Springhill Church

Topic: Brad Mullins

  • Back to the Basics – Part 2

    Hebrews 2:1 TPT This is why it is so crucial that we be all the more engaged and attentive to the truths that we have heard so that we do not drift off course.

    The Basics of Faith

    How does faith come?

    • We do not pray for more faith.

    You cannot pray beyond your faith, and you cannot have faith beyond the Word that you know and have in your heart.

    Romans 10:17 NKJV So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    “The Word of God” in this verse is the Greek word “Rhema” as compared to another word in the Greek for the “Word of God” is “Logos”.

    In my research I came across a quote from a commentary by Bill Hammon which defines these two words well:

    “The logos is the general word of God that communicates his ability to do something, or his general will on a matter while a rhema is the word the Holy Spirit quickens to a specific person for a specific situation. The logos and rhema are always in alignment with one another.”

    • Faith arises in our hearts as God’s Word becomes revelation to us as it is revealed to our spirits by the Holy Spirit.
    • Faith is in your heart and not in your head.

    Romans 10:9-10 NAS95 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; (10) for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

    Eight Steps to Develop Strong Faith

    1. Realize your faith potential.

    Romans 12:3 KJV (3) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

    In the context here, Paul is speaking to Born Again people and says God has dealt to every man (believer) the measure of faith.

    So, all believers have the same faith potential. This is how God can deal with all mankind equally and fairly. We all start with the same raw material, and it is up to us whether it grows and becomes stronger.

        • How far we go is totally up to us.
        • We all have an unlimited faith capacity.
    1. Receive Jesus as the Developer of Your Faith

    Hebrews 12:2 NKJV looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

    Jesus will become our “Faith Trainer” when we decide to live by faith. He will develop our faith the same way a trainer develops our body. Expect Him to develop our faith every time we put our faith on the line.

    1. Give the Word first place and make it final authority.

    Proverbs 4:20-22 NKJV My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. (21) Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; (22) For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

        • We must build our busy schedule around the Word instead of trying to fit the Word into our busy schedules.
        • We don’t make the Word fit our lifestyle, we adjust our lifestyle to fit the Word of God.
    1. Continually feed on the Word.

    Matthew 4:4 NKJV But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ “

    John Osteen – “If you will put the Word in your heart when you don’t need it, it will be there when you do need it.”

    1. Meditate on the Word.

    Joshua 1:8 NKJV This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

        • Meditation is fixing your mind on the Word of God.

    Isaiah 26:3 NLT You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!

    The Word you meditate on will become the reality you desire!

    1. Act on the Word

    James 2:26 GNB So then, as the body without the spirit is dead, also faith without actions is dead.

        • “Let the redeemed say so…” (Ps. 107:2)—whether or not you feel like it.
        • “Let the weak say, I am strong…” (Joel 3:10)
        • Act as though the Word is absolutely true!
    1. Spend time praying in other tongues.

    Jude 1:20 AMPC But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;

    1 Corinthians 14:4 NKJV He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

    Edify (GK) = Enlarging of a house; to augment, enhance and improve (To charge your faith like a battery; faith boost)

    1. Continually give God praise.

    (Psalms 34:1 NKJV) I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

    If you want to enlarge your faith, cultivate a lifestyle of thanksgiving. Praise and thanksgiving are mighty affirmations of faith.

    What we do between the time we pray and see the manifestation is crucial. After the “amen” of our prayer, we continue to thank God for the manifestation of the desired result.

    (Psalms 67:5-7 NKJV) Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. (6) Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. (7) God shall bless us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.

    Jerry Savelle – “The depth of your praise will determine the magnitude of your harvest.”

  • Back to the Basics – Part 1

    Hebrews 2:1 TPT This is why it is so crucial that we be all the more engaged and attentive to the truths that we have heard so that we do not drift off course.

    Faith & Hope

    Hebrews 11:1 AMP NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

    Hope is powerful but it does have some limitations.

    Faith and hope do work together and are connected.

    • God always builds our hopes before we can begin to operate in faith.

    Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. (2) I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

    Hope (Dictionary) – to look forward to something with desire and reasonable confidence it may happen

    • Hope is a positive expectation of something happening in the future.

    “I see good coming to me. Something good is going to happen to me this week…”

    Faith and hope can be broken down like this:

    • Hope is the ability to imagine something good happening to you.

    This is where you start. Hope is a blueprint or a model. It is not the building; it is the expectation of the building.

    Hope always sees things in the future. You never hope for something that had already happened.

    • Faith brings things that you hope for in the future to the reality of now.

    Genesis 17:1-5 NKJV When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. (2) And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” (3) Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: (4) “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. (5) No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.

