By: Pastor Claudia Castellanos
A leader’s success or failure is determined by the company they keep, I can testify that this is a fact. Those who form part of a G12 group have the ability to empower or destroy us. Some individuals will never meet their goals in spite of the fact that we invest time in them. When we evaluate how we are doing with our goals we discover that these ones have detained the entire group’s growth,
Although everyone who is under a ministry receives the same teaching, some grow rapidly while others may have numerous arguments against them which impede them from fulfilling their call. Every pastor desires their leaders to be successful, but there are some that grow a rapid rate while others in the group stay stagnate. For this reason you must continually be asking yourself: Do I have a strategy that will ensure that my disciples will be successful? Are my disciples experiencing true growth? Are they helping me carry the ministry load or are they simply spectators?
Henry Ford, the renowned American businessman, once said: “You can take my plants and burn down my buildings. But give me my staff and my business will resume to function in perfect working order.” Church is founded on leadership, church life is dependant on how equipped we are as leaders. If you desire to have a great congregation, if you want to have an ample vision you need many leaders and the pastor must dedicate themselves to that specific goal – that is the key.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s success as a great political leader was due to the fact that he devoted himself to know his men’s needs, he then proceeded to do everything in his power to help them attain what they wanted. This is the reason why his army was faithful to the end. Your primary purpose and great challenge as a leader of a G12 group (the first thing that you must do) is to personally get to know your disciples needs. If they are going through family crisis you must counsel them, if they are dealing with childhood traumas minister inner healing and deliverance to them. If necessary, help them meet their financial needs. Whatever they need, you must be willing and available to help them meet it. The majority of them are in dire need of a word of faith and hope; once they receive that word it becomes the saving grace for their lives. As you are conforming your G12 group it is vital that you be a leader with vision. Everyone that walks into a church has a sleuth of problems, no one is perfect but we are to walk them through the perfecting process which is the main objective in their formation.
When you are forming your team you must do as Michelangelo did. While he was sculpting his masterpiece David (IN SPANISH IT SAYS MOISES WHICH IS INCORRECT) someone asked him how he did it, and his response was: “The sculpture was always in the stone, all I had to do was carve it” He had envisioned and seen more than a mere piece of rock. Something similar is what must occur when the Lord brings those individuals that are to be part of our group, we should not focus on the bitterness, pain, need, lack or the countless problems they have – we must see them through the eyes of faith as the great servants of God that they will one day become that are Holy Spirit filled and will enrich God’s work.
You must also ask the Lord to bring you disciples that have a right spirit and servant’s heart that will be loyal at all times and have a heart than can be molded and that they have integrity.
The night before Jesus chose His twelve disciples, He spent the entire night in prayer, and He then proceeded to integrate them as part of His team. The best way for you to complete your G12 group is by first moving God’s hand in prayer, so that He will be the one to bring them to us and that He also opens our spiritual eyes so that we will be able to identify them. This will enable us to be assured that the time we dedicate to them will be a profitable investment which will produce a great harvest in ministry.
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Joyce Hope's Sharing - The Battle with the Flesh
I'm very thankful that God's training method for my ministry is really, using my own life's battles. My own desperate need to be set free, drove me to God.
Growing up in a slightly dysfunctional family (emotionally), I've always been familiar with anger. Situations that I prayed against (I knew God young, and I also knew His will is for me to have a peaceful family filled with His love) kept occuring again and again. I was always the one that was at the brunt of things yet nobody listened to me. I was helpless and the whole situation spinned out of control. I grew angry, and because I wanted the situation to go my way, I was desperate to have something in my hands that I could control the situation with.
I told God "If You don't answer my prayer, I'm going to backslide!" That's when another flesh grew too - Wrath (Punishment, wanting the other person to pay for my anger)
Later on, in another occassion, I told my ex-BF "If you don't get back with me, I'll slash my wrist before your eyes now!" (That explains the 2 scars on the back of my left wrist)
God has since shown me grace, I've learnt to repent and daily, crucify myself and walk in victory in His cross. But of late, this flesh started to come back again. (Clue: Brunt of it is my husband!) All when I began to teach on "The Adversary".
I can emphathise with myself, and say that its my background, family and past that resulted in this flesh more difficult to overcome. I can also give myself excuses that its' cos I'm teaching on this topic, this Flesh enemy is giving me problems to distract me. I think these are reasonable and to much extent, real reasons.
