God is ushering us into a season of great favor. We need to position ourselves to receive. We need to make right choices. We need to know who God is and what He has done for us.
1) God is working for your good in all things
Rom.8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
God causes all things to work together for your good. God is good and He has your ultimate good.
2) God has purposed His best for you
8:29, 30 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
He foreknew you. He predestined you. He is making you become Christlike. He called you. He promoted you. All these are in the past tense. It has already been done by Christ.
3) God is for you who can be against you
8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
When you go through trials, or whatever that comes against you, remember God is with you and for you. He will never let you go. God is on your side.
John Wesley (just before he died) – “The best of all, God is with us. The last of all, God is with us.”
4) God will freely give you all good things in His will
8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
God freely gave His Son Jesus Christ to die for us on the cross. This was the ultimate victory. This was the greatest gift.
5) God will make you more than a conqueror
8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
God has destined and designed you for victory
God does all these things because He loves you. He has provision for every need, victory for every adversity and answer for every problem. His love is the basis of His doings. Get a fresh revelation of His love. God loves you and has got your Highest good. Let God be the most important person in your life.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Overcoming Discouragement
Elijah was a great man of God. He had seen miraculous provision (1 Kings17) and the power of God. It was amazing how God used him to confront the prophets of Baal at Carmel (1 Kings 18). And yet when Jezebel threatened to kill him, the great prophet got extremely discouraged (19:1,2). How did such a great man sink into the depths of despair?
All of us can get discouraged. Discouragement is a dangerous state of mind because it leaves us open to the assault of the enemy. There are important principles from the life of Elijah that we can learn and apply. My desire as we study 1 Kings 19 is that each one of you will overcome discouragement.
How did Elijah get discouraged?
a) Vulnerability - He was physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted. He was emotionally strained and cracked under pressure. All of us have limits and it is important for us to realize it before we get to the end
b) External Attack - He was verbally attacked. This caused him to be gripped with fear and doubt.
c) Disconnection from God - Somehow the events that happened got him disconnected from God. He was looking at himself not at God. Discouragement is a dissatisfaction in ourselves based on a distrust in God
d) Self-centredness – He was depending in himself to overcome. He looked at the circumstance/threat and not God
e) Alone – He was isolated. He didn’t have friends to encourage him
What did he do when he got discouraged? What happens when we get discouraged?
a) He ran away (19:3). So many times when we are discouraged, we want to isolate ourselves and be alone. It is during this time that we need some good people to help us
b) He tried to handle the problem himself
c) He wanted to die, that was his prayer. (19:4). He had enough of life and wanted to end it all.
d) He felt a failure (19:4). There was a serious sense of hopelessness and defeat.
How do you Overcome Discouragement?
a) God will help you, cry out to Him. God came to help Elijah (19:5). He sent His angel to minister to him. God is always there to help us. We are His children and He will take care of us.
b) Watch when you are vulnerable. Be careful when you are weary and tired.
c) Take care of your physical needs. God ministered to his needs. An angel gave Elijah food and he slept a lot (19:5-8) We need to eat and rest. We need to take care of our immediate needs.
d) Allow God to speak to you (19:9,12). Allow God’s Word to minister to you, listen to God’s voice.
e) Get rid of self-centredness (19:14). Stop making excuses. Stop blaming others.
f) Restore purpose - God restored his vision (19:15-17) and he got back to work.
g) Have a good friend. Don’t isolate yourself. God brought Elisha into his life (19:19-21)
h) Don’t worry about what people have done to you. Forgive and release them. God will deal with them.
Elijah overcame discouragement and went on to do even greater things. In 2 Kings 2 he was caught up into heaven by the chariot of fire. What a way to go!!
See you on Sunday.
All of us can get discouraged. Discouragement is a dangerous state of mind because it leaves us open to the assault of the enemy. There are important principles from the life of Elijah that we can learn and apply. My desire as we study 1 Kings 19 is that each one of you will overcome discouragement.
How did Elijah get discouraged?
a) Vulnerability - He was physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted. He was emotionally strained and cracked under pressure. All of us have limits and it is important for us to realize it before we get to the end
b) External Attack - He was verbally attacked. This caused him to be gripped with fear and doubt.
c) Disconnection from God - Somehow the events that happened got him disconnected from God. He was looking at himself not at God. Discouragement is a dissatisfaction in ourselves based on a distrust in God
d) Self-centredness – He was depending in himself to overcome. He looked at the circumstance/threat and not God
e) Alone – He was isolated. He didn’t have friends to encourage him
What did he do when he got discouraged? What happens when we get discouraged?
a) He ran away (19:3). So many times when we are discouraged, we want to isolate ourselves and be alone. It is during this time that we need some good people to help us
b) He tried to handle the problem himself
c) He wanted to die, that was his prayer. (19:4). He had enough of life and wanted to end it all.
d) He felt a failure (19:4). There was a serious sense of hopelessness and defeat.
