​While we explore the love of our savior let’s ponder three major points.

1. Jesus has His arms around you. 
When you can’t see Him it’s because he’s holding you so close. 

2. God is always watching you.
God is not watching to destroy you or judge you but to strengthen you. 

3.  He will always keep you safe. 

“I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.”
Psalms 18:3

Point 1 - Jesus has His arms around you.

“GOD also says: “When the time’s ripe, I answer you. When victory’s due, I help you. I form you and use you to reconnect the people with me, To put the land in order, to resettle families on the ruined properties. I tell prisoners, ‘Come on out. You’re free!’ and those huddled in fear, ‘It’s all right. It’s safe now.’ There’ll be foodstands along all the roads, picnics on all the hills— Nobody hungry, nobody thirsty, shade from the sun, shelter from the wind, For the Compassionate One guides them, takes them to the best springs. I’ll make all my mountains into roads, turn them into a superhighway. Look: These coming from far countries, and those, out of the north, These streaming in from the west, and those from all the way down the Nile!”
Heavens, raise the roof! Earth, wake the dead! Mountains, send up cheers! GOD has comforted his people. He has tenderly nursed his beaten-up, beaten-down people.”
Isaiah 49:8-13

Point 2 - God is always watching you.
 
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”
Psalms 32:8-11

Point 3 - He will always keep you safe.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.” Psalms 121:1-8 NKJV

Remember you are so loved. God has a passion for you. A purpose for you is in His heart. Let’s review the three points:   

1. Jesus has His arms around you. 
“The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah”
Psalms 46:7 NKJV

2. God is always watching you
““For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps.”
Job 34:21 NKJV

3.  He will always keep you safe 
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
Psalms 46:1 NKJV
​
You aren’t forgotten, you are not stranded. You are watched over, protected, strengthened and safe. Now chase that passion, your call and you shall prevail. 

Three major points we need to explore in guiding us to love others as God sees them.
 
1. See the Gold in others. 
 
We can’t always see people like they are but see them for what they will become. 
Find one strength and focus on it instead of a weakness.
 
2. God sends us people for a reason.
 
God sends people to us and the devil wants to use them to destroy us.Watch for the trap.   
 
3.  I see relationships healed.
 
Nobody likes the icy feeling when you aren’t getting along with someone and then you see them in the store or somewhere else. When relationships are healed that ice goes away.
 
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”” I Peter 4:8
 
Point 1 - See the Gold in others. 
 
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”
Romans 12:9-13 NKJV
 
Point 2 - God sends us people for a reason.
 
“distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
Romans 12:13-16
 
Point 3 - I see relationships healed
​
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:17-21
 
As we conclude we need to love others as God sees them. 
 
Let’s review the three major points:
 
1. See the Gold in others. 
 
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;”
I Corinthians 13:4 NKJV
 
2. God sends us people for a reason
 
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
Hebrews 13:2 NIV
 
3.  I see relationships healed
 
Let’s practice seeing people as Christ sees you.
 
“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.”
Isaiah 61:7 NIV
 
We are all in this together. Nobody is perfect. That’s what God loves about us. Take the time to give a little grace, give the extra smile, go the extra mile, and love others as God sees them. Your relationships are going to be healed, you are going to have better friendships, a happier marriage, a happier home, a happier workplace, and a better life! 

​We must review three major points as we realize the hand of provision is the hand of God.

1. Is it a want or a need - 
2. Not all good food tastes great - 
3. Key to the bounty - reap sow give 

Just wait for the ending. It’s even better 

What are our hearts behind provision? 

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
1 Timothy 6:10 NIV

Point 1 Is it a want or a need 

“The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.” Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’ ” While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud. The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ ””
Exodus 16:1-12 NIV

Point 2 Not all good food tastes great  

It may be good for you but its taste is rough. 

“Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.” “Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.” Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.”
Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. Now do it! For the Lord promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’ ”

Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone! You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing.” Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern at Sirah. But David did not know it. Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into an inner chamber, as if to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died.”
2 Samuel 3:12-14, 17-18, 21, 24-27 NIV

The provision you want doesn’t always end up tasting good. 

Point 3 key to the bounty 

Give sow reap
“So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.
The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.”
Genesis 13:8-12, 14-15 NIV
 “The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.
When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
Genesis 14:11-12, 14-16, 18-20 NIV
Tithe is imperative to our success
Giving is imperative. 
God always multiplies when you give. 
Conclusion
Three major points:
1. Is it a want or a need - 
 
“I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.”
Psalms 81:10 KJV
2. Not all good food tastes great - 
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Psalms 34:8 KJV
Dare to Engage God and watch his showers of blessings come. 
3. Key to the bounty - reap sow give 
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Malachi 3:10 NIV
We can’t do it alone
God wants to bless you
Wants to provide
Wants you to have more than enough 
Test him. Give 
Give a ton your time money wisdom love joy 
And watch it flood back to you. 
You have provision from the king of Kings
Master of the universe 

God is always at work in our lives. Now is a good time to discuss thee major points with respect to His comfort, and His unfailing promise to comfort us.

Three major points:

1. Sometimes comfort can be uncomfortable 
2. God the cheerleader 
3. God promises comfort 

“no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 54:17 NIV

This promise brings me comfort. 

Point 1 - Sometimes comfort can be uncomfortable 

“Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord. They served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites and the gods of the Philistines. And because the Israelites forsook the Lord and no longer served him, he became angry with them. He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites, who that year shattered and crushed them. For eighteen years they oppressed all the Israelites on the east side of the Jordan in Gilead, the land of the Amorites. The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin and Ephraim; Israel was in great distress.”
Judges 10:6-9 NIV

“Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute. Gilead’s wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away. “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,” they said, “because you are the son of another woman.” So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a gang of scoundrels gathered around him and followed him. Some time later, when the Ammonites were fighting against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. “Come,” they said, “be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites.” Jephthah said to them, “Didn’t you hate me and drive me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now, when you’re in trouble?” The elders of Gilead said to him, “Nevertheless, we are turning to you now; come with us to fight the Ammonites, and you will be head over all of us who live in Gilead.”

“Then the Lord, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and his whole army into Israel’s hands, and they defeated them. Israel took over all the land of the Amorites who lived in that country, capturing all of it from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the desert to the Jordan.

Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites.

Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands. He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.”
Judges 11:1-8, 21-22, 29, 32-33 NIV

Through a series of events God rescued them giving them comfort after they endured the uncomfortable. They went from being shunned to leading a gang and then conquering 20 cities. They delivered people who were oppressed for 18 years while fulfilling their individual purpose. 

Point 2 - God the cheerleader  

Essence by faith God blesses us to give us the greater promise in the life to come. He is always cheering us on and making the impossible happen.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
Hebrews 11:1-13 KJV

Point 3 - God promises comfort. 

Read the following Psalm and realize the essence of what is being said. He takes care of you.
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.”
Psalm 34:4-10, 15-20, 22 NIV

Let’s review our main points and really focus on the work God is doing in us.

1. Sometimes comfort can be uncomfortable 
“Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.”
Exodus 14:16 NIV

Just before the comfort and safety came Moses had to stretch and the Israelites had to walk into the unknown. 

2. God the cheerleader 
“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.”
Isaiah 43:4 NIV

In essence, He would give the world for you. 

3. God promises comfort 

He is so happy to be your friend

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.””
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

He walked with David, talked to Moses and sings over you. You are his prized possession.  When you cherish something, you take good care of it. You are special. You matter, you are God’s prized possession and He will always take care of you.
​
Take comfort in the promise. 

​Some believe there is a mystery behind healing, but that is based upon our understanding of healing and not the divine nature of God. There are important points to remember when we think of healing. Three major points:

God wants to heal you – Jesus always took the time to heal people wherever he went. Whether it be a blind beggar and unexpected woman touching His clothes or performing the miracles on the sabbath, He was willing to risk it all for that one person.

