Preparation, Promotion, Power Demonstration
ARE YOU PREPARED
Most people don't like school, especially when it's test time, because doing well, entails working hard. Yet we don't really have a better choice, for our future work is limited to the education level and accomplishments we've acquired. That is why many of us are continuing education way into our adult years because we desire a more promising future?
We are never meant to plateau, the mountain top is Heaven, so until we get there, we have more climbing to endure. God will reveal just enough to us so while we take care of what lies before us, we can also prepare for what lies ahead.
It is nice that school doesn't last all day, and there are weekends, holidays, and snow days, (time off for kids but more work for us parents). Well in the school of life as a child of God we have been assigned a teacher and counselor, the Holy Spirit, and with Him class never ends. Just like our education system, the Holy Spirit tests us on what we have learned giving opportunity for promotion to take place.
2 TIMOTHY 2:5
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
TEST TIME
We will be tested whether we are ready or not. God knows our state of being, He tests us so that we know the state of our being.
In Matthew 4:1, Jesus is led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. The devil is the guinea pig the Holy Spirit uses to test us by trial. It is during temptation that we discover if we really believe, taking to heart the truth we have received.
DEFENSE LEADS TO OFFENSE
I love great defensive teams, so being from the Northwest is not the only reason I love the Seattle Seahawks. In the Super Bowl they were playing against the top ranked offense of all time. Yet whatever Denver tried to run on offense it went nowhere. Seattle dominated them throughout, forcing four turnovers leading to many of their offensive points, in which the game ended 43-8.
Jesus already established the Victory, and therefore we should be dominating the enemy, but it all depends on the ability we have to defend ourselves. We should run a defensive minded offense. Meaning we aren't out there demon hunting, but when he shows up, we our armed and ready, so when he attacks we counter, driving him back, for "Matthew 11:12 states "the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."
THREE CATEGORIES OF TEMPTATION
Jesus our example and source of strength, responded in Matthew 4:4-10 with each temptation by a specific scripture that silenced the enemy. Jesus was tested on the three categories of temptation, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
THE LUST OF THE FLESH
The devil will go after our weakness, the place of need. Our Master's desire is that we have no more want as it says in Psalms 23. That Jesus, the living word, the bread of life, meets our every need. So until this becomes reality we can expect to struggle with temptation.
THE LUST OF THE EYES
This deals with what we want. We have dreams and desires that we want to see fulfilled. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, so we must submit our dreams and desires to Him. When we choose to take our life in our own hands yet desire God to bless us we are testing Him. It is like our kids when they suddenly think they can do what they want, yet still want our care and provision, we feel tested, and then have to teach them a lesson. We are the student, God is the Teacher, if we turn things around God will say okay have it your way and see how long you last.
THE PRIDE OF LIFE
This deals with our ambitions. Our God given talent, accomplishments, abilities can take us far. We can become great and adored by the masses like an idol. Yet all Glory is meant for God. He knows the heart, we can verbally give God glory as we see in award shows but He knows who is really in control. Many famous people have sold out to Satan and are just mere puppets for his lies to spread. We will continue to be fooled under the control of the enemy until we"worship The Lord our God and serve only him."
HOW WE PASS THE TEST
So the way we overcome temptation and pass the test is through applying the appropriate scripture. We will know we are promoted for we will have temporary relief from the enemy. As the bible says "resist the enemy, and he will flee from thee."
PROMOTION COMES FROM THE LORD
Doors just suddenly open. Opportunities arise, prophecy falls into place, promises come to pass but only after we have learned to overcome whatever we have been facing. If we feel stuck, no longer hearing God's voice we need to ask ourselves did we follow through with what He last said. God does not allow us to skip ahead, to be promoted when we are not yet ready. If we have to remain in the same grade year after year we will.
THE KEY IS REPENTANCE
We cannot preach what we have not lived. Repentance means to turn away from. Being sorrowful is not the same. We must out of our will choose to change before God can supernaturally transform us. God has called us to be change agents, but He won't anoint us to preach what we have not yet done.
THE LAW OF ATTRACTION
As we truly change others recognize it. People are looking for those who they can follow. If we are true followers of Christ others will redirect their lives, commit themselves, and follow us, as we follow the Lord. People are drawn to the image of Christ, but yet don't even know it. Evangelism should not be difficult, few people can resist the bait of God's presence in our lives.
POWER DEMONSTRATION
Our call as leaders is to become greater servants, having more to offer others, for the kingdom of God to expand. As we are promoted we have more to give. Our knowledge has increased so more opportunities will arise to teach others. God will empower us with what is needed depending on who we serve, so if sickness is present, healing comes, if demon possession, deliverance comes. The proof of God's promotion lies in the change of character and power demonstrated from one's life.
APPLICATION
God wants to promote us, for "the fields are ripe but the laborers are few." But, first we must become better students of His word, and start passing the tests, overcoming temptation. He is not going to graduate us until we are ready. The earth is groaning and moaning for the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God. It is time we prioritize defense.
