The Birth of Breakthrough 10.24.10
Why does it seem like we have moments of breakthrough and victory then a week later struggle with the same things we were delivered from? There are some obvious reasons:
- It may be that sin has entered the camp.
- There may be willful disobedience.
However, it may be that we embark into breakthrough with an idea of what ‘it should be like’ based on what we have seen in others.
We succumb to the system of the world that tells us, “For this to be successful you must do X, Y and Z.” Which is fine if every circumstance was the same. The issue is, we do not live in a cookie-cutter world. Each scenario, every breakthrough is different.
When breakthrough occurs it is often met with the “usual” methods in an effort to maintain what has taken place. While I understand the intent of using a method – I struggle with the idea of “maintaining” what has been provided. If I am content with simply maintaining I have no need to advance.
The kingdom of God is about advancement – it is about moving forward into greater revelation.
God does not deliver us so that we can stay isolated in the desert – but it is in the desert that God prepares us to bring the promise into the land. The desert is where our destiny is refined and strengthened. It is in the desert where we prepare to take the breakthrough we experience back to the culture and make a name for the LORD.
Unless the ‘method’ I use compels me to advance into greater understanding and revelation through experience, that ‘method’ will eventually erode the foundation that has been laid.
God wants to reveal a new way to manage breakthrough and deliverance – God is BIG on ‘new things’ – repeatedly God declares – “Behold I am doing a new thing...” “Forget the former things…” Jesus says, “Behold I make all things new”.
The things of God are all consuming and there is no room for moderation in our efforts. He will not do a ‘new thing’ until He does away with the old. As Jesus puts it – “No one puts new wine into old wineskins…”
The most obvious component of the “new” that God requires from those who follow Him is the renewing of our mind. What is prevalent in the worlds culture is the idea that I have been liberated… but am still that which I have been set free from. 'Who I was', is an albatross that I must wear around my neck as a constant reminder of my past.
· For example – “Hello, my name is Mike and I’m an alcoholic…” What about that statement reveals breakthrough and freedom? The point is... it doesn't.
God cannot place new wine in an old container.
Unless a ‘method’ is about advancement toward the principals of God it is about retreat and I have just allowed the enemy to set foot in the Promised Land. We see this throughout the bible; when God asked His children to advance against their enemies and they chose not to obey.
Since the kingdom of God is about advancement and growth - If I am maintaining I am losing the battle.
The response to willingness is a life that contends for greater breakthrough.
The birth of Jesus provided the world deliverance with the “deliverer”. So upon this revelation it would be proper to consider the principals that God established of how to host and BIRTH breakthrough.
LUKE 1:35-42
The first principal is that deliverance responds to my willingness to believe God. “Let it be done to me according to your word.” (1:38)
I must come into agreement with deliverance and breakthrough. Upon conception (willingness) a “new life” exists. The moment we become willing, we receive revelation from the LORD. It could be said we “have an experience” that ‘new life’ has been conceived within us.
Upon that revelation - The next principal is to embark into a lifestyle that supports that experience – “I live differently, I guard what has been provided to me, I act in a manner that cherishes that which has been conceived in me.” This is not, “Now that you have been set free… do this and do that – because THEY did this and that and have lived in freedom”.
If I have ‘conceived’ a willingness to host the ‘new life’ will naturally flow into a lifestyle that protects it. While there are some general processes that apply to all ‘new births’ – every child is different. Out of the desire to protect the ‘new life’ it is necessary/natural for me to embark in a process of caring for that “new life”.
· Think about how parents prepare their house for the arrival of a new baby. Everything about the inside of the house is modified to protect and nurture the "new life". The question to us is, 'Does what I do protect the "new life" I have received from God?"
In the process of caring for this ‘new life’ I come into agreement with the revelation (with the experience). As a result of my mind coming into agreement with the revelation… I gain understanding. I support and confirm the understanding to revelation through demonstrations of faith. My actions will confirm my willingness to carry the promise. There is no need for me to “tell the world” I have been liberated – that may be one of the reasons Jesus often told people to “tell no one”… but they usually did anyway;
Initially, it is not necessary for me to go out and tell everyone about this “new life” from God. Mary told no one, other than Joseph, about her miracle; God took care of “telling” others. Even to the point that when she visited Elizabeth it was the Holy Spirit who prompted others to recognize the “new life” that had been conceived in Mary.
Think about natural child birth… with time it becomes evident that a “new life” has been conceived and is developing. Of course it will be necessary to go to those with experience in “having a child”; doctor, other mothers or fathers – “…for by wise guidance you can wage war, and in the abundance or counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 24:6)
The principal here is to let the “new life” in me become manifest through natural processes of development.