How do you Overcome Discouragement?
a) God will help you, cry out to Him. God came to help Elijah (19:5). He sent His angel to minister to him. God is always there to help us. We are His children and He will take care of us.
b) Watch when you are vulnerable. Be careful when you are weary and tired.
c) Take care of your physical needs. God ministered to his needs. An angel gave Elijah food and he slept a lot (19:5-8) We need to eat and rest. We need to take care of our immediate needs.
d) Allow God to speak to you (19:9,12). Allow God’s Word to minister to you, listen to God’s voice.
e) Get rid of self-centredness (19:14). Stop making excuses. Stop blaming others.
f) Restore purpose - God restored his vision (19:15-17) and he got back to work.
g) Have a good friend. Don’t isolate yourself. God brought Elisha into his life (19:19-21)
h) Don’t worry about what people have done to you. Forgive and release them. God will deal with them.
Elijah overcame discouragement and went on to do even greater things. In 2 Kings 2 he was caught up into heaven by the chariot of fire. What a way to go!!
See you on Sunday.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
RENEWING YOUR MIND
Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1) Do not be conformed to the world - We cannot be fashioned, shaped or follow the patterns of the world
2) Be Transformed - Transform means to change into another form (eg. a caterpillar changing to a butterfly). We all need to be transformed into the likeness of Christ.
3) Renewing your mind - Transformation takes place as our minds are renewed. Change always starts in the mind. Renewing means to make new (remove the old and put on the new), renovate (remove the unwanted and put on the new)
4) Power of Your Thoughts (Pro.23:7) - You become what you think. Character is the result of your thoughts. The way you think will affect the way you feel and what you do. Your destiny is linked to how you think.
5) How to Renew your Mind? - 4 powerful principles that will revolutionize your life
Meditate on God’s Word
Influences to watch
Negatives to get rid
Determination to keep changing and improving
a) Meditate on God’s Word
Get the Word into your mind. Saturate your mind with God’s Word. God’s Word is the agent of transformation. God’s Word has the power to renew our minds
Jos.1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Principle of Sowing and Reaping
Gal.6:7.8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
1) Do not be conformed to the world - We cannot be fashioned, shaped or follow the patterns of the world
2) Be Transformed - Transform means to change into another form (eg. a caterpillar changing to a butterfly). We all need to be transformed into the likeness of Christ.
3) Renewing your mind - Transformation takes place as our minds are renewed. Change always starts in the mind. Renewing means to make new (remove the old and put on the new), renovate (remove the unwanted and put on the new)
4) Power of Your Thoughts (Pro.23:7) - You become what you think. Character is the result of your thoughts. The way you think will affect the way you feel and what you do. Your destiny is linked to how you think.
5) How to Renew your Mind? - 4 powerful principles that will revolutionize your life
Meditate on God’s Word
Influences to watch
Negatives to get rid
Determination to keep changing and improving
a) Meditate on God’s Word
Get the Word into your mind. Saturate your mind with God’s Word. God’s Word is the agent of transformation. God’s Word has the power to renew our minds
Jos.1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Principle of Sowing and Reaping
Gal.6:7.8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Laws of sowing and reaping
· You reap what you sow
· You reap more than you sow
· If you are not reaping, you have not sown
· You reap at the appointed time. Sowing and reaping is a process.It is God that causes you to reap
Thought > Action > Habit > Attitude > Character > Destiny > Eternity
Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap an attitude. Sow an attitude, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny. Sow a destiny, reap an eternity
· You reap what you sow
· You reap more than you sow
· If you are not reaping, you have not sown
· You reap at the appointed time. Sowing and reaping is a process.It is God that causes you to reap
Thought > Action > Habit > Attitude > Character > Destiny > Eternity
Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap an attitude. Sow an attitude, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny. Sow a destiny, reap an eternity
b) Influences to watch
Ps.1:1; Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
Watch what you see, what you hear and who you are mixing with. We are here to influence the world but we cannot allow the world to influence us
c) Negatives to get rid
Eph.4:22-24 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Guard your thoughts. The old must go, the new must come. Put off the old, get rid of every thought that is against God’s Word or negative. Put on the new. Put on God’s Word, put on good thoughts
How do you get rid of negative thoughts?
