Today we continue our series, “As Jesus Is”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  We have been looking at 1 John 4:16,17 for months.  Yesterday I added Colossians 1 to it.  Let’s get back to both passages today.

The Apostle John said:

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)

The Apostle Paul said:

“Now Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God. He existed before creation began, for it was through him that everything was made, whether spiritual or material, seen or unseen. Through him, and for him, also, were created power and dominion, ownership and authority. In fact, every single thing was created through, and for him. He is both the first principle and the upholding principle of the whole scheme of creation.”

(Colossians 1:15-17 J. B. Phillips)

Paul continued:

“I am happy in my sufferings for you. There is much that Christ must still suffer. And I gladly accept my part of those sufferings in my body for the good of his body, the church. I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do. This work helps you. My work is to tell the complete message of God. This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.”

(Colossians 1:24-27 Easy To Read)

Today I will focus in on this statement: “Now Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God.”

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  The Bible tells us that Christ was the visible expression of an invisible God.  People could not see God, while Jesus was in the earth.  But they could see Jesus.  Now that Jesus is gone, He left us to continue what He started.  People cannot see God today, but they can see us.  We are the visible expressions of an invisible God.  But in order to fully operate in that function, you must see yourself “As Jesus is, in this world.”  You cannot see any separation between you and God, between God and you.  You must see yourself as ONE with the Father and see Him as ONE with you!

2.  When Philip asked Jesus to show him the Father, Jesus got upset.  He said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.  I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”  Jesus lived His life as ONE with the Father.  Jesus wanted people to see Him as the physical representation of an invisible God.  Guess what?  Jesus expects us, today, to live with the same mindset.  

3.  The Father wants us to live with the same mindset Jesus had.  He wants us to be able to say, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.  I am in the Father and the Father is in me.  I am ONE with the Father and the Father is ONE with me.”  Now, if you are religious, your mind just went haywire when I said that.  A religious person will never see themselves as ONE with God.  A religious person is way too focused on their humanity to fully embrace their divinity.  A religious person would think that it is presumptuous to claim to be like God.  But to God it is not presumptuous at all.  The Father is not upset when we make such statements.  He is happy.  He is a proud Father.  He is pleased with the fact that we believe His love enough to fully embrace it to the point where we can see ourselves LIKE JESUS, in this world!

4.  Many people think God wants us to see ourselves as FAR below Him.  In our humanity, this is certainly the case.  But we have been redeemed!  There is a mystery that was hidden for ages and Paul said it was revealed.  What is that mystery?  It is the fact that “Christ lives in you!”  That’s the mystery that was revealed.  That’s the gospel.  That’s the good news.  We are human, yes!  But we are humans with a God living on the inside of us.  When we fully embrace this truth, we will become visible expressions of an invisible God!

5.  If you go all the way back to Genesis 1, you will see that God created man in His own image and likeness.  God created me, and God created you, to look like Him in this world!  If you fully embrace the love of God in your heart, if you accept that you are created in the image and likeness of God, then you will be able to say, like Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father!”  If you can ever say that and believe it in your heart, you will be in position to walk in the true power of God in this world!

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  I am in You and You are in me.  I am ONE with You and You are ONE with me.  There is no separation between You and me.  I am not a mere man.  I am a God-man.  I am a man with a God living on the inside of him.  I enter this day with this mindset: “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father!”  I am a visible expression of You, an invisible God, in this world!  This is why I boldly declare: “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!”  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

The post As Jesus Is (Pt. 59) appeared first on Today's Word.

Today we continue our series, “As Jesus Is”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  We have been looking at 1 John 4:16,17 for months.  This week we added Colossians 1 to it.  Let’s get back to both passages today.

The Apostle John said:

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)

The Apostle Paul said:

“I am happy in my sufferings for you. There is much that Christ must still suffer. And I gladly accept my part of those sufferings in my body for the good of his body, the church. I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do. This work helps you. My work is to tell the complete message of God. This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.”

(Colossians 1:24-27 Easy To Read Version)

Today I will focus in on this statement: “I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do.”  Paul discovered His God-given purpose.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  In Paul’s opening remarks to the believers in Galatia, the Apostle said, “Greetings from Paul, an apostle. I was chosen to be an apostle, but not by any group or person here on earth. My authority came from none other than Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Jesus from death.” (Gal 1:1).  When you know God called you and you know what He called you to do, your confidence comes from Him, and you don’t have to ask the permission of men to be who God called you to be.

2.  Paul said, “God had special plans for me even before I was born. So he chose me through his grace.  It pleased him to let me see and know his Son so that I could tell the Good News about him to the non-Jewish people.”  (Gal 1:15,16).  Paul knew God made plans for him before he was born.  He knew the plans were specific and tailor-made for him.  He discovered God’s plans and he pursued them for the rest of his life.  This is how you succeed in life.  You cannot find success outside of God’s plans.

3.  If you become a success in the eye’s of this present world, only to get to heaven to find out that you spent your life becoming someone God did not call you to be, then you were never a success.  There is no earthly success outside of God’s divine purpose.

4.  While Paul made it clear, in several letters, that he was called to a specific assignment, he also made it clear that he was not special in this regard.  We are all called to a specific assignment in the earth.  In Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus, the Apostle said, “God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.” (Eph 2:10).  Did you catch that?  We are supposed to spend our lives doing the good things God ALREADY planned for us to do.

5.  You cannot choose or decide your purpose in life, because God chose and decided it before you were born.  Therefore, purpose cannot be decided, it must be discovered.  Your job is to discover it, develop in it, and then deploy into it; to find it, follow it and finish it, before you die!

6.  When you discover your purpose, like Paul did, you can spend the rest of your life pursuing it, becoming the man/woman God called you to be, and making the impact you were born to make.

7.  Discovering your purpose, as the Apostle Paul taught us, is one thing.  But in order to complete it, you must do what the Apostle John taught us.  You must fully embrace the love of God.  You have to accept the fact that God called you despite your flaws.  You must internalize and embrace His undeserved grace.  And then, as the icing on the cake, you must see yourself AS JESUS IS, in this world.  If you do these things, you will leave a mark in the earth (by the grace of God), that will far outlive you!

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  I know who I am and I know what I am called to do.  My purpose is not something I decided.  It is something You decided and I discovered.  I am who You say I am.  I can do what You say I can do.  And since I have consulted with You, I don’t need to approval of man to be who You called me to be.  I enter this day with fearless confidence and unshakable faith.  Because I know You love me and You have called me to change the world.  This is why I boldly declare: “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!”  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

The post As Jesus Is (Pt. 62) appeared first on Today's Word.

Today we continue our series, “As Jesus Is”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  We have been looking at 1 John 4:16,17 for months.  Recently I added Colossians 1 to it.  Let’s get back to both passages today.

The Apostle John said:

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)

The Apostle Paul said:

“I am happy in my sufferings for you. There is much that Christ must still suffer. And I gladly accept my part of those sufferings in my body for the good of his body, the church. I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do. This work helps you. My work is to tell the complete message of God. This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.”

(Colossians 1:24-27 Easy To Read Version)

Today I will focus in on this statement: “This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people.”  The secret truth Paul is referring to is the fact that God came to live INSIDE of us.  This morning I will take you back to Genesis and provide you a quick overview of what Jesus did for us.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  In Genesis 1 God made it clear that we were created in His image and likeness (v.26) and that we were created to rule and oversee this planet (v.28).

2.  In Genesis 2 God formed Adam from the dust of the ground and breathed into His nostrils the breath of life (v.7).  God literally put Himself inside of man.  The Holy Spirit was living inside of Adam.  The Holy Spirit was Adam’s connection to God.  Adam had a body, but he did not communicate with God through his body.  Adam’s body was his connection to this world.  With his body he interacted with this world through his senses.  But with the Holy Spirit, Adam interacted with God directly, spirit-to-spirit.  This world is sensual, God’s realm is spiritual.  Like Adam, every Born-Again believer has a body, to communicate with the sense-realm, and God’s Spirit, to communicate with the spirit-realm.

3.  God told Adam that if he ever ate of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, he would die.  Adam ate, and he died.  He did not die physically (that would happen later).  He died spiritually.  The Holy Spirit was removed from Adam, and as a result, because of the transgression of ONE MAN, every human after Adam was born without the Holy Spirit.  We were created in God’s image.  We were created to have God INSIDE of us.  But because of ONE MAN, Adam, we lost God’s abiding and indwelling presence.  Now every human is born with a void that many try to fill with sex, drugs, alcohol, money, work, and etc., but the void can only be truly fulfilled by the agent that created the void in the first place; the Holy Spirit.  The void can only be filled when God Himself takes up residence INSIDE of you.  This is the secret Paul was talking about.