Often we receive a “new life” and immediately want to be elevated into the role of an expert; practically – a man or a woman becomes a mother and father months before there is the physical appearance of a child. However, it would be foolish to regard them as an expert in raising a child. For example, you would not ask their opinion of how to deal with a toddler.
In addition, think about the man who was blind from birth and received his sight; it took time for him to recognize “that is a house, that is the sun, that is a cow…” With breakthrough it takes time to familiarize our minds with what we have received.
The greatest development in our existence takes place in the secret places with God – it is in the mothers womb that two cells develop more than at any other point in our life. (from two cells to billions of cells)
Eventually our ‘new life’ will reach a point WHEN IT IS TIME TO GIVE BIRTH – TO GO PUBLIC
LUKE 2:15-20
First, Let others proclaim your promise.
All who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen…”
BUT Notice the posture of Mary…
Mary pondered (treasured) these things in her heart.
- She knew who Jesus was destined to be.
- She protected the promise.
- She cherished it in the moments when no one else was around.
- She did not awaken the destiny before it’s time… although she tried (once) at the wedding in Canna – and Jesus set her straight.
- She waited for the manifestation of the promise - in the case of Mary that process took 30 years.
Mary knew more about Jesus than anyone in history – yet she allowed God to provide the increase in her breakthrough.
With time – the deliverance “speaks for itself”.
A thought – part of nurturing a breakthrough is dealing with the different stages of it’s development.
- A baby
- A toddler
- A tween
- A teenager
- A young adult
- A mature adult
Finally, my deliverance is not for me.
While I may be the direct recipient of liberation – that testimony is to bring comfort to others.
- “God who comforts us in our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves have received.”
It was conceived in me.
It developed in the desert.
It was supported by my faith.
It grew in the secret places with God.
Now it must be unleashed to the world.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Prayer Requests from Sunday 10-24-2010
Wednesday 10-27-10
Connie- Please pray that the Lord would have my heart over a relationship that has ended. Pray for the Lord to give me direction and lead me in the way that is right.
CP- Lord, what have I hung up on the willow tree? What have I walked away from? I want to birth it- let it rain Lord- show me- speak clearly to me this week.
CP- Brother, Carlos, is having heart problems- This Friday, Oct. 30 at Presby Plano, they will inject dye into his valves to check for blockage. Please pray for a precise diagnosis, wisdom for the doctors, and a breakthrough in his lifestyle that will help support a healthier heart!
CP- Prayers for Grayson's 2 year MRI at Children's Hospital this Wed. oct. 27th at 1pm- we will get the results in the morning- If the scan shows that the tumor has not grown in these first 2 years, the surgeon will move us to having scans once a year! Thank You Jesus for Your supernatural healing that we witnessed and can't wait to witness. Thank You Father for our son, "Grayson" who was named after You- God's Grace. "Grace-son"
Isabella Perron- Dad, Mom, Summit Life!!
Anonymous- Pray for finances and to get out of debt. Prayer for a less expensive place to live that's smaller and more manageable.
Anonymous- Spot on message! I've orphaned my breakthrough- trying to take control of my life myself with predictable, disastrous consequences... please pray for revival/ renewal. (As will I.)
Anonymous: M Perron, your sermon was right on target today. It felt very much like a Godsend, to me. Just this week, I've had a few things happen that prompted me to earnestly consider that the time is right for me to begin a series of books. Being an author has very much been close to my heart and I believe I am gifted in communication. On Saturday I met with a trusted advisor and laid out a three book idea:
I'd like to ask for your prayers over my writing and my making this happen. I've delayed long enough, and the sermon was as if God were speaking to me. How timely to hear what you said. Thank you both for the love and support. I believe that this is a calling of mine and I will need both love and support to make it a reality.
"Lord above lords... we come before You now in awe and sincere reverence. You are an amazing God. What more can we say? You are true, noble, praiseworthy, lovely, caring, doting, healing, faithful... more words than these fingers can type. You are. We lift these requests and praises to You, our King. We wait for You. You. Jesus. Sweet, tender, and Holy Jesus. It is in Your Name alone we pray, live and breathe. Amen."
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Prayer Requests from Sunday 10-17-2010
Wednesday 10-20-10
Richard Pope- Pray for my wife and me to be reconciled before man and God. In Jesus' Name.
Jeff Shepperd- Please pray for God's wisdom to be revealed to Jeff about Jeff's contemplation on having gastric bypass surgery.
Anonymous- Please pray for Stephen Bishop's son to be saved. Pray for him to know Jesus. Pray for my daughter, Casey. Pray for deliverance from the enemy- pray for healing and love in her life.