But I've learnt, in battles, no mercy should be shown to the enemy. Sincerity, transparency are all good virtues to show in relationships. (And accountability) But with the enemy? No. Only the truth sets us free. Only crucifying the flesh and appropriating by faith Jesus's work on the cross consistently and daily, gives us continual, moments by moments victory.
There will be some flesh that are so deep, it seems, it's harder to battle. Don't let your knowledge of your past get the better of you. Truth is- It's the truth that will set you free. Jesus commanded us to "Lay down your life, and carry the cross daily" Laying down = Crucifying your flesh. And Carrying the Cross = Claiming the Victory of the Cross. That's all you need to do. After all, everything was already done on the cross. This battle is definitely won!
Growing up in a slightly dysfunctional family (emotionally), I've always been familiar with anger. Situations that I prayed against (I knew God young, and I also knew His will is for me to have a peaceful family filled with His love) kept occuring again and again. I was always the one that was at the brunt of things yet nobody listened to me. I was helpless and the whole situation spinned out of control. I grew angry, and because I wanted the situation to go my way, I was desperate to have something in my hands that I could control the situation with.
I told God "If You don't answer my prayer, I'm going to backslide!" That's when another flesh grew too - Wrath (Punishment, wanting the other person to pay for my anger)
Later on, in another occassion, I told my ex-BF "If you don't get back with me, I'll slash my wrist before your eyes now!" (That explains the 2 scars on the back of my left wrist)
God has since shown me grace, I've learnt to repent and daily, crucify myself and walk in victory in His cross. But of late, this flesh started to come back again. (Clue: Brunt of it is my husband!) All when I began to teach on "The Adversary".
I can emphathise with myself, and say that its my background, family and past that resulted in this flesh more difficult to overcome. I can also give myself excuses that its' cos I'm teaching on this topic, this Flesh enemy is giving me problems to distract me. I think these are reasonable and to much extent, real reasons.
But I've learnt, in battles, no mercy should be shown to the enemy. Sincerity, transparency are all good virtues to show in relationships. (And accountability) But with the enemy? No. Only the truth sets us free. Only crucifying the flesh and appropriating by faith Jesus's work on the cross consistently and daily, gives us continual, moments by moments victory.
There will be some flesh that are so deep, it seems, it's harder to battle. Don't let your knowledge of your past get the better of you. Truth is- It's the truth that will set you free. Jesus commanded us to "Lay down your life, and carry the cross daily" Laying down = Crucifying your flesh. And Carrying the Cross = Claiming the Victory of the Cross. That's all you need to do. After all, everything was already done on the cross. This battle is definitely won!
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
Drink Deep- From Sinful Flesh to Fruits of the Spirit!
Romans 7:15-25
Paul, the great apostle of modern church times, confessed the following (The Living Bible)
"I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't. I do what I don't want to - what I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking. But I can't help myself, because I'm no longer doing it. It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things.
I know I am rotten through and through as far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can't make myself do right. I want to but I can't. When I want to do good, I don't, and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. Now if I am doing what I don't want to, it is plain where the trouble is: still still has me in it's evil grasp.
It seems to be a fact of life when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love to do God's will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is sitll wiithin me. In my mind, I want to be God's willing servant but instead, I find myself enslaved to sin.
So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh what a terrible predicament I'm in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done in Jesus Christ! He has set me free."
If I where to tell you this was taken from the Diary of anyone of my disciples, would you believe it? I'm sure you would. It is the Christians that are really following Christ, not the Pagans or the half -hearted Christians, that experience the war of of their flesh against the Spirit. It is the Christians who understand the extent of their sinfulness (the sinful nature), that understand the extend of what it means for God to die on the cross. These are sober-minded people, who know that apart from the Cross, everything that they build upon is meaningless. They do not lust after the things of the world, nor strife in pride, to build upon their flesh. They live, minding their business and doing the work of God, with full awareness of the war against their flesh, claiming the victory of the Cross in their lives.
God can only use a man that is filled with the Spirit. And order to be filled, we need to take up the cross daily, and wage war against our very flesh. Many times, our greatest adversary is not Satan, but our old nature! Let's take this whole season to go deep - Crucifying the Flesh, and Move in the Spirit!