Most people don't like school, especially when it's test time, because doing well, entails working hard. Yet we don't really have a better choice, for our future work is limited to the education level and accomplishments we've acquired. That is why many of us are continuing education way into our adult years because we desire a more promising future?
We are never meant to plateau, the mountain top is Heaven, so until we get there, we have more climbing to endure. God will reveal just enough to us so while we take care of what lies before us, we can also prepare for what lies ahead.
It is nice that school doesn't last all day, and there are weekends, holidays, and snow days, (time off for kids but more work for us parents). Well in the school of life as a child of God we have been assigned a teacher and counselor, the Holy Spirit, and with Him class never ends. Just like our education system, the Holy Spirit tests us on what we have learned giving opportunity for promotion to take place.
2 TIMOTHY 2:5
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
TEST TIME
We will be tested whether we are ready or not. God knows our state of being, He tests us so that we know the state of our being.
In Matthew 4:1, Jesus is led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. The devil is the guinea pig the Holy Spirit uses to test us by trial. It is during temptation that we discover if we really believe, taking to heart the truth we have received.
DEFENSE LEADS TO OFFENSE
I love great defensive teams, so being from the Northwest is not the only reason I love the Seattle Seahawks. In the Super Bowl they were playing against the top ranked offense of all time. Yet whatever Denver tried to run on offense it went nowhere. Seattle dominated them throughout, forcing four turnovers leading to many of their offensive points, in which the game ended 43-8.
Jesus already established the Victory, and therefore we should be dominating the enemy, but it all depends on the ability we have to defend ourselves. We should run a defensive minded offense. Meaning we aren't out there demon hunting, but when he shows up, we our armed and ready, so when he attacks we counter, driving him back, for "Matthew 11:12 states "the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."
THREE CATEGORIES OF TEMPTATION
Jesus our example and source of strength, responded in Matthew 4:4-10 with each temptation by a specific scripture that silenced the enemy. Jesus was tested on the three categories of temptation, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
THE LUST OF THE FLESH
The devil will go after our weakness, the place of need. Our Master's desire is that we have no more want as it says in Psalms 23. That Jesus, the living word, the bread of life, meets our every need. So until this becomes reality we can expect to struggle with temptation.
THE LUST OF THE EYES
This deals with what we want. We have dreams and desires that we want to see fulfilled. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, so we must submit our dreams and desires to Him. When we choose to take our life in our own hands yet desire God to bless us we are testing Him. It is like our kids when they suddenly think they can do what they want, yet still want our care and provision, we feel tested, and then have to teach them a lesson. We are the student, God is the Teacher, if we turn things around God will say okay have it your way and see how long you last.
THE PRIDE OF LIFE
This deals with our ambitions. Our God given talent, accomplishments, abilities can take us far. We can become great and adored by the masses like an idol. Yet all Glory is meant for God. He knows the heart, we can verbally give God glory as we see in award shows but He knows who is really in control. Many famous people have sold out to Satan and are just mere puppets for his lies to spread. We will continue to be fooled under the control of the enemy until we"worship The Lord our God and serve only him."
HOW WE PASS THE TEST
So the way we overcome temptation and pass the test is through applying the appropriate scripture. We will know we are promoted for we will have temporary relief from the enemy. As the bible says "resist the enemy, and he will flee from thee."
PROMOTION COMES FROM THE LORD
Doors just suddenly open. Opportunities arise, prophecy falls into place, promises come to pass but only after we have learned to overcome whatever we have been facing. If we feel stuck, no longer hearing God's voice we need to ask ourselves did we follow through with what He last said. God does not allow us to skip ahead, to be promoted when we are not yet ready. If we have to remain in the same grade year after year we will.
THE KEY IS REPENTANCE
We cannot preach what we have not lived. Repentance means to turn away from. Being sorrowful is not the same. We must out of our will choose to change before God can supernaturally transform us. God has called us to be change agents, but He won't anoint us to preach what we have not yet done.
THE LAW OF ATTRACTION
As we truly change others recognize it. People are looking for those who they can follow. If we are true followers of Christ others will redirect their lives, commit themselves, and follow us, as we follow the Lord. People are drawn to the image of Christ, but yet don't even know it. Evangelism should not be difficult, few people can resist the bait of God's presence in our lives.
POWER DEMONSTRATION
Our call as leaders is to become greater servants, having more to offer others, for the kingdom of God to expand. As we are promoted we have more to give. Our knowledge has increased so more opportunities will arise to teach others. God will empower us with what is needed depending on who we serve, so if sickness is present, healing comes, if demon possession, deliverance comes. The proof of God's promotion lies in the change of character and power demonstrated from one's life.
APPLICATION
God wants to promote us, for "the fields are ripe but the laborers are few." But, first we must become better students of His word, and start passing the tests, overcoming temptation. He is not going to graduate us until we are ready. The earth is groaning and moaning for the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God. It is time we prioritize defense.
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