Participating IN Novemberfast 2024

• Tune In More Clearly

• Realign With The Lord

• Get A Sense Of What God Has For 2025

• Personally/Family

• Church/Ministry

• Career/Business

Jeremiah 33:1–3 (NKJV) Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying,  “Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name):  ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

Title: Finders Keepers

Matthew 13:44–46 (ESV) “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,  who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

This Parable Reveals That Treasure/Pearls

• Exists

• Is Hidden

• Is Discoverable

This is one of the most incredible/exciting parts of following Jesus.

Every day, every season is a treasure hunt.

A follower of Jesus takes dominion over the life God intends by searching, discovering and taking possession of the treasure that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Novemberfast = Discovery

2 Kings 6:15–17 (ESV) When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”  He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

• The young man had eyes to see the natural

• The natural reveals the facts, but not the truth.

• The Spirit reveals Truth.

There are things I can’t see and I know it.

These are undiscoverable in the natural.

But I am not limited to the natural

Hidden Things Are Exposed By

1. SLIDE Divine Revelation - 1 Corinthians 2:9–10 (ESV) But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—  these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

1. SLIDE Prophetic Utterance - Isaiah 42:9 (ESV) Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

1. SLIDE Devotional Pursuit - Jeremiah 29:11–14 (ESV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the LORD…

ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

In Matthew 6 we see Jesus demonstrate for his disciples (both those with him at the time and for those to come like us) how to pray…

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven…

ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: Aligning Ourselves
Starts with Repentance

Before we can align anything around us with heaven, we must first make sure we’re aligned!

Isaiah 59:1-2 (ESV) Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

• The work of redemption was completed by Christ Jesus but His offer of grace must be accepted by faith.

• Those already following Christ still live with a sin nature in a sinful world. As such, sin will always be a threat to prayer’s effectiveness and must be addressed. 

ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: Aligning Ourselves…

Prioritizes Kingdom Over Comfort

Isaiah 58:3-11 (ESV) Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

• Fasting is NOT…

• Asceticism: self-denial or self-punishment for the purpose of attaining status or favor with God.

• Strategic leverage to persuade or force God into action (i.e. hunger strike)

• Religious ritual or hypocritical showmanship

• Fasting is…

• An exercise of control over our mental, emotional, and physical craving to chase one self-gratification after another.

• A time of concentrated, intentional engagement with the Holy Spirit through prayer, meditation on scripture, and praise.

• A refocus on the priorities that God has called us to rather in lieu of self-fulfillment.

ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: Aligning Circumstances

Accurately identifying what SHOULD BE compared to what currently IS.

• Does scripture support the need for change?

• What change will bring the most glory to God?

• What’s in the way of that happening?

ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: Aligning Circumstances

Declare War

Eph 6:12 (ESV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Spiritual warfare is not optional. God’s best on this earth is under attack so we can choose to fight and win or we can choose to give territory to the enemy.

• “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing” - unknown

Ignoring the gap between what is and what should be is a dereliction of The Great Commision that Jesus gave us.

• Matthew 28:18-20 “...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

• Luke 10:9,17-20 Jesus sends out the 72

• John 17:18-20 Jesus prays for all believers

We fight from a place of victory, but we must still fight.

Anticipate Resistance:

Luke 8:28b-29a (ESV) "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me." For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.

Other Biblical examples of pushback: 

• Mark 8:23-25 Jesus lays hands on blind man twice

• Mark 9:17-29 Disciples unable to cast out demon

The enemy will try to convince us to accept “what is” whenever we don’t see results.

Don't give in to, “I guess that’s just the way it’s supposed to be”, “maybe this is God’s plan”, or “This doesn’t work”.

• Surround yourself with faith filled people who will join your fight - Who you’re around matters!

• Mark 6:4-6 Jesus unable to perform many miracles in his home town due to unbelief

• Return to the Lord for clarity to identify what’s “off” and adjust

Fight with Expectation:

1 John 5:14-15 (ESV) And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him 

Mark 9:17-29 (ESV) “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

• We may be unclear on when or how, but the question is never, “If?”

• Approach the King with confidence. We’re fighting for His will to be done, so like a general that’s been given an objective:

• We can ask for the resources needed

• Identify the battle fronts we need support on

• Present our plan to the King for approval or revision

We will relentlessly pursue God’s best until we see His will done on earth as it is in heaven.

Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

No such thing as:

• Nihilism - Job 19:25–27 (ESV) For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,  whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

• Soul Sleep - 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

• Returning As Ghosts - Leviticus 19:31 (ESV) “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers (familiar spirits); do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.

• Reincarnation - Buddhism/Hinduism - Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

The Soul Departs From The Body

• Genesis 35:18 (ESV) And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.