    How does faith work?

    • Hope is the blueprint. Faith is the construction crew.

    Faith is like an invisible construction team; a team that works while you are at home asleep and does not want you watching them work but yet you show up each day and are amazed at how much has gotten done behind the scenes.

    • Faith works in the invisible arena where God lives.
    • Faith connects me to that which I hope for.

    Hope says I will get it someday. Faith says that I have it now. Hope does not connect me to it, but faith is my connection.

    Romans 4:18-21 NKJV who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” (19) And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. (20) He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, (21) and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

    • Abraham did not consider his the negative circumstances.

    Consider (DICTIONARY) – to think carefully about, to bear in mind; to make allowance for

    You may pray, and things get worse instead of better. The news may not always conform to what God has said.

    He does not deny it. He refuses to focus on it.

    If you look at the natural negatives, you will talk yourself out of the promises that God has made to you.

    • You will not be able to stay strong in faith if you continue to look at the natural negatives.

    Romans 4:19 NKJV And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

    • You and I have the responsibility to convince ourselves to believe what God has already said.

    Romans 4:21 NKJV and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

    Who was it that fully persuaded Abraham? Did God do it? If that is the case, then all God has to do is persuade everyone that they need to get saved and they would receive it.

    Who then persuaded Abraham? Abraham persuaded Abraham.

    How did Abraham become fully persuaded?

    • Abraham grew stronger in his faith as he gave glory to God.

    Romans 4:20 AMPC No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God,

    Romans 4:20 TLB But Abraham never doubted. He believed God, for his faith and trust grew ever stronger, and he praised God for this blessing even before it happened.

  • Blessed – Living in the Blessing of Abraham – 4

    (Galatians 3:13-14 NKJV) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”), (14) that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

    What is the Curse?

    • The curse is a declaration which dooms someone to failure.

    You are Redeemed from the curse!

    • Christ has purchased us, ransomed us and rescued us from the curse of doom, destruction and failure.

    (Galatians 3:14 TPT) Jesus, our Messiah, was cursed in our place and in so doing, dissolved the curse from our lives, so that all the blessings of Abraham can be poured out upon even non-Jewish believers. And now God gives us the promise of the wonderful Holy Spirit who lives within us when we believe in him.

    What is THE BLESSING?

    • The Blessing is a declaration which empowers someone to succeed AND PROSPER.
    • The Blessing means that things that used to work against you begin to work for you!

    Why Did God Put the BLESSING On Us?

    1. It has been God’s plan from the beginning.

    (Genesis 1:26-28 NKJV) Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (27) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (28) Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

    (Genesis 9:1 NKJV) So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.

    (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NKJV) “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. (2) And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:

    (Deuteronomy 28:9-10 NKJV) “The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. (10) Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you.

    1. We will be a holy people for God.

    Establish (HEB) = raised up to become a powerful people; to bring them on the scene

        • Holy (HEB) = set apart, consecrated, purified, protected from ruin
        • Holy people = blessed people
        • THE BLESSING sets us apart to bring us on the scene and be a powerful people.

    (1 Peter 2:9 NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

    1. People will see that you are called by God.

    What about us will they see?

    Deuteronomy 28:10—They will see we are “called his children, his people, his portion, and his inheritance; and that they are his, and he is theirs, by the care he takes of them, the provision he makes for them, and the protection they have from him.” —John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

    (Genesis 26:26-29 NLT) One day King Abimelech came from Gerar with his adviser, Ahuzzath, and also Phicol, his army commander. (27) “Why have you come here?” Isaac asked. “You obviously hate me, since you kicked me off your land.” (28) They replied, “We can plainly see that the LORD is with you. So we want to enter into a sworn treaty with you. Let’s make a covenant. (29) Swear that you will not harm us, just as we have never troubled you. We have always treated you well, and we sent you away from us in peace. And now look how the LORD has blessed you!”

    They will see that we are prospering, enlarging, increasing and walking in the overwhelming abundance of God in every realm of life.

    (Deuteronomy 28:10 NLT) Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the LORD, and they will stand in awe of you.

    1. People will be astonished and respect us because of God.

    The God they see in us will cause a reaction in them.

    (Deuteronomy 28:10 MSG) All the peoples on Earth will see you living under the Name of GOD and hold you in respectful awe.