· Confess and ask God for forgiveness (1 Jn.1:9)
· Yield your life to God (Rom.12:1)
· Release your negative thoughts to God in prayer (Phil.4:6,7; 1 Pet.5:7)
· Be on guard.
· You may need to change your environment (Ps.1:1)
· Set your mind on God’s Word. (Col.3:2)
· Have a Daily Devotion – prayer and God’s Word (Jos.1:8)
· Be committed to Church (Heb.10:24,25)
d) Determination to keep changing and improving
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Col.3:2) Put on the mind of Christ (Phil.2:5). There must be a determination to keep changing and improving. This involves daily decisions, continual evaluation and a yieldedness to God. Our goal is to become like Christ and walk in His will
Phil.4:8,9 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
To be like Christ is to think the way He would think in every situation. Renewal brings revival.
Ps.1:1; Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
Watch what you see, what you hear and who you are mixing with. We are here to influence the world but we cannot allow the world to influence us
c) Negatives to get rid
Eph.4:22-24 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Guard your thoughts. The old must go, the new must come. Put off the old, get rid of every thought that is against God’s Word or negative. Put on the new. Put on God’s Word, put on good thoughts
How do you get rid of negative thoughts?
· Confess and ask God for forgiveness (1 Jn.1:9)
· Yield your life to God (Rom.12:1)
· Release your negative thoughts to God in prayer (Phil.4:6,7; 1 Pet.5:7)
· Be on guard.
· You may need to change your environment (Ps.1:1)
· Set your mind on God’s Word. (Col.3:2)
· Have a Daily Devotion – prayer and God’s Word (Jos.1:8)
· Be committed to Church (Heb.10:24,25)
d) Determination to keep changing and improving
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Col.3:2) Put on the mind of Christ (Phil.2:5). There must be a determination to keep changing and improving. This involves daily decisions, continual evaluation and a yieldedness to God. Our goal is to become like Christ and walk in His will
Phil.4:8,9 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
To be like Christ is to think the way He would think in every situation. Renewal brings revival.
See you on Sunday
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
ACTIVATING GOD’S WORD
Jos.1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Ps.1:2,3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
God’s Word holds the key to your life. God’s Word holds the key to your success. Your victory and your destiny is linked to your response to God’s Word.
There is power in God’s Word
How can you activate God’s Word? The 12 fold response to God’s Word
1) Read the Word (Deut.17:19; Ex.24:7)
2) Study the Word (2 Tim.2:15)
3) Memorize the Word (Ps.119:9.11; Deut.6:6; Pro.4:21)
4) Hear the Word (Rm.10:17; Rev.2:11; Pro.4:20)
5) See the Word (Deut.6:8; Pro.4:21)
6) Write the Word (Deut.6:9; Hab.2:2)
7) Speak the Word (Jos.1:8) - Teach and talk (Deut.6:7)
8) Pray the Word (Neh.1:5)
9) Love/Desire the Word (Ps.1:2 119:131)
10) Meditate on the Word (Jos.1:8; Ps.1:2-3)
11) Believe the Word (Rm.4:20,21)
12) Obey the Word (Jos.1:8; Ps.1:2-3; Deut.28:1,2)
God will always confirm His Word (Mk.16:20) but we must act on His Word. Get ready for your miracle breakthrough.
Rm.4:20,21 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform
Jos.1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Ps.1:2,3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
God’s Word holds the key to your life. God’s Word holds the key to your success. Your victory and your destiny is linked to your response to God’s Word.
There is power in God’s Word
- The Word of God is living and powerful (Heb.4:12)
- God sent His Word to heal and deliver (Ps.107:20)
Faith + Word = Miracle
How can you activate God’s Word? The 12 fold response to God’s Word
1) Read the Word (Deut.17:19; Ex.24:7)
2) Study the Word (2 Tim.2:15)
3) Memorize the Word (Ps.119:9.11; Deut.6:6; Pro.4:21)
4) Hear the Word (Rm.10:17; Rev.2:11; Pro.4:20)
5) See the Word (Deut.6:8; Pro.4:21)
6) Write the Word (Deut.6:9; Hab.2:2)
7) Speak the Word (Jos.1:8) - Teach and talk (Deut.6:7)
8) Pray the Word (Neh.1:5)
9) Love/Desire the Word (Ps.1:2 119:131)
10) Meditate on the Word (Jos.1:8; Ps.1:2-3)
11) Believe the Word (Rm.4:20,21)
12) Obey the Word (Jos.1:8; Ps.1:2-3; Deut.28:1,2)
God will always confirm His Word (Mk.16:20) but we must act on His Word. Get ready for your miracle breakthrough.
