Are you prepared? (notes from a sermon)

What am I preparing for?

1Cor29 – the eye has not seen or the ear heard what God has in store for those who love Him

John 14:2 – God has prepared a place for us

The day is coming if not already here where if we are not lead by the spirit (His voice) we will be washed overboard.

We are going to need to be supporting each other.

1Chron12 – they knew the times and what Israel should do.

We need men and women today who know what to do.  Who know the character of God, the voice of God.

We are in a season of preparation before a battle.  It’s too late to get ready after the battle starts.

Am I willing to prepare the way if the Lord in my community, church, or family.

Mat 11:10. I will send a messenger ahead of you.

Things we need to do:
– be born of the spirit of God with Jesus as Lord of my life in every area
– spend time regularly in Gods Word
– spend time in Gods presence talking to Him and wait for hear from Him
– allow yourself to be sharpened and held accountable by other believers
– walk in a lifestyle of forgiveness
– keep short accounts of what God is doing
– develop a sensitivity to the operation of Holy Spirit
– experimentally walk in Holy Spirit
– walk in obedience to the last thing God told you

The area of Discernment:  There are many good people who have been ship wrecked.

1John4.  Mat 7:15. False prophets will be recognised by their fruit.  1Thes5:19   2Pet2. False teachers arose in their midst – debauched lifestyles  1Tim4:1. Some will depart the faith and occupy themselves with false teachings.

Spending time in the Word of God and with Him you WILL discern the voice of God.

“No Compromise” – watch out for mixture.

2Kings4:38.  When there is a famine in the land, people will eat anything. We do not want to be people of God who will eat anything.

Be careful what you feed yourself on.  We need to move more in the prophetic, but what you feed yourself on will come out so be careful.

Adding something you are unfamiliar with can bring deadly consequences.  Dont add to the scriptures.

Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.  In the verse above, they added the flour (Word of God) and it was able to be dished out to those who were hungry.  There was a man of God who knew what to do and many were fed.

How does mixture get in? (article by Peter Horrobin)
– ignorance of the enemy
– unhealed leaders
– false prophecy

There are many counterfeits – recall counterfeit note example.

Be ware of who lays hands on you especially on your head.

Josephs tests (notes from a sermon)

Dream at 17 – walked into it at 30.  Lots of tests and trials on the way.

1. Pride test. Gen 37:5-11 (Is my mouth saved? The root is insecurity).
2. The pit test. Gen 37:18. (Makes us totally obedient and reliant on God). The key is obedience to God and walking it.  A key to this is hearing the Word of God.
3. The purity test. Gen 39:7-12.
4. The prison test. Gen 39:19-20 (Can I handle false accusation – rather believe what God says about me). Joseph was there from 18-30!  How do I handle injustice?  Do not let it change my relation with Jesus. Tribulation produces perserverance, which produces character which produces hope with produces Gods things Amen!
5. Prophetic test. 1Cor 13:9. Hang on to those promises like Abraham.  Seal them in your heart.
6. The power test. Gen 41:1. How do I handle disappointment? Rom 11:29
– Gods gift and call are irrevokable.There needs to be enough wisdom and discernment to have a plan.  Joseph had a plan to act on the dream (7 years of plenty and 7 years of little).
7. The prosperity test. Gen 41:25-36.  Did he continue to give God the glory.
8. The pardon test. Gen 50:15-21. God will repay, not us.
9. The purpose test. Gen 45:3-8. God sent Joseph ahead to save the tribes of Israel

Discover my gift and direction.  Know that you know.  Don’t have an Ishmael – know Gods timing.  Don’t rush ahead or lag behind.  Be ready to get out of the boat, take risk.  Make life choices to disentangle yourself eg debt.  Seek first the kingdom of God.  The time is now.  Completely surrender and totally focus.  “It is this one thing I do”.  Personal time becomes a privilege and not a right.  Be lead by the spirit, crucify the carnal nature.  Go to the holy of holies.  Keep going when the going gets tough. Don’t count like the world would – don’t necessarily look for success “well done good and faithful (not successful) servant”.  Leave the provision to God.  He will grant favour and the material resources will be given to you. Do your part and God will do His.