SIFTED FOR SERVICE - Spiritual Breakthrough Series - Week 4

What’s The Devil’s Deal?
Retreating to a safe position where I unknowingly make a deal to no longer be threatened and no longer be a threat.

Luke 22:31-34  “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
SATAN TRAFFICS IN DARKNESS
AND HAS OPEN ACCESS TO ANY PLACE IN A CHRISTIAN'S LIFE THAT IS ALLOWED TO STAY IN DARKNESS.

Luke 22:54-62  54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62And he went outside and wept bitterly. 

Why Does God Allow The Devil's Deal’s To Come My Way?
To Expose And Erase The Darkness Within Me That Does Not BELIEVE God's Promises. 
To Learn How To Relax And Receive His Promises Instead Of Command And Control The Outcome.

We bring the light of Christ into Satan's domain of darkness, people's lives are transformed, and God’s kingdom advances. 
Satan strikes back with spiritual warfare and we take losses that we don't understand. 
We make the choice to stay in the fight, grow in our faith, and trust God with the outcome. 

What Does God Want From Me?
Victory Doesn’t Come FROM You. Victory Comes IN You.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Our Breakthrough Comes By Refusing To Judge By What Our Eyes See Or Our Ears Hear
And By Trusting That Everything God Has Promised Will Come To Pass.

NOT TODAY SATAN -  Spiritual Breakthrough Series - Week 3

A Deal With The Devil is the subtle moment you decide... 

not to actively oppose Satan's plans, work, and agenda in exchange for his lie of a comfortable life free from his attacks.

• First, we bring the light of Christ into Satan's domain of darkness, people's lives are transformed, and God’s kingdom advances. 
• Then, Satan strikes back with spiritual warfare and we take losses that we don't understand. 
• Finally, we make the choice to stay in the fight, grow in our faith, and trust God with the outcome. 
• Or, we retreat to a safe position where we unknowingly make a DEAL WITH THE DEVIL to

 no longer be threatened and no longer be a threat.

SATAN TRAFFICS IN DARKNESS 

AND HAS OPEN ACCESS TO ANY PLACE IN A CHRISTIAN'S LIFE THAT IS ALLOWED TO STAY IN DARKNESS. 

Matthew 4:1-3 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, 

but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

Why Does God Allow The Devil's Attacking Deals To Come My Way?

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 

32but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail;  Luke 22:31, 32

To Expose And Erase The Darkness Within Me That Does Not BELIEVE God's Promises. 

To Learn How To Relax And Receive Instead Of Command And Control.

What Does God Want From Me?

Victory Doesn’t Come FROM You.

Victory Comes FOR You.

Finally, we make the choice… 

stay in the fight... grow in our faith… trust God with the outcome. 

James 4:7 "Submit to God, resist the Devil, and He will flee from you" 

Our Victory Comes By Refusing To Judge By What Our Eyes See Or Our Ears Hear

 And By Trusting That Everything God Has Promised Will Come To Pass. 

WHERE BREAKTHROUGH BEGINS, Spiritual Breakthrough Series - Week 2

Daniel Chapter 10

2At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

12Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

FAITH IS THE WILLINGNESS TO LOOK FOOLISH

    NOAH Building The Ark, The ISRAELITE Army Around Jericho, A Shepherd Boy Named DAVID, The WISE MEN, PETER In The Boat, 

    JESUS Wearing A Crown Of Thorns

In Order To Experience A Miracle, You Have To Take A Risk!

If You Don't Take The Risk, You Forfeit The Miracle!  

PHYSICAL RELEASE IS CONNECTED TO SPIRITUAL OBEDIENCE.  

OBEY GOD AND LEAVE THE CONSEQUENCES TO HIM

Daniel Chapter 6

19At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from 

21Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not 

23The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

GOD MOVES ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO WAIT ON HIM.

Pray Through For Break Through, Spiritual Breakthrough Series - Week 1

THE LEGEND OF HONI THE CIRCLE MAKER
"Lord of the Universe. I swear before your great name that I will not move from this circle until you have shown mercy upon your children"
"Not for such rain have I prayed, 
but for rain that will fill cisterns, pits, and caverns."  
 "Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain of 
Thy favor, blessing, and graciousness."

