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Steven Furtick Shares Message For People In The ‘Wilderness’

by Rhoda Gayle
written by Rhoda Gayle

Steven Furtick shared a message for people who are walking through the wilderness.

Wilderness

The pastor and writer recently shared a message for anyone who is experiencing a wilderness season. He told the congregation that God works in your times of weakness. He also emphasized that God is taking you through a process to teach you important lessons.

“God works in your weakness, God works in your waiting. It’s not the promise, it’s not the past, it’s the wilderness… I need to be taught through a process… He’s a deliberator. He brings me into spaces, He brings me into challenges, He brings me into dilemmas to set me free from my flesh.”

Steven Furtick [@stevenfurtick]. Steven Furtick. YouTube, October 7, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/@stevenfurtick

Steven Furtick

God wants us to think like Him.

“Isn’t this what God is always teaching me? How to think like He thinks about what I’m going through, how to think like He thinks about what is best for me? One of my favorite Scriptures says, ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, says the Lord.'”

Have confidence in God

No matter where God takes us and no matter what God is teaching us, let us have confidence that He has in mind what is best for us.

“To have confidence in God’s promises but not commitment to His process is delusional. If I have confidence in God’s promises but don’t have a commitment to His process, that is not depending on God. That’s called denial because we just want to believe over top of all our behaviors that don’t line up with the Word of God.

Your Thoughts Are Hurting You

Read also: 4 STEPS ON HOW NOT TO BE A LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN

Reference: YouTube | Steven Furtick
Header Image: Steven Furtick [@stevenfurtick]. Steven Furtick. YouTube, October 7, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/@stevenfurtick

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Articles

There’s A Greater Purpose For The Wilderness

by Rhoda Gayle
written by Rhoda Gayle

There’s a greater purpose for our seasons in the wilderness.

Wilderness

In an episode of New Wine United Breaks Out, Pete Hughes shares a message on the purpose of the wilderness. He began his message by explaining how COVID-19 sent us into a wilderness experience. However, there is a purpose for the wilderness because it is in the stillness of the desert where our souls come out of hiding.

We get to be able to present our true selves in the presence of God when we’re in the season of wilderness. And in the presence of God, there is healing and transformation.

“We’ve retreated through COVID-19, it’s felt uncomfortable, we’ve become aware of some of the stuff that’s going on within. But, hopefully, as we brought that before God, there’s healing taking place, there’s formation taking place,” Pete explained.

Greater purpose

It is also in the wilderness where God prepares us for His fire.

“There’s a greater purpose of the wilderness beyond just formation, it’s a place where we are filled with the fire of God’s presence,” he added.

As we come out of the wilderness, awakening, and revival are about to happen!

“We long for a revival in the church because we also long for an awakening in the culture,” Pete emphasized.

“What the Lord is stirring in this season is, I’m fully aware it’s a brutal season in many ways, is it this season is a place for formation, it’s a place of preparation as we ready ourselves to receive fire. Because I believe the Lord wants to bring a spiritual awakening to this land.”

The anointing of Jesus Christ is upon us. And we are called to use that anointing to proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel of the Lord to every nation.

“That’s what the anointing is for, yes, to proclaim the good news, but more on that, to demonstrate good news.”

Read also: Words Of Encouragement For Tired Parents 

Grow closer to God daily by getting exclusive video teachings on God Today! 

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Reference: GOD TV 

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Articles

3 Reasons You Might Be in the Wilderness Right Now

by Jennifer LeClaire
written by Jennifer LeClaire

We all walk through peaks and valleys—and we all have our wilderness experiences. But there’s a big difference between being a voice crying in the wilderness in obedience to God and finding yourself stuck in the wilderness, going around the same mountain over and over (and over).

I’ve experienced both realities, and I can tell you the former is liberating because you know you are smack-dab in the center of God’s will. The latter is frustrating because you know you’re absolutely missing it somewhere.

