Ignite Rogers: Recent Episodes
Ignite Church Rogers
Ignite Church in Rogers, Arkansas is a body of believers with a mission to Ignite people with a passion for Jesus, illuminate kingdom position and initiate God-given purpose.
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take the possession, for we are well able to overcome it.Numbers 13:30
Psalm 119:111
Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Kingdom 101 Pt.8 Recap
Matthew 6:19–24 TPT
19 “Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. 20 Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. 21 For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.
22 “The eyes of your spirit allow revelation-light to enter into your being. If your heart is unclouded, the light floods in! 23 But if your eyes are focused on money, the light cannot penetrate and darkness takes its place. How profound will be the darkness within you if the light of truth cannot enter!
24 “How could you worship two gods at the same time? You will have to hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t worship the true God while enslaved to the god of money!”
Matthew 6:31–33 TPT
31 “So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require?
33 “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.
When The Kingdom becomes your priority it will impact your reality.
• “The Kingdom must impact you internally before it can impact can impact through you externally!”
• The order of The Kingdom is internal then external.
Internal transformation precedes external manifestation.
• Focus releases revelation!
• When we set our hearts on Him, Holy Spirit is given access to reveal, illuminate the things of The Kingdom to us, which will then impact and transform us… WHEN ACTED UPON!
Remember: Revelation demands a response.
• When I act upon something revealed to me by The Spirit, that revelation becomes solidified within me and produces the reality revealed.
Worry in your soul will manifest in your words.
• Worry is a characteristic of unbelievers, or those who do not have a relationship with God.
Worry manifest in words and worry if overcome with words!
Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Ephesians 6:17 NKJV
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
• Within every word God releases is the ability, power, for that word to come to pass.
• His mouth puts power in the Word; your mouth causes that power to be released from the Word.
Your words will either release or restrict God’s plan in your life!
Our understanding of The Kingdom affects the way we go about our every day lives. It is vital that we have a solid foundation of understanding of who we are and what we are created for.Review:
•A Kingdom perspective begins and ends with Jesus!
•Everything in The Kingdom is; In Him, Though Him, By Him, and For Him!
•Your understanding of who you are and what you were created for is in direct correlation to your understanding of Who HE is and what HE has done.
•Your understanding of who you are affects your ability to accomplish the will of God in the earth.
•The will of God is The Kingdom being established and manifested on the earth just as it is in heaven.
•I know I am being led by The Spirit when I have a desire to pursue spiritual realities!
•The realm you focus on will ultimately be the realm you live from. Key Phrases:
•You can’t feel sorry for yourself and fight at the same time
•If you are in the midst of a battle it is your responsibility to take a stand
•Everything you need has already been deposited inside of you to defeat every enemy that will ever come your way.
•Just being born again does not equip you to take territory. Just being born again gets you out of hell.
•The indication of a fight just means you’re equipped to win the fight you are in.
•The revelation of not only who Jesus is, but what He has accomplished is the foundation for living in and from The Kingdom of God.
•Your understanding of who you are and what you were created for is in direct correlation to your understanding of Who HE is and what HE has done.
•Religion is built on feelings, emotions, wishful thinking, and manipulation.
•Everything in The Kingdom has been made available by Grace and is accessed by Faith!
• As a new covenant believer, If your faith is not past tense then your not truly in faith!
•We have been designed to live from Heaven to earth!
•Bind spirits, Loose people!
•The enemy will see you as you see you and respond accordingly. Principals of Keys:
•Keys represent authority.
•Keys represent access.
•Keys represent ownership.
•Keys represent ownership.
•Keys represent authorization.
•Keys represent power.
•Keys represent freedom.CHARACTERISTICS OF KEYS:
•Keys are laws.
•Keys are principles.
•Keys are systems.
•Keys activate function.
•Keys initiate action.
•Keys are the principles by which the Kingdom of God operates.
Religion is built on feelings, emotions, wishful thinking, and manipulation.Key Verses:
Matthew 16:13-19
Matthew 6:9-10
2 Corinthians 4:18
James 5:13-15
Hebrews 11:6
Romans 5:2
Romans 4:21-22
1 John 3:8
Luke 10:17
Philippians 2:9-11
Ephesians 3:14-16
Pastor Curtis has continued to walk us through the Kingdom Principles series. Our understanding of The Kingdom affects the way we go about our every day lives. It is vital that we have a solid foundation of understanding of who we are and what we are created for.Review:
•A Kingdom perspective begins and ends with Jesus!
•Everything in The Kingdom is; In Him, Though Him, By Him, and For Him!
•Your understanding of who you are and what you were created for is in direct correlation to your understanding of Who HE is and what HE has done.
•Your understanding of who you are affects your ability to accomplish the will of God in the earth.
•The will of God is The Kingdom being established and manifested on the earth just as it is in heaven.
•I know I am being led by The Spirit when I have a desire to pursue spiritual realities!
•The realm you focus on will ultimately be the realm you live from. Key Phrases:
•You can’t feel sorry for yourself and fight at the same time
•If you are in the midst of a battle it is your responsibility to take a stand
•Everything you need has already been deposited inside of you to defeat every enemy that will ever come your way.
•Just being born again does not equip you to take territory. Just being born again gets you out of hell.
•The indication of a fight just means you’re equipped to win the fight you are in.
•The revelation of not only who Jesus is, but what He has accomplished is the foundation for living in and from The Kingdom of God.
•Your understanding of who you are and what you were created for is in direct correlation to your understanding of Who HE is and what HE has done.
•Religion is built on feelings, emotions, wishful thinking, and manipulation.
•Everything in The Kingdom has been made available by Grace and is accessed by Faith!
• As a new covenant believer, If your faith is not past tense then your not truly in faith!
•We have been designed to live from Heaven to earth!
•Bind spirits, Loose people!
•The enemy will see you as you see you and respond accordingly. Principals of Keys:
•Keys represent authority.
•Keys represent access.
•Keys represent ownership.
•Keys represent ownership.
•Keys represent authorization.
•Keys represent power.
•Keys represent freedom.CHARACTERISTICS OF KEYS:
•Keys are laws.
•Keys are principles.
•Keys are systems.
•Keys activate function.
•Keys initiate action.
•Keys are the principles by which the Kingdom of God operates.
Religion is built on feelings, emotions, wishful thinking, and manipulation.Key Verses:
Matthew 16:13-19
Matthew 6:9-10
2 Corinthians 4:18
James 5:13-15
Hebrews 11:6
Romans 5:2
Romans 4:21-22
1 John 3:8
Luke 10:17
Philippians 2:9-11
Ephesians 3:14-16
Kingdom 101 Pt.4
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Big Idea:
This week, pastor Curtis reminded us that just being born again does not equip you to take territory. If you will take territory, you first have to start with the assurance that everything you need, to defeat every enemy, has already been deposited inside of you. In fact, the indication of a fight just means you’re equipped to win the fight you are in. Furthermore, your experiences have purpose attached to them. So, it is your responsibility to take a stand.
Challenge:
- You can’t feel sorry for yourself and fight at the same time. Identify any areas where you may be feeling sorry for yourself, encourage yourself in the Lord and stand.
- Be conscious of your “fighting stance”. Are you fighting from a place of rest or a place of unrest; fear, anxiety, striving?
- Remind yourself that the work has already been accomplished in Christ. Retire any thought or action that is drawing you away from His rest.
Quotes and Key Points:
PRINCIPALS OF KEYS
- •Keys represent authority.
- •Keys represent access.
- •Keys represent ownership.
- •Keys represent authorization.
- •Keys represent power.
- •Keys represent freedom
CHARACTERISTICS OF KEYS
- •Keys are laws.
- •Keys are principles.
- •Keys are systems.
- •Keys activate function
- •Keys initiate action
- •Keys are the principles by which the Kingdom of God operates.
- Religion is built on feelings, emotions, wishful thinking, and manipulation
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 16:13-19, Matthew 6:9-10, 2 Corinthians 4:18
|
|
|
| Big Idea: The past 2 weeks, Pastor Curtis has been talking on the Kingdom of God referenced in Matthew 16. He has challenged us to align our thoughts, attitude and belief systems with these Kingdom realities. When we do this, we invite the will of God to be done in and through our lives. A Kingdom perspective comes by supernatural revelation that begins and ends with Jesus. To live this out fully we must understand who He is and who we are in Him. This is why Paul’s prayers for believers always centered around understanding who Jesus was and what He had accomplished. Challenge: Ask God to continue to reveal the Kingdom to you in ways you’ve never seen before. As He reveals wrong mindsets, agreements or blind spots, ask Him to forgive you and continue to desire more revelation and illumination into the reality of the Kingdom.Quotes and Key Points:-What you focus on will ultimately determine the reality you live in. -When The Kingdom becomes priority it will impact your reality. -A Kingdom Perspective Releases Kingdom Reality. -A Kingdom perspective comes by supernatural revelation. -A religious mindset will never manifest the reality of The Kingdom of Heaven in the Earth!-Passive Christianity has no place in The Kingdom of God! -Life in the Kingdom is really about returning to the governing authority of God in the Earth and learning how to live and function in that authority.-Your understanding of who you are and what you were created for is in direct correlation to your understanding of Who HE is and what HE has done. Key Scriptures: Matthew 16:13-19, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 2:1-10, Luke 12:31-32 |
|
|
|
Title: Kingdom 101 Pt.2 “Mindset of The Kingdom”Main Idea:
In this weeks sermon Pastor Curtis challenged us to align our thought life with the Kingdom so that we can actively walk in Kingdom reality in our daily lives. When we do this we are the we invite the will of God to be done in and through us.Quotes
-What you focus on will ultimately determine the reality you live in. When -The Kingdom becomes priority it will impact your reality.
-A Kingdom Perspective Releases Kingdom Reality.
-A Kingdom perspective comes by supernatural revelation.
-A religious mindset will never manifest the reality of The Kingdom of Heaven in the earth!
-Passive Christianity has no place in The Kingdom of God!
-Life in the Kingdom is really about returning to the governing authority of -God in the earth and learning how to live and function in that authority.Key Verses:
Matthew 16:13-19
Luke 12:31-32
1 Corinthians 2:16
|
|
|
| Squaring Up_ Mid Year FastJune 12, 2022 Big Idea: Understanding, accepting and accurately living in the Kingdom of God is the heart of Ignite Church. God has been revealing what that looks like to us on a deeper level over the past several months. This week we talked about the upcoming fast and the prophetic direction God has released for this time. We have an invitation in this time to square up to Him. To square up to His truths, His timing, His goodness, His purity.We also discussed squaring up our agreements to His. We have thousands of opportunities daily through our thoughts and interactions with others to agree with Kingdom life and freedom or agree with the anti-Christ agenda. We empower what we agree with. Let’s agree with Kingdom realties and renew our minds to a Kingdom default in all areas of our life. While 1 week is short in duration, I believe it will be powerful in impact. We are setting into motion a cycle of breaking forth and breaking through.Challenge:Commit to the fast fully and whole heartedly allowing Holy Spirit to guide you in all areas.Embrace the things that are illuminated and respond accordingly. If it’s changing something, change it with a cheerful heart. If its starting or stopping something, obey quickly.*Be mindful of your thoughts and attitudes this week being quick to change agreements, old mindsets etc.Quotes and Key Points:As a Kingdom citizen, my goal is not to get to Heaven, my goal is to bring Heaven to Earth.The WORD, not the world should dictate my expectations and agreements.Co-laboring with Christ means I am fully surrendering to His will and plan knowing that it far exceeds mine.We are fasting this week to square up all areas of our life so that our external and internal response is always defaulted to the Kingdom through our mind renewal and embracement of His truth.Key Scriptures:1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Colossians 2:8-9; Isaiah 26:3, Colossians 3:2; John 10:27 |
|
|
|
“Kingdom 101 Pt.1: The Priority of God”
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Big Idea:
This week, we emphasized that the Kingdom is God’s priority. In fact, Jesus came preaching, not just the gospel but The Gospel of the Kingdom in particular. He preached “repent (the greek word metanoeo, meaning change your mind/change your thinking) for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. However, in the west, we have reduced His message to “repent” and obsessing over our sinfulness. Instead, we who have repented should now set our sights on advancing in the things of the Kingdom, because it is now at hand; within reach. So, we should receive forgiveness, set our minds on the spirit, renew our minds to Kingdom reality & stand fast in our liberty, because God has so much more for us. God is with us and for us. The Kingdom is at hand. Receive and act on what He reveals to you.
Challenge:
- Determine within yourself to cease any over occupation with sin and set your heart towards seeking/desiring the Kingdom. Pray that God gives fresh perspective on the Kingdom in the coming weeks.
- Pray now, for the Wisdom and Grace to ACT on what God will reveal to you concerning His Kingdom..
Quotes and Key Points:
- “When the Kingdom becomes priority it will impact your reality”
- “Incorrect priorities will cause you to forfeit your purpose”
- “We prioritize what we value”
- “Priorities out of alignment will lead to frustration”
- “When My priorities become your priorities, My provision will become your resources”
- “The Father’s priority and Jesus purpose was to establish His Kingdom NOW!”
- “You cannot appropriate what you postpone.”
- The secret to a full and fulfilled life is discovery, understanding and application of the Kingdom of heaven on earth.
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 4:17, Matthew 6:33
“Behold”
Big Idea:
Despite constant opportunities in our daily lives to allow and partner with distraction, as children of God, we are called to behold Him. Behold means to look upon intently. As we look upon Jesus, what we are seeing is an accurate representation of who we are. In this weeks sermon Pastor Curtis challenged us to keep our minds set on God, to take every thought captive and refuse to engage in interactions that lead to strife in our lives. When we keep our minds fixed on God we experience the supernatural manifestation of the Spirit-we experience Peace. Connection to the Spirit leads to the peace of the Spirit. One of the greatest weapons we have is to keep our minds set on Him.
Challenge:
-
Behold God. Determine to keep your mind/imagination set on Him.
-
Take every thought captive and refuse to let strife in.
-
Refuse to engage in gossip.
-
Don’t take on other peoples offenses.
Quotes and Key Points:
- As you are looking upon Jesus, what you are seeing is an accurate representation of who you are.
- The more you behold him the more you become who you already are.
- When there is confusion in my life I know that I am living out of my Adamic nature and not my Christ nature.
- True peace is a supernatural manifestation of the Spirit. Connection to the Spirit leads to the peace of God.
- Every word is a seed. Every seed planted in your mind then becomes an imagination, and every imagination you grab a hold of then becomes a stronghold in your life.
- One of the greatest weapons we have is to keep our minds set on Him.
- If you can’t prophesy into the situation, then don’t take on the situation.
- No matter what comes your way, a way of escape has already been made.
Mike and Melissa Young share about sitting at His table not matter what battle you are facing.
Fast 2021 Pt.3”In this together!”
Sunday, January 3, 2021
Preparation time is never wasted time!
-
- You are ready for this!
- Everyone participate.
- Great expectation for what is about to take place!
Make prayer and worship a priority. Both private and corporate!
- Praying/Worshiping in the Spirit. This is not just a fast, it is prayer and fasting!
- Echo Prayer app. Daily encouragement via app, fb, YouTube, etc… Written and video. We will send out an emails when something is available.
-
Corporate prayer and worship. (Wed, Fridays at Joppa House).
-
- Jan 6th, 13th, 20th (Wednesday’s) Prayer and live worship. - These are important times together. I believe The Holy Spirit will use individuals to minister to others. I believe some of your greatest revelations, encounters and breakthroughs will come during these times.
- Saturday, Jan 9th @ 6pm; prophetic worship service (full worship team). We will open this to people outside of our church family like before. ) No kids ministry, so that teachers can attend. People can bring their kids if they would like or they will have plenty of time to find a sitter.)
- This is something that we will continue quarterly throughout the year.
- This is going to be a POWERFUL time!
-
Prayer focus:
-
- Breakthrough
- Revival/Awakening. Signs, wonders and miracles.
- Future of Ignite. Location, building, etc…
-
Study Focus:
-
- The book of Ephesians.
- Identity.
- Finished work of Jesus.
- Areas you need breakthrough. Areas others around you need breakthrough.
- Feed on testimonies of others and share your testimonies with others. Info@igniterogers.com
-
Fasting resources; jentezenfranklin.org
Perspective, expectation, and Attitude.
Matthew 6:16-18 TPT 16 “When you fast, don’t look like those who pretend to be spiritual. They want everyone to know they’re fasting, so they appear in public looking miserable, gloomy, and disheveled. Believe me, they’ve already received their reward in full. 17–18 When you fast, don’t let it be obvious, but instead, wash your face and groom yourself and realize that your Father in the secret place is the one who is watching all that you do in secret and will continue to reward you openly.”
Perspective
-
- “Perspective is everything!”
- Your perspective will determine your response and what you can receive.
- What is your perspective going into this fast? Are you seeing it was a physical thing or a spiritual thing?
- Although this is a physical act, it is much, much more a spiritual process!
- Remember, we are not trying to force God to do something, we are fasting to align our perspective with what He has already done!
- We are setting aside this time to diligently seek Him!
Expectation
Hebrews 11:6 TPT 6 And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God.[a] For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him.
AMP 6 But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.
-
- EXPECT REWARD. Although we are not fasting for reward, there is a reward that comes with fasting… As long as your motives heart is right!
- Expect to hear God’s voice in the Word, dreams, visions, and revelations!
- Expect greater intimacy with The Father!
- Expect Breakthrough!
- Expect a release of the supernatural!
- Expect faith and power to increase!
- Expect Clarity!
- Expect God to clarify some areas of focus. Create new habits, routines, etc…
Attitude
-
- It is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God is drawn too.
- Attitude is something Holy Spirit has really been helping me with over the last couple of years concerning my personal approach to fasting.
- I can not control how my body reacts naturally to the fast, but I am 100% responsible and in control of my attitude during the fast!
- My attitude toward the fast, toward myself and toward people around me.
- Do not allow what you are experiencing physically to dictate your attitude.
- Let your faith determine your attitude!
- Stay positive! Choose your words carefully! Not just the words you speak externally, but the words you speak internally.
- Focus on speaking and praying the Word. Declaring the Word.
- You get out of it what you put into it! (ROI- Return on investment)
THERE IS A GRACE TO FAST! CHOOSE TO WALK IN AND RELY ON IT!
Engage Pt.1 “Releasing A Sound”
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Last night during the prophetic worship night Jim shared something the Holy Spirit showed him about praise overcoming fear. It was a powerful word which spark several things in me that I wanted to share, but time would not allow it so I want to touch on it today. I believe the will tie into what we’ve been talking about, but also there are certain principals, certain pillars or foundation, that need to be consistently revisited and retaught as God increases our body.
Context: Jacob was the younger son of Isaac and Rebekah. Rebekah and Jacob came up with a plan to deceive Isaac and steal the blessing that was meant for Esau. Because of Esau’s anger Jacob sought refuse with his uncle Laban. Laban had two daughters, Leah and Rachel and Jacob fell in love with Rachel. He made a deal to work 7 years to marry Rachel, but at the end of the 7 years Laban deceived Jacob and gave him Leah instead. He then agreed to work another 7 years for Rachel. (Rebekah was a deceiver, Jacob was a deceiver, and Laban was a deceiver… What you don’t break in one generation will increase in the next!)
Genesis 29:31-35 31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. 32 So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.” 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. 34 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. 35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.
- Leah realized from the beginning that Jacob did not love her or at least that he loved Rachel more than her. So she did what many us do… She started birthing things trying to feel the void on the inside of her!
- Ruben means “see me”. She realizes that she is invisible to her husband. No one sees her or values her.
- Simeon means “hear me”. Because she knows her voice carries no weight. No one wants to hear what she has to say. Her opinion is irrelevant.
- Levi means “know me”. She
- She tried to produce her way into love and acceptance.
- In the relationship there was the acts (or works) of intimacy with out true intimacy!
- For many of us this sums up our relationship with God. We go through the motions of intimacy, but that leaves a void and then we start birthing things to try to fill that void! Ministries God never called us too! Jobs that were not meant for us! Relationships that God never intended for us to be in!
- She finally comes to a place of maturity in her life where she realizes no one is going to fill the void I have on the inside of me! If you haven’t got there yet, you need to go ahead and understand that no human can fill the void on the inside of you. No relationship will satisfy you completely.
- She names the fourth child Judah means “Praise”! (Say Judah means praise!)