    “In the plain sense of the verse, it will be natural for nations to feel reverence for a people that is such an obvious recipient of God’s blessings, for this Divine bounty will testify to the Name that they bear upon themselves. Each nation will have its god or set of beliefs, but all nations will come to realize that only God is the source of all strength and blessing—even of the powers that they ascribe to their gods. If so, the nation that is intimately associated with God will inspire the awe of all the others (R’ Bachya).” —The Chumash, Stone Edition

    (2 Chronicles 9:3-4 NLT) When the queen of Sheba realized how wise Solomon was, and when she saw the palace he had built, (4) she was overwhelmed. She was also amazed at the food on his tables, the organization of his officials and their splendid clothing, the cup-bearers and their robes, and the burnt offerings Solomon made at the Temple of the LORD.

    (Isaiah 61:9 NIV) Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.”

    1. We are blessed so we can be a blessing to others.

    (Genesis 12:2 AMPC) And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].

    Abraham’s reason for being blessed was to be a blessing.

    Our motivation for accumulation is distribution!

    (Zechariah 8:13 NLT) Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!

    (Psalms 37:21 NLT) The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.

    (Psalms 37:25-26 NIV) I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. (26) They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

    (Proverbs 11:25 CJB) The person who blesses others will prosper; he who satisfies others will be satisfied himself.

    (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT) Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. (7) You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” (8) And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

    (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NLT) Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (18) Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. (19) By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

  • Blessed – Living in the Blessing of Abraham – 3

    (Galatians 3:13-14 NKJV) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”), (14) that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

    What is the Curse?

    • The curse is a declaration which dooms someone to failure.
    • The curse is made up of three parts:
      • Spiritual Death
      • Sickness and Disease
      • Poverty and Lack

    You are Redeemed from the curse!

    • Christ has purchased us, ransomed us and rescued us from the curse of doom, destruction and failure.

    (Galatians 3:14 TPT) Jesus, our Messiah, was cursed in our place and in so doing, dissolved the curse from our lives, so that all the blessings of Abraham can be poured out upon even non-Jewish believers. And now God gives us the promise of the wonderful Holy Spirit who lives within us when we believe in him.

    (Galatians 3:29 NKJV) And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

    What is THE BLESSING?

    • The Blessing is a declaration which empowers someone to succeed AND PROSPER.
    • The Blessing means that things that used to work against you begin to work for you!

    THE BLESSING covers every area of your life:

    1. Wherever you are.

    (Deuteronomy 28:3 NIV) You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

    1. Whatever you do.

    (Deuteronomy 28:8 NKJV) “The LORD will command the blessing on …all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

    God will cause whatever you do to be extremely productive.

    1. Whatever you have.

    (Deuteronomy 28:5 NKJV) “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

    (Deuteronomy 28:8 NKJV) “The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses…

    1. Wherever you go.

    (Deuteronomy 28:6 NKJV) “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

    (Deuteronomy 28:7 NKJV) “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

    • Your enemies will be Defeated Before Your Face
    1. Defeated (HEB) = sudden, quick, decisive fatal blow with the intent to utterly conquer and destroy
    2. “This is a promise of security from foreign invasion, or total discomfiture (a feeling of unease, embarrassment, or awkwardness) of the invaders should they enter the land.” — Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible

    (Exodus 23:22 ESV) “But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.”

    (Exodus 23:27 NLT) “I will send my terror ahead of you and create panic among all the people whose lands you invade. I will make all your enemies turn and run.”

    • They Will Flee before you seven ways

    (Deuteronomy 28:7 MSG) “God will defeat your enemies who attack you. They’ll come at you on one road and run away on seven roads.”

    “They shall come out against thee one way—in the firmest and most united manner. And flee…seven ways—shall be utterly broken, confounded, and finally routed.” — Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible

    What is so significant about the number Seven?

    • Perfection
    • Completion
    • Total victory

    Seven Defeated Enemies of Life:

    • The seven redemptive names of God completely cover the total defeat of seven major enemies of life.
    1. The Enemy of Lack

    Jehovah Jireh—The Lord Will Provide

    (Genesis 22:13-14 NLT) “Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means ‘the Lord will provide’).”

    (Philippians 4:19 AMPC) And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

    1. The Enemy of Sickness

    Jehovah Rapha—The Lord That Heals

    (Exodus 15:26 NLT) “He said, ‘If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.’”

    (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV) who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

    1. The Enemy of Failure

    Jehovah Nissi—The Lord Our Banner and Victory

    (Exodus 17:8-15 NLT) “…After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, ‘Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.’ Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means ‘the Lord is my banner’).”

    (1 John 5:4 NKJV) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

    1. The Enemy of Worry

    Jehovah Shalom—The Lord Our Peace

    (Judges 6:24 NLT) “And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means ‘the Lord is peace’).”