Paul, the great apostle of modern church times, confessed the following (The Living Bible)
"I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't. I do what I don't want to - what I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking. But I can't help myself, because I'm no longer doing it. It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things.
I know I am rotten through and through as far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can't make myself do right. I want to but I can't. When I want to do good, I don't, and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. Now if I am doing what I don't want to, it is plain where the trouble is: still still has me in it's evil grasp.
It seems to be a fact of life when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love to do God's will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is sitll wiithin me. In my mind, I want to be God's willing servant but instead, I find myself enslaved to sin.
So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh what a terrible predicament I'm in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done in Jesus Christ! He has set me free."
If I where to tell you this was taken from the Diary of anyone of my disciples, would you believe it? I'm sure you would. It is the Christians that are really following Christ, not the Pagans or the half -hearted Christians, that experience the war of of their flesh against the Spirit. It is the Christians who understand the extent of their sinfulness (the sinful nature), that understand the extend of what it means for God to die on the cross. These are sober-minded people, who know that apart from the Cross, everything that they build upon is meaningless. They do not lust after the things of the world, nor strife in pride, to build upon their flesh. They live, minding their business and doing the work of God, with full awareness of the war against their flesh, claiming the victory of the Cross in their lives.
God can only use a man that is filled with the Spirit. And order to be filled, we need to take up the cross daily, and wage war against our very flesh. Many times, our greatest adversary is not Satan, but our old nature! Let's take this whole season to go deep - Crucifying the Flesh, and Move in the Spirit!
Thursday, 22 February 2007
Joyce Hope's Sharing- Before He can use us Powerfully, He will test us Deeply
It's been an interesting near 2 months, since Senior Pastor, under the Lord's leadership, led the church into a season of "Going Deep". I've been conscious, and faithfully praying for the Lord to renew and teach me, through every situation and every circumstance.
And Lo and Behold, since the beginning of the year, many things have happened. I was hospitalised with scares here and there on my health; I see many imperfections and discouraging things in my own sheep (Just being real here) I found myself discouraged, exhausted, spent.
That drove me to seek the Lord.
In my quite moments with the Lord, I saw this vision. My father eats "Quaker Oatmeal", and they come in tin cans (Like your Nestle Milk) as well as packets, which you can refill into the tin cans. Whenever the time comes for Dad to refill the tin, he'll pour a quarter into the tin can, then shake the tin to let the oats settle, then pour in some more, then shake and hit the tin again. The process repeats till the whole packet goes into the tin- filled to the brim, and compact. Growing up, I've helped Dad fill the tin a couple of times, I've learnt that you need to be "merciless" in shaking and hitting the tin, to let the oats settle, so that you can pour more in. No shake, no oats!
Hebrews 12:26-27
God will shake, whatever that can be shaken, be prepared, He will shake it. Why? Like the Quaker Oats illustration, shaking helps to bring the oats nearer to the base of the tin. Parallel with humans, shaking brings us closer to our foundations - Christ.
I find myself asking this question of late - "Is Christ sufficient for me?" I pray constantly, daily that I can say, with full conviction what Smith Wigglesworth said "I have all, when I have Jesus."
Is God shaking you of late? Have you drawn closer to your foundation? Or are you resisting the shake?
Before He can use us Powerfully, He will test us Deeply!
And Lo and Behold, since the beginning of the year, many things have happened. I was hospitalised with scares here and there on my health; I see many imperfections and discouraging things in my own sheep (Just being real here) I found myself discouraged, exhausted, spent.
That drove me to seek the Lord.
In my quite moments with the Lord, I saw this vision. My father eats "Quaker Oatmeal", and they come in tin cans (Like your Nestle Milk) as well as packets, which you can refill into the tin cans. Whenever the time comes for Dad to refill the tin, he'll pour a quarter into the tin can, then shake the tin to let the oats settle, then pour in some more, then shake and hit the tin again. The process repeats till the whole packet goes into the tin- filled to the brim, and compact. Growing up, I've helped Dad fill the tin a couple of times, I've learnt that you need to be "merciless" in shaking and hitting the tin, to let the oats settle, so that you can pour more in. No shake, no oats!
Hebrews 12:26-27
God will shake, whatever that can be shaken, be prepared, He will shake it. Why? Like the Quaker Oats illustration, shaking helps to bring the oats nearer to the base of the tin. Parallel with humans, shaking brings us closer to our foundations - Christ.