- She comes to a place where she makes a decision… “I’m done trying to get people to see me, listen to me or know me… In fact I don’t really care anymore what he thinks, what she thinks, I’m just going to birth a praise! And when I birth a praise and get into the presence of God all the things I was looking for I will find! In His presence there is fullness of Joy and at His right hand are pleasures for evermore!”
- Psalm 114:2 and Judah became His sanctuary, And Israel His dominion.
- TPT so that Israel, God’s people of praise, would become his holy sanctuary, his kingdom on the earth.
- Israel as a whole was supposed to be the light to all the other nations, but the tribe of Judah will become the sanctuary. (Sanctuary means a place to dwell!) Praise is the dwelling place of The Lord!
- Psalm 22:3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. KJV that He inhabits the praises…
- God inhabits praise!
- If praise is the space in which we build God to manifest His presence, then you are in control of the size of manifestation that you will experience.
- My praise creates space… an atmosphere for the the manifest presses of God to come and take up!
- “I hope we have a good service today.” Thats up to you, God does not have bad services! The greater the praise the greater the space created for Him to manifest!
- Why is the Spirit of God attracted to praise? Because God is pleased by faith and praise is an outward expression of an indwelling faith!
- When I can praise before I see it, its an indicator I know I’ve got it!
- Praise attracted the presence, complaining repels the presence. What you honor will move toward you, what you dishonor will move away from you. Praise honors God!
There can not be a praise without a sound.
- I have to release a sound that creates a dwelling place for the presence of God.
- What was the first thing God created? The first thing God created was not the heavens and the earth, the first thing God created was sound! “And God SAID…” The entire creation narrative is based on God speaking into existence and calling things into order!
- Most significant power in the earth is accompanied or precede by a sound.
- Train by our house in Lowell.
- Tornado/winds that tore the roof off dad’s house.
- Chainsaw when I was a kid.
- Airplanes that can move 500 miles per hour.
- Why do you think the devil tries to make churches so quiet? Because God moves in the power of sound!
- The movie industry uses sound to move the audience. The sound will tell you where the story is going before it gets there. Why? Because sound is prophetic!
- Everything in life follows the sound it makes. Sound creates atmosphere.
- If you want to have a romantic evening with your spouse you don’t put on “I exalt thee”.. Why? Because that sound creates a specific atmosphere.
- Everything follows the sound it makes. If you don’t like where headed change the sound to alter the direction.
- When you start feeling yourself getting depressed, you have to change the sound your making to changes the atmosphere your in!
- There comes a point in your life where like Leah, you have to mature to the place that you can birth a praise in the midst of your adversity! You have got make a joyful sound in the midst of your tears! You’ve got to make a prosperous sound in the middle of lack! You’ve got to make a healing sound when your body is racked with pain and your mind is telling your your going to die! There is power in your sound!
- We have to get out of the mentality of “we sing 3 songs before he preaches.”
- We have to get past the thought process of “the music is the part it's ok to skip.”
- No, praise is a weapon! Praise shifts the atmosphere around us! Praise attracts the presence of God into the place!
Praise has to be engaged in.
- You have to actively and intentionally engage in praise and worship.
- Its not a spectator sport. Its not enough to stand around and watch those around you.
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Pt.9 Receiving What is done.
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Ephesians 2:1-10 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
As believers we must learn to understand, believe, and respond to God’s grace correctly. A key component of responding correctly is understanding that if Jesus has already done something, there is no need for us to try to do it ourselves. We have to realize that the entire gospel rest upon this truth; Jesus did what He did because no one else could do what needed to be done! As believers we must come to a place where we believe completely in what He has done so that we can receive the fruit of what He did. IT IS ALL ABOUT JESUS! HIS LIFE, HIS DEATH, HIS RESURRECTION, HIS VICTORY!
Today I want to lay out some practical things we can do to receive or manifest what He has already done. I don’t want to call them steps, but principals. “Steps” make it sound like there’s a formula and if you work the formula you will get the result and we have a tendency to prefer formulas over understanding. I don’t have to understand why or how, I just follow the formula and get the result. 2+2=4 every time! 5x5=25 every time!
The problem is when the formula doesn’t work. The more complex the problem the more opportunity there is to miss a step or have something unforeseen cause the formula to not work. But when I understand the how and why I can work the problem and when something comes up I have a foundational understanding that will allow me to overcome the obstacle or hindrance. God said my people perish for lack of knowledge, not a lack of formula’s! “What you don’t know can’t hurt you” is a lie. The truth is what you don’t know can kill, steal, and destroy you!
I believe that he loves me!
- The foundation upon which everything else is built the the absolute truth that GOD LOVES ME!
- Our perception of God will either limit or increase our capacity to receive from God.
- Love is the motivational factor for everything God has done.
- Romans 5:8 TPT 8 But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!
- John 3:16 TPT 16 For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.
- 1 John 4:9-11 The light of God’s love shined within us[a] when he sent his matchless Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 This is love: He loved us long before we loved him. It was his love, not ours. He proved it by sending his Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins.
- Romans 8:37-39 TPT 37 Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors,[a] and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! 38 So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. 39 There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!
- Jeremiah 31:3… “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”
- When I am rooted and grounded in the absolute truth that God loves me, it positions me to see that His will if for me to be healed!
- Pauls prayer; Eph 2:14-17 14 So I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, 15 the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on the earth. 16 And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. 17 Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.
I believe that his grace has been extended toward me!
- Grace is the action that is a result of the Love.
- The Love and Grace of God must be the foundation upon which our belief system is built.
- Grace has appeared to all men, but not all men have appealed to grace! ALL MEN! EVEN ME!
- Grace is the atmosphere created by love that makes faith the only reasonable response.
- Healing is a product of GRACE!
I believe in the finished work of Jesus.
- I believe that healing (spirit, soul, and body) is part of that finished work and therefore is already done!
- Our trust in the finished works of Jesus allows us to take possession of what He has made available. Our healing—both physically and emotionally—is already done.
- My faith must be in what He has accomplished and not in my own ability.
- A simple definition of Faith is a positive response to what God has already provided by grace. In other words, faith is your positive response to God’s grace. Faith appropriates what God has already provided for you.
- I’m not trying to get God to heal me, I’m renewing my mind with the truth that He has already healed me!
- Faith moves what God has done and made available into my situation!
- 1 Peter 2:24 “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”
- TPT 24 “He himself carried our sins[a] in his body on the cross so that we would be dead to sin and live for righteousness. Our instant healing flowed from his wounding.”
Rest in the finished work of healing.
-
- Hebrews 4:1-3 TPT Now God has offered to us the same promise of entering into his realm of resting in confident faith. So we must be extremely careful to ensure that we all embrace the fullness of that promiseand not fail to experience it. 2 For we have heard the good news of deliverance just as they did, yet they didn’t join their faith with the Word. Instead, what they heard didn’t affect them deeply, for they doubted. 3 For those of us who believe, faith activates the promise and we experience the realm of confident rest! For he has said, “I was grieved with them and made a solemn oath, ‘They will never enter into the calming rest of my Spirit.’ ” God’s works have all been completed from the foundation of the world…
- Rest authenticates faith!
- We are not working to be healed, we are working to stay at rest!
- Hebrews 4:11 TPT “So then we must give our all and be eager to experience this faith-rest life, so that no one falls short by following the same pattern of doubt and unbelief.”
- We do this by speaking in agreement with what we are resting in. His word and His finished work.
Master your emotions!
-
- 2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
- This is spiritual warfare! You must engage in order to receive. God’s will doesn’t just happen.
- Regardless of what you see or hear in the natural, you must hold onto the healing Jesus has obtained.
- Resist fear!
- 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
- TPT For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.
- We tend to focus on what he hasn’t given us in this verse instead of what He has!
- Perfect love cast out fear!
- Fear tolerated is faith contaminated!
- We do this by engaging in praise, worship and declaring the word! (Go back to first 3 praises and how they are worded.)
- Nothing confuses the enemy more than a believer who praises in the midst of attacks!
LOVE IS THE MOTIVATION, GRACE IS THE ACTION, FAITH IS THE RESPONSE, AND HEALING IS THE RESULT!
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Pt.8 Love, Grace & Healing
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Ephesians 2:1-10 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
It is mind blowing to me how something so absolutely amazing as The Grace of God can be resisted with such passion by the very ones it was extended to. There are few things that ignite debate and draw lines in the sand like Grace. When you think about it it makes sense though because Grace draws a line in the sand between The Father and religion!
Weather we are talking about forgiveness of sin, healing, provision, restoration, etc… In order to truly live in the fullness of what Jesus accomplished according to the will of The Father, WE MUST UNDERSTAND, BELIEVE AND RECEIVE THE GRACE OF GOD IN OUR LIFE!
- We have a hard time receiving Grace because we have been taught by society that we have to work to be valued, accepted, and approved. Our nation was built upon hard work and independence. In the Kingdom of God we are not valued, accepted or approved because of our works, but because of the Love of God!
- We don’t work to become valued, accepted, and approved, we work because we are valued, accepted, and approved! There is a huge difference.
- Love is the motivation, Grace is the action. You could say it this way; love is the noun (person/place/thing), Grace is the verb (action). From The Fathers perspective, He IS Love and the resulting action of Love is Grace toward the object of that Love!
- Grace is Gods response to us. Faith is our response to His Grace!
- Our faith is not in our faith. Our faith must be rooted completely in the Love of God and the Grace of God!
- Grace is the atmosphere created by love that makes faith the only reasonable response.
- When we start talking about Grace without fail there are those who say, “Well, you better not focus too much on Grace or you will have people living in sin!” Or “You’re just giving people a license to sin!”, “God doesn’t just wink at sin! He takes sin serious!”… He takes sin so serous the He paid the highest price to redeem us from the dominion of sin!
- Grace doesn’t overlook sin, it empowers righteousness by paying the price to set you free from the dominion of sin. Thereby, giving you the freedom to resist sin!
- Some people need a theology of an angry God to justify their anger against sinners.
- Some people need a works based salvation to justify their works mentality driven by a need that be recognized.
- The Love and Grace of God must be the foundation upon which our belief system is built. Love and Grace led to the finished work of Christ which is where we find our VICTORY!
Salvation, which includes healing, is a gift from God.
- The American Heritage Dictionary defines “gift” as “something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation”
- Titus 2:11 says, For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men..
- Salvation has been provided for all…
- Grace has appeared to all men, but not all men have appealed to grace!
- Without faith, God’s grace is wasted, and without grace, faith is powerless. Faith in God’s grace has to be released to receive what God has provided through Christ!
- Jesus hasn’t saved, healed, delivered, or prospered a single person in the last 2,000 years! What God provided by grace 2,000 years ago now becomes a reality when mixed with faith.
Healing is a product of grace, not a result of works.
- Our faith, not our works, positions us to receive all that God wants us to have.
- Then the question becomes “How do I get healed?”. That question is usually followed by: “I have been praying, reading my Bible, going to church, and paying my tithes, yet I’m still….
- In that question and explanation lies the root of the problem: They have fallen into the trap of linking God’s response to their performance. WE ARE saved, SOZO’d by GRACE….
- We are not saved by works, we are saved unto works!
- There is a vast difference between being saved by good works and being saved unto good works. Good works do not gain us salvation, but they do affirm that salvation has been received into our lives. Good works cannot produce a new nature, but a new nature should produce good works
- We have been taught that we must obey the law to be right with God, but this is a religious teaching that contradicts His Word.
- Our trust in the finished works of Jesus allows us to take possession of what He already did. Our healing—both physically and emotionally—is already done.
- By definition, one aspect of the word grace means unmerited, unearned, undeserved favor. That means grace has nothing to do with you. Grace existed before you ever came to be. Grace is God’s part.
- A simple definition of Faith is a positive response to what God has already provided by grace. In other words, faith is your positive response to God’s grace. Faith appropriates what God has already provided for you.
- Could it be that we’ve been a little off in the “faith” camp? Maybe it’s not that faith moves God, but that faith moves what God has done and made available into your situation.
- Without faith, God's grace is wasted, & without grace, faith is powerless.
- A few weeks ago Kelly touched on something so profound that I think many of us missed it.
- We have been taught that healing is a process, but if healing is part of what Jesus paid for, it is a finished truth, accomplished and made available by Grace! Healing then, is not the process. The process is renewing my mind to the it can appropriate by faith what has been made available by Grace!
- Whatever we focus our attention on is what will dominate our thoughts (Proverbs 23:7). If our thoughts are dominated by the things of this world then we are going to get worldly results in our lives. We need to focus on God to get godly results.”
- The problem is most believers won’t let the word get in the way of what they believe!
We must make a decision to believe in Jesus’ finished works concerning our healing.
-
- When we get a bad doctor’s diagnosis, we need to go to the Bible and study every Scripture concerning our healing.
- We have a choice as to who we trust with our healing. Until God’s will is known, faith will not work.
- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8).
- It is God’s will for us to be healed, but His will does not automatically come to pass. We must first choose to respond positively to what is available to us.
- Luke 5:12-13 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and [a]implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him.\
- The leper questioned if it was God’s will to heal him and Jesus answered that question emphatically!
- We look to the standard!
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Pt.7 Healing and The Testimony
Sunday, September 13, 2020
Luke 8:38-39 “Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.”
Quote by Charles Spurgeon
“When people hear about what God used to do, one of the things they say is: 'Oh, that was a very long while ago.'… I thought it was God that did it. Has God changed? Is he not an immutable God, the same yesterday, today and forever? Does not that furnish an argument to prove that what God has done at one time he can do at another? Nay, I think I may push it a little further and say what he has done once is a prophecy of what he intends to do again .…Whatever God has done…is to be looked upon as a precedent .… [Let us] with earnestness seek that God would restore to us the faith of the men of old, that we may richly enjoy his grace as in the days of old.”
Why is the testimony critical? Because acknowledging and praising God for what He has done in the past, : 1)Positions us to experience what He is doing in the present, 2)Keeps us focused so we can discern what He’s wants to do in the future.
- A testimony is the written or spoken record of anything God has done in history.
- God’s acts reveal His ways, and His ways reveal His nature. A testimony reveals not only what He has done, but who He is. The nature of God.
- The testimony is not just about sharing what God has done from our memories, but also revealing what God is like to those around us through declaration and demonstration.
- The word for testimony in the OT comes from a word meaning “to repeat” ,“do it again”.
- Saying (to repeat) and doing (do it again).
- When we declare the testimonies of God to people, we are creating an atmosphere for them to meet God in the same way that we are declaring. The same way that we met Him.
- A testimony is an invitation to receive. A revelation of God through a testimony is always an invitation to know/encounter God experientially in that revelation.
- The testimony of the Lord must be declared. There is a clear connection between the declaration and the release of power. From the very beginning: God spoke, power was released. This is the pattern God gave us to advance His Kingdom by. One way we put that into action is by declaring what God has done.
- When the testimony is declared, it creates access for the very anointing that brought about the testimony in the first place. “TO DO AGAIN”. The fact that it is being released is evidence that God wants to do it agin.
- Expectation for Duplication!
- We have a responsibility to keep, remember and steward the testimonies of God.
-
- Hebrew root word for male. The male carries the seed of reproduction. When you remember the times when God has supernaturally intervened in your life or the life of others, you are carrying the seed of another miracle.
- Remember, declaring the testimony creates an atmosphere for duplication.
- When you remember what He has done, and you declare it, your taking the seed from one miracle, depositing it into a new environment and it reproduces another miracle. A SEE REPRODUCES AFTER ITS OWN KIND!
- Stewardship involves speaking.
- Declaration does not have to look like preaching from a stage with a mic. In fact, declarations of what He has done is usually more effective though our conversations. Deuteronomy says the testimony some be continually in our conversations.
- When we talked about it, we focus on it. When we focus on it, it creates an exception, faith for it to be repeated.
- Testimonies release faith for someone to receive what God has made available! Testimonies prophesy God‘s intent and nature to all who hear. When someone hears a testimony of what God has done, their is an anointing on that testimony. It opens a realm of possibility. The atmosphere becomes stirred with faith for the miracle that has been described in the testimony to be duplicated. When we engage our faith and step into that opportunity, that possibility becomes reality.
- Revelation 19:10 NKJV [10] And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
- Hebrews 13:8 NKJV [8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
- Acts 10:34 NKJV [34] Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
- Testimonies prophesy God’s intent and nature to all who will hear.
- To prophecy means to declare the word of the Lord.
- Prophecy is either FORETELLING OR FORTH-TELLING. Prophecy either foretells the future or causes a change in the present. A testimony can become catalyst to bring about a change of atmosphere in the present, making room for a supernatural release.
- The testimony is a declaration that what Jesus has done He wants to do again.
- Testimonies encourage pursuit of relationship instead of gifts. Testimonies of God are the key because, in unveiling who God is, they teach believers to pursue a relationship with Him more than gifts or answers to prayer. God is longing for His people to love Him along with His gifts. He is longing for them to encounter His incredible love so they will be motivated by passion more than duty.
- In every story of what God has done, there is a revealing of an aspect of His nature and an invitation to the person hearing to know Him, to experience that aspect of who he is.
- My provider. My healer. My defender.
- Testimonies help us to walk in obedience and boldness.
- Continual, personal interaction with supernatural God brings a complete change in a persons confidence level. Awareness of God’s ways effects how people think and live.
- Deuteronomy 6:17 NKJV [17] You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you.
- Keep: means to watch or preserve. It is translated in several ways including observe, watch and protect.
- Commandments show us how to live. Statutes show us how to think. Testimonies show us how to Expect!
- Testimonies will become a reference point. This supernatural way of thinking should be sustained through conversations, songs, reading...
- When we forget the miracles, we talk about them less and our expectation declines. When this happens miracles eventually disappear from our lives altogether.
- Testimonies keep our focus on how big our God is!
- We spend to much time talking about how big the devil is.
- When I’m focused on what the devil is doing I will react to him. If I live in reaction to the powers of darkness, I’m allowing the enemy to influence my life.
- Living in reaction to the devil is not the same as living in response to God.
- Instead of taking about the strongholds the devil has in our city, our lives... Let’s find a testimony of God breaking that power off someone’s life, combine it with The Word to back it up and declare that over our city!
- Spreading testimonies of what God has done will spark hope that will soon become expectation!
- The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy: The testimony of a healed body or a healed marriage prophesies God’s intent and desire for every body and every marriage!
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Pt.6 connection between sin and sickness
Sunday, August 30, 2020
- Revival will be sparked and marked by healing. More specifically, believers growing in and learning to receive their healing by the finished work of Jesus and in turn flowing in the power that is available to them from the finished work to bring healing others.
- Last week we talked about the gap between our spirit and our mind.
- The renewed mind empowers us to receive and steward the finished work if Christ.
- “We must narrow the gap between our expectation and the word”.
-
We must establish for ourselves if healing is always God’s will because Faith begins where the will of god is known.
-
- It is not possible to have faith in an area where you question if it is God’s will or not.
-
Jesus is the will and the nature of god revealed and demonstrated.
-
- Hebrews 1:3 3 tells us Jesus is express image or the exact expression of God’s true nature- His mirror image. Colossians 1:15 He is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]…
- We can conclude according to the Word of God… Not opinion, experience, or circumstance, but by the Word only, that everything Jesus did was in agreement with the will of the Father.
-
Healing is always the will of God! (This is radical to most)
-
- Every person that came to Jesus that was sick or bound, HE healed and set free!
- The works of Jesus give us a clear view of God’s will to bring healing and wholeness to the earth, because the Son only does what He first saw His Father doing.
- If Jesus is the reflection of The Father on earth and, by His own admission multiple times, only does what He sees the Father do and only says what He hears the Father say, THEN WE MUST CONCLUDE THAT HEALING IS ALWAYS THE WILL OF GOD!
-
Healing is as much apart of the atonement as forgiveness of sin!
-
- This is where I want to come back too today.
The connection between sin and sickness.
- Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…
- Before Adam rebelled there was no sin. Sin was entered through Adam’s actions. The same is true of death. Before sin there was no death.
- Sin came as a result of Adam’s rebellion. Death came as a result of sin.
- Death here has two aspects; spiritual and natural.
- Sin entered the world through man, and death was the result. Sickness is death in its first stages. Every sickness has the goal of death in our lives.
- There is not sickness that strengthens, blesses or improve the life of the sick person! Sickness of any kind fits into the job description of the thief… to steal, kill, and destroy!
