Are You Ready for THE HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT?

Wherever we live, work, play, or shop, God has birthed in us a PURPOSE to reach others for the kingdom of God.  While this is an awesome and honorable calling, there's also a TARGET on our lives to STOP this witness.  What is our mindset to be because of this assignment from the kingdom of darkness?  We must PREPARE our minds, spirits and hearts to thrive in the HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT that is being formed against the people of God.

From the moment we accepted Christ, there’s a spirit of HOSTILITY that has very strategically been launched against us.  And yet, many of us find ourselves being SURPRISED when we see this spirit manifested.  Well, no more walking in confusion about this matter!  God will NOT have us ignorant or ill-prepared about these things.  Read with us this week and find out what you've always wanted to know about what we're up against as believers, how it started, and what our ATTITUDE should be in a world that so desperately needs to hear the TRUTH of God's great love for us all.

Week of July 15th> THE HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT

Monday, July 15th> Genesis 3: 14-15; Romans chapters 14-16

1.  Where and why did this hostility against God's people begin?

Tuesday, July 16th> Luke 4: 1-13; 1 Corinthians chapters 1-3

2.  What form of training must we REGULARLY engage in if we want to make preparation for the hostile environment?

Wednesday, July 17th> Luke 4: 16-30 (NET); 1 Corinthians chapters 4-6

3.  How does this hostility MANIFEST when we declare the TRUTH about FREEDOM in the hearing of those who may or may not know they are under satan's influence?

Thursday, July 18th> Luke 6: 6-11; John 12: 9-11; 1 Corinthians chapters 7-10

4.  Why is the enemy so determined to "KILL THE MIRACLE" that God uses us to display?

Friday, July 19th> Matthew 26: 55; Acts 5: 27-33; 1 Corinthians chapters 11-13

5.  Because darkness wants Christ and His message ARRESTED, what should our mindset and response be when we find ourselves being cross-examined under the disguise of "innocent" questioning?

Saturday, July 20th> Acts 26: 9-11; John 15: 20; Matthew 24: 9-14; 1 Corinthians chapters 14-16

6.  Since the motives of the enemy have been EXPOSED, what type of RESOLVE must we have about the fact that we WILL BE PERSECUTED just like Jesus and His disciples were?

Sunday, July 21st> John 14:6; Acts 20: 22-24(NLT); 2 Corinthians chapters 1-3

7.  No matter what KIND of persecution, how should we RESPOND when God opens the opportunity to boldly DECLARE the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Re-Awaken the Dreams

In the words of Pastors Chad and Nette, "The Holy Spirit did not impregnate us with dreams of change, destiny and purpose to frustrate us, aggravate us, or discourage us!  He placed them WITHIN us... To see them come THROUGH us... To IMPACT the world AROUND us!  God will give you EVERYTHING you need to be EVERYTHING He wants!"

So what stops us from pursuing those dreams that are at the forefront of our minds and hearts?  Could it be that we may have FORGOTTEN the very important fact that a WORLDCHANGER named Jesus touched us, and life will never be the same?  We do have a part to play in this process, however: we have to CHANGE!  Old MINDSETS, attitudes, and bad habits have to go.  We must make room for the NEW THING God is doing so we can accomplish the MOST in the time we have left on this earth. To do the opposite has only one result: RUINS.  DEVASTATION.  LOST HOPES AND DREAMS.  BROKEN-DOWN CITIES.

Read with us this week as we learn AND APPLY the steps to embracing TRUE CHANGE and re-awakening the dreams God intended us to fulfill.

Week of July 8th> What Prevents the Ruins? CHANGE!

Monday, July 8th> Matthew 11: 20; Acts chapters 22-24

1.  What role does the act of REPENTING (heartily, with enthusiasm, gusto and WITHOUT reservation) play in our decision to CHANGE?

Tuesday, July 9th> Matthew 11: 21-24; Acts chapters 25-28

2.  In spite of the many miracles Jesus, a WORLDCHANGER, performed in these cities, what are some reasons for their refusal to change?

Wednesday, July 10th> John 1: 1-14; Romans chapters 1-2

3.  Contrary to the enemy's assignment, how has God designed our cities to BENEFIT as a result of having WORLDCHANGERS in our midst?

