Hope, Miracles and the Process

Today, God desires to release fresh hope, encouragement and strength to those who might be growing “weary in well doing.”
Because the western church tends to be more conformed to our “fast food” society than to the true ways of God, we have unknowingly preached a quick fix gospel that leaves many weary and disillusioned.  The institutional church system tends to allow people to remain immature in their walk with God, weak in spirit and more dependent upon man than God for spiritual food and spiritual help.  We have misinterpreted hardships to mean that we are doing something wrong or that God has abandoned us.  Often we “try” what we expect to be a spiritual quick fix, and when it doesn’t “work” (meaning our situations are not instantly better), we feel that we have failed, that what we tried was not valid or that God has let us down.  In reality, we just do not understand the process of maturity.
I Peter 4:12-13 says “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
The same passage from The Message reads:  “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”
MIRACLES FLOW WITHIN (NOT IN PLACE OF) THE PROCESS OF GROWTH!  Do we believe in miracles?  Yes!  Are we going to continue contending for the manifestation of all that Christ promised us and died to give us?  Absolutely!  Are we teaching that we must earn what Jesus has already freely given to us?  Never!  But often, when we do not instantly see our miracle, it is because God desires that we build a framework to properly steward that miracle.  If we are given a miracle and do not have the strength or maturity to properly steward it, we will be judged, just like the unfaithful servant. So often, God, in His mercy, waits until we are mature enough to steward what He desires to give us. Perseverance in prayer is not about convincing God to give us something.  It is about building within us a framework to house that promise.  This is why we MUST NOT GIVE UP even when the process seems long and hard, and even when we do not understand.
Abraham and Sarah are perfect examples of: “THE GREATER THE PROMISE THE GREATER THE PREPARATION!”  It is like the familiar example of the butterfly and the cocoon.  If we try to “rescue” the butterfly from his struggles emerging from the cocoon, he will die, because the process of breaking free is what gives his wings the strength to fly. So, BE ENCOURAGED!  DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIES! DO NOT GIVE UP!
We are contending for the “restoration of all things,” asking to walk in the realms, dimensions and the total dominion that Adam lost at the fall.  These are not small things.  And so…. the strength and maturity it will take for us to be able to properly steward these things will not be small either.
We have been wandering in the wilderness, allowing God to get the slavery out of us, so that we can rule and reign in our Promised Land.  Now, we are at the threshold of crossing over.  Like the 12 spies, we have a choice.  Yes, there are giants.  But God is asking us to be like Joshua and Caleb and, while acknowledging the magnitude of what we are facing, not to give up and not to give in.  If we will do this, we, like Joshua and Caleb will be allowed to eat from the fruit of a Promised Land that is reserved, for the most part, for another generation.
Come join us tonight as we release this timely word of encouragement, as we break off the disappointment and hopelessness of the last season, and as we release an impartation of fresh grace and strength to cross over!