2012 TIME TO TAKE YOUR PLACE AND SHINE

TAKING OUR PLACE, BUILDING AND SHINING

2012 is a time to take our place, to build and shine.

In Josh 18 there were 7 tribes who although they were in the promised land, they had not yet taken their place in the nation.

Joshua encouraged these nations to survey their land and take what was rightfully theirs. 

These 12 tribes then built a nation and from the moment they arrived, they continued and even unto this day continue to attract the attention of other nations.  Throughout their journey they brought us the first 5 books of the bible and upon this nation the entire Old Testament would be built.   The bible says the Jewish people brought us the Word of God.

Romans 3:1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 

They started with 12 tribes and in the New Testament, we started with 12 apostles.  In the New Testament, we as the body of Christ are built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. As we take our place in the body, a nation of believers is built!

Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone

Just as they began laying foundations and building a nation, when we come into our assignments and take our place in the body, we are laying foundations for future generations.  These Israelites may have not realized the significance and the importance of coming into their inheritance and taking their place.  The Messiah himself would come to the world through this nation. The entire Word of God would be brought to the world through this nation. Today we continue to learn doctrine, reproof, correction and encouragement from the foundations laid through these original Israelites.

Our Assignment is to Shine

In the same way the Israelites would become a nation that would attract the attention of the world around them as time after time God would bring them victory as long as they walked in his ways, so we are to be an example to the nations. As Christians take their place, leaving all others behind and live a life consecrated to the Lord, so he will shine through us and show forth his glory in us.

We are led out of darkness & we know the way out!

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

The glory of the Lord is seen upon us causing others to come:

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; For your light has come!  And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,  And deep darkness the people;  But the LORD will arise over you,  And His glory will be seen upon you.   3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,  And kings to the brightness of your rising. 

May this be a year that we as a body take our place, laying foundations that are much farther reaching that just our own lives.  We truly are building a city on a hill, a shining light for all the world to see.  It's time for the body of Christ to leave complacency behind, take our place and build!  It's time for the Lord to shine through us! You are the light of the world, so take your place and shine! Amen!

Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neglecting or Possessing- A Little Umph for Your Get Up and Go!

NEGLECTING OR POSSESSING

a little "umph" for your "get up and go"

Joshua18:2 But there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes which had not yet received their inheritance. 3 Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: “How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you? 4 Pick out from among you three men for each tribe, and I will send them; they shall rise and go through the land, survey it according to their inheritance, and come back to me. 5 And they shall divide it into seven parts.

IF A STEP IS REQUIRED,  THEN A STEP YOU MUST TAKE

What has God promised you, that he has also revealed to you, that the time to receive that promise is now?

Sometimes we are not actively pursuing what we know we've been promised and what we know God has said it is time for now!

Go is a word of action. It means to take steps. Joshua said go and possess. Before you can possess, you first have to go. Some people just need to take a step and watch God move on their behalf.

We all have heard how Peter walked on water but he never would have done that if he hadn't taken a step.

We've all heard of how Abraham left his homeland to come into the new land God was showing him but that never would have happened if he hadn't taken a step.

Even Joshua would have never led the children of Israel into the promised land if he had refused the leadership role and refused to move forward.

We could go on with example after example of those that took steps in order to receive their promises.  I won't take time to tell the stories of Elijah, Elisha, Ruth, Nehemiah, Ezra, David and many many more! How about the wise men, the shepherds, and even Mary and Joseph?  Each had to take a step of obedience.

One thing is for certain- if a step is required, then a step you must take! 

Joshua had led the children of Israel into the promised land.  They were in the land and had defeated many kings and enemies through the help of God! 

In Joshua 18:2 it says, though that seven tribes had "not yet" received their inheritance.  This is in spite of the fact the possession was right in front of them- right under their nose!

Is there something you know you should have possessed already that you haven't?  Is there something God has promised that he has told you is available now? 

SOME UMPH FOR YOUR GET UP AND GO

Joshua had to confront these seven tribes and inject a  little "umph"  into their "get up and go!"

These Israelites were complacent where they were. They were not taking the steps necessary to inherit what was right under their nose! Joshua asked them why they were neglecting to do what was clearly time to do. Here Joshua told them to go and survey the land, pick out what they wanted, and come back to him and they would divide it!

Maybe some people need to just start moving forward in their plans, survey their land and watch God perform a miracle on thier behalf!