4.  Under the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit lived in the Temple, above the Ark of the Covenant.  The High Priest was the only person authorized to visit the presence of God.  One person, once a year, had the right to visit was Adam had living on the INSIDE of him 24×7.  But under the New Covenant, there is no need to visit any place.  We are the Temple of God, and the Spirit of God lives IN US! (1 Cor 3:16, 6:19 and 2 Cor 6:16).

5.  Read Romans 5 when you have the time.  In this chapter Paul contrasts Adam and Jesus.  Adam got us into a mess and Jesus came to get us out of it.  Paul said, “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign as kings in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (v.17).  

6.  Jesus redeemed us, NOT back to Abraham, but all the way back to Adam!  Jesus redeemed us to the life we were supposed to live.  Jesus redeemed us to the place where God lives IN us.  Jesus redeemed us to the place where we can live as kings in life, in this world, by the grace of God.  Jesus redeemed us to Kingdom dominion, power and authority.  Not because we are so good, but because He has chosen to live IN us!

7.  Paul told us of a mystery that was hidden and it was time for it to be revealed.  Here is the mystery, here is the secret: “Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.”  You get to live “As Jesus is, in this world”, because Jesus lives in you!  

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  I am walking in a greater level of victory, because I am receiving a greater level of revelation.  This has nothing to do with what I do or fail to do.  The revelation I am getting is of what You have already done.  I now understand that I am, because You are!  I am all Jesus is.  Jesus lives IN me and He is my hope for glory.  So as I enter this day, and this week, I boldly declare: “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!”  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

The post As Jesus Is (Pt. 63) appeared first on Today's Word.

Today we continue our series, “As Jesus Is”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  We have been looking at 1 John 4:16,17 for months.  Recently I added Colossians 1 to it.  Let’s get back to both passages today.

The Apostle John said:

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)

The Apostle Paul said:

“I am happy in my sufferings for you. There is much that Christ must still suffer. And I gladly accept my part of those sufferings in my body for the good of his body, the church. I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do. This work helps you. My work is to tell the complete message of God. This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.”

(Colossians 1:24-27 Easy To Read Version)

Today I will focus in on this statement: “That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.”

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  Paul was not there when Jesus walked on water.  He was not there when Jesus raised three people from the dead.  He was not there when Jesus fed 5,000 with two sardines and five biscuits.  Paul was not part of Jesus’ team, while Jesus was performing ministry in the earth.  As a matter of fact, Paul was on the wrong team.  He was against the Jesus-movement.  So when Jesus appeared to Paul and revealed to him to that he was called to be an Apostle before he was born, Paul was overwhelmed.  This was “shock and awe” of the God-kind.  Paul accepted the call.  He preached Christ, and Him crucified, for the rest of his life.  Paul was so amazingly dedicated to his assignment that God used him to write over half the New Testament.  This is what happens when you have a person who:

a) Knows they don’t deserve the goodness God extends to them.

b) Feels inadequate, undeserving and unprepared.

c) Fully embraces the fact that God has chosen to live inside of him/her.

d) Relies totally on the God in them, placing no confidence in their own power, ability or strength.

*** You too, can be like Paul.  Accept God’s goodness and allow Him to live through you!

2.  Paul is an example of what happens when a human gets a revelation of the God’s indwelling presence inside of him/her, and then fully yields to that presence.  What God did in, with and through Paul, He can do in, with and through you.  But like Paul, you must realize that Jesus is IN you and that He wants to live through you.  You must develop this mindset, “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!”  

3.  When you couple the abiding presence that Paul taught, with the unconditional love that John taught, what you have is one amazing Gospel.  You realize that Jesus has chosen to live inside of you, that He loves you despite your faults/flaws/failures, and that He wants to use you to change the world!  Have you embraced this truth?  Once you do, everyone around you will know it, because they will begin to see Jesus IN you!

4.  If God could use Paul (a man who terrorized the church), to lead the church, then He can surely use you.  The key, though, is getting to the point where you see yourself “As Jesus is, in this world!”

5.  Embrace what Paul taught you: Jesus lives in you.  And also embrace what John taught you: God loves you with an unconditional love, because He IS love! When you fully embrace those two truths in your heart, you will be in position to unleash the love and power of God everywhere you go.  Not because you are so good, but because God is.  Not because you have all the answers, but because God Himself is living IN you; He gives you the words and He performs the work.  This is how you become the man/woman God called you to be.  This is how you change the world.  This is how you live, “As Jesus is, in this world!”

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me, because I no longer rely on me, my power, my ability or my strength.  You are freeing me from ME!  I am dying to self, and the more I do, the more You are able to live through me.  I know what Paul taught me: YOU LIVE IN ME!  I also know what John taught me: YOU LOVE ME!  So I accept Your love.  I believe Your love.  I become Your love and Your power in this world!  Not because I am so good, but because You are!  This is why I boldly declare: “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!”  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

The post As Jesus Is (Pt. 65) appeared first on Today's Word.

Note: Isabella and I are headed to the Dominican Republic today to visit our schools and our church there.  Because of flights and other obligations, I will NOT send out Today’s Word tomorrow or Monday.  The next message will be on Tuesday.  Enjoy the weekend and please pray for us as we go.

Today we continue our series, “As Jesus Is”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  We have been looking at 1 John 4:16,17 for months.  Recently I added Colossians 1 to it.  Let’s get back to both passages today.

The Apostle John said:

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)

The Apostle Paul said:

“I am happy in my sufferings for you. There is much that Christ must still suffer. And I gladly accept my part of those sufferings in my body for the good of his body, the church. I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do. This work helps you. My work is to tell the complete message of God. This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.”

(Colossians 1:24-27 Easy To Read Version)

Today I will focus in on this statement: “That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.”

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  God does not just want to live in heaven.  He wants to live in the earth.  He wants to live IN you.  

2.  God lived INSIDE of Adam in the Garden of Eden.  Adam sinned.  Sin broke the relationship and the intimacy.  After sin, God no longer lived INSIDE of man.  Under the Old Covenant, man attempted to get a glimpse of what Adam had 24×7, living INSIDE of him.  Under the Old Covenant, men yearned to be in the presence of God and they had to visit God in a temple.  Under the New Covenant, because of the redemption of Jesus, God’s presence has been restored.  The Holy Spirit is no longer in a temple.  WE ARE THE TEMPLE of God and His Spirit dwells IN us.

3.  Here is a truth you must embrace in order to maximize your purpose and potential: God lives IN you and He want  to live THROUGH you.  He wants to be the star of your life’s story!  Will you let Him?  Or will you be too selfish to allow God to be seen?

4.  You are a reflection of who God is in the earth.  People can’t see God, but they can see you.  He wants to be seen IN you!

5.  You are God’s prize.  You are His representation in this world.  You are His glory in the earth.  It’s time for you to live like it.

6.  The more you walk with God, and the more you die to self, the more God is able to be seen IN and THROUGH you.

7.  The more you walk with God, and the more you die to self, the more you are transformed into His image.  You are gradually and continually becoming who He is, from glory to glory to glory.

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me, because I am dying to me, and I am living for You.  The more I die, the more I become like You.  I behold Your glory and I am being transformed into that very same image, from faith to faith, and from glory to glory.  I enter this day knowing You live IN me, and that You want to be seen.  I declare that You will!  Which is why I boldly declare: “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!”  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

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Today we continue our series, “As Jesus Is”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  We have been looking at 1 John 4:16,17 and Colossians 1:24-27 for a while.  Monday morning I will move on from Colossians 1.  Before I do, allow me to close out the week with one last message from these two passages.

The Apostle John said:

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)

The Apostle Paul said:

“My work is to tell the complete message of God. This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.”

(Colossians 1:25-27 Easy To Read Version)

So what does this mean to you today?  Today I am led to share a few things with you about the amazement we should have as we walk with God.  It’s time to bring the amazing back!

1.  When you first come to God, everything is amazing.  You are amazed that He takes the time to listen to you.  You are amazed when He answers your prayers.  You are amazed that you get to sense His presence.  Everything is new.  Everything is awesome.  Everything is amazing.  However, over the process of time, even the best of us can lose that sense of awe and amazement.  So from time to time, God reminds you of His dedication to you and He attempts to “bring the amazing back!”

2.  It’s amazing to think that God made plans for you before the world began.  Before you ever took one breath or one step, He had already planned out your life.  He finished you before you ever got started.  He mapped out your life, rewound the tape, and then pressed “play” the day you were born.  That’s amazing!

3.  It’s amazing to think that God loves you with an everlasting love.  You did nothing to cause HIm to start loving you, and nothing you do will ever cause Him to stop.  He loves you despite your faults, flaws and failures.  He loves you despite your constant wavering and occasional waywardness. He  loves you, even when you put your will above His.  Now, to be clear, there are repercussions to your decisions.  Sin may not unravel your righteousness, but it will unravel your life.  If you make bad decisions, you will get bad results.  If you sow bad seeds, you will reap a bad harvest.  But my point is that even if you do, God will love you through it all.  Up and down, good and bad, sinking or soaring, God’s love never fails.  That’s amazing!

