IDENTIFYING WHAT IS PROMOTING OR HINDERING YOUR SUCCESS
THE POWER OF DISCOVERING WHO YOU ARE (PART 1)
As believers we tend to make professions
without having the proper tools to help us reach a finish result. We find our
greatest example of this in the book of Matthew. Observe Peters promise to the
Lord in Matthew 26:35, and what he was actually able to deliver in Matthew 74!
Many times we are not equipped to follow through, but God grants grace and does
not disqualify our inability to follow through! That is why it’s important to
identify the hindrances in our lives that keep us from attaining goals that we
set.
Mat 26:32-35 NKJV
But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." (33) Peter
answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You,
I will never be made to stumble." (34) Jesus said to him, "Assuredly,
I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three
times." (35) Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I
will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples....
Mat 26:69-74 NKJV
Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying,
"You also were with Jesus of Galilee." (70) But he denied it before
them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying." (71) And when
he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were
there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth." (72) But again
he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!" (73) And a little
later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are
one of them, for your speech betrays you." (74) Then he began to curse and
swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.
Matthew 16: 13-20 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi,
he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and
others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye
that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered
and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath
not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
THE POWER OF DISCOVERING WHO YOU ARE (PART 2)
Jesus called and ordained all types of
people, note how he did not discriminate or choose individuals based upon their
social status, occupation or rumors; Jesus were drawn to people who had a pure
heart and were eager to learn. Jesus selected us despite our downfalls and
shortcomings, but because of our desire to be used for his glory! God will use
you where ever your lot finds you in life! God is so wise and all knowing- He
does not have to redevelop you.
in the teaching business, God is so
sovereign that he teaches us about our gifting
through our talents, skill sets and giftings in life! Being used by God
does not require you to change what you are attracted to; for example if you
are a teacher, giver, banker or realtor, GOD will utilize these same secular
giftings in the kingdom for his glory!
Understand that you are actively housing
the gifts and talents of God…..some gifts are in the fetus, infant, and toddler
stage. All God requires is that you endure your season of growth and don't
abort the process! Just as a baby grows and transforms through the developmental
process, we too must allow God to grow our gifts and talents. The process will
not be easy, but It will be worth the pain!
It’s ironic how many of us can see the
greatness in others but overlook greatness in ourselves…….It’s time to
acknowledge who you are in God and how important your calling is! Everyone
knows how wonderful you are in the Lord but you! It’s time to know who you are
and stand firm in that revelation!
THE POWER OF DISCOVERING WHO YOU ARE (PART 3)
Psalm 8: 1-4 King James
Version (KJV) O Lord, our
Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above
the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou
ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy
and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work
of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son
of man, that thou visitest him?
David said I noticed how wonderful and
loving God is to a disobedient and self righteous generation; he stopped and
observed God in all his majesty and
creativity. Every day there should be that “God moment” in our lives, where we stop and
observe God in all his unfailing mercy and favor!
Psalms 8:4 David said what is man that
they are not even mindful of God’s goodness. David acknowledged that something
went wrong with man, he is perplexed by God’s ability to deal with an unstable generation, yet be so faithful.
David inquired why God continues to deal with men who do not understand
purpose! After all, the moon does not search for purpose, the sun and stars
shine faithfully….. Why is it that man is always search and seeking destiny and
Life's purpose, when all creation know
their purpose?
The answer to this
question is that man is on an evolving
journey. The son of men are the only ones not walking in total understanding
and therefore are continually asking God to reveal his wonder for our lives.
For we are constantly in a state of battle, unlike any other creature
or element in this earthly realm.. 1 Corinthians 1:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I
know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. There is
glory yet to be revealed and it's not always seen or apparent to the believer, but
in time, it will be manifest.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we
the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that,
when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. We
are on a journey that’s why its dangerous for people to put labels or define
you. Only God can define who we are because Its his process of transformation
we are in!
Jesus is the only person who ever
identified who he was before he actually lived his life. People have to see you
live first before they understand or acknowledge who you are.. Man judges by
the external…...but God reads our hearts, he judges our intentions not our
failures. Get around people who deal with you by your spirit and not your
flesh. People who see you at your greatest while you're at your worst! Now are
you the sons of God, but it doth not yet appear what we shall be or what shall
be revealed to you…..