Summit Life Church- "Lord, may You be a beacon to the lost and frightened in this gathering called Summit Life. May You bring the faces of fear, the bodies who are tired, and the hearts who are hurting. May You be glorified in our church. May souls be saved, delivered, and broken for You. All glory to You, our Lord... it is in Your Name we pray, Jesus. Amen. "
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Living the XChanged life 10.17.10
Living the X-changed life
Being willing to be willing
Having the ability to choose is one of the liberties afforded to man by God. When the Father decided to allow man the ability to choose he essentially provided man with a will. Our will is part of our soul – mind, will and emotions. (dfn: - the capability of conscious choice and decision that has a fixed and persistent intent or purpose.)
The soul is the battlefield between good and evil, righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness but it shouldn’t be that way. Initially, our will was in perfect harmony with God, there was no battle. You might say, "We were always “willing to be willing”.
Because of mans unwillingness to believe God, evil hawas allowed to enter into man’s soul and the perceived battle has ensued. I say perceived battle because in truth, the battle ended at the cross when Jesus defeated death. But like certain soldiers left on deserted islands in WW1 some have not believed the report that the war is over and continue to entertain the idea that the enemy of our soul has power in our lives (more about that later).
The question asked by God TODAY is; “Are you willing to be willing…?”
The bible tells the story of God who was willing to respond to people’s willingness to believe.
Luke 5:12-13 – While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord if you are willing you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him saying, “I am willing; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him.”
Notice that in the OT “sin” contaminated “clean” – in the NT “clean” removes “sin”, there has been a shift from law to grace.
For the most part the issue with breakthrough and deliverance is not our willingness (I think everyone is willing to receive breakthrough). The issue is our ‘unwillingness’.
- God has essentially “handcuffed” himself to respond to the willingness of his children.
- As an example; throughout the gospels Jesus “responded” to a persons willingness (faith).
- All of us desire breakthrough but there is an unwillingness to transform the mind – and in turn our behavior.
2 Thes 1:11 reminds us that “every ACT is prompted by faith.”
For breakthrough to occur it is necessary to have the mind of Christ... and that is contrary to the world's mindset.
The Lord’s mind thinks that to receive you must give.
Trials are a joy.
To be set free you must be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
That you must die to live.
For instance: There is mind-set that for breakthrough and deliverance to occur the process must be just as laborious and difficult as it was to become ensnared.
- We are unwilling to believe that Jesus can reach out His hand, touch our lives and make us clean. Yeah, tell that to the leper who lived for years with his infirmity (OT sign of sin) – and “immediately” the leprosy left him.” In another instance two blind men were sitting by the roadside – Jesus touched their eyes and "immediately" they received their sight. And in case the point was not clear, the woman subject to bleeding for 12 years was touched the hem of Jesus' garment and "immediately" she was made well.
· No counseling, no 12 step program… simply a willingness to believe that Jesus could heal.
Why is it difficult to be “willing to be willing”? To have the faith that God is willing to heal and break the bondage from your life right now ("immediately")?
We get tired because of wrong methods, wrong messages.
- We listen to a system (counseling, therapy, self-help) that denies God yet is supposed to offer a solution?
- We labor over the symptoms. we respond to life based on what we "feel" instead of what is true.
- We embark into a theology that places limits on God. We see God work then draw a line around that and determine… “THIS is how God works” and create a theology that comforts our reason. The problem is that by doing so we have just limited God.
· Theology should move us into divine encounter… not keep us from it.
- We compare others results/experiences and determine the course of action based on their “success” or “failure”.
· Treatment centers report that anywhere from 54-78% of their patients relapse. So we enter into an attempt for breakthrough with a backdoor – “Well, you know I guess I’m one of the percentage that did/did not make it.” Think about it, if I willingly give doubt a home it will reside and dominate.
We like being in bondage – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
- Why does God send a strong delusion? Because there is no desire to believe the truth and there is pleasure in unrighteousness.
Finally, we give Satan legal ground or we retreat from intrusion:
Giving "legal ground" to Satan is when we actively participate in sin. "Intrusion" is when satan attempts to force his way into our life.
Some of the most common ways this occurs is through:
Lies and deception – either believing a lie or not speaking the truth
* We would rather suffer the consequences or behavior rather than seek or speak truth.
* We entertain Accusation and condemnation – thoughts of being no good, not begin good at…,
* Doubt and unbelief - this is choosing to not believe the truth of what God says in the bible. For instance, denying God's promises or creating a theology that places limits on God's authority or ability. An example of this would be an unwillingness to believe that if a person is in Christ they are no longer a sinner. Let me ask you – am I still a Minnesotan? I was born there, I resided there, I spent about one third of my existence in the state. the answer is – of course not – I now reside in Texas and am considered a Texan – what changed… my position.