• Luke 16:22–23 (NLT) “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried,  and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.

Believers Are Judged

• 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NLT) For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

• 1 Corinthians 3:13–15 (ESV) each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.  If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Non-Believers Are Judged

Revelation 20:11–12 (ESV) Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

Believers Enter Into Heaven 

John 14:2–3 (ESV) In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Non-Believers Enter Hell, Lake Of Fire

• Matthew 25:41 (ESV) “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

• Revelation 20:14–15 (ESV) Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

New Heaven & Earth, New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1–4 (ESV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

1 Corinthians 2:9–10 (ESV) But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—  these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Matthew 24:3 (ESV) As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

The End Told From The Beginning

• Genesis 3:15 (ESV) I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

• Acts 2:16–21 (ESV) But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:  “ ‘And in the last days…

• John 6:40 (ESV)…and I will raise him up on the last day.” (x3)

• 2 Timothy 3:1 (ESV) But understand this, that in the last days…

• 2 Peter 3:3 (ESV) …scoffers will come in the last days…

SIGNS: False Saviors - Matthew 24:5 (ESV) For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

More than spiritual, this is also political

SIGNS: Increased Wars - Matthew 24:6–7 (ESV) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,

SIGNS: Increased Natural Disasters: Matthew 24:7 (ESV) …and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

SIGNS: Increased Persecution For Believers - Matthew 24:9 (ESV) “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.

SIGNS: Departure From Faith 

• Matthew 24:10 (ESV) And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.

• 2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV) But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,  treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

SIGNS: Increased Deception - Matthew 24:11-13 (ESV) And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

• This is not just the church

• Prophets OT delivered the news on behalf of God

• Modern Day - news 

SIGNS: Increased Knowledge - Daniel 12:4 (ESV) But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

SIGNS: Gospel Preached Worldwide - Matthew 24:14 (ESV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

SIGNS: Restoration, Regathering of Israel, Rebuilding of Temple 

Ezekiel 38-39; Zechariah 12-14, Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 11:1-2

SIGNS: Mark of the Beast - Revelation 13:16–18 (ESV) Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead,  so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.  This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

SIGNS: One World Government - Revelation 13:6–8 (ESV) It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.  Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,  and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

1 Corinthians 15:24 (ESV) Then comes the end…

Matthew 28:1–7 (ESV) Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.  And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.  But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

Jesus Wasn’t The Only Or The First Resurrection

• The Shunammite's Son - 2 Kings 4:33–35 (ESV) So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD.  Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm.  Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

• The Unnamed Man & Elisha’s Grave - 2 Kings 13:20–21 (ESV) So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year.  And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.

• Jairus’ Daughter - Mark 5:41–42 (ESV) Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”  And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

• Lazarus - John 11:43–44 (ESV) When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”  The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

• The Graveyard Near Golgotha - Matthew 27:50–53 (ESV) And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.  And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.  The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,  and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

• Dorcas (Tabitha) - Acts 9:40–41 (ESV) But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.  And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

ONE DIFFERENCE: Every one of these went on to die again.

Jesus’ Resurrection Was Different

• He Wasn’t Easily Recognized - John 20:14–16 (ESV) Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

• He Was Able To Appear/Disappear - Luke 24:36 (ESV) As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”

• He Maintained His Scars - John 20:27–28 (ESV) Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

• He Didn’t Die But Ascended Into Heaven  - Acts 1:9 (ESV) And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  

• He Promised To Return By Descending - Acts 1:10–11 (ESV) And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,  and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Our Future:

Resurrection or… - 1 Corinthians 15:21–23, 47-49 (ESV) For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.  As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.  Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Transformation - 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 (ESV) Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

John 19:29–30 (ESV) A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.  When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

 Jesus WAS before He was BORN

• He Existed Before He Was Born - John 8:53–59 (ESV) Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”  Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’  But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.  Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”  So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”  Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”  So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

• He Died Before He Was Born - Revelation 13:8 (KJV) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Christophanies/Theophanies In The Old Testament - The Angel of The Lord // The Angel, The Lord, allows himself to be worshiped.

• He Is Credited For Creation - Colossians 1:15–17 (ESV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

• He Walked With Adam - Genesis 3:8 (ESV) And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

• He Appeared To Abraham (several times) - Genesis 18:1–3 (ESV) And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.  He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth  and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.

• He Wrestled Jacob - Genesis 32:30 (ESV) So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

• He Spoke Out Of The Burning Bush To Moses - Exodus 3:4 (ESV) When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

• He Appeared to Joshua - Joshua 5:13-15 as the commander of the army of the Lord before the battle of Jericho.

• He Appeared to Gideon in Judges 6:11-24 as an angel, speaking on behalf of God.

• He Appeared to King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3:25 as one like a son of God, walking with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.

