God's perception of the prophets and the prophets' perceptions of themselves are completely opposite. In this day and age, we are fully convinced that we know God's heart and are speaking on His behalf. But how can we be so sure? The prophets of this age are busy with full calendars and an abundance of activities. But what does the Lord say? They speak not out of listening to His word. They have activity but they do not have authority.

God wants us as a church to be filled with His authority and to release His power. God wants His church to be a gateway to heaven.

In this scripture, the Lord shows observation, offering, and gives us further understanding:

Observation: We're so busy that we don't fully spend time with Him. The God that we worship is close at hand, and although we live in an age where everything else is close at hand, the great tragedy for our generation is that we think we know the Lord, but we have only scratched the surface of who He is. He is not JUST close at hand but far away, in need of pursuit.

Offering: He is giving us access to His throne and wants us to come into proximity with Him. We have to disconnect to connect. There have to be seasons in our lives where we push back on all the other things that are close at hand. There are parts of God that can only be discovered when we give God our day.

Understanding: It's the far away God that comes to us in moments of our life that marks us with calling, with commission, giving us faith and vision. The far away God ruins us for the ordinary and makes us say that we don't want anything else but heaven right now.

We're sustained by the close at hand God, but revival is started by the far away God. There are some levels of demonic oppression that can only be broken with prayers to the far away God, so let's press into that today!

In our lives, we often strive to control certain aspects, but we must acknowledge that our efforts can only take us so far. When we attempt to control things, we are essentially admitting that we trust ourselves more than we trust God. However, it is crucial to realize that God does not want us to submit to Him partially; rather, He desires that we surrender everything to Him and trust in His process. It is important to recognize that our sins not only affect us but can also have an impact on those around us. As Christians, we are called to live as examples of the gospel, but our disobedience can lead to turmoil in other people's lives.

There are several reasons why we might feel compelled to control things:

• It is our default mode of operation.
• At times, taking control can yield positive results.
• We might feel impatient and rush God's timing.

In situations where we are following God's will and obeying His commands, we must trust that things will unfold as they are meant to. It is essential to understand that sin encompasses more than just our overt wrongdoings. Even if we make choices out of disobedience, we are still living in sin.

When we place ourselves in God's hands, we can rest assured that regardless of the challenges we face, we will be okay because we are designed to be with Him. Therefore, it is crucial to let go of our need for control and surrender ourselves to His divine will. By doing so, we can live a life that is pleasing to God and be a positive influence on those around us.

This world can offer us a fleeting sense of peace, but as believers, we serve a God who offers us a peace that surpasses all understanding. Fear can often push us to make impulsive decisions, but when we allow ourselves to experience true peace, we can learn to be still and make wise choices.

It's important to recognize that not all fear is created equal. Healthy fear can equip us to face challenges and grow as individuals, while unhealthy fear can hold us back and limit our potential. Instead of letting fear control us, we can choose to let it fuel our faith and motivate us to become better versions of ourselves.

We should never allow the fear of the unknown to keep us from stepping into the fullness of what God has for us. Even when we feel like things are coming to an end, we must remember that it's not over until it's good. Fear may tempt us to break rules or compromise our values, but as followers of Christ, we are called to walk with grace and integrity, opening doors for others who are believing for the same things we are.

So let us not be ruled by fear, but by faith in a God who offers us true and lasting peace. Let us use our fear to become stronger and better equipped to face whatever challenges come our way, always trusting in His goodness and faithfulness.

Being faithful and consistent is not always exciting and it's not always cheered on by people. However, it is crucial to keep our faith and consistently pursue the creator of our call. In the process, He gives us the confidence and wisdom to do what He intends for our life. Our faith should bring forth fruit, and to achieve that, we need to understand and implement the following points:

1. Faith takes a new vision. This new vision only comes when we seek the things above and not earthly things. We should not combat our heavenly promise with earthly reasoning. Instead, we should focus on our faith and seek God's guidance to acquire a new perspective.
2. Faith takes action. Joshua didn't just talk about the word God gave him; he acted upon it. Similarly, we should not just talk about what God has asked us to do; we should do it. Taking action is a crucial step in fulfilling our call.
3. Faith takes patience. We need to be willing to be inconvenienced in our day and age to see what God has said come to pass. God is good and just, and He will not cut corners because that goes against His truth and love.
4. Faith takes consistency and commitment. We have to be okay with the process because it ensures that we remain expectant for the outcome. The process also ensures that we don't take the credit but give all the glory to God.
5. Faith takes follow-through. When we try to take down the walls alone in our timing, we have nothing to show for it. However, when we obey and trust God and actually follow through with what He has asked us to do, we will see His glory come through like never before.

In conclusion, it is essential to keep the faith and consistently pursue God's call for our life. By implementing the above points, we can bring forth fruit and see God's glory manifested in our life.