Thursday, July 11th> Isaiah chapter 61; Romans chapters 3-5

4.  What is the most important Gift from God that will cause change WITHIN us, and consequently cause us to become WORLDCHANGERS?

Friday, July 12th> Isaiah 54: 1-2; Romans chapters 6-8

5.  What about our MINDSETS will we need to CHANGE in order to ENLARGE the place of our tent (make room for the new people God is preparing us to minister to)?

Saturday, July 13th> Isaiah 54: 2; Romans chapters 9-11

6.  When God says "Do NOT SPARE", how is He expecting us to treat the visions, dreams and ideas we've been given?

Sunday, July 14th> Isaiah 54:3; 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NLT); Romans chapters 12-13

7.  In what areas can we expect to see INCREASE as we step out in faith and BELIEVE that God WILL use us to impact the lives of others?

PERSISTENCE: Soldier's Edition

Picture your favorite movie soldier hero, whomever it may be -- Sylvester Stallone in "Rambo" (for the more seasoned folks among us, sorry, this is as far back as I can go), Mel Gibson as "The Patriot", Meg Ryan in "Courage Under Fire" or Denzel Washington in "Glory" -- and we will never forget Gerald Butler as King Leonidas with his crew in "300".  What endears us to every single one?  Which characteristic of their heroism do we admire the most?  You've got it: their ability to ENDURE HARDSHIP.  That, my friends, is PERSISTENCE.

As believers, I think we love to watch movies of this nature because we love being reminded of who WE really are.  It's fascinating and encouraging to see how these characters rise to the occasion when faced with heartache, adversity and certain death.  But we fail to see OURSELVES in this role on a DAILY BASIS.  We tend to forget that we ARE soldiers in this ETERNAL battle between a VERY REAL kingdom of darkness and Kingdom of Light.   There's no-one to yell "Cut!" after a bloody scene in which we MUST engage ranks of demonic forces from day to day.  So how do we do it?  How do we endure hardship, trials and temptations without giving up or giving in?

Read with us this week as we take on another level of Persistence: Soldiers' Edition.

Week of July 1st> PERSISTENCE Part 2: The Soldier's Charge

Monday, July 1st> 2 Timothy 2: 3; Acts chapters 1-3

1.  Contrary to the anti-Christian culture which threatens to water down the Biblical image of a GOOD soldier, what kinds of hardships does God expect us to endure?

Tuesday, July 2nd> 2 Timothy 2:4; Acts chapters 4-6

2.  What "affairs of this life" does the Bible admonish the good soldier not to become ENTANGLED with?

Wednesday, July 3rd> Ephesians 6: 10 (AMP); Acts chapters 7-9

3.  Where should the soldier of the Lord's army draw the power and might to fight in this eternal battle?

Thursday, July 4th> Ephesians 6: 11; Eph. 6: 13-17 (AMP); Acts chapters 10-12

4.  What is the significance of EACH piece of the WHOLE ARMOR of God?

Friday, July 5th> Ephesians 6: 12; Acts chapters 13-15

5.  In what way does keeping in mind whom our fight is against, help the good soldier remain PERSISTENTLY PERSISTENT?

Saturday, July 6th> Ephesians 6: 18; 1 Thessalonians 5: 17-18; Acts chapters 16-18

6.  What is the good soldier's MOST IMPORTANT area of persistence?

Sunday, July 7th> Genesis 32: 24-30; Acts chapters 19-21 and 36

7.  In what ways does God manifest BLESSINGS in our lives when we refuse to allow our past to keep us from PRESSING into God for change?

PERSISTENCE WILL PAY OFF!

It's become an inspiring example of PERSISTENCE even in the mainstream collection of movies, and it's definitely my all-time favorite.  I can see it now-- the scene in Alex Kendrick's movie " Facing the Giants" where the coach convinces one of his main players to crawl 50 yards with a 150-pound player on his back while blindfolded.  Through the pain, and because of his coach's urging not to give up, Brock manages to crawl all the way to the end zone... And discovers that the player he'd been carrying was 15 pounds heavier than he thought!