Sin in the human race is the root of sickness!
- I’m not talking about an individuals sin, I’m talking about sin as a whole.
- Adam’s sin unleashed death, and sickness is a product of the power of death in humanity.
-
Sin is the root, sickness is the fruit!
-
- If we can understand sickness as a fruit of sin, then we can understand that sin is the root that must be dealt with. If the root of sin can be destroyed, the fruit of sickness has no source of authority and no right to stay in our bodies.
- If you deal with the root, there is nothing for the fruit to feed from. The life is in the root.
-
Sin and sickness are linked throughout the Bible.
- David said in Psalm 103 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.”
- Isaiah 53:4-5 But He was wounded for our transgressions (our sins), He was bruised for our iniquities (our sin patterns); The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
- Matthew 8:16-17 “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”
- 1 Peter 2:24 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
- Isaiah prophesied it, Jesus demonstrated it during His life on earth and sealed, Peter pointed us back to it. Isaiah was looking forward to what Jesus WOULD do, Peter was looking back at what Jesus HAD done!
- The root of sin and the fruit of sickness were both carried to the cross so that we could be free from both.
- When the power of sin was defeated, the power of sickness lost its authority.
- In light of sickness being the fruit of sin, let's look at Romans 5.
- Just as sickness is the fruit of sin, healing is the fruit of Grace!
- Fruit is the outward manifestation of an internal reality.
- The fruit of healing will manifest externally when the Grace of God is received and becomes reality internally.
- Healing is a product is Grace, not a result of works.
- Works does not produce manifest the fruit of healing, it produces an entitlement mentality. “I deserve to be healed because I have done....”. “God, I’ve done all you asked me to do, why haven’t you healed me yet?”
If healing is part of the atoning work if Jesus, then it is past tense and we must approach it as such!
- Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
- Grace makes it available, faith makes it possible!
- Jesus dealt with the root. He destroyed the power and dominion of sin and that includes the fruit of sickness and disease.
- 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 “he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.”
Pastor Curtis and Pastor Kelly talk about the gap that exist between the spirit and the mind.
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Pt.4 Atonement
Sunday, August 16, 2020
Scripture:
Over the last several weeks we have been looking at healing. Can we, from a biblical standpoint, prove the following beyond a reasonable doubt; Healing is for today, Healing is always God’s will, The authority and power to heal has been given to every believer?
- ”I believe revival will be sparked and marked by healing, but Not just God supernaturally healing everyone. Believers growing in and learning to receive their healing by the finished work of Jesus and in turn flowing in the power that is available to them from the finished work to heal others. This will spark revival and lead to true awakening. When I say healing in this sense I’m talking about healing, deliverance, miracles, etc... The signs that Jesus said would follow believers who... well believed.”
-
We have seen from the Word several reason why Jesus healed; To establish the dominance of The Kingdom of God, To prove He was the coming Messiah, and last week we seen that Jesus healed the sick to To demonstrate the will and nature of the father.
-
- It seems that one of the hardest things to convince believers of is not Can God Heal, but WILL He heal. More specifically, will He heal me? Is healing His will in this situation.
- We must establish for ourselves if healing is always God’s will because Faith begins where the will of god is known.
- It is not possible to have faith in an area where you question if it is God’s will or not.
- When I know the will of God for a situation, then I can release faith to see His will manifested in the natural.
- If we have a question or something we need to prove, we go back to the reference point or the standard. Who or what is the standard? JESUS. Can we prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, by The Word, that Healing is ALWAYS God’s Will?
- Jesus is the will and the nature of god demonstrated.
- Hebrews 1:3 3 tells us Jesus is express image or the exact expression of God’s true nature- His mirror image.
- Colossians 1:15 AMPC 15 [Now] He is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation.
- Jesus said multiple times “I only do what I see my Father do; I only say what I hear my Father say.”
- Jesus totally represented the Father in actions, nature, and character. Jesus said, “He that has seen me has seen the Father”
- We concluded that, according to the Word of God… Not opinion, experience, or circumstance, but by the Word only, that everything Jesus did was in agreement with the will of the Father.
- Healing is always the will of God! (This is radical to most)
- Every person that came to Jesus that was sick or bound, HE healed and set free!
- Jesus never said, “I’m sorry, but you will have to wait until you get to Heaven to get healed”, “You just need to suffer a little more so that you can grow spiritually.”, “God is trying to teach you something through this sickness.”. Nor did yes ever impart sickness!
- Religions teaches us that God uses sickness, but the Bible does not reflect that! The bible shows Jesus demonstrating the will of God every time He comes into contact with a sick person and the result is always HEALING!!!
- The works of Jesus give us a clear view of God’s will to bring healing and wholeness to the earth, because the Son only does what He first saw His Father doing.
- Look at Matthew 12:22-28 A kingdom divide can not stand.
- If Jesus is the reflection of The Father on earth and, by His own admission multiple times, only does what He sees the Father do and only says what He hears the Father say, THEN WE MUST CONCLUDE THAT HEALING IS ALWAYS THE WILL OF GOD!
Healing is as much apart of the atonement as forgiveness of sin!
- Isaiah 53:4-5 NKJV 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.[4] Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. [5] But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
- The word translated “griefs” is the Hebrew word meaning “sickness, disease, malady, anxiety, calamity.”
- The word translated “sorrows” is the Hebrew word meaning “pain and mental anguish.”
- The word translated healed is the Hebrew word: Rafa, as in Jehova-Rapha. Always used in reference to physical healing.
- Isaiah prophetically refers to Jesus as a “Man of pains and acquainted with sickness ”
- Isaiah prophesied a complete redemption: Spirit, soul (mind will and emotions) and body.
Matthew 8:14-17 NKJV [14] Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. [15] So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them. [16] When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, [17] that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”
- Matthew said, he did all these things “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, “He himself took our infinities and bore our sickness.”
- When you study out the word “fulfill” you will find it often applies to an action that extends throughout the whole church age.
- Jesus healing during His time on earth wasn’t the fulfillment in total, it was the beginning. If He is still saving and cleansing of sin, He is still saving and healing bodies.
- Jesus began with His actions while on earth, but he solidified and completed with the cross and resurrection.
- 1 Peter 2:24 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
- Isaiah and Peter were looking at redemption from two different vantage points.
- Isaiah and Peter were looking at redemption from two different vantage points.
- Isaiah, looking forward to what Jesus would do, said, “we are healed.”
- Peter, looking back at what Christ has already accomplished, said, “ye were healed.”
- Healing for my body is just as much an accomplished fact in Redemption as is the forgiveness of my sins!
- The provision for healing is just as much part of Redemption as is the provision for forgiveness.
- Both provisions have been made for everyone, because of what Jesus has already accomplished.
- Isaiah prophesied it, Jesus demonstrated it during His life on earth and sealed, Peter pointed us back to it. Isaiah was looking forward to what Jesus WOULD do, Peter was looking back at what Jesus HAD done!
Saved/SOZO
- Romans 10:13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
- When we read this verse we have been trained to automatically associate it with salvation, meaning the forgiveness of sins.
Mark 5:21-32 21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed (SOZO), and she will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.
25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” (SOZO)
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the [a]affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”
31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”
32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
- James 5:14-15 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
If healing is part of the atoning work if Jesus, then it is past tense and we must approach it as such!
- Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
- Grace makes it available, faith makes it possible!
- We have to appropriate healing the same way we appropriate forgiveness… BY FAITH!
- Appropriate;
- to set apart, authorize, or legislate for some specific purpose or use:
- to take to or for oneself; take possession of.
- Jesus appropriated the price He paid toward healing.
- We must appropriate, take possession of, healing for ourselves by faith!
- Jesus dealt with sin and sickness the same way.. He removed it as part of redemption.
- Jesus Redemptive work was a complete work. Jesus took our sins and sickness upon Himself. He took our sickness upon Himself. Since Jesus bore my sins, I don’t have to bare them. Sense Jesus bore my sickness, I don’t have got bare them!
- He didn’t just cover them, He removed them!
If healing is part of redemption:
- Its God’s will that all are saved. Forgiven. It’s His will that none should parish. It is always God’s will for us to be healed.
- If healing is part of redemption, it is an established truth that we should believe and act upon. It is past tense and too be received.
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Pt.3
Sunday, August 9, 2020
This morning I am going to review quite a bit and then get into where I believe The Lord wants us to do for today. Next week I will not review near as much and I believe next week is extremely important.
- ”I believe revival will be sparked and marked by healing, but Not just God supernaturally healing everyone. Believers growing in and learning to receive their healing by the finished work of Jesus and in turn flowing in the power that is available to them from the finished work to heal others. This will spark revival and lead to true awakening. When I say healing in this sense I’m talking about healing, deliverance, miracles, etc... The signs that Jesus said would follow believers who... well believed.”
- It is not that difficult to convince most believers that Jesus healed the sick while He was on the earth. The more difficult task is to convince them that He STILL heals!
Can we establish, from a biblical standpoint, prove the following beyond a reasonable doubt; Healing is for today. Healing is always God’s will. The authority and power to heal has been given to every believer.
-
We must be willing to repent. to change the way that we think in order to change our perspective.
-
Repent/Metanoia: literally means to change your mind. Not just to think different thoughts, but to change your entire thought process by changing what you believe about reality.
- The focus of repentance is to change our way of thinking until the reality of His Kingdom fills our thought process.
- Romans 12:2 AMP 2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind…
- Transformed; from the Greek word meaning “metamorphosis.” Refers to an internal transformation that leads to an external manifestation.
- When we change the way we think about healing it opens us up to receive healing. Remember, Perception determines reality. Something can be completely and readily available to me, but if I don't perceive it to be true I can not receive it.
- Perception vs Perspective. I don’t have time to review. Refer to the podcast or our website and listen to the first message. My notes are available there as well.
- If my perspective (the lens looking through) has been transformed, not conformed to the world any longer, but in line with God’s perspective, then my perception of healing will be in agreement with His word which will cause faith to rise within me to actively and aggressively pursue healing for myself and others!
- Mike did a great job last week talking about this subject. One of the things that stuck out and encouraged me the most from his message is that while the overall process of renewing the mind will take place over a lifetime, getting to a place of thinking from a Kingdom perspective does not.
- I loved how he brought out the 40 days Jesus spent teaching the Kingdom to the disciples after His resurrection and pointed to His 40 days in the wilderness as our example.
- I know my mind is renewed to Kingdom perspective in the area of healing when my initial response to pain or sickness is not to reach for the medicine or call the doctor, but to stand on the word and declare healing!
-
I know my mind is renewed when impossibilities look like opportunities!
-
(In order to make sure our perspective is correct) We must establish a standard by which everything else will be judged.
-
- Your experience can not form your belief system. We can not lower the standard of Jesus to explain or justify our lack or results.
- We must begin to see things through the finished work of Jesus and the example He gave us until our results are raised to His standard.
- If Jesus is the example, the standard If what we believe does not line up with what He taught and what He demonstrated, then we have believed a lie. If we have believed a lie, we must identify it, reject it and replace it with truth.
-
Is healing a peripheral issue or a central issue to the Gospel of The Kingdom?
-
- In 37 recorded “miracles” in the Gospels performed by Jesus, 28 of them were physical healing or deliverances! 76%!
- Healing was a major part of the ministry of Jesus. If healing was a major part of His ministry then, why wouldn’t it be a major part of His ministry now?
- 23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
-
Why did Jesus heal?
- To establish the dominance of the Kingdom of god.
-
- Jesus came with a mandate to restore the dominion of The Kingdom of God.
- 1 John 3:8 …For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
- Acts 10:38 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
- Matthew 12:28 28 “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
-
- To prove that he was the Messiah, the coming king.
-
- Healing offers scriptural proof of Jesus’ clear identity as the Messiah. The Savior!
- In Isaiah 61, the prophet describes the coming Messiah’s healing ministry.
- Luke 19-22 TPT “19 So John dispatched two of his disciples to go and inquire of Jesus. 20 When they came before the Master, they asked him, “Are you the coming Messiah we’ve been expecting, or are we to continue to look for someone else? John the prophet has sent us to you to seek your answer.” 21 Without answering, Jesus turned to the crowd and healed many of their incurable diseases. His miracle power freed many from their suffering. He restored the gift of sight to the blind, and he drove out demonic spirits from those who were tormented. 22 Only then did Jesus answer the question posed by John’s disciples. “Now go back and tell John what you have just seen and heard here today. The blind are now seeing. The crippled are now walking. Those who were lepers are now cured. Those who were deaf are now hearing. Those who were dead are now raised back to life. The poor and broken are given the hope of salvation.
- John 14:11 TPT 11 Believe that I live as one with my Father and that my Father lives as one with me—or at least, believe because of the mighty miracles I have done.
- Jesus, out of His own mouth, said believe because to the miracles you have seen! Healings, miracles, etc…. Proved Jesus was the savior… Correct? Jesus expects us to reveal to the lost He is the savior, correct?
- Why would Jesus demonstrate one way of proving who He was and then send His followers out to win the lost without the same power can authority.
- Why would miracles not be needed or used today too prove Jesus is who He we say He is? “Now we have the Bible”. Why would an atheist believe what the Bible says?
-
- To demonstrate the will and nature of the father.
-
- It seems that one of the hardest things to convince believers of is not Can God Heal, but WILL He heal. More specifically, will He heal me? Is healing His will in this situation.
- Why is it important to know weather or not it is God’s will for you to be healed?
- Faith begins where the will of god is known.
- It is not possible to have faith in an area where you question if it is God’s will or not.
- You can not have faith for healing if you are not absolutely certain that healing is His will. When we know His will on a situation, we are equipped to fight the battle that the enemy will bring to stop us from receiving what God has.
- 1 John 5:14-15 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
- AMPC 14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.
- TPT 14 Since we have this confidence, we can also have great boldness before him, for if we present any request agreeable to his will, he will hear us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we also know that we have obtained the requests we ask of him.
- When I know the will of God for a situation, then I can release faith to see His will manifested in the natural.
- If we have a question or something we need to prove, we go back to the reference point or the standard. Who or what is the standard? JESUS. Can we prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, by The Word, that Healing is ALWAYS God’s Will?
- Jesus is the will and the nature of god demonstrated.
- 1 John 1 He is the word manifest in the natural. God’s word is His will, so you could say Jesus is the will of God manifest.
- The Greek word that is used here is “LOGOS,” and it denotes “the expression of thought–not the mere name of an object” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). Jesus totally expressed the thoughts of the Father and was manifest in a physical form so all the world could read them.
- Hebrews 1:3 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power
- TPT The Son is the dazzling radiance of God’s splendor, the exact expression of God’s true nature—his mirror image!
- The Greek word translated “express image” speaks of an identical copy or a perfect representation. This reveals that Jesus is the identical copy and perfect representation of His Father.
- Colossians 1:15 AMPC 15 [Now] He is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation.
- Jesus totally represented the Father in actions, nature, and character. Jesus said, “He that has seen me has seen the Father”
- By doing the works of God, Jesus gave the world the most accurate picture of who the invisible God is.
- Jesus said multiple times “I only do what I see my Father do; I only say what I hear my Father say.”
- Can we conclude that, according to the Word of God… Not opinion, experience, or circumstance, but by the Word only, that everything Jesus did was in agreement with the will of the Father?
- Healing is always the will of God!
- Every person that came to Jesus that was sick or bound, HE healed and set free!
- Jesus never said, “I’m sorry, but you will have to wait until you get to Heaven to get healed”.
- Jesus never said, “You just need to suffer a little more so that you can grow spiritually.”
- Jesus never said, “God is trying to teach you something through this sickness."
- Religions teaches us that God uses sickness, but the Bible does not reflect that! The bible shows Jesus demonstrating the will of God every time He comes into contact with a sick person and the result is always HEALING!!!
- What God does anywhere, he wills to do everywhere! What Jesus does for anyone, He wills to do for everyone!
- Matthew 4:24 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.
- MATTHEW 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and HEALED ALL THAT WERE SICK:
- MATTHEW 12:15...and great multitudes followed him, and HE HEALED THEM ALL;
- There are seventeen times in the Gospels where Jesus healed all of the sick who were present. There are forty-seven other times where He healed one or two people at a time.
- John 5:14-19, 30
- The works of Jesus give us a clear view of God’s will to bring healing and wholeness to the earth, because the Son only does what He first saw His Father doing.
- Look at Matthew 12:22-28 A kingdom divide can not stand.
- If Jesus is the reflection of The Father on earth and, by His own admission multiple times, only does what He sees the Father do and only says what He hears the Father say, THEN WE MUST CONCLUDE THAT HEALING IS ALWAYS THE WILL OF GOD!
Pastor Mike talks about the process of renewing your mind and having a Kingdom mindset toward healing.
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Pt.1
Sunday, July 26, 2020
Matthew 4:17 NKJV 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”… 23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
”I believe revival will be sparked and marked by healing, but Not just God supernaturally healing everyone. Believers growing in and learning to receive their healing by the finished work of Jesus and in turn flowing in the power that is available to them to from the finished work to heal others. This will spark revival and lead to true awakening. When I say healing in this sense I’m talking about healing, deliverance, miracles, etc... The signs that Jesus said would follow believers who... well believed.”
Beyond a reasonable doubt is a legal standard of proof required to validate a criminal conviction in our legal systems. It is a higher standard of proof than the balance of probabilities (commonly used in civil matters) and is usually reserved for criminal matters where what is at stake, someone’s liberty, is considered more serious and therefore deserving of a higher threshold.
This phrase kept coming to me over the last couple of weeks as I’ve been thinking on the subject of healing.
It is not that difficult to convince most believers that Jesus healed the sick while He was on the earth. The more difficult questions are; Does He still heal? Who does He heal? How does He heal? From what does He heal? Is divine healing for today?
This is what I am going to attempt to establish, from a biblical standpoint, prove the following beyond a reasonable doubt;
- Healing is for today.
- Healing is always God’s will.
- The authority and power to heal has been given to every believer.
Today we are going to establish some foundation.
We must be willing to repent.
- Metanoia: literally means to change your mind. Not just to think different thoughts, but to change your entire thought process by changing what you believe about reality.
- For most believers, repentance is asking for forgiveness of sin because you are sorry for your actions. We were taught that to repent is to turn from sin. In reference to sin, repentance is thinking about the sin differently. Turning from sin is the fruit of repentance.
- “Re” means to go back. “Pent” refers to top, like penthouse is the top floor of a building. Means to go back to the original way of thinking, to God’s perspective on reality.
- Repentance means to go back to God’s perspective on reality. It means to return to our original way of thinking which was God’s way of thinking. (Adam)
- It means come “up” to God’s original design for your way of thinking. Going back to God’s perspective on reality and living as if we really believe it.
- Jesus said, “repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”
- The focus of repentance is to change our way of thinking until the reality of His Kingdom fills our thought process.
- Romans 12:2 NKJV 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- AMP 2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [a]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind…
- TPT 2 Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think….
- Transformed; from the Greek word meaning “metamorphosis.” Refers to an internal transformation that leads to an external manifestation.
- When we change the way we think about healing it opens us up to receive healing. Remember, Perception determines reality. Something can be completely and readily available to me, but if I don't perceive it to be true I can not receive it.
- Perception vs Perspective.
-
- Perception is what you interpret - it is your understanding of a given situation, person, or object. It is the meaning you assign to any given stimulus.
- Perspective is your point of view - it's the lens you see the world through and determines how you view yourself, others, and everything else around you.
- It’s fair to say, your perspective will determine your perception and your perception will determine your reality.
- If my perspective on healing is based on my experience, lack of experience, negative experience, secular teaching, cessationist teaching, etc… my perception of healing may be that it is not for today or its only by God’s choice or… fill in the blank. Then I will not have the faith to pursue healing for myself or anyone else. Why? Because my perspective (the lens I'm looking through) is distorted so my perception (my personal understanding) of healing is it may or may not happen so my pursuit of healing is passive.
- If my perspective (the lens looking through) has been transformed, not conformed to the world any longer, but in line with God’s perspective, then my perception of healing will be in agreement with His word which will cause faith to rise within me to actively and aggressively pursue healing for myself and others!
- This is why it is important that from the beginning of our study we must be willing and open to allow Holy Spirit to identify why we believe what we believe, expose any lies we have believed and reveal truth to replace those lies. (STOP AND PRAY)
-
(In order to make sure our perspective is correct) We must establish a standard by which everything else will be judged.
