What’s In Your Hand?

Exodus 4

Then Moses answered and said, “What if they will not believe me, or listen to what I say? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” 2And the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A Rod.”

3 Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. 4But the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand and grasp it by its tail”—so he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand.

20 So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the rod of God in his hand.

Moses’s Rod Represents:

Identity

Income

Influence

The Four Phases Of Mine Change:

What's Mine Is Mine.

What's Mine Is God’s.

What's Mine Is Your’s.

What's God’s Is Mine.

EVERYTHING YOU POSSESS, ALSO POSSESSES YOU.

What's In Your Hand?

Nothing Is Safe Until It Is Surrendered.

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” - Martyred Missionary Jim Elliott

DRAINED- How’s That Working For Ya? Series

DRAINED or FILLED

Ephesians 5

11And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14For this reason it says,

“Awake, sleeper,

And arise from the dead,

And Christ will shine on you.”

15Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

John 7:1-5 (NASB)

And after these things Jesus was walking in Galilee; for He was unwilling to walk in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. 2Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand. 3His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here, and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may behold Your works which You are doing. 4“For no one does anything in secret, when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5For not even His brothers were believing in Him.

“...the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” John 6:63

Luke 4:16-22 (NKJV)

16So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

18"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

19To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

20Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

22So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.

And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?"

The Grace Words Of Jesus: His Grace Not Only Gets You Into The Kingdom, But Allows You To Function As A Child Of The King.

What Happened?

They Were Being Exposed To The SUPERNATURAL And It Got Reduced To The FAMILIAR.

God Designed All Children To Receive From Their Parents: IDENTITY, PURPOSE, DESTINY, Awareness Of UNLIMITED RESOURCES.

Jesus Modeled Walking In Supernatural Relationship With The Father.

IDENTITY - Who Am I?

“Our Father who is in heaven” Matthew 6:9

“I and the Father are one” John 10:30

PURPOSE - Why Am I Here?

"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38

DESTINY - What Is My Future?

Matthew 16:21-23

“From that time Jesus Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 22And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” 23But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

ACCESS TO UNLIMITED RESOURCES - What Do I Need?

Luke 9:1-6

“And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases. 2And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to perform healing. 3And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. 4“And whatever house you enter, stay there, and take your leave from there. 5“And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6And departing, they began going about among the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.”

2 Samuel 7:18, 19

Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me this far? 19“And yet this was insignificant in Thine eyes, O Lord GOD, for Thou hast spoken also of the house of Thy servant concerning the distant future.

SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTERS - Supernatural Series, 03.06.16

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do;

because I go to the Father.” John 14:12

THE PURPOSE OF A SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTER IS TO GIFT ME WITH - POWER OVER SIN & POWER TO MINISTER!

Jesus said, "You shall receive power [dunamis] when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8

The Apostle Peter Spoke Life Into Limp Legs.

"Then Peter said, silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them-walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God." Acts 3:6-8

Stephen Described Heaven And Forgave His Murderers.

“But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55-56

“And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And having said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:80

Philip’s Body Was Miraculously Transported.

"And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing But Philip was found at Azotus." Acts 8:26-40

Ananias Prayed Away The Scales From Saul’s Eyes.

"And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Acts 9:17-18

Agabus Correctly Predicted Paul’s Sufferings.

"And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' Acts 21:10-13

The Apostle Paul Raised A Sermon Sleeper From The Dead And Shook Off A Poisonous Snake.

"And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, 'Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.' Acts 20:9-10

"But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 'No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.' But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm." Acts 28:3-5

BIBLICAL PATTERNS OF SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTERS.

#1. Demonstrate Jesus’s Power And Inject His Love Into Dark And Hardened Hearts.

#2. Tackle, Or be Tackled By, Whatever Evil Problem Shows Up.

#3. Get Yourself Into A Desperate Situation. Make Sure Your Back Is Against The Wall And There’s No Way Out.

#4. Use Up All Your Resources, Personal Strength, And Every Answer You’ve Ever Known.

#5. Notice That Some Strange New Thing, Idea, Plan, Or Person Has Shown Up. At First, You Don’t Think It’s From God.

#6. Hope That God Is At Work, But Search The Scriptures And Ask Questions To Test T

The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

John 6:33 NLT

Acts 2:16-18

but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; 18EVEN UPON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy.

Prophecy Is A Human Report Of A Divine Revelation.

New Testament Prophecy Is A Word FROM God, Not The Word OF God.

Human Report: Revelation, Interpretation, Application.

Prophecy Comes TO Me, then THROUGH Me!

Should I Want To Prophesy?

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1

Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:39 (Ocean Illus.)

Why Should I Want It So Much?

He who prophesies speaks to men for their upbuilding (oikodome) and encouragement (paraklesis) and consolation (paramuthia)

1 Corinthians 14:3

Why Prophesy?

1 Corinthians 14:24-25

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

Ways To Prophesy?

Sharing a Bible verse or passage in a timely way. Isaiah 30:18-21

18Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! 19People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Here are some ways in which the Holy Spirit can speak to you in a prayer or devotional time:

You are reminded of a Bible verse or story—or one is highlighted to you when you are reading the Bible (Scripture is the primary way God speaks to us—and also the primary way we weigh what we believe God is saying)

You ‘see’ a picture in your mind’s eye

An idea or impression comes to mind

You feel something emotionally or physically

A word comes to mind or you ‘see’ a written word in your imagination

The Gift of Prophecy is ALWAYS an opportunity to share with someone the LOVE of GOD. Whenever I receive something that I discern the Lord wants me to share, I am learning that if it is not shared to reveal the Love of the Father for that individual then problems occur! Even when a word is a correction or a warning, it is given because God loves them and wants His fullness to be worked in them or through them. Often He wants to give them hope and have their faith increased to believe in Him. It’s relational between the Father and the individual. It should always draw them closer…

A PROPHET’S HEART - 1 Thessalonians 5:14-21

14And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.

