This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, by continuing with our new mini-series entitled, “Focusing on Dying To Self”. I had an amazing weekend and I trust you did as well. I will share a few things that happened during the weekend as part of today’s message.
Isabella and the Missions team were scheduled to arrive in DC Friday night at midnight. I was scheduled to leave for Philadelphia for a Men’s Conference at 6am on Saturday morning. I had not seen my wife in 9 days and I knew I was only going to see her for a couple of hours before heading off to another ministry demand. The flight Isabella and the Missions team were taking from Puerto Rico to Miami was delayed and it caused them to miss the last flight from Miami to DC. So Isabella could not make it home until Saturday morning. This caused a change in plans. We readjusted. I made plans for someone to watch the kids and for Isabella to get a ride home from the airport. So while Isabella was flying in to DC, I was already on the road to Philadelphia.
Isabella made it home, I made it to the Men’s conference and we both enjoyed our Saturday. On Saturday afternoon, due to a last minute change of plans, I was asked to remain in Philadelphia to preach on Sunday. I knew it was the Lord’s will, but I wanted to hear it from my wife as well. I called Isabella and she immediately confirmed the will of God. So I stayed. The person with me on the trip had to stay as well. What surprised him was not the fact that I was asked to preach, but how Isabella and I responded. We had not seen each other in a week and a half and it never crossed our minds to say “No” to God.
Another thing the person with me and I discussed was how we responded to Isabella missing her flight. Now, while I was not happy about it, there was no need to be upset. It was an inconvenience, it caused us to readjust, we had to shift our plans and others had to get involved to help us. In the end, though, we had peace. Why? Because of this truth: while it was a surprise to me, I knew it was NOT a surprise to God. The fact that God already knew gave me peace. The fact that God already knew is evidence that we already had the grace to face it. This is how we attempt to face every surprise.
In the end, God used me on Sunday, lives were changed for God’s glory, and I made it home Sunday afternoon. Isabella’s body is still recovering from all the miles the team walked, up and down hills, in Dominica while on the Missions trip. They got up early and went to bed late. They poured their hearts out all day and became conduits of God’s love and power. They are back home now and the Father will replenish them.
When you die to self and you fully embrace the grace of God, you will be able to do much more than you ever imagined. You will work harder than you ever planned. You will accomplish more than you ever dreamed. But in the end, it won’t be you doing it, it will be the Father, living in You, giving you the words and performing the work by His amazing grace (see 1 Cor 15:10 & John 14:10).
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The day you were Born-Again several things happened:
a. You were translated from darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Pet 2:9).
b. You were transferred into the Kingdom of God’s dear son (Col 1:13).
c. You were seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Eph 2:6).
d. You were covered by the Blood of Jesus (1 Jn 1:17), sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13), and called to God’s eternal purpose for your life (Eph 3:11).
2. When you understand all that happened when you were Born-Again, you know you are no longer natural to this world.
a. Once you are Born-Again the supernatural is natural to you. You just don’t know how to live naturally supernatural until your mind is renewed.
b. In any area where you are not programmed to think supernaturally, don’t say that in that area you are still “natural”, because remember, you are already naturally supernatural. In that area what you are is carnal.
3. Satan wants to keep you bound to the limits of this world.
a. If satan can keep you limited to thinking like this world and approaching every challenge from the limits of this world, you will never accomplish what God sent you into the world to accomplish.
b. You are not the same as you used to be. You don’t have to think like the world thinks. You should not face challenges the same way the world does. You are born from above. You are a citizen of heaven. God Himself lives IN you! You are not bound to this world. You are IN the world, but not OF this world.
c. Look at every situation through God’s perspective. Do what He tells you to do, regardless of the personal cost, and He will make sure you not only accomplish the assignment, but that you enjoy life along the way.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016 by dying to self. I die to my limits. I die to this limits of this world. I am IN the world, but I am not OF this world. As Jesus is, in heaven, so am I in this world. I live my life based on a higher reality. Whatever You tell me to do, I do. Whatever You tell me to say, I say. Living this way I will get more done, work harder, and make more of an impact in this world than I ever imagined; but it won’t be me doing it. It will be You Father, living in me, giving me the words and performing the work! I enter this day knowing I am naturally supernatural. I am not confined to the limits of this world! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