-
- Your experience can not form your belief system.
- Jesus life and what He did and accomplished is the foundation for everything that we believe. It is where we must put our faith. No matter what we are talking about, Jesus is the reference point.
- We can not lower the standard of Jesus to explain or justify our lack or results.
- We must begin to see things through the finished work of Jesus and the example He gave us until our results are raised to His standard.
- If Jesus is the example, the standard If what we believe does not line up with what He taught and what He demonstrated, then we have believed a lie. If we have believed a lie, we must identify it, reject it and replace it with truth.
Is healing a peripheral issue or a central issue to the Gospel of The Kingdom?
-
- In 37 recorded “miracles” in the Gospels performed by Jesus, 28 of them were physical healing or deliverances! 76%!
- There are a lot of things that Jesus taught and modeled that we for some reason exclude or dismiss from our lives today. Healing and deliverance chief among them.
- Healing was a major part of the ministry of Jesus.
- 23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
Why did Jesus heal?
To establish the dominance of the Kingdom of god.
-
- Jesus taught the gospel of The Kingdom. That message releases the Kingdom through miracles!
- The gospel of salvation is contained in the gospel of the Kingdom. The good news of the kingdom is the proclamation that God’s dominion is in effect now!
- The message of he Kingdom is the message of the King’s domain that is in effect here and now. Whenever Jesus proclaimed this message message, miracles followed.
- Jesus understood that there were two conflicting kingdoms at war on the earth; The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of satan.
- Jesus came with a mandate to restore the dominion of The Kingdom of God.
- 1 John 3:8 …For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
- Acts 10:38 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
- TPT 38 “Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with great power. He did wonderful things for others and divinely healed all who were under the tyranny of the devil,[a] for God had anointed him.
- Practically speaking, God’s Kingdom advanced through healing and deliverance.
- Luke 13:16 Jesus dealing with religious leaders (often its the “religious” that are opposed to the supernatural because it introduces people to a power greater than their own!) said; “So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.
- Matthew 12:28 28 “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
- TPT 28 “On the other hand, if I drive out demons by the power of the Spirit of God, then the end of Satan’s kingdom has come!”
To prove that he was the Messiah, the coming king.
-
- Healing offers scriptural proof of Jesus’ clear identity as the Messiah. The Savior!
- In Isaiah 61, the prophet describes the coming Messiah’s healing ministry.
- Luke 4:18:19 NKJV “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
- Luke 4:18–19 TPT “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and he has anointed me to be hope for the poor, freedom for the brokenhearted, and new eyes for the blind, and to preach to prisoners, ‘You are set free!’ I have come to share the message of Jubilee, for the time of God’s great acceptance has begun.”
- Luke 19-22 TPT “19 So John dispatched two of his disciples to go and inquire of Jesus. 20 When they came before the Master, they asked him, “Are you the coming Messiah we’ve been expecting, or are we to continue to look for someone else? John the prophet has sent us to you to seek your answer.” 21 Without answering, Jesus turned to the crowd and healed many of their incurable diseases. His miracle power freed many from their suffering. He restored the gift of sight to the blind, and he drove out demonic spirits from those who were tormented. 22 Only then did Jesus answer the question posed by John’s disciples. “Now go back and tell John what you have just seen and heard here today. The blind are now seeing. The crippled are now walking. Those who were lepers are now cured. Those who were deaf are now hearing. Those who were dead are now raised back to life. The poor and broken are given the hope of salvation.
- John 14:11 TPT 11 Believe that I live as one with my Father and that my Father lives as one with me—or at least, believe because of the mighty miracles I have done.
- John 10:38 TPT 38 But if you see me doing the beautiful works of God upon the earth, then you should at least believe the evidence of the miracles, even if you don’t believe my words! Then you would come to experience me and be convinced that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”
- SIDE NOTE; John 10:38 and Acts 10:38 point to the same thing!
- Jesus, out of His own mouth, said believe because to the miracles you have seen! Healings, miracles, etc…. Proved Jesus was the savior… Correct? Jesus expects us to reveal to the lost He is the savior, correct?
- Why would Jesus demonstrate one way of proving who He was and then send His followers out to win the lost without the same power can authority.
- Why would miracles not be needed or used today too prove Jesus is who. He we say He is? “Now we have the Bible”. Why would an atheist believe what the Bible says?
Default Setting
Sunday, July 19, 2020
John 14:6-17 TPT 6 Jesus explained, “I am the Way, I am the Truth,[a] and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father except through union with me. To know me is to know my Father too.7 And from now on you will realize that you have seen him and experienced him.”8 Philip spoke up, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be all that we need!”9 Jesus replied, “Philip, I’ve been with you all this time and you still don’t know who I am? How could you ask me to show you the Father, for anyone who has looked at me has seen the Father. 10 Don’t you believe that the Father is living in me and that I am living in the Father? Even my words are not my own but come from my Father, for he lives in me and performs his miracles of power through me. 11 Believe that I live as one with my Father and that my Father lives as one with me—or at least, believe because of the mighty miracles I have done.12 “I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father! 13 For I will do whatever you ask me to do when you ask me in my name. And that is how the Son will show what the Father is really like and bring glory to him. 14 Ask me anything in my name, and I will do it for you!” 15 “Loving me empowers you to obey my commands. 16–17 And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Savior, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you. The world won’t receive him because they can’t see him or know him. But you will know him intimately, because he will make his home in you and will live inside you.
“Seek God’s face, not His hand”. “Signs and wonders should follow you. You shouldn’t follow them.” “Seek The Fruit of The Spirit more than The Gifts of The Spirit”.
These are all things I have heard either directly to me or pertaining to me and those like me. People whose default setting is signs wonders and miracles! Who can not be satisfied with normal Christianity when what they see in the words and life of Jesus are not what they are seeing in their own lives!
“I believe revival will be sparked and marked by healing, but Not just God supernaturally healing everyone.
Believers growing in and learning to receive their healing by the finished work of Jesus and in turn flowing in the power that is available to them to from the finished work to heal others. This will spark revival and lead to true awakening.
When I say healing in this sense I’m talking about healing, deliverance, miracles, etc... The signs that Jesus said would follow believers who... well believed. “
- The power of God and the Love of God are not separate, but synonymous. In fact, they are expression of the same thing... the character and nature of God. The power of God was and is used to demonstrate the Love of God.
- The Gifts of The Spirit and The Fruit of The Spirit are not mutually exclusive... They are manifestations of the same Spirit!
- The most important part of any miracle, more important than the miracle itself, is the revelation of God’s love and glory that comes through the miracle.
- Great intimacy should lead to great power! If power is not resulting from intimacy its is because there is a lack of expectation!
Jesus Healed Them All!
- Matthew 14:35-36 TPT 35 the people living there quickly recognized who he was. They were quick to spread the news throughout the surrounding region that Jesus had come to them. 36 So they brought him all their sick, begging him to let them touch the fringe of his robe. And everyone who touched it was instantly healed!
- Mark 6:56 TPT 56 Wherever he went, in the countryside, villages, or towns, they placed the sick on mats in the streets or in public places and begged him, saying, “Just let us touch the tassel of your prayer shawl!” And all who touched him were instantly healed!
- Luke 6:19 TPT 19 The entire crowd eagerly tried to come near Jesus so they could touch him and be healed, because a tangible supernatural power emanated from him, healing all who came close to him.
Jesus was motivated by love!
- Matthew 9:35-36 TPT 35 Jesus walked throughout the region with the joyful message of God’s kingdom realm. He taught in their meeting houses, and wherever he went he demonstrated God’s power by healing every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus’ heart was deeply moved with compassion, because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd.
- Matthew 14:14 TPT 14 So when Jesus landed he had a huge crowd waiting for him. Seeing so many people, his heart was deeply moved with compassion toward them, so he healed all the sick who were in the crowd.
- The great motivation behind the miracles of Jesus was his love and compassion. God’s love was what motivated Jesus to walk in God’s power. He healed the sick because he had compassion on them. He multiplied the fish and loaves because he had compassion on people. That was the main point of his miracles!
-
- Perspective: a particular attitude toward or way of regarding/seeing something. Our point of view.
- Comes from a Latin root meaning “look through” or “perceive”. An integrated set of attitudes of beliefs. Belief system.
- You will never experience life on a higher level than your belief system.
- Perspective determines reality.
- If we have a “natural” perspective we will live in a “natural” reality which will produce a natural result.
- If we desire a supernatural result we need a supernatural perspective. In other words, we must view things from God’s perspective to experience His reality!
- God has given us an appetite for the supernatural. We must feed that appetite. We must allow that hunger to take us to the word so that the word can change our perspective which will intern change our reality.
- Reality is determined by the lens you look through.
Jesus is the will of god expressed on the earth! Then and now!
-
- Faith begins where the will of God is known. There is NO FAITH without knowing His will.
- Matthew 6:9-10 Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.10 Your kingdom come.Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
- TPT ‘Our Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms, may the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn. 10 Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is fulfilled in heaven.
- God’s will is not that big of a mystery. “On earth as it is in heaven”!
- Whatever is free to operate in heaven: joy, peace, wisdom, health, wholeness, and all the promises we find in the word; should be free to operate here on earth.
- Whatever is not free to operate in heaven: sickness, disease, spiritual bondage, sin; should not be free to operate here.
- God’s will is for The atmosphere of heaven to invade and change the atmosphere of every situation in my life and those I come into contact with.
- John 8:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
- Jesus is the revelation of God’s will. He showed us what Heaven looks like on earth.
- John 14:9 He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
- Col 1:15 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
- Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
- Jesus’ purpose was to do/demonstrate/proclaim the will of God:
- Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
- TPT “Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with great power. He did wonderful things for others and divinely healed all who were under the tyranny of the devil, for God had anointed him.
- 1 John 3:8 “…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” TPT “…The reason the Son of God was revealed was to undo and destroy the works of the devil.”
- If Jesus destroyed sickness, oppression, lack, sin then we have to conclude that these things are not the will of God.
- Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
- TPT 19 I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.”
- By healing the sick, freeing the oppressed, providing for those in need, etc… Jesus was PROVING the will of God. He was using the POWER of God by the Spirit of God to demonstrate and manifest the WILL of God!
- Miracles prove the will of God. Miracles bring the atmosphere of Heaven to earth.
Posturing for Revival
Sunday, July 12, 2020
Acts 2:1-4, 14-21 TPT “On the day Pentecost was being fulfilled, all the disciples were gathered in one place. 2 Suddenly they heard the sound of a violent blast of wind rushing into the house from out of the heavenly realm. The roar of the wind was so overpowering it was all anyone could bear! 3 Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. It separated into tongues of fire that engulfed each one of them. 4 They were all filled and equipped with the Holy Spirit and were inspired to speak in tongues—empowered by the Spirit to speak in languages they had never learned!
14 Peter stood up with the eleven apostles and shouted to the crowd. “Listen carefully, my fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem. You need to clearly understand what’s happening here. 15 These people are not drunk like you think they are, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 This is the fulfillment of what was prophesied through the prophet Joel, for God says: 17 ‘This is what I will do in the last days—I will pour out my Spirit on everybody and cause your sons and daughters to prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will experience dreams from God. 18 The Holy Spirit will come upon all my servants, men and women alike, and they will prophesy. 19 I will reveal startling signs and wonders in the sky above and mighty miracles on the earth below. Blood and fire and pillars of clouds will appear. 20 For the sun will be turned dark and the moon blood-red before that great and awesome appearance of the day of the Lord. 21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
The last couple of weeks we have been talking about posture and how just like correct or incorrect posture can affect your natural body, the same is true in the things of the Spirit. Last week we talked about posturing ourselves in response to a prophetic word. Last week we went over a few of the prophetic words The Lord has given us as a body. (You can review those by looking at the notes connected to the podcast on iTunes or on our site)
June 10, 2020 “I hear the rumbling of an underground movement of believers not swayed or influenced by the lies propagated by those who seek to control and dominate, but chose to walk in the live and power of The Spirit if God! Focused on demonstrating and manifesting the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, proving His Will in every situation!
I hear the rumbling of an underground movement of believers who refuse to bow their knee to public opinion, political pressure, or sacrifice their convictions and what they know to be true on the alter of complacently!
I hear the rumble of an underground revival ready to explode forth as yearning for His presence intensifies and the fire of His holiness burns within us bringing the remnant to a boiling point causing an explosive eruption of The Glory of God!”
July 20, 2020 “God is raising up a people who have been placed in a position of sonship. Their posture before Him will be one of expectation.
Their posture before the world (meaning unbelievers) will be one of love, compassion and empathy.
Their posture in the spirit will be one of absolute victory taking territory with no thought for selfish promotion but only Kingdom promotion.
They will be compassionate with people, but violent with the spirits driving people!”
Posture: 1. The position in which someone holds their body when standing or sitting.
- A particular way of dealing with or considering something; an approach or attitude.
As I closed last week I said, “I believe The Lord is realigning us with His original intent. He is posturing us to walk in the fullness of what Jesus has done! Its a finished work! Revival is not coming, revival has come! Revival is within each one of us.
- In order for us to receive something correctly we must perceive it correctly!
- Our posture, way of dealing with or considering revival; our approach or attitude toward revival may be THE determining factor if we experience revival or not!
Revival is not coming… Revival has already come!
- We are still living in the outpouring of the day of pentecost!
- Revival is not locked up in the heavens waiting for enough desperate cries and persistent prayers to pull it down. This sounds spiritual, but is theologically and fundamentally incorrect.
- The truth is the church is not waiting on revival, revival is waiting on the Church! Revival is waiting for an intercessory voice who says, “Amen” to every promise that God has already said YES too!
- Revival waits waits for the one who stops praying, “Lord, rend the Heavens,” and instead, starts praying and living as though He already has on the Day of Pentecost!
- Revival waits for people whose hunger is greater than their history!
- Revival is here! Revival is now! Revival is in ME! (say that with me)
- We are not seeing the manifestation or outpouring as we say we desire because we are asking God to do something He has already done!
- It’s not about asking God to send down more of the Holy Spirit; Its about posturing ourselves in such a way that the Spirit of God is granted permission to be released through us in a greater demonstration.
- It’s not about more of God coming down from Heaven; it’s about more of God coming out of His people and being visibly manifested in the earth!
- We must awaken to this truth: The rain of revival has already been poured out to us so that we can cry out for an even greater demonstration of God’s power and Presence to be poured out through us.
What is true revival?.
- Revival is not… an event or extended services.
- Revival is not… an event or extended services.
- Revival, at its very core, is the dynamic demonstration of New Testament Christianity. Without hype. Without pollution. Without compromise.
- Jesus Christ being unveiled and revealed in His people, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Revival involves a divine visitation of God’s manifest Presence that produces a sustained habitation of His glory, both within and upon His people.
- Revival confronts old wineskins, obsolete traditions, and outdated methods.
- Revival is normal, supernatural Christianity in action and demonstration. Every Christ-follower walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s power.
- Revival involves entire households, cities and regions being shaken by an overwhelming awareness of the manifest Presence of God.
- Revival is not God’s perfect will for His people; it’s the divine remedy to bring His people back to Heaven’s perfect will. A Kingdom people operating in power and purity!
- The goal is not to have permanent revival but to live permanently revived!
- Revival opens eyes to the supreme, limitless reality of “Your Kingdom come…on earth as it is in Heaven,”.
- Jesus did not build comfortable perimeters or restrictive boundaries around The Lord’s Prayer.
- Revival reminds Christ-followers of the keys of Kingdom authority that they already carry—to bind what has been already bound in Heaven and release what has already been released in Heaven.
From crisis to revival
-
- Ofter crisis is a catalyst of revival. - We are experiencing a crisis. The crisis I am describing is that gaping divide that exist between visible reality and Scriptural reality, what we are presently seeing and what is biblically available. - We can never allow the visible reality to become our definition of Christianity when the visible reality is in opposition to the biblical reality. This produces status quo Christians at best; immoral and carnal Christians at worst. - The key to positioning yourself for an encounter with God and manifesting His Kingdom is being open to what the Holy Spirit is saying and doing. Allow Him to move in your heart without restraint.
Ask for rain!
-
- Ofter crisis is a catalyst of revival. - We don’t need more God out of Heaven; we need more God out of us, the church. We need to see the outworking, the demonstration and the manifestation of what every believer carries—the power of the resurrected Christ. - Zechariah 10:1 “Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain.” - What is the appropriate respond to the rain of outpouring? Ask for more. When you cease pressing in to experience more of God, the very thing we labeled as “revival” in a former season can become religion in the next. - It’s the hunger for further exploration of God that keeps people postured to experience the increase of revival. - More often than not, revival is the byproduct of a man or woman who becomes discontent living in a previous level of “glory” with God. - The only thing God will do with an individual or community who truly desires to experience Him in a greater, deeper way, is increase the manifestation of His Presence.
Posture in response to the prophetic.
Sunday, July 5, 2020
1 Kings 18:1 And it came to pass after many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, andI will send rain on the earth.”
2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab; and there was a severe famine in Samaria.
41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink.
And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.”
So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’”
45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel.
46 Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Acts 1:4-8 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 2:1-2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
We believe in the prophetic. We believe that God still speaks to His people, by (but not limited to) His logos or written word, but by the Rhema or spoken word of God as well. When I look back over the past couple of years at the things The Lord has prophetically declared over this body there are some things that they all have in common.
A prophetic word is a divine invitation by God to release your faith WITH corresponding action toward the fulfillment of that promise. They don’t just happen without your cooperation.
January 11, 2019 “I am stirring a hunger, a passion within the spirits of the people of Ignite. A passion that will ignite a relentless pursuit of My presence! Relentless, relentless, relentless! I have not relented in my pursuit of you and from this time forward you will not relent in your pursuit of Me! I reward those who relentlessly pursue Me. I reward them with unimaginable manifestations of my Glory! As you release your worship and pursue me relentlessly I will release waves of my Glory!
Waves of Glory that will be spoken of for miles around. My manifest Glory is what you will become known for! People will come from three states away seeking my Glory! People who are hungry and will not be satisfied with anything less than Glory! You purse me and and I will do the rest!”
May 31, 2020, Pentecost Sunday The Lord gave me prophetic message concerning the Rain (revival) and this word. “I have not called you to celebrate Pentecost annually, but to live in the power Pentecost daily!”. “I am moving you into a kairos marked by signs, wonders, and miracles and sustained by my presence!”
June 28, 2020 “God is raising up a people who have been placed in a position of sonship. Their posture before Him will be one of expectation.
Their posture before the world (meaning unbelievers) will be one of love, compassion and empathy.
Their posture in the spirit will be one of absolute victory taking territory with no thought for selfish promotion but only Kingdom promotion.
They will be compassionate with people, but violent with the spirits driving people!”
Relentless pursuit of His presence leads to manifestation of His Kingdom which releases His Power that demonstrates His love, carried out through His people which bring HIM Glory!
- Many times God will give us a prosthetic word, an invitation, and then allow agitation in our life to move us to respond!
- These two passages of scripture have something in common that I believe is for us today. Posture in response to the prophetic.
Posture and how it relates to the church.
-
Noun; The position in which someone holds their body when standing or sitting.
-
- Mike mentioned 3 things that bad posture can lead too. One was Deformities of the spine. Everything in the body is affected by the spine.
- A misaligned spline pulls on the surrounding muscles, over working some and underworking others. These imbalances causes injures.
- One of the quickest ways to cause the spine to become misaligned is sitting too much. Not enough movement.
- The body of Christ as a whole has become deformed, dysfunctional because there has been too much sitting and not enough doing! Some muscles (believers) have become overworked and burned out while others are have become underworked and weak!
- Muscle when it’s not being used atrophy. It shrinks and looses strength! USE IT OR LOOSE IT!
- Deformities lead to injuries. The portion of the body that is overworked becomes bitter and it causes division. They become hurt and eventually walk away from the church and in some cases The Lord!
- Injuries lead to Dysfunction which leads to LOSS OF FUNCTION! The Church as a whole in dysfunctional and has moved away from its original function…
- What is the original function: To prove the will of God in every situation by demonstrating the Kingdom through the power of God destroying the works of the devil!
- Digestion issues. We have become obese on knowledge and spiritually malnourished.
-
Noun; A particular way of dealing with or considering something; an approach or attitude.