 If you're like me, are you tired of coming so close --but not close enough --to walking in ALL the fullness of living the Totally Devoted Life?  Has one disappointment after another convinced you that CHANGE is just a pipe dream?  Read with us this week and discover how attainable it is THROUGH PERSISTENCE...And just how rewarding it will be at the finish line when you STAY IN THE RACE.

 Week of June 24th> A Summer of Change: PERSISTENCE WILL PAY OFF!

 Monday, June 24th> Romans 7: 14-25; John chapters 1-3

 1.  Although the word PERSISTENCE seems difficult when faced with areas of our lives that we need to change, in what ways DO we show persistence?

 

Tuesday, June 25th> Hebrews 10:23;  Galatians 6: 9; John chapters 4-6

 2.  Why is it important NOT to become weary and give up hope if we want to truly see things change in our lives?

 

Wednesday, June 26th> Ephesians 6: 16;  John chapters 7-9

 3.  How does our SHIELD OF FAITH operate as our primary weapon in our fight for PERSISTENCE?

 

Thursday, June 27th> 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; John chapters 10-12

 4.  In what ways do our lives parallel those of runners, and how does PERSISTENCE defeat the enemy's resistance to our success?

 

Friday, June 28th> James 1: 2-4 NLT; John chapters 13-16

 5.  How has God designed the use of trials in our lives where PERSISTENCE is concerned?

 

Saturday, June 29th> 2 Kings 2: 1-14; John chapters 17-18

 6.  What could happen "SUDDENLY" when we are PERSISTENT in pursuing Godly covenant relationships?

 

Sunday, June 30th> Ruth chapter 4; John chapters 19-21

 7.  In what other ways does PERSISTENCE promise to pay off in our lives?

 

 Always Totally Devoted

Can one man really make that much of a difference in our world?

Is it even worth the headache and heartache to stand and fight for righteousness and Godly families?  Does God really expect us to walk away from the "backup plans" we may have stored deep in our hearts just in case His way doesn't work out to our advantage?

What does a Godly, on-fire, and courageous man look like, anyway?  Well, look no further than the life of Joshua the son of Nun!  Read with us this week and find out how to walk in our God-given authority over the kingdom of darkness as you learn how to DECLARE: "As for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD!"

Week of June 17th> A SUMMER OF CHANGE: "As For Me and My House"

Monday, June 17th> Joshua 24: 1-13; Luke chapters 4-6

1.  In what ways has God shown Himself to be a FATHER in your life?

Tuesday, June 18th> Joshua 24: 14; Luke chapters 7-9

2.  Why is it of the utmost importance that we commit to serving God in SINCERITY and TRUTH?

Wednesday, June 19th> Joshua 24: 15; Luke chapters 10-12

3.  What are some examples of the "gods on the other side of the River of Life" that we will HAVE TO put away out of total devotion to the One True God?

Thursday, June 20th> Joshua 24: 16-18; Luke chapters 13-15

4.  In what ways have the "gods of the Amorites, in whose land we dwell", influenced believers today?

  Friday, June 21st > Joshua 24: 19-31; Luke chapters 16-18

5.  What characteristics of Joshua the son of Nun do Godly men need in order to take a stand for the kingdom of God in the face of so many challenges?

Saturday, June 22nd> Matthew 11:12 (NIV); Ephesians 6: 12 (MSG); Luke chapters 19-21

6.  What MINDSET SHIFT is expected among Godly fathers that will make the most impact on our homes, neighborhoods, and eventually our society?

Sunday, June 23rd> Hebrews 8: 10 (MSG); 2 Corinthians 3: 2-3; Luke chapters 22-24

7.  Where has God placed the MARK of His covenant with us that serves as a REMINDER to us as well as a LIVING LETTER of Christ to the world?

Always Totally Devoted

A Summer of Change: Want Fruit? Something MUST Bloom!

WANT FRUIT? THEN AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST MUST BLOSSOM AND PRODUCE SEED, SO THE FRUIT WILL GROW TO PROTECT IT, DISPERSE IT, AND DRAW THOSE TO CONSUME AND PLANT IT!