• He Appeared To Isaiah in Isaiah 6:1-8 when he saw a vision of God on his throne.

• He Appeared To Ezekiel - el throughout his book through various visions and encounters with God's glory.

JESUS Was Born Fully MAN*

• Philippians 2:5–8 (ESV) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

• Set divinity aside

• He had access but refrained.

• Limitations of all men

• Baby, vulnerable

• Grew in status with men

• Tired, weary, hungry, frustrated, angry

Jesus’ Power Came From The Holy Spirit

If Jesus was just a man, where did his power come from?

Luke 3:21–22 (ESV) Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,  and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

When Jesus Did Miracles, He Wasn’t “Proving Who He Was” Or “Showing Off.” He Simply Recognized Things Out Of Alignment With Heaven And Demonstrated “How To!”

Your Power Comes From The Same Spirit - Romans 8:11 (ESV) If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Was Tempted, Suffered And Crucified In Every Way By/For Sin.

We are tempted/sin in every way - Body, Soul Spirit

We SIN on all Levels 

Jesus Suffered On All Levels, For Our Sin

• Body - John 19:16–18 (ESV) So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus,  and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.  There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.

• Soul - Luke 22:41–44 (ESV) And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,  saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”  And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.  And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

• Spirit - Matthew 27:46 (ESV) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

• He Suffered During Temptation - Hebrews 2:18 (ESV) For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

• He Did Not Sin - Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

• He Became Sin - 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

He Died*

John 19:29–30 (ESV) A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.  When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 3:14–15 (NLT) And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,  so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

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 2 Kings 20:1 (ESV)‬‬ In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’ ”

About Scripture

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

• 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

The Bible is the inspired book of TRUTHS The LORD wants you to know. It is not the entirety of TRUTH, but it is absolute TRUTH. 

It is similar to a box filled with unconnected puzzle pieces that when properly fit reveal the big picture of TRUTH consisting of smaller scenes of associated TRUTHS.

Bad practice picks favorites pieces, ignores others and even manufactures pieces to create a desired picture.  Good practice assembles the pieces as they fit together allowing the pieces to reveal the picture of the TRUTH that HE declares.

We Are Created By God To Live Eternally

• Psalm 139:13–16 (ESV) For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

• Job 19:26–27 (NIV) And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;  I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

• Luke 16:22–23 (NLT) “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried,  and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.

This is why abortion is so wrong.

• Rape (1%) 

• Elaine

• Two wrongs don’t make a right.

My body, my choice - what about suicide? What about when it affects another?

• Every miscarried child will be in heaven

• Every aborted child will be in heaven

We Will All Die* Because Of Sin -

Genesis 2:16–17 (NIV) And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;  but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Constant Death:

• Spirit

• Soul

• Body

Because Of:

• Your sin

• Other’s sin

• The presence of sin

Final Death - Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Days Can Be Lengthened Or Shortened - 

• Proverbs 10:27 (ESV) The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.

• 2 Kings 20:5–7 (ESV) “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake.” And Isaiah said, “Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover.”

There Are A Few Exceptions:

• Enoch - Genesis 5:24 (NIV) Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

• Elijah - 2 Kings 2:11–12 (ESV) And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.  And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

• Rapture???

• 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 (ESV) Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

• Luke 17:34–35 (ESV) I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left.  There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”

Prophecy is easy to interpret after the prophecy is fulfilled.

If Someone You Love Dies:

• Death Is The Enemy Of God - 1 Corinthians 15:26 (ESV) The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

• Love People, Rely On God

• Be Thankful For Time You Had Not Bitter For Time You Don't

Mark 13:1–5 (ESV) And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”  And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”  And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,  “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”  And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray.

Mark 13, Matthew 24, Luke 21

• When will the temple be torn down?

• What are the signs the temple will be torn down?

• What will be the sign of your coming (Mt 24:2)

• What will be the sign of the end of the age (Mt 24:2)

• They are asking about MANY ENDINGS

• End of Jesus’ life

• End of following Jesus around

• End of their temple

• End of their nation

• End of all nations

• End of separation from Jesus

• End of this age

Anticipate The End.

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (ESV) For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:  a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;  a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;  a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;  a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

We tend to look forward to specific moments as if they are fixed destinations in life, but they are not.

We tend to try to hold on to them beyond their expiration date.

Reality: you are going to experience The End, over and over

• Some can be seen a long way off 

• Some are abrupt and sudden like the end of a job

• Some will make sense

• Some will make no sense

Seasons Are Multi-Layered

• Personal Seasons

• Family Seasons

• Career/Business/Economy Seasons

• Social Seasons

• Community/National

• Kingdom/Ecclesiastical

Sometimes a change in one category impacts all categories.

God’s purposes will prevail overall.