-
- You could easily say it is a perspective.
- Our posture must be one of The Kingdom of God!
-
Verb; Behave in a way that is intended to impress or mislead.
-
- We have postured ourselves to impress the world which has robbed us of power to change the world thereby misleading them!
- We should focus on impressing The Lord!
What determines our posture?
-
- How we see a word from God will determine the posture we take. - Both Elijah and the 120 received a Prophetic word form The Lord. - “the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “…I will send rain on the earth.” - “… He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father…” “And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”
- Faith in His word must supersede what we see in the natural!
- Elijah had plenty of opportunities to give up on the word from the Lord.
- “So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
- They were in the upper room for 10 days. Not knowing what the fulfillment of the word would look like.
- Elijah had plenty of opportunities to give up on the word from the Lord.
The correct posture brings the desired result!
-
- The posture of expectation brings the fulfillment of the Word!
- There has to be a tenacity in us to grab ahold of His promise and not let go no matter what!
- “…And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground…”
- Up into His presence and bowed down in worship!
- Worship will ALWAYS be the correct posture! (not matter what situation you find yourself in worship is always the correct posture!) Why? Because WORSHIP IS THE POSTUE OF OF FAITH!
- What were they doing all that time in the upper room? I would imagine they were worshipping and praying with expectation of the fulfillment of a promise!
- The enemy is after your worship!
- He is trying to stop your worship and redirect it because he ultimately desires to be worshipped. (California mandate)
- Anytime we focus on it out our trust in someone or something other than The Lord, we are redirecting our worship!
The correct Posture brings increase!
-
- 44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’” - At the first indication of rain, Elijah responded as if it were flooding! - The response to the drop brings the flood! The response to the little brings that overflow!
- 45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain.
- He responded before the sky became black…
The correct posture releases power!
-
- 46 Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
- He was overcome by supernatural power and he outran a chariot!
- 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…
- We have worked hard to preserve pentecostal theology of tongues and missed the power!
- We promise tongues with the baptism of The Holy Spirit and and tongues is what we get, but in the Acts of the Apostles, power was promised and power is what they got!
- 5,000+ were saved!
Close: I believe The Lord is realigning us with His original intent. He is posturing us to walk in the fullness of what Jesus has done! Its a finished work! Revival is not coming, revival has come! Revival is within each one of us.
Make Room (For the Kingdom to be manifest)
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Matthew 9:18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” 19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.
20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
I sense a shift in…
In Matthew chapter 3 Jesus was baptized by John, The Holy Spirit came upon Him and The Father affirmed Him.
-
- “This is my son in whom I am well pleased”.
- Before He had done any miracles or ministry. The Father was pleased with Him because of their relationship not His works.
- John acknowledged Him, The Holy Spirit empowered Him, The Father affirmed Him!
Immediately in chapter 4 He was then lead by The Holy Spirit into the wilderness, tempted and emerged victorious over the temptation of the enemy.
-
- Matthew 4:17 NKJV [17] From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
- Luke 4:1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
- Luke 4:14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.
From there in Matthew 5-7 Jesus gives whats known as “The Sermon on the mount” where He basically lays out what the life and characteristics of a Kingdom believer should look like.
Then in chapter 8 & 9, Jesus launches what I would describe as and all out assault on the kingdom of darkness! Lepers are cleansed, servants are healed by a spoken word, devils are cast out, paralytics walk, blind eyes open, the mute speaks! Miracle after miracle, healing after healing…
Let me ask you a question… Is this statement true? Jesus is our example and the standard.
-
- If everything Jesus did was as The Son of God then His life is an amazing illustration of the love of God toward man demonstrated by the power of God.
- If everything Jesus did was as The Son of man then His life is an illustration and example of how every son that comes after Him is to live and function.
Every believer was created to live a supernatural lifestyle empowered by the Holy Spirit to demonstrate The Kingdom.
- Jesus taught it, demonstrated it, and assigned it!
- He taught The Kingdom, demonstrated The Kingdom and assigned the expansion of The Kingdom!
- Matthew 10:1, 7-8 TPT Jesus gathered his twelve disciples and imparted to them authority to cast out demons and to heal every sickness and every disease. …7 And as you go, preach this message: ‘Heaven’s kingdom realm is accessible, close enough to touch.’ 8 You must continually bring healing to lepers and to those who are sick, and make it your habit to break off the demonic presence from people, and raise the dead back to life. Freely you have received the power of the kingdom, so freely release it to others.
- Our assignment is not to merely declare The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, the assignment is to declare that The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and have the power of heaven back it up.
- To say something that is in agreement with heaven and have heaven back it up and manifest it on earth. To give the atmosphere of heaven an opportunity to invade the atmosphere around you.
- Matthew 16:18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
- We’ve misquoted and misinterpreted this scripture… You can not bind something in time that is not bound in eternity nor loose something in time that is not loosed in eternity. The spirit realm or spirit reality is the dominate reality.
- I can forbid in on earth because its forbidden in Heaven. Heaven is the model for earth.
The Fathers will is to empower believers who will see through the lens of The Kingdom and make themselves available for “His Kingdom to come, His will to be done on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!”
-
- This is the partnership between Father and son, Heaven and earth.
- Jesus is the standard for how we are to function, Heaven is the standard for the atmosphere around us.
- Jesus lived in the atmosphere of the natural, but carried and subsequently released the atmosphere of Heaven.
- You are a citizen of Heaven called to release heaven into the earth.
We as kingdom citizens must make room for heaven’s reality to invade our reality.
-
- We have to start living The Kingdom and not just talking about The Kingdom.
We make room by…
…Intentinionlaly making the renewing of or mind to a kingdom mindset a priority!
-
- Matthew 9:16-17 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. 17 Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
- We must get serous and aggressive about renewing the mind. Why?
- Romans 8:5-7 TPT 5 Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.
- 7 In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights God’s plan and refuses to submit to his direction, because it cannot!
- NASB says it is HOSTILE toward
…By seeking his presence relentlessly!
-
- 18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him
…By bringing the impossible to Jesus with exception of results!
-
- 18 …“My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” - When the impossible is met with faith miracles happen! - God deals in impossibly. - Share conversation with Dale and stories of churches being built or paid off from unexpected sources. - Share our search for location…
… By no allowing delay to deter our faith or shit our focus.
-
- 20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.” - Delay does not mean denial!
… by hearing, believing and declaring!
-
- 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”
… by not letting our emotions dictate and determine our environment.
-
- 23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” - They were professional mourners. Paid to stir emotions. - It is ok to grieve. * We can not allow grief to open the door to a spirit of oppression. * We can not stay in grief to the point that it starts to shape our theology. * Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! This is the process of The Kingdom.
… by removing every avenue the enemy uses to bring doubt and unbelief.
-
- 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
- Our response to anything that causes doubt or unbelief must be immediate and violent!
- We are in charge of what we allow in, but what we allow in will determine what we release.
The shaking of The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of man!
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Matthew 6:33 NKJV 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33 AMP 33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
Looking back at my life and in particular my walk with The Lord, things began to shift for me when I discovered The gospel of The Kingdom. I realized that there was a difference between The Gospel that I had always heard preached and The Gospel that Jesus preached! The Gospel I has had been preached was the gospel of salvation, but Jesus preached The Gospel of The Kingdom. There is, quite literally, a world of difference!
I had been preached an individualistic approach to the Gospel that reduced it conceptually to deal only in terms of individual salvation, specifically forgiveness of sin so that I could go to heaven and not hell. There are a few of problems with this approach: 1) It is self-focused. 2) It is incomplete. 3) It is not what Jesus preached!
- I made an interesting discovery this week. If you study American church history; the pre-Civil War church preached the Kingdom of God, but the post-war church moved away from it.
- The Kingdom message influenced the pre-war church to deal with societal issues such as slavery, child labor laws, the dangers of alcohol, and more.
- The post-war church started to focus merely on the Rapture, the last days, and escaping the earth instead of engaging it. This escapist mentality resulted in the church essentially abandoning culture, which opened the door to the secular humanists taking over every major institution of higher learning by the 1920s.
- One generation later, in the 1960’s, this humanistic perspective birthed the sexual revolution, which then lead to legalization of abortion, re-definition of marriage, to now redefinition and classification of genders!
All can be contributed to the church abandoning the Gospel of The Kingdom that Jesus preached! We must get back to the what Jesus came to declare, The Kingdom of God is at hand!
We are preaching an incomplete gospel and wondering why we are getting incomplete results!
Right now there is a shaking taking place! We are seeing God make clear the dividing line between the church of man and the Church or God. More accurately, He’s separating the kingdom of man and The Kingdom of God!
“I hear the sound of kingdoms shaking! A sound that strikes fear in the heart of those who seek to build the kingdom of man under the banner of Christianity!
- Fear of losing the grip of control over the people they have assembled.
- Fear that programs and presentation will no longer be enough to keep the people coming, giving, and celebrating their charismatic personalities!
-
Fear of being exposed as a fraudulently kingdom void of power and presence.
-
I hear the sound of kingdoms shaking! A sound that causes faith to arise in the heats of those who seek to advance The Kingdom of God
- Faith that the Kingdom of Heaven is not coming but has arrived and is within their grasp!
- Faith that His Kingdom has been released within them and is being released through them with signs, wonders and miracles!
- Faith that Kingdom manifestation includes His presence and power demonstrated right here and right now!
- Faith that when His Kingdom is declared from the mouths of believers, His Spirit will follow that declaration with demonstration that will draw the masses, set ablaze revival in the church with corresponding awakening in the nation!
We are receiving and have received a Kingdom that can not be shaken and will stand when all other kingdoms fall!”
The priority of Jesus was declaring and demonstrating the kingdom of god.
- Jesus told us to seek the Kingdom FIRST. He wanted that to be our priority because that was His priority. The priority of the NT is The Kingdom.
- The first preacher and the first message that was ever preached was Matthew 3:2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
- Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
- Luke 4:43 43 but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."
- Not just declare but demonstrate!
- Luke 11:20 “…if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
- TPT “…if I am casting out demons by God’s mighty power, God’s kingdom realm is now released upon you.”
- Acts 10:38 “38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
- TPT “Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with great power. He did wonderful things for others and divinely healed all who were under the tyranny of the devil, for God had anointed him.”
- Jesus prayed yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory.
- Kingdom = Government of heaven.
- Power = ability of heaven.
- Glory = atmosphere of heaven.
Jesus had a kingdom mindset while most believers have a church mindset!
-
- A Kingdom mindset focuses on the rule of God over the whole cosmos, every situation and circumstance, not just the happenings in the church.
- Yet most preaching today has as its goal to persuade people to make a weekly two-hour commitment to come to a building on Sundays and to give tithes to support that building!
- This is because a spirit of religion has captivated the church and blinded the minds of church leaders so that we now have a very limited church mindset instead of a Kingdom perspective.
Contrasting a Kingdom mindset with a church mindset
-
- A Kingdom mindset applies a Spirit-empowered approach to the natural world. A church mindset involves a spirituality that separates from the natural world.
- A Kingdom mindset speaks of the rule of God over the entire created order. A church mindset speaks of the rule of God only through deacons and elders in their congregation.
- A Kingdom mindset trains people for all of life. A church mindset trains people only for church life.
- A Kingdom mindset releases all saints as ministers in the marketplace. A church mindset merely trains people to serve in a church building on Sundays.
- A Kingdom mindset creates wealth to transform a community and/or a nation. A church mindset motivates giving to build our own church programs.
- A Kingdom mindset is a holistic approach that applies the Gospel to politics, economics, and public policy. A church mindset insulates the Gospel from politics and public policy.
- A Kingdom mindset views the Bible as a blueprint to structure every aspect of society. A church mindset views the Bible merely as a book that enables us to escape the world, enter heaven, and be spiritual.
- With a Kingdom mindset, churches embrace and love their surrounding unchurched communities. With a church mindset, churches only embrace converted individuals within their faith communities.
- A Kingdom mindset nurtures leaders who are world changers who will prophetically declare articulate truth to society. A church mindset nurtures leaders who speak religious language relevant only to church people.
- With a Kingdom mindset, pastors release their people to their vocational callings in the marketplace. A church mindset can (unintentionally) control people by marginalizing their marketplace callings and emphasizing only their Sunday ministries.
Racism can be described as noting other than evil! A Kingdom mindset requires that we judge men acording to the spirit and not the flesh.
Silent Killers Pt.3 Bitterness
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Ruth 1:1, 3, 5-7, 19-21; 19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?”
20 But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”
We are going to continue in the series I’m calling Silent Killers. Silent killers are the things that wound your soul, your heart, and if left unaddressed silently kill you from the inside out. The bible says “Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life”! Why is this important?
Because internal conflicts will affect external realities!
Bitterness is one of those things that if you do not identify and deal with will completely consume and destroy your life. Bitter people are very difficult to be around. They are toxic and the environment around them is toxic.
As I was studying for this message it took a turn and went in a direction I wasn’t expecting, but I believe its The Lord so we are going to just go with it. If left unchecked, bitterness will affect your anointing and derail your Destiney.
- Anointing is a biblical word that is often misunderstood. In the modern church it is rarely if ever used. “That was an anointed song”, “That was an anointed word”, etc…
- The word anointing simply means divine enablement. If you are anointed that means God takes your natural ability and put His supernatural ability on it and causes you to be better than you really are.
- The anointing makes the difficult look easy.
- There is a difference between a gift and anointing. A gift is something that God puts within a person, the anointing is something He puts on a person.
- The anointing is the difference between good and supernatural! Acts 10:38 “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
- Every one of you have gifts, but not all are using those gifts under an anointing.
- There is a process to the anointing. Thats why prayer for someone else’s anointing doesn’t work!
- The anointing is a multiplier and an accelerator!
The book of Ruth is a powerful picture of Redemption. In the midst of a famine left Bethlehem Judah and went to Moab (Bethlehem=Word or your devotional life and Judah = Praise) and everything starts dying.
-
- When you leave the environment you were intended to dwell in things start dying. When you leave the word and praise and go to the flesh what was intended to live die and what needs to die lives!
- They were gone for 10 years and in v6 that “heard in the country of Moab that The Lord had visited His people by giving them bread.” So she decided to return to where she was from.
- V19-21 19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”
- Mara means BITTER!Not I feel bitter, I am bitter.
- Whenever you start to feel something that is contrary to what the word says about you, you have to have a violent reaction to it!
- Naomi means pleasant and delightful! God called her pleasant and delightful, but she calls herself bitter!
There is a big difference between going through a bitter season and becoming bitter.
- A bitter season will work for your good, but becoming bitter will destroy you.
- A bitter season will help you develop in your anointing, but becoming bitter will stop the anointing. You can’t be bitter and anointed at the same time.
- God had just taken then out of Egypt and the first thing He tells them to do is build a tabernacle for worship? Why? Because if your worship isn’t right, noting else will be right!
- Exodus 30:22 Moreover the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Also take for yourself quality spices—five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, 24 five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hint of olive oil. 25 And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil.
- Naomi was so consumed with bitterness over the things of the past and her current condition that she can not see her future.
- In the end she will be breastfeeding a child that isn’t hers. God was about to bring a new thing out of an old thing! God brings life out of a dead situation!
- The first ingredient in the anointing oil was myrrh. Myrrh means bitter.
- The perfumer would take the myrrh, the bitter and the sweet spices and mix them all together and what came out of it was a mixture that was so powerful the whatever it touched it changed!
- Some things that were natural in the old testament are spiritual in the New Testament. The OT is a type and shadow of the NT
- What was an ingredient in the OT is a season in the NT.
- Because we have not been taught how God develops divine enablement, we don’t know how to respond to difficult times.
- The anointing is a change agent. When an anointed person walked into an environment they have the ability to change it. The problem is that most Christians are not walking in an anointing so they don't change the environment, the environment changes them!
- David was anointed to be King, but on his way to the throne the journey took him through the Cave of Adullam. Adullam means hiding place, but it also means place of the squeeze! Sometimes God will hide you in the place of the squeeze in order to squeeze everything of you thats not like him out…
- David changed the men around him instead of allowing them to change him!
- Jesus on His journey to the right hand of God had to go through the Garden of Gethsemane. Gethsemane means olive press! With every new level of anointing there has to be a squeezing!
- We’ve been taught anything good is God and anything bad is the devil… This is true, but sometimes we have difficulty discerning good from bad.
- Everything good comes from God and everything bad comes from the enemy. But we have to be careful that we discern a situation before we label a situation.
- A promotion that takes you away from your family and recks your marriage is not good and a betrayal that pushes you into your destiny is not bad!
- ➡Jesus needed Judas to do his part. Judas propelled Jesus into fulfillment of His Destiney!
- Myrrh comes from a tree. Myrrh is not a fruit but a sap that flows from the trunk. The thing that makes the myrrh tree strange to scientists and biologists is that it has no particular season of bloom. No one knows when the sap is going to run.
- You can come by day and the tree if fine and the next it be dripping with sap!
- Have you ever been walking through life, everything going great and the next day all hell brake loose!
- A bitter season will hit all of a sudden! But you can that every time a bitter season hits, your anointing is about to go to another level!
- Every individual tree has its own process. I can’t give you my anointing because I can’t give you my process. “I want a double portion of your anointing”… (You want me to pray for God to give you my anointing, ok. God, let every mentor that comes in their life betray or let them down. Cause people who declared to love them and be called to serve with them leave them and break their hearts… )
- They agent of your bitter time does not know the agenda of The Lord.
You can not allow the bitter season to distort your perspective.
- 20 But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”
- Don't call me by my position, call me by condition!
- She was bitter with God!
- Stop blaming God for the condition your decisions put you in!
- You can not be bitter with God and anointed by God!
Silent Killers pt.2 Overcoming Rejection
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Hebrews 4:12-16 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
A couple of weeks ago we started a series called Silent Killers. A simple explanation of an infection is when something from the outside gets on the inside and begins to slowly kill you from the inside out.
Long before symptoms manifest outwardly, the damage is being done internally. Much like a natural infection, there are things that can get down in your soul and infect every area of your life. Things that happen to you externally can affect you internally long before the symptoms ever manifest. There are many things that can destroy your life from the inside, but we started with Rejection.
This morning I want to continue to deal with this subject because I believe there are a large number of people in the body of Christ who have been so wounded by rejection that they can not move forward with their life.
Review
- The word rejection comes from the Latin and means to throw backwards. The enemy wants to use rejection to take you backward and keep you from moving forward in what God has for you.
- Rejection can cause a soul wounds. Your soul is your mind, will and emotions. “As a man thinks, so is he..”. Prov 23:7 “For as he thinks within himself, so is he…”
- How you see yourself will determine who you become.
- If we are not careful we will dismiss symptoms of a soul wound as personality traits. “That’s just who I am”, when the truth is, that may be who you are BEING, but It isn’t who you were created to BE! A rejection wound will keep you focused on your condition rather than you position!
- The enemy wants to use rejection to take you backward and stop you from fulfilling the divine destiny God has for your life, But God wants to heal you and transform you from the inside out so that you can move forward in what He has for you!
- Rejection will affect movement.
- Rejection will keep you stuck in the past when God is trying to move you into your future!
- Rejection affect your vision! When you not seeing clearly you revert back to the last thing God did and how He did it. (Throw backward). You go back to “how it used to be” or “who I used to be”.
- Not seeing clearly affects our decision making.
- Rejection will cause you to Reject others. project your pain on to others!
- Rejected people will often reject others to make themselves feel better about the perception they have of themselves.
- Many times when we have rejection issues we protect ourselves by rejecting others before they can reject us.
- Rejection will cause you to project your pain on to others!
- Jonny didn’t cheat on you, James did…
The progression of rejection left unattended with.
- Rejection
- People will reject you for who you are or who you are not.
- Fear of Rejection.
- Being afraid of being rejected turns into approval addiction. Approval addiction locks us in a performance mentality. This leads to a cycle of pain!
- If you live by of people's approval, you will die by their rejection!
- Rejection of self.
- You start hating yourself because you seem to always be failing to meet the standards.
- Rejection of God.
- Eventually you start blaming God for all the pain and rejection.
- You can not hold God accountable for mans actions. He didn’t reject you!
The target of rejection?
-
- The target of rejection is IDENTITY!
- When we experience rejection we come face to with the reality of where we find our identity.
- Rejection is where revelation and knowledge separate. It’s where emotion and faith are distinguished.
