DAY 2

If you read mark 5:1 - 20 you will read a wonderful story of a man who finds freedom from demonic possession. What a wonderful miracle right? The Spirit of the Lord showed me that the revelation is not in the miracle that took place, but the revelation is in what was not allowed to take place.

You read that Jesus arrives on the scene and His power is manifested, but as you read on you see that the people beg Him to leave. Here is what the Spirit of God revealed. The people had become familiar with seeing this man run in the tombs and acting out, but once they saw what was unfamiliar to them they allowed the spirit of fear to grip them and this resulted in Jesus leaving and passing them by.
The Spirit declares that this is typical of many churches today, the presence of God shows up and His power is manifested but because it changes what is familiar the people allow the spirt of fear to grip them. Once fear has a hold of their hearts they become resistant to the presence of God and will not allow God to do what He set out to do. The end result is the Spirit is grieved and it passes them by.

40 Day Fast

As our church begins this 40 day fast, I feel led of the Spirit to journal the things that are shown to me or spoken to me during my time with God. So here I go.

Day 1:

The Spirit of the Lord declares that the alarm is sounding and it is time for the church to rise from its slumber and sleep. To rise up and dress itself in the presence and power of God. Yet many will hear the alarm but will push the snooze button, in doing so they will continue to sleep and slumber which will cause them to miss the Lord as he passes by. Once again I say to you arise from your sleep and dress yourself that you may be ready when the Lord comes by!

Exhort on to Maturity

In my sermon this past Sunday I was preaching about Christmas Miracles and I got held up on one of my points about God knowing where we're at and what we need. During that part God quickened a profound example to use.

My son Elijah has begun to walk, he carefully takes one step after the other but if he gets going to quick he loses his balance and falls. After he falls daddy picks him back up and mister Elijah continues on his path. Here's the kicker, if he gets frustrated and gives up on walking he resorts to the familiar and crawls.

Hebrews exhorts us to maturity, it says we have no need to go over the basics again and again, and again. But what intrigues me is the fact that so many "christians" when the walking gets to be to frustrating they return to that which is familiar. Never allowing their legs to properly strengthen so that they can walk and not fall.

One day my Elijah will walk without stumbling, but only after he keeps working on it and allows his legs to build up strength.

Just a thought

PT

We made it

Yes, ladies and gentlemen we are now living in Florida. The house is set up except our cable and snail mail, but hey its Florida. The new church is great. I can't complain, of course that will probably change when hurricane season hits and I got to put up these silly storm shutters. But, hey this is Florida!

God is so good and everyone is happy to be here. We're excited to see what God has in store.

PT

Getting to the heart of the Father

I really enjoyed preaching this sermon. Got some wonderful compliments including some saying that I stepped on a few toes. Please enjoy, feel free to borrow the notes.



There was a time in church when we made it about a personal relationship with God. It was a time when it was about nothing but God. We loved God, we feared God, and we honored God. It was a time when God was the most important person in our life. But now it has become about programs, old versus new, traditional versus contemporary; that’s just in the church. What about personal lives? While I’m sure that there are some who don’t want me to go down that road, let’s just say that it use to be that anything that involved God or church was a priority in our lives. Now its about sports, clubs, hunting, and even using the line “its my only day off to do other things or spend it with my family.” Where and when did we make it about us instead of God?

I’m here to tell you that God is longing and calling for us to get back to that close personal relationship with Him.

Romans 8:14 – 17

Galatians 3:26 – 29

Galatians 4:1 – 7


There are three things I want you to note:

1) We’re not slaves or servants, but children – We are not part of some religious society that has us follow certain guide lines or make us dance to a certain beat. We are children of God.

2) He’s not just God, He’s Dad – A dad provides for his family, a dad protects his family, a dad teaches his family, a dad lays down the rules for his family, and a dad disciplines his family. All because he loves his family.

3) You were His first priority – He thought of you first and made sure you would have a way to spend your life with Him.

I didn’t come here to guilt you into anything; I came to share a message with you. Dad wants to be with you. He’s not some dead beat who ran away when things got tough. He wants to walk with you, talk with you, help you; He wants to have a relationship with you.

Finally, I believe we need to check our priorities. The truth is, if God is our top priority then why don’t we do the things He asks us to do? Why do we have to grumble and complain? We don’t like it when our children do it; imagine how Dad feels.

test

Reaching your full potential

This past week as I was praying God reached deep down into my spirit and revealed something that has plagued me for sometime. God wanted to correct in me a lie that had taken hold of my life, as a matter of fact I know that it is a lie that takes hold of many believers all over, including right here in this church. You have probably heard this said to you or have said it yourself; I'm not good enough, I'm not worthy, there is no way that I can be considered for that, we will never..." There are two things that will kill a believer and ministry really fast; 1) low self esteem, and 2) the opinion of man. If we're not beating ourselves up, someone else is doing it for us.