His purposes are experienced by those who follow Him.

Be On Guard During The End.

Mark 13:5–9 (ESV) And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray.  Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.  And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.  “But be on your guard.

THE ENDS are key times with much at stake

• An attempt to deceive

• An attempt to react emotionally

• An attempt to take something for you

Collateral damage impacts everyone, including you.

You always carry how you end a thing into the next thing.

Follow Jesus Through The End.

Matthew 9:9 (ESV) As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

He is not going to stop leading.

Following must be active.

Matthew 11:15 (ESV) He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (x13)

Galatians 5:16 (ESV) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

1 Peter 3:7 (ESV) Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Effective Prayer

• spoken words

• Reconnect heaven/earth

• Realign heaven/earth

Hindered Prayer  - Obstacles and impedances - from the military practice of making slits in the street to hold up a pursuing enemy

The hindrances are not necessarily created by God. They can be the byproduct of a life/actions out of alignment with the word of God and it creates a misfire.

Inconsistent - one of the biggest obstacles to effective prayer is inconsistency which leads to shame. For many,  avoiding prayer altogether is the alternative.

• Mark 1:35 (ESV) And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

• Luke 11:1–2 (ESV) Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”  And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.

• I have found that a less formalized prayer time during seasons when that is impossible and an ongoing conversation throughout the day keeps me tapped in.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) pray without ceasing,

Lack of Faith - many pray not expecting to hear His Voice, sense His Presence or see His Hand in action. This repeated activity replaces faith in God with something else = IDOLATRY.

• Do you really pray with expectation?

• Your prayer time experiences callouses

• It becomes an obligation

• You become Immune

• Zero Expectation 

• IDOLATRY

• Your circumstances are more powerful than God

• Your enemy is more powerful than God

• God does for others but not for you

• Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

• James‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ ‭‭“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” ‭

Lack of Works

• Almost every effective prayer requires action on the part of the person praying, beginning with the prayer itself, followed by the actions necessary to see the prayer answered.

• At minimum, faith demonstrated in the way you pray.

• Willingness to be the conduit

• Willingness to humble yourself

• Willingness to change

• ‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬, ‭17‬, ‭22‬, ‭26‬ ‭( ESV)‬‬ “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” 

Wrong Motives - it is possible to desire a good outcome for very wrong motives, which will hinder the answer from coming.

• James‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭(ESV) ‬‬“You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” ‭‭

Poor Treatment of Others - even though they are two different conversations, our treatment of others impacts our ability to connect with God in prayer

• Matthew 25:40 (ESV) And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

• 1 Peter 3:7 (ESV) Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

James 5:16

• (NIV) The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

• (NKJV) The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

• (NASB95) The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

• (MSG) The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.

• (ESV) The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

• (NLT) The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Effective Prayer: Begins With The Spoken Word

• God speaks

• Man speaks

• Unlimited audiences:

• God

• Man

• Spiritual/natural realm

• First Words - Genesis 1:3 (ESV) And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

• Key Words - Genesis 1:26 (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. 

• God didn’t just speak, he fashioned with His hands.

• Genesis 2:18 (ESV) Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

• Genesis 2:21–23 (ESV) So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.  And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.  Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

• Normative Words - Genesis 3:8 (ESV) And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…

• Heaven and earth is connected, aligned

• Contested Words - Genesis 3:23–24 (ESV) therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.  He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

From that moment on, prayer was no longer easy communication. It became lost, difficult, skewed, perverted, unsuccessful, questionable, illegal, contested, punished, ineffective

Combat Ineffective Prayer: PRAY/READ OUT LOUD!

• Personal prayer time

• Praying for others

• Talking to circumstances

Effective Prayer Reconnects Heaven And Earth

The Reality Of Disconnection: a byproduct of sin, a strategy of the enemy, a condition you will experience your entire life, regardless of your spiritual condition.

• Daniel 10:12–13 (ESV) “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.  The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days…

• Matthew 4:1–3 (ESV) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness....  And after fasting forty days and forty nights… the tempter came and said to him, “If..”

• Deuteronomy 28:23 (ESV) And the heavens over your head shall be bronze…

• Psalm 22:1–2 (ESV) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?  O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

• Isaiah 59:1–2 (ESV) Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Prayer Reconnects

• Genesis 4:26 (ESV) To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.

• Genesis 28:16–17 (ESV) Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”  And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

• Jeremiah 29:12–14 (ESV) Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the LORD, 

• Acts 4:31 (ESV) And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Combat Ineffective Prayer: PRAY INTO PRESENCE

Effective Prayer Realigns Heaven And Earth

This step is contingent upon the last step.

God’s Presence Catalyzes Alignment.

Stop Praying For Alignment Without Presence!