- Rejection is not a reflection of WHO YOU ARE. Rejection does not define who you are, but if you allow it to, it will shape who you become. +
How do we respond correctly to rejection?
-
- Jesus was the most rejected person in the history of the world. From birth to death He was rejected.
- Although He was constantly rejected, it never affected His decision making, His attitude toward others, or stop Him form fulfilling His Destiney. The key to responding correctly to rejection is Perspective. How you see yourself and how you see rejection.
- How you see yourself will determine how you see rejection.
- Jesus knew who He was and what He was called to do.
- When you know who your are, you focus on your PURPOSE instead of peoples PERCEPTION. They reject you because of how they perceive you, but their perception can not stop you from fulfilling your purpose!
- How you see rejection will determine how you respond to rejection.
- If you see it as God’s protection, rejection can be a catalyst to propel you forward.
- If you see it as an inditement on who you are, it will be a catalyst to throw you backward!
How do we heal from the wounds caused by rejection?
Jesus was despised and rejected so you could be loved and accepted!
- It is God’s will that you are healed Spirit, soul and body!
- The story of redemption is that Jesus got what he didn’t deserve so that you wouldn’t get what you deserved.
-
- Acknowledge the wound! + God can’t heal what you ignore! + Jesus has experienced it all! - Hebrews 4:4 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
-
- Acknowledge The Word.
-
-
- Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. + The Word has to become the true foundation of your belief system!
-
-
- Solidify who your Identity!
-
-
- You are a son, not a servant! Serving is what I DO, but son is who I AM! + We have not just know we are born again, but who we truly are IN HIM and how we became who we are in HIM. + You have to see yourself as The Father sees you. The Father sees you as blessed, chosen, accepted, redeemed! Eph 1. - V3 He calls you Blessed! - V4 He calls you chosen. He calls you blameless! - V6 He calls you ACCEPTED! - V7 He calls you redeemed, forgiven, and rich in grace! + 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
-
-
- Forgive those who have rejected you.
-
-
- Notice I left forgiveness until the end. Why? Because you can’t truly forgive those who have hurt you until you allow God to heal you. + Forgiveness is only possible through Him. + When you perspective of You changes, your perspective of them will change. When you begin to see them as He sees them, then you can truly forgive.
-
Jesus was despised and rejected so you could be loved and accepted!
Silent Killers Pt.1 REJECTION
Sunday, May 3, 2020
1 Samuel 16:1, 6-12
Infection occurs when viruses, bacteria, or other microbes enter your body and begin to multiply. Disease occurs when the cells in your body are damaged as a result of infection, and signs and symptoms of an illness appear. An infection is when something from the outside gets on the inside and starts to destroy your body from the inside out. The infection is silently killing you before the symptoms appear.
Example/illustration; Building barbed wire fence as a kid, I was always getting cut. Eventually it would scab over and then go away. Sometimes, if the wound was deep enough and it went unaddressed, it could get infected. It may scab over and look ok on the outside (for a time) while still doing damage on the inside. Eventually, symptoms would start too manifest on the outside eluding to what was going on on the inside. Redness, swelling, pus, etc... If still left untreated, this small wound could eventually set up gangrene and cause me to loose a limb or die! The danger of unaddressed wound is it becomes subject to infection! The cut might not kill you, but the infection will!
Today I want to talk about a silent killer called rejection! Rejection is something that everybody has to deal with. No mater who you are, your educational background, your cultural background, socioeconomic background, you either have or will experience rejection on some level.
Jesus’ life was full of rejection!
- Rejected by the inn keeper, “No room for you here, sleep in the barn.”
- Rejected by the religious scholars, “can anything good come from Nazareth.”
- Rejected by the ones He came to save, “Give us Barabus”!
- Rejected by Peter, “I do not know Him!”.
- Rejected by the Father, “My God my God, why have you forsaken me!”.
- Jesus was despised and rejected so you could be loved and accepted!
- The word rejection comes from the Latin and means to throw backwards. The enemy wants to use rejection to take you backward and keep you from moving forward in what God has for you. Rejection is a soul wound.
- A soul wound is a different kind of wound. It is not a physical wound, it is an internal wound. You can be wounded on the inside and look fine on the outside!
- When we underestimate this type of wound we do not address this type of wound. And unaddressed wound will cause an infection Of the soul.
- An infection caused by rejection does not manifest in pus, but personalities. This will cause us to mistake infection for identity.
- That bad attitude… Thats not identity, that’s infection!
- That hard heartedness, not allowing anyone to get close to you.. Unable to connect on anything more than surface level… That’s not identity, that’s infection!
- That works mentality that says “if I want something done right I have to do it myself”, that’s infection!
- That people pleasing tendency that sacrifices your purpose on the alter of some else’s pleasure… That’s infection!
- That messiah complex that drives me to swoop in and save the day, help people who don’t even want to help themselves… That’s infection!
- That timidity that will not allow your to use the gifts and talents God gave you because your afraid of failure… Thats not identity, That’s infection!
- We cannot dismiss dysfunction as identity! Why? Because dismissed dysfunction will destroy destiny!
- We don’t want to deal with dysfunction because it hurts!
- No doubt God is the great healer, but sometimes I would prefer a little more anesthetic. An anesthetic is a substance that induces insensitivity to pain.
- The Lord spoke to me and said; “There is power in pain. Pain will motivate you to change. When you are tired enough of the pain you will deal with the cause. I shielded you from experiencing much of the pain because you couldn’t handle it, but I allowed you to experience a certain amount of pain to persuade you of my faithfulness!”
Transition: Rejection is a silent killer! If left unaddressed, it is a wound that will destroy your life from the inside out. Our text and the overall story of our text is full of rejection and the corresponding manifestations. I can not find anyone in the Bible other than Jesus who experienced more rejection that David. But David was not the only one in our text to experience rejection.
“Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.”
-
- Samuel was partial to king Saul because God had used him to anoint him King. He was mourning over the rejection of Saul. Sometimes you have to stop looking at the dead things to see the living.
- Samuel was taking Saul’s rejection personally and it was restricting his movement! Rejection will keep you locked in the past when God wants to move you into your future!
- Rejection will keep you mourning dead things and cause you to miss new opportunities.
- Rejection will affect movement.
6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
-
- Samuel was a seer yet he could not see that Eliab was not Gods chosen king. He was seeing through the eyes of disappointment and rejection.
- Rejection can distort your vision!
- When you not seeing clearly you revert back to the last thing God did and how He did it.
- 1 Samuel 9:2 NKJV [2] And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
- Saul was the people’s choice based on the peoples criteria, But God said, No Samuel, we are doing it my way this time!
- Don’t let the rejection of others distort your vision.
- Some of you are looking at todays spouse through a 20 year old divorce!
- Some of your are looking at your future calling though the eyes of your past failure!
- Rejection will affect vision!
he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “…I have refused him.
-
- Eliab was rejected for a position he wasn’t even seeking!
- What if for Eliab, this wasn’t a test, but training? What if God was training Eliab to walk about from things he wants, but don’t belong to him?
- Everything that looks like elevation isn’t my assignment.
- Sometimes God will take something away from you in one season to teach you to walk away from something in another season!
- Sometimes rejection is for your own good! Sometimes, God will use rejection to sharpen discernment!
1 Samuel 17:28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”29 And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” 30 Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing
-
- Rejection perceived wrong will be handled wrong!
- Rejection will cause you to be angry with people who didn't even reject you!
- Rejected people reject people will often reject others to make themselves feel better about the perception they have of themselves.
- The hurt of rejection will manifest in your words. Because you question your value, you will use words to diminish the value of others.
- Rejection will cause you to be dismissed. “What have I done now?” Is an indicator that this was not a new thing but an ongoing attitude from Eliab toward David.
10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”
-
- 6 more sons passed by. I’m sure Samuel was confused by now. “Lord, I thought you told me to ….”
- This is the first mention of David in the Bible. The first time we hear of David, we hear of rejection. David’s story begins with him being rejected by men, yet appointed by God!
- He was relegated to the worst task in the family. Exiled to the fields to tend sheep!
- His own family, the ones closest to him didn't even know there was a King in Him! Just because they see you often doesn’t mean they see you right!
- He was isolated… Sometimes the isolation of rejection will open the door to the comfort of intimacy!
- It might be that the people who rejected you in one season God will make stand for you in another season!
12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.
-
- I can imagine how David must have felt when he shows up and see’s whats going on. - “Dad, you couldn’t even call me?” “You didn’t think enough of me to even include me.” - Rejected by his dad. The one who was supposed to protect him. The one charged with raising him. The one who was supposed to be there for him no matter what! - The rejection that hurts the most is from those closest to you! - You're going to choose addiction over me, your own son.
- Most of the time rejection says more about them than it does about you!
- Many scholars believe that David’s father rejected him because he was the child of another women. David said “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.”
- It could be that David’s father rejected him because he reminded him of his own failures.
- There stands David, picked by God to hold the highest position in the known world, yet rejected by his own father.
- Oily yet injured! Anointed but broken. Talented yet tormented by rejection.
- Don’t mistake anointing for healing!
- Many people refuse to deal with the wound of rejection because they think they are good because their anointed.
Jesus was despised and rejected so you could be loved and accepted!
- For some of you, the silent killer of rejection is killing you softly. You look good on the outside, but inside your dying.
- Don't let the wound of rejection infected the rest of your life. Jesus paid the price, He took your place so that you could take His!
I Need A Break!
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Psalm 34:1-8 NKJV
I have realized as I have grown older that self evaluation is critical to my stability. We all have a breaking point, naturally speaking, and I have to be mature enough to be able to honestly evaluate where I am at. Over the course of this week I realized…I NEED A BREAK!
- I need a break from talk of pandemic, curves, and death rates!
- I need a break from conspiracy theories, rights, and government overreach.
- I need a break from obesely wealthy celebrities telling me “We are all in this together” and elected officials telling me I do not have mental capacity to look at a situation objectively and make decisions for myself!
- I need a break from the unending back and forth on social media between brothers and sisters in the body of Christ criticizing one another, thereby revealing their lack of maturity!
Not just a break, but WE need a BREAKTHROUGH!
- We need a breakthrough from discouragement, depression, and disillusion!
- We need a breakthrough from the responsibility of “figuring it all out”!
- We need a breakthrough from fear and panic and anxiety and worry!
When I need a breakthrough from external pressures, I need an internal reset. What do I do when we need an internal reset?
RELEASE MY PRAISE!
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
-
- My starting place is always praise.
- Praise is the seat/throne of God. Complaint is the seat/throne of the enemy.
- The praisers were always sent out to battle first. Praise is how the battle is fought.
- Most of the time the battle is not with the demonic, its with the mind.
- When I praise, I praise in the Spirit first!
- 1 Corinthians 14:15-18 TPT 15 So here’s what I’ve concluded. I will pray in the Spirit, but I will also pray with my mind engaged. I will sing rapturous praises in the Spirit, but I will also sing with my mind engaged. 16 Otherwise, if you are praising God in your spirit, how could someone without the gift participate by adding his “amen” to your giving of thanks, since he doesn’t have a clue of what you’re saying? 17 Your praise to God is admirable, but it does nothing to strengthen and build up others. 18 I give thanks to God that I speak in tongues more than all of you…
- My experience with discouragement while riding the other day. Song, His eye is on the sparrow.
SHIFT MY PERSPECTIVE! 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.
-
- Perspective determines your thoughts. Your thoughts will determine your words. Your determine your atmosphere.
- Soul: mind, will and emotions.
- Magnify; to increase the apparent size of, as a lens does. to make greater in actual size; enlarge: to cause to seem greater or more important; attribute too much importance to; exaggerate.
- The problem with that is that you can not make God seem grater than He is! You can not make God bigger than He actually is! You can not attribute too much importance to God! You can not exaggerate how AWESOME, HOW MIGHTY, HOW MAJESTIC, HOW WONDERFUL, OR HOW GOOD HE IS!!!
- HE IS THE GOD WHO SPOKE THE WORLDS INTO EXISTENCE! HE IS THE WHO REACHED DOWN FORM THE THRONE ROOM OF HEAVEN AND FROMED MAN OUT OF THE DUST OF THE EARTH! HE IS THE GOD WHO BREATHED THE BREATH OF LIFE INTO MAN AND CAUSED HIM TO BE A LIVING BEING MADE I HIS VERY IMAGE!
- HE ALONE IS GOD AND I WILL MAKE MY BOAST IN HIM! (Every good and perfect thing come from The Lord!… Governor Cuomo, you didn’t flatten anything but the economy! If the curve has been flattened God did it! If lives have been saved, God did it!)
- He’s talking about perspective. Your perspective!
- Let’s Magnify Him for a moment.
- God said, “Light Be!” And immediately light was shot across the sky traveling at 186,000 miles per second, 671,000,000 miles per hour!
- ➡(The Bible says, Thy word is a lamb unto my feet and a light unto my path! Speak the word!)
- The closest star is 4.3 light years away. At 671,000,000 miles per hour it would take me 4.3 years to get to the closet star.
- The sun is 93 million miles from the earth. If I got in a jet traveling 600 miles per hours today I would be 64 years old by the time I reached the sun.
- God said, “Light Be!” And immediately light was shot across the sky traveling at 186,000 miles per second, 671,000,000 miles per hour!
- When my perspective about Him shifts, my perspective about me will shift! I start to rise up in my position.
- I stop allowing my situation to define me and start using my position to define my situation!
- Stop allowing things or people who didn’t create you to define you! The one that design a thing gets to define a thing!
- When my perspective shifts about me, my perspective shifts about my enemy!
Ponder my testimony! 4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
-
- I remember all the times the enemy tried to take me out when I was a kid but The hand of The Lord protected me!
- I remember when I didn't have a job, but never missed a meal or a bill!
- I remind myself that I could be a drunk, a drug addict, or a convict!
- I remember the times I was so depressed I thought I was going to loose my mind, have a nervous breakdown but THE LORD BROUGHT ME THROUGH!
- I remember when fear gripped my mind to the point my body felt like it was going to shut down when the enemy tried to take my wife and son out during birth!
My discernment clears. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
-
- To taste here means to discern, perceive; to evaluate. Ta‘am as a noun came to refer to “discernment,” that is, the capacity to choose and delight in good things.
Don't waste it!
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Joshua 1:1-5 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.
Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “Never let a good crisis go to waste”. Some have used the current “global crisis” as an opportunity to further their agenda. Don’t worry, I’m not going to talk about politics or politicians. I will refrain from giving voice to my frustration over elected government officials using the “stimulus package” to give themselves raises while hard working Americans suffer because of the economy that said elected officials have tanked through fear and panic. I will not talk about churches being shut down in certain areas while abortion clinics are deemed essential and “life sustaining”. I will not go into how we as American citizens have so easily given up our freedoms one by one for some sense of security in the midst of crisis! No, today I want to focus on how we as believers can use this opportunity to grow.
I want to share some things God has been showing me about crisis and how not to waste it.
- Don’t GO through this, GROW through this!
- A crisis not grown in is wasted.
- Crisis; a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. A time when a difficult or important decision must be made.
- A crisis, by definition, is difficult. It involves pain. Pain is an indicator that something is off. (physical pain indicates something is wrong in the body.)
- Crisis is a great revealer and clarifier.
- He will use it to reveal things in your heart you didn't know were there. Attitudes, thought processes, bitterness, wounds, etc…
- Whenever God reveals something in us that is not where it needs t be, He’s never doing it to condemn us but to grow us.
-
Crisis inevitably brings change. Normal will be different once you have gone through a crisis.
-
There are 3 things I want to show you about crisis. 2 are certain and unavoidable. The other is optional.
- Crisis will bring change and it will bring pain, but growth is optional.
Crisis brings change.
-
- Growing through a crisis without change is like a woman who wants to have a baby, but doesn't want the pain or change to her body that come with it. It doesn't work that way.
- All growth demands change.
- Crisis does not change purpose! Sometimes it activates our assignment and pushes us into our purpose.
- Sometimes crisis will precede promotion!
- As long as Moses was alive, they could not enter the promised land. They were unable to advance until they were willing to embrace change that was brought about my a crisis.
- We will see change out of this crisis. Some good and some not so good. There will be new opportunities and way to minister to people.
Crisis brings pain.
-
- Joshua lost his mentor. There was undoubtably pain. He had not had any time to grieve or process the situation.
- The people lost their leader of 40 years! The one who lead them out of bondage.
- It was sudden. It was unexpected. It was chaotic. I was a crisis situation.
- Chinese word for crisis: Two pictures, one denoting Danger and the other Opportunity. Every crises has two things in it: Danger and opportunity.
- Never allow your emotions to cause you to miss opportunity. Every crisis is an opportunity for growth.
- Perspective will determine your response. Your response will determine your growth.
- When I see the crisis I’m facing as an opportunity to grow spiritually, it will make the pain I’m dealing with worth it.
- You will only grow to the threshold of your pain. Right perspective increases your pain threshold.
In crisis, change and pain are unavoidable. Growth is optional.
-
- You are the only one who can decide if you GO through crisis or GROW through crisis.
- Without hesitation I can say for certain that I have learned more about myself and grown closer to The Lord in times of pain.
Principals for GROWING (not just going) through Crisis.
-
Seek His presence in midst of the Crisis.
-
- Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity;
- Earnestly look for Him!
- The crisis doesn't change our purpose. We are called to be people of His Presence!
- Our intimacy level with God. V1
- First time we see that God spoke directly to Joshua is in crisis!
- He has been in His presence, but now He was taking him to a new level.
- We must pursue a deeper walk with Jesus!
- God did not cause the crisis, but He will NEVER WASTE IT!
-
Ask God for wisdom.
-
- James 1:2-8 TPT 2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! 3 For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. 4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking. 5 And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace. 6 Just make sure you ask empowered by confident faith without doubting that you will receive. For the ambivalent person believes one minute and doubts the next. Being undecided makes you become like the rough seas driven and tossed by the wind. You’re up one minute and tossed down the next. 7–8 When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?
- To grow through crisis your thinking must change.
- To do what you’ve never done you have to think like you've never thought.
- You can’t take old mindsets into new seasons.
- Old minds can not receive/perceive new blessings.
- Thank God and operate in the wisdom He has already given you!
-
Don't ask why, Ask what.
-
- Ask God what He wants you to learn from this crisis.
- Every situation is an opportunity to grow.
- You will get bitter or better and which you become is dependent upon your reaction.
- You will be a victim or victorious, but you can’t be both.
-
Give thanks and look to the promises.
-
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 17 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 do not quench the Spirit.
- Not for, IN.
- You have to become a promise person. A promise person doesn't focus on the change around us they focus on the promises of God that never change.
- Joshua 1:3-5 NLT [3] I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you- [4] from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.' [5] No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
- Five promises God gives us for motivation to Embrace change: God says, "I promise”
- Provision (inheritance)
- Purpose
- Protection
- Presence
- Persistence (faithfulness) Peace
- Every crisis is an opportunity to proclaim the Truth by faith!
-
Look to His Word!
-
- Joshua 1:8 NLT [8] Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
- Successful change and subsequent possession of the promise is absolutely dependent upon your revelation of the word of God. Not your knowledge, but your revelation.
- Knowledge is something that you have heard, or may even remember, but revelation is something you have put into action in your life. The fruit of Revelation is manifest by your choices, actions, and reactions.
- Meditate: The Hebrew word the notes and active reciting or re-speaking of God's word. It means too mutter, to recite over and over again.
- Faith comes by hearing. The more you speak it, the more you hear it, the more you believe it.
- This is a continual studying, growing in the word of God.
- Only through continual growth in the word of God will you prosper and succeed.
-
Trust God no matter what!
-
- The enemy is after your faith!
- Every crisis is an opportunity to grow your faith or to give up your faith.
What am I focused On?
Sunday, April 5, 2020
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. 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). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
12b … 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.”
Crisis is a great clarifier, its a great reveler and it can bring about a narrowness of focus. Where that focus is placed will determine whether you walk in victory or defeat. We do not need more revelation! We need to use the revelation we have already been given and focus our heart upon Him!
V3 And Jehoshaphat feared,…
-
- When something unexpected happens, fear is often the first thing that we feel. You are not unspiritual if you felt fear these last few weeks. You're not an immature believer if you have had to fight fear.
- The presence of fear is not an indicator of a lack of faith!
