God is inviting us back to the table very strategically to provide a sense of needed nourishment for what lies ahead. Revelation that is not nurtured is lost so we must purpose strategic times of rehearsing what God has been revealing if we are to become the strengthened church Jesus desires for us to become.
A few really strategic things we have rehearsed over the past few weeks deal with discernment and relationships.
We are born with the capacity to walk but we have to develop the ability to do so. When we are born again, we have the capacity to be spiritually discerning but we must cultivate the ability to do so. We serve a speaking God and we must learn to be a listening people. Discernment is awareness of this Risen King being conversationally present in our lives.
Not only must we fight to conquer institutionalism we must also fight to conquer individualism. There is glory in face-to-face conversation. When I’m having a conversation with you, I find myself face to face with the image of God.
God truly is taking the church into a new season. There are seasons and strategies for the timing of what God purposes to reveal but our readiness is an important part of this process. Some things Jesus wanted to reveal to his disciples yet they were not yet ready. Some things Paul wanted to reveal to the churches yet they were not yet ready.
Readiness is an important part of this process so I would ask that you please do not neglect what God is leading us into during this season. Our action point each week points us to The Table in a relational way as we grow spiritually together.
There are some things God desires for us to experience and explore that will not be revealed until we are mature enough relationally to steward them well.
God will not allow me to have the ability to discern you if I don’t have the maturity to love you when I do. He will just have to withhold some things if we’re not ready and ultimately this will hold us back from things He desires for us to possess.
Paul speaks to the Corinthians about passing the test of examining themselves to see if they’re in the faith 2 Corinthians 13:5. He even goes so far as to say it is possible not to pass the test.
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. In life there are all kinds of tests we must pass. We must pass test after test to graduate from high school. We have driving tests, vision tests, hearing tests, allergy tests and all kinds of tests.
Some people get pretty worked up about passing these earthly tests. There are tests that have to do with eternal things and I suggest you give some consideration to passing these. If you don’t pass these tests, you will miss out on not just earthly treasure but eternal treasure God desires for you to have. Tithing is very much in this category. God purposed to call us to give a tenth of our income every time we increase or get paid. Giving at Destiny is easy through our app, through giving stations or just text GIVE to +1 (405) 584-5767.
Tithing and giving offerings have always been part of God’s plan for worship. This continues to be one of the ways God helps us see how we’re doing with the testing and measurement of trusting God and having faith “unless we don’t pass the test”
John 16:12-15 I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you. NIV
We need each other! There truly is glory in the conversation. We are called to unity where we discover God’s blessing and life forever more (Psalms 133).
You cannot come into the fullness of God’s plan for your life it you do not sacrificially devote yourself relationally to the purposes of God.
Asbury Revival Recently I heard someone speaking about what led up to the Asbury Revival. One of their observations involved a season where relationships were being tested. Relationships will be tested to see if they can bear the weight of what God desires to reveal. It is vital that we be spiritually mature enough protect the unity of faith! We must learn to love each other well!
As we grow to become who God has designed us to be we will experience the deeper realities of eternity but this does require relational devotion together as God’s family.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Come to the table with others exploring a deeper place of worship this week by making a simple relational effort to know God’s heart together.
TABLE CONVERSATION:
Who does it seem God is giving you favor with and how are/will you respond? What is an actionable you can take this week towards this person? (Prayer, conversations, reaching out, invite, etc.)