If we are still sinners; Christ died for no reason other than to offer us a place in heaven. There is no overcoming, there is no “new creation”, the power of the cross has limited atonement, and I need to accept “sin” as just part of life. What more does Christ need to do? Hebrews 10:14 tells us - “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Yes, you read it right… you have been perfected… you are now recognized as sinless before the Father.
Yet for some who hear this, a spirit of antichrist is mocking with a lying spirit to deceive you into thinking that you are a sinner and you’ll need to learn to live with it. I can offer the truth that Christians are never characterized as ungodly in the NT. There are 28 uses of the word “sinners” and 13 of the word “sinner” in the NT. NONE refer to people who have come to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Yeah but what about the person who is a Christian but just keeps on sinning? The truth… they are not a Christian.
1 John 3:8 – “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning… (and again v9) no one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
Well… maybe they have fallen away for a season? Impossible.
Hebrews 6:4-6 – For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then (lit. “to be”) fallen away to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”
Other ways we give legal ground or retreat from intrusion are:
* Disobedience.
* Omission or commission of behavior.
* Inner vows – promises you have made to “never” or “always”.
* Curses – generational iniquity that has never been broken. “You’re just like your father (mother).”
By providing legal ground or retreating from intrusion we give a foothold to evil. There are 14 names for evil spirits mentioned throughout the bible, each of which has a specific assignment.
- Infirmity
- Fear
- Divination
- Whoredoms
- Bondage
- Haughtiness
- Perverseness
- Anit-Christ
- Deaf and Dumbness
- Heaviness
- Lying
- Jealously
- Stupor (Slumber)
- Error
“Are you willing to be willing” – “God is willing… are you?”
“Who is willing to consecrate themselves today to the LORD?”
Being willing to be willing
Having the ability to choose is one of the liberties afforded to man by God. When the Father decided to allow man the ability to choose he essentially provided man with a will. Our will is part of our soul – mind, will and emotions. (dfn: - the capability of conscious choice and decision that has a fixed and persistent intent or purpose.)
The soul is the battlefield between good and evil, righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness but it shouldn’t be that way. Initially, our will was in perfect harmony with God, there was no battle. You might say, "We were always “willing to be willing”.
Because of mans unwillingness to believe God, evil hawas allowed to enter into man’s soul and the perceived battle has ensued. I say perceived battle because in truth, the battle ended at the cross when Jesus defeated death. But like certain soldiers left on deserted islands in WW1 some have not believed the report that the war is over and continue to entertain the idea that the enemy of our soul has power in our lives (more about that later).
The question asked by God TODAY is; “Are you willing to be willing…?”
The bible tells the story of God who was willing to respond to people’s willingness to believe.
Luke 5:12-13 – While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord if you are willing you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him saying, “I am willing; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him.”
Notice that in the OT “sin” contaminated “clean” – in the NT “clean” removes “sin”, there has been a shift from law to grace.
For the most part the issue with breakthrough and deliverance is not our willingness (I think everyone is willing to receive breakthrough). The issue is our ‘unwillingness’.
- God has essentially “handcuffed” himself to respond to the willingness of his children.
- As an example; throughout the gospels Jesus “responded” to a persons willingness (faith).
- All of us desire breakthrough but there is an unwillingness to transform the mind – and in turn our behavior.
2 Thes 1:11 reminds us that “every ACT is prompted by faith.”
For breakthrough to occur it is necessary to have the mind of Christ... and that is contrary to the world's mindset.
The Lord’s mind thinks that to receive you must give.
Trials are a joy.
To be set free you must be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
That you must die to live.
For instance: There is mind-set that for breakthrough and deliverance to occur the process must be just as laborious and difficult as it was to become ensnared.
- We are unwilling to believe that Jesus can reach out His hand, touch our lives and make us clean. Yeah, tell that to the leper who lived for years with his infirmity (OT sign of sin) – and “immediately” the leprosy left him.” In another instance two blind men were sitting by the roadside – Jesus touched their eyes and "immediately" they received their sight. And in case the point was not clear, the woman subject to bleeding for 12 years was touched the hem of Jesus' garment and "immediately" she was made well.
· No counseling, no 12 step program… simply a willingness to believe that Jesus could heal.
Why is it difficult to be “willing to be willing”? To have the faith that God is willing to heal and break the bondage from your life right now ("immediately")?
We get tired because of wrong methods, wrong messages.
- We listen to a system (counseling, therapy, self-help) that denies God yet is supposed to offer a solution?
- We labor over the symptoms. we respond to life based on what we "feel" instead of what is true.
- We embark into a theology that places limits on God. We see God work then draw a line around that and determine… “THIS is how God works” and create a theology that comforts our reason. The problem is that by doing so we have just limited God.
