This morning we will continue with my recap of messages that impacted me greatly during the recent Mighty Men of Valor Conference I attended. I trust my recaps have been a blessing to you thus far. I have two more to go. Both are from messages delivered by Pastor Bill Johnson of Bethel Church in Redding, CA.
Pastor Bill was a tremendous blessing. He is a fifth-generation Pastor on his father’s side and fourth-generation on his mother’s side. As I listened to God, through him, the heritage was evident. Pastor Bill is steeped in the Word and God uses him to release the supernatural consistently. People flock to Redding, CA from all over the world to attend his supernatural school of ministry. Listening to Pastor Bill was more like sitting at the feet of a Grandfather who has walked with God, than simply listening to a sermon. I was tremendously blessed. So today I will attempt to recap his first message and tomorrow I will do the same for the second.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things. Instead of giving you major points with supporting points, I will share with you several ‘golden nuggets’ Pastor Bill said. Many of the thoughts he shared as simple lines, in a matter-of-fact way, could be expounded upon for hours. So I will do my best to share both his thoughts and mine in a succinct way.
- You won’t ever step into our destiny, in its true fullness, until you learn to minister to yourself. Ministering to others is part of our Kingdom assignment, but if we don’t learn to minister to ourselves we will be eventually overtaken with disappointment and frustration along the way. If you are frustrated this morning, take a few moments to minister to yourself.
- If you can’t navigate disappointment you cannot be trusted with the success you have asked for. True Godly success is released to ‘tested’ sons and daughters.
- Praying, “Your will be done on earth as it is heaven” is NOT a prayer about going to heaven. Far too many believers are fixated on leaving this world and entering the next. But you can’t make impact here if you don’t accept your assignment HERE! Praying, “Your will be done on earth as it is heaven” is a prayer about bringing heaven to the earth.
- The psalmist said, “Heaven belongs to the Lord, but he gave the earth to people” (Psalm 115:16). God made the heavens for Himself. He made earth for man and He only comes by invitation. Prayer is the invitation. Prayer is an invitation for heaven to invade the earth.
- Every time we experience divine victory in the earth we testify of the reality of God’s world (heaven); we personify heaven on the earth.
- Jesus qualified you. He took what you deserved, so that you can now live in His name and receive what He deserved.
- Jesus came for one primary purpose: to reveal the Father. Jesus left us behind to continue what He started. Your purpose in the earth is to reveal the Father.
- Your journey with the Lord does not end in heaven. Even in heaven you will forever be learning of Him.
- If you learn to love the Word you will get to the point where you don’t pray out of discipline, but out of passion.
- There is not a thing, no problem, no situation you will ever face that will catch God off-guard. Find peace in knowing that God is never surprised.
- All leaders have two basic functions: to rule and to serve. Godly leaders rule to protect and serve to empower.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. There is so much to walking with You. The more I learn the more I realize how much more there is to learn. There are layers and layers of revelation IN You. I am thankful that every day I get to experience Your presence, peace and power. You reveal Yourself to me on a daily basis and that revelation empowers me to become the person You birthed me to be. I am Your child. I am covered by the Blood of Your Son. I am filled with Your Spirit. I am in the world to advance Your Kingdom plans and purposes. That will only happen as I learn of You, die to self, and flow in the unforced rhythms of Your grace. Your will shall be done in my life and in my sphere of influence today. It shall be done ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, because my prayers invite You to invade my world. Today the world shall see Jesus IN me! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
