The Key to Effective Decrees - God's Word! The books of Ezra, Esther, Daniel and Jonah all share a common truth very clearly and that is, kings issue decrees. King David even has some of His decrees proclaimed through the Psalms. Decrees are always written under the order of the king. In Revelation 1:6 and 5:10 we find that Jesus has called us as kings and priests.
Jesus provides us the best example of the role of a king in Revelation 19:11 where it says …”in righteousness He judges and makes war.” In other words, He makes decisions based upon what is right and then wars to enforce it.
I learned through the Navy War College that armies exist to project power to enforce the will of the government they represent. That is why Jesus taught us to pray “kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven” in Matthew 6:10. The word “kingdom” introduces jurisdiction. It’s the authorized domain the king is responsible for. This is why in the 1Church1Day strategy we seek to form councils within these two domains or jurisdictions in mind.
You’ll find all through scripture that boundaries serve as lines of jurisdiction. There is a place for every family, tribe (Numbers 2), nation (Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua) and people (Acts 17:26) on earth. Many have asked why God allows certain evil events to occur on earth! It’s because of He has delegated that responsibility to mankind. Psalms 115:16 says:
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's; But the earth He has given to the children of men.”
Since Christ has called us as “kings” and “priests,” we are called to make decisions about what to pray and proclaim. To do that as effectively as possible we need to draw upon God’s wisdom.
The Process of Developing a Decree
Jesus provides us the best example of the role of a king in Revelation 19:11 where it says …”in righteousness He judges and makes war.” In other words, He makes decisions based upon what is right and then wars to enforce it.
I learned through the Navy War College that armies exist to project power to enforce the will of the government they represent. That is why Jesus taught us to pray “kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven” in Matthew 6:10. The word “kingdom” introduces jurisdiction. It’s the authorized domain the king is responsible for. This is why in the 1Church1Day strategy we seek to form councils within these two domains or jurisdictions in mind.
- Geographic – Cities, counties, provinces, states or nations.
- Spheres or Mountains of Cultural Influence – Family, Religion, Government, Business, Media/Arts/Entertainment, Education & Healthcare
You’ll find all through scripture that boundaries serve as lines of jurisdiction. There is a place for every family, tribe (Numbers 2), nation (Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua) and people (Acts 17:26) on earth. Many have asked why God allows certain evil events to occur on earth! It’s because of He has delegated that responsibility to mankind. Psalms 115:16 says:
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's; But the earth He has given to the children of men.”
Since Christ has called us as “kings” and “priests,” we are called to make decisions about what to pray and proclaim. To do that as effectively as possible we need to draw upon God’s wisdom.
The Process of Developing a Decree
Psalm 2 prophetically describes several aspects of Jesus’ kingdom rule. I will only focus on one primary aspect at this time out of verses six through eight! The context for verses six through eight is set in verse two which says “The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying…” The Lord responds in Psalms 2:6-8 (note my underlines for emphasis):
“Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.”
First, God set King Jesus on Zion. Zion was the place of David’s tabernacle. This was the place of 24/7 prayer, praise and worship. God’s inhabits the prayer, praise and worship of His people (Psalm 22:3).
The 1Church1Day strategy understands and facilities that very thing. It invites leaders to gather at a table which the Church sets inviting God into the presence of these strategic leaders. Why? Because of two key truths.
God is the Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel and Might and there is wisdom in a multitude of counsel. God made us to need each other (1 Corinthians 12:12). There are many diverse parts, but He desires us to function as one (John 17:21). This is accomplished through the decree.
“The Lord Said to Me” is the Key to Effective Decrees
The first step to developing a decree is to invite God’s abiding presence into our presence. Next we focus on Psalm 2:6…”“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me…”. The key is what the Lord says about a situation. We want to know His will and glean His wisdom.
Kings are the heads of armies to. It is like the President of the United States is also the Commander in Chief. They determine objectives. Developing effective strategies require intelligence. We find this modeled in Isaiah 36 and 37 where Eliakim leads a team and gathers a report from the enemy army (specifically the enemy’s general) surrounding Jerusalem as well as the word of the Lord from the prophet Isaiah.
Eliakim develops a consolidated situational report for King Hezekiah. It combines the natural intelligence with the heavenly intelligence. In 1Church1Day we call this a Consolidated Report or a 1C1D Briefing in the app. Then, and this is a critical aspect, Eliakim delivers the written report to the king in Isaiah 37:14 and in verse 15 Hezekiah prays to God about that report. In a sense, he pleads his case (Micah 6:1) and seeking God for a decision or an answer.