If God spoke the promise to you, then he will surely fulfill it but if he has said the time is now, then it's time to take a step.  Don't get this far, to your appointed time and abandon the promise now!

Go ahead, get up and go, take a step, survey the land and possess your inheritance!  Amen!

PURSUIT FOR MORE

  

Joshua 17: 17-18 Joshua said to the family of Joseph (to Ephraim and Manasseh): "Yes, there are a lot of you, and you are very strong. One lot is not enough for you. You also get the hill country. It's nothing but trees now, but you will clear the land and make it your own from one end to the other. The powerful Canaanites, even with their iron chariots, won't stand a chance against you."

Joshua was the leader of the children of Israel that brought them into the land that had been promised them.  God had made the original promise to Abraham and Moses had led them through the wilderness but Joshua led them into the land.  Joshua then distributed inheritance to each tribe.  The part given to Joseph was actually not enough since Joseph was divided into two tribes because he had twins Ephraim and Manasseh.  The need was for more than what Ephraim and Manasseh had inherited thus far!  They needed more and Joshua told them they could have more!

THE ENEMY CAN'T STAND BEFORE YOU

To the family of Joseph Joshua said, "The powerful Canaanites, even with their iron chariots won't be able to stand against you!"

Today, our Joshua, (Jesus-Yeshua) is leading us and says, "The powerful enemies that stand in your way will not be able to stand against you."

Now if he has to say to us that our enemies won't be able to stand, then that means there will be enemies to fight.  The fact that we have been given the blood of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and all the precious promises in God's word doesn't mean we'll never have battles. This promise is for those that understand there are some things you have to fight for and you will only get those things if you pursue the promise rather than accepting your lot in life!  He said to them, "The lot you've been given is not enough."  What he was saying is, "If you will believe that the enemy won't be able to stand against you, then you can pursue more and you can have it!"

There will come a day when all enemies have been defeated, all tears are wiped away and there are no more battles to fight but until then we pursue and we believe the words of Yeshua which say, "Your enemy will not be able to stand against you!" 

What enemies stand in the way of inheriting all we have been promised!  Let's know for certain they will not stand and pursue our promises with relentless faith!  Amen!

YOUR TERRITORY- YOUR SECTION-YOUR SPHERE

YOUR TERRITORY­-YOUR SECTION- YOUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE

Caleb Contrasted With The Tribe of Judah

Caleb was of the Tribe of Judah.  He along with Joshua was one of the only two adults from a previous generation to come into the promised land God had promised Abraham.  All others were under the age of 20 when Israel came close to the promised land and Moses sent 12 spies into the land. 

Ten spies came back with an evil report of giants in the land that caused the heart of the people to melt in fear.  Only Joshua and Caleb out of all of the adults believed.  This unbelief caused the nation of Israel to wander around in the desert until that evil generation died.  Then after Moses died and God made Joshua the new leader, they came into the promised land.

• Caleb was in the tribe of Judah and was given the land he chose.  He had to drive out enemies from that land in order to come into his full inheritance. 

• Caleb was over 80 years old and still had the same strength he had when he was a young man. 

• Caleb never gave up and he came into his full reward.

The rest of the tribe of Judah came into some of their inheritance but they never fully drove out all of the enemy!

Joshua 15:63 The people of Judah couldn't get rid of the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem. The Jebusites stayed put, living alongside the people of Judah. They are still living there in Jerusalem. (The Message)

What territory of our heart and life have we ceded? What have we accepted as our lot in life that is not all God envisioned for us?

What mountain have we been promised would move is still standing in our way? It's time to come into ALL the promises of God and to drive out every enemy in the power and authority God has given us! God is not the problem.

This passage doesn't say God couldn't defeat the enemy. No! It says the tribe of Judah couldn't! Apparently they didn't keep trying and relying! Apparently they settled for less! 

YOUR SECTION

Each person is responsible for their own heart and their own SECTION of territory! Caleb took care of ALL the enemies in his section even though he was in the tribe of Judah!

God gives each of us a dream, a vision, promises and plans! It's our responsibility to stay in the fight and keep pressing in for everything he's promised- even if 40 years go by!

If we have that steadfastness and determination we'll come into everything. Even if we stumble along the way like Joshua did in Chapter 7 of the book of Joshua, we are to get back up and keep moving. The plan hasn't changed as long as we keep looking forward.

Let's not look back- even if we fail!  Let's keep moving forward- Let's stay in the fight and let's drive out each and every enemy until we are able to say with Caleb that our children can have the upper AND lower streams of all God has given us! Amen!