Of course, if you don’t have a revelation of why you are in the wilderness—if you are antsy for your big ministry debut, even though it’s not God’s timing—then you could be frustrated even in the will of God.

So, how do we interpret these experiences? You need revelation and understanding that you can hang your faith on while you go through the wilderness so you don’t faint and give up.

Unbelief and Rebellion Will Leave You Wandering in the Wilderness

Sometimes you find yourself wandering in the wilderness year after year. It feels like you are going around the same mountain over and over (and over). That may be because you are. Remember, it was a three-day journey from the Red Sea to the Promised Land, but the Israelites wandered around in the wilderness, circling Mount Seir, for 40 years.

Why did it take so long? One reason was unbelief. The Father was prepared to take them into the Promised Land after two years, but 10 of the 12 spies Moses sent into the Promised Land brought back an evil report of unbelief (Num. 14). God waited until all the unbelieving men of war died, just like He said He would (Deut. 2:14).

Psalm 78:17 also notes that the Israelites rebelled against God in the wilderness. And Hebrews warns readers, “Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years” (Heb. 3:8-9). If you have been in the wilderness for years, ask the Holy Spirit if there is unbelief or rebellion in your heart.

God Is Waiting for His Perfect Time to Reveal You

John the Baptist seemingly spent much of his life in the wilderness. Luke records this about John: “So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel” (Luke 1:80).

John was the one Isaiah prophesied about: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God’” (Is. 40:3). We know John did just that, as Mark pulled out Isaiah’s words when introducing John, who “came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins” (Mark 1:4-5).

John’s public ministry lasted only months after the day of his manifestation to Israel. Herod murdered him, but not before he fulfilled his ministry as a forerunner of Christ. Now, John was not in the wilderness because of anything he was doing wrong. John’s manifestation to Israel was a matter of God’s timing.

Think about it: John was prepared in the wilderness. He received revelation and he learned humility and obedience in the wilderness. He built a strong relationship with God.

If you find yourself in the wilderness right now, take heart—it may be that God is preparing you for something marvelous. Take the time to get to know Him because that relationship will serve you well after your revealing.

God Is Positioning You for Greater Power

The Holy Spirit Himself may drive you into the wilderness for a season. That’s what happened to Jesus.

Jesus was already baptized in the Holy Spirit, but he gained power through His wilderness experience. He went into the synagogue and essentially declared His public ministry. When He left there, the first thing He did was cast out a devil. The next thing was healing people, followed by preaching.

If you find yourself in a period of temptation, use the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to resist the devil, and know that God wants to take you to a higher place.

Read Also: The Wilderness: Fighting The Good Fight Of Faith

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ArticlesFaith

The Wilderness: Fighting The Good Fight Of Faith

by Nicole D Roberts
written by Nicole D Roberts

Have you been facing troubles and tests where you feel overwhelmed? Do these tests keep coming hard and fast, day after day?  I have. However, I have Good News for you, no weapon formed against you shall prosper (see Isaiah 54:17). This too shall pass, it is temporary and it has an expiration date. And these tests only take place here on earth, not in heaven!  The children of Israel are no longer in the wilderness! And Jesus is alive and in heavenly places next to our Father. Rejoice!

Peace In Jesus

Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and He defeated the devil left, right, and center. Every challenge, test, and temptation the devil threw at Him He passed. Let us be encouraged and empowered for John 16:33 reads, “I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” We have the overcoming Spirit of God living in us and surrounding us. We have His peace. Rejoice!

The devil tried to plant the seed of doubt and unbelief in Jesus’ mind the same way he tries with believers today. He said to Him, “‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.’” But Jesus told him, ‘No! The Scriptures say “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:3-4) Then the devil said to Jesus, ‘if’, which is translated into planting the seed of doubt and unbelief with this little word.

