Read: Matthew 5: 14-16 | Proverbs 23:7 | John 7:22 | 2 Timothy 2

As we continue to dive deeper into our walk with God we realize that Church is not a hiding place but a rallying place to get fired up for the next mission Our only objective in life  is that people discover Jesus so how we represent Him is going to be more effective out in the world that inside the walls of the church. In order to complete this mission we have to stand on the truth that we are both kings in ruling but also kings in waiting, so as we are expectant to God to take us to that “next big thing” we can still influence the atmosphere of where we are at. 
Here are some things to think about as we continue to reflect the light of Christ: 

1 Sometimes our lack of promotion is just a season of preparation. 

2 To bring glory means to excel in whatever it is we do and that excellence will speak to people.

3 We have to be overt and covert at the same time. 

It’s our mandate to change this city and to change this country for the Lord. A city on a hill cannot be hidden the word says, which means that if each of us collectively shine the light that has been given us, together we make a massive impact on the darkness that surrounds us. We often feel ineffective because we are isolated but look around you and see that you have been placed in a body that is running this race alongside you! 

Application -
Where are you positioned: a job, your family, your friends. How can you begin to bring that unique light into their lives?

Prayer -
Father help me reflect the light of Jesus on to those around me. I pray that I will excel in all the skills you have given me and in that process that I will bring you utmost glory. Help me see this season of preparation as the training grounds for what you have in store for the future! In Jesus Name!

Our dreams can never know the power of resurrection unless they experience some sort of death. All of us want to live but very few of us want our dreams to die and in this walk we find that if they die they actually go into His hands and in His hands there is resurrection power. In order to share in his blessings we have to choose to share in his suffering! It’s his humanity that draws us closer to him but it’s his divinity that transforms the humanity in us and this transformation is the “process” that we all go through.

The process is painful but here are somethings that we can take heart in knowing: Even Jesus prayed to forfeit the process before the promise, but in that prayer He chose God’s way! The pain will only affect one person but the process will birth something that will impact the lives of many.

Jesus passed the test because He knew  that God was ordering His steps. He clung to trust even when pain was imminent.

All of us must go to the wilderness alone and it’s there that we will get prepared and tested. The enemy will test us with our own promises without a process. The cost of the process is worth everything, just like the pain of labor is worth the baby in the end. So know that the steps give you the strength to hold the promise in the end. Jesus defeated the devil on the mountain but He fought the flesh in the garden. The ultimate fight is with ourselves but He shows us that the flesh can be conquered!

Application -How can you begin to give God worship through the steps your on? Can you choose God’s way over your way today?

Prayer - Father, the process has been painful. But I long to join in the suffering of Christ so that I may know the joy at the end. I worship and honour you for being God. Thank you for holding my life in your hands and for never giving into prayers that would help me cut corners in life. I give you my dreams and life knowing full well that you will lead me every step of the way. Amen

Read-
Isaiah 43:18
Acts 2:17-21
Revelation 12:7-12
Revelation 1:14

Revival starts when you catch a new vision of the same old situation. As we prepare to take ground, the most important thing on this journey would be to forget the former things and focus in on what God is doing right here, right now. This fresh vision of our lives will open up our hearts to a move of God like never before and we are to be a church that is building the kingdom wherever we go, we need to remember the following:

1. It is the power of the blood and the power of our testimony that will cause the shift in pain. People don’t connect to our promise they connect to our pain, like a puzzle piece, it's what was broken and missing in us that has created a space for someone to partner with us in life.

2. God is bringing us to the dark places to bring the water out of us to bless those around us. Those rivers of living water will be more of a miracle when they come forth in a dry and desert place.

3. We will never step out if we don't know who is with us, all of Heaven is backing us up and that should give us the boldness to preach revival. God came upon the heroes of faith so that they can carry the anointing into every situation. But unlike the heroes of the past, we have that anointing living within us and it has nothing to do with us!

We need to know how powerful our God is and then we need to know how much He loves us. We take all God’s power away if we continue to hate ourselves and if we cannot see that this all powerful God has left the powers of the universe to rest his hands on us we will forfeit this race. Revival is here and it starts with us!

