A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (February 16, 2017)
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:20)
We humans are basically creatures of habit. For the most part, we like to find a comfortable place and settle into it. We don’t like moving or changing. I can remember my dad was offered several opportunities to advance in his secular career and he never would move from our hometown in Albany, GA. I can remember that like it was yesterday and it always worried me a little because he had so much more potential. I made up my mind, probably out of sheer rebellion, to be a mover and to take every opportunity that came my way to move and experience different cultures and different responsibilities. That turned out (even though my motive may have been out of rebellion) to be a great learning experience, both spiritually and in my secular career.
My wife and I moved nine times in my secular career. In our ministry we have ministered in five foreign countries, hundreds of different churches and prisons, and numerous business events. We have seen over 100,000 people saved. We have witnessed the healing power of God. We have been involved in two major revivals that brought thousands into the kingdom and changed cities. I don’t say that to boast but to try to explain to you that we are ruined for life!!! We have seen the greatness of God and the good is just not acceptable anymore. God’s power and anointing is addictive and once you have been in the midst of it, nothing else satisfies.
In the Bible, we see a reluctance by the people of God to change and move forward:
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: (Exodus 14:10-15)
We humans are a stubborn bunch! We get comfortable in our religious life and we don’t want to change. We get comfortable in the way our personal life is going, or in the way our government or political systems operate, and when a change agent (like Moses) comes on the scene, we do everything we can to stop the change and revert back to the old and comfortable ways, even if they were not working to our best interest.
Regardless of all the miracles God’s people saw in Egypt to get them set free, they wanted to go back to what they were comfortable with versus being totally free.
Hear me now! This is a “thus saith the Lord”! God wants us to move forward!! We do not need to settle for the mediocre or the good. He wants us to experience the greatness and full measure of His anointing and power. He does not want us to settle for just changing one person at a time, as good as that is. His vison is greater! He wants to change an entire city! He wants to change an entire country! He wants to change the world! We need to expand our vision!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations as Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth as Your possession. (Psalm 2:8)
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Are we willing to change? Are we willing to believe that God can change a city, nation, and world?
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went, By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)
