IT’S WHERE YOU WANT TO BE
Friday pm
Process-leaving what is comfortable
The series of steps or methods to a desired result; to compile compute or assemble data
Process comes after the calling, after you start on a desired path of commitment
Process: connector between 2 points-vision and destiny-a-z
There is a process in pregnancy- from inception-delivery
Inception
Pregnancy-term
Delivery
Growth
God has a purpose in our process of life
Much of life is not spent on a mountain top but in the valley
Mountain tops are cold and small, but valley may have some uphill climbs, but also have rivers, streams and shelter.
Gen 2:15
15And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
SOS 1:6 They made me the keeper of the vineyards, But my own vineyard I have not kept
We have a responsibility to dress and care for the calling of God.
Joseph-growing character
Pit-prison-palace-17 year old-30 year old 13 year journey
Abraham-growing his leadership
75-100 25 years to have a son
These men both have a responsibility to live out the process of their life while they are waiting for the promise
That is where frustration sets in
Don’t be weary in well doing-tend to your relationship with God
We focus on our weaknesses too much when we find ourselves struggling and it becomes self defeating
Live in our strengths , focus on our weaknesses only as God gives us grace
As He traces the image of Grace over us, we work on our weaknesses
His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses
Can’t operate in things of the spirit by the flesh
Some of you may be really struggling with God’s plan for your life, and the how’s, and when’s of it all-
But if you’re facing it, you can face it!
In life you go from faith to faith and glory to glory but in between that is PROCESS
Proverbs says that there is safety and wisdom in a multitude of counsel
Follow after those who through faith and patience have inherited the blessing.
Get some people around you that have gone through the same stuff…
My Process
Dec 2006-Aug 2007
House sold-no sign, just money, parents house
Port Huron church
Kensington
Sept 2009 launch with Horizons Church
New house-no grass, no air, no appliances, external shell, but not furnished
Grass-around house weeds waiting to creep in, weed and feed to keep it healthy
Gen 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
The process is there to validate you on the other end so you can’t say you did it on your own.
IT’S WHERE YOU WANT TO BE
Sat pm
Passion
Outburst or strong feeling
Pursuit of Passion results in Process
The connection between vision and destiny
From inception to delivery
We leave what is comfortable to follow the calling of God
I’m passionate about a few things…
Wife, kids, calling, my job, money, finishing right, and my relationship with God.
Ex: Angelo standing on bridge when I came home and said I want to jump right off this bridge into your arms!
Process in life brings about Passion-in the process of life you discover strong feelings toward certain goals
Psa 107:35-36
35 But he also turns deserts into pools of water, the dry land into springs of water. 36 He brings the hungry to settle there and to build their cities.
Process of God makes you hungry for Him as He begins to dig deeper in you for the real stuff
God is not interested in externals but internals
Ex: Lakeville, deep channel runs on North end of lake, keep your line down there where cooler waters are and you catch the bigger fish!
The purpose in the process is to bring about the right passions!
Repentance-brings change
Reboot-brings new way of thinking
Renew-function in the call!
The passion of JC was the suffering He experienced after the last supper thru His death on the Cross.
Passion is not a one way street, but God also runs to you, He did it through the Cross
He did it in the parable of the lost sheep, lost coin, lost son, and Peter.
God runs to us to fulfill His purpose in us
John 1:17 the law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by JC!
When we say passion the first word I think about is Sex-3 sec for guys and 7 sec for girls
But passion has less to do with what self can get, but how it can benefit and prefer others.
Passion has a lot to do with death and dying to self
Gal 2:20 20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
You can’t kill a dead man!
Gideon
Judges 6-8
Scaredy cat, least in his entire family, he’s unsure of himself, but very passionate about a few things
The passion of God’s call comes as people are immersed in the challenge of the moment
Gideon was trying to procure food while the midianites were stripping the land
Gideon was passionate about three things
Responsibility for his family
He doubted the call on himself
Feelings of inadequacy for the job
Gideon was a man that believed God by giving attention to the tasks at hand, believing that God would prepare him for future tasks.
1. mighty man of valor
2. where are the mighty miracles
3. I will be with you and destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man
4. really you-wait while I cook
5. Go pull down your father’s altar to Baal
6. 2 fleeces
7. 32000-300
8. crept into Midian camp overheard a dream of a barley loaf falling down the hill and defeating camp, so Gideon knew God was at work.
9. get up God has given victory because of a dream of a loaf of bread tumbling down a hill.
10. torches, horns and jars, and shouting for the lord and for Gidion, defeated Midian, which never recovered
11. Gideon reigned 40 years of peace, 70 sons, many wives, and concubines
Conclusion
§ God was digging deep for a change in Gideon’s life to get him to see himself as a leader, not weak.
Digging for a change
Ex: Angelo’s potty training story-dad I peed, will you change me.
There is a generation looking for a change, for their Heavenly Father to bring about a change of clothes for them and reveal their true passions for JC.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
Mary Stevenson, 1936
