POSITIONED FOR REVIVAL (Session 3) For this week’s notes, send an to: With subject: Notes of 16/03/2010

Mission 24-7 When Satan interferes: Nehemiah When God intervenes: Fire from heaven When the Church intercedes –Put God back in the centre (Rev.2:1-7) –Stand after a spiritual assault (Rev.2:8-11) –Stand amidst trials & persecution (Rev.2:8-11)

REPOSITION … STAND… Rev 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer… the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Reposition your thinking Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace…and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Rom.5:1-2) 3-fold assurance of the fullness of our salvation (Rom. 5:1-2). And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Rom. 5:3-4) Insight into how trials can work for us, leads us to experience more of God’s glory (v. 3-5).

How do you respond when trials come? –We become bitter or better in trials depending on how we respond to them. It is not enough to endure a trial, because we are not changed by the trial itself, but by responding rightly to God when in them. Without understanding, we live in despair, confusion, and fear. –Our response to trials begins with our focus. Our natural focus is to be angry towards those who are responsible for our pressures. Thus, we wrongly get angry at God, people, or ourselves. Our anger does not accomplish anything in God’s purpose. Being angry at ourselves does not help. (For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. (James 1:20, NAS) –The biblical focus is to grow in faith and obedience (love, humility, purity, and gratitude). We do this by: (1) seeing the darkness that works against us by demonic attacks and (2) flaws in our obedience. Ask the Spirit for insight on both of these areas. We resist all expressions of darkness coming against us and to commit to grow in obedience.

Trails answer our prayers to grow spiritually, in perseverance, character and hope (Rom. 5:3-4) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom. 12:2) Trials have the power to strengthen and transform us completely. (Caterpillar turned into a butterfly). Reposition your thinking

Watch your attitude: We are part of the church. We are not better, just may be a little further down the road from where we started. Draw near to God with great humility on behalf of the Bride. (James 4:8) Renewing of mind: The transformation starts with our mind. This includes our focus and perspective during a trial. As we meditate on the Word, the Spirit renews our mind and prepares us to express