Isaiah 53: reads like the obituary of
Jesus Christ...most times you don't write an obituary until after someone dies.
Isaiah was an old Testament prophet who had insight about Jesus Christ
beforehand; therefore if Jesus life was mapped out before he was born, how much
more our lives?
Jesus teaches us that even though he knew
what his end would be, he still had to work things out in his flesh….he had to
walk through his issues……..Things may be challenging your glory but you still
have to endure…Remember, your flesh is the guest house and your spirit is the
guest.
THE POWER OF DISCOVERING WHO YOU ARE (PART 4)
Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good
man are ordered by the Lord: and
he delighteth in his way. 24 Though
he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. People will
either handle you by sight or faith……..find people who have a faith
relationship with you. This is the difference: Sight says, when you mess up you
get dropped like a hot potato…….. Faith says, a righteous man falls seven times
yet gets back up…..Though he fall……….many people struggle with the concept of
how a righteous man could be walking with God yet fall……….in fact the sight
person says you never had a relationship with God….but the faith person says
you're still ordained, even though you're challenged. The call does not leave
because you walk away from God,the call is without repentance.
The call is a part of the Fall!!!!
2 Corinthians 4:7-11 But we
have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be
of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we
are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down,
but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord
Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For
we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life
also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. The call is a part
of the fall…..get back up again...the scriptures work when you believe and
don't believe. Know who you are in God, even when you are not behaving or
making Godly decisions.
THE POWER OF DISCOVERING WHO YOU ARE (PART 5)
HOW ARE WE DEVELOPED?
1.
Through the circumstances of Life. Life
develops you! This is how people learn……….we praise God in the church but we
don't practice God in the church………….the test is to maintain God and your
belief in God when you are outside of church
2.
You learn God in failure…….failure is
used to practice God………sometimes you have to take dominion or authority over
your outer man or spirit man…..You learn your identity through failure and
testing……….church is the book knowledge but without the Final Exam (being in
the world) the information is not applied.
3.
learn God in disappointment………..you learn
patience by being denied through public embarrassment…….you don't know who you
are until you move from the positive church environment to the cold, real
world!
God is failed when we neglect to live up
to our identity. In all these things Job did not charge God foolishly. Job held
onto his integrity!
Mat 16: 13 Jesus asked
them a question ….When Jesus
came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom
do men say that I the Son of man am? After being invested in you, Jesus
wanted to ensure you know who he is.
Surface level- Who do men say I am, What
have you heard about me? Some people just go by what they heard about you. This
question represents worldly knowledge and you can’t have a relationship with
God through people because you will more than likely buy into their
misconceptions or views! You have to have a personal relationship with God and
experience him for yourself.
Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that
thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the
prophets. The Disciples said some say….. notice that there was so much
class participation when the disciples answered this question (JESUS did not
spend much time with this question).
Mat 16: 15 BUT WHOM SAY
YE THAT I AM………… we must have a relationship with God for ourselves. notice the
difference, in verse 14 we don’t see a real relationship but in Chapter 15,
identity comes out, true fellowship is revealed! We see a foundational
relationship!
The bible should drive the church and the
word is what should also be driving us because it’s bread and meat for those
who partake! Just because we are in the presence of God does not mean or
signify that you know God….this is revealed in the passage. The only person who
spoke up was the big mouth person, Peter! Peter was only 1 out of 12…..yet he
was the only one who could answer the
question. We should be striving and it should be our goal to answer that
question. Because Peter was brave enough to open his mouth, God dared to use him! Open
your mouth and let God speak through you!
In verse 17 Jesus is not addressing the 11 disciples but people who can reveal and walk in understanding of who he really
is. Jesus identity with people who identify with him! Identity is defined as
who you hang with. You must Identity with Christ before you can identify with self or others…..Acts 17:
28 In him we live and move have our
being. It is only in GOD that we are revealed……...We must stay in God or risk
the chances of having a distorted view!
These are the things that hinder the believer:
1.
Lack of belief...we are called not by
vote but God’s election
2.
No motivation…….many people never carry
things through
3.
Thinking OR VIEWING failure as a final
destination…most times we must struggle
to reach our identity…... people learn more through the left side than the
right side….left side is outside the will of God the father……..the right side
is walking, living and dwelling inside the will of God!
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