Josh 15:13-19  Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a section among the people of Judah, according to God's command. He gave him Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. Arba was the ancestor of Anak.

14-15 Caleb drove out three Anakim from Hebron: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, all descendants of Anak. He marched up from there against the people of Debir. Debir used to be called Kiriath Sepher.

16-17 Caleb said, "Whoever attacks Kiriath Sepher and takes it, I'll give my daughter Acsah to him as his wife." Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother, took it; so Caleb gave him his daughter Acsah as his wife.
18-19 When she arrived she got him to ask for farmland from her father. As she dismounted from her donkey Caleb asked her, "What would you like?" She said, "Give me a marriage gift. You've given me desert land; Now give me pools of water!" And he gave her the upper and the lower pools. (The Message)

What's your section?  Have you seen everything God has promised you come to pass?  If not, keep pressing in! Keep believing! Keep fighting!  There will come a day when you'll look around and say, "This is what the Lord promised me!"  Not only that, you'll have something to give to those that come after you- maybe natural children, and maybe those you influence!  Whichever the case, you'll pass on a story of faith and a substance of all you believed for! Amen!

If my children (both natural and those I influence) can come to me and say, "Give me fertile ground, with streams of living water, then I've run my race and stayed my course well!" 

May we stay on course and run our race! The Lord is with us! Amen!

YOU CAN HAVE YOUR LOT IN LIFE OR YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR MOUNTAIN

When the Israelites reached the promised land, the inheritance was divided by lot.

Joshua 14:1 These are the areas which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel distributed as an inheritance to them. ² Their inheritance was by lot, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses

While millions of Israelites accepted their lot in life, the inheritance given them simply because of the tribe they were born into, Caleb by faith chose his mountain by faith.

Joshua 14:13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance, 14- Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.

Caleb was able to do this because years earlier he chose to believe God rather than man.  

God had promised to give them the promised land and Moses sent in 12 men to spy out the land; of which Caleb & Joshua were two.  Caleb and Joshua, along with the ten other spies saw how large and strong the people were.  The other ten returned to Moses and told about the impossibility of the situation, causing the hearts of millions of people to melt and causing a delay in entering the land because of unbelief.   Caleb and Joshua chose to believe and were the only two of the previous generation to receive the promise.  

Caleb had been promised to receive not just what was his by lot but wherever the soul of his foot treaded.  

You know there's a scripture that says the devil is under our feet and another that says we have been given power to tread on serpents and scorpions and power over all the power of the enemy.  

It's not how strong an enemy or a situation is that determines whether you when but it's whether or not you choose to believe even if for the long run!  

Caleb and Joshua chose to believe and 40 years later Caleb said, "Give me this mountain!"  He could have accepted his lot in life which probably would have been good but he went to Joshua and reminded him of the promise and said, "Give me this mountain!" 

Caleb chose his mountain, which was more than his lot in life! Praise God!

Let's choose our mountain by wholly believing and following the Lord and then by saying to the Lord, "Give me this mountain- the one you promised me!" 

The Lord is surely a re-warder of those that diligently seek him and those that wholly follow.  

Here's just a few characteristics of Caleb that qualified him as wholly following:

• CALEB BELIEVED GOD
• CALEB OBEYED GOD
• CALEB DID NOT AGREE WITH THE COMPLAINERS AND GRIPERS
• CALEB DID NOT SPEAK WORDS OF DOUBT AND UNBELIEF
• CALEB WAS AN EXAMPLE TO A YOUNGER GENERATION
• CALEB STOOD THE TEST OF TIME
• CALEB ATTRIBUTED HIS STRENGTH TO GOD
• CALEB DID NOT ACCEPT HIS LOT IN LIFE
• CALEB REMINDED JOSHUA OF THE PROMISE MOSES MADE
• CALEB BELIEVED TO THE END AND COLLECTED ON HIS REWARD

May we all learn to wholly follow the Lord!

GOD IS NOT IN LACK

GOD IS WILLING AND GOD IS WANTING

God is not in lack. He has resources to supply all of your needs and he is both willing and wanting to.  My God will supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory is what we are told in his Word which is faithful and true.  If you aren't seeing your needs supplied, you may be moving into his will.   He could be pressing you into his will; a place in him he is moving you to.  On the other hand, maybe you are not tapping into his never ending, forever flowing, abundantly available steams of glory that are available to you. If you only knew what lies just below the surface, you'd get a drill and a shovel and you'd access what lies just beneath where you are. So what I'm saying is if you aren't seeing his never ending abundant supply, we know that it's not because he is lacking. We also know we have his promise of supply.  Therefore you have to press in for all he has for you without giving up.  In famine, you will strike water like Isaac did if you just keep on digging!