· Theology should move us into divine encounter… not keep us from it.
- We compare others results/experiences and determine the course of action based on their “success” or “failure”.
· Treatment centers report that anywhere from 54-78% of their patients relapse. So we enter into an attempt for breakthrough with a backdoor – “Well, you know I guess I’m one of the percentage that did/did not make it.” Think about it, if I willingly give doubt a home it will reside and dominate.
We like being in bondage – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
- Why does God send a strong delusion? Because there is no desire to believe the truth and there is pleasure in unrighteousness.
Finally, we give Satan legal ground or we retreat from intrusion:
Giving "legal ground" to Satan is when we actively participate in sin. "Intrusion" is when satan attempts to force his way into our life.
Some of the most common ways this occurs is through:
Lies and deception – either believing a lie or not speaking the truth
* We would rather suffer the consequences or behavior rather than seek or speak truth.
* We entertain Accusation and condemnation – thoughts of being no good, not begin good at…,
* Doubt and unbelief - this is choosing to not believe the truth of what God says in the bible. For instance, denying God's promises or creating a theology that places limits on God's authority or ability. An example of this would be an unwillingness to believe that if a person is in Christ they are no longer a sinner. Let me ask you – am I still a Minnesotan? I was born there, I resided there, I spent about one third of my existence in the state. the answer is – of course not – I now reside in Texas and am considered a Texan – what changed… my position.
If we are still sinners; Christ died for no reason other than to offer us a place in heaven. There is no overcoming, there is no “new creation”, the power of the cross has limited atonement, and I need to accept “sin” as just part of life. What more does Christ need to do? Hebrews 10:14 tells us - “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Yes, you read it right… you have been perfected… you are now recognized as sinless before the Father.
Yet for some who hear this, a spirit of antichrist is mocking with a lying spirit to deceive you into thinking that you are a sinner and you’ll need to learn to live with it. I can offer the truth that Christians are never characterized as ungodly in the NT. There are 28 uses of the word “sinners” and 13 of the word “sinner” in the NT. NONE refer to people who have come to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Yeah but what about the person who is a Christian but just keeps on sinning? The truth… they are not a Christian.
1 John 3:8 – “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning… (and again v9) no one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
Well… maybe they have fallen away for a season? Impossible.
Hebrews 6:4-6 – For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then (lit. “to be”) fallen away to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”
Other ways we give legal ground or retreat from intrusion are:
* Disobedience.
* Omission or commission of behavior.
* Inner vows – promises you have made to “never” or “always”.
* Curses – generational iniquity that has never been broken. “You’re just like your father (mother).”
By providing legal ground or retreating from intrusion we give a foothold to evil. There are 14 names for evil spirits mentioned throughout the bible, each of which has a specific assignment.
- Infirmity
- Fear
- Divination
- Whoredoms
- Bondage
- Haughtiness
- Perverseness
- Anit-Christ
- Deaf and Dumbness
- Heaviness
- Lying
- Jealously
- Stupor (Slumber)
- Error
“Are you willing to be willing” – “God is willing… are you?”
“Who is willing to consecrate themselves today to the LORD?”
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Prayer Requests from Sunday 10-10-2010
Tuesday 10-12-2010
Carly L.- "Lord, I pray for Your rest, Jesus. May I fully know what it is to relinquish all of me over to You. I pray I would rest in knowing Your hand holds mine... leading me, teaching me, and lovingly showing me the way I should go. Thank You, Father, for Your ever present help. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
This is what the Lord says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way should go..." Isaiah 48:17
Monday, October 11, 2010
REST
“The ability to be at rest and wait before God is one of the most difficult things in the Christian life. Our old nature is restless...the world around us is frantic and in a hurry.
- One answer is to just get away – take a vacation, to a cabin on the side of a mountain.
Mark 6:31: Then Jesus said, "Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest." There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles did not have time to eat.
Physical rest is not only vital to our spiritual lives, it is imperative if we are to be effective. Christ understood this principle and made it a point to get away both with His disciples and by Himself from time to time in order to rest and rejuvenate. It was Jesus way of “recharging” himself. In doing so, He set an example for you and I to follow. We are a people too busy for our own good, too busy to stop and realize that in our frantic business we are actually accomplishing less.
STORY: One day one woodsman challenged another to an all-day tree chopping contest. The challenger worked very hard, stopping only for a brief lunch break. The other man had a leisurely lunch and took several breaks during the day. At the end of the day, the challenger was surprised and annoyed to find that the other fellow had chopped substantially more wood than he had.
“I don’t get it,” he said. “Every time I checked, you were taking a rest, yet you chopped more wood than I did.”” But you did not notice,” said the winning woodsman, “that I was sharpening my ax when I sat down to rest.”