4.  It’s amazing to think that God lives in you.  I mean God.  The true God.  The everlasting God.  The God who was, and is and is to come.  The God of your yesterday, your today and your tomorrow.  The God of your “already”, your “right now”, and your “not yet”.  The God who has all power, who is in all places, and who knows all things.  The only one and true God… He lives IN YOU!  That’s amazing!

5.  It’s amazing to think that God chose you!  He could have remained in heaven, but He chose to live IN YOU!  He chose you to be His representation in the earth.  He chose you to be His proof!  He chose you to be His prize!  He chose you to be His child.  You are not a servant.  You are not a slave.  You are a SON!  You are child of the Most High God!  He lives IN you and you are ONE with Him!  That is amazing!

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  I go back, in order to go forward.  I bring “the amazing back”.  The amazement I had when I first came to You, is now coming back to me!  It’s amazing that You have chosen to live IN me.  It’s amazing that You have chosen to show the world what You are like THROUGH ME!  I am Your choice.  I am Your prize.  I am Your Son!  I am ONE WITH YOU!  Which is why I boldly declare: “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!”  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

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Note:  Before I get started, I want you to know that Isabella is in Africa this morning.  She is leading a group of 10 people from our church, Victory Christian Ministries International, to Mozambique.  I will provide updates throughout the Missions trip.  Please keep her and the team in prayer.

Today we start a new series, under the under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  After teaching 70 messages in the series, “As Jesus Is”, I am led to finish out the year with a series entitled, “It’s already done!”

I spent 70 messages dealing with your identity.  The “As Jesus Is” series was all about you knowing who you are.  God has called you to live as a continuation of Jesus’ ministry in the earth.  All Jesus is, is who you are.  But once you know who you are, you must then get to DOING what you are called to do.  In this series I will teach you about doing.  But not doing to earn.  Not doing to perform.  Not doing to get God to move.  We are called to DO, but only to DO, because God already did.

I have been walking with God for 22 years and I have learned that a great many believers are stuck in the prison of misunderstanding God’s sovereignty.  When a preacher like me says, “It’s Already Done!”, they are confused about what they must do.  In one sense it IS already done.  In another sense, you are called to DO, because of what God already DID.  My assignment is to demystify this process.  I will teach you about God’s sovereignty, and what your part is in God’s provision.

I have been meditating on this, partly because I recently started reading “Soar”, by T.D. Jakes.  Bishop Jakes said he wrote the book, which is primarily about entrepreneurship, because the vast majority of the people he is called to minister to are waiting on God to do things He is not going to do FOR them.  As an example, Jakes said, “God does not give us tables and chairs.  God gave us wood.”  God gave us wood, He gave us an imagination, and He gave us the ability to make tables and chairs out of wood.  Many believers are asking God for the finished product (tables and chairs), when He already gave them the resources, imagination and ability to make it happen.  These people are going to be waiting a long time.

I am excited about this series.  I pray you get equally excited.  We are going to close out the year strong.  I will take my time as we go through this series.  For this morning, I will share just a few opening thoughts.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  God does God-type of stuff.  Many of us are waiting on God to do the stuff He already graced us to do.

2.  We can’t make God bless something He did not already plan to do in our lives.  Instead of doing something and then asking God to bless it, why not find out what God already planned and do that.  At that point you don’t have to ask God to bless it.  If God planned it, it’s already blessed.  

3.  Walking in God’s best requires us to stop asking God to put a “YES” on our plans and to start putting a “YES” on His!

4.  God’s blessing is not performance based, but that does not mean you do NOTHING!

a)  You don’t perform and then expect that God will move because you moved.  You are called to discern what He already did, and then DO THAT!

b)  You are called to move where God already moved, to DO because God already did, and to seek to experience what He already planned.

c)  You have to perform, but you are not performing to get God to move.  You are performing because He already moved.  Your action is a response to His predestination.

d)  When God reveals to you what He already planned, you have to discern both His desire and His timing.  When the timing is right, you must launch out, in faith, to get what God has already given you.  If you don’t launch out, if you don’t provide the faith, if you don’t do your part, you will miss out on God’s best and it won’t be God’s fault.

That’s enough for today.  I trust you are getting excited about this series.

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  Now that I know who I am, I am ready to do what You have called me to do.  I don’t DO to get You to move.  I don’t DO to attempt to force Your hand.  I don’t command You, You command me!  I move because You already moved.  I DO, because it’s already done.  I launch out in faith, because the grace is already there.  This is how I lay hold of what You already planned.  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

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Missions Update:  The team from our church, Victory Christian Ministries International, is doing well.  The people they are ministering to in Pemba, Mozambique, are underprivileged.  Yesterday they were ministering to people around a trash dump.  As the team ministers under these conditions, they realize just how privileged we are in the United States.  As an example, the facilities they are staying in don’t have indoor plumbing.  The bathroom is basically a hole in the ground.  While this is not new to Isabella (being raised in Dominica) or to me (although I only had to use an outhouse when I visited my Grandmother in the Dominican Republic), it is certainly new to many of the members of the team.  Something we consider basic, like having a toilet, indoors, is actually a luxury for a good portion of the world.  As you prepare for Thanksgiving, please consider how blessed you are and also consider how you can BE a blessing to others.  Here is a link to some of the pictures of the team: https://goo.gl/5jwNJz.   

Today we continue our new series entitled, “It’s already done!”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  As I continue to lay the foundation for the series, I will flow in the same vein as yesterday’s message, where I taught on the importance of prayer.  

While God’s plans for our lives are complete, we must discover them and then seek to perform them, in the earth, at just the right time.  If we get out ahead of God, we will be out there on our own.  If we are behind God, we will be frustrated as we attempt to catch up.  Living in synch with God is the key.  When you are in synch with God His grace flows and the results are supernatural.  Prayer is a key component to this process.  

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  A few more key aspects of prayer.

a)  Prayer is not about you telling God what to do.  Remember, there is a God and you are not Him.  He is not your servant, it’s the other way around.  

b)  When you understand the divine authority God has given you in the earth domain, you appreciate and respect the responsibility you have to bind (prevent) and loose (permit).

c)  When things are happening in your life that you don’t like, you must ask yourself the question, “Have I prayed about this?”  “Have I invoked God’s involvement?”  You may think you are waiting on God, while He may be waiting on you to get Him involved.  You have not, because you ask not!

d)  Heaven responds when believers on the earth make valid requests.  Pray, in faith, in accordance with God’s will.  This is how God’s will is done, on earth, as it is in heaven!

*** Stop accepting everything that happens as God’s will.  Stop conceding to satan and cowering to his attacks.  Get heaven involved in your life today through the power of prayer!

2.  Pray from a position of grace — from God’s perspective.

a)  Don’t pray as if God doesn’t already know what you are facing.  It’s not news to God.

b)  Don’t pray as if God hasn’t already equipped you to face and overcome the challenge.  He has already given you the grace for it.

c)  Don’t pray as if God is not in the fight with you.  Don’t ask Him to come… His Word promises that He is already there.  You are never in a fight alone.  If you pray and ask God to be present, you are acknowledging the fact that you believe He is not.  That is an afront to God.  He is always with you.  He will never leave you, forsake you or turn His back you.  So acknowledge His presence, tap into His peace, and invoke His power.

d)  Don’t pray as if what you are facing is going to destroy you.  When you do this, you are demonstrating to God that you no faith, trust or confidence in Him, or in the plans He made for you before the world began.  Remember, for God, it’s already done.  For you, it’s only a matter of time.  You have pray, believing God has done His part, in eternity, and that you will receive your breakthrough, in time.

e)  When you pray from a position of grace you are praying from God’s perspective.  Praying this way, your prayers will be full of faith, hope, confidence and peace, regardless of the situation.

f)  When you pray from a position of grace you are praying from a position OF victory, not praying FOR victory.  You know you already have the victory and it is only a matter of time before you see, in your hands, what you already saw, in your heart.

That’s enough for today.

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  It’s already done.  You have already provided.  I am not striving FOR the victory.  I enter each day FROM a position OF victory.  I thank You Father for always causing me to triumph.  You give me the victory through my Lord, Your Son, Jesus the Christ.  I enter this day to DO, because I know it’s already done!  I declare this by faith!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

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Missions Update:  The team from our church, Victory Christian Ministries International, is ready to come home.  They had an amazing time in Africa.  God used them for His glory.  They are coming back with many testimonies.  I will provide you two quick ones.  First, they encountered a little girl who was crying uncontrollably.  The mother said the baby was colicy and she had been crying for hours.  Our team prayed for the baby, she stopped crying, she started smiling, and that opened the door for the team to minister to the family.  Second, our team met with a couple who were leaders of their village or tribe.  Basically, they were the King and Queen of their people.  They did not know Jesus, they were up in age, and the Queen had been blind for years.  Our team ministered to them.  They told them about Jesus.  The Queen received Jesus as Lord and Jesus restored her sight.  One of our team members has purple hair.  When the Queen touched her hair and mentioned how beautiful the purple was, everyone erupted in praise and tears.  The grace and power of God visited this Queen and her people that day.  Thankfully, our team was able to be a part of it.  This is what ministry is all about.  I will provide more testimonies when our team gets back.  They will be traveling today and into tomorrow.  Please keep them in prayer.