THE POWER OF A SINGLE PRAYER

Bold Prayers Honor God and God Honors Bold Prayers

God Is For Me Not Against Me!

Who You Become Is Determined By How You Pray.

THE JERICHO MIRACLE
JOSHUA 6:1-16 (NIV) 
(Text On Screen)
WHAT IS YOUR JERICHO?  

What Promise Are You Praying Around?
What Miracle Are You Marching Around?
What Dream Does Your Life Revolve Around?

Most Of Us Don't Get What We Want 
Simply Because We Don't Know What We Want.
Instead Of Drawing Circles We Draw Blanks


MATTHEW 20:29-34 (NIV) 
Jesus Asked, “WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?”  

What If Jesus Asked You This Same Question?  

MY ONE WORD - 2020
WHAT DO I DO?
Don't just read the Bible, Start circling the promises.
Don't just make a wish. 
         Write a List of What You Need For Your Breakthrough.
Don't just pray. Keep a BREAKTHROUGH prayer journal.  

WHAT’S IN YOUR BREAKTHROUGH CIRCLE?
Define Your Breakthrough Dream.
Claim Your Breakthrough Promise.
Spell Your Breakthrough Miracle.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18

FOR Not HOW
Pray For It To Happen, Not How It Will 

THE 21 DAY PRAYER & FASTING CHALLENGE.

       Circle Your Children, Your Spouse, 
                                     Or An Unsaved Co-Worker.  

       Circle A Challenge You Are Facing 
                                     Or A Sin You Are Struggling With.  

       Circle A Dream God Has Put In Your Heart.  

       Circle A Change That Needs To Happen.
                                   Or A Decision That Needs To Be Made.  

PRAY THROUGH FOR YOUR BREAKTHROUGH.

Don't Just Pray For - Pray Through!  

Intercede Until God Intervenes.

Refuse To Move Until God Moves.  

Praying Through Is All About Consistency.

Praying Through Is All About Intensity.  

My Job - God’s Job
IF I PRAY THROUGH... 
GOD WILL BREAK THROUGH

DON'T LOOK BACK - Jan. 5, 2020
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  19See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Isaiah 43:18-20
Lot’s Wife - Genesis 19
15At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. “Hurry,” they said to Lot. “Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!”...17When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”23Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon. 24Then the LORD rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. 25He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation. 26But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.

Abraham’s Death - Joshua 1 
1After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2“Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

Jesus: Your Plow, Not Your Past - Luke 9
51As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. 53But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” 55But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56So they went on to another village. 57As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”59He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”60But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”61Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” 62But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” 

The Plan: Joshua 1  
6“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Jesus’s Words 
32Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! 33If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. Luke 17:32, 33

IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE - Christmas Live Series 12.24.17 
“Joseph’s Side Of The Story.”
IT’S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

Life Through Joseph’s Eyes... Your Eyes.

Vs. 19 “...because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately.” 

Public Disgrace = Private Divorce.

“Are you privately divorcing yourself from a promise you used to be public about?”

The Angel Gabriel Said,

            “It’s Not What It Looks Like Joseph!”

Vs. 20 “that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”

Tell somebody: “It’s Not What It Looks Like!”

Your Situation: Scandalous & Troublesome Surface, But…

“It’s Not What It Looks Like Because God Has A Plan.”



FEEL THE PAIN

Can you feel the emotions in Joseph’s Christmas Story?

Vs. 18 When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child… 

Surprise + Confusion + Accusation = Shame

He’s supposed to love her, but now he’s ashamed to be around her.

Joseph’s natural instinct was to EXPOSE & SHAME Mary... in order to RELIEVE himself of EXPOSURE & SHAME.

“Shame is about having eyes on you.” Dr. John Bradshaw

You can feel the PAIN because IT’S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!



What Do You Do?

Choose NOT to Rewrite God’s Story.

“Joseph made HIStory!” ~ “Choose to make HIStory!”

You Never Really Believe God Until You “Own Your Own Story.”

HOW? He chose not to disgrace the one he thought disgrace Him.  That’s Grace!

We’ve got a Choice.  Grace Or Disgrace. 