Application:
Can we stop looking into the past and press into the future? If there past miracles and great moments in your life that have maybe turned into idols then ask the Lord to give you a fresh vision of the future today!

Prayer:
Father I pray that revival will break out in me today. I long to be used by you, at this moment. You’re not waiting for perfection because you are perfect. If it is a move of God it will only happen through broken vessels and the foolish things of this world. I ask that you move me out of the way so that you can reach the world around me, through me. In Jesus name!

Read-
Revelation 12:7
Luke 8:39
Titus 3:3
Colossians 3

We have to remember that more than just one man speaking from a pulpit, there is power in the word of our testimonies. When Legion was saved he wanted to follow Jesus but instead of going with Him he was asked to return home and proclaim the goodness of God. It’s time for us to go back to the place where we were broken so that we can proclaim the truth of Jesus and the power of His salvation.

Here’s why our testimony is important:

1. God took the wages of sin that were piled up against us and he justified us by his grace to allow us step into a purpose that is greater than we can possibly imagine.

2. The ark of the covenant used to be something that held the presence of God but now we are the ark of God, we have a story to tell.

3. Religion has become the chains of bondage instead of sin but let’s witness through the Holy Spirit to those around us and help break the Spirit of Religion off.

We worship gifted people when our gifts are simply tools to build the house and to shine His light. Work on your gift, cultivate it but ask him to help you use it to honor Him . Jesus was about the Fathers business, that was his ultimate testimony. We are the arks that touch the city and we don’t need a mic to testify. Go get people saved and then invite them to church!

Application - How can you share your testimony with someone this week?

Prayer - Father give me the courage to share my testimony with those around me. I pray that you use every tool I have at my disposal to spread the truth of what you have done in my life.

Amos 9:12-5
Matthew 10: 29-31
Luke 12:6-7

Back in the day the sparrow was a pest in their towns and homes. It would build nests where it wasn’t supposed to, it was too quick to be caught, however there are places in the bible that the Lord tries to remind us about our worth through the picture of a Sparrow. The sparrow is both vigilant and joyful. God is looking for some people who are both stubborn and joyful, stubborn for the right things like the presence of God and joyful because of the fruit of the Spirit.

1. It’s because we are so fearful of other things but God, that we get angry and frustrated over our lives. When we are in awe of God it replaces all other awes!

2. Vigilance and Joy can be found in a firm foundation of the valley, the mountain top, in the presence of my enemies, the green pastures because God is everywhere.

3.The sparrow is a reminder of not who you are but whose you are. While people overlook the sparrow the Lord looks over it. Let’s focus on the nature and character of God and begin to enter His presence!

If a pest can live in our house rent free, trusting and living their lives because the Father who loves ALL takes care of them, how can we not believe that we are in good hands? God has not passed us over but he continues to push us forward in His plan. Run to him to receive that revelation and He will give you all you need!

Application:
Have you been feeling overlooked and forgotten? Do you have a hard time trusting God with the details of your life? How can you take one step closer to His truth today?

Prayer:
Father, how comforting it is to know that you are the Lord of a sparrow. I have failed to grasp the truth that I am worth anything to you so help me get to know you, so that I may see your character and nature and know in my heart that no matter where life takes me, I can trust you always!

Amos 9:13-15
Isaiah 60:1-3
Matthew 5:13
Micah 7:8

God is doing something with what you called dirt. There is going to come a time when the harvest is going to surpass the harvesters. We might be walking through a season of life that currently looks like dirt, this might lead us to look at the glory days that have passed and idols what the Lord has done, but God is wanting to remind His church that He is doing a new thing and here’s why:

1. In the darkest times He longs to shine His light through us. The light of the Lord is violent against the darkness so instead of hiding that light, He wants us to be a city on a hill.

2. The greatest burden, the greatest mission and the greatest passion should be to light the candle in our home.

3. God told us that we are like salt, and just like salt we will never expire, never be able to get rid of our essence. In His hands we can be used to heal, to redeem, to restore and to enhance His will.