I find myself asking this question of late - "Is Christ sufficient for me?" I pray constantly, daily that I can say, with full conviction what Smith Wigglesworth said "I have all, when I have Jesus."
Is God shaking you of late? Have you drawn closer to your foundation? Or are you resisting the shake?
Before He can use us Powerfully, He will test us Deeply!
Wednesday, 14 February 2007
Drink Deep- From Deceitfulness to being Contrite
Numbers 22
Balak, the King of Moab had a threat - God's chosen people, Israel. After seeing what Israel had done to the Amorites, Balak decided he needed God to be on the Moab side. But since he had no relationship with God (Moabs are Baal worshippers), he sought Balaam, God's prophet to curse Israel.
I don't know what was in Balaam's mind that he actually had to sought God if he should do it. If someone told me "I will give you money and honour if you come to me, and help me curse FC," I think without a doubt, I ask say to the person "Shut up, Satan!"
Interestingly, the very "Spiritual" act of Balaam to seek the Lord is actually a deceitful act of his heart. He wanted the honour. He wanted the money. He fed on the need that he was wanted by a King. Hence, he went to seek the Lord on something, that clearly, was a "NO" from the Lord.
Is God silly? Can God be mocked? Doesn't the Lord know that Balaam was trying to "pull a fast one on God?" Certainly, God knows!
God knows, and in his wisdom, wanted to teach Balaam, as well as Balak a lesson. Notice, he allowed Balaam to go to Balak, yet was angry with Balaam that he was going.
Contradiction? No. God knew that unless He allowed Balaam's deceitful desires to be acted out and let him taste the bad fruit, Balaam will not learn the lesson. The deceitfulness will still be in Balaam, and he will still be blinded to think that he was being right by "seeking the Lord."
Notice that from v22, God had wanted to strike Balaam dead. Even his donkeys saw the angel of the Lord, yet Balaam was so driven by all the fame he will get in Moab that he was totally blinded! His donkey wanted to protect him, and sought to turn away from the angel, yet Balaam kept striking the donkey (3 times) to get the donkey on way to Moab. Finally, the Lord, pleased with the donkey, extended grace to Balaam. God opended the eyes of Balaam and he repented.
Does this strike a chord with you? Alot of times, people "seek God" on whether or not they should do something, that clearly, will displease the Lord. They rationalize in their hearts that it would not matter, and looked only to the benefits that they'll get, not whether or not it was against the nature of God. They have the audacity to ask God to bless them, or even ask at all.
Where is the Fear of the Lord? God is loving, but He will not be mocked. Why do we procrastinate to do what is pleasing before His eyes? Because we have desires in our hearts that are not 100% desires of Him!
Clearly, when our hearts are not 100% desiring the Lord, let's not kid ourselves - we're not. Let's not pretend to "Seek the Lord" on outcomes on such matters, but be clear-minded, repenting before God for our heart conditions.
God was even more pleased with a Donkey than Balaam! Repent from Deceitfulness, a Contrite heart is all He desires!
Balak, the King of Moab had a threat - God's chosen people, Israel. After seeing what Israel had done to the Amorites, Balak decided he needed God to be on the Moab side. But since he had no relationship with God (Moabs are Baal worshippers), he sought Balaam, God's prophet to curse Israel.
I don't know what was in Balaam's mind that he actually had to sought God if he should do it. If someone told me "I will give you money and honour if you come to me, and help me curse FC," I think without a doubt, I ask say to the person "Shut up, Satan!"
Interestingly, the very "Spiritual" act of Balaam to seek the Lord is actually a deceitful act of his heart. He wanted the honour. He wanted the money. He fed on the need that he was wanted by a King. Hence, he went to seek the Lord on something, that clearly, was a "NO" from the Lord.
Is God silly? Can God be mocked? Doesn't the Lord know that Balaam was trying to "pull a fast one on God?" Certainly, God knows!
God knows, and in his wisdom, wanted to teach Balaam, as well as Balak a lesson. Notice, he allowed Balaam to go to Balak, yet was angry with Balaam that he was going.
