The Son of God stayed up all night before choosing who He would do life with. He didn't let just anyone in his boat. He’s showing us that who you have on your team is important to your race. "As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:18-19 NIV)
People often misunderstand the Bible, even those who love God and know it well, and despite good intentions, they misuse it to judge, hurt, persecute, and make others feel guilty and condemned. There is a simple key to avoid falling into this trap. "But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away." (2 Corinthians 3:14 NIV)
There is a secret to living an overcoming life—one where your prayers move mountains, giants fall, and you have courage, supernatural insight and direction—just like Jesus, where fear, anxiety, and worry have no place. It's a life where there is no lack but overflow... an abundant life. "... And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith...." (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)
There is a secret to living an overcoming life—one where your prayers move mountains, giants fall, and you have courage, supernatural insight and direction—just like Jesus, where fear, anxiety, and worry have no place. It's a life where there is no lack but overflow... an abundant life. "... And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith...." (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)
No matter how big your mess, God can make it beautiful. But you have a part to play in this story. First, when you're in your mess, stop and remember the Lord. Turn to Him. And then be thankful and praise Him from your pit. "'When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple... But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, "Salvation comes from the Lord."'" (Jonah 2:7-9 NIV)
Let's talk about Your Jonah Moment--that moment when God asks you to do something you don't want to do. It happens to all of us; it happened to Moses, the Israelites, Gideon, and Jesus. How we respond to these moments will either lead us to a better life of freedom and breakthrough or a storm, where life hits a wall and everything is breaking. God wants to give you the best life, the one that your heart desires, but sometimes, it's on the other side of doing the hard things... the things you don't want to do. "'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.' But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up." (Jonah 1:2-4 NKJV)
Jesus posed the question: "Who do you say that I am?" It's a question the whole world is asking, and your answer has the ability to alter the course of your life. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 16:15-17 NKJV
To get to the next level, you have to learn to make even the hard times bless your future. "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)
Let God's word bring you greater certainty about what you own; you are the rightful heir, promised by the Creator of this universe, His Son, and His Holy Spirit so that when you pray, you will pray with boldness and confidence. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (Romans 8:14-16 NKJV)
Declaration creates direction. Take your goals and declare them. Take your big prayers and declare them. Take your supernatural advancement and declare it. "I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. (Psalms 2:7-8 NKJV)
One day in church can advance your life three years—health, finances, relationships, breakthrough. "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." (Psalm 84:10 NIV)
As believers, we have an advantage. What is the promise? "You will be the head and not the tail, above and not beneath." Let's stop living lives of untapped potential and unrealized abilities, believers living average or below-average lives. Take advantage of your advantage--ask God's Spirit to be on you in everything you do. "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these." (John 14:12 NIV)
We are praying and believing for things that are too small. God wants us to dream bigger. He desires to do more than we ask, think, dream, or imagine. "Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20 NET)
What we let in our hearts will produce in our future. Thoughts, words, and emotions are all seeds; we don’t want all of them to have access. "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15 NKJV)
God’s hand is upon you. When you are in difficulty, His hand of blessing is heavier than usual. He manifests his glory cloud in your grief and pain. God uses the valley to make you more fruitful, to increase you, and to take you to new levels. It's in the ashes we find ourselves crowned with beauty. Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (Psalms 3:2-3 KJV)