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

We must also remember to keep on sowing.  The promise of having all needs supplied was given to a group called the Philippians who were always giving into the work of Paul's ministry.  Isaac struck water because he dug but he also had to sow in famine.  Elijah carried a Word to a widow who was about to give up and die.  To keep being supplied we have to keep giving out.  There are an endless number of bible references that prove this but the Philippians are a greate example:

Philippians 4:14-20  14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

You can see they shared (gave) to Paul for his ministry over and over again and Paul said they had a revelation of both giving and receiving.  They did this over and over again, and not just once.  Paul said he sought not a gift but fruit for them that abounds to their account.  You can bet God keeps accounting records on giving.

GOD IS LEADING

 If you don't strike water (find resources) where you're at, listen to his voice and move into his will and like Elijah, you will find a place of abundance. It may be a physical place or it may be a place in him but Elijah had to move from a brook to find the widow in Zarapheth.  Press into him.  He'll tell you what to do.  For Isaac he said, "Stay right here and dig."  For Elijah, he said, "Arise and go to Zarephath.... behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee." God isn't in lack and God isn't withholding but rather listen closely and you'll find God is in fact leading! Amen!

Moses and Joshua- God's Appointed Leaders

MOSES & JOSHUA- GOD'S APPOINTED LEADERS

There is much to glean from the two leadership roles of Moses and Joshua.  They were both chosen by God for an overwhelming task but under the leadership of God himself, they were both chosen and qualified.  Through these lives, God can teach lessons on authority and submission to authority.  This brief look into their roles is helpful to anyone in any leadership capacity or anyone who desires to lead in the future.

First God appointed Moses to lead the children of Israel to the promised land and on the eastern side of the Jordan River, Moses defeated kings and distributed inheritance.  God told Moses he could see into the promised land on the western side of the Jordan but could not go through, and that he was appointing Joshua to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan and into the promised land.

In all cases and in all places God was the true leader!

Exodus 13:21  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.

God appointed Moses to lead and promised his presence would go with them. The true leader was God! As long as any leader is submitted to God's leadership they will be leading in God's direction! 

Exodus 32:34 Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you.

After Moses time was over, Joshua was appointed by God to lead the way.  He wasn't chosen by a vote or by a rebellion.  He was chosen by God.  The outstanding characteristic of Joshua during the leadership period of Moses was that Joshua was submissive to both Moses and God.  Joshua did whatever he was asked to do. He did not bring any evil report when told to spy out the promised land, but rather recognized God was greater and stronger than any threat and would do just as he had promised. He was fearless in battle and last but not least he craved, followed and spent time in the presence of God!  It was Joshua's time of maturing under Moses' leadership that brought him to the time and place that God chose Joshua to take up the baton in Moses' place! The bible says it is required in stewards that a man is found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2.) During Joshua's time of following, he was proven to be a faithful follower!  Joshua was therefore appointed as leader over Israel under God!  There may have been other faithful followers that were just as qualified but God's choice for the task was Joshua.  Each individual person has an appointed task at any given time and place whether leading or following but the requirements are the same- faithfulness and submission! 

This is the passage where Moses after hearing from God announces Joshua as the next leader:

Deuteronomy 31: 1 Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them: “I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in. Also the LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross over this Jordan.’ 3 The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the LORD has said. 4 And the LORD will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites and their land, when He destroyed them. 5 The LORD will give them over to you, that you may do to them according to every commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”  7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

The key ingredients that can be gleaned from this short look into their lives are:

• God leads the way
• God chooses the leader
• Leaders must follow the presence of God
• Leaders must crave the presence of God
• Leaders must obey the voice of God
• Followers must follow the leader
• To be a leader you must first follow
• The appointed time for followers to lead comes in God's timing

Be blessed today as we all grow in submission and authority! Amen!

BEAUTIFUL COLLISION: PART 3: THE PLACE OF GOD

COLLISION- THE PLACE OF GOD

Genesis 50:19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?

Sometimes God has shown us a future that has not yet come.  We see it in the distance but we have no ability to pull it into the present.  Because God has shown it, we desire it which is good! 

Sometimes while waiting for a promise to come to pass we can feel abandoned.