Healing beyond your expectations- Not everyone is healed the way you think. We love to rationalize in our minds the perfect formula for a healing or the perfect formula for a desired outcome. When that doesn’t happen, we find ourselves in a place of doubt, mistrust or heartache. I want to encourage you to look at your situation with the heart of God. Let the Spirit inspire you and show you how the healing will take place. You may be surprised. Sometimes we see it on this earth and sometimes we will see it in heaven. 

Your healing miracle is on its way – There isn’t any one miracle God is going to do for you. Instead understand your life is full of a series of miracles. It starts when you are born and won’t end until your appointed day of death.

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 8:17, “I saw everything God does, and I realized no one can really understand what happens. We may be very wise, but no matter how much we try or how much we claim to know, we cannot understand it all.”

God is not the product of an equation, we don’t understand but we will always discover his faithfulness.
 
“Many sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed people were lying close to the pool.
Beside the pool was a man who had been sick for 38 years. When Jesus saw the man and realized that he had been crippled for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be healed?” The man answered, “Sir, I don't have anyone to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up. I try to get in, but someone else always gets there first.” Jesus told him, “Pick up your mat and walk!” Right then the man was healed. He picked up his mat and started walking around. The day on which this happened was a Sabbath.”
John 5:3-9 CEV

“As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.”
Acts 9:32-43 NIV

Some die, some are never raised, but God promises a new body. Healing comes in multiple ways.   
“Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.””
Acts 19:4-13 NIV

We pray for each other as we are commanded, we see miracles, we see healing and we experience the same. What do you have to lose by believing in a miracle?

1. God wants to heal you

“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”
Acts 10:38 NIV

If a butterfly doesn’t struggle to get out of the cocoon their wings won’t be strong enough for them to fly. Sometimes it’s hard during the healing but don’t question the gift. In the meantime, choose to have fun. There is power in control and a God led happy life.

2. Healing beyond your expectations- not everyone is healed the way you think

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.””
Revelation 21:4 NIV

Some people die, we can’t figure out God. They are not your source of joy. The joy of the Lord is my strength. 

3. Your healing miracle is on its way

Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

When you stop trying to drive the ship you aren’t in charge of, stress goes away, and blessings come in. You don’t have time to worry and question. You are too busy counting your blessings. You have nothing to lose. Pray for everyone you never know what you will get to see. Bloom where you are planted and influence what God has placed around you. Let God do the rest. 
​
Miracles are everywhere you can be a part of bringing them to pass!

​Miracles are God’s gift to us so we can actually see his hand working in our lives. If we didn’t have the impossible to hope and dream for, how hard would it be to describe His wondrous works. It’s because of God’s wondrous works, that open doors in so many ways. If I just said, God showed up, you would think nothing of it. However, if I told you a story how a person was miraculously found, cured of a disease or had a life altering event, you would think quite differently.  
“He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.”
Deuteronomy 10:21 NIV

You can hinder your miracle – Sometimes our conscience, and reasoning skills kill our recognition of the miracle in front of us. Other times, our actions and refusal to lend to the spirit cause a forfeiture of God’s best for us.  

Miracles are for everyone – There was one thing Jesus made clear and that was His desire for all to have a piece of His super natural blessing. He healed the sick, raised the dead, turned water into wine, calmed the storm and gave his life for you. This is for everyone and not a select few.  

Your miracle is waiting – Unlocking our miracle is an important step. Getting into position and preparation is half of the battle. God can’t pour into a closed vessel. He can’t fill you the way he would like to if you don’t have something to put the outpouring in.

“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.””
Genesis 16:1-5 NIV

You don’t have to have Abraham’s testimony. When we decide to help God out and provide inputs that aren’t Spirit led, there are consequences. Sometimes we feel they are attacks, but they could have been avoided by simple obedience. This doesn’t have to be your story.

“Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.”
Luke 9:12-17 NIV

This is another miracle that Jesus performed showing His willingness to provide for everyone regardless of the stance and circumstance. So unlock it. Giving procures miracles. That’s why we call tithe and offering a form of worship. Giving to others is a form of worship. Think of Moses and his obedience in worship.

Numbers 20:6-11 NIV
“Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.”

Numbers 20:6-11 NIV
1. You can hinder your miracle 
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.”
Proverbs 3:7 NIV
2. Miracles are for everyone 
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 NIV
3. Your miracle is waiting - so unlock it
Be a giver: 
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.””
Luke 6:38 NIV

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You matter so much to me and everyone God puts in your path. God is watching you. He has that special miracle for you. He wants you to have it. It’s coming. I believe it and declare Gods anointing and favor over you.
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That miracle is for you! 

​Always be ready for a fight. Don’t pick one, but don’t be so surprised that you lose one if you aren’t paying attention.  Keeping from losing the battles requires preparation and a few rules of advice.

Never turn your back – Have you ever experienced a dog that wants to bite you? The last thing you want to do is turn your back. As soon as you do, you will be bit. The old saying if you don’t have a seat at the table you are going to be on the menu rings so true. Getting in a place where the devil can’t get the upper hand requires Dog that wants to take you.

Proceed with caution – As you proceed, it’s like walking in a cow corral, it keeps you on your toes. This doesn’t mean to be paranoid. Instead the concept is to be aware of your surroundings and constantly observant. Don’t leave an open door for the devil to steal from you or rip you off blind. As soon as that happens, he calls all his friends and you find yourself in the midst of a major battle you don’t want to endure.

You overcome it - Walk in a meek, humble manner with calm assurance. We can be confident, but not prideful. Our manner should be like a gentle sentence or suggestion. You will get through if you can simply keep your head on your shoulders.

“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.”
Proverbs 22:3 NKJV

Saul was after David in multiple ways. There are several account of Saul attempting to kill David. Of these, 12 stick out in my mind.
1 Samuel 18 & 19

David was the commander of 1000 in the army. Saul offers a reward if he fights more. Then Michael is offered in exchange for 100 Philistines. Next Saul orders Johnathan to kill David. This isn’t enough, so Saul personally throws a spear at David. 

“So Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, “ As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.” Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these things. So Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as in times past. And there was war again; and David went out and fought with the Philistines, and struck them with a mighty blow, and they fled from him. Now the distressing spirit from the LORD came upon Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing music with his hand. (Trust came for a period) Then Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away from Saul’s presence; and he drove the spear into the wall. So David fled and escaped that night.”
I Samuel 19:6-10 NKJV
Saul still isn’t winning so he sends three groups of men to David’s house which doesn’t work. Then Saul goes himself. Saul’s level of pride is so great, and insecurity drives him further to chase David down. He even tries to kill his own son for protecting David. 

 “And when the messengers had come in, there was the image in the bed, with a cover of goats’ hair for his head. Then Saul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me like this, and sent my enemy away, so that he has escaped?” And Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go! Why should I kill you?’ ””
I Samuel 19:16-17 NKJV

Michal and David were cautious and therefore, David was able to evade Saul successfully. Michal made the right excuses and continued to help protect her husband in spite of this being her father.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

In the end, David prevailed. He had to routinely be cautious. By keeping his guard up while living his everyday life he was able to pursue just what God had for him as well as being ready for the fight. God used these times to grow him. To increase his wisdom and to help him establish a large following. This was how he ultimately became king. The fight God allowed him to endure wasn’t for him to live a paranoid life. It was so his life would fulfill a greater purpose he would never completely understand.

Three major points:
1. Never turn your back - . 
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
John 8:44 NKJV
2. Proceed with caution 
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27:1 NKJV
3.  You overcome it 
“May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose.”
Psalms 20:4 NKJV

Be careful but don’t be afraid.
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Walk forward with purpose direction and courage in your step. 