Contradiction? No. God knew that unless He allowed Balaam's deceitful desires to be acted out and let him taste the bad fruit, Balaam will not learn the lesson. The deceitfulness will still be in Balaam, and he will still be blinded to think that he was being right by "seeking the Lord."
Notice that from v22, God had wanted to strike Balaam dead. Even his donkeys saw the angel of the Lord, yet Balaam was so driven by all the fame he will get in Moab that he was totally blinded! His donkey wanted to protect him, and sought to turn away from the angel, yet Balaam kept striking the donkey (3 times) to get the donkey on way to Moab. Finally, the Lord, pleased with the donkey, extended grace to Balaam. God opended the eyes of Balaam and he repented.
Does this strike a chord with you? Alot of times, people "seek God" on whether or not they should do something, that clearly, will displease the Lord. They rationalize in their hearts that it would not matter, and looked only to the benefits that they'll get, not whether or not it was against the nature of God. They have the audacity to ask God to bless them, or even ask at all.
Where is the Fear of the Lord? God is loving, but He will not be mocked. Why do we procrastinate to do what is pleasing before His eyes? Because we have desires in our hearts that are not 100% desires of Him!
Clearly, when our hearts are not 100% desiring the Lord, let's not kid ourselves - we're not. Let's not pretend to "Seek the Lord" on outcomes on such matters, but be clear-minded, repenting before God for our heart conditions.
God was even more pleased with a Donkey than Balaam! Repent from Deceitfulness, a Contrite heart is all He desires!
Saturday, 3 February 2007
Drink Deep- From Seedlings to Being Rooted
Mark 4:16-17, Eph 3:16-18
Many a times, we've met believers, still in bondage over an area in their lives say this - "You don't understand. I've tried to pray, I've tried to worship, I've even tried to read the word, but nothing helped!" or, some would say - "You know, I've prayed and asked God for this, but He didn't do it!"
Salvation belongs to God. And we'll always rejoice in Faith when one person gives his/her life to Jesus through the sinners prayer. But very often, when a severe disappointment or seemingly unanswered prayer occurs, they become offended with God, and want to have little to do with Him.
Notice what the Lord Jesus says in Mark 4:16- 17
"Who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arise for the word's sake, immediately they are offended"
Believers, who chose to interpret that God did not come through for them, hold certain beliefs:
Many a times, we've met believers, still in bondage over an area in their lives say this - "You don't understand. I've tried to pray, I've tried to worship, I've even tried to read the word, but nothing helped!" or, some would say - "You know, I've prayed and asked God for this, but He didn't do it!"
Salvation belongs to God. And we'll always rejoice in Faith when one person gives his/her life to Jesus through the sinners prayer. But very often, when a severe disappointment or seemingly unanswered prayer occurs, they become offended with God, and want to have little to do with Him.
Notice what the Lord Jesus says in Mark 4:16- 17
"Who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arise for the word's sake, immediately they are offended"
Believers, who chose to interpret that God did not come through for them, hold certain beliefs:
- "What's important to me is that I get what I want (healing, set free, success etc.) God must give me what I want."
- "God doesn't seem to care about my feelings through this, He must don't love me."
Why do people chose to be so quickly offended with God? Because as said in Mark 4, they were not rooted. Rooted in what you will ask? Ephesians 3:16-18 - To be rooted and grounded in the Love of God.
Love of God, is a knowledge that comes from knowing and seeking His character, His nature. We need to study and know that God is love; there is no selfishness or evil in Him. His nature is to give, not to take. His nature is to forgive, not to punish. His nature is to discipline so as to become like Him, not to hurt us because He doesn't care about us.
Are you rooted in God's love? Ask God for a fresh revelation of His love everyday of your life. You'll be amazed. Instead of just asking for the healing, the success, the setting free. Ask God to show you His love. Receive it with Faith.
Friday, 26 January 2007
Drink Deep- From Unforgiveness to Being Right w God!
Mathew 24:10-13, Luke 17:4, Proverbs 18:19, 2 Cor 10:4-5
Once we are wronged, we are faced with the opportunity to make a decision to forgive - to release that person from their wrongdoing. This requires an act of the will, usually in the face of some very real and intense emotions of hurt, disappointment and anger. However, after we made the choice to forgive, many a times, residual emotions of bitterness, anger, resentment and hatred folllows.
