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commitment

Steven Furtick: ‘Let Go, You’re Not In Control’

by Rhoda Gayle November 23, 2023

written by Rhoda Gayle

In his recent message, Steven Furtick urges everyone to let go of their situations because they’re not in control of them.

Let Go

One of the things the Lord has commanded us is to trust in Him with all our hearts. That means that we have to commit our lives to Jesus and let go of trying to control every aspect of our lives. We are also commanded to not trust our own understanding and to let Him make our paths straight.

“How to have a real commitment to Christ without trying to control His will in my life. How to be serious about my relationship with God while staying surrendered to the God I’m in a relationship with. This is not as easy as it seems because you will find yourself often really committed to trying to get God to bless you… You cannot follow Christ and have control.”

We strive to achieve our goals by ourselves. Some of us even strive to become “good Christians.” Oftentimes, taking things into our own hands leads to heartbreaks and frustrations.

“I cannot reach toward what He’s giving me without letting go of what I held. There are a lot of us who are not going to get what we need from God in this season until we let go of what we held to in the previous.”

Steven Furtick [@stevenfurtick]. Steven Furtick. YouTube, November 14, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNIyrpju7DU

Promise of God

There is just one thing that we need to hold on to, and that is the promises of God.

“There are some blessings that only come through holding on. I’m telling you, sometimes you have to get around a promise from god and say, ‘I don’t care how many things blow against me. I don’t care how many things shake it up. I don’t care how many years pass, I am holding on to what God said.'”

Trust in the Lord and let Him make your path straight!

Let Go! You’re Not in Control

Watch this video on YouTube

Reference: YouTube | Steven Furtick
Header Image: Steven Furtick [@stevenfurtick]. Steven Furtick. YouTube, November 14, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNIyrpju7DU

November 23, 2023 0 comments

Articles Featured News

Hundreds Raised Their Shoes At The Send In Commitment To Preach The Gospel

by Christa September 4, 2023

written by Christa

In the 12,000-capacity arena in West Michigan, hundreds raised their shoes to symbolize their commitment to preach the Gospel. The act represents their commitment in saying, “Jesus, we are ready! We say yes! We will go!”

The Send

The Send, a worship and missions gathering, exists to equip and mobilize people to fulfill the Great Commission. This past weekend, they hosted a powerful event at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The venue was packed with hungry believers.

Bethel Music, Kari and Cody Carnes, Circuit Rider Music, and Lindy Cofer were some of the worship artists who attended the event. They led the participants in powerful times of worship, encouraging them to fully live for Christ.

Speakers included Francis Chan, Will Hart, Dr. Michael Brown, Nick Brennt, and several others who challenged believers to follow Christ and share the Gospel.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by THE SEND | A Worship and Missions Gathering (@thesend)

They ended the event with a time of commitment.

Brian Barcelona asked the crowd to hold hands and invited anyone who wanted to to give their lives to Jesus. Then encouraged those making the commitment to come to the altar.

Hundreds went down to the front encouraging those who wanted to commit their lives to Jesus.

Hundreds Raised Their Shoes

The Send wants to bring people to Jesus and equip them to be witnesses for Jesus.

The crowd was invited to raise their shoes as representation of their “going” according to Romans 10:15 that says, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by THE SEND | A Worship and Missions Gathering (@thesend)

Hundreds committed to go and preach the Gospel as they unashamedly raised their shoes in the air.

This invitation an invitation for you too! Are you ready to say yes and go for Jesus?

Header Image: The Send [@thesend], Instagram, September 4, 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/CwtbZymtz5I/

September 4, 2023 0 comments

Articles Featured News

98-Year-Old Veteran Shares Secret To Marriage Of 74 Years

by Christa August 18, 2023

written by Christa

A 98-year-old veteran shared the secret of his long-lasting marriage of 74 years.

98-Year-Old Veteran

Irving Locker had never been more in love with his wife, Bernice, even after three-quarters of a century. Even at the age of 98, his love for Bernice has only gone deeper.

The couple is very aware that they are now in their twilight years of their lives but they consider this current season the best time of their lives.

Bernice joked that they already have finished the 74 years of trial period.

“We have each other throughout these years. How many people can make that statement?”

She added, “We always have each other to lean on and that is the greatest blessing.”

But throughout the years, they have faced trials and challenges. But doing it together has only made them stronger.

Their most challenging time was when the couple lost both of their sons. “We lost both of our sons, both at the age of 52, two years apart,” Bernice shared.

“If we didn’t have each other at the time, I don’t think either of us could have gone through it.”

Marriage of 74 Years

When asked if finding a good partner is important, Irving enthusiastically answered yes. “I can’t even express the thought of that.”

“I’m married for 74 years, and I tell her every single day how much I love her, how much I need her. And that’s the kind of life we live,” he continued.

Bernice added, “There’s nothing like it. Every day is a blessing. Even though I don’t get around like I did, I still thank God that I have a positive attitude.”

Moreover, Irving pointed out “not to sweat the small stuff” to have a harmonious relationship with your partner.

Meanwhile, Bernice believesc,”We can inspire people to stay married and be happy and love each other. And I think that’s a good reason for us to be here.”

Header Image: Growing Bolder, Facebook reel, https://www.facebook.com/reel/245114361781483

August 18, 2023 0 comments

Faith

What If We Didn’t Retreat?

by Corine Channell May 30, 2021

written by Corine Channell

“If you want to take the island, burn the boats”, words spoken by Julius Caesar more than 2,000 years ago. “Take the island” means CONQUER. There is a high price to pay for taking the island, particularly if you burn your own exit so you can not possibly leave. It is the concept of leaving yourself NO other option – it is the essence of Queen Esther’s words, “…and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16) I am going forward at all costs in the face of danger, which means I am leaving myself at the point of no return – it means I can’t retreat.