Today we continue our new series entitled, “It’s already done!”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  If you go back to January, all year I have been teaching you about walking in God’s supernatural power.  You have learned about God’s unmerited favor (His grace) and your requirement to live by faith in order to access it.  You have learned about God’s sovereignty and His timing.  You have learned about the importance of developing the proper self-image/identity; if you can ever see yourself “As Jesus is, in this world”, then your opinion of you, will line up with God’s opinion of you.  And powerful things happen when there is a human alignment with a divine assignment.  Which leads me to the series we are in now.  We will flow in this series to close out the year and I believe we will close out the year strong.  We are now learning that we don’t have to strive to make things happen.  Our role is to discern what God has already done and to simply release our faith to see, in the earth, what God revealed, in our hearts.  With that, I want to get into a few scriptures.  But for the sake of time, I will simply share a few thoughts with you today and come back to the scriptures tomorrow.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  Once you know who you are in Christ, your next step is to seek to DO what you were born to do.  You are not DOING to get God to move.  You are DOING because God already moved.  You are, because He is.  You DO, because He did.

2.  When our team was praying for the lady who was blind for years, they did not actually need to ask God to provide healing.  God provided healing 2,000 years ago.  Healing has already been provided by grace.  It is freely available to all people.  What they did was release their faith to access God’s grace.  Their faith tapped into what God had already provided and the woman’s sight was restored.  For you, this morning, it may not be sight you are looking for.  Whatever it is, God has already provided.  His work is already done.  Your role now is to release your faith to access His grace.

3.  If you come to God from the position of lack, like you need something and you are asking God to DO something for you, then you are acknowledging the fact that you DON’T BELIEVE it’s already done.  And if you believe this way, your faith is going to be OFF.  Because you are asking God to DO something He already did.  Let me put it this way.  Let’s say I buy a dozen donuts and place them on the kitchen counter.  I then call my kids to the kitchen and say, “Hey, I bought these donuts for you.  They are here if you want them.”  And then later, one of my children comes up to me and says, “Dad, can you go buy us some donuts?  I would really like a donut right now.”  I would be disappointed, because my child did not acknowledge the fact that I already provided what they are asking for.  Their job was to simply LAY HOLD of what I already provided.  The same holds true today, for us, in so many ways.

4.  Sometimes Christians believe there is something else that needs to take place.  They are waiting on God to do this or that.  But God has already done all He needs to do for us to live the life we were born to live.  Waiting on God’s timing is one thing.  But waiting on God’s performance is something else.  If you believe God needs to DO something before you can move, you will be waiting a long time.  It’s already done.

5.  You must get to the point where you realize ‘you lack nothing’.  All you need has already been provided.  It’s already done.

6.  Jesus is not coming back until the Judgment.  He did all He needed to do while He was here.  It’s now your turn.  You are supposed to do what He did.  You are supposed to live like He lived.  The ball is in your court.  The onus is on you.  What are you doing to do with the grace God has already provided?

7.  You are called to live by faith.  Because faith is how you access what God has already provided.  God’s part is done.  As you enter this day, are you determined to do your part?  

That’s enough for today.

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  I am learning so much about You.  You reveal to me what You have already provided.  You show me what You have already done.  I don’t have to strive to get You to move.  You have already moved.  Your part is already done.  Your grace is there.  Now my faith will be there as well.  I walk and live by faith.  By faith I access what You have already provided.  By faith I LAY HOLD of the life I was born to live!  I declare this by faith!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

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Today we continue our new series entitled, “It’s already done!”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  I’m still laying the foundation for this series.  Yesterday I shared several things about our need to pray and act, even though God has already made plans.  Today I will focus on how balancing God’s sovereignty with our responsibility keeps Jesus relevant in our lives.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  God already made plans for you.  He actually mapped out your life before you were born.  It’s like He saw your entire life play out before Him and He then rewound the tape and pressed “play” the day you were born.

2.  The Bible says, “That which is has already been, and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by [so that history repeats itself]” (Ecc 3:15 AMP).  Solomon teaches us that everything that “is” today — everything you can see around you, everything going on in your life — has ALREADY BEEN.  That’s already a lot to wrap your mind around, but if that were not enough, Solomon then tells us that everything that “will be” in our future — those things that have not happened yet — have also ALREADY BEEN!  The text says that God is seeking that which has passed by (in eternity, in His realm, in His plans, in His mind), so that history (or HIS-story) can repeat itself.  The plans God made for you have already played themselves out in God’s mind, in eternity, and when He looks at your life today, He is looking for history (what He saw in His mind) to repeat itself in the earth.  

3.  When God looks at you today He is looking for what He planned.  Faith then, is not about you coming up with a laundry list of things you want and laying them out before God like He is Santa Claus.  No, faith is about discovering what God already planned for your life, what He already prepared for you by His unearned grace, and then making decisions that align with God’s plans.  This is why Spiritual perception is so critical.  If you can’t SEE it, you don’t know what to ask for.  If you can’t SEE it, you don’t know how to pray.  If you can’t SEE it, you run the risk of pursuing something that is not yours.  And frustration sets in when you repeatedly make a demand on God for something that is not your to have.  You cannot make God do what He did not already plan to do in your life.

4.  Faith peers into God’s realm (eternity), from our realm (time), and then comes back and makes decisions based on what was seen.  That’s how we keep Jesus relevant in our lives.

5.  Faith is not about you pursuing whatever you come up with in your own mind.  Faith is not about you telling God what to do.  Now, you CAN do whatever you want.  You CAN make whatever decisions you want and live with the consequences of them.  But don’t call that faith.  God has no part in things He was never part of.

6.  When you live life as the captain of your own ship, charting your own course and pursuing your own plans, God is not part of the picture.  Unfortunately, many Christians live this way without acknowledging the fact that they have made God irrelevant in their lives.  If you came up with the idea without God, and then pursue it by your own power, and work hard (by the sweat of your brow) to make it happen, then you are living a completely human life.  You have made Jesus irrelevant to you.  He is not part of your life at all.

7.  The reason why God wants you to acknowledge the fact that He already made plans and He wants you to do all you can to live by spiritual discernment, instinct and the revelation of the plans, is because He wants to be relevant in your life.  When people read your life’s story, God wants to be the STAR on every page.  You were created to bring Him glory!  But if you never involve Him in your life, people will have a hard time finding him in your biography, because you basically made Him irrelevant.

8.  If you can “do life” without God, then you have made God irrelevant.  God wants you to “do life” with Him.  If you do, if you pursue the plans He made for you from the foundations of the world, God will be very relevant in your life.  Because His plans are so big that they require His involvement.  God will call you to start projects you can’t fund, to lead projects you don’t have the experience for, to stand in rooms that terrify you, to walk into opportunities that are bigger than your wildest dreams, and to do things (to have great exploits in this world) that bring glory to His name!  When you choose to “do life” with God, your life will be greater than anything you ever imagined.

9.  I will close with a warning.  Going back to yesterday’s message.  Everything I just said sounds great.  But remember, this does not mean you will not face opposition.  The devil will do all he can to get you to quit.  The devil knows he cannot stop you.  When God is ON you, IN you, WITH you and FOR you, the devil can’t do a thing to you.  But YOU CAN STOP YOU!  What the devil does it attempt to get you frustrated.  If you get frustrated to the point that you quit, then satan did not stop you, you stopped yourself.  The only way you can lose is if you quit!

That’s enough for today.

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  I develop the ability to SEE in the Spirit.  You made plans for me before the world began.  Your Spirit reveals those plans to me.  I am born from above!  Your Spirit lives IN me.  I am no longer limited to operating as a mere man.  I am a God-man.  You gave me Your Spirit so I could know the plans You made for me.  Your Spirit speaks to me daily, and throughout the day.  I am able to peer into heaven, from the earth, so Your will can be done on earth, as it is in heaven.  I enter this day TO DO on earth, knowing that IT’S ALREADY DONE in heaven!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

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Before I get into the Word, I want to mention Thanksgiving.  I trust you had a great Thanksgiving weekend.  I appreciate the fact that we have a date on the calendar when we focus on being thankful.  But for the believer, every day should be a day of Thanksgiving!  Before you do anything in the morning, you should think of at least three things you are thankful for.  Thank God for those things before you start your day.  You will be amazed what an attitude of gratitude will do for your day!  Okay, now let’s get into the Word.