- By resting we accomplish more… sounds like a kingdom principal.
- “When you host the presence of the LORD you get a lot more stuff done by accident (resting) than you ever got done on purpose without Him.”
There is physical rest – personal time of relaxation like a "holy-nap".
There is also spiritual rest – Hebrews 4
Exodus 31:13 – tells us that resting (seeking God) is a very important thing. “Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths… above all you shall preserve rest…”
Explain; Moses had just received the10 commandments, laws about alters, slaves, restitution, social justice, contributions, the ark of the covenant, the tabernacle, oil, priests’ garments, consecration of priests, census tax… then finally about the Sabbath and rest “ABOVE ALL…” In other words, "Those other things are very important... but above all these remember my Sabbath."
- “The Sabbath” is generally a weekly day of rest and devotion to God. However, there were days (day, week, annual, 7 year) reserved for God they were days commanded by God to the people dedicated to Him and Him alone. So important was the Sabbath days that not adhering to them was punishable by death. A Sabbath was not “restful” in the sense of lounging around – rather it was a day(s) to give attention to God.
The Sabbaths applied to the OT Mosaic law – along with circumcision, weekly showbread, burnt offerings, and consecration practices. The Sabbath is a ceremonial (ritual) law… the issue is, those became obsolete when Jesus died - as a sacrifice for all. “Jesus is LORD of the Sabbath” – Hebrews 8
Jesus kept the Sabbath but it never says he ‘rested’ – actually we are told of his activity of performing ‘works’ that upset the religious leaders of the day. John 5 – healing at the pool “Bethesda. Repeatedly, the Jews were trying to kill him because he broke the Sabbath. Throughout the gospels, Jesus \ compared the Sabbath to ritual laws, not to moral laws. In other words it is not the “adherence to the rule” Rather; it is the Spirit with which the activity is done.
In addition to Jesus, Paul rebukes the Galatians for thinking God expected them to observe special days (including the Sabbath) – Gal 4:10-11. And again in Colossians Paul refers to the Sabbath as a shadow of a reality yet to be. (Col 2:17)
So the question for us today is, does the Sabbath apply to our lives today?
If so… what does it mean to “keep the Sabbath”?
Hebrews 4:1-13
Faith grows out of an atmosphere of rest and devotion to God. If I choose to strive, that mindset places limits of God because, “I have my agenda…I have my mind on what is important.” The issue with this mindset is that the mind is not the seat of faith, the heart is. When I place priority on the mind I have determined to exist without God. Romans 8:6 – “To set the mind on the flesh (life without divine influence) is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Business (striving) wars against faith and therefore your awareness of God. When I do not practice the principal of the Sabbath I diminish God's presence and am bent toward unbelief.
If I choose to not engage in the Sabbath (faith) a couple issues will arise:
Heb 4:2 – I will not believe (hear) good news if I do not maintain rest (an awareness of god being the priority)… “They shall not understand…”
Heb 4:4 – I will continue to believe peace and rest are found through work…
Practicing the Sabbath resides in an expression that looks to heaven and then considers what the agenda should be. That is the tension in life, it's like the writer of Hebrews is saying that “I must WORK not to WORK at finding rest.”
In the OT Sabbaths were days set aside for God… now because of Christ each day is considered a Sabbath. “TODAY”. Because of our identity in Christ – as believers - we have already ‘entered’ rest, now we must appropriate that reality by faith… v3 = “For we who have BELIEVED have entered that rest…” That is why in verse 7 we are told that "Today if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts."
The appropriation of, the resting in, this reality must be on the basis of faith. I am not capable of “working” my way into rest and peace. that is why we read, "It is in quietness and confidence that we find our strength" – Isaiah 30:15
APPROPRIATING faith is like learning a foreign language. Like the rungs of a ladder – each level must be mastered and handled appropriately before advancing. Think of the pattern in learning a new language; Confusion, then you understand a few words, next you are able to speak a few words, then sentences and then… the miracle of understanding. Upon understanding the language is no longer an effort or tedious – it becomes a natural part of our identity. The more easily we enter into rest (faith) the more complete the manifestation and moral effect it will have upon our lives.
Being at REST means that I have positioned myself to do away with the toil and struggle regarding faith so as to receive and broker the kingdom of God without hindrance. My initial response to situations is based on the “new language” of faith that I have learned. In learning a new language, I will repeat what I hear – that is why it is important to be around people that speak the language of faith.
Rest is found through faith. God’s word is Spirit and truth as we read in Hebrews 4:11-13 . note, it is possible to be mindful of God without entering into the rest He provides through His spirit.