DON'T LET SIN, IMMATURITY, AND A LACK OF INTIMATE COMMUNION KEEP YOU SPIRITUALLY STERILE, WE HAVE BEEN COMMANDED TO REPRODUCE!!! TO BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY...

Pastor Yassah Po...sted:

Roses, carnations, hydrangeas, oh my! Peppers, cabbages, spinach-- yum, yum! Plums, oranges, tomatoes-- oh, wow! The list goes on and on of the Father's colorful AND delicious display of His purpose for our lives. Did you know that your life is DESIGNED to bloom, produce seed from intimacy with the Father, then bear fruit that will attract others to Him? Have you ever considered the contrary winds and pests in your life as ASSISTANTS to the pollination that is necessary for reproduction?

Are you ready to push past all the distractions and hindrances to maturity so that YOUR ULTIMATE PURPOSE-- to bear fruit that remains and reproduces-- can manifest? Read with us this week, our second week in A SUMMER OF CHANGE, and find out how God has set us up to be fruitful and multiply for His kingdom.

Week of June 10th> A Summer of Change: Want Fruit? Something MUST Bloom!

Monday, June 10th > Romans 1: 20; Matthew chapters 26-28

1. How does God use His creation to model what the believer's life should look like?

Tuesday, June 11th> Genesis 1: 11-12; Mark chapters 1-3

2. In what way do the reproductive organs INSIDE the flower parallel that of the body of Christ?

Wednesday, June 12th> John 15: 1-7; Mark chapters 4-6

3. Although inside of EACH of us has been placed the necessary parts for reproduction (GIVER and RECEIVER), why WON'T we reproduce without INTIMACY?

Thursday, June 13th> Galatians 5: 22-23; Mark chapters 7-9

4. What is God's ultimate purpose for wrapping His seed inside of the fruit we produce, then making it attractive and irresistible to others?

Friday, June 14th> 2 Corinthians 4: 7-11; Mark chapters 10-12

5. Contrary to what many of us would like to believe, in what way do winds and pests ASSIST the POLLINATORS (the Holy Spirit, the Word, and Godly relationships, etc.) in depositing the seed of life into us?

Saturday, June 15th> Jeremiah 48:32-33 (NLT); Mark chapters 13-16

6. How does the destroyer use SIN, IMMATURITY, and LACK of COMMUNION to steal our fruit before reproduction takes place?

Sunday, June 16th> John 15: 15-17; Luke chapters 1-3

7. What do we as believers need to do in order to reproduce after our own kind in this season of fruit-bearing?

A Summer of Change/BIBLE READING PLAN

Week of June 3rd> A Summer of Change/BIBLE READING PLAN

Monday, June 3rd> Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8; Matthew chapters 5-7

1. Although everything in creation displays God's intention for change to be NATURAL and CONSTANT, why do we resist change in our lives?

Tuesday, June 4th> Matthew chapters 8-10

2. In what way does God reward us when we dare to INITIATE the change needed in our lives rather than become unwilling participants?

Wednesday, June 5th> Matthew 24: 32; Matthew chapters 11-13

3. In order for change to begin, why is it important for us to resist the urge to remain hard and unmoving after going through disappointments and heartbreak?

Thursday, June 6th> John 15: 5; Proverbs 11: 30; Matthew chapters 14-16

4. Just as Jesus exemplified in His ministry, what is the first and foremost RESULT of allowing God's will and purpose to abide (live and remain) in us?

Friday, June 7th> Luke 13: 6-9; Matthew chapters 17-19

5. What does this passage in Luke 13 reveal about the TRUE heart of God towards His children who may have missed seasons of productiveness for one reason or another? How should we respond to God's compassion and mercy?

Saturday, June 8th> Romans 12: 1-2; Matthew chapters 20-22

6. Unlike many fruit trees whose flowers "show" on the outside, what does God want us to learn from the fig tree whose fruit IS the flower?

Sunday, June 9th> Psalm chapter 1; Matthew chapters 23-25

7. Although God has promised to make us fruitful in the spring AND in the fall, what attitude must we be mindful to have if we want our fall harvest to be different?