Today we continue our new series entitled, “It’s already done!”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  A couple of weeks ago I introduced you to the following passage.  Let’s go back to it today.  

In the opening paragraph of the Apostle Peter’s second letter, he said:

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

(2 Peter 1:1-4)

Today I will focus in on this line: “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God.”

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  When you open your heart and mind God’s divine revelation concerning the plans He made for you before you were born, it changes the way you ‘do life’.  Once you are at peace with the fact that God planned for your arrival and that He already setup everything you will need to be successful, your life becomes less about your striving and more about making an earthly alignment with your heavenly assignment.

2.  Peter tells us that God’s grace and peace can literally be multiplied to us.  But this multiplication does not come as a result of our performance.  It comes as a result of revealed knowledge.  The more God reveals to us about the plans He already made for us, the more we know what grace and peace we can access.  It’s not that God is responding to us.  We are actually responding to revealed knowledge.  The more God reveals, the more we get to walk in, by faith.  The life of faith then, is a life of believing, receiving and pursuing what God reveals to us — things He has already done.

3.  We are not waiting on God to do.  God has already done.  God is waiting on us to receive the revelation of what He has done, so we can know what to do and how to do it.  At that point we are not doing to get God to move.  We are doing because God has already moved.  Our doing is based on the fact that it is already done.

4.  You don’t have to come up with your own plans.  You don’t have to invent your own life.  True life is in discovering what God has already done.  Not your ideas.. His.

5.  If your life is all about your own plans and decisions, then Jesus is not relevant to you.  Acknowledging the fact that God already made plans, and seeking to live your life in accordance with those plans, keeps Jesus relevant in your daily living.

6.  God prepared for you and He then prepared you to walk in what He prepared.  When this becomes your mindset, you will look at every challenge and/or opportunity through the lens of faith.

7.  Stop thinking that God has to provide.  Start discerning that God has already provided.  God has provided all things that pertain to life and godliness.

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  I am determined to close out the year strong!  Not because of my DOING.  But because I know You have already done.  I open my heart to receive the revelation of all You have already planned for this season.  I am determined to release my faith to bring to pass what You reveal.  I live every day in pursuit of the plans You already made.  My life is a life of DOING!  But I don’t DO to get You to move.  I DO because You have already moved.  I DO because it’s already DONE!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

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Today we continue our new series entitled, “It’s already done!”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  A couple of weeks ago I introduced you to the following passage.  Let’s go back to it today.  

In the opening paragraph of the Apostle Peter’s second letter, he said:

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

(2 Peter 1:1-4)

Today I will continue to focus in on this statement: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.”

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  You lack nothing.

a)  The Bible teaches us that God has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing we will ever need, in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:3).

b)  The Bible teaches us that we were chosen in God, having been predestined according to God’s plan (Eph 1:11).

c)  The Bible teaches us that we are literally God’s handiwork.  We were created in His image and likeness (Gen 1:26), and we were recreated in Christ Jesus to do specific good works.  These are works God prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10).

d)  If you believe what the Bible says about God’s preparation for your arrival, then you have to conclude that everything you need has already been provided.  God did not send you to the earth to fail.  He sent you to the earth to fulfill His purpose.  And the only way God can truly expect you to complete it, is if He already provided everything you need to do so!

e)  In God’s mind we lack nothing.  If in your mind you see lack, it is because you are NOT getting your perspective from God.

2.  All things that pertain to life.

a)  God has already provided everything you will ever need in life.  He prepared for your arrival, and He then works with you to prepare you for what He prepared.

b)  Everything you need in life — earthly resources, startup capital, open doors, divine connections, key relationships, etc. — has already been prepared for you, by God, because He wants His plans to succeed.

c)  Everything you need has already been stored up for God’s for your life.  This is why it is critically important that you make your life about God and not you!  The things you need for your selfish desires have NOT been stored.  But everything you need for God’s desires have!

d)  While it is true that every earthly thing you need to complete your divine assignment has already been prepared, it will not manifest before its time.  This is why you must develop both patience and discernment.  You need the discernment to know when it is God’s timing and the patience to wait until it is.

3.  All things that pertain to godliness.

a)  While you will have to wait on God’s timing for the external resources to manifest, the internal issues are not a matter timing, but rather a matter of development.  God has already blessed you with every spiritual gift required to become the man/woman you are called to be, but these gifts must be developed.

b)  You must develop the character required to be able to carry the weight the anointing associated with your assignment.

c)  God has already blessed you with every spiritual blessing.  Now it’s just a matter of development.  The more you die to self and grow in Christ, the more God’s spiritual gifts will be made manifest in your life.

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  I will finish this year out strong.  I will head into 2018 strong.  And I will live the remainder of my days determined to DO what I was born to do.  I will leave a mark in this world that will not easily be erased.  Because You have already given me ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness.  There are no excuses!  I will change the world… by Your grace and for Your glory!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

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Today we continue our new series entitled, “It’s already done!”, under the banner of the overall series for the year,  “Supernatural Manifestation.”  A couple of weeks ago I introduced you to the following passage.  Let’s go back to it today.  

In the opening paragraph of the Apostle Peter’s second letter, he said:

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

(2 Peter 1:1-4)

Today I will continue to focus in on this statement: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.”

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  Your ultimate destination in life is already set.

a)  The Bible says, “God predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” (Eph 1:5).

b)  Predestination means a destination was set beforehand.  Your ultimate destination in life is already set.  It was set by God before the world began.  It was set by His grace and not your performance.  Therefore, you don’t earn your divine assignment, you simply believe and receive it.    

2.  Along with a pre-set destination, you were born with a pre-set plan to get there.

a)  The Bible says, “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Eph 1:11).  The Bible is teaching us that along with a pre-set destination, God also pre-established a plan that will get us there.  

b)  God has a pre-established plan for your life and as you walk with Him, He reveals it to you.  The Bible says, “I make known the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10).

c)  God sets the end from the beginning and He then “makes known” what He set.  Revelation is God letting you in on the plans He made for you before the world began.

3.  All things that pertain to life and godliness have already been prepared for you, in advance, in accordance with God’s pre-set destination and plan for your life.

a)  You have a pre-set destination; one set by God before you were born.  You have a pre-set plan; one developed by God, designed to get you to His pre-set destination.  And everything you will ever need to accomplish the plan was already thought of by God, and He made the provisions beforehand as well.

b)  If you were born with a pre-set destination and a pre-set plan to get there, doesn’t it stand to reason that God already made the provisions you will need beforehand as well?

c)  Everything you will ever need externally (for life, in this world), and everything you will ever need internally (to develop the character required to carry the weight of the anointing associated with your assignment), has already been provided.  It’s already done!  It’s not that God is GOING to provide.  The truth is, God has already provided.  Our life then, becomes a journey of discovering what God already planned and a journey of faith that receives what God has already provided!

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  I am learning to live by discerning.  You made plans for me before I was born.  You set my destination before I ever took one breath.  You developed a plan to get me there.  You made provisions for the plan in advance.  I now live by faith.  You make known to me what You planned and I have the faith to believe, receive, and lay hold of what You have already provided!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

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2017 has been an amazing year.  However, it has not come without its fair share of challenges.  Isabella and I have faced some of the strongest opposition of our lives, but like you, here’s the good news: WE ARE STILL HERE!  We are still going.  We are still believing.  We are still pressing.  We will never give up.  We will never cave in.  We will never back down.  We will never quit!  And remember, the only way you can lose is if you quit.

I don’t know what you are facing this morning, but whatever it is… if it does not look like you are winning, then the battle is obviously NOT over!  You must live life with this mindset: “God has given me the grace to face and overcome every challenge I encounter on the road to my destiny.  So no matter how bad it gets, I will not stop until I win!”

All year long we have been declaring this year to be a Year of Great Victory for us.  There is a spiritual principle I teach from the Bible that says, “Nothing happens in the Kingdom of God until you announce it!”  When you open up your mouth and DECLARE your victory, it sets things in motion in God’s realm, but it also attracts the opposition of the enemy.  The key is to keep pressing through the opposition until you see (in the earth) what you saw (in the spirit).

There are 20 days (counting today) left in 2017.  Don’t give up on what you have been believing God for.  This point will be the spirit of today’s message.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  We spent a month looking at 2 Peter 1:1-4.  In that passage the Apostle Peter taught us that God gave us “exceeding great and precious promises”, and He gave us these promises so that by them we could be “partakers of His divine nature.”  God wants you to believe every promise He gave you in His Word, and every promise He spoke to you by His Spirit.  Every promise will be fulfilled and the more you experience God in this way, the more you partake of His divine nature.  And the more you become like Him in the earth.