He tries to do the same today. And throughout this wilderness experience, Jesus never changed His answers. They were all “It is written and the Scriptures say.” Believers, this is our weapon today: the Word of God, our faith, and standing firm on the Solid Rock of our foundation, Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life (see John 14:6). The Lord promises victory in the wilderness (see Isaiah 43). All the Lord’s promises prove true (see Psalms 18:30).  For all of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory (see 2 Corinthians 1:20).

Final Words: The Wilderness

In the wilderness experience, do not give up! Know that you are being led by the Holy Spirit, know who you are in Christ. Remember to read, study, meditate on His Word day and night. Learn the word, be a doer of the word, and apply the word to every test or temptation. Have faith only in God. Trust Him. Know to walk in agreement with God and what He says about you, what you have, and what you can do in Him. Worship only God, the Sovereign Lord. Serve only God. Follow Christ. Commit yourself to fasting and prayer, start small miss a meal and spend time in His Word then build up to fasting for a day, 3 days, 21 days, 40 days as the Holy Spirit leads you, try it.

Know that believers must go through tests and temptation, we must face it, it refines us, it takes us from the pit to the palace. There is a purpose in the wilderness experience. Know what the Holy Bible says and what God says about you and the situation. Stand firm in the whole armor of God against the lies of the devil, for he is defeated. Praise the Lord, exalt His name in every situation, praise your way out, for victory belongs to Jesus. And we belong to Jesus. He lives in us and that means we are victorious, rejoice! You are of God, little children, and have overcome them. Because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (see 1 John 4:4). Rejoice!

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desert song
Faith

Coming Out Of Your Desert Place

by Vance K Jackson
written by Vance K Jackson

Coming Out Of Your Desert Place

“Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.” Exodus‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God can meet you at any point in your life’s journey, and reveal himself to you even in the back of a desert. It was in the backside of the desert where God met and Called Moses. It was in this place where Moses had become comfortable. It was in this place, where Moses was seeking safety and shelter from his adversary Pharaoh. It was in this temporary place where Moses had settled – God had a Bigger Purpose that trumped Moses’ temporary plans. While tending His Father In Law’s flock, getting married and having children Moses had made this temporary place of refuge a permanent place of habitation. God wanted to use him mightily but it required him to leave from the place of obscurity and into the forefront of a generation.

Turn Aside

“And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭3:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Maybe, like Moses, you’ve gotten comfortable in a place that was meant for you to stay temporarily. Maybe, you were Called to confront your Pharaoh with God and change the world. Maybe, God is trying to get your attention at this very moment. It is your choice to either say “Here am I.” or stay in the place of obscurity. God is Calling you out of the obscurity of your desert and into the forefront of a generation to represent Him. You are His chosen vessel, you were created by God to be used by Him in a mighty way. Turn aside. Turn your ear to hear what’s your assignment.

Prayer: “Father God, In The Name of Jesus, I submit to Your Will. I will surrender to Your Voice. You are my Lord. Touch my heart and make my hands ready to do and to accept Yout assignment. I surrender to You in Jesus Name. Amen.”

Holy Ground – The Separation.

“And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God separated Moses and placed Him as head of a generation and used him as His Representative. When God sets you apart, He’ll give you specific instructions to lead His People. You are His Chosen Vessel. You are marked by His Word and led by His Voice. It’s up to you to surrender to God’s Will or choose to walk by sight and forsake what He says. The place that He assigns to you becomes Holy Ground. He wants to transform your ordinary into the extraordinary – even in the desert, the boardroom, the classroom, the cubicle… Your present surroundings does not matter to God. He will use you and Call you at any point in time – even in your place of wilderness.

Breaking Generational Boundaries.

“Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Joshua, Moses’ successor, was charged by God to conquer the mountains, land and territory where God had originally tasked Moses to conquer and possess. Joshua, led the people into a Generational Breakthrough by conquering and inheriting the Promised Land. However, before conquering the land, Joshua chose to surround himself by men who followed God and was not influenced by the opinions of man – men like Caleb. It was Caleb who waited 45 years in the wilderness before making the proclamation, “Give me this mountain”, in Joshua 14:12. Joshua had Blessed Him to pursue. When you are coming out of the desert, surround yourself with Calebs – people who are wholeheartedly following God and are not afraid to pursue Purpose. Come out of your desert – follow God and be made whole.