Rm.4:20,21 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform
Together with GOD We Can
Friday, April 15, 2011
LOVING PEOPLE, TOUCHING LIVES
(Keys to Transforming Community – Message for Malaysia)
We need to Love God and Love People.
Lk.10:27 “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
In the story of the Good Samaritan, God has called us to love our neighbor. Who is your neighbor?
Our life is not about ourselves, it is about others. If your whole focus of life is about yourself, you have broken the greatest commandment.
There are people in need and we have got to help.
Lk.10:30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
The man was wounded, robbed, stripped and abused. He was helpless and hopeless and this is the condition of our community
Lk.10:31,32 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
We cannot live a lifestyle of avoidance or be curious but uninvolved.
The 5 keys for community transformation
1) Don’t have racial prejudices
Lk.10:33 - But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.
It was the Samaritan who came to help the Jew. We must break down racial barriers. We cannot have prejudices (pre judge people). In God’s kingdom, we are all one.
Choose to love. Get rid of racial prejudices. Every person was created by God. We did not have a choice of our race. If we have racial prejudices we are going against God. Don’t make mistakes by judging people and making sweeping generalizations. Don’t allow anyone to use race to create divisions.
2) See the needs of people
Lk.10:33 …And when he saw him, he had compassion.
Start seeing the needs of the people around you. Pray and ask God to show you. Talk to people, hear their cry, have a feel for them. People need help. The way you see others is the way others are going to see you.
3) Have Compassion for people
Lk.10:33 …And when he saw him, he had compassion.
Love is motivated by God and the need of others. The priest and Levite saw a bleeding nobody, the Samaritan saw a needy person. Have compassion. Let us love people back to wholeness.
4) Care for people, serve them, meet their needs
10:34,35 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed] he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’
Caring involves a cost (time. money, energy, reputation, etc). Caring involves sacrifice.
Care for people. Don’t be selective in your caring. Let this be our prayer “God I ask for nothing except to serve you.”
5) Go and Do
Lk.10:36,37 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Caring involves action. Meet a need, do an act of kindness, touch someone with the love of Jesus.
People are important whether they are Malay, Chinese, Indian, or any other race. People are important whether they are rich or poor, young or old, educated or uneducated. You hold the key to community transformation. We change community one person at a time. Will you love people and touch lives?
(Keys to Transforming Community – Message for Malaysia)
We need to Love God and Love People.
Lk.10:27 “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
In the story of the Good Samaritan, God has called us to love our neighbor. Who is your neighbor?
- People that you associate with regardless of race, religion and social standing
- People who need your help
Our life is not about ourselves, it is about others. If your whole focus of life is about yourself, you have broken the greatest commandment.
There are people in need and we have got to help.
Lk.10:30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
The man was wounded, robbed, stripped and abused. He was helpless and hopeless and this is the condition of our community
Lk.10:31,32 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
We cannot live a lifestyle of avoidance or be curious but uninvolved.
The 5 keys for community transformation
1) Don’t have racial prejudices
Lk.10:33 - But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.
It was the Samaritan who came to help the Jew. We must break down racial barriers. We cannot have prejudices (pre judge people). In God’s kingdom, we are all one.
Choose to love. Get rid of racial prejudices. Every person was created by God. We did not have a choice of our race. If we have racial prejudices we are going against God. Don’t make mistakes by judging people and making sweeping generalizations. Don’t allow anyone to use race to create divisions.
2) See the needs of people
Lk.10:33 …And when he saw him, he had compassion.
Start seeing the needs of the people around you. Pray and ask God to show you. Talk to people, hear their cry, have a feel for them. People need help. The way you see others is the way others are going to see you.
3) Have Compassion for people
Lk.10:33 …And when he saw him, he had compassion.
Love is motivated by God and the need of others. The priest and Levite saw a bleeding nobody, the Samaritan saw a needy person. Have compassion. Let us love people back to wholeness.
4) Care for people, serve them, meet their needs
10:34,35 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed] he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’
Caring involves a cost (time. money, energy, reputation, etc). Caring involves sacrifice.
Care for people. Don’t be selective in your caring. Let this be our prayer “God I ask for nothing except to serve you.”
5) Go and Do
Lk.10:36,37 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Caring involves action. Meet a need, do an act of kindness, touch someone with the love of Jesus.
People are important whether they are Malay, Chinese, Indian, or any other race. People are important whether they are rich or poor, young or old, educated or uneducated. You hold the key to community transformation. We change community one person at a time. Will you love people and touch lives?
