerings were only for the women who ministered in the Tabernacle. That is a privilege for just a few. These are for the ones that love the presence of God. Women who pray for intercession but also for delight in the presence of God.

The mirrors point to the cost of maintaining your beauty. Repurpose it for the edification of the house of God.

In the same way that there was a reward for the clothes, the shoes, and the treasures, there is also the promise of your health and youthfulness.

Rabbinic Tradition tells us a miracle took place because the women had no mirrors. The sacrificial offering of mirrors created a shift in perspective. Without mirrors, women could no longer rely on their own reflections to affirm their beauty. Instead, they had to trust their husbands’ affirmations.

This transformed the marriages as husbands began to see their wives with fresh eyes, renewing their admiration and love. The result was an explosive population increase. God’s purposes can lead to unexpected blessings in other areas of life. Your marriage will be better, your intimacy will be better, and your family will be better.

Your boat will be filled

Sacrificial offerings rewards you back. 

Luke 5:4-6 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 

What was Jesus preaching on that day?

Matthew 13:1-3 1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.

We should expect an extraordinary return if we purposefully offer our boats to the Lord. Peter’s willingness to offer his boat to Jesus led to an abundance that exceeded all expectations.

God blesses the area where we offer Him time, energy, or resources. His return is always greater than what is given.

Whenever God challenges our giving He is creating a pretext to prosper you in greater measure.

A purposeful life filled with great anticipation

You may think it is wrong to give without expecting a return, but Jesus affirms the principle of giving with joy and expectation.

(Luke 6:38) “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Generosity brings rewards, opposing the notion that giving should expect nothing in return. Just as a farmer sows seeds anticipating a harvest, God assures that offerings given with a joyful heart will yield abundant blessings.

This year, as we dedicate our first fruits to the Lord, we have an opportunity to experience His provision and abundant blessings in ways we may not yet comprehend.