Many people have misunderstood the parable about the Salt. Jesus did not make a mistake when He said salt that loses its saltiness is worthless because the reality is that salt can scientifically never go bad. Just like that there isn't any expiration date on salt and there is no expiration date on your call. No matter how bad your life has been, you will always be valuable in the hands of God!

Application:
How can you begin to let the essence of God shine through you where He has placed you?

Prayer:
Lord because you have called me to be the salt and the light, help me embrace the reality of who I am. I am not to be hidden and forgotten, my purpose will not expire no matter what anyone says. Help me advance your kingdom and change the atmosphere of every setting you place me in, because that is what you’ve already called me to be!

In this season God is done calling us into the shallow. He doesn't care if you just got saved or if you're struggling with sin. He is not calling everyone of us to the deep because what we need it but because the food we need is in the deep end.Here are some things to consider with your relationship with God:

1. God will always be able to use whatever you put before Him. But in order to see the fullness of God youwill need to give all of you.
2. We need to replace our fear of man with the fear of the Lord. Only then will we be able to live a life free to operate in the authority He's given us.
3. God emptied heaven to gain intimacy with us, although we've been fasting making room in our lives for His love will be the most fulfilling thing we do.

There will always be two types of people: Sauls or Peters. The difference between the two was this: one dealt with that fear of man the other dealt with immaturity and the pride of man. One repented and the other had a rebuttal. Remember that the same sun that melts wax hardens clay, so what will be your response when the Lord calls you to a greater level of intimacy with Him!

APPLICATION:

What would you pray for if you knew that God was backing your words from heaven? How different would your life be if you knew that everything you spoke had authority and weight. You can get that way if you allow God to be the number one priority in your life!

PRAYER:

Father I'm asking you to take me deeper. Forgive me for any area of disobedience in my heart, I know you've asked for all of me and I may have only let you in on some of my heart. I want all of me to be consumed by all of you!

Luke 1:13-20
We live in a day and age where there are many things that come against us. However, just like the seven sons of Sceva we might go after strongholds thinking we have the authority only to realise that we don’t. The only way to become a generation that walks in releasing the power of God is to remember the following:

1. We can’t get authority from God if we don’t have intimacy with God.

2. We need a generation who know how to linger in the presence of God.3. Vision will come when we stand in the presence of God. Our identity and our authority should be the result of our intimacy with the Lord whereas our doubts and fears will be a manifestation of our distance from Him. So wherever you are today on your journey, press into His presence and ask the Lord to teach you how to spend time with Him!Application:

Do you find yourself rushing out of the presence of God? When was the last time you sat and lingered in His presence?Prayer:
Father, teach me how to sit with you. I long to be beside you and I’m sorry for the letting life’s distractions get in the way of intimacy with you. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear your still small voice, and help me draw closer to you daily!

The church is so powerful because it is through our unity that we get to bombard hell with the power and the authority the Lord has given us to overcome strongholds. When Peter was in prison the church prayed very earnestly for him and although they were uncertain of what was gonna happen they were going to pray and believe and trust that God will come through. Prayer moves through time and space and moves through all natural boundaries so that God can meet His super with our natural.Here are some reasons as to why we pray together:

1. We pray when there is nothing else we can do in the natural

2. We pray so that we can carry each other’s burdens

3. We pray so that we can attack the problem before it attacks us.We might have to keep contending and we might have to keep pursuing Him but we intercede until He intervenes. Keep praying because we could be one prayer away from praying the walls down. Most people lust after the picture of the promise but want nothing to do with the process of what it takes to get to that place, so let’s let the power of prayer transform us today!Application -

Do you have a hard time praying both by yourself and corporately? How can you begin to build up a habit of prayer in your life?Prayer -
Father help me stay persistent in prayer. Let me see how incredibly powerful the weapon of prayer is and show me how to wield it consistently in my life. I long to pray with power and authority because as children of God, prayer needs to be our source! In Jesus name, Amen.