• Matthew 6:9–10 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

• 1 John 5:14–15 (ESV) And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

• Mark 9:28–29 (KJV) And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?  And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Bringing Alignment In More Than Just The Area Prayer For

• Personal alignment

• Internal kingdom alignment

• External kingdom alignment

Combat Ineffective Prayer:  Fast For Power

• (NIV) ...prayer... is powerful 

• (MSG) ...prayer... is something powerful to be reckoned with.

• (ESV) ...prayer... has great power as it is working.

• (NLT) ...prayer... has great power and produces wonderful results

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits

are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long.

Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!! So we don’t look at

the troubles we can see right now, rather we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the

troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever!!

Hannah - A dream follower

1st Samuel 1-2

Opposition to the Dream - NO control elements

• road-block to the dream in place - God closed Hannah’s womb (1 Sam 1:6)

• made fun of by family members for inabilities (1 Sam 1:6)

• well Intentioned but unsupportive loved ones (1 Sam 1:8)

• wrongly accused of poor behavior - by a well respected authority (1 Sam 1:12-14)

Hannah’s Control Elements

• showing great emotion (1 Sam 1:10, 11) -Pslams 34:17 & 18

• defends herself (1 Sam 1:15-16) & DOES NOT lean in to offense (vs.18) Eph 4:32 Prov 15:1 Luke 6:27

• immediate agreement and belief in promise (vs 18) Romans 5:8-10 - Tim 4:10 John 14:10

Mark 4:35-41 NIRV

When evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” They left the crowd behind. And they took him along in a boat, just as he was. There were also other boats with him. A wild storm came up. Waves crashed over the boat. It was about to sink. Jesus was in the back, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him up. They said, “Teacher! Don’t you care if we drown?” “Yes, I care. I gave you the authority to take care of it.” He got up and ordered the wind to stop. He said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down. And it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Don’t you have any faith at all yet?” They were terrified. They asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Mark 3:13-15 (NIRV)

Jesus went up on a mountainside. He called for certain people to come to him, and they came. He appointed 12 of them so that they would be with him. He would also send them out to preach. And he gave them authority to drive out demons.

Could this have been a test for the disciples? An opportunity to flex their authority? Jesus selected 12 to go out to preach and gave them authority to cast out demons.

38… “Yes, I care. I gave you the authority to take care of it.”  - to resist opposing circumstances

Ephesians 6:10-12 CEV

10 Let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.

Revelation 12 - War In Heaven - authority from God

Genesis 3 - The Fall Of Mankind - authority God gave to man

Matthew 4:1-11 - Temptation of Jesus - authority from Jesus

Revelation 12:12b - “But woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

3 Steps To Resisting Opposing Circumstances

1. Pray As You Align Your Thoughts (With Heaven)

37 A wild storm came up. Waves crashed over the boat. It was about to sink. 38 Jesus was in the back, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him up. They said, “Teacher! Don’t you care if we drown?”

Our circumstances show up and that’s all we see - emotions - see truth

Matthew 6:9-10 NIV

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Mark 11:22-24 CEV

esus told his disciples: Have faith in God!   If you have faith in God and don't doubt, you can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith.

• Post on Psycology Today, “...some sources suggest that the average person makes an eye-popping 35,000 choices per day. Assuming that most people spend around seven hours per day sleeping and thus blissfully choice-free, that makes roughly 2,000 decisions per hour or one decision every two seconds.

2. Pray As You Respond And Move

38… “Yes, I care. I gave you the authority to take care of it.”  

• Israel was delivered - they saw their circumstance - panicked - Moses reminds them:

Exodus 14:14-18 CEV

he Lord will fight for you, and you won't have to do a thing.” The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you keep calling out to me for help? Tell the Israelites to move forward. Then hold your walking stick over the sea. The water will open up and make a road where they can walk through on dry ground.

James 2:26 CEV

“Anyone who doesn't breathe is dead, and faith that doesn't do anything is just as dead!”

• Hebrews 11:2- Faith chapter (Noah, Gideon, Rahab, etc.) “It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God.”

3. Pray As You Declare God’s Truth

Mark 4:39, “He got up and ordered the wind to stop. He said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down. And it was completely calm.”

Genesis 1:27 NIRV

“So God created human beings in his own likeness. He created them to be like himself.”

• Quote from Randy Clark, Authority From God, How and Why You Can Kick the Devil Out of Your Life, “When God speaks a word of command He also supplies the power to accomplish what He said to do.” 

• Psalm 119:89 NKJV, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.” Settled has the Hebrew meaning as when an army takes land or territory and sets guards to protect it.

• Matthew 18:18 CEV, “I promise you God in heaven will allow whatever you allow on earth, but God will not allow anything you don't allow.”