But, I am here this morning to tell you this, that it is a lying devil from the pit of hell and as a child of the most high God you have within you unlimited power and potential. It doesn't matter what man tells you or what the devil whispers in your ear, God is on your side and if He is for you who can possibly stand against you.

Let's look at these 2 killers a little closer and realize what God has to say.

1)Low self-esteem: As a child of God we need to realize that while we may not think too highly of ourselves, there is a God in heaven who has shaped you, formed you, and called you by name. In His eyes you are someone special. Once again it's time for us to remember just who we are and what God has done for us.

Blessed
Deut 28:3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

Deut 28:4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy beasts, the increase of thy cattle, and the young of thy flock.

Deut 28:5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy kneading-trough.

Deut 28:6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in,and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. .

The head and not the tail
Deut 28:13a (KJS) And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; Above only and not beneath

Deut 28:13b. . . and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that
thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them]:

Elect
Colo 3:12 (KJS) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Rom 8:3 (KJS) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {for sin: or, by a sacrifice for sin}

Established to the end
1Cor 1:8 (KJS) Who shall also confirm you unto the end, [that ye may be] blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

More than a conqueror
Roma 8:37 (KJS) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Joint heirs with Christ
Roma 8:17 (KJS) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.

Accepted in the Beloved
Ephe 1:6 (KJS) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Complete in Him
Colo 2:10 (KJS) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

The light of the world
Matt 5:14 (KJS) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

The salt of the earth
Matt 5:13 (KJS) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Called of God
2Tim 1:9 (KJS) Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

The first fruits among His creation
Jame 1:18 (KJS) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Gods workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works
Ephe 2:10 (KJS) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The apple of my Father's eye
Deut 32:10 (KJS) He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

Psal 17:8 (KJS) Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Beloved of God
Colo 3:12 (KJS) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Roma 1:7 (KJS) To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1The 1:4 (KJS) Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
------------

Let me exhort you this morning to stop listening to the lies of the enemy, stop beating yourself up, stop belittling yourself, and remember who you are!

2)The opinions of man: For to long Christians and ministers have relied on what others think of them and gaining some kind of approval. Let me tell you that it's one thing to seek Godly counsel, and another to seek the approval of man. You need to realize today that the only approval you need is God's. In the end it is His opinion of you that matters, and we have already read some of His opinions of us. There other scriptures on this matter though that we need to look at.

1 Thess 2:4-5
4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.


2 Tim 2:15
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Matt 6:2-4
2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Gal 1:10
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Eph 6:5-8
Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as Bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Col 3:22-24
22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

1 Peter 5:6
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time

Matt 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matt 25:23
His lord said to him,'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

While we all would like to please men and make people happy, ultimately it needs to be about pleasing God first and foremost.
So then one last question remains, how do we reach our full potential? We can reach our potential when we realize that it's not in our ability but in God's. It's not in what you and I can do, but what God can do through you and I.

Paul realized this when he said: Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Joseph knew the answer could only come from God when interpreting the dream: Gen 41:16
So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying,"It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace."

When Moses was uncertain about speaking God told him: Ex 4:11-12 So the LORD said to him,"Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say."

When David faced the giant, he realized who would fight for him : 1 Sam 17:47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hands."

When God called Jeremiah, He told him: Jer 1:6-8 Then said I: "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth." 7 But the LORD said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you," says the LORD.

When there seems to be no where to go God says: Isa 43:19 I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Paul Talking about the end and death says: 1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Don't limit yourself or allow yourself to be limited by others but realize your potential and what God can do through you. In other words, let God out of the box, let Him tear down the walls and barriers. Allow Him to take you to that place that you thought you could never reach. It's not within your ability, but it is within His.

WHAT DO YOU CONFESS?

I asked this question to the church this morning. Actually I broke it down into three questions.

1) Do you confess what you believe? In other words do you confess what you know to be true.

2) Do you confess what's in your heart? The word tells us , out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Thinks of it this way, do you believe what you confess?

3) Do you confess what others confess? Which crowd are you hanging with? Is it the nay-sayers or the giant-slayers. if you hang around them long enough, they begin to rub off on you and you begin act and speak like them.