We long for the moment when the prophecy becomes a fulfilled promise, when the future collides with the present and what was once a distant promise becomes a present reality!

THE FEELING OF ABANDONMENT

• God has not abandoned you!
• He has not forgotten you!
• He has not tossed you to the side as unusable.

If you feel like you're on the shelf it could be that God is processing you for a later date!

When he brings you off the shelf you'll be a beautiful vessel, pleasant to the eyes and able to endure the tossing, beating, chipping and using.  You'll be able to endure the wear and tear without cracking.

If you've ever looked at an antique vessel, one way you can tell the authenticity is through the wear and tear.  If it looks too new, it's probably a fake. At the very least it will have the signs on the bottom that reveal it has been held it up for years! That's how the Holy Spirit is with us.  He holds us up throughout all the years and when we age, his work is seen in our lives!

YOUR DESTINY IS NEAR

Yesterday, on 11/08/2011, an asteroid passed by the earth at 200,000 miles away.

That's close relatively speaking! Some of nature may have felt the rumble!  I'm sure the earth in some way felt the rumble of the passing space object!

The rumbling would really only indicate the close possibility of a collision but the actual collision comes upon impact!

I'm sure anything in its path felt the rumble!

Some of you are very close to a prophetic fulfillment and you can feel the rumble.

When a prophecy arrives, it's no longer a prophecy but you are living in prophecy fulfillment!

Some of us are already living in prophecy fulfillment- if you think about it, the part of the process you are in is prophecy fulfillment since each and every step you take is a necessary step toward your future and an important one that brings you closer to fulfillment!

Always remember your present was once a future and when God promises a thing in the future, it will surely come to pass!  Every step you make you are that much closer!

Some are close and for some, the thing you're waiting for may be far away!

THERE'S A BLESSING IN THE PRESENT

Joseph went through 13 years of processing.  David also had promises that required processing.

There are many stories throughout the bible where destiny fulfillment took sometimes years and required many experiences along the way- some full of pain and others full of rejoicing!

It wasn't God on the way to Joseph!  In fact God showed himself to be faithful and a source of comfort along the way.

It was Joseph on the way to an assignment God had shown him!

The places on the way are necessary to get you where you're going!

Joseph couldn't be 2nd in command over Egypt as a teenager.

The timing wasn't right.  Everything had to line up- including the position of the butler, the baker, the Pharaoh, and yes, Joseph!

Everything had to come together at the right time- even the approaching 7 years of abundance and 7 years of famine had to be right upon them for Pharaoh to have the dream at just the right time that would be interpreted by a prisoner named Joseph!

Prior to this moment, Joseph lacked wisdom and maturity and he may have even lacked knowledge.

To some degree he may have even lacked character!

THE PLACE OF GOD!

At the end of Joseph's long journey, he was able to say "I am in the place of God."

Through the process, he had seen God along the way.

God wasn't in the future- Joseph's destiny was!

God is I AM- God is in the NOW

In each step God was teaching Joseph something about himself

God's way of escape! (Thanks to my pastor www.howardbass.com)

God's ever present help in the time of trouble!

God's perfect timing!

God's provision!

Servant-hood & Leadership!

God's wisdom!

Faithfulness in management!

Each step of the way, God was using Joseph as a chosen vessel to touch someone else.

• The brothers had to have pride and jealousy crushed.
• Potipher was blessed above and beyond when Joseph came on the scene!
• While Joseph was serving as a slave he was bringing something with him that Potipher didn't have without Joseph.
• In prison he was a blessing to the prison-keeper, foreknowledge for the baker who hopefully got ready to meet his maker when Joseph prophetically told him what would happen!
• In prison he was a prophet for both the baker and the butler!
• He eventually came up out of prison to be a prophet and a blessing to Pharaoh!
• He also became a blessing for all of Egypt and even his own family.
• The dream he was given came to pass as he became ruler over the very people that had sold him out.
• He became a restoration to all of Israel.
• His destiny saved the lives of many, helped many along the way and became a source of comfort and wisdom for us.
• Today the journey of Joseph is touching countless billions of people.

His journey was more than just about him.  His journey would prophetically foreshadow the coming of Christ and teach all of Christ's followers about their own processing.

How did his process help John when he lived his final years in prison- where he had the greatest revelation?

Sometimes the greater riches are found in the process!