This article was written by Vance Jackson who serves on the leadership team of Word of Life Christian Ministries in Detroit, MI. Vance is a successful businessman, speaker and writer and leads Bible studies on topics ranging from Marriage to Faith, Family, Business, Stewardship, Emotional Healing and Leadership.

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season
Faith

Feeling Dry and Thirsty? Your Season Is About To Shift.

by Vance K Jackson
written by Vance K Jackson

Your Season Is About To Shift

There may have been seasons in your life where you may have felt that things were not necessarily going “your way”. You may have felt stuck, stagnant or you may have even felt uncertain about your next step or your next Destiny move. In fact, you may be experiencing one of those seasons as the you read this article. In fact, you may be wondering what’s your next move or if you are, in the “right” place in your business, career, life or even ministry. You may even feel that your Destiny is slipping out of reach and that your steps are veering out of order.

Sometimes, during these dry seasons, it may even feel like you’re not walking in your full Purpose or you’re not stepping into everything that God has called you to do. My brother or sister, no matter where you are on your journey, God is with you and will carry you through this season and every season of life. Only God can establish your footsteps and carry you out of your dry season and propel you into the next season that reflects has prepared for you. Allow God’s Love and His Word to transform your life and circumstance, even at this very moment. Let God remind you of your Purpose and your Call in Him. Allow The Holy Spirit to penetrate your heart and remind you of who you are to Him. Digest and meditate upon God’s Word and you will produce His Fruit in due season.

Stay Planted and Check Your Counsel.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Although it is critical to check your counsel throughout every season of life, it’s especially critical to consider your counsel during these dry seasons of life. Your counsel during these seasons can either catapult you to success or keep you cycling in the wilderness. Your counsel can either draw you away from God’s Presence or propel you closer to Him. When you are in a dry season, it’s important to water and feed yourself with God’s Word – as much as possible. During these times, staying rooted in His Word and reminding yourself of His Promises is a constant must. Consistently feeding yourself His Word is your lifeline during these times. When you are in this vulnerable place, the enemy will try to lure you with thoughts that will discourage you from pursuing your Destiny and draw you away from what He’s trying to produce out of you. Do not abandon your Purpose! Remember this, whatever the enemy tries to tell you is a lie. In these dry seasons, your mind and thoughts become vulnerable to the enemy’s ploys, plots, strategies, and attacks. When things around you look dark and things are getting dry, your time with God becomes even more vital and precious. In Matthew 4:1, Christ shows us how to handle our wilderness seasons. When Christ was in the wilderness – every time Satan came to tempt Him, Christ rebuked him with The Word. When the enemy comes to tempt, strain and to drain you from fulfilling God’s Purpose for your life – you must rebuke Satan with God’s Word.

There may be times, during these seasons, where you may not “feel” like confessing or applying God’s Word, remember that your retreat from God is a strategic attack of the enemy. The enemy’s desire is to distract you from utilizing God’s Word, sifting you as wheat, causing you to lose your focus and derail you from your Purpose. You were built by God to conquer and to defeat the enemy in every area of your life. So conquer this wilderness season by clinging to God’s Word for His Counsel, Direction, Instruction, and Insight. You must choose to believe everything that God has revealed to you about your Purpose and Destiny and who He has called you to be. Embrace and read His Word throughout this season.