The bible tells us with our words we are justified and with our word we are condemned. So once again it begs to question, what are we confessing? If you believe it when the word says you're healed then confess your healing, if you believe the word when it says your needs are supplied then confess your needs met.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So therefore when you confess in faith, you should be confessing the word. After all God's word does not return void!

Just a thought..... :)

Here's what's inside

Lately I have had this really strong feeling about a particular issue.
As a christian and as a minister who is it really about?
As a christian we hope to live our own lives and do as we please, but in truth we have no right to. We have been bought with a price, we are not our own, we belong to him. Therefore its not about us! What we like, what pleases us, or makes us happy. Its about what God likes, what pleases Him, what makes Him happy. How much easier could life be if we really lived like this.
The same applies as a minister. I understand wise as serpents, harmless as doves, but sometime ministers take that to the extreme and as a result they don't do the people any good. How often have we held back or changed a wording so we don't offend or upset anyone? We let fear sneak in, and He hasn't given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. If we don't share what God has told us to share and how He's instructed us to share it then we're making it about the people and not about God!

As we near the end of our current assignment, I realize the lesson that I have had to learn. The words from this old Petra song says it all for me.

Godpleaser
Words and music by Bob Hartman
Based on Proverbs 14:12, Ephesians 6:6, Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Matthew 6:2, 25:23, Colossians 3:23

So many voices telling me which way to go
So many choices come from those who think they know
There's a way that seems right to a man
But it only brings him death
I wanna go the way that leads to life
Till I draw my dying breath

(Chorus)
Don't wanna be a manpleaser - I wanna be a Godpleaser
I just want to have the wisdom to discern the two apart
Don't wanna be a manpleaser - I wanna be a Godpleaser
I just want to do the things that please the Father's heart

Some make a sacrifice and never let it show
Some make a point of letting everybody know
Some will live their lives as unto men
And they have their reward
I just wanna do everything I do
With all my heart unto the Lord

I just want my life to glorify His Son
To make my Father proud that I'm His child before I'm done
No need to pat me on the back or stop the shake my hand
I just want to hear my Father say "Well done, well done"
I just want to hear my Father say "Well done"

PT

LOST

I'm sure many of you have thought I fell off the planet some where since my last blog. The truth is life has been extremely busy for me since the birth of my son Elijah, plus there are times I desire to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself.
Honestly, I wish I could jump off the planet right now, pull an "Elijah escape" and hide in a cave somewhere. So much has transpired since my last blog, of which all took me by suprise.
So here I sit, late Saturday night, everyone is asleep and I am left to contemplate life. For once I feel lost, no direction and presently no future. I am talking about my ministry life. I thought a 2 week vacation would help me gain some focus, but actually it ended up being a more stressful time for me.
Like Elijah, I wish to run and hide from everything, but I can't. Truth is God won't allow me, He won't release me from the calling He has placed on my life. Deep down I'm glad He hasn't because I love ministry to much to even imagine doing something else. But that doesn't change how I feel right now. Honestly, unlike Elijah, I really don't want the still small voice. I need the loud, I need the wind, the earthquake and the fire.

Lord, please speak to me, give me direction, set my feet on the path I need to walk to fulfill Your calling on my life. Take this hurting and lost man and use him once again to bring glory to Your Name. I am Yours, now and always!

PT

Taking A Turn

I don't have anything profound to post today. Actually I realize it has been a while since my last post. This is simply because I have found myself caught up in everything that seems to be unfolding. To be honest I'm not sure if things are taking a turn for the better or the worst. Deep down inside I know its for the better.

I think basically, I'm starting to wear out. Thankfully we have a 2 week vacation coming up at the end of June. I'm wholeheartedly looking forward to getting away and relaxing. It is my prayer that I can come back to my church refreshed in mind, body, and spirit. Until that time I will lean on the everlasting arms of my Jesus and allow His joy to be my strength!

p.s. Hooray, school is over tomorrow. No more driving buses for at least 2.5 months. Unfortunately that also means no extra income, so please pray that a summer job would open up.

p.p.s. Happy birthday to me. I'm 36 on Saturday :)

Call Him Moose

My boy is 2 months old and we found out he weighs in at a whopping 13 pounds already.
We have member who just brought their son home, he was premature and weighs barely 5 pounds. When you see the 2 next to each other, wow, talk about david and goliath. So the church has affectionately given my son the nickname of moose. Which of course is fine with me, especially when he plays pro ball for the cowboys, he can be the second moose in franchise history and take care of his old man.

Staying Put!