Whenever I am restless it is due to an advancing MIND and a retreating HEART. If I do not regard “this day” as a Sabbath (a day devoted to God) to God I miss opportunity for breakthrough. I may miss the relationship, or word that changes EVERYTHING.
Is my Sabbath (every day) focused on being at rest with an abiding faith? do I reflect God’s glory back to Him?
Regardless of where you find yourself this morning God welcomes you into His rest – it is never too late to enter into faith.
Isaiah 58:13-14
What is being fed with the inheritance of Jacob? It is God's presence (Jeremiah 10:16)
TODAY – God’s Sabbath rest awaits for those who are found in Christ.
“The ability to be at rest and wait before God is one of the most difficult things in the Christian life. Our old nature is restless...the world around us is frantic and in a hurry.
- One answer is to just get away – take a vacation, to a cabin on the side of a mountain.
Mark 6:31: Then Jesus said, "Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest." There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles did not have time to eat.
Physical rest is not only vital to our spiritual lives, it is imperative if we are to be effective. Christ understood this principle and made it a point to get away both with His disciples and by Himself from time to time in order to rest and rejuvenate. It was Jesus way of “recharging” himself. In doing so, He set an example for you and I to follow. We are a people too busy for our own good, too busy to stop and realize that in our frantic business we are actually accomplishing less.
STORY: One day one woodsman challenged another to an all-day tree chopping contest. The challenger worked very hard, stopping only for a brief lunch break. The other man had a leisurely lunch and took several breaks during the day. At the end of the day, the challenger was surprised and annoyed to find that the other fellow had chopped substantially more wood than he had.
“I don’t get it,” he said. “Every time I checked, you were taking a rest, yet you chopped more wood than I did.”” But you did not notice,” said the winning woodsman, “that I was sharpening my ax when I sat down to rest.”
- By resting we accomplish more… sounds like a kingdom principal.
- “When you host the presence of the LORD you get a lot more stuff done by accident (resting) than you ever got done on purpose without Him.”
There is physical rest – personal time of relaxation like a "holy-nap".
There is also spiritual rest – Hebrews 4
Exodus 31:13 – tells us that resting (seeking God) is a very important thing. “Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths… above all you shall preserve rest…”
Explain; Moses had just received the10 commandments, laws about alters, slaves, restitution, social justice, contributions, the ark of the covenant, the tabernacle, oil, priests’ garments, consecration of priests, census tax… then finally about the Sabbath and rest “ABOVE ALL…” In other words, "Those other things are very important... but above all these remember my Sabbath."
- “The Sabbath” is generally a weekly day of rest and devotion to God. However, there were days (day, week, annual, 7 year) reserved for God they were days commanded by God to the people dedicated to Him and Him alone. So important was the Sabbath days that not adhering to them was punishable by death. A Sabbath was not “restful” in the sense of lounging around – rather it was a day(s) to give attention to God.
The Sabbaths applied to the OT Mosaic law – along with circumcision, weekly showbread, burnt offerings, and consecration practices. The Sabbath is a ceremonial (ritual) law… the issue is, those became obsolete when Jesus died - as a sacrifice for all. “Jesus is LORD of the Sabbath” – Hebrews 8
Jesus kept the Sabbath but it never says he ‘rested’ – actually we are told of his activity of performing ‘works’ that upset the religious leaders of the day. John 5 – healing at the pool “Bethesda. Repeatedly, the Jews were trying to kill him because he broke the Sabbath. Throughout the gospels, Jesus \ compared the Sabbath to ritual laws, not to moral laws. In other words it is not the “adherence to the rule” Rather; it is the Spirit with which the activity is done.
In addition to Jesus, Paul rebukes the Galatians for thinking God expected them to observe special days (including the Sabbath) – Gal 4:10-11. And again in Colossians Paul refers to the Sabbath as a shadow of a reality yet to be. (Col 2:17)
So the question for us today is, does the Sabbath apply to our lives today?
If so… what does it mean to “keep the Sabbath”?
Hebrews 4:1-13
Faith grows out of an atmosphere of rest and devotion to God. If I choose to strive, that mindset places limits of God because, “I have my agenda…I have my mind on what is important.” The issue with this mindset is that the mind is not the seat of faith, the heart is. When I place priority on the mind I have determined to exist without God. Romans 8:6 – “To set the mind on the flesh (life without divine influence) is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Business (striving) wars against faith and therefore your awareness of God. When I do not practice the principal of the Sabbath I diminish God's presence and am bent toward unbelief.
If I choose to not engage in the Sabbath (faith) a couple issues will arise:
Heb 4:2 – I will not believe (hear) good news if I do not maintain rest (an awareness of god being the priority)… “They shall not understand…”
Heb 4:4 – I will continue to believe peace and rest are found through work…
Practicing the Sabbath resides in an expression that looks to heaven and then considers what the agenda should be. That is the tension in life, it's like the writer of Hebrews is saying that “I must WORK not to WORK at finding rest.”