If you’re facing a dry season here are a few helpful tips to strategically water your heart with His Word and to prepare your environment to battle against the enemy:

  • 1. Set up intentional prayer times and devotional patterns. Pick out sometimes throughout the day to spend some alone time with God. Allow His Word to penetrate your heart and to saturate your environment.
  • 2. Set up quiet times with God. Lay out before Him and give Him your heart. Cast your cares, worries, and desires upon Him.
  • 3. Be intentional about reading and hearing God’s Word constantly. Your spirit is yearning to be refreshed by Him. Get creative and surround yourself with The Word throughout the day. Leave notes around the house with various scriptures reminding yourself of God’s Promises.
  • 4. Guard your heart. Keep an environment of peace and allow His Word to flow freely throughout your home. Keep your television and radio on Christian stations. Play worship music throughout the day.
  • 5. Surround yourself with Godly Counsel. Follow those who are led by God and are producing His Fruit – Mature Fruit tested by the seasons of life.

Allow God to order your steps.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When you choose to esteem and value God’s Word over what the enemy is saying or even over the opinion of man, you’re choosing to exalt God over your circumstance and even over this temporary wilderness season of your life. Remember that the wilderness is temporary. When you choose to obey God’s Word and His Instruction, even in dry seasons, you’re choosing to submit yourself to God’s Way and you’re executing things in His Timing. When you submit your heart and your way to God’s Fatherly Care, He will not lead you astray. Trust Him in all seasons. Remember, especially during these wilderness seasons, the enemy will try everything in his power to derail you from functioning in your Purpose and to distract you from fulfilling your Destiny Assignment. Remember that God is with you and He’ll lead you every step of the way. “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

Intentionally delight yourself in the Lord.

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalms‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

During these wilderness seasons your appetite to focus forward on fulfilling your Destiny may have diminished, but remember, that God has not diminished who He has Called you to be. When the pressures of life try to weigh you down, it is important to take hold and encourage yourself in God’s Word. Allow God’s Word to nourish you and to remind you of why He crafted you and who He has called you to be. Your Purpose is greater than your wilderness season.

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭30:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬.

Redirect your focus on His Word and intentionally set yourself against the enemy’s voice and align yourself with what God is saying about you. You are His and don’t forget it! “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:35, 37-39‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Choose To Stay Planted.

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalms‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When the environment is dry around you and there’s no light to be found, choose to cling on to God’s Word. If you’re facing a dry, lonesome, wilderness and/or barren season, remember that God is with you and He is for you. Your wilderness is a temporary season and not a permanent destination. “In the Name of Jesus, I break the spirit of depression, rejection and torment from looming and haunting over your life. In Christ Jesus you are free. By The Blood of Christ you are set free from the burden and bondage of sin. In Christ you are made free! So be free in Jesus Name. Amen.”

What are you filled with? Guard your words.

“A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.” Proverbs‬ ‭18:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Watch your words. Your words navigate your path and they chart the course of your Destiny. In difficult seasons, sometimes your emotions may try to get the best of you in an attempt to rule over your thoughts. Remember that your “thought life” will guide what you say. What you choose to meditate on will eventually lead your language and your body to action. It’s up to you to discipline your thought life and pattern yourself after The Word of God.  “Death and life are in the powerful of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs‬ ‭18:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Earth is the Lord’s and every season belongs to him.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalms‬ ‭24:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Remember that you were created by God, we are His Workmanship – we are His carefully crafted, Purpose filled  Vessels used for His Glory. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” ‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬ Every inch of our bodies were designed by Him. We were created to give God Glory and to reflect Him in the Earth. You were created for Purpose. You were created out of the Heart of God for this very time. Don’t allow the wilderness to distract you out of what you were called to do. You have Purpose and Destiny assigned to you. Don’t give up in the wilderness. Stay the course and focus on what God has called you to do. This is your time. The Earth, and the successive ages of time, all belongs to Him – and so do you. So don’t idolize the wilderness season – don’t magnify it higher than God. For God is bigger than the wilderness that you face. For your life (and the wilderness season that you’re facing) is all in His hands. God can breathe upon your situation and cause your season to shift at any moment. Time belongs to Him. Submit your heart to Him and go through His Process. Submit to Him and He’ll lead your path – even through the wilderness.

Be Blessed.

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