See Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6

The Father’s Heart Is:

Loving – See Romans 8:15; 1 John 4:16, 18

Affirming; patient, kind; without selfish agenda; is not easily provoked [irritated, angry]

Affirmation does not mean approval of all choices. [Being permissive is NOT the same thing as being loving.]

Corrective not punitive! Hebrews 12:6

Strong

Only revealed under pressure; adversity

Through prayer; perseverance

Humble self! [Philippians 2:8, 9; 1 Peter 5:6]

Wise

Sees people, circumstances, even enemies as they really are and sees opportunities for growth, advancement, promotion.

Encourages, but warns with questions.

Doesn’t exasperate (discourage) Colossians 3:21

By trying to control their direction [enforce own agenda]

By withholding your affection [even when have to cease “bailing out”, still affirm, Love and value.]

Review: God’s desire for eternal companionship; Covenant: what it is; the Highest Relationship; Order of covenant relationship: God; marriage [if applicable]; certain core relationships He ordains [See 1 Samuel 18] [Philemon 1:10, 12, 17; 1 Corinthians 4:15]; certain family and faith family [Hebrews 8]

⋆Covenant relationships are not necessarily blood related! They are spiritual in connection!

Covenant empowers and exposes! Covenant exposure is not punitive, it’s healing!

Covenant people can say things to you that others can’t. Can hurt …. But does not destroy (right motives). There is a “healing hurt”. It causes reflection and healthy action.

Covenant is a powerful addition! Example: Spiritual family; special friends, customers, clients, partners, etc.

Violations: Adultery; Abuse; Abandonment

Covenant relationships are not all the same. [i.e. marriage vs. core friendships, spiritual family relationships]

Covenant relationships demand unconditional love, forgiveness, grace, but not unconditional everything! [i.e. money, housing, defense, etc.]

We should HELP our growing and grown children be in the process of leaving relational dependency. [Becoming mentally, emotionally, financially non-dependent on their natural or spiritual parents.]

NOTE: No direct command regarding this. No “one size fits all” instruction. Here are some principles:

ADVOCATE: Become their chief prayer warrior. Pray for their motivational healing; right relationships; protection; success.

AFFIRM: Become their “biggest fan”. Assure them you are FOR THEM!

ADDRESS: At the right time, right way. With wisdom and self-control, set guidelines, boundaries; you are not their security, supplier or even “fall back” source. It is okay to help, not healthy to become their enabler/disabler. But, continue to AFFIRM their value.

1 Samuel 1:1-28; 1 Samuel 2:11, 20, 21; 1 Samuel 3:19, 20

Hannah Refused to allow her pain and disappointment with God stop the Story of His Glory!

Personal shame of barrenness (1 Samuel 1:6)

Persecution of the “self-righteous” (1 Samuel 1:2, 6, 7)

Her advocates couldn’t “fix it” (1 Samuel 1:4, 5, 8)

Mighty workings of God are often born out of the context of brokenness!

Hannah became ferocious in her pursuit of the Lord

She prayed, speechless, beyond verbal comprehension ([1 Samuel 1:11-13]

Ferocity of spirit is costly.

Hannah sought Spiritual leadership, support [1 Samuel 1:9, 14-18]. Received Blessing!

Hannah moved from desperate intercession to Praise and Worship and routine [1 Samuel 1:10]

Hannah Received her miracle, but never forgot whose he was!

Avoided the temptation to hold onto what was not hers to own or direct!

(1 Samuel 1:11, 20-28) {Note her husband’s response to her radical choice!

1 Samuel 1:23}

Hannah released all claims to her child’s life and purpose! (1 Samuel 1:27, 28)

Her release was blessed and God intervened, called, and trained her son in His timing. Samuel became a difference-maker!

God’s purpose in creating us

His desire for an eternal companionship (John 3:16, 17)

He loved us, wanted us! He chose us; called us; He defends us; He is interested and involved when invited; He is FOR us; He never leaves us (Ephesians 1:3-7; Romans 8:31; Hebrews 13:5)

Covenant with God your Father, through Christ is the Highest Relationship that exists and to be honored above all others!

Keys to Powerful Relationships

Recognize: who He has called into your life, divinely placed.

What role does He desire the relationship be given:

Covenant: All that I am, all that I have is yours. My name, my assets, my enemies, my strengths/weaknesses. My love is unconditional, my pledge is forever faithfulness. (Not perfection) [Empowers AND Exposes]

Violations: Adultery, Abuse, Abandonment

Adultery: physical; mental; emotional

Abuse: physical; verbal; emotional (rejection)

Abandonment: withdrawal; isolation; self-absorption

Committed: A high level of relationship that has mutual love, investment, service

Casual: The most numerous of relationships involving mutual interests, surface level connection

What is “heart” in this context?