2.  The writer of Hebrews told us NOT to cast away our confidence in God (Heb 10:35).  Faith is God boils down to your confidence in Him.  The Bible tells us NOT to cast away our faith (or confidence), because maintaining our faith will have a great recompense of reward.  We will be rewarded for maintaining our faith through opposition.  Keep the faith and believe God for the reward.

3.  Think back over what God told you in January.  Look through your journal and remind yourself of what God promised you in the Spring and the Summer.  Go back and meditate on all the promises God gave you this year.  And then keep believing.  Everything God said He would do in 2017, He is going to do!  If He said it, He will perform it.  If He promised it, He will make it good (Num 23:19).

4.  We have 20 days left in the year.  This is NOT the time to give up.  This is NOT the time to cave in.  This is NOT the time to throw in the towel on your faith.  You are called a “believer” for a reason.  This is your time to remind yourself that you are a believer and not a doubter.  You walk by faith and not by sight.  You believe God and you keep believing, through opposition.  You see in the Spirit, You SAY what you see, and you then refuse to allow what you see in this world to cause you to change what you said!

5.  Determine right now that you are going to close out the year strong.  You are not going to relax the grip of your faith.  You are not going to let down your guard.  You are not going to allow frustration to stifle your belief system.  You will keep the faith.  You will continue to believe God.  You will continue to declare what God has decreed.  You will continue to pursue the things of God by faith.  You will keep your faith switch in the “ON” position.  And you will not allow anything or anyone to slow you down!  This is your season.  This is your time!  Every promise you received for 2017 SHALL BE FULFILLED in the next 20 days!

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me.  You made plans for me before the world began.  And You made me very specific great and precious promises for 2017.  I believe You.  I have confidence that You will do what You said You would do.  So I refuse to relax the grip I have on my faith.  Every promise shall be fulfilled.  I finish the year strong.  I keep believing.  I enter this day and every day with expectation.  I am excited.  I am ready to receive.  This is my season.  This is my time.  This is my turn!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.

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Today I start a new series entitled, “The Benefits of Prayer and Fasting,” under the banner of the overall series for the year: “Expectation.”  In our last message we looked at Luke/Mark 4 and John 4.  Let’s go back to these passages today.

In Luke/Mark 4, we see that Jesus was led of the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to fast.  At the end of the fast Jesus was hungry.  The devil said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”  The temptation was for Jesus to succumb to the cravings of His flesh, over the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus resisted the temptation.  He responded with the Word of God.  Jesus answered, “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  

In John 4, Jesus had an encounter with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well while His disciples went into town to buy lunch.  When they got back they offered Jesus some of the lunch.  He did not want any.  They begged Him and said, “Master, please eat something.”  To which Jesus replied, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”  The disciples had no clue of what Jesus was talking about.  They asked each other, “Do you think someone else has brought him any food?”  To which Jesus responded, “My food is doing the will of him who sent me.  My food is to finish the work that he gave me to do.”

So what does this mean to you today?  We will seek to glean a few golden nuggets from these passages.

1.  After being filled with the Holy Spirit, the very first act Jesus was led of the Holy Spirit to perform was a fast.  This speaks to the importance of fasting in God’s eyes.

2. When you fast, you are training yourself to choose Spirit over body.

a)  After Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, He was a human carrier of God.  He was a human carrying God around.  Like every Born-again believer, Jesus then had to make decisions in His soul that either lined up with the Spirit or His flesh.  The first thing the Holy Spirit did was lead Jesus to go on a 40-day fast.  Fasting gives you the opportunity to train your soul to choose the leading of the Spirit over the cravings of the flesh.

b)  When satan asked Jesus to turn a stone into bread, it was a true temptation.  Jesus was hungry.  His flesh wanted food.  His flesh was crying out.  But His desire to be led of the Holy Spirit was greater than the cravings of the flesh.  While you fast, you must develop a hunger and thirst for the things of God over the cravings of the flesh.

c)  While you fast, while you are training your soul to choose Spirit over body, you must take the training seriously.  If you can win the battle over a sandwich, then you will be able to win the battle when the stakes much are higher and the cravings of your flesh are not for food, but for sex outside of marriage, or to cheat on your tax returns, or to violate your integrity.  This is the importance of fasting.

3.  Fasting gives you an opportunity to focus on the weightier things of God.

a)  In John 4, when Jesus’ disciples came back from town and they were amazed that Jesus was speaking to a Samaritan woman, in the middle of the day, in broad daylight, Jesus’ men quickly shifted their attention to food.  They offered Jesus His lunch, He refused it, and they begged Him to eat it.  Jesus said, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”  The disciples thought Jesus had a secret stash of snacks.  Jesus was not talking about physical food.  Jesus said, “My food is doing the will of him who sent me.  My food is to finish the work that he gave me to do.”  Jesus was so focused on His encounter with the woman at the well and all the Father was going to do because of it, that He was not hungry.  He was satisfied by simply doing the will of the Father.  The disciples, on the other hand, were so focused on food that they totally missed what had just happened.  A revival was about to break out in that town and they were clueless, because they were more focused on a fish sandwich than on the move of the Spirit.

b)  When you fast you become more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Like Jesus in John 4, you will sense what God is doing and you will be so focused on that that you are not hungry for natural food.  You will be full with God.

c)  Fasting helps you to rid yourself of distractions long enough to slow down and hear the voice of God.  This is critical, because you will never become the man/woman God called you to be without hearing His voice.  You can live a fruitful life by reading and applying God’s Word.  But you cannot fulfill your true purpose without hearing God’s voice.

Closing Confession:  

Father, this is a season of expectation for me.  I have an expectation of Harvest!  My heart is open to Your best.  Which is why I choose to live a fasted life.  I fast to train my soul to choose the leading of Your Spirit over the cravings of my flesh.  And as I fast, I learn to live as Jesus lived.  I say, “My food is doing the will of him who sent me.  My food is to finish the work that he gave me to do.”  I learn to discern Your voice.  I learn to be led of Your Spirit.  I learn to follow my divine instincts.  Fasting helps me to hear Your clearly.  And as I do, I declare that You use me to change the world.  You will leave a mark, in this world, through me Father, that will not easily be erased!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

This is Today’s Word.  Apply it and prosper!

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Today we continue our new series entitled, “The Benefits of Prayer and Fasting,” under the banner of the overall series for the year: “Expectation.”  

If you read Exodus 32 and 33, you will see how the Lord spent time with Moses on a mountain.  He gave him the 10 Commandments and taught Moses His ways.  But while He was doing so, the newly freed people created a golden calf.  The Lord told Moses about the calf.  Moses came down from the mountain with his servant Joshua.  They were both appalled at what they saw.  Moses was so upset that he broke the tablets containing the 10 Commandments.  In the aftermath, Moses was left searching for what to do next.  

The Lord indicated to Moses that He would not go with the people.  Moses pleaded for God’s presence.  He said, “If you don’t go with us, then don’t make us leave this place.  Also, how will we know if you are pleased with me and these people?  If you go with us, we will know for sure.  If you don’t go with us, these people and I will be no different from any other people on the earth.” (Exodus 33:15,16).  Moses knew that God’s presence was the only differentiation he and his people had from anyone else on the planet.  Without God, they were like everyone else.  They needed God!  After this plea, Moses asked God to show him His glory.  God did.  God then told Moses to prepare two more stones so He could recreate the 10 Commandments.  

The next day Moses went up to Mount Sinai.  This time without Joshua.  While Moses was with God he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.  During this time, God talked to Moses and taught him His ways.  After this the Bible says:

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, he carried the two stone tablets of the agreement. Because he had talked with the Lord, his face was shining, but he did not know it.  Aaron and all the people of Israel saw that Moses’ face was shining bright. So they were afraid to go near him.  But Moses called to them.  So Aaron and all the leaders of the people went to him.  Moses talked with them.  After that all the Israelites came near Moses, and he gave them the commands that the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.

When Moses finished speaking to the people, he put a covering over his face.  Any time Moses went before the Lord to speak with him, Moses took off the covering.  Then Moses would come out and tell the Israelites what the Lord commanded.  The people would see that Moses’ face was shining bright, so he would cover his face again. He kept his face covered until the next time he went in to speak with the Lord.”

(Exodus 34:29-35 ERV)

So what does this mean to you today?  I was laying the foundation today for the next few days.  I don’t have time to cover a great deal, but I will give you a few quick thoughts.

1.  Moses spent time in the presence of the Lord on Mount Sinai.  He spoke to God and God spoke to Him as a man would speak to a friend.  He received the 10 Commandments and He learned God’s ways.  All of this happened during a 40-day fast.  This is not a coincidence.  When you are fasting you have a heightened sensitivity for God’s voice and your sacrifice also helps you draw nearer to God.