God delivers His decision or gives His answer though the prophet Isaiah 37:21-35. Then in verse 36 we see God sending His angel to deal with the enemy threat.
1Church1Day follows this pattern that was actually established first by King David beginning in the tabernacle of David in 1 Chronicles 16:7 when King David delivered his first Psalm to Asaph. King David was a forerunner pointing to the time when God’s people would serve as kings and priests. You see, he had jurisdictional kingly authority and he also functioned like a prophet (hearing God’s word) and a priest (interceding and worship with offerings). God also assigned prophets like Nathan, Gad and Asaph. The last two were also seers.
The prophet’s/seer’s job was to hear heaven’s decision and join in intercession (Jeremiah 27:18). But bottom line, it is up to the king to make the decision about what to pray, proclaim and do.
In the 1Church1Day system, the decree is developed by combining spiritual intelligence (prophets & intercessor reports) and the reports with the council. Then there is one like Eliakim, who helps prepare the decree(s) with the authorization of the council.
The Decree = Our Offensive Strategy
Then the decrees are posted in the 1Church1Day system for the Church to pray as they stand their watch. They are a reflect of God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. In a sense, the decree is like a prayer target.
In our system we also ask leaders for metrics. Metrics are events or changes we can monitor to see if our prayers are having an effect. For example, decreasing crime, decreasing unemployment rate, numbers of people saved or churches started are all examples of metrics where by we can determine if our prayers are having an impact.
“Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.”
First, God set King Jesus on Zion. Zion was the place of David’s tabernacle. This was the place of 24/7 prayer, praise and worship. God’s inhabits the prayer, praise and worship of His people (Psalm 22:3).
The 1Church1Day strategy understands and facilities that very thing. It invites leaders to gather at a table which the Church sets inviting God into the presence of these strategic leaders. Why? Because of two key truths.
- Isaiah 11:1-2
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. - Proverbs 24:3-6
- Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
God is the Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel and Might and there is wisdom in a multitude of counsel. God made us to need each other (1 Corinthians 12:12). There are many diverse parts, but He desires us to function as one (John 17:21). This is accomplished through the decree.
“The Lord Said to Me” is the Key to Effective Decrees
The first step to developing a decree is to invite God’s abiding presence into our presence. Next we focus on Psalm 2:6…”“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me…”. The key is what the Lord says about a situation. We want to know His will and glean His wisdom.
Kings are the heads of armies to. It is like the President of the United States is also the Commander in Chief. They determine objectives. Developing effective strategies require intelligence. We find this modeled in Isaiah 36 and 37 where Eliakim leads a team and gathers a report from the enemy army (specifically the enemy’s general) surrounding Jerusalem as well as the word of the Lord from the prophet Isaiah.
Eliakim develops a consolidated situational report for King Hezekiah. It combines the natural intelligence with the heavenly intelligence. In 1Church1Day we call this a Consolidated Report or a 1C1D Briefing in the app. Then, and this is a critical aspect, Eliakim delivers the written report to the king in Isaiah 37:14 and in verse 15 Hezekiah prays to God about that report. In a sense, he pleads his case (Micah 6:1) and seeking God for a decision or an answer.
God delivers His decision or gives His answer though the prophet Isaiah 37:21-35. Then in verse 36 we see God sending His angel to deal with the enemy threat.
1Church1Day follows this pattern that was actually established first by King David beginning in the tabernacle of David in 1 Chronicles 16:7 when King David delivered his first Psalm to Asaph. King David was a forerunner pointing to the time when God’s people would serve as kings and priests. You see, he had jurisdictional kingly authority and he also functioned like a prophet (hearing God’s word) and a priest (interceding and worship with offerings). God also assigned prophets like Nathan, Gad and Asaph. The last two were also seers.
The prophet’s/seer’s job was to hear heaven’s decision and join in intercession (Jeremiah 27:18). But bottom line, it is up to the king to make the decision about what to pray, proclaim and do.
In the 1Church1Day system, the decree is developed by combining spiritual intelligence (prophets & intercessor reports) and the reports with the council. Then there is one like Eliakim, who helps prepare the decree(s) with the authorization of the council.
The Decree = Our Offensive Strategy
Then the decrees are posted in the 1Church1Day system for the Church to pray as they stand their watch. They are a reflect of God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. In a sense, the decree is like a prayer target.
In our system we also ask leaders for metrics. Metrics are events or changes we can monitor to see if our prayers are having an effect. For example, decreasing crime, decreasing unemployment rate, numbers of people saved or churches started are all examples of metrics where by we can determine if our prayers are having an impact.
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