Trials are an inevitable part of life. But for the Believer, we know that in the trial, the Lord still brings hope and the promise of breakthrough, even when it seems impossible. And it seems like a contradiction, but the way to move forward out of the trial is to be still, silence our frantic mind and fix our eyes on the One whose faithfulness never wavers. Be still and become convinced that surely His word will come to pass. Be still and know that the Commander of Angel Armies is on our side and He is fiercely dedicated to seeing His promises come true in our lives.  

*Our apologies - due to a technical issue during the live recording process, there is a short gap at approx 3:44.

When David stepped onto the battlefield to face Goliath, his confidence was not rooted in his own might but in the unshakable truth of who the Lord had declared him to be. David had a bold confidence that the God who had delivered him from lions and bears would enable him to overcome this giant. Today, the same God who enabled David calls us to remember our identity: we are His sons and daughters, indwelled by the resurrected Christ. Like David, we can face our own giants with a bold confidence. When we make the decision to believe this truth, we will see glory and breakthrough. We cannot miss.

Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” The actual translation of the phrase “pure in heart” means “clear in heart.” Most of us think that in order to have a pure heart, we have to strive to make ourselves pure. Yet Jesus does not measure us by our past sins, our present situations, or how we judge ourselves. In His sight we are already pure. He looks beyond our past and only sees the pure nature He created in us. When we position ourselves to fix our gaze on Him, we are washed clean and become vessels of His glory. He alone is the “One Thing” that is necessary for us to experience a pure and clear heart and truly see God.

Why do we need the favor of the Lord? What if the favor of the Lord isn't just our own personal need, but a powerful resource entrusted to us for a greater purpose? In this message, we are encouraged to understand why we must first be convinced of our need for His favor - not only for ourselves, but to also freely extend to others. In releasing what we have been given, we become vessels of that very blessing, showcasing the profound and unconditional love of Christ to our world.

At times, there’s a contrast between the promises of Scripture and our current reality, especially in the realm of healing—be it for the body, mind, emotions, or spirit. Whatever the issue, we hope for healing to come swiftly, as if it were a sudden miracle. But in the contrast between the promise and our current reality, Jesus is there, asking us to focus our eyes upon Him. He is with us through the process of healing, bringing our current reality and the will of God into unison. No matter how long the process, the answer remains constant: Jesus. Healing is not just something He gives—it is His nature, it’s who He is.

The beautiful thing about the Christmas story is it’s not just about the fulfillment of the promise that came to Mary, it’s also about the announcement. She had found favor in the eyes of the Lord, and was told that His presence would overshadow her and she would bring Jesus into the world - impossible though it seemed. Her response was, “Be it unto me according to your word.”  

The announcement to us today is that the presence and favor of the Lord is upon us to bring Jesus into our world, to shine as beacons to those in this generation who are hungry for something real. Our response, individually and corporately, should be the same as Mary: Be it unto me…unto us…according to Your word. By the power of Holy Spirit, the essence we carry will be Emmanuel, God is with us. 

We all walk through valleys, and the way we respond there is going to dictate how we come out. Our only response is to turn our face toward His face and make His presence the most important thing. In the valley, even when it seems impossible, His presence opens a doorway for His favor to come and ultimately make the impossible, possible.

The valley is the beginning of a beautiful, incredible breakthrough testimony. Rejoice in the valley, seek His presence, and do not miss the favor and glory He wants us to experience there. Be convinced that He has our entire world in His hands, and we will see the goodness of the Lord in our lives.

Deep within each of us, woven into the very fabric of our DNA, is a hunger for the presence of the Lord. His presence is not a weird, mystical concept—it is the tangible reality of Emmanuel, God with us, in every moment, every trial, and every triumph. When we shift our perspective, from seeking solutions to seeking His presence, we discover that He is the source of every answer, bringing a fulfillment nothing else can replicate. And more than any blessing, breakthrough, or favor of man, it is His presence that brings His favor upon our lives. 

It's easy to feel the urge to give up when breakthroughs evade us, when the weight we carry becomes unbearable, or when a calling deeper and bigger than ourselves seems impossible, much like Gideon's initial doubt. Yet, when we pray, a door always opens. It is an absolute certainty that the Lord will answer – there is truly no chance He won't. If we can understand that His response always comes as the Holy Spirit, our Helper, sent to give us strength and guide our every step, we will be utterly convinced that He is continually weaving together every detail to fit into His perfect plan of bringing good into our lives. Find that place of prayer and remember this truth and be convinced: He will answer, and through you, He will accomplish mighty things.

In this message, Benjamin calls upon us to grasp the profound significance of this present moment as a pivotal time of metanoia, a turning and setting of the Lord before us. In this turning, we are challenged to recognize our need of a fresh encounter, a fresh visitation, one that will lead us toward a new horizon with the wide-eyed wonder and expectant joy of a child.