​You will win, you are a winner, change your mindset. Don’t walk around defeated. Losers never win. Only winners win. You must have lost in order to respect the joy of winning. You have lost enough. Now it is time to move forward and win.

Fight to win - Get involved for a reason and never ever quit. If you don’t know why you are in the fight, maybe it’s time to get out. When you fight, it needs to be for a purpose, on purpose.  
Quitting is not an option - Once you consider quitting it gets easier the more you think about it. When God sets a purpose inside of you, you can’t give up while you walk down that path. Otherwise you are just spinning your wheels.  

You are a winner – If you are going to adopt a winning mindset you have to visualize it, accept it, commit to it and then do it. 

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”
II Corinthians 2:14 NKJV

This means winning. You will triumph in Christ.
“Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’ ” Assemble and come, all you nations, And gather together all around. Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O LORD. “Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.”
Joel 3:9-12 NKJV

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
I Corinthians 9:24-27 NKJV

In the words of Jesus:
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’”
Revelation 3:5-6, 10-13 NKJV

You will win, you are a winner. I know I’m repeating, but you need to hear it more than once, twice or a hundred times.   

1. Fight to win. 
“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!””
II Chronicles 15:7 NKJV
2. Quitting is not an option.  
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Acts 20:24 NKJV
 3.  You are a winner 
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”
I John 5:4 NKJV

​You aren’t abandoned. You didn’t lose, and you are not struggling.

• You are not lost
• You will overcome 
• You are a champion 
• You are triumphant 

You will win!

Be in position for the miracle breakthrough or intervention. As we get into position it is important for us to consider three major points.

You can’t put a piano in a car - Some blessings are being held up because of preparation. If we aren’t properly prepared, we are unable to handle what God is trying to give, show, or explain to us. This is where we often-times feel defeat. We become frustrated. We can feel as if God has abandoned us. This of course isn’t the only reason, but before you give up on God, consider where you can be pressing in to prepare yourself. The best at anything had to practice to become better. We aren’t any different. God takes us through a series of growth.  

Expect adjustments – Life is not how you imagined it and may never be. It can be difficult especially when we think we can make absolute sense out of anything. However, it is not that easy. When we think something makes perfect sense, we can often mislead ourselves. Be able to adjust. Though God gives us a general direction, the path we take may have adventure we didn’t quite expect. If we stop, we will never get there at all.  

Don’t give up - You have too much to lose. When we first bought our farm, we had to remodel in order to refinance it with our loan arrangement. This entailed remodeling our basement. That was a very hard thing for me to endure. Hours upon hours of work on top of a full-time job, only to have a major storm come and fill it full of water. I got the gift of giving it a second try. Though this was incredibly difficult, I continued to press forward, and we achieved our goal. I most certainly could have given up. In fact, many people encouraged me to do so, but I would have forfeited the reward I now have. What I came to understand through this process was how much God cared for me and His intentions for me are good even if it feels different.  

 ““Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!””
Luke 11:11-13 NIV

God can’t provide a blessing you are not ready for. Don’t miss it. 
“The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.”
Matthew 25:8-10 NIV

Your perspective may not be right. Your pursuit may be the death of you. Don’t pursue the wrong things or waste time in the wrong places. There is no fruit in that.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
Luke 9:23-26 NIV

“But me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what GOD will do. I’m waiting for God to make things right. I’m counting on God to listen to me. Don’t, enemy, crow over me. I’m down, but I’m not out. I’m sitting in the dark right now, but GOD is my light. I can take GOD ’s punishing rage. I deserve it—I sinned. But it’s not forever. He’s on my side and is going to get me out of this. He’ll turn on the lights and show me his ways. I’ll see the whole picture and how right he is. And my enemy will see it, too, and be discredited—yes, disgraced! This enemy who kept taunting, “So where is this GOD of yours?” I’m going to see it with these, my own eyes— my enemy disgraced, trash in the gutter.”
Micah 7:7-10 MSG

Be in position for the miracle breakthrough or intervention. Don’t miss it with other distractions. Come boldly to the throne and come prepared.  