There's a saying in the world today, that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Sometimes I feel like that, when things get a little rough, difficult, or hard; maybe I should look for something else!
I confess, I've felt that here in AR. Yet, there is something different about this place and these people. There is a genuine desire in these people to see something happen at our church. They whole-heartedly want to see their church grow and they desperately want to experience an outpouring of His Spirit. To me that makes all the difference in the world, because I've been in a place where the people could care less about the church, growing, or the pastor.

So with all that being said, even though we've had some hard times, and times when we wondered if we made the right choice, we know that this is where God wants us, this is where we want to raise our kids, this is our home (until God says otherwise)! So we're staying put! We're buying a house and we're settling in for the long haul.
We're saying that we are committed to this church, we will laugh with them, cry with them, struggle with them, rejoice with them, complain with them, and grow with them!

God promised me back in Kansas a church where the people would love us, support us, and grow with us....guess what....this is it!!

Tell Me What You Think Please!

I've had a word burning in my heart, and I feel I need to share it with the church but I'm not to sure what kind of points or scriptures to use, please help me :)

The word is this..."what has been dedicated to God, belongs to God so therefore the enemy has no claim on it!"

This kind of reminds me of Job.

I Don't Like Being Sick

Very rarely do I ever get sick, but when I do, look out. The doctor told me I had the stomach flu, now wonder I was feeling so lousy. Today I'm feeling better, I wouldn't say 100% but at least 90%.
The time that I've spent in bed though has allowed me to think and contemplate some things. The biggest thing I've been thinking about is overcoming! First of all to overcome this sickness. I realize that there are blessings waiting for me, but I can't get to them until I've overcome this sickness. You see, I have two precious blessings from God that are waiting for me to reach out and take hold of them, but I can't because I'm sick and don't want them to catch what I got.

If we can realize that there are blessings that cannot be contained waiting for us to laid hold of them, then maybe, just maybe we will fight harder to overcome those things that would keeps us from them. You see I really want to hold my babies, which I consider blessings, so therefore I will fight to overcome.

Just a thought!!!

When We Feel Overwhelmed

I must admit, when we brought Elijah home I started to feel a bit overwhelmed. Here I have a screaming newborn, a big sister who wants attention, a wife who is healing and needs assistance, a house that needs to be cleaned, and finally a job.

It got to be a little to much for me to bear, and I began to doubt my capabilities to be a good father and husband. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has felt this way.

2 Cor 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
NKJV

As usual God reminds me that it’s not in my hands, but His. When I’m weak and tired He is my strength

Matt 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
NKJV

Secondly, it’s not my weight to carry. God wants me to give it up to Him.

Joel 2:32
32 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORD, Shall be saved.
For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance,
As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.
NKJV

Finally, someone told me that if I needed help to call. Who better then the Lord! I also realize that we bear one another’s burdens. So we don’t have to be afraid or ashamed to ask for help.

So when we are feeling overwhelmed, remember;

God will make a way where there seems to be no way, He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me, He will be my guide, Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength, For each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way

I hear the sound of the abundance of rain

This past Sunday night, we had a powerful manifestation of the presence of God. You could feel the thickness in the air as the worship team led us into the holy of holies.

The prophetic word that came forth, was simply "I hear the sound of the abundance of rain!" You see, there is a cloud the size of a man's fist rising up from the east and the winds of the Spirit is blowing it in our direction (east to west). As this cloud moves closer it's growing in size and intensity. God was telling us Sunday night that it's right on the horizon, just around the corner. This cloud is going to settle over us and the windows of Heaven are going to open and the rain of His Spirit and Glory are going to shower down all over us.
The word concluded with "get ready!" Don't run for shelter or try to grab an umbrella or rain gear, just get ready to get drenched.

This is an exciting word and we are expecting it to happen.

I don't believe that we're the only church that's going to experience this outpouring. I whole heartedly believe that God intends this to happen at every church that will welcome it. That's the key "welcome it". The truth is that there will be those like the disciples in the boat when the storm was raging, they will be overcome with fear, and unfortunately they could miss it all together.
I don't know about anyone else, but I refuse to miss out on what God is going to do!!!

A Prophetic Word

As I was working on my message for tomorrow, I felt God impressing on me the need to post my sermon. I don't know who will read this, but someone needs this prophetic word. I simply pray that if it is you, allow His Spirit to minister to you.

BRINGING IN THE HARVEST

At the beginning of the year I was impressed to present to the church the vision for 2006. I believe that this is a year of harvest, not just for the church but also for the believer.

The bible makes it very clear that there is time and season for everything. We need to realize that there is a season of planting and then there is a season of reaping or harvesting.