2.  Yesterday I said, “Fasting does not change or move God.  Fasting changes and moves you!”  Today’s passage is a good example of this.  Moses fasted for 40 days.  Afterward, God was not changed.  God was still God.  But Moses was changed.  Moses was SO changed that he came back looking different.  The glory of the Lord was all over Moses’ face, to the point where he had to cover his face in order to have a conversation with people.  When you fast, not only does it change you, but if you make fasting part of your lifestyle, it will change you to the point where others will see God when they look at you.

3.  I run into people all the time who complain about not hearing God’s voice or not knowing their purpose.  They say, “God does not speak to me.”  The truth is, God is always speaking.  Unfortunately, we are not always listening and we have to learn to discern His voice.  Fasting helps with this.  Fasting gives you an opportunity to rid yourself of distractions and to give God your attention long enough to enjoy His presence and hear His voice.

Closing Confession:  

Father, this is a season of expectation for me.  This year I expect to see Your Harvest manifested in my life like never before.  For this to happen I need to Hear Your voice clearly.  So, I build up my expectation to do so.  I maintain a lifestyle of prayer and fasting.  As I do, I learn to discern Your voice.  You show me dreams while I sleep and open visions while I am awake.  You speak to me throughout each day.  I am Your sheep.  I hear Your voice.  The voice of a stranger, I will not follow.  And as I walk with You and You with me, the encounters we have leave ME changed.  I come back with the residue of the supernatural all over me.  When people look at me, they see You!  When people speak to me, they hear You!  When people hang out with me, they feel Your presence!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

This is Today’s Word.  Apply it and prosper!

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Today we continue our new series entitled, “The Benefits of Prayer and Fasting,” under the banner of the overall series for the year: “Expectation.”  We have already covered Jesus’ 40-day fast and  yesterday I introduced you to Moses’ 40-day fast.  I will discuss Moses’ fast, and the encounter he had with God during it, further today.

The Lord called Moses up to Mount Sinai.  He told Moses to come alone.  Moses went.  During this time he had an amazing encounter with God.  He came back after 40 days and 40 nights with the 10 Commandments and the glory of the Lord all over his face.  During this time Moses did not eat anything.  His supernatural encounter with God came during a 40-day fast.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  We live in a society that is so fast-paced that people often attempt to excuse their lack of focus on God to their busy schedule.  Most of us have more task than time.  Many of us have jobs that don’t end at 5pm.  We have devices that connect us to work as soon as we get up and the devices keep us connected until we go to sleep.  Some even get interrupted while they are sleeping by their devices and the demands of their job and/or business.  It’s hard to imagine a time when Moses could take a 40-day Sabbatical and simply give all his time and attention to God.  Most people today have a hard time giving God 40 minutes, much less 40 days.  But all that said, I believe the busyness of our lives actually further emphasizes the importance of fasting.  You don’t have to stop working to fast.  You don’t have to change your schedule to fast.  Most of the time, you don’t have to (and you shouldn’t) tell people you are fasting.  You can simply go about your normal routine, but you can then take the time that was normally allocated to meal prep and meal consumption and spend time in the presence of the Lord.  God will honor your sacrifice and more importantly, fasting will change you!  If there was ever a time when this is critical, I believe today is that time.

2.  Moses was so focused on God and what God was saying that he did not concern Himself with food.  Like Jesus said in John 4, there is food this world knows nothing about.  Both Moses and Jesus were satisfied in the presence of the Father, and He sustained them while their bodies went without food.  The same is true today.  Most people today are not going to fast for 40 days, and many don’t fast from all foods.  But whatever you are led to fast from, fast with all sincerity.  Give your heart and attention to God.  And He will sustain you as you fast.  And once again, fasting will change YOU!  Fasting will help you heighten your sensitivity for the things of God.  You will be able to hear and sense the Holy Spirit more clearly.

3.  Fasting sets you up to have a divine encounter with God.  As I stated yesterday, many people express their frustrations to me, saying that they never hear God’s voice.  They complain about not truly sensing God’s presence.  I often respond by telling them to go on a fast and to spend time in prayer.  Fasting and praying are not about moving God.  God’s plans are set.  He knows what He is going to do.  What fasting and prayer do is help us align with God’s plans.  When we fast and pray, it helps us position ourselves in the center of God’s will.  This is where we want to be.  Oftentimes, we are not receiving or experiencing God’s best, because we are out of position.  Fasting helps us make and earthly alignment with our divine assignment.  Once we do, we get to enjoy the benefits of walking in the grace that is already allocated to us.  This grace wa being wasted while we were out of position.  But once we get IN position, we can make the most of God’s grace.  Like Paul, we can say, “God’s grace, towards me, shall not be in vain!”

4.  I could not close today’s message without going back to the impact the fast had on Moses.  When Moses came down from the mountain, he did not know it, but his encounter with God has residual effects.  Moses spent time in the presence of God while he was on top of the mountain.  During that time, Moses got to enjoy the glory of the Lord.  When he came back, that very same glory was ON HIM.  The glory of God was so thick on Moses’ face that people could not even stand to look at him.  Moses had to put a veil over his face, because what was on God wound up getting on him, in the presence of the Lord!  See, when you spend time in God’s presence, fasting and praying, it will change you!  What is on God will get on you!  You will leave your encounter with God with residue of the encounter all over you.  People will notice.  People will know that there is something different about you.  People will know that you have been with God, because you made the sacrifice to fast and pray.  I am a witness.  This has happened to me on many occasions.  I have had complete strangers come up to me and say things like, “Are you a man of God?,” “Are you a Pastor?,” “Who are you?  There is something about you.  Can you pray for me?”  This only happens when you MAKE time, despite your busy schedule, to give your attention to God.  This is why fasting is so critical, especially today!

Closing Confession:  

Father, this is a season of expectation for me.  This year I expect to see Your Harvest manifested in my life like never before.  For this to happen, I must align myself with Your will.  To do so, I fast and pray.  I don’t allow my schedule to be an excuse.  I MAKE time to give you time!  I give you my attention, so you don’t have to GET IT from me.  I make the effort to spend time in Your presence and as I do, I declare that I leave those encounters with Your glory still on me.  The world will take notice.  The world will know that I have been with You!  This is how You will draw in the lost to Jesus, through me!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

This is Today’s Word.  Apply it and prosper!

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(Luke 11:1 ERV)  One time Jesus was out praying, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “John taught his followers how to pray. Lord, teach us how to pray too.”

Today we continue our series entitled, “The Benefits of Prayer and Fasting,” with an emphasis on “The Power of Prayer.”  We have been looking at the life of Jesus and the role prayer played in it.  Today we will see that the disciples were so impacted by Jesus and the role prayer had in His life, that they asked Jesus to teach them to pray.

By the time we get to Luke chapter 11 Jesus had done much teaching and performed many supernatural acts.  He casted out countless demons, healed people from of all sorts of diseases, fed a crowd with a little boy’s two-piece fish dinner, and even raised a young man from the dead in the middle of his funeral procession.  The one consistent act throughout it all, was that Jesus often took time, alone with the Father, to pray.  

The opening statement in Luke 11 tells us that Jesus was, once again, out praying.  Jesus was off by Himself, away from the disciples, alone with the Father, communing with Him and receiving guidance for His life and ministry.  When Jesus came back from His time of prayer one of the disciples asked Him an interesting question.  Now remember, these guys had been with Jesus for a long time by this point.  The disciples had a front row seat for every miracle.  They participated in the miracle of the fish and loaves.  They were there when Jesus stopped the funeral procession to raise the young man right out of his casket.  I don’t know about you, but if it were me, I probably would have asked Him to teach me how to perform miracles.  When Jesus fed a large crows with a little boy’s lunch, I would have wanted to know how He did it.  When Jesus stopped a funeral procession and raised a young man from the dead right out of the casket, I would have wanted to know how He did it!  

I have no doubt in my mind that the disciples wanted to know how Jesus did what He did.  They wanted to know the secret to His success.  Put yourself in their shoes for a minute.  You are a disciple of Christ and you have watched this man do the impossible day after day, week after week, and it always seemed to come after He had spent time with the Father in prayer.  You see a clear connection between what Jesus was doing in prayer, with the Father, and what He was doing supernaturally with people.  If you gave it some thought, I believe you would come to the same conclusion the disciples did: prayer was the obvious secret to Jesus’ success.  

The disciples had never asked Jesus to teach them to do any of the miracles.  But what they did ask, was for Him to teach them to pray.  And after this petition, they never asked Jesus to teach them to do anything else.  Prayer was the key then and it still remains the key today.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  The men closest to Jesus while He was in the earth only asked Him to teach them to do ONE THING.  That one this was prayer.  This petition did not come haphazardly.  Prayer was the one thing they wanted to know how to do, because they believed that is was the key to Jesus’ ministry.  Well, guess what?  They were right!