- In an attempt to stir faith in the body, if we are not careful, we can unintentionally vilify those who are experiencing fear.
- I am seeing division amplified in the body of Christ! (“Christians” applauding the arresting of pastors… Pastors calling believers names for not physically coming to church…) STOP IT! This is an embarrassment to God. Jesus said you will know them by their love for one another!
- Faith is not the absence of fear. Faith is the decision to believe a superior reality!
- I will believe the report of The Lord!
- We ALL experience the emotion of fear. It's what we do in those moments that will determine what spirit we allow to function in our life. How you CHOOSE to respond determine how God CAN respond.
He set himself to seek the Lord! V3, v12
-
- His immediate response to fear was to set his focus on seeking The Lord!
- Intimacy with The Father is the GREATEST weapon against fear!
- What you focus on determines what you feed! Focus on everything the world is pushing and feed fear. Focus on The Lord and the things of The Spirit and feed your faith.
- Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!
- Jesus said if you abide in me and my WORDS abide in you…
He called a fast. V3
-
- Fear feeds on flesh. Fasting is the quickest way of killing flesh.
- Fasting bring us to a place where we can see and hear God clearly. Fasting is one way we set our focus!
- Fast social media and news outlets. Fast Fear and Feed Faith!
He/they prayed! V4-13
they positioned themselves in covenant. V6
-
- Prayer from a position of righteousness! Prayer as a son not a beggar!
They strengthened themselves with testimonies. V6-8
-
- The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
- They will over come by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.
- Remember all the Lord has done and brought you through!
- Multi-generational church. We have men and women who have been through some things and know He is faithful!
The spirit of the lord fell and the word of the lord came! V14
-
- When I set myself to seek The Lord, pray, fast, position myself in righteousness and rehearse the testimonies, The Spirit of God will move and The word of God will come!
- Jahaziel; Has a 2 fold meaning. 1) To See God. 2) Seen By God.
- When I set my focus and I start to see God, then I realize God sees me!
Praise and presence released authority! Authority brings victory! V18-22
-
- V19 Praise. Praise releases Authority! Psalm 22:3. Enthroned on the praises of your people!
- V22 Radical praise came before God moved. “Now when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes….
Peace Above All
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Philippians 4:4-8 TPT 4 Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One! 5 Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near.
6 Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, 7 THEN God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.
8 So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. 9 Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things.
Philippians 4:4-8 NKJV
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Begin with reading Governor Hutchinson proclamation for Special Day of Prayer and pray.
We are in uncharted territory. Leading though this time has been difficult to say the least. My concern from the beginning was not the virus itself, but the fear that is driving the narrative. I see very little difference between the response of the church and the response of the world.
Test or trials are great revealers of truth.
-
- They reveal WHAT I really believe and WHO I really believe in.
- The presence of a trial is not an indicator of the absence of God.
-
- Faith is not the absence of trials, its the presence of peace in the storm.
- Peace doesn’t come when the storm is over, peace is their/available when the storm is raging.
- Peace is not just a state of being, peace is a fruit of the Spirit.
- Peace is not just a fruit of the Spirit, peace is a person! Jesus!
- Every test or trial we have gone through revealed to us exactly where we were spiritually. What or who we had put our trust in. We had to answer some hard questions very quickly and those answered would determine how this trial affected the rest of our life.
- John 14:26-27 NKJV [26] But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
- Peace is available and peace is a choice.
-
- Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV [3] You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. [4] Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.
- Philippians 4:4,6-9 NKJV [4] Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!... [6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. [9] The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
-
- James 1:2-8 The Passion Translation (TPT) 2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! 3 For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. 4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking. 5 And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace. 6 Just make sure you ask empowered by confident faith without doubting that you will receive. For the ambivalent person believes one minute and doubts the next. Being undecided makes you become like the rough seas driven and tossed by the wind. You’re up one minute and tossed down the next. 7–8 When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?
The presence of a test or trial is not an indicator of the absence of God.
-
- Its the exact opposite!
What influences you from the inside will determine your atmosphere on the outside.
-
- Peace is not the absence of SOMETHING it is the presence of SOMEONE! JESUS!
Are you being influenced by the presence of fear of the presence of God.
A Prophetic People Pt.3 “You are prepared for this!”
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Romans 8:5-7,14 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:5-7, 14 TPT 5 Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.
7 In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights God’s plan and refuses to submit to his direction, because it cannot!
14 The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit.
It has been a rough week for our nation. Much of our nation is in panic mode. Shelves are void of basic necessities. Fights breaking out in stores over toilet paper. We are in such chaos that Your President, President Trump, has called for a national day or prayer. (Can we just thank God for a President who calls for prayer instead of canceling prayer!) Those of you who know me know I don’t like Holliday messages, but really I don’t like anything that interrupts the flow or direction The Lord is taking us in. I don’t like distractions, so I was praying, or complaining, to The Lord about this whole situation and it interrupting our series on being a prophetic people. The Lord responded with, “I didn't tell you to change anything! This is what I want you to tell My people…”
“You are prepared for this! I have equipped you and placed you for this appointed time in history to be My voice, to declare My words, and destroy ALL the works of darkness! I have called you to be the light that illuminates the Goodness of who I am and reveal the power of the finished work of My Son! I have not given you the spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind! So be strong can courageous! Be bold! Open up you mouth and prophesy! Speak life in the midst of death! Speak healing in the presence of disease! Stand firmly in the middle of panic and declare peace! Again, I say be strong and Very courageous for I am with you, in your and will move through you!”
Today we are going to take part in National Day of Prayer. Before we do, I want to remind you of a few things.
We are prepared for this!
-
- Spiritually minded people are able to be victorious in every situation!
- We are spiritually minded enough to bring the atmosphere of Heaven to earth!
- Our mindset; our established set of attitudes or beliefs held is established in the realities of Heaven!
- As mature believers, we to not allow what we see to override what we know! We are intentional about focusing on the the realities of Heaven!
- As a prophetic people we do not get our information from fox new, cbs, nbc, msnbc or any other FAKE NEWS outlet! We get our news from the Spirit and the word of God! And its GOOD NEWS!
- Some people have a tendency to prophecy something tragic so that they appear discerning when tragedy comes. Is that the goal of being a prophetic people? The goal of being a prophetic people is to affect the course of history. When we discern something is coming we are not called to prophecy, or call into being, distraction but to confront distraction with life so that it can be avoided!
- What the world sees as a problem, the church should see as an opportunity!
- The enemy always fights the hardest right before a breakthrough!
- We are called to be salt and light!
- Light illuminates. We are to expose the lies and shine the light if truth.
- Salt preserves. Salt creates thirst!
- In the midst of panic, those with the most hope will be those with the most influence!
- Worry is proof you hear the voice of the enemy, faith is proof you hear the voice of the Spirit.
- Worry or fear is proof you are still carnally minded. Faith in the midst of adverse circumstances is proof you are spiritually minded.
- Difficulties do not define you or make you, they reveal the real you. I believe this panic is going to the power of God within His body!
The battle is always for your faith!
-
- The enemy is always trying to steal your faith. If he can steal your faith he can rob you of your destiny!
Fear is assigned by the enemy stifle your potential and move you from a place of effectiveness.
-
- The most frequent command in the Bible, in one form or another, is “Fear not”.
- By placing such and emphasis on this command, The Lord is exposing the number one tactic of the enemy.
- Why fear? The enemy knows that a fearful people is an easily controlled people!
- In Nehemiah … “They did this to make us afraid”
- Isaiah 54:13-14, 17.
- Having the emotion of fear is not sin, partnering with it is. Embracing the fear as if it were truth is sin.
- Giving into the emotion of fear opens the door to the spirit of fear.
- 2 Timothy 1:5-7 5 “as I think of your strong faith that was passed down through your family line. It began with your grandmother Lois, who passed it on to your dear mother, Eunice. And it’s clear that you too are following in the footsteps of their godly example. 6 I’m writing to encourage you to fan into a flame and rekindle[a] the fire of the spiritual gift God imparted to you when I laid my hands upon you. 7 For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.”
Fear is assigned by the enemy, but empowered (or defeated) by you!
-
- We empower who or what we agree with!
- When you believe a lie, you empower the source of the lie. Agreement releases power. Who or what you come into agreement with you empower to operate in your life.
- When you believe the truth you empower the truth!
- I AM ALERT BUT IM NOT AFRAID!
- When God tells us “Do not fear”, He’s not saying it to condemn us or shame us, but to empower us. He’s not pointing out what we are doing wrong, but reminding us that Grace is available for us to stand in faith. We have the capacitor to fear not regardless of the circumstances. How? By coming into agreement with what He says, which empowers His grace to be released in our life to empower us to be victorious over fear!
- When God gives a command to not do something, it comes with a promise that empowers us. A command from The Lord comes with an invitation to partner with Him. Grace is the power to do what we can not do on our own.
We pray from a position of victories sons and daughters!
Communion: Reminds us of the position we stand in and the victory we are believing from!
In 2020 we are going to focus on building leaders. At Ignite we condider anyone who serves a leader no matter the area. We also believe that every believer is called to be a leader in their sphere of influence, therfore our BUILD leadership training is open to ANYONE.
BUILD Leadership Session 1
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Philippians 2:3 (TPT) 3 Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves.
NIV 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Sometime after the first of the year, I was having a conversation with someone (Mike I think) and they asked me if I got a “word” from the Lord for the year. I said no and I rarely do and they said, “did you ask for one”. Well, no I didn’t. So I did as I was driving to Ft. Smith one day and Holy Spirit said “Build”. He didn’t give much clarity, but I knew in my spirit He was not talking about buildings or church growth, He was talking about building people. Specifically building leaders.
I am going to makes some statements about leadership and lay some groundwork for what we hope to accomplish during these times together. Then we will focus on what I believe is one of the most important trait of a GOOD leader.
-
Being a leader and being a good/effective leader are not the same thing. Having capacity to lead does not mean you have the skill to lead. Developing leadership skills has to be intentional.
-
- You must own your own development.
- You should look to other for guidance and help, but you can not rely on someone else to develop you without you making it a priority.
- Developing as a leader will be uncomfortable and push you out of you comfort zone. Comfort and growth can not co-exist.
-
Self-awareness is the first step to growth and development in becoming an effective leader.
-
- People have an unlimited capacity for self-deception. No one lies to themselves like leaders.
- A problem or lack of skill that you are unaware of is a problem you can not solve. You don't know what you don't know.
- Part of what we want to accomplish through these meetings and other avenues as The Lord shows us is to help you become the leader you were designed to be. We can not do that if you are unwilling to be aware or be made aware of areas where growth is needed.
-
To be effective leaders we must seek out growth and be ok with being challenged.
-
- As leaders and just as people we must be constantly looking to grow. You need to become very comfortable with being uncomfortable.
- There can be not change without confrontation and there is rarely confrontation with out being uncomfortable.
- God will challenge you on another level to take you to another level.
- Some people have never been challenged to deal with their character flaws or issues because the people around them didn’t want to hurt their feelings or incur the wrath of their response so they enable them to stay where they are at.
- People who have enabled you your whole life have disabled you for your future and stifled the leadership potential within you.
-
To be an effective leader you have to be a healed leader.
-
- If your heart is not healthy (soul health) your leadership is hindered.
- Often leaders are so focused on being the instruments of God’s transformation that we forget were are also the objects of His transformation. God doesn’t just want to use you to transform others lives, but He wants to transform your life as well. He doesn’t just want you to bring healing to others, He wants to bring healing to you.
- We can only bring freedom to the degree we are free ourselves.
- Broken hearted leaders can not lead anyone anywhere except into brokenness.
-
To be an effective leader, one of the biggest things we have healed from is the need for approval.
-
- Approval or affirmation addiction will pervert your decision making process and derail your leadership.
- When your will to please God and fulfill His purpose outweighs your need for mans approval, you can make hard decisions. (It may not make them any easier, but it will help you stay focused on who you serve.)
-
To be an effective leader we must have the correct perspective about leadership.
-
- Everything starts with perspective. How you see leadership will determine how you lead. (Power/position vs. Servanthood)
- Being a leader is about serving. Not just the act of serving, but the heart of serving.
- Selfish ambition had no place in our leadership.
A Prophetic People Pt.2 “SPIRITUALLY MINDED”
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Romans 8:5-7,14 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:5-7, 14 TPT 5 Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.
7 In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights God’s plan and refuses to submit to his direction, because it cannot!
14 The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit.
We have all heard the phrase, “Too heavenly minded to be any earthly good”, or “Too spiritually minded to be any earthly good”. This is a derogatory statement usually describing someone who is trying to walk by faith or live according to the Word of God. I believe the opposite is true. In order to be any earthly good, we must become spiritually minded!
If we want to make an impact for the Kingdom we must have a Kingdom mindset!
If we truly want His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven, then we must be focused on the realities of Heaven so that we can manifest them here on earth!
Much of the body of Christ is too earthly minded to be spiritually effective!
- If we are going to be a Prophetic People, we must be spiritually minded.
- When I say a prophetic people, many of you may think “Im not prophetic nor do I want to be so this doesn't pertain to me”… WRONG! We are all called to be prophetic (We will look at that more in depth next week, maybe). As we grow in maturity we will grow in being prophetic.
- Maturing in the things of God requires become spiritually minded. You can not be a mature believer, follower of Jesus, and not be spiritually minded.
- To be spiritually minded means that we have a spiritual or Kingdom mindset.
- Mindset: An established set of attitudes or beliefs held by an individual. A mental attitude or inclination.
- Mindsets are heavily influenced by environment. The environment you were raised in tremendously affected the establishing of your mindset.
- Philippians 3:20 tells us that we are now “citizens of heaven”.
- The best way to learn a culture and or language is to be completely immersed in it. We have to immerse ourselves in the culture of the Kingdom of Heaven… Then we will think kingdom, speak kingdom, reflect kingdom!
- When you are immersed in a culture the realities of that culture slowly become your realities.
We must be intentional about becoming spiritually minded.
-
- Colossians 3:1-3 (NKJV) 3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
- TPT 3 Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority! 2 Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.
- Refer to Colossians 3:3-16 on Bible App.
- Philippians 4:8 NKJV Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
- TPT 8 So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.
- The Principal of Replacement.
- Overcome evil with good.
- Put off then Put on!
- Learn to replace the lie of the enemy with the truth of God. Then the reality of the your natural situation will be replaced with the reality of your spiritual inheritance.
- The reality of your present condition will be replace by the reality of your present Position!
- Controlling and managing your thoughts and mindsets, which will then dictate your actions, is a TRUE sign of maturity!
- Go to 1 Corinthians 2 & 3 TPT
What you feed will grow, what you starve will die.
-
- The Lord spoke this to Kelly this morning; “You cant constantly feed on the world and accurately digest my word.”
- Digest: break down (food) into substances that can be absorbed and used by the body.
- Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen!
You have (present tense) the mind of Christ. You determine if you access it or not.
-
- Col 2:15
A Prophetic People Pt.1
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Romans 8:5-7,14 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:5-7, 14 TPT 5 Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.
7 In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights God’s plan and refuses to submit to his direction, because it cannot!
14 The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 TPT 2 Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of HOW you think….
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 TPT 3 Brothers and sisters, when I was with you I found it impossible to speak to you as those who are spiritually mature people, for you are still dominated by the mind-set of the flesh. And because you are immature infants in Christ, 2 I had to nurse you and feed you with “milk,” not with the solid food of more advanced teachings, because you weren’t ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready to be fed solid food, 3 for you are living your lives dominated by the mind-set of the flesh. Ask yourselves: Is there jealousy among you? Do you compare yourselves with others? Do you quarrel like children and end up taking sides? If so, this proves that you are living your lives centered on yourselves, dominated by the mind-set of the flesh, and behaving like unbelievers.
Paul tell us several times in his first letter to the Corinthians that we are to desire spiritual gifts and puts a specific emphasis on prophecy. 1 Corinthians 14:1 “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”, 5 “I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied;…” 39 “…Desire earnestly to prophesy…”
- Not every believer is called to operate in the office or ministry position of a prophet, but EVERY believer is called to be prophetic! We are called to be a prophetic people!
- The prophetic is not just an arbitrary word, but rather an expression of the mind and heart of God in to a persons life or situation.
- This means that in order to be a prophetic we have to get our mind right. Your mind has to be submitted to The Spirit in order to accurately hear and relay what He is saying!
- EVERYTHING is processed through the mind. There is a connection between His Spirit, your spirit and your mind.
- Basketball analogy. Shot starts with the feet, up through your torso, etc..
- A prophetic word starts in the Heart of God, is communicated to your spirit, processed through your mind and released through your mouth.
- When you are carnal minded, the word will get lost in the process.
- It's only when I allow my mind to be renewed that my natural condition will begin to line up with my spiritual Position. Notice I said, ALLOW….
- Romans 12:2 “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of HOW you think…..” TPT
- In order for transformation to take place there must be surrender. We must be willing to surrender our mind to Christ. We can not function through the mind of Christ and our old mind at the same time.
- This produces double-mindedness and James said to be double minded is to be unstable.
- There must be an intentional surrender and intentionality of effort to changing the way we think.
- There are some things in your life that will NEVER change until you put forth the effort to change the way that you think.
- Riding my bike yesterday The Lord said to me, “You can break the spirit of depression off of someone by my anointing and authority, but they have to deal with the access points.”
- “Grace is opposed to earning, not effort”. Grace means that we don’t earn, but grace doesn’t mean we don’t put forth an effort.
- In fact, putting forth an effort is an expression of faith! James said faith without works or corresponding acton is no faith at all!
- Putting forth an effort is indication that I believe God has something more for my life.
- Putting forth an effort is an indication that I have a revelation that if I draw near to God, He will draw near to me!
- Putting forth an effort is an indication that I have faith that my natural condition is subject to change and that my spiritual position is the reality of who I am!
- Condition vs Position.
- One of the most difficult things you will ever do is see yourself correctly (God’s perception of you).
- You can never rise in life above your level of revelation.
- Renewing your mind means learning to recognize what comes from hell and what comes from heaven. That is the only what you will complete your dine assignment on your life.
- Romans 5:5 TPT Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace. 7 In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights God’s plan and refuses to submit to his direction, because it cannot!
- 14 The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit.
- I have to renew my mind to my position in Christ to be a prophetic person.
- If we we want to experience mind renewal we must surrender too, partner, and co-labor with The Holy Spirit.
- Notice he didn’t say to be spiritually gifted is life and peace. He said to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
- We can be spiritually gifted and not be spiritually minded. Spiritual gifts are used to bless others, but you mind determines whether or not you're walking in the blessing. You can not gift yourself into peace, you have to think your way into peace.
- Paul said a mind governed or led by The Spirit of God is life and peace, but a mind governed or led by the flesh is death and destruction.
- A mind that is governed by the flesh or the soul is led by impulses, appetites and emotions.
- We are supposed to have feelings, but not to be governed by feelings.
- Feelings are designed to be indicators, not dictators. We are to live with them, but not led by them.
You can not be carnally minded and effective prophetically.
-
- NKJV 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
- TPT 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.
- A prophetic people are spiritually minded people.
- When I am spiritual minded, I am connected to the life of God. I can not prophetically release life if I’m not connected to life!
We are called to be prophetic not pathetic.
-
- Prophesying by the flesh is pathetic and bring destruction.
- I will prophesy from what I am connected to.
You can not be negative and call forth the divine.
-
- You can not talk down and expect to raise up!
- Your words have power even when they're not around.
You can not focus on the condition of a person and speak to their position in Christ.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 TPT 2 Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of HOW you think….
20/20 God's Vision for Ignite Pt.2
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Habakkuk 2:2 …“Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.”
Proverbs 29:18 TPT When there is no clear prophetic vision, people quickly wander astray…
- “A church without a vision is a church without a future. A church without a future will always try to recreate the past.”
- My definition of Vision; An ongoing revelation of God’s will. Vision is never static. It is dynamic, fluid, and ever evolving. (It is the ability to connect with the designer and receive His blueprint for your life.)
- Proverbs 29:18 NKJV Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
- TPT When there is no clear prophetic vision, people quickly wander astray.
- Vision = ongoing, progressive, prophetic revelation. Restraint= Guidance. Structure. Path to follow. Law = instruction, direction. Body of prophetic teaching.
- Where there is no ongoing, progressive, prophetic revelation, the people cast off restraint…. Where there is no VISION, the people lack Direction.