Together with GOD We Can
Saturday, March 12, 2011
POSSESSING THE LAND
The children of Israel were on the threshold of the Promised Land. Moses sent out 12 spies into Canaan. These were no ordinary men but leaders of their tribes (Num13:1,2)
The 12 went and spied the land. Ten came back with a bad report. Two of them (Joshua and Caleb) came back with a good report. The ten said “We can’t”. Joshua and Caleb said “With God we can.” The ten managed to persuade the rest and as a result the children of Israel wasted 40 years and died in the wilderness. What a waste? What a tragedy? So near yet so far. They had heard the voice of God and seen the power of God and yet perished in the wilderness, not seeing their destiny fulfilled.
They saw the same challenges and yet the ten reacted negatively and gave a bad report (Num13:32). What was the problem with the ten?
What about Joshua and Caleb? How did they respond?
Num.13:30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”
Num.14:7-9 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.”
What did God say of them?
Num.14:24 But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.
While the others died in the wilderness, Joshua and Caleb went into the Promised Land. They fulfilled destiny. They possessed what God had promised.
And please don’t die in the wilderness. Get into your Land of Promise. Possess God’s promises for you and enjoy all that God has for you.
God has got His best for you….and the best is yet to come
Together with God We Can
The children of Israel were on the threshold of the Promised Land. Moses sent out 12 spies into Canaan. These were no ordinary men but leaders of their tribes (Num13:1,2)
The 12 went and spied the land. Ten came back with a bad report. Two of them (Joshua and Caleb) came back with a good report. The ten said “We can’t”. Joshua and Caleb said “With God we can.” The ten managed to persuade the rest and as a result the children of Israel wasted 40 years and died in the wilderness. What a waste? What a tragedy? So near yet so far. They had heard the voice of God and seen the power of God and yet perished in the wilderness, not seeing their destiny fulfilled.
They saw the same challenges and yet the ten reacted negatively and gave a bad report (Num13:32). What was the problem with the ten?
- They were looking at their problem and themselves and not God. Their focus was not God.
- They had a grasshopper mentality. They exaggerated the size of their enemy – they saw themselves like"grasshoppers" before the giants (Num.13:33). They were overwhelmed by the problem.
- They were driven by fear not faith in God.
- They were driven by the problem, not the promises of God.
- They did not believe God. They didn’t have a close relationship with God.
What about Joshua and Caleb? How did they respond?
Num.13:30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”
Num.14:7-9 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.”
What did God say of them?
Num.14:24 But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.
While the others died in the wilderness, Joshua and Caleb went into the Promised Land. They fulfilled destiny. They possessed what God had promised.
- Don’t look at your circumstances, look to God
- Don’t be driven by fear, have faith in God
- Don’t settle for second best, go for God’s best
And please don’t die in the wilderness. Get into your Land of Promise. Possess God’s promises for you and enjoy all that God has for you.
God has got His best for you….and the best is yet to come
Together with God We Can
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
YOU CAN DO GREAT THINGS
(from the Life of Gideon)
The people were in fear, intimidated and impoverished (Judges 6:6). The Midianites had devastated the land. There was nothing to live for, no hope, no future, nothing.
Life is challenge. There are battles to be fought. As we go through the struggles of life, God is looking for people that will make a difference. If God raised a nobody like Gideon, He can raise you up. God can use you to do great things.
To do great things, you have to cultivate a spirit of obedience
Jud.6:10 Also I said to you, “I am the LORD your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’”
To do great things, God can choose you, be open and available
Jud.6:12 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
To do great things, don’t look within yourself, look to God
Jud.6:14 Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
6:15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord,[b] how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
6:16 And the LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
What does God thinks of you? You are a mighty man of valor
What has God purposed for you? You shall defeat the enemy, you shall do great things
Flow with God
To do great things, you have to establish your Prayer Time
Jud. 6:24 So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace.[c] To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
To go great things, you have to be empowered by the Holy Spirit
Jud.6:34 But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him
At our Sunday service on Jan 23, we were praying for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There was an awesome move of God. Some experienced the power of the Holy Spirit and were filled. They were refreshed and revived.
To do great things, you need a team, you need people
Jud.7:20 Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers—they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing—and they cried, “The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!”
7::21 And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled.
Together every man followed Gideon’s instructions
Together every man blew the trumpet
Together every man broke the pitchers
Together every man held the torches
Together every man shouted out “the sword of the Lord and Gideon”
Together every man stood in this place, they positioned themselves
Together they won the victory
Our identity is when we are together. Our victory is when we are together. Their combined victory was dependent on their interdependence. Together, together, together, together. Together with God We Can.
What God has is bigger than you. You need to have people to help you get there. The best is yet to come and you can’t do it alone.
Together with God We Can
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