When the Israelites had abundance they didn't see the same wonders they saw in the desert wilderness- water from a rock, the parting of a sea, a huge cloud in the sky, a pillar of fire by night, quail falling from the sky, clothes and shoes not wearing out and even growing with them! Sometimes the greatest miracles are seen where the greatest need is.  When we have it all, we rely on God less. It's when we find ourselves without that we fall on our knees and cry out!  Oh how the children of Israel were blessed to see the hand of God yet they grumbled and complained!

At the end of the day Joseph was able to say, "I am in the place of God!"  Maybe you too can say, "I am in the place of God!"

BEAUTIFUL COLLISION: PART 2-THE PROPHETIC AND THE PRESENT

BEAUTIFUL COLLISION: PART 2- THE COLLISION BETWEEN THE PROPHETIC AND THE PRESENT

One of the things that touches me greatly in studying the life of Joseph is:

• Nothing Joseph could do could get himself out of his situation.
• His brothers sold him beyond his control; he ended up a slave beyond his control; he ended up a prisoner beyond his control; he ended up in promotion- and yes, that too was BEYOND HIS CONTROL AND BEYOND HIS EXPECTATION!
• Being a marketing person I can relate. 
• I've always been in some sort of sales or marketing role whether marketing my company or selling a product.  You sell more by telling your story and hoping those that will buy your story get your message! That's why I usually press forward to bring change!
• In ministry you knock on doors, they open and sometimes close again!
• In business you often try everything you know to change a situation but things remain the same or sometimes get worse!
• Sometimes increases are that way also- they come in the most unexpected ways!
• Joseph telling his story wasn't going to be God's way of fulfilling his destiny!
• God had a timing and God had a way!

Collisions between the present and the future, the prophetic and the current:

• God shows the future but...
• For the moment the present doesn't change!
• So what to do?

The answer is live in the presence in the present while calling in the future:

• The answer is to live in the present, knowing the future!
• The future is real and you have it now in the Spirit realm! In due season it will manifest in the natural realm!
• The answer is to press into the presence of God in the present circumstance.
• Paul said I know how to abound and how to be abased- God's PRESENCE IS  THERE in it all!
• In the prophetic, we embrace, believe, & speak to the future.
• Because:  In the last days, your sons and daughters shall prophesy... (Acts 2:28b)
• God does nothing without first revealing it to his servants the prophets (Acts 3: 7 Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless he reveals his secret to  his servants the prophets.
• Anyone hearing the voice of God can prophesy and should prophesy!
• The spoken word of God is the creative Word of God!
• God brings about futures through the mouth of prophets!
• God has great things in store in the future!

The present is:

• The future once spoken.
• God is doing something in your present!
• Your present doesn't look exactly like you thought it would!
• Neither will your future be exactly what you expected!

The Collision between the future and the present:

• Thank God for the collision between the present and the future:
• Like Joshua who lingered in the tabernacle in the glory of God, linger in the presence in the present.
• Let it stop us in our tracks so we drop everything to enjoy his presence!
• Enjoy the presence of God and what he's doing in the moment!
• The moment was once a prophecy!

There's purpose in the present:

• Everywhere Joseph went, he impacted lives and in the end, his journey brought to pass a 400 year promise God made to Abraham to bring an entire nation out of bondage.
• In the process he was a blessing wherever he went! He blessed his father, blessed the Midianites (they profited,) blessed Potipher, the prisoners, the prison keeper, Pharaoh, the nation of Egypt and then he blessed the very brothers who originally kicked him out of the family and sold him into slavery!
• God's touching someone- whether it's you, a Potipher, a prisoner, a prison keeper, a Pharaoh or a nation, or even the body of Christ!"
• It's about more than just us! God always has had and always will have people in mind!
• We're vessels being used for a glorious purpose!
• If you're a child of God that cries out for the will of God, then you're in the perfect timing of God so for the moment, enjoy your collision! God truly is ordering your steps just as he said!

Enjoy the presence of God in the present and embrace and call in your future and enjoy the wonderful collision between the prophetic and the now! Amen!

HIS WILL OUR REASONABLE SERVICE

HIS WILL NOT OURS


God is able to raise up and bring down leaders in every sphere whether government or the church.  God is also able to entrust his anointing to whomever he pleases. Truly it is God that assigns people to a place in the body!  Everyone is not anointed to do the same thing.  It's God that places people in the body! It's God that gifts people! It's God's will, not ours.  The body of Christ can not function as a free for all with each individual choosing his place, but rather is must function according to his will and his pleasure.