15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men.

16Rejoice always;

17pray without ceasing;

18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19Do not quench the Spirit;

20do not despise prophetic utterances.

21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

22abstain from every form of evil.

SUPERNATURAL LOVE – More than who you are. More than what you’ve seen. Sunday Feb. 21

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1

PURSUE: Chase, Follow After, Track Down, Hunt Down, Attack, Pursue, Persecute.

LOVE: agape - An image of God defined as perfect, divine, unconditional, love for me.

An image of ourselves imitating, practicing, and becoming that love for someone else.

God’s love using me to build a bridge between someone and what God wants to do for them.

God’s love deposited in me as the resources and raw materials He uses to answer prayers and create miracles.

DESIRE EARNESTLY: zēlóō - An onomatopoetic word, imitating the sound of boiling water.

Used properly, to bubble over because so hot (boiling); (figuratively) "to burn with zeal"

SPIRITUAL GIFTS: Literally - The Spirituals, Spiritual Gifts.

Thoughts, opinions, precepts, maxims, ascribable to the Holy Spirit working in the soul.

Effects produced by the sole power of God himself without natural instrumentality.

Supernatural.

SUPERNATURAL: Power Over Sin - Power To Minister.

More (LOVE) Than Who You Are.

More (LOVE) Than What You’ve Seen.

FIVE FINGERS FOR KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR:

1. We will a seek God’s face through a voluntary, rotating, church-wide, fast for 40 days.

2. We will offer the Body and Blood of Christ represented in communion to all who desire to receive.

3. We will offer prayer for people to be emptied of self and filled with God’s Spirit.

4. We will ask God to give us new supernatural gifts to be used to extend His kingdom.

5. We will pray and believe God for physical healing for our members.

WARNING: DESPERATION AND RISK-TAKING FAITH AHEAD.

4:9-12

9You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace.

10Your love delights me, my treasure, my bride. Your love is better than wine, your perfume more fragrant than spices.

11Your lips are as sweet as nectar, my bride. Honey and milk are under your tongue. Your clothes are scented like the cedars of Lebanon.

12You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain.

5:9-16, Her Words...

10My lover is dark and dazzling, better than ten thousand others!

11His head is finest gold, his wavy hair is black as a raven.

12His eyes sparkle like doves beside springs of water; they are set like jewels washed in milk.

13His cheeks are like gardens of spices giving off fragrance. His lips are like lilies, perfumed with myrrh.

14His arms are like rounded bars of gold, set with beryl. His body is like bright ivory, glowing with lapis lazuli.

15His legs are like marble pillars set in sockets of finest gold. His posture is stately, like the noble cedars of Lebanon.

16His mouth is sweetness itself; he is desirable in every way. Such, O women of Jerusalem, is my lover, my friend.

6:4-10, His Words...

4You are beautiful, my darling, like the lovely city of Tirzah.

Yes, as beautiful as Jerusalem, as majestic as an army with billowing banners.

5Turn your eyes away, for they overpower me. Your hair falls in waves, like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead.

6Your teeth are as white as sheep that are freshly washed. Your smile is flawless, each tooth matched with its twin.

7Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates behind your veil.

8Even among sixty queens and eighty concubines and countless young women,

9I would still choose my dove, my perfect one—the favorite of her mother, dearly loved by the one who bore her.

The young women see her and praise her; even queens and royal concubines sing her praises:

10“Who is this, arising like the dawn, as fair as the moon, as bright as the sun, as majestic as an army with billowing banners?”

7:6,7

6Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm.

For love is as strong as death, its jealous as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame.

7Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.

Focus & Fight (slide...for each line all the way through message.)

Focus…on what excites you! (slide)

Fight…for your relationship! (slide)

Invest & Ignore

Invest…time, energy, and money to feed the flame!

Ignore…the little things that drive you apart!

Remember & Release

Remember…the story of how God brought you together!

Release…hurts that build walls around your heart!

Enjoy & Embrace

Enjoy…marital pleasure early and often!

Embrace…marital passion as a way of life!

Joshua 4

1Now it came about when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, 2“Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, 3and command them, saying, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.’” 4So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; 5and Joshua said to them, “Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel. 6“Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.”

What We’ve Learned So Far:

Week #1: Every Story Of TRANSFORMATION Begins With A WORD From God.

Week #2: Do SOMETHING About ONE THING Instead Of NOTHING About Everything.

Week #3: My One Word is a LENS through which you will SEE, not a PROMISE which you must keep.

Week #4: Keep Your “Word From God” In FRONT of you so you won’t FORGET God’s Voice.

The Word “Confession” In Greek: Homo Logeo.

SAME SPEAK - Speak The Same As God / Agree With God

A Prophetic Confession Spoken In Agreement With God About My Life!

From The Soul’s Code, by James Hillman

There is more in a human life than our theories of it allow. Sooner or later something seems to call us onto a particular path. You may remember this “something” as a signal moment in childhood when an urge out of nowhere, a fascination, a peculiar turn of events struck like an annunciation: This is what I must do. This is what I’ve got to have. This is who I am…

(video LAURA https://youtu.be/SBQJw3SYQ58)

So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5