Read -
1 Corinthians 13:11
Ephesians 6:10
Genesis 1:1-31, 2:8-25God made the environment and then He places the things that need to survive in that environment. When He created Eden He created us after, to place us in that environment because that is the thing we needed the most. Like a fish out of water we will not survive out of His presence. The enemy does everything he can to get us out of the environment we were designed to be in, because we are made from dirt and spirit there’s a constant battle between our flesh and our spirit. That battle is won in the mind and in order to win we must put aside the following childish thought patterns:

1. Personalizing Everything - Not everyone is mad at you.

2. Magnifying Thoughts - Making mountains out of mole hills.

3. Everything is Awful - Expecting the worst out come.
4. Jumping to Conclusions - Assuming the end result.
5. Mind Reading - Thinking that you know other’s motives.
6. Negative Filters - Using the lenses of past hurts.
7. Emotional Reasoning - Letting your emotions be your guide.
8. Blame Game - When it’s everyone else’s fault but yours
9. Selective Thinking - Picking and choosing your narrative

10. Closed Minded - Seeing things only your way.Prayer is the one thing that can change our thoughts because in prayer we get to put on the mind of Christ. Prayer is learned by praying and it takes persistence from us in order to yield results. It is in prayer that we enter Eden which is God’s open door into His presence. As we renew your minds in His word we will find our whole life changing!Application -
What are some childish thought patterns that you need to break from your thinking? How can you begin to pray into a new direction today?Prayer -
Father as I go on this journey to mature in my Spirit, I ask that you reveal all childish thoughts that are deeply rooted within my heart. Give me the courage to face my immaturities and allow you to prune and grow me. I pray that I will begin to put aside childish ways and stand firm in your truth today!

Read-
Ephesians 2:1-22
Ecclesiates 6:1-12
Romans 11:29
Pslams 78:41

God has a plan even for the most broken parts of us since Day 1. The only thing the Lord asks of us to take care of though, is what He has given us. God gives us a destiny but He asks us to be a part of the destiny He has for us. We are the only ones that can limit God in our lives, but in 2024 what if we removed those limitations and watch God do the impossible!

1. What you decide to do will be based on the vision you have for your life.

2. God makes us master creators because we are His masterpiece

3. To create room for God thoughts you have to bring all other thoughts to His throne

4. Between your call and your destiny are choices that build your character.

5. Growing up means we put away toys and pick up tools!

It’s time for us to be people that are real, that have Holiness and are shaped after His character. Only then can we hold the weighty destiny that He has for us. God doesn’t want us to burn and fizzle out but He’s wanting us to leave a legacy. God is calling us into maturity this year as a group of believers so let's make that decision as a family today!

Application:
What are some decisions you have to make that will help your character transform to look more like Jesus?

Prayer:
Father I’m thankful that in this New Year, I can truly become a new version of me. I’m praying for new thoughts, new visions and I’m asking that you develop the fruit of my Spirit so that I can develop the character necessary to hold the destiny that you have for me!

Read
Jeremiah 29:11
John 11:1-27

2023 has been a year filled with triumphs and trials, but as we step into the New Year there is something we need to be sure of: “Are you a believer in crisis?”

We know what we love to do when Jesus answers our prayers, but what do we do when we go through trials? No one posts about the bad things, we focus on the highlights of our relationship with God. But what happens when you pray and fast and He doesn’t answer in the time that you were expecting.

In 2024 we are aiming to remember these truths:

1. Delay is not Denial it is in fact the very thing that will reveal the Destiny of our lives

2. We can muster a “Even Now” faith that stands on the truth of who God is instead of the frustration we feel at His delay.

3. Our tears water the seed and connect us to one another, but our testimony will bring new life to all those who need to hear it!

Let's lead the Lord to the place where our faith died so that He can show us the truth of who He is. We might have prayed a dangerous prayer like “God use my life” and now we have to wait through broken dreams. But God will never fail of His promise of a Hope and a Future for our lives. For the believer, a certain death is not the end; it's merely a graduation of our Faith!

Application -
What are some dreams that have died in your life? Can you believe that even now God can come through for you? How can you lead Him to that place of pain, so that He can restore you today?

Prayer -
Father, I thank you that you are God who has good plans for me. Although I thought that I was overlooked, forgotten or left to mourn the loss of my dreams, I thank you that even now, your word can go forth and bring new life in me. I believe that your timing is perfect and that has in fact been no delay. I pray that my testimony brings you all the glory and I stand on your miraculous move today!