Resolve; energy to continue; courage to face obstacles to wholeness of life.

Thieves: situations; time; others

Keys to Not Losing Heart is Not Losing Focus!

On the ministry of the Holy Spirit in you: 2 Corinthians 3:8, 17, 18

He is our Guide, Teacher, Comforter, Divine Helper [John 14 – John 17]

On His ministry of Righteousness; Our right standing in Him! 2 Corinthians 3:9 [Romans 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21]

On the Mercy of God; 2 Corinthians 4:1; Hebrews 4:16

On the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ in our inner man: 2 Corinthians 4:6; We take on the likeness of what we continually focus on.

On the ongoing Power of His Cross 2 Corinthians 4:10, 11; 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9; see especially 2 Corinthians 4:5.

Focus away from ourselves and our own lack of ability; own resources, situations, circumstances, feelings

On the Eternal, not the present! 2 Corinthians 4:17, 18

What is “heart” in this context?

Resolve; energy to continue; courage to face obstacles to wholeness of life.

Thieves: situations; time; others

Keys to Not Losing Heart is Not Losing Focus!

On the ministry of the Holy Spirit in you: 2 Corinthians 3:8, 17, 18

He is our Guide, Teacher, Comforter, Divine Helper [John 14 – John 17]

On His ministry of Righteousness; Our right standing in Him! 2 Corinthians 3:9 [Romans 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21]

On the Mercy of God; 2 Corinthians 4:1; Hebrews 4:16

On the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ in our inner man: 2 Corinthians 4:6; We take on the likeness of what we continually focus on.

On the ongoing Power of His Cross 2 Corinthians 4:10, 11; 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9; see especially 2 Corinthians 4:5.

Focus away from ourselves and our own lack of ability; own resources, situations, circumstances, feelings

On the Eternal, not the present! 2 Corinthians 4:17, 18

WORSHIP; PRAY; PROCLAIM (TRUTH)

è Romans 5:1-5

è God’s Kind of Hope - “An internal witness of a desired outcome.

• Hope has a voice (Remember Romans 4:18)

• Hope is an anchor (we drift without it! - Hebrews 6:18-20)

• Hope is received from our High Priest AND, is a refuge during our earthly journey!

• Hope is the forerunner of faith and the eventual manifestation faith brings.

 Yes, true Hope is granted …. But Hope is also developed

è Romans 5:1-5

• Romans 5:1 - Justified - recognize what you were, but embrace who/what you ARE!

2 Corinthians 3:18 – His top priority!

He is telling a story of His Glory through you!

Sometimes puzzling, frustrating! Exodus 14; Genesis 50:20; 1 Corinthians 2:8; Acts 12; Philippians 1:13, 14; Romans 14:8

Am I mainly pursuing change of circumstances or greater intimacy with Jesus?

Romans 4:17-21 – The Glory of God often requires the removal of all other options of dependence! (Circumstances, people, everything)

Abraham grew in faith. He stumbled, was confused, took control, was brought to total end of natural ability to change things! “As good as dead” (Romans 4:19)

Romans 4:18 – Hope – Faith’s Partner! Not a wish; a life-force from God; born ad developed in the Spirit, not the senses!!

Internal witness of desired outcome.

The Power Of Concerted Prayer

February 10, 2019

2 Chronicles 7:14: My people; humble self; admit need

Resign from making another pay!

Resign own agenda; pray; seek His Presence

James 5:14 …. sick?? - Reach out

Acts 12 - A miracle following a shocking heartache!

Matthew 16:16-19 - Binding and Loosing

Matthew 18:20 - Agreement; the power of a core prayer team.

Rock [of Revelation that Jesus Christ Is The Anointed One, the Son of God] I will build my church! (ekklesia; assembled, gathered, unified ones);

“Stand fast therefore in the Liberty by which Christ has made us Free.”

Galatians 5:1

True View of myself: (2 Corinthians 3:5, 6)

Apart from Christ; nothing (John 15:5)

In Christ – All; everything! (Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 1:3)

SUBMISSION

What is He doing? (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Start seeking, looking, listening!

His story in/through you!

Obvious; Deep, underlying story. Exodus 14; Genesis 50:20; 1 Corinthians 2:8;

Acts 12; John 9; Philippians 1:13, 14; Romans 14:8

Seeking first? Change of circumstances or more intimate knowledge of the Lord?

TRANSFORMATION

What is hidden that needs to be exposed, renounced? (Formally, verbally disowned) (2 Corinthians 4:2)

Inherited; chosen

AUTHORITY