These residual emotions are strongholds. Strongholds create set patterns of reasoning through which all incoming information is processed. Although first erected for protection, they become a source of torment and distortion because they war against the knowing or knowledge of God.
When we filter everything through past hurts, rejections and experiences, we find it impossible to believe God. We cannot believe He means what He says. We doubt His goodness and faithfulness since we judge Him by the standards set by man in our lives. But God is not man! He cannot lie, His ways are not like ours, and His thoughts are not ours.
How to walk right with the Lord to truly forgive and tear down strongholds of offenses and residual emotions? The Lord teaches us in Luke 17:4
"if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying 'I repent', you shall forgive him."
But what did the disciples response to this seemingly impossible command? "Lord, increase our faith!".
Indeed, tearing down strongholds and forgiving a person requires Faith. Luke 17:6 "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ' Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea." Indeed, uprooting offenses, unforgiveness and residual emotions is an act of Faith, that requires the will, obedience and prayer.
What are the steps then, to experience true freedom and being right with God?
Over time, despite my "wise" rationalizations, my situtaions grew tackier and more perilous, with this person time and time again, attacking and offending me. I began to be seriously misunderstood by those around me, and worse, I felt God not answering my prayers to "make my enemies suffer". I felt that there was a wall between me and God.
In time, when the Lord showed me the root of the issue, the Lord challenged me to exercise Faith to the extend of blessing this person. I began not only to declare to forgive this person, but to pray that this person's ministry increase larger by the day, his walk with God will be so intimate etc (Began to pray for him the prayers I normally pray for myself) I began to exercise Faith that God is in control, and I am not a victim of any person, or any system.
Over time, I was set free. Emotions of anger, bitterness, fear left me. I was right with God and the next time I saw this person, no matter what he did, I could interpret them in Faith, not through strongholds.
I was free, I was right with God.
What's your wall between you and God? Drink Deep - Move with Faith from Unforgiveness to being right with God!
Once we are wronged, we are faced with the opportunity to make a decision to forgive - to release that person from their wrongdoing. This requires an act of the will, usually in the face of some very real and intense emotions of hurt, disappointment and anger. However, after we made the choice to forgive, many a times, residual emotions of bitterness, anger, resentment and hatred folllows.
These residual emotions are strongholds. Strongholds create set patterns of reasoning through which all incoming information is processed. Although first erected for protection, they become a source of torment and distortion because they war against the knowing or knowledge of God.
When we filter everything through past hurts, rejections and experiences, we find it impossible to believe God. We cannot believe He means what He says. We doubt His goodness and faithfulness since we judge Him by the standards set by man in our lives. But God is not man! He cannot lie, His ways are not like ours, and His thoughts are not ours.
How to walk right with the Lord to truly forgive and tear down strongholds of offenses and residual emotions? The Lord teaches us in Luke 17:4
"if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying 'I repent', you shall forgive him."
But what did the disciples response to this seemingly impossible command? "Lord, increase our faith!".
Indeed, tearing down strongholds and forgiving a person requires Faith. Luke 17:6 "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ' Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea." Indeed, uprooting offenses, unforgiveness and residual emotions is an act of Faith, that requires the will, obedience and prayer.
What are the steps then, to experience true freedom and being right with God?
- Declare to forgive the person.
- Exercise Obedience by praying that God will reward you for obeying Him
- Excerise Faith in God by praying that God will bless the person (Pray for the Lord to bless him in the way you want Him to bless you.)
Over time, despite my "wise" rationalizations, my situtaions grew tackier and more perilous, with this person time and time again, attacking and offending me. I began to be seriously misunderstood by those around me, and worse, I felt God not answering my prayers to "make my enemies suffer". I felt that there was a wall between me and God.
In time, when the Lord showed me the root of the issue, the Lord challenged me to exercise Faith to the extend of blessing this person. I began not only to declare to forgive this person, but to pray that this person's ministry increase larger by the day, his walk with God will be so intimate etc (Began to pray for him the prayers I normally pray for myself) I began to exercise Faith that God is in control, and I am not a victim of any person, or any system.
Over time, I was set free. Emotions of anger, bitterness, fear left me. I was right with God and the next time I saw this person, no matter what he did, I could interpret them in Faith, not through strongholds.
I was free, I was right with God.
What's your wall between you and God? Drink Deep - Move with Faith from Unforgiveness to being right with God!
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