Three major points:
1. You can’t put a piano in a car
So make the adjustments. 
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.””
Mark 10:27 NIV
 2. Expect adjustments 
It’s not how you imagined it and may never be. 
 “He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”
John 21:6 NIV
3. Don’t give up. 
You have too much to lose. 
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalm 139:14 NIV

You are Gods masterpiece. He didn’t make a loser. Quitting is premature and you never know when you are going to get there. You are destined to win. You will prevail. I need to say that again, you will prevail.

So, stay in the fight.

​You are going to make it. 

We can’t get caught up in the past. We have to continue to press forward no matter the cost, no matter the situation, no matter the consequence. As we do so, we will continue to find ourselves showered in God’s grace accompanied by is blessings.

Go get it. Seize it. Great things are coming. There are tremendous blessings in store for us. We need to take away three important points as we go through this process.

Get ready – When I go outside to feed my animals, there is a process of getting ready. It’s cold outside and so I don’t want to be cold. The animals have a bi-product I don’t always like on my clothes and so I need outer wear. Then of course when you put on those cold clothes you can find yourself quite chilled. So, I have to put my clothes on and stay in them for a bit just to warm up. This is a process of getting ready. Once I am ready, I can head out into the wild west and take the day on. God uses similar processes to get us ready so we are adequately equipped.  

Get set – I loved competing in track as a kid. As soon as I think of “get set” I find my feet on the starting blocks, my body is in a crouched position, and nothing is going to shut me down. I focus on the finish line. I’m not hearing the crowd, I’m not hearing the naysayers. It’s quiet, I’m focused, I’m set.  God sets us up in a place where that is completely possible. He wants us focused without distraction. We can’t make the race what it needs to be if we miss the start.

Go - When I go, I go. I take no prisoners. It’s like sledding with the girls. We are serious. Sometimes we go forward, backward, sideways or all over the place. Rest assured we are going to have fun and nothing less than that will be our destination.

As we press forward on our purpose driven path, we won’t always know what lies ahead, we won’t always know the obstacles, but we have to focus on the unseen, the eternal.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV

As God was preparing David long before David was king, he was fighting for his life and the life of His sheep. The spiritual significance and implications from this process were not known to David at the time. However, it was enough to get David willing and able to get on the path to his purpose fulfillment.
 “But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.”
1 Samuel 17:34-35 NIV

Remember at this time David was somewhere around 14 or 15 years of age. He was wet behind the ears. Did that mean he wasn’t qualified? Quite possible in the eyes of the natural it seemed ridiculous. However, God loves to use the ridiculous and make it a testimony.

“David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.””
1 Samuel 17:32-33 NIV

Imagine being in the position of Saul. The public shame he would face by putting a kid in the battle lines. This simply wasn’t done. At the same time, he had a serious battle going in inside him. I can only imagine his thought process as he contemplated the plan. Ultimately, he had a decision to make. At this point I don’t think he had much to lose. He needed to do something. He decided defeat was going to happen should they continue on the course they were currently tracking. He took the risk but wanted to equip David as best he could. I’m certain this had something to do with insurance, underwriters and legal counsel. Ok, probably not exactly but he wanted to save face to some extent I’m sure. So he sent David off to battle.

“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.”

1 Samuel 17:48-50 NIV

Imagine the amazement as Saul watch the impossible become the possible. This didn’t happen by chance. It was a prompting, a direct leading from God to make a pathway for Jesus and His lineage only to be discovered centuries later. Let’s move this conversation back to you.

This will be your best year yet. Go get it. 

​Three major points:
1. Get ready 
 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105 NIV
2. Get set 
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 NIV 
3. Go  
“I am guiding you in the way of wisdom, and I am leading you on the right path. Nothing will hold you back; you will not be overwhelmed.”
Proverbs 4:11-12 NCV