OPEN THE BOX - Larry Rogers...Package.

Boxes can be deceiving.

Bad things in good packages.

Good things in bad packages.

God’s Christmas Package.  N.W.I.L.L.

God will often use a box that seems worthless or deceiving to bring about his greatest gift.

“Open The Box” Damaged & Beat Up Situations.

“There’s Treasure In The Box.”



IT’S NOT OVER   
Just because it FEELS worthless, doesn’t mean it IS worthless.

No Matter What Life Gives You, God Is Working In It To Bring About Your Good. 

How Do I Know It’s Not Over? It’s A Construction Zone. (Next Miles)

Even When Your Situation Seems Pointless,

           God Can Still Fulfill His Purpose. 

Failure Isn’t Final. Disappointment Isn’t Final. 

Your Present Situation Isn’t the Last Chapter Of The Story.   

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

HOW’S YOUR HEART?

Most Of Us Spend A Large Portion Of Our Time Trying To Earn The Approval, Appreciation, And Recognition Of Others.

This Is The Opposite Of The Approach Jesus Took In His Life And Death. 

Philippians 2:5-8 says that He had every right to be considered equal with God. He chose to be wrapped in flesh and made to be nothing so that through him, we might have the opportunity to receive eternal life. 

1 Samuel 16:7 says, 

“man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 



Final Question: How’s Your Heart? 

The Needs In Our Lives Are Not What They Look Like.  Gift Jesus Christ

You Would Be Wise to Follow the Wisemen this Christmas
Matt 2:1-12

I. The Wise men sought the Right Thing

V:2   " Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

II. They Not Only Sought the Right Thing, They Did the Right Thing

V:11 "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

III. When We Find Jesus, We Will Never Be the Same

V:12 "And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."

Thankful For A Thief 11.17.19 - ThanksLiving Series
(Thief Stories - Safe, AC)
ThanksLiving Challenge: Become Grateful For The Thing I’m Most Ungrateful For.
What I’m Most Think Of The Person, Circumstance, Or Event In Your Life That You Are The Most Ungrateful For?  Then, Ask God For A New Level Of Faith That Includes Gratitude For That Too.
(LINCOLN- Day Of National Thanksgiving)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

ALL MEANS... “ALL”
pás: ("each, every") means "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies." The emphasis of the total picture then is on "one piece at a time." (ananeóō) then focuses on the part(s) making up the whole – viewing the whole in terms of the individual parts.
This Greek word basically means "these things all taken together", not partially, not by piece and partial.

Romans 8:26-28
     26And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
(Thankful for a Thief - Gift Thanks - Les Miserables)
WHY GRATITUDE?
Because Gratitude Is The Key To The Door That Unlocks Joy.
Because Reality.  This Really IS Your Life Right Now.  It Is The ONLY Life You Have. 
Because Gratitude In The Journey Is ALL There Is.  Nothing Else Can Be Changed.
Because: “You Can’t Get There From Here.” When Your Starting Line Is Ungrateful, Your Finish Line Will Also Be Ungrateful. 
You Will Always Find What You’re Looking For. It’s Who You Are, Not What You Do.
Because You Don’t Know The End Of The Story.
(Chinese Video)
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
  16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Ingratitude

Holding Me Down

Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Ingratitude is a weight that holds you down

Ingratitude is a heart assumption based on perspective.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints” and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints” and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints” and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

Ingratitude is a weight that holds you down

Give Up Your Right



Give Up Your Right

Give Up Your Assumptions



Give Up Your Right

Give Up Your Assumptions

Give Up Your Ingratitude

Ingratitude is a weight that holds you down

THE DESTROYER - When The Devil Knocks, Part 3 - 11.03.19

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:1

But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. 7 This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:6-7

… “I have sinned against the Lord.” … 2 Samuel 12:13

“I have sinned greatly by doing this…” 1 Chronicles 21:8

THE DEADLY SIN OF PRIDE

YOU MAY NEVER BE MORE VULNERABLE THAN WHEN YOU ARE FULL OF PRIDE.

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. … 2 Chronicles 26:16

Pride precedes destruction; an arrogant spirit appears before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 ISV

… “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you ... 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:6-8, 10