Allow me to speak prophetically into your life this day, your season of harvest is here, all you got to do is bring it in. You have planted, sowed, and labored, now go and bring it in.

Jeremiah 5:24

Mark 4:26-29

In order to bring in your harvest you must:

1) Recognize the season – Anyone who has planted or grown something realizes that if you try to pick or harvest before its time you will get: a) nothing, b) very little, or c) a stunted crop not fully ripe and therefore of no value. Whereas if you wait till the harvest is white and ready you will reap 100 fold, a harvest that is more than you can contain.

2) Make room – I believe there is a 100 fold harvest coming your way, but right now you don’t have the room to handle such a harvest. I’m reminded of Joseph in Egypt when he had to build storage for all that was about to come in, and even then they were overflowing. Get ready, make room for the more room you have the more harvest you can hold, but even then it won’t be enough. The bible tells us “running over” and also “exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond”. Get ready!!!

3) Go get it – Notice in our scripture from Mark, that immediately he put a sickle to the harvest. He didn’t just let it sit there, he went out and got it, he labored and he brought it in. The simple truth is that your harvest will not bring itself in you have to go and get yourself. Yes, you still have to labor, but when you see how great the harvest is, the labor will be of little concern, because you will be to busy rejoicing.

I also want to warn you, if you just let your harvest sit the vermin will devour it or it will go bad and you will lose it.

So I ask you this simple question, what will you do?

I encourage you to bring in your harvest, bring in what God has given to you, allow Him to bless you, its yours!

Lord, whoever needed this word, I pray that they would be encouraged by Your Spirit, the would be refreshed, strengthened , and renewed with joy and hope. In Jesus Name AMEN

Part 3

As promised here's part 3 in a series I did. I really don't think this one was as good as the first two. When I preached this on Sunday, I used this more as a outline then notes, God had me use the same idea just present it in a totally different way.

RESTING IN THE PROMISE SERIES

Part 3

Possess and Rest

We have passed through the desert, Jericho has fallen all that is left is the promise. So what now?

The answer comes in two-fold. We possess and we rest

Joshua 21:43-45

1) Possess. It’s not enough to make through the desert and get past Jericho. Granted you could stop once Jericho has fallen. Imagine if you will how much land the Israelites would have received if they stopped after Jericho. Remember God didn’t intend for them to have a portion of the promise, but the full promise, everything that was spoken over them.

A lot of times we stop after getting a portion of the promise, willing to be content with a piece when in truth God wanted us possess the full, complete promise.

If you are satisfied with the portion of the promise then that’s all you will ever have, but if you desire it all, then you need to step into the fullness of the promise and take it.

2) Rest. The Israelites stepped in a possessed their promise. They fought for what was promised to them. The only reason they were able to enter into a time of rest was because the Lord fought the battles for them. Kings, cities, and armies had to be defeated, but God had delivered them all into their hands.

To find rest you must realize that there is still an enemy that doesn’t want you to have the fullness of your promise and so he will fight. Know this, the battle is not yours but the Lord’s. He is the won who brings victory, He is the one who defeats the enemy, and He is the one who brings rest.

I encourage you to go and possess your promise, step into your victory, and find rest.

Part 2

Christa posted part 1 to a series i started yesterday morning, here's part 2 if anyone is interested.

Pressing into the promise

You have survived the desert experience and you stand on the brink of your promise. Just as you begin to enter the promise, there arises in the distance an obstacle. An obstacle designed to intimidate you, and to distract you. What do you do?

Joshua 6:1 - 20

The answer lies in this simple story.

1) Press on. They knew that Jericho stood in their way, but because of their desert experience they knew the battle as already won.

2) Listen for God’s voice. It’s in that still small voice that we fine reassurance, we find guidance, and we find hope.

3) Keep walking. It may be tiring, it may be long, but the longer you walk the more discouraged the enemy gets, his thought is “why won’t they give up” We may go through the same routine week after week, the key is to keep walking. The Israelites repeated the same ritual for six days, and on the seventh it was dragged out, but they kept walking.

4) Shout it out. Victory is yours, don’t settle for anything less. Lift your voice, raise your hands and say “He’s done it again!” The key is to shout before the victory not after. We Pentecostals/charismatics tend to shout after the victory, but the Israelites shouted before the victory. They shouted all the way to victory.

The purpose of Jericho was to slow the Israelites down, to get them thinking, questioning, and wondering. But you know the promise God has given you, it’s your duty to press in to the promise.

Feel free to use if you like, I'll post part 3 next week.