2.  The disciples believed that if they could learn to pray like Jesus prayed, they would be in position to do what Jesus did.  What was true back then is true today.  We are called to live “As Jesus is, in this world,” and the only way we’ll ever do so is by receiving direction from the Father in prayer.

3.  Jesus spent time with the Father, early in the morning, all by Himself, in prayer.  This was the key to His success.  As He prayed, He received insight, wisdom, revelation, knowledge and understanding.  When He was done praying, He knew where to go for the day and what He was going to do when He got there.  This is the way we are supposed to live.  If we commune with the Father in prayer, we will be able to go into every meeting, conversation an activity with the confidence Jesus had.  We will be able to say, like Jesus said, “It is the Father, living in me… He gives me the words and He performs the work!”  This type of confidence is not possible without a prayer life.

Closing Confession:  

Father, this is a season of expectation for me.  I raise my expectation from You, because I also raise my dedication to spend time in prayer with You.  Prayer was the key to Jesus’ success.  It shall be the key to my success as well.  Day-by-day, I grow in prayer and in communion with You.  You teach me to pray.  You help me cultivate my relationship with You.  I make time to spend time with You and this time is truly quality time.  When I come out of my prayer session, I will know what to do and how to do it.  And as I enter the day, You will give me the words and You will perform the work through me!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

This is Today’s Word.  Apply it and prosper!

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(John  16:22-24 NLT)  So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.  At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.  You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

Today we continue our series entitled, “The Benefits of Prayer and Fasting,” with an emphasis on “The Power of Prayer.”  While many believers I know are living amazing lives in Christ, becoming the men/women God called to them to be, and maximizing their purpose and potential, others are not.  You can be a Christian and still live a powerless life.  You can accept Jesus as Lord, but still lack direction, struggle with sin, experience poor spiritual progress, have a weak witness, an unfruitful life, live in poverty, and etc.  Is there any connection between underdeveloped, defeated and/or directionless lives and confusion concerning prayer?  The late Dr. Myles Munroe believed there was a strong connection between the two.  I agree.  So how do we start down the road to a fulfilling prayer life?  Here are quick things to consider:

1.  You must be convinced that God is a Prayer-Answering God.

a)  Prayer was God‘s idea.  Prayer is something God instituted!  Prayer is not optional in God’s system.  Our heavenly Father expects us to pray, because prayers that agree with His kingdom plans and purposes release earthly license for heavenly interference.  

b)  We must be convinced of this fact, without a doubt in our minds.  If you question whether or not prayer is viable, valuable, or necessary, you will not pray; or if you do, your prayer won’t be faith-filled.

c)  We must deal with our doubts.  Doubt hinders prayer.  So, if you have been questioning the usefulness of prayer, you must settle this issue in your heart.  You have to get to the point where you are fully persuaded that God requires and responds to prayer.

2. You must pray (actually do it) IN FAITH.

a)  Learning about prayer and actually praying are not the same thing.  I know more than I do and I am often convicted of this reality.  Knowing something does you no good if you are not  applying what you know.

b)  As you are learning about prayer in this series, determine to put what you are learning into practice.  Pray every day.  The more you pray, the more comfortable you will get in your prayer life.  You have to get to the point where prayer is “second nature” to you; where you pray daily and throughout each day.

c)  You can read all the books in the library about running, but if you want to be a better runner you have to hit the road and actually run.  It’s the same way with prayer.  Reading about it is great, but practicing it is better!

In John 16, as Jesus was preparing His disciples for His impending departure and He wanted them to shift their focus and dependency from Him to the Father.  The disciples had relied on Jesus for over three years.  He was their source.  But Jesus wanted them to rely on the one He was relying on: the Father Himself.  Speaking of the time when He would be gone Jesus said, “You have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.  At that time you won’t need to ask Me for anything.  I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name.  You haven’t done this before.  Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy!” (verses 23 and 24).

So what does this mean to you today?  A few quick things as we close:

1.  We are supposed to pray to the Father directly.  Jesus did not use any intermediary between He and the Father.  He taught His disciples to pray like He did.  He plainly told them to pray to the Father directly, in His name.  This is the way we are supposed to pray.  There is no one between us and the Father, but Jesus Himself.  Jesus is our High Priest.

2.  When we approach the Father in prayer, it must be in the name of His Son.  In and of ourselves, we can do nothing.  In Christ, we can do in all things.  The only reason we can stand before the Father is because of Jesus.  Jesus specifically instructed us to use His name.  So, when we pray, we must pray in His name!

3.  When we pray and receive it ignites our joy.  Jesus said, “Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy!”  When you pray and God answers your prayer, it does something for you on the inside.  I remember how amazed I was when I first realized that the God of the universe listened to me.  When I prayed and God responded, I was so honored that He would hear my petition.  It did something for me, on the inside, that could not be shaken.  This is the type of joy we should experience daily as we walk with God and He walks with us.

Closing Confession:  

Father, this is a season of expectation for me.  I am convinced that You are a prayer-answering God.  You instituted prayer and I will abide by the system You established.  I will no longer hinder You from operating in my life due to a lack of prayer.  I agree with Your Kingdom purposes daily in prayer.  I come to You, in the name of Your Son Jesus, in faith, not wavering, without a doubt, completely confident.  And I do this free of all malice, unforgiveness, bitterness, and strife in my heart.  When I come to You this way, I always get results.  I pray daily and throughout each day, and You hear me when I pray!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

This is Today’s Word.  Apply it and prosper!

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Today we continue our series entitled, “The Benefits of Prayer and Fasting,” with an emphasis on “The Power of Prayer.”  In our last message we looked at John 16:22-24.  I want to go back to that passage this morning.  Jesus said:

“So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.  At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.  You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.”

(John  16:22-24 NLT)  

In John chapter 16 Jesus was preparing His disciples for this impending death and departure.  These guys had been totally reliant on Jesus for well over three years.  While they were relying on Him, Jesus was relying on the Father.  Since Jesus knew He would soon be gone, He wanted the disciples to learn to depend on the Father directly.  Jesus said, “At that time you won’t need to ask Me for anything.”  To this point in their lives and ministry, the disciples’ petitions were directed at Jesus.  Jesus wanted them to shift their focus to the Father directly.  So Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name.  You haven’t done this before.  Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.”  Let me highlight a few things here:

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  We are supposed to pray to the “Father.”  

a)  This may seem like a small point, but actually it is not.  When Jesus talked to others about God, like most of us, had no problem with calling God “God.”  But when Jesus was praying to God and addressing Him directly, He always addressed Him as His “Father.”  When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He gave them a model for prayer that started with the words, “Our Father,” not “Our God.”

b)  Jesus did not pray to a foreign or disconnected God.  Jesus prayed to a loving, caring, and sharing heavenly Father.  When speaking to God directly Jesus called Him “Father” because He came to Him as a Son.  Jesus taught His disciples to pray the same way.

c)  If you see God as simply a God, then you will see yourself as a subject, servant or slave.  But when you see God as a “Father” and you see yourself as a son or daughter, you are in position to address Him with another level of intimacy, confidence, boldness and expectation.  Why?  Because your children have access to you that others do not have.  You children have rights with you that you don’t grant to other people.  So, when you pray, remember that you are a SON, not a subject, servant or slave.  That makes the world of a difference.  Understanding your position with God impacts your disposition in prayer!

2.  When we approach the Father in prayer, it must be in the name of His Son.  

a)  Jesus instructed His disciples to pray directly the Father and He also made it clear that they were only able to do so because He authorized them to use His name.

b)  The only way we could ever address the Father directly is because of Jesus.  The only reason we could ever have confidence when we pray, is because of Jesus.  As Jesus is, so are we, in this world!

c)  Make sure you understand that in and of yourself, you have no righteousness.  You have only been declared righteous because of the Blood of Jesus.  You have no right to approach the Father on our own.  But when you acknowledge the fact that Jesus died for your sin and rose for your redemption, you can approach throne of the Father, IN THE NAME of the Son, with boldness and confidence.  Your boldness comes from Jesus, not from you!

d)  Lastly, I don’t want to pick nits here, but don’t pray to Jesus.  Pray to the Father, in the name of Jesus, there is a difference.  Simply put, if you want to get results in prayer you need to pray in accordance with how the Bible teaches us to pray.

Closing Confession:  

Father, this is a season of expectation for me.  The more I learn about prayer, the more amazed I am that You give me direct access to You, in the name of Your Son.  I know my faults, flaws and failures.   On my own, I would never be worthy of approaching Your throne.  But Jesus was worthy for me.  I am MADE righteous by the Blood of Jesus.  Now I can come boldly before Your throne, in the name of Your Son, to receive the grace to help in the time of need.  Thank You Father for loving me enough to give me access to You in prayer.  I use this access in the morning and throughout each day!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

This is Today’s Word.  Apply it and prosper!

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