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!