“We're gonna see the strongholds bow. We're gonna see the things of Heaven here, right now”

“Light of the world, Lamb that was slain. Lion who roars, mighty to save. The fullness of God won’t be kept in a grave. Darkness, your hour is over.”

“This is our hope; the cross it has spoken. Death is no more, Christ is the Lord, this is our hope.”

Ephesians 6:10 NLT

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

Luke 4:16–21 (ESV) And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.  And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,  TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOR.”  And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.  And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

FAVOR: Pleasure, Presence, Help

GOD FAVORS YOU

Luke 4:19 (ESV) to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Genesis 37:3 (ESV) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.

This World Will Do Everything To Destroy Your Sense Of His Favor

Time/imperfections led to deception: I am tolerated by God.

This world will attempt to rob you of His Favor.

• Genesis 37:4, 23-24 (ESV) But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore.  And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Leaning Into His Favor Releases His Favor

Assuming God’s displeasure/disfavor impacts you powerfully

• How you see yourself

• Your Posture in all things

• Flavors every experience

Matthew 9:28–30 (ESV) When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”  Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”  And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.”

but…

Luke 15:17–24 (NIV) “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!  I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’  So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.  “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

His favor in your best moments, but not because of your best

His favor in your worst moments, in spite of the worst.

Put your coat on.

• Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Submission To God Unlocks Access & Resources

There are some things that God has for you that you will never experience until you say yes to him.

• Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 

• Forgiveness

• Peace

• Self worth

• Purpose

• Love

Your macro submission will leads to micro opportunities

• Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths

Where He leads He will resource.

• Can’t afford to get married

• Can’t afford to tithe

• Can’t afford to go on a mission trip

Matthew 6:33 (ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

Discipleship Will Focus Your Aim

Saying YES to Jesus will place you in the right zip-code, but engaging in discipleship will help you find the right neighborhood and the right address. 

Discipleship: Actively Following Jesus

• Prayer

• Jeremiah 29:12–14 (ESV) Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the LORD

• “Have your way in me.”

• Bible reading/study

• Psalm 119:103–105 (ESV) How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

• Obedience

• Active in church family

• Serving

• Giving

• Submitting

It allows all of your spiritual senses to be attuned:

• Hear clear commands

• Discern dangers

• Recognize lies

Take Advantage Of The Reset Button

Sometimes we find ourselves in the wrong place.

Adjustments lead us farther away.

• Decisions that have lead you off track

• Opposition you have yielded to

• Attacks that you have surrendered to

• Bad attitudes that are sin (complaining)

• Unbelief: I can’t/Your cant do this

The supernatural reset: 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

It Is Embedded In Who You Are 

• Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 

○ These generalities are true of every person

○ You are not a windup toy released to see what happens

○ There is design 

• Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

○ Intelligent design reveals purpose 

○ Like a tool on the shelf, a closer look reveals purpose. 

We tend to look outward for His will to be revealed when so often it can be discovered by looking more closely at who we are. Not all of it, but the shadows are there. 

It Can Be General, Permissive Or Specific 

• Romans 12:2 that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

  • Good - General - Zip Code 

    • Everyone Saved 

    • Everyone Involved In Discipleship 

    • Everyone Builds His Kingdom 

    • Everyone Walks In Kingdom Favor/Provision - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

  • Acceptable - Permissive - Neighborhood 

    • Career

    • Spouse 

    • Car 

    • Specific Church 

  • Perfect - Specific - Address 

    • Micro moments of right wrong 

    • Micro decisions that unlock destiny 

      • Widow who gave prophet last of oil and flour 

      • Woman who anointed Jesus for burial 

      • Region vs opportunity 

    • Micro Calling 

So which one is it? 

Testing Over Time Will Enable You To Discern Which Applies 

You will make poor decisions. 

Some you will have to live with. 

Others you can launch from. 

It Can Go Unfulfilled 

• 1 Timothy 2:3–4 (ESV) This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

• Mark 16:16 (ESV) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Reasons: 

• ignorance 

• Rebellion 

• Desire Things Outside Of It 

• Failure To Discern It 

• Failure to seek 

• Get Pushed From it 

○ Outside influences 

○ Lack strength/understanding 

○ Fall victim 

○ Submit 

• Wrong decision for “right” reason

• Failure To Enforce It 

○ Lack the understanding 

○ Lack the strength/faith 

○ Submission to “less-than”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭8‬, ‭13‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

4 Greek Words For Love

• Storge - familial love or natural affections, especially between parents and children

• Phileo - deep friendship or brotherly love

• John 11:34–36 (ESV) And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.”  Jesus wept.  So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

• Eros - (not in the NT) - romantic or passionate love

• Agape - highest form of love referring to sacrificial love seeking the well-being of others (referring to God’s love for us and the love Christians are called to have for one another)

Experiencing The Love Of God Equips You To Give/Receive True Love

• 1 John 4:19 (ESV) We love because he first loved us.

