STRENGTHEN THE CONNECTION

As I was heading into church on Sunday, the Lord was speaking to me about effectiveness.

Here is what I am sensing in my spirit about effectiveness in the journey ahead:

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Effectiveness will flow out of the strength of our connection to God in the days ahead. All of our natural ability, talent and giftedness will not be enough to meet the crises of the coming days. The mission God has for us will require His supernatural power and glory and that can only come through the health of our personal and community’s relationship with Him.

Salvation itself only requires the beginning of a connection with God through Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

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This is entry level faith. But kingdom effectiveness will be determined by the strength of our connection to God.

If we focus on our programs and methodology, our talents and our human abilities all we will accomplish is a striving after wind and burnout. We will never accomplish God’s great plan for our personal lives, our family lives, our church or community.

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If we focus on the strength of our relationship with God, though, then all of God’s plans will flow through that relationship into our programs, plans, talents and abilities and then out through those supernaturally empowered conduits to accomplish His divine purpose.

WHERE WE PUT OUR FOCUS IS UP TO US.

URGENCY

The morning broke cold today. The chicken’s water had turned to ice and the world was colored with frost.

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When I started sabbatical the autumn was in full swing. The nights were cool but not cold and the days were warm. I felt like I had some time to batten down the hatches for winter.

A month later and I realize my time to batten is running out. There is an urgency now to the work of getting ready for the long dark to come.

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I feel the same urgency in the spirit. I have come back to my regular church life feeling like things have changed. We must finish with our preparations quickly and be ready for a season of powerful, prophetic, good news ministry. I feel like our greater community is in need of prophetic good news.

I was going to wait until the turn of the year to begin meeting with our DLT (Doing life Together) groups to listen to what God had showed them through our sabbatical month of prayer. I know now there isn’t time for that.

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I have begun meeting with the groups this week. Here is one of the words that I have gathered.

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 God says, “I am on the move. Will you trust me for my move?… my way? I have a great plan for my family. Cling to hope. It will not look the way you think it should but I am doing a great work. Cling to hope. I am on the move!”