Mission statement: Igniting passion, position and purpose!
(igniting passion, illuminating position, initiating purpose) P3
-
- Correct version of P3. The Lord gave me Passion, Position, Purpose while I was driving to the first service of Ignite. He had spoken to Kelly previously and said 3 P’s. She did not know what that meant exactly at the time. We had not talked so when I shared what He gave me He was confirming it to and through both of us!
- When I encounter the presence of God it Ignites a Passion for Him, which in turn produces a desire to seek after him and develop a true relationship.
- As I begin to seek the Lord, a true relationship is developed and out of that relationship, God starts to illuminate my Position in Christ. He starts to teach me who I truly am.
- It's only when I know who I am in Christ that I can begin to live out my Purpose.
- Our mandate is to Ignite Passion (for Him), Illuminate Position (in Him), and Initiate Purpose (that can only be fulfilled through Him) in the hearts of every person we can!
Coming in 2020
-
- Develop leadership; Monthly leadership meetings. Open to anyone who is or feels called to leadership. I consider anyone who serves as a leader. - The first Sunday of the month (With the exclusion of Hollidays and conflicting events. We will get a schedule put out soon). - March 8th will be our first one. (Every other will be the first Sunday of the Month) - 5:00 in the evenings. This will give you time to eat lunch, rest, etc… - 1 hour from start to finish most of the time. - We will have child care for ages 12 and under. - Your older children are welcome, but if there are topic or things you do not want discussed or addressed in front of them, do not bring them. - Challenging!
- Mentorship program for those who filled called to 5 fold ministry. (Details to come at a later date)
- Holy Spirit Forums.
- Continue to cultivate a culture of His presence and power. (Quarterly worship and healing services.)
- April 10, Good Friday.
Ignite global (Guatemala)
Matthew 28:18-20 The Passion Translation (TPT) 18 Then Jesus came close to them and said, “All the authority of the universe has been given to me. 19 Now go in my authority and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 20 And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.”
Mark 16:15-20 The Passion Translation (TPT) 15 And he said to them, “As you go into all the world, preach openly the wonderful news of the gospel to the entire human race! 16 Whoever believes the good news and is baptized will be saved, and whoever does not believe the good news will be condemned. 17 And these miracle signs will accompany those who believe: They will drive out demons in the power of my name. They will speak in tongues. 18 They will be supernaturally protected from snakes and from drinking anything poisonous. And they will lay hands on the sick and heal them.”
The Beginning and History. (Vision is introduced by the spirit of God)
-
- Disclaimer; When Im sharing about the things we have experienced and the favor God has given us in Guatemala, please understand that I am in no way exalting myself. I am extremely aware that I do not have the credentials, background, or influence to accomplish the things that have been accomplished. GOD IS THE ONE WHO HAS DONE IT ALL! THE GLORY IS ALL HIS!
- 2009 or 2010 I went to Guatemala for the first time. At that point I had been to India, Nepal, and Peru. That first trip to Guatemala changed my life and ministry.
- In 2012, I was in my hotel room between meetings and I had an open vision. I was not asleep, this was not a dream. I was praying for that nights healing service when all of a sudden I saw a map of Guatemala. As I looked at the map a small fire began to burn in the center. Slowly, small fires started popping up all over the map one by one until the entire map was consumed with fire! The Lord then began to speak to me about the coming revival! “He said Guatemala would burn with the fire of revival and it would spread to all of Central and South America. I believe Guatemala is an epicenter from which God will raise up men and women called to the five fold ministry, set them ablaze and send them out to spread revival to all of Central and South America!”
- In 2016 I was preaching at a pastors conference and sharing the vision The Lord gave me. Right as I finished sharing the vision I heard The Spirit of God say, “its time to stop declaring that revival is coming and start declaring that revival has come!”. We have been declaring, prophesying, and activating God’s people to function in revival ever sense! Even as I write this I hear the Holy Spirit roaring within me; “Revival has come to Guatemala and the fire of God will not be put out nor contained! He is raising up an army of Kingdom warriors who will allow Him to set them ablaze with His Holy fire and be carriers of the fire to the rest of the world! Warriors who want nothing more than to see the kingdom of god advanced and his people walking in the fullness of the inheritance that Jesus paid for! The enemy will try to put it out, but his efforts are futile! It is too late! The fire already burins out of control!”
- Our early work was focused on evangelism, crusades, and healing services. We have seen thousands of people saved, healed and delivered. We have seen God open blind eyes, cause the deaf to hear, the mute speak and the lame walk!
- When we knew there was a transition coming from the church we were previously at, we were in Guatemala when The Lord told us to plant Ignite in Rogers. He also told Kelly (I’m paraphrasing) that the things we had learned and He had done through us in Guatemala, we were going to bring to Ignite!
- Share some testimonies; 10 year old girls sight. Lady getting out of wheel chair. Deliverance service in that remote location.
Our Mission’s Ministry Model.
-
- Over the years The Lord began opening doors and giving us great influence with pastors, leaders and government officials in the city of Villa Nueva (1.5 million people) which then expanded throughout multiple regions in Guatemala. Because of this, The Lord shifted our focus to ministering too, equipping and encouraging leaders to do the work He has called them to do. We began having Pastors and leaders conferences throughout the nation as well as continuing the revival and healing services.
- Pastors and Leaders (Ministry) Network. (P3)
- It is much more efficient to equip and encourage those who are already living in a country to continue to do the work they are already passionate about doing that to try to do it all ourselves as “outsiders”.
- Connecting Pastors and leaders all overt the nation and beyond!
- Discuss influence God has given us with Pastors, leaders and government officials throughout the nation.
- Connections and combining of visions. (Pastor Joel)
-
- Schools of Supernatural Ministry. (P3)
-
- Shifting the mentality from “Men of God” to “People of God”…
-
- Plant churches throughout Central and South America.
Question we all must ask ourselves as part of Ignite.
- Am I truly connected or committed to the vision? How do I know?
-
Do I give sacrificially to fulfill the mission and or vision?
- Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- There is always a connection between your heart and your finances!
-
Do I serve sacrificially to fulfill the vision?
-
- If I am connected and committed to a vision I will serve to see that vision fulfilled.
- Passion for a thing will be followed by action.
- When the vision is plain, the people, you will run with it!
-
Do I pray and believe for the vision to be fulfilled?
-
- Prayer is of utmost importance in fulfilling the vision!
-
Does the vision energize me? Does the Vision stir Passion in me?
-
- Passion is greater than emotion.
- I would rather be a passionate leader than an emotional leader.
- Emotion is fleeting and can be manipulated. Energy that is created by emotion is not sustainable, but energy created by passion is!
20/20 God's Vision for Ignite Pt.1
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Habakkuk 2:2 …“Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.”
Proverbs 29:18 KJV 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
NKJV Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
Last week we talked about the power of vision. What vision is, how it comes, the purpose of vision, etc… Today I want to talk about the vision God has given us as a body of believers, IGNITE CHURCH. What are WE called to do. What are WE called to look like. Every body of believer or church is a unique expression of the Kingdom. Our goal is not to emulate or pattern ourselves after what we see as “successful” churches. Our goal is to take the vision of God for Ignite Church and continue to move toward fulfilling that vision, or RUN with it to the best of HIS ability!
- “A man without vision is a man without a future. A man without a future will always return to his past.”
- “A church without a vision is a church without a future. A church without a future will always try to recreate the past.”
- Natural definition of Vision; the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom, (a mental image of what the future will or could be like).
- My definition of Vision; An ongoing revelation of God’s will. Vision is never static. It is dynamic, fluid, and ever evolving. (It is the ability to connect with the designer and receive His blueprint for your life.)
- Proverbs 29:18 NKJV Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
- TPT When there is no clear prophetic vision, people quickly wander astray.
- Vision = ongoing, progressive, prophetic revelation. Restraint= Guidance. Structure. Path to follow. Law = instruction, direction. Body of prophetic teaching.
- Where there is no ongoing, progressive, prophetic revelation, the people cast off restraint…. Where there is no VISION, the people lack Direction.
Characteristics of true vision.
- Vision is introduced by the spirit of God.
- Vision is birthed from a burden (not ambition).
- Vision will always includes the presence of God!
- Vision will always be lead by the presence of God!
- Vision always requires faith to accomplish.
-
Vision always inspires and requires commitment from God’s people.
-
When talking about The Vision of Ignite, there is something I need to make extremely clear; It is one vision with multiple aspects. We are a local church with a global vision.
The Beginning and History. (Vision is introduced by the spirit of God)
-
- 2005 or 2006 driving to Tulsa to visit family. At the point where 412 loops around and turns into Hwy 44, The Holy Spirit spoke something to me. - “You will pastor a multicultural church.” - God speaks to us in terminology we understand, on the level we are on according to the revelation that we have. At that point I did not know anything about Kingdom, how it works, the culture, etc… - Later on (years later) as He was progressing me through Kingdom revelation, He showed that its not “multicultural”, but “multiethnic”. Why? Because there is only one culture that we are to pursue, develop, and be a part of and that is KINGDOM CULTURE!
- In early 2015 God gave me the name Ignite. (story)
- August 2016 we had our first “service” as Ignite Church. (1.5 years later)
Mission statement: Igniting passion, position and purpose!
(igniting passion, illuminating position, initiating purpose) P3
-
- When I encounter the presence of God it Ignites a Passion for Him, which in turn produces a desire to seek after him and develop a true relationship.
- As I begin to seek the Lord, a true relationship is developed and out of that relationship, God starts to illuminate my Position in Christ. He starts to teach me who I truly am.
- It's only when I know who I am in Christ that I can begin to live out my Purpose.
- Our mandate is to Ignite Passion (for Him), Illuminate Position (in Him), and Initiate Purpose (that can only be fulfilled through Him) in the hearts of every person we can!
- The vision is how we are going to accomplish the mandate God has given us. Point
The local body, the region, etc… P3
Igniting a passion for Jesus and his presence. (Vision will always include and be led by the presence of God & Vision is birthed from a burden, not ambition)
-
- We determined from the beginning that God was calling us to be a place of His presence.
- We are a presence led church, not a program driven church.
- His presence is priority number 1.
- An encounter with The presence of God can do in a moment what years of preaching, striving, programs, etc.. can not!
- Go after there people no one wants and those hurt by church (both legitimate hurts and perceived hurts). Hs presence will move us to healing!
- The presence of God is the mark of a God given vision!
Illuminating Position in Jesus.
-
- One of the greatest hindrances for people being all that God designed them to be and fulfilling the plan of God for their life is not knowing who they are in Jesus!
- Our position is by birth, not by works! You are a son or daughter by birth!
- We are righteous because of what He has done.
- We spend our entire life becoming what we already are!
- You were became righteous when you were born again! You were as righteous as you will ever be the moment you received Jesus! 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
- Condemnation is a confidence killer! Romans 8:1
- Romans 7:19-25 The Passion Translation (TPT)19 My lofty desires to do what is good are dashed when I do the things I want to avoid. 20 So if my behavior contradicts my desires to do good, I must conclude that it’s not my true identity doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin hindering me from being who I really am.
21 Through my experience of this principle, I discover that even when I want to do good, evil is ready to sabotage me. 22 Truly, deep within my true identity, I love to do what pleases God. 23 But I discern another power operating in my humanity, waging a war against the moral principles of my conscience[a] and bringing me into captivity as a prisoner to the “law” of sin—this unwelcome intruder in my humanity. 24 What an agonizing situation I am in! So who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death?[b] 25 I give all my thanks to God, for his mighty power has finally provided a way out through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! So if left to myself, the flesh is aligned with the law of sin, but now my renewed mind is fixed on and submitted to God’s righteous principles.
-
- Romans 8:1 NKJV and TPT
- If we don’t know our position in Jesus, we will NEVER be able to fulfill all Jesus has called us too.
initiating Purpose in Jesus.
A Spirit filled, Spirit empowered body of believers who accurately reflect and represent Jesus. (Vision is birthed from a burden (not ambition))
-
- One of the things I noticed as I started growing in the things of God and was introduced to the move of the Spirit, is that many believe that God can only move through those who are “in ministry”.
- I felt a burden to raise up believers who are confident in who they are in Christ and understand that God wants to flow thorough them as much as anyone else.
- Its His ability working through our availability!
- Paul said “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1
- We want to be an equipping center that God uses to bring believers into the fullness of the Spirit.
- We want to demystify the move of the Spirit and “Gifts of The Spirit”. Demystify DOES NOT mean naturalize!
- Take the flaky out of moving in the Spirit.
- “you shouldn’t focus so much on the Holy Spirit and moving of the Spirit on Sundays…” WRONG! My job isn’t to “protect” people from The Holy Spirit, it is to INTRODUCE them to The Holy Spirit and show them how He moves!
Short and Long term future of Ignite. (Vision always requires faith to accomplish)
-
- Permeant campus/Building.
- Develop leadership. (Monthly leadership meetings.) (Open to anyone who is or feels called to leadership) (I consider anyone who serves as a leader)
- Mentorship program for those who filled called to 5 fold ministry.
- Continue to cultivate a culture of His presence and power. (Quarterly worship and healing services.)
- Holy Spirit Forums.
- Wednesday night prayer is a safe place to grow in the Gifts of The Spirit.
- Multiple location through out NWA.
- Not once campus of 5K people, but 5 campuses of 1K. Easier to cultivate family.
- Reproduce Spirit filled, Spirit empowered churches where ether presence of God is ever present and the power of God is ever demonstrated!
Question we all must ask ourselves as part of Ignite.
- Am I truly connected or committed to the vision? How do I know?
- Do I give sacrificially to fulfill the mission and or vision?
- Do I serve sacrificially to fulfill the vision?
- Do I pray and believe for the vision to be fulfilled?
- Does the vision energize me?
20/20: The Power of Vision!
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Joshua 1:1-3 NKJV After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.
Habakkuk 2:1-2 NKJV I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. 2 “Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it."
- “A man without vision is a man without a future. A man without a future will always return to his past.”
- “A church without a vision is a church without a future. A church without a future will always try to recreate the past.”
- Helen Keller was asked “What would be worse than being born blind?” She replied, “The only thing worse than being blind is to have sight without vision.”
- Vision; the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom, (a mental image of what the future will or could be like).
- Vision comes from the latin Videre, to see. Visio… Verdero, Transliterated video.
- Vision is an ongoing revelation of God’s will. Vision is never static. It is dynamic, fluid, ever evolving!
- Proverbs 29:18 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
- NKJV Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
- Where there is not ongoing, progressive, prophetic revelation, the people cast off restraint….
- Vision = ongoing, progressive, prophetic revelation.
- Restraint= Guidance. Structure. Path to follow.
- Law = instruction, direction. body of prophetic teaching.
Vision is introduced by the spirit of god.
Habakkuk 2:2 2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.
Joshua 1:2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.”
-
- A vision that is not introduced by The Lord is not a vision from The Lord. Anything you begin on your own, you will have to sustain on your own.
Receiving vision;
Habakkuk 1:1-3 I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. The Just Live by Faith
- Meet with The Lord. “I will stand my watch, set myself on a rampart.
-
Look for God to speak. “And watch to see what He will say to me”
- Oral Roberts “If you can see the invisible, you can do the impossible!”
-
Wait!
- Believe! “The Just live by faith!”
2 Then the Lord answered me and said:“Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
Vision is birthed from a burden (not ambition).
Habakkuk 2:2 was preceded by Habakkuk 1:1 (NKJV) 1 The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw.
-
- A burden leads to a mandate or an assignment. A mandate, when accepted, will give place for God to release the vision.
- A burden will produce a vision. A burden is the seed that produces vision. The vision is the seed maturing and the manifestation of the vision is the seed being birthed.
- The vision is how you accomplish the mandate God has given you!
- Mandate; an official order or commission to do something. Give (someone) authority to act in a certain way. To assign (territory).
- 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.
- Tread is a military term. It means to march upon.
Vision will always includes the presence of god!
Joshua 1:5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
-
- Immanuel. God with us. Immanuel is not so much a name of God to be expresses as it is to be a name of God to be experienced!
- Leave; to stay behind. Forsake; to go ahead of.
- God would never call you to do anything and then stand back and make you do it on your own. God would never call you to do something and then get so far out in front that you have to catch up on your own.
- This is God’s promise to us, but I believe it should be our promise to Him as well.
Vision will always be lead by the presence of god!
Joshua 3:1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. 2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.”
-
- The presence of God is the mark of a God given vision!
- Exodus 33:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Depart and go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’ 2 And I will send My Angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. 3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”
- Ex 33:15 15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.
Vision always requires faith to accomplish.
Joshua 1:6 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
-
- In Joshua chapter 1 “Be strong and of good courage” occurs 4 times!
- Joshua 3:4 …that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”
Vision always inspires and requires commitment from God’s people.
Joshua 3: 5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
-
- A God given vision requires both God and man to fulfill!
Preparing for Fast 20/20 Pt.1
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Review (from unlocking the mystery of praying in the spirit pt.2)
-
- “Preparation time is never wasted time.” “The fast is going to be a building on last year’s fast. Last year was preparation and plowing, this year is freedom and expression. The two will compliment each other.”
- We started preparing for this fast in what most would call an unusual way… By looking at the biblical evidence and necessity of the baptism of The Holy Spirit and specifically the importance of praying in the Spirit.
- Every believer can and should be filled with the Spirit and pray in the Spirit.
- We looked at the difference between and the purpose of public and private tongues. Focused specifically on personal…
- We looked at the benefits of praying in tongues. (Refer to the podcast.. Notes are posted on Apple podcast and on website.)
- The enemy will try everything he can to stop you from praying in the spirit regularly.
What fasting is and is not?
-
- Fasting is a physical response to a spiritual prompting for a spiritual purpose.
- Biblical fasting is restraining from food for a spiritual purpose.
- Physical obedience releases spiritual blessing!
- Types of fast: Total fast, Partial fast (Daniel fast), short term and extended fast.
- Fasting social media and distractions should be couple with fasting food!
- Fasting is not a way to force God to hear you. Fasting is a way to get you to hear God.
- Fasting is not a way to force God to do something. Fasting is how we position ourselves to receive what He has already done.
- Fasting is not a way to prove how “spiritual” you are. Fasting is a way we grow spiritually.
- Fasting is how we humble ourselves before The Lord.
- Fasting is how we crucify our flesh. It is a way we dethrone the flesh and put The King in His rightful place.
Your perspective will determine your response and what you can receive.
-
- Prepare yourself before you start.
- What will your attitude be during the fast?
- What is your plan?
- What is the length?
- Fasting is how we realign our focus on the things of God!
- PLAN AND COMMIT! Do not give yourself an out.
- If you fail, pick yourself up and begin again.
- God is supernatural! Expect supernatural things to happen!
What to expect during and from the fast.
-
- It will be difficult, there will be opposition, THERE WILL BE GRACE!
- Do not separate yourself from other believers. This is a corporate fast. We need to lean on one another, worship together, etc…
- Expect to hear God’s voice in the Word, dreams, visions, and revelations!
- Daniel prepared himself to receive revelation through fasting (Daniel 10:1-3). Scripture also speaks of a fasting reward (Matthew 6:18). Expect God too fellowship and communicate with you.
- Daniels revelation was released but he didn’t receive until 22 days into his fast.
- Fasting brings revelation. Fasting positions us to hear from God. Maybe the revelation isn’t coming became your not positioned to hear it.
- Expect greater intimacy with The Father!
- God is no respecter of persons, but He is a respecter of pursuit. Intimacy comes with pursuit!
- There can be no consistent intimacy without consistent pursuit. James said draw near to God and he will draw near to you.
- Expect Breakthrough!
- Often breakthroughs come after the fast!
- Do not listen to the lie that nothing is happening. I believe every fast done in faith will be rewarded!
- Expect a release of the supernatural!
- Fasting prepares us to move in the supernatural.
- Mark 2:18-22 18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the [a]friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”
- A fast says I’m more hungry for the unseen than I am for the seen.
- I believe we are not moving or seeing the power of God manifest as we desire because we are hungrier for the seen than we are for the unseen.
- Fasting is a place of surrender where our appetite for the unseen increases more than what we see!
- Until we hunger for the unseen more than we hunger for we can see we will limit God from manifesting fully!
- Expect faith and power to increase!
- Matthew 17:14-21
- Expect Clarity of vision!
- 2020 vision!