• Parents, children, spouse, friends, neighbors and enemies

• True love for God is possible in response to His love

• Religion is created when we try to love God without the revelation of his love.

• “God grant me a revelation of your love for me.”

• The revelation of God’s love is something we walk in. It is a status, It is something we wear. It is like a superpower

• Romans 8:35, 38-39 (ESV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Self love is a poor substitute for the revelation of God’s love.

• The revelation of God’s loves enables us to love correctly

• The love you have experienced prior to that is incomplete, possibly even poisoned.

• Loving others out of a broken experience will be limited.

• In choosing a potential spouse, choose someone who loves God first

• Matthew 10:37 (ESV) Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

LOVE: The Sacrificial DECISION To Seek The Well-Being Of Others

• 1 Peter 2:4 (ESV) As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious.

• God chose to love you.

• God would not command you to do something that you could not choose

• Matthew 22:39 (ESV) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

• Matthew 5:44–46 (ESV) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

• Falling into love leads to falling out of love

• That type of love is emotion

• That type of love is attraction

• “You can’t help who you love” is not a true statement. “You can’t help who you are attracted to” is the correct response.

• Attraction is often impacted by brokenness and traumatic experiences

• Childhood trauma

• Broken relationships

• Grooming

• In marriage, attraction is important, but the decision to love is paramount.

• Fall in love means you can fall out of love.

• At moments it will feel like being trapped.

• The decision will unlock the emotion

LOVE: The SACRIFICIAL Decision To Seek The Well-Being Of Others

• John 3:16 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

• John 15:13 (ESV) Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

• LOVE empties its vault to increase the value of someone else.

• Anyone who demands things under the umbrella of love is likely manipulation.

• If you loved me then you would….

• God will deal with your narcissism through others.

• “Oh, this is how you feel God…”

LOVE: The Sacrificial Decision To Seek The WELL-BEING Of Others

• 1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

• “Well Being: God’s Best

• Some forms of love are out of alignment with AGAPE

• Care for feelings

• Care for comfort

• Care about being liked

• Care about being accepted

• Ex: During the pandemic, riots, and current woke agendas “how will that show the world the love of God?”

• Love in spite of sin, but we can never affirm sin

• Illus: the man sinking because of the concrete block he is holding needs someone to love him without affirming the block.

• True love does not pull people out of the boundaries of God’s Word. True love seeks to center others within God’s Word, sometimes at the expense of:

• Their feelings

• Their comfort

• Their cultural 

• There are more important things than how people feel

• Rejoices with the truth

• Ephesians 4:15 (ESV) Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

Patriot - a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.

• Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

America: 1776 AD - 246 Years Old

• Iran 3200 BC - 5224

• Egypt 3100 BC - 5124

• Vietnam 2879 BC - 4903

• Armenia 2492 BC - 4516

• North Korea 2333 BC - 4357

• China 2070 BC - 4094

Immigration - everyone wants to come here.

• America 50.6 million foreign born people

• Germany 15.8

• Saudi Arabia 13.5 

• Russia 11.6

• United Kingdom 9

2.6 people legally immigrate to the US per year, with close to the same number entering illegally every year.

Largest economy in the world - Gross domestic product

• US 25 trillion

• China 18.5 trillion

• Germany 4.5 trillion

• Japan 4.11 trillion

• India 3.9

Pull China out and our GDP is higher than the following 8 nations combined.

Per capita, we are #7 but the 6 above us are tiny nations.

We are facing an election like none other ever seen

• Election between two who have already been president

• Two who are in their 80’s

• One with a lifetime in politics and the other who the only office he held was the one he won

• Wealth

• When Joe biden left the vice presidency his net worth was essentially zero but has surged to 8 million with book deals

• Trumps value dropped by 700 million to 2.3 billion

• One who is facing 88 criminal charges and 54 felonies.

We Are EXILES - Kingdom First!

• Jeremiah 29:1 (ESV) These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

While we live here, we are exiles!!!

This is not our home, this is not our destination.

There has been an beginning and ending to every earthly kingdom

• John 18:36 (ESV) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

• Philippians 3:20–21 (ESV) But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

• Matthew 6:33 (ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

This is the Kingdom He resides over

This is the Kingdom we prioritize

This is the Kingdom we are building

There is a future government coming

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

We Are Here, Now, On Mission For Our King

Jeremiah 29:4 (ESV) “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:

• Acts 17:26–27 (ESV) And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,  that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

Here and now is different for many other believers in the world. But it’s the same mission.

We Are To Thrive While Here

• Jeremiah 29:5 (ESV) Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.