In the OT Sabbaths were days set aside for God… now because of Christ each day is considered a Sabbath. “TODAY”. Because of our identity in Christ – as believers - we have already ‘entered’ rest, now we must appropriate that reality by faith… v3 = “For we who have BELIEVED have entered that rest…” That is why in verse 7 we are told that "Today if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts."
The appropriation of, the resting in, this reality must be on the basis of faith. I am not capable of “working” my way into rest and peace. that is why we read, "It is in quietness and confidence that we find our strength" – Isaiah 30:15
APPROPRIATING faith is like learning a foreign language. Like the rungs of a ladder – each level must be mastered and handled appropriately before advancing. Think of the pattern in learning a new language; Confusion, then you understand a few words, next you are able to speak a few words, then sentences and then… the miracle of understanding. Upon understanding the language is no longer an effort or tedious – it becomes a natural part of our identity. The more easily we enter into rest (faith) the more complete the manifestation and moral effect it will have upon our lives.
Being at REST means that I have positioned myself to do away with the toil and struggle regarding faith so as to receive and broker the kingdom of God without hindrance. My initial response to situations is based on the “new language” of faith that I have learned. In learning a new language, I will repeat what I hear – that is why it is important to be around people that speak the language of faith.
Rest is found through faith. God’s word is Spirit and truth as we read in Hebrews 4:11-13 . note, it is possible to be mindful of God without entering into the rest He provides through His spirit.
Whenever I am restless it is due to an advancing MIND and a retreating HEART. If I do not regard “this day” as a Sabbath (a day devoted to God) to God I miss opportunity for breakthrough. I may miss the relationship, or word that changes EVERYTHING.
Is my Sabbath (every day) focused on being at rest with an abiding faith? do I reflect God’s glory back to Him?
Regardless of where you find yourself this morning God welcomes you into His rest – it is never too late to enter into faith.
Isaiah 58:13-14
What is being fed with the inheritance of Jacob? It is God's presence (Jeremiah 10:16)
TODAY – God’s Sabbath rest awaits for those who are found in Christ.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Prayer Requests from Sunday 10-3-2010
Monday 10-4-10
Brad Nunes- My seasonal allergies really knock me down; healing. Also continue to pray for my niece Christy's drug addiction.
Pam Watson- 1. Our church-West Lake Baptist Church- searching for a new pastor (ours retired for health reasons after 21 years here) 2. Healing for Luke's arm
Anonymous- Luke's arm, Andrea's teeth, Nikki, Tonya and new direction with her life, Jesus Garcia, Jake.
Jenna Watson- Please keep my grandad, Jesus Garcia, in your prayers. He suffered a fall two weeks ago, and needs to be covered in prayer on his road to recovery.
Christian P. For my mother, she struggles with severe back pain- is not sleeping well at night. Also, praying for her mind- that it would remain strong and sound at her age of 85- Thank You Father for her life and how You have used it to serve You on this earth.
Carly L.- "Oh Lord, please bless my ex husband with wisdom. Wisdom to be with his children... in Jesus Mighty Name... Amen."
Nehemiah 4:13, 15 MSG
13 So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and
assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. 14)After
looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone
else: “Don’t be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome,
and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and
your homes.” 15 Our enemies learned that we knew all about their plan and that
God had frustrated it. And we went back to the wall and went to work.
Brad Nunes- My seasonal allergies really knock me down; healing. Also continue to pray for my niece Christy's drug addiction.
Pam Watson- 1. Our church-West Lake Baptist Church- searching for a new pastor (ours retired for health reasons after 21 years here) 2. Healing for Luke's arm
Anonymous- Luke's arm, Andrea's teeth, Nikki, Tonya and new direction with her life, Jesus Garcia, Jake.
Jenna Watson- Please keep my grandad, Jesus Garcia, in your prayers. He suffered a fall two weeks ago, and needs to be covered in prayer on his road to recovery.
Christian P. For my mother, she struggles with severe back pain- is not sleeping well at night. Also, praying for her mind- that it would remain strong and sound at her age of 85- Thank You Father for her life and how You have used it to serve You on this earth.
Carly L.- "Oh Lord, please bless my ex husband with wisdom. Wisdom to be with his children... in Jesus Mighty Name... Amen."
Nehemiah 4:13, 15 MSG
13 So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and
assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. 14)After
looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone
else: “Don’t be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome,
and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and
your homes.” 15 Our enemies learned that we knew all about their plan and that
God had frustrated it. And we went back to the wall and went to work.
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