OUR REASONABLE SERVICE IS HIS WILL

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

As we seek God, he's working his will and his plan in our lives. The quicker we yield to him, the quicker we'll find ourselves satisfied with his will! He's doing the work so we may as well yield!

Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

JESUS DESIRED HIS WILL 

Even Jesus had one desire and that was to do the will of God. He didn't go his own way or do his own thing but rather he was one with the Father carrying out the Father's will!

This scripture prophesied of Jesus:

Psalm 40:7-9 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. 9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.


May we like Jesus desire the will of God for our lives, submitting and allowing him to conform us. He is working in us to will and to do his good pleasure! The key word there is good! Whatever God wants is the good thing. If we will approach God and say, "Have your way Oh God in my life," he surely will do a good work!  Amen!

A BEAUTIFUL COLLISION

This past week I had a collision!  Before I explain, let's ask about what a collision is.... as if it needs explaining! :)

From www.dictionary.com

col·li·sion

1.the act of colliding;  a coming violently into contact; 

2. a clash; conflict: a collision of purposes.

3.Physics . the meeting of particles or of bodies in which each exerts a force upon the other, causing the  exchange of energy or momentum.

My collision was between what I see coming and what I know is!

WHAT'S COMING: THE PROPHETIC

I told my pastor I was having this collision and all he said was....

"Congratulations on your collision."

This was my heart meditation:

We as prophetic people often find ourselves looking forward.

         

God shows us things before they come to pass.  He does it so we can release it from our mouths, sowing the Word seed into earth, into the hearts of people:

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

Anyone that knows me knows I have a love and appreciation for the prophetic! I have loved the gift of prophecy since rededicating my heart to Jesus in 1986 and finding out about the beautiful gifts of the Holy Spirit that were given to build up and edify the saints; yes to profit the church!

Prophetically, I see a great move of God just on the horizon- I can't help it that I see this and it IS in the future- but closer than we think!  God reveals things to us by his Spirit; things to high for our knowledge!  This move of God will be both wonderful and devastating at the same time!  It will shake world systems but turn hearts and minds to the one who matters.  Know for certain God says,

"Once more I WILL shake heaven and earth!"

Haggai 2:5 ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’  6 “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.

I believe we are in the midst of this move but people have not turned to Jesus in mass as they will.  I say, "What more will it take? When will people realize what they've placed their trust in is sinking sand!"  God will shake this earth until they come to the Desire of All Nations!  As people hunger and thirst and chase after God, they will be filled with his glory, their true desire!

I know this is God- he's coming to me repetitively to reveal it and speak it to my heart and surely he wants it released!

God shakes things up so people will turn to him.  Foundations that are unreliable must shake for people to make the true "Desire of all Nations" their sure foundation!

We also see the promises God has given us and as we prophetically see and hear these things, we desire to see them come to pass in our lives.  This had to be the case of Joseph who was in transition for 13 years, headed to a future God showed him as a boy!  He had to walk through 13 years of processing before coming into the place of authority God had shown him.

We know that we've heard and we know that we've seen and therefore we know there are greater things coming that what our current circumstances are testifying to!

MY COLLISION

I am experiencing a collision between what I see coming as a prophetic person and what I know I have full and complete access to as a born again Christian!

We have this treasure in earthen vessels!

Christ in us the hope of glory!

2 Corinthians 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

Colossians 1:26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which[a] is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

We need to know that as we walk through this journey called life, we have access to an unlimited God, who is full of glory! 

We do have to walk through the journey and the processes of life as we pass from season to season and chapter to chapter, fulfilling each purpose God has for us but we don't have to go alone! We have Christ in us and the hope of Glory! We have the very glory of an unlimited God with unlimited resources living inside of us and he surely will see us through every step we take when we follow him!

While we are waiting, we need to also be enjoying!  While we wait for things to come, and while we press forward in faith, we need to enjoy what currently is! 

While we press onward and upward in faith believing for the future we need to be pressing into the presence that is HERE NOW IN THE PRESENT!  HALLELUJAH! 

While we are confident in a future we need to bask in his PRESENCE in the PRESENT.

Moves of God DO come!  Charismatic history bears out the moving of God in waves- some bigger than others and in ebbs and flows, like tides that rise and fall and come in and out!

LET US BE THE CARRIERS OF THE MOVE OF GOD

There was ALWAYS a group of faithful that carried the charismatic gifts of God and the move of God into the NEXT move of God!

THAT'S WHERE HUNGER AND THIRST COMES IN!