• Jeremiah 29:6 (ESV) Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.

• Jeremiah 29:11 - …plans to prosper you…

As crazy as that sounds, we are to thrive.

We are not to:

• Live in defense mode

• Live in fear of this world getting on us

• Not get involved in anything

• Multiply, not only in number but in culture/values

• 3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

We Are To Help Here & Now To Thrive

Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV) But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Seek the welfare

• Health

• Happiness

• Fortunes

Greek word

• Completeness

• Soundness 

• Peace

We have to participate in that.

Never at the expense of our homeland

• Live

• Vote

• Participate

• Give voice

“God doesn’t have a guy, you have a choice”

• Often its the best of two bad choices

• Biblical policy over Biblical lifestyle

• “I like where the ball lands” on other issues

Here Again

Released in 2018 by the band, Elevation Worship who are the music leaders for Elevation Church in NC. 

It provides opportunities for us to do several things:

• To acknowledge the hard place we often find ourselves, in-between where we’ve been and what God has said will be… and then, to lay that struggle, our emotions, our plans, our effort at the feet of the Lord as an offering of trust.

• For us to glorify the faithfulness of God, recognizing that regardless of how we feel or whether or not we sense His presence, and no matter what happens, He has pursued us our whole lives, has not abandoned us in our place of discomfort, and WILL see us through to the very best He has for us.

• For us to establish and pursue our relationship with Jesus as the most important thing. Above our comfort, above our desired outcomes, above any godly pursuit, this is our declaration to pursue God Himself first.

Submission Facilitates Victory

Can’t go back to the beginning, Can’t control what tomorrow will bring, Let your love rise above every fear, In my weakness your glory appears

Life is full of difficult spots

• Loss of idyllic past

• Inability to control envisioned future

• Lamenting failures or sin

• Dealing with trauma from the sin of others

These places in between “what was” and “what will be” are spiritual battlefields.

• Enemy will sow everything from bitterness, resentment, fear, discontentment, pride… all things that will rob us of the abundant life Jesus bought for us.

James 4:7 (ESV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

• Submission means both “yielding control of” AND “presenting or offering”

• Acknowledge the hard place we often find ourselves, in-between where we’ve been and what God has said will be… and then, lay that struggle; our emotions, our plans, our effort at the feet of the Lord as an offering of trust.

• Submit yourself to God and the enemy will retreat.

When we sing these words, offer to the Lord everything weighing you down. Every pain, scar, fear, hope, and plan.

• Surrender to God’s plans for your future and redemption of your past.

• Commit to stop looking in the rear view mirror and start looking forward.

• Thank the Lord for breakthroughs that are coming.

Never Alone in the Process

As I walk now through the valley, Not for a minute was I forsaken, Dry bones awaken, The Lord is in this place

Regardless of how we feel, whether we sense His presence or not, and no matter what happens, He has not abandoned us and WILL see us through to His very best for us.

2 Sam 14:14 (NLT) All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.

God has always been, and always will be working to draw us closer to Himself.

• Doesn’t depend on our awareness

• Extends beyond our acknowledgement

• Is a result of His character and the value He’s placed on us: the life of His only son

Like David, encourage yourself in the Lord when you feel alone.

• Acknowledge and give thanks for the ways He’s been faithful in the past.

• Evaluate the following and respond to the Lord accordingly:

• Facts: You don’t FEEL Him, SEE Him working, or UNDERSTAND His plan. Maybe you’re even struggling to believe He cares or is even there.

• Lies: He’s abandoned you. You’re too broken. He was never really there at all.

• Truth:  God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He demonstrated His love for you in that while you were still embracing sin, He died to justify you in the presence of God the Father and for the CHANCE that you might choose to trust Him for that. There is nothing outside of you or inside of you that can separate you from His love.

When we sing these words, praise God for His character of faithfulness and love.

• Reject the lies the enemy has told you,

• Embrace the truth of what God says,

• Regardless of the facts of your circumstance.

King First, Kingdom Second

All I want is all you are, Come Holy Spirit, I’m not enough unless you come, Will you meet me here again

The Kingdom of God is built around and for the glory of God. He is central to all aspects of it.

• Declaration that we want Him over anything else

• Invitation for Him to take His rightful place as the King of our lives

Daniel 3:17-18 (NLT) “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

It’s easy to develop a relationship with Jesus where we pursue the things He’s promised as a priority over pursuing Him.

Establish (or reestablish) and pursue our relationship with Jesus as the most important thing. Above our comfort, above desired outcomes, above any godly pursuit; this is our declaration to pursue God Himself first.

When we sing these words make them a personal expression from you to Jesus.

• Invite Him to meet you right where you're at

• Ask Him to change your heart

• Ask Him to heal your unbelief