HISTORY LESSON

I can only imagine that Caesar’s men thought he had lost his collective mind when he told them to burn each and every ship they had just sailed in. It was a clear visual to all watching that there would be NO going back, an all or nothing venture at hand. They were there to war with the Celts and leaving ships in the harbor was leaving a way of escape in their moments of imminent fear and weakness to retreat. I am guessing that Caesar KNEW they would be scared enough to run, so he took away their only way out. Really, he had brought them to a new level of commitment – that giving your all, or die moment.

Jesus had the same message for His followers. “But Jesus said to him, No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Looking back did NOT fare well for Lot’s wife. Her cautionary story is enough to shake us up! (pun intended) When you move forward, there will be times that you absolutely must NOT look back.

Sure, there are definitely times TO look back – to figure out what went wrong, to assess the past in order to plan the future, to fix broken places – of course. BUT there will be seasons when life will require you to burn your ships in order TO move forward. “ Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.” (Proverbs 4:25)

WHAT IF

What if though?! What would humanity look like if we gave this life journey our all, holding nothing back – scared yes, but doing it anyway. What if we didn’t retreat? What if we fought through to the death? Not a physical death generally, but a death to self – to pride, to fear, to all the things that hold us down and hold us back. What if we gave all? “The Lord our God said to us in Horeb, you have stayed long enough at this mountain.” (Deuteronomy 1:6) Or, in this harbor!

What if God is calling us at this hour in history to burn the ships in order to take out enemies in our own lives that need to be conquered! We would send a strong signal to the enemies of our soul that we would push back; that we would NOT run; that against all odds we would hold fast. You don’t think they would panic and be the ones to run themselves? NOTHING is more intimidating than a person who will NOT back down. It is the sign of a true warrior. There is also a personal power rush (of the good kind/not narcissistic) when we know that we know that we KNOW that no way/no how are we going to quit or stop or retreat. NO. Nope. Not gonna happen. No thief can steal that kind of soul commitment from you.

IN IT TO WIN IT

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24) THIS is when you realize you would die for what you live for, when the two interlock (lock in place) simultaneously and cannot be undone. THIS is the strength of a true soldier, fighting on life’s battlefield. And, winning. “In it to win it.” But it has to look like something. It can’t be just another check on a to-do list. It has to be the real deal – you MUST burn the ships. Only YOU know what those look like in your own life. I know mine.

I see a trip to the harbor in my near future, with a lighter. I am personally tired of being yanked away by laughing, jeering enemies who call out my weakness and my fear. I am going to use this against them – like a “WATCH ME” now! You think I can’t? I WILL. And, like Queen Esther let our mantra be – “If I perish, I perish.” But I will NOT run. I will NOT retreat.

___

The Secret to Unlocking God’s Favor in Your Life: Holy Resolutions

by Jim Leamon January 1, 2019

written by Jim Leamon

It’s a New Year! Time for Holy Resolutions

It’s that time of year, as one year ends and another begins. What better time to make some resolutions for change? Webster defines resolutions as the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute. It’s predetermining a course of action before you get there. Any lasting change you want to achieve has to start by being prepared mentally and setting goals on what you want to achieve. And then you have to have a made up mind that you are going to get there. This year I challenge you to fully commit your goals or resolutions to God!

Daniel Resolved to be Holy

While reading the Bible, I came across a perfect example of being resolute in the book of Daniel. “…Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” (Daniel 1:8). Early in our journey of meeting Daniel and learning about his life, we see this important resolution. Long before becoming a successful politician and leader for his time, Daniel purposed or committed to be holy.

He predetermined to keep God first and not allow anything that would defile him in his life. Daniel refused to allow even the smallest of worldly conveniences to come between him and his God. He took the initial step of consecrating himself to a life of holiness and left the results to God. Billy Graham said it like this,”Our job in life is not to be successful, but to be faithful.”

Holiness Keeps us Close to God

Perhaps Daniel had read in the book of Deuteronomy that “…God walks in the midst of your camp, …therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you” (Deuteronomy 23:14). What a powerful picture for the believer! We can know that our God is always with us. Just as He walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, He walks with us. Just as He walked in the midst of the Israelite camps, He walks with us.

God desires to be as close to us as possible and draws as near as we allow. The only thing that can cause Him to turn away is if we allow unclean things in our home. The start of a new year is the perfect time for a house cleaning. Ask God to reveal any unclean thing you need to get out of your house and then do so.

God’s Favor Shines on Those Who Please Him

As a result of his commitment to holiness, Daniel was given tremendous favor throughout his lifetime. Further, the favor impacted multiple areas of his life. He was given bodily health and vitality (Daniel 1:15). God also gave Daniel knowledge and skills, along with the supernatural gift of interpretating dreams and visions (Daniel 1:17).

In addition, the king Daniel served under gave him gifts, rewards and great honor (Daniel 2:6). I personally believe all of these examples of favor stem from Daniel’s initial resolutions to remain holy in the sight of God. Living a life of holiness will put you in proximity to God and as a result His favor will flow in all areas of your life.

Millennium Tower Luxury Condos

In conclusion my thoughts turn to a 58-story luxury condo building in San Francisco that has been in the news. The skyscraper is sinking and tilting. Residents are concerned for their safety. The foundation was poured and pilings driven into sand but not to bedrock. Whether that is the culprit or not is being vigorously debated and litigated. Condos have flooded the market for resale. Many residents have lost money taking what offers they can get to get out of the building.

Regardless of what the builders purposed when planning the building, time will tell if the foundation is strong enough to support the building or not. Build the foundation of your faith upon the bedrock of holiness and you will see God’s favor on your life. As Edward Mote penned over two hundred years ago, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

January 1, 2019 0 comments