    (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (7) Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

    1. The Enemy of Confusion

    Jehovah Ra-ah—The Lord My Shepherd

    (Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV) “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

    (2 Timothy 1:7 AMPC) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

    1. The Enemy of Condemnation

    Jehovah Tsidkenu—The Lord Our Righteousness

    (Jeremiah 23:5-6 NLT) “‘For the time is coming,’ says the Lord, ‘when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: “The Lord Is Our Righteousness.” In that day Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety.’”

    (Romans 8:1 TPT) So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One.

    1. The Enemy of Fear

    Jehovah Shammah—The Lord Is There

    (Ezekiel 48:35 NLT) “And from that day the name of the city will be ‘The Lord Is There.’”

    (Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV) And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

    (Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.” (6) So we may boldly say: “THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?”

    (James 4:7 TPT) So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will turn and run away from you.

    (James 4:7 MSG) So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper.

  • Blessed – Living in the Blessing of Abraham – 2

    (Galatians 3:13-14 NKJV) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”), (14) that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

    What is the Curse?

    • The curse is a declaration which dooms someone to failure.
      • To destroy, do away with, cease, terminate
      • To render idle, unemployed, inactive
      • To cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency
      • To deprive of force, influence, power
    • The curse is made up of three parts:
      • Spiritual Death
      • Sickness and Disease
      • Poverty and Lack

    You are Redeemed from the curse!

    (Galatians 3:13 NKJV) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”),

    (The curse of the law is found in Deuteronomy 28:15-68.)

    Redeemed from the curse (GREEK) = purchased, ransomed, paid for, rescued

    • Christ has purchased us, ransomed us and rescued us from the curse of doom, destruction and failure.

    (Galatians 3:14 TPT) Jesus, our Messiah, was cursed in our place and in so doing, dissolved the curse from our lives, so that all the blessings of Abraham can be poured out upon even non-Jewish believers. And now God gives us the promise of the wonderful Holy Spirit who lives within us when we believe in him.

    (Galatians 3:29 NKJV) And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

    What is THE BLESSING?

    • The Blessing is a declaration which empowers someone to succeed AND PROSPER.
    • The Blessing means that things that used to work against you begin to work for you!

    New Content:

    • It is very important that we learn how God operates so that we can co-operate with Him.

    Cooperate – (Dictionary) Work jointly with someone toward the same end or result

    (Deuteronomy 30:15 NLT) “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster.

    (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT) “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! (20) You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

    • We make the choice to live in the blessing of God by our obedience and commitment to Him.

    The blessing of God is on us as Born-Again believers, but it becomes active and effective when we obey God. (Galatians 3:14)

    The same thing was true for the Jews of old. When they obeyed God, they lived in and enjoyed the blessing of God on their lives. When they did not, they experienced the curse.

    (Deuteronomy 28:1-14 NKJV) “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. (2) And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: (3) “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. (4) “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. (5) “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. (6) “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. (7) “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. (8) “The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (9) “The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. (10) Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. (11) And the LORD will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. (12) The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. (13) And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. (14) So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

    THE BLESSING covers every area of your life:

    1. Wherever you are.

    (Deuteronomy 28:3 NKJV) “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

    (Deuteronomy 28:3 NIV) You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

    1. Whatever you do.

    (Deuteronomy 28:4 NKJV) “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

    (Deuteronomy 28:8 NKJV) “The LORD will command the blessing on …all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

    God will cause whatever you do to be extremely productive.

    (Psalms 115:12-15 NKJV) The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. (13) He will bless those who fear the LORD, Both small and great. (14) May the LORD give you increase more and more, You and your children. (15) May you be blessed by the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

    1. Whatever you have.

    (Deuteronomy 28:5 NKJV) “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

    The kneading bowl was the place where the daily bread was prepared.

    (Matthew 6:11 TPT) We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day.

    (Deuteronomy 28:8 NKJV) “The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses…

    1. Wherever you go.

    (Deuteronomy 28:6 NKJV) “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

    (Psalms 121:8 NIV) the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

    (Genesis 39:1-6 NKJV) Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. (2) The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. (3) And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. (4) So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. (5) So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field. (6) Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate…

    Joseph Experienced the Fullness of THE BLESSING

    1. Wherever he was
    2. Whatever he did
    3. Whatever he had
    4. Wherever he went

  • Blessed – Living in the Blessing of Abraham – 1

    (Galatians 3:13-14 NKJV) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”), (14) that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

    The Beginnings of the Curse

    • Sin has been judged since before the foundation of the world.

    (Romans 6:23 NKJV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    (Romans 6:23 NET) For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    • When Adam sinned, a curse was released into the earth.

    (Romans 5:12 NLT) When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

    What is the Curse?

