Building Goshen: Vision, Surrender & Strategy

By Pastor Joel Dorman - Sunday Round 22/03/2016

During worship on Sunday, God spoke to me with a clarity:

Empty yourselves like a clay jar. Lay everything at the feet of Jesus — every skill, every inheritance, every achievement, especially the things we feel we’ve worked hard for and believe we deserve.

Then ask yourself, why is it so difficult to let go of what was never mine in the first place? He gave it all to me, yet I cling to it as though I’m the one who must protect it.

When I place it in His hands, He multiplies it over and over.

He reminded me: lay down your treasure, because I am the safe place - the only bank whose investment always increases.

The Bank of God — its vaults are full, unlocked, overflowing. No loans, no APRs, no clauses. Just blessing on blessing, because He wants to give good things to His people.

Vision for a People Who Will Build

Joel opened this Sunday’s message with a declaration that summed up the previous seasons we have walked through:

“I am speaking into the places where there is no prophetic vision: without vision the people perish.”

Joel spoke of God doing a new thing — not a vague idea, but a tangible shift.

“You can see me clearly,” he said, “and God wants you to see the heavenly realm just as clearly.”

The world may be dark, but He is the light. And God is drawing people in so we can build Goshen — a place of light, overflow, peace, refuge, purpose and destiny.

Joel said God is applying eye salve so we can see with clarity. It is happening world-wide  and it’s coming to the UK, to Wales, to Neath.

To build, we need vision — not discouragement, not disappointment.

“No more restraint, no more wandering,” Joel said. “God is creating an assembly of people — a Goshen people.”

The Shrivelled Seeds

Joel took us to Joel 1:17–18 — a season of anguish where the seeds have shrivelled, provision has dried up, and even the flock suffers. But he reminded us:

God doesn’t see hopelessness — He sees strategy. We must turn our eyes to see what He sees.

Who am I to say I am defeated?

Lack has become normal, but it was never meant to be.

The church is called to be the storehouse.

Joseph: The Blueprint for Goshen

Joel brought us into the story of Joseph — the dreamer, the visionary, the one rejected by his brothers yet raised to the right hand of Pharaoh.

Joseph’s words spoke to everyone in the room: “Do not be angry with yourselves.”

It’s time to let go of shame. You cannot move forward while holding unforgiveness — even toward yourself.

“It was not the brothers who sent him to Egypt,” Joel reminded us, “but God!".

Painful to hear, but essential. There is always purpose in the hurt.

Joseph came from nothing, yet God raised him up. God is doing the same now — big promotions, impossible things becoming possible for those who believe.

Goshen means 'draw near'.

And God is giving vision, passion, and the invitation to keep knocking and seeking.

“There I will provide for you,” God said of Goshen.

Breaking the Poverty Mindset

God is calling us to break the poverty mindset and declare: “I am rich in His eyes.”

And then there was the phrase God has whispered to me for years: 'Keep it simple, stupid'. Like many others, I overcomplicate everything with big plans and human logic. But His ways are not my ways — and every time I try to do it my way, I end up in a mess. So again, He reminded me: Keep it simple, stupid.

He is exchanging garments of heaviness for garments of praise.

He is giving dreams and visions.

He is preparing His people to be a gift to the nations.

A People of Substance, A Church That Is a Storehouse

Joel called out those dreaming of businesses, those who are watchmen, those praying for breakthrough where hope has been deferred.

He called out doctors, bankers, politicians, teachers, rehab workers, musicians — even if they’re not here yet in the natural.

“I see a town thriving,” Joel said.

Acts 4 came alive: the full number of those who believed… there was not a needy person among them.

This church is called to be a storehouse — a Goshen — so the town can taste and see that the Lord is good.

Strategy From Heaven

Deuteronomy 28 reminds us that blessing begins with choosing Him.

“Without vision the people perish,” Joel said, “and without strategy there will be chaos.”

Strategy looks like:

• building Goshen — the hospital, the storehouse, the lighthouse

• guarding the walls – those who keep out the nonsense, align the direction, stick to the God given strategy

• walking by faith – even when it looks crazy to others

• seeking wisdom from the fear of the Lord

• praying and listening for divine strategy

• refusing to put God in a box

  
  

A God‑breathed strategy, outrageous to outsiders yet fierce in its persistence, will rise from this place and sweep through the town.

Who wants to thrive?

Who wants wisdom from heaven?

Lift your hands and ask for vision to see beyond the physical.

“You are the provision,” Joel prayed. “Where hurt has dictated vision, bring healing, Lord.”

The Prophetic Word: Restoration & Release

He declared Joel 2:21–27 over us — the promise of restoration, abundance, overflowing vats, and the end of shame.

"Do not be afraid, land of Judah; be glad and rejoice. Surely the Lord has done great things!

Do not be afraid, you wild animals, for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches. Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful.

He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten - the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed."

Then he prophesied: “The God of all things is saying: I will restore the years the locusts have taken from you… This is the way, now walk in it.”

He spoke of God dealing wondrously with us, breaking anxiety, taking up residency in His people.

“I am taking up residency in all peoples,” Joel said. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord… it shall come to pass.”

He called for those at a crossroads, those with dreams but no idea where to start. God is saying: This is the way. Walk in it.

From Striving to Thriving

We don’t want to strive anymore. We want to thrive.

Because when we work in our own strength, everything feels too big, too heavy, too ambitious. But to God, it’s all possible.

And He wants to multiply what we place in His hands.

Just like Joseph.

This is the season of vision, strategy, and supernatural provision.

This is the season to draw near and build God’s storehouse, a place of safety, a place of peace and abundance for everyone.