I have been feeling such an increased excitement about what lies ahead for the Body of Christ and what God has planned for 2017. As I prayed into 2017 I heard the Lord say, “It will be an Ephesians 3:20 year. It will be a year of increase, upgrade and acceleration. Get ready for the ride!” The Lord then gave me a vision of people and their cars were being ‘upgraded’. They were being given bigger and faster cars. I also saw that they needed to change the car keys they had in order to drive their new cars as the old keys could no longer be used.

 

Ephesians 3:20 (NASB) – Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

 

Ephesians 3:20 (TPT) – Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.

 

I believe next year we will see the Lord achieve far more than we ask, think, imagine or dream. This will occur as we allow His power to work in and through us. Those who have aligned their will with His, have yielded to Him, have hungered for more of God and live to bring glory to His name will advance His kingdom in new ways. They will see an increase in their spiritual gifts, an increase in demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit working through them and an increase in their impact and influence. This is in order for them to fulfil their God-given purpose.

 

I believe the vision of the upgrade in cars says many in the body of Christ will experience an upgrade of their ministries and kingdom assignments. Those who have been faithful with what they have been given will be given more. Matthew 25:23 (NIV) – Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. With the upgrade in cars there will also be a requirement for new keys to drive the car. The Lord is saying that He will provide all that is needed to fulfil the higher level of ministry and assignment including spiritual authority, gifts, connections and resources. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) – And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. It will be important to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as God is going to move in new ways. We will need to lay aside our own thoughts and ideas and only be led by the Spirit.

 

The Lord had said to “get ready for the ride.” I believe He is saying that we should prepare for the plans ahead that He has for us. We can do this by spending time in His presence, drawing near to Him, and also meditating on the Word of God. It is in His presence that we are strengthened and given revelation on things to come. God desires to reveal things to us and as we grow in intimacy with Him, we receive greater revelation. John 15:15 (NASB)- No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. We should prepare to step out as opportunities arise in 2017. Some will miss the acceleration and opportunities the Lord presents and will not step into the fullness of all the Lord has planned. It is important to step out in obedience when called. We must be willing to put into action the revelation we are given. James 1:22 tells us we are to be doers of the word, not just hearers of it only.

 

God is accelerating many things in the spirit and many will see an acceleration into the plans and purposes God has for them. There will be accelerating momentum and rapid change and advancement. Many will also see the promises God has given them come to life quickly and in surprising ways. Where 2016 has felt like a year of process and preparation for many, 2017 will bring with it access and advancement – access to new areas of impact and influence and advancement in the things of the spirit.

 

I believe we entered a new season in the spirit at the start of the Jewish New Year 5777 in October where we entered a time of new spiritual authority and influence. The months since then have been a time of revelation for many where the Lord has placed assignments in the hearts of His people and has given them pieces of revelation on the plans He has for them. In the months to come the Lord is bringing greater revelation on these assignments and on connections and alignments that are needed to fulfil His purposes. The Lord is going to align you with others – some will support you, others will launch you further in your calling, while others will be ministry partners. There will be an alignment and connection with others that have the same vision and mandate.

 

2017 will be a year where you will see God work in ways beyond what you ask, think or imagine if you allow Him to work through you and you stay yielded to Him and obedient to His leading. Get ready for an exciting ride ahead in 2017!