Every move of God has been in response to someone's hunger!

THE HISTORY OF GREAT REVIVALS OF THIS CENTURY ARE WITNESSES TO THIS TRUTH!

REVIVAL ALWAYS STARTS WITH HUNGER AND THIRST!

God has always moved in response to hunger!

The hungry ones and the thirsty ones are the ones filled!

Matthew 5:6 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 

An individual has always had the option to be in their own personal revival while others are waiting for a corporate move of God!

Moves of God come and go but the presence of God always is!  He is ever present!

GOD IS I AM- NOT I WILL BE at some future time.  He never says you have to wait for my presence.

In fact it's his presence that carries you through the seasons.

GLORY IN THE MOMENT

We can want our season to change so bad we press in more for that than we do to enjoy the God of the moment!

The best two examples I can give are:

A.     The children of Israel

• They wanted so badly to have things another way that's all they thought about- having things different than they were.

• The children of Israel had the glory of God manifesting on a mountain yet they feared to hear his voice.

• The children of Israel had the voice of God speaking from the mountain yet they wanted Moses to hear for them.

• The children of Israel had the glory of God in a cloud by day to keep them cool and refreshed.

• The children of Israel had supernatural food falling from the sky.

• The children of Israel had bread just appearing on the ground and quail falling from the sky!

• The children of Israel wanted the fruit of the earth more than bread from heaven!

• The children of Israel had the glory of God in a fire by night but still complained!

• The children of Israel had a cloud of fire to separate them from their enemies!

• The children of Israel desired the promised land more than they desired the one who promised!

Can you imagine what a privilege it was to actually live and see God do some of the most notable miracles of all time? 

• 10 plagues in Egypt gave them deliverance
• A cloud by day and fire by night
• Glory on a mountain that must have been so far beyond awesome we can't even imagine!
• An entire sea parting!
• Water from a rock!
• Quail and bread falling from the sky! 

How glorious were the sights they were able to see!

There's nothing wrong with desiring the promised land but there is something wrong with not desiring the PRESENCE IN THE PRESENT LAND!

The promised land is a promise from God and we should be looking forward to possessing all God has promised without sacrificing all God is!

It's the PRESENCE in the PRESENT LAND that gets us to the PROMISED LAND ! We have this #treasure

GOD SAID TO MOSES- "My presence will go before you.... and behind you!" We have this #treasure

B- The example of Joshua. 

Joshua followed Moses up the mountain, desiring to experience the one that was meeting them in the desert.

Joshua lingered in the tabernacle, desiring the present glory!  After Moses and the children of Israel built the tabernacle, they would go there and meet with God.  Moses and all the others left, yet Joshua would linger behind where the glory of God was filling the tabernacle.

Joshua recognized the presence of God in the present circumstance and desired that above anything. He desired that even above being in the presence of Moses- the greatest leader on the face of the earth at that time! Hallelujah!  Joshua wanted to be in the presence of the one leading the leader!

Surely if Moses and Joshua could taste of the glory, we as Glory Filled Christians can!

NOW WE HAVE this treasure in earthen vessels. This is something we don't have to wait for!

The treasure in earthen vessels is more valuable than any increase in salary.

The treasure in earthen vessels is more valuable than any mansion or material thing.

Sometimes we as prophetic people can be so focused on the future we miss out on the presence in the present!

The treasure in us is more valuable than any move of God!  Why?  Because we already have what the move of God brings to those that don't have!

I have had the wonderful experience of being IN revival since 1993 but I can remember when the whole world was waiting for revival I was in my own personal revival.  In fact I can only remember a few years of my entire Christian walk I was not in revival!

My finances were bare to the bone, and my earthly circumstances looked bleak but I was having encounters with the LIVING GOD!

Your earthly experiences can be abased- all while you are encountering the living God!

GREAT JOY COMES FROM HIS PRESENCE- NOT FROM HAVING EVERYTHING JUST SO!

I thank God for the moves of God and I thank God for what I see coming but the thing I'm most thankful for is:

Christ who is in me and who is the hope of glory! 

If Moses can experience his glory in the middle of a wilderness how much more can I a New Testament Christian with the glory of God inside of me taste of his glory NOW?

AMEN, let's get hungry and thirsty and press in for more of God, more of his presence and more of his glory than we've ever known or seen!  He is I AM and his goodness is here now!

Let us look forward to what's coming while fully enjoying what has already come! Let us have a beautiful collision!  Amen!