    • The curse is a declaration which dooms someone to failure.
      • To destroy, do away with, cease, terminate
      • To render idle, unemployed, inactive
      • To cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency
      • To deprive of force, influence, power

    Murphy’s Law: Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

      1. In any field of endeavor, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
      2. Left to themselves, things always go from bad to worse.
      3. If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will go wrong, is the one that will cause the most damage.
      4. Nature always sides with the hidden flaw.
      5. If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

    “A Bitter Pill to Swallow” by Kenneth Copeland

    It’s no wonder the Hebrew root of the word “curse” means “bitterness” because the curse made Adam and Eve’s lives bitter in every way. It embittered both the spirit realm and the natural realm. It caused the animals Adam had named to see him as their enemy instead of their benefactor. Even the ground became bitter toward mankind.

    Instead of joyfully producing abundant fruit for them to eat, it didn’t want to grow anything. Adam, who had once lived in a marvelous, beautiful place filled with abundance, was forced to scratch a living out of ground that rebuked him every time he tried to plant it and harvest it. He had to sweat and strain (Hebrew: toil) to earn a living, knowing the whole time that God had not designed him to earn a living, but to create a living.

    Every aspect of the curse came as a horrible shock to Adam and Eve. Nothing in them was created to deal with it. Their spirits weren’t created to be infested with death and darkness. They were created to be filled with life and light. Their minds weren’t made to house things like hatred and fear. They were made for love and faith. Their bodies were designed for health—not sickness and disease. Death, in all its manifestation, is totally foreign to human beings. The curse is completely contrary to the way God made us. That’s why the body fights those things. Our whole system rebels against them because they don’t have any business in or on us. When sin, hate, fear and other aspects of the curse invade us, our bodies recognize them as opposing, alien forces and begin to fight them. The body will fight those things until it dies.

    Adam must have panicked as the consequences of the curse began to dawn on him. He must have thought, How am I ever going to get out of this? My seed is bitter, so even my children will be affected by it. The earth is bitter. The animal kingdom is bitter. I’ve even embittered my relationship with God. Oh, God, how can I ever be Your friend again?

    Before he could even ask those questions, however, they were answered. God answered them before the foundation of the world, when He foresaw that mankind would fall. So, the moment Adam and Eve’s sin was revealed and they stood before God, stripped of their former glory, He began revealing His merciful plan. He spoke about the Seed of the woman who would one day crush the serpent’s head. He pointed down through the corridor of time to the last Adam, the Redeemer, who would undo what Satan had done through the first Adam. He gave the first clues to the mystery that would be kept secret for thousands of years: that God Himself would become the Son of Man, bear the bitterness of the curse and forever restore THE BLESSING.

    • The curse is made up of three parts:
      • Spiritual Death
      • Sickness and Disease
      • Poverty and Lack

    You are Redeemed from the curse!

    (Galatians 3:13 NKJV) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”),

    (The curse of the law is found in Deuteronomy 28:15-68.)

    Redeemed from the curse (GREEK) = purchased, ransomed, paid for, rescued

      • Christ has purchased us, ransomed us and rescued us from the curse of doom, destruction and failure.

    (1 Corinthians 6:20 ERV) God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body.

    (1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, (19) but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

    What is the Blessing?

    (Galatians 3:14 NKJV) that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

    • The Blessing is a declaration which empowers someone to succeed AND PROSPER.

    (Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV) Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. (2) I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

    (Deuteronomy 28:1-14 NKJV) “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. (2) And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: (3) “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. (4) “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. (5) “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. (6) “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. (7) “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. (8) “The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (9) “The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. (10) Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. (11) And the LORD will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. (12) The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. (13) And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. (14) So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

    (Galatians 3:14 NLT) Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

    (Galatians 3:29 NKJV) And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

    (Galatians 3:29 NLT) And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

    • The Blessing means that things that used to work against you begin to work for you!

  • Be Rich – 2022 – 10

    (2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. (11) Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

    How Do We Reap Our Harvest?

    1. The first step to reaping your harvest is to rightly discern your harvest.

    You need to discern:

        • When your harvest is.
        • Where your harvest is.
        • How much your harvest is

    A spiritual harvest is not discerned in the natural by looking at natural circumstances.

    Peter almost missed out on his harvest because he did not rightly discern that it was time to harvest. He was looking at the natural circumstances. (Luke 5:1-11 Jesus said to let down the NETS. Peter agreed to let down the NET.)

    You might not be able to explain it, but you have a knowing in your spirit.

          • A key indicator that harvest-time is near is joy in your spirit.
    1. Make sure your harvest is ready by your worship, thanksgiving, and praise.

    Worship, praise, and thanksgiving help things move along, since praise and thanksgiving are the language of faith.

    1. Keep the weeds out of your garden!

    (Genesis 2:15 AMPC) And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it.

    Keep (HEB) = To watch over it; to guard, protect and safeguard

        • Weeds include unforgiveness, bitterness, strife—anything to do with walking outside of love.
        • You pull up the “weeds” and cast them out with your words.
    1. When you sense in your spirit that it is harvest time, you begin to call in your harvest.

    (Isaiah 41:15 AMPC) Behold, I will make you to be a new, sharp, threshing instrument which has teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, and shall make the hills like chaff.

    Teeth: (HEBREW) – means “double-edged”.

    God says He will give us an instrument to harvest that is double- edged.

    (Isaiah 49:2 NKJV) And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.”

    (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

    Make your words line up with your harvest.

    • You will find that the Bible teaches in principles and precepts.

    Principle: a fundamental truth that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.

    Precept: a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.

    (Isaiah 28:9-10 NKJV) “Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? (10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.”

    Just implementing principles or precepts in your life will not always generate the results that we desire.

    • We need a plan or strategy that is specifically designed by God FOR US.

    (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

    Strategy: a plan, method, or series of maneuvers for obtaining a specific goal or result.

    (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)  For I know the strategies I have for you,” declares the LORD, “strategies to prosper you and not to harm you, strategies to give you hope and a future.

    • Very often, God will not use the same strategy when facing the same need.

    (2 Samuel 5:17-25 NKJV) Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. (18) The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. (19) So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” (20) So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. (21) And they left their images there, and David and his men carried them away. (22) Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. (23) Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. (24) And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” (25) And David did so, as the LORD commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.

    1. Always remember, God is your Source and He has a strategy to get supply or harvest to you!

    God is not limited to your paycheck that you receive on your job.

    (Philippians 4:19 BBE) And my God will give you all you have need of from the wealth of his glory in Christ Jesus.

    Don’t try and figure out how God is going to meet your needs or provide the harvest. He is not limited to just one channel or way of getting something to you.

    (Matthew 17:24-27 NKJV) When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” (25) He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” (26) Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. (27) Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

    “Piece of money” – (GREEK) “stater” which was the exact amount to pay the tax for two people.

  • Be Rich – 2022 – 9

    (2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. (11) Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

    Principles of Reaping

    (Proverbs 10:5 NKJV) He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

    (Proverbs 10:5 TLB) A wise youth makes hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a lad who sleeps away his hour of opportunity.

    (Ecclesiastes 11:4 NKJV) (4) He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

    Solomon is telling us that there is not going to be a convenient or opportune time to sow or to reap. If you are moved by the present conditions, you might not do anything.

    (Ecclesiastes 11:4 TLB) If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.

    Reasons Why We Don’t Reap A Harvest

    • People do not reap a harvest because they have not sown.
    • Some people do not reap because they quit and give up before they harvest.

    (Galatians 6:9 MSG) So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up or quit.

    • Some people don’t reap because they think the reaping is automatic.

    (Mark 4:29 NKJV) (29) But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

    • Another reason that some people do not reap their harvest is that they have forgotten that they have sown.
      • One reason for this is that we see it as a loss and not as an investment.

    Don’t get legalistic with this but you should keep a record of what and where you have given just as you would with natural investments. We should give these things the same attention that we would natural investments.

    How Do We Reap Our Harvest?

    1. The first step to reaping your harvest is to rightly discern your harvest.

    (John 4:35 MSG) As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!

    Jesus was speaking to the disciples about THE harvest, but He needed to correct their thinking. They were thinking that the harvest would be in four months, but He said the harvest is ready now.

    You need to discern:

        • When your harvest is.

    (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 NLT) For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. (2) A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.

        • Where your harvest is.

    (Genesis 26:1-3 NKJV) There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. (2) Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. (3) Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.

    (Genesis 26:12-13 NKJV) Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. (13) The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous;

    It is very important to sow where God leads us to sow and reap where he shows us to reap. So, how do we know where to go and reap our bounty?

    Look for your harvest in great and new opportunities. Resist the temptation to predetermine where and how they will come. Just believe, and you will receive!

        • How much your harvest is

    There is a harvest to reap from every single seed, so get your mind on the harvest. Part of reaping every harvest is believing it is coming to you. Don’t leave spiritual crops in the field. If you haven’t thought of yourself as a harvester until now, start thinking of yourself that way. Roll up your spiritual sleeves and get to work.

    A spiritual harvest is not discerned in the natural by looking at natural circumstances.

    Peter almost missed out on his harvest because he did not rightly discern his harvest. He was looking at the natural circumstances.

    (Luke 5:1-11 NKJV) So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, (2) and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. (3) Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. (4) When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (5) But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (6) And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. (7) So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. (8) When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (9) For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; (10) and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” (11) So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

    You will be able to tell by the witness of the Holy Spirit in your spirit. Learn to pay attention to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your spirit.

    (1 John 2:20 NKJV) But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

    You might not be able to explain it, but you have a knowing in your spirit.

      • A key indicator that harvest-time is near is joy in your spirit.

    (Psalms 126:5-6 GNB) Let those who wept as they planted their crops, gather the harvest with joy! (6) Those who wept as they went out carrying the seed will come back singing for joy, as they bring in the harvest.

    This man does not weep because he sees it as a loss.

    Commentary: “The setting in Psalms 126:5-6 is agricultural. After the land had been neglected for so long, it was almost impossible to work it. The planting would be difficult, but persistence would doubtless bring a harvest. The sowing with tears comes from the agonizing work it would have taken to start the sowing process again.”

    (Isaiah 9:3 NIV) You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

      • You sow in joy, you wait in joy, and you reap in joy.
    1. Make sure your harvest is ready by your worship, thanksgiving, and praise.

    (Psalms 67:5-6 NLT) May the nations praise You, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise You. (6) Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us.

    Worship, thanksgiving, and praise help things move along, since they are the language of faith.

    “The depth of your praise will determine the magnitude of your harvest.” — Dr. Jerry Savelle

    Say things like:

          • “Praise God, my seed always produces a bumper crop.”
          • “Thank You, Lord, I am a tither and because I am a tither, the windows of Heaven are open over me and you protect my harvest”

  • Be Rich – 2022 – 8

    (2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. (11) Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

    Law of Sowing and Reaping

    • God created the law of sowing and reaping.
    • God created another law that says a seed will produce only after its own kind.
    • Seeds are not always financial in nature.

    (Galatians 6:7 TPT) Make no mistake about it, God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest.

    • The Word of God is the most powerful seed we have available.

    Giving someone a financial gift might change their life on the outside, but the Word of God can change someone’s life from the inside out and make an eternal difference.

    How can money, a neutral thing become something that I can sow and have it produce a harvest? It is just like the brick; it is powerless to produce anything. Unless something is attached to it.

    • Money can become seed only if the real seed is attached to it.

    The basic plan for our finances:

    • We receive income from our job, business, etc.
    • We tithe (10%) honoring God, off the top.
    • We save, pay our bills, and financial obligations.
    • We sow seed out of our discretionary income (what is left over).

    (2 Corinthians 9:10 AMPC) (10) And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. [Isa 55:10; Hos 10:12]  

    Principles of Reaping

    (Proverbs 10:5 NKJV) He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

    (Proverbs 10:5 TLB) A wise youth makes hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a lad who sleeps away his hour of opportunity.

    (Ecclesiastes 11:1-4 NKJV) (1) Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. (2) Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth. (3) If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. (4) He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

    Solomon is telling us that there is not going to be a convenient or opportune time to sow or to reap. If you are moved by the present conditions, you might not do anything.

    (Ecclesiastes 11:4 TLB) If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.

    Many times, when the Lord deals with us to sow, give, or do something above the norm, will not be a convenient time.

    Reasons Why We Don’t Reap A Harvest

    We want to reap harvests and reap big harvests!

    Natural things oftentimes are patterned after spiritual things.

    1. People do not reap a harvest because they have not sown.

    A farmer cannot reap a harvest if he has not planted.

    If you want to reap, you must sow.

    Remember, if you have nothing, God will give you seed to sow, to get you started.

    Remember when your harvest comes in:

        • Honor God with the tithe of your increase.

    Tithing is the key to your sowing being blessed. (Malachi 3:10-11) When you tithe, He will make sure that it rains on the seed that you have sown. God will rebuke the devourers, the bugs that want to steal your harvest. He will also make sure that the harvest is ready in its due season.

    (Galatians 6:9 NKJV) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

    (Galatians 6:9 MSG) So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up or quit.

    1. Some people do not reap because they quit and give up before they harvest.
      • Due season or the right time is always later than you want it to be!

    When you sow naturally, you do not sow today and reap tomorrow or even next week.

    Reaping takes patience. You cannot rush the ground!

    Faith works this way too! (Mark 11:23) Even the mountain dissolving and ending up in the water is the same as it jumping up and getting cast in the sea.

      • One of the keys to a constant harvest is to make sure that you are always sowing.
      • Look for “suddenly’s” but plan on realities.
    1. Some people don’t reap because they think the reaping is automatic.

    (Mark 4:26-29 NKJV) And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, (27) and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. (28) For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. (29) But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

    Who planted the seed? The man did.

    Who caused it to grow? The earth. (God’s responsibility)

    Who did the reaping? The man did.

    Reaping is no more automatic than sowing is. You make a decision to reap.

    Think about this: even with spectacular, supernatural provision, the Children of Israel still had to gather the manna that fell from Heaven. They also had to gather the quail that God caused to fly into the camp for them.

    When the spectacular provision stopped in the Promised Land, they had to sow, the earth brought the fruit, and they had to harvest.

    • You sow by faith, and you reap by faith.
    • Reaping will require us to learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Not only will he lead us to sow, but He will show us when to reap.

  • Be Rich – 2022 – 7

    (2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. (11) Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

    (2 Corinthians 9:11 MSG) (11) wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way…

    • The tithe belongs to God. (Leviticus 27:30)
    • The tithe is about your heart and not your money.
    • The tithe is about honoring God first!
    • Giving the first tenth causes the rest to be blessed by God.
    • Tithing is not sowing. Tithing is returning what belongs to God to Him.

    Law of Sowing and Reaping

    • God created the law of sowing and reaping.

    (Genesis 8:22 NKJV) “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”

    This is both a natural law and a spiritual law. Jesus said the Kingdom of God operates based upon this law.

    (Mark 4:26-29 TPT) Jesus also told them this parable: “God’s kingdom realm is like someone spreading seed on the ground. (27) He goes to bed and gets up, day after day, and the seed sprouts and grows tall, though he knows not how. (28) All by itself it sprouts, and the soil produces a crop; first the green stem, then the head on the stalk, and then the fully developed grain in the head. (29) Then, when the grain is ripe, he immediately puts the sickle to the grain, because harvest time has come.”

    • God created another law that says a seed will produce only after its own kind.

    (Genesis 1:11 NKJV) Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.

    (Genesis 1:21 NKJV) So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

    (Genesis 1:24 NKJV) Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so.

    • Seeds are not always financial in nature.

    (Galatians 6:7 TPT) Make no mistake about it, God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest.

    • The Word of God is the most powerful seed we have available.

    Giving someone a financial gift might change their life on the outside, but the Word of God can change someone’s life from the inside out and make an eternal difference.

    (Mark 4:14-20 NKJV) The sower sows the word. (15) And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. (16) These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; (17) and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. (18) Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, (19) and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (20) But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

    How can money, a neutral thing become something that I can sow and have it produce a harvest? It is just like the brick; it is powerless to produce anything. Unless something is attached to it.

    • Money can become seed only if the real seed is attached to it.

    (Mark 4:14 NKJV) The sower sows the word.

    The Word is the true seed, and it needs to be sown into the hearts of men. So, if we want our money to become seed, then we must attach it to the true seed of God’s Word.

    Money cannot be sown into the hearts of men, but the Word can be sown into the hearts of men. So, our money must be attached to what gets sown into the hearts of men so that it can produce an eternal harvest.

    The Law of Multiplication

    Multiplication in Action

    (Luke 9:12-17 NKJV) When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.” (13) But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” (14) For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” (15) And they did so, and made them all sit down. (16) Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. (17) So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.

    There were 5000 men in verse 14. They counted heads of households (Matthew 14:21). In other words, there were 5000 families or households represented here. There could have easily been 15,000 to 20,000 people there.

    Four Principles of Multiplication:

    1. What you have must be blessed before it can multiply.

    Tithing is what causes the whole amount to be blessed.

    1. Only what you give over your tithe is seed and can be multiplied.

    This principle only applies to the finances that you give over and above the tithe.

    1. It is the blessing of Jesus that gives it the potential to multiply.

    Luke 9:16 NKJV Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them…

    He blessed the loaves, He broke the loaves and He gave the loaves back to the disciples.

    1. Once it is blessed, what you have has to be given away before it can multiply.

    Jesus received the bread, blessed it, and then gave it back to the disciples for distribution. If they had eaten it when Jesus gave it back to them, it never would have multiplied.

    Remember, the tithe causes the rest to be blessed and redeemed but it does not cause the rest to multiply.

    The food did not multiply when Jesus prayed over the loaves and fishes.

    1. The miracle of multiplication did not happen in the Master’s hands – it happened in the disciples’ hands.

    Notice, that there was not enough to meet the need to start with. But once the Master blessed it and multiplied it, there was more than enough to meet the need and there was some left over.

    If you are lacking seed at this point, then there is still hope for you!

    (2 Corinthians 9:6-11 AMPC) [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.  (7)  Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. [Pro 22:9]  (8)  And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].  (9)  As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever! [Psa 112:9]  (10)  And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. [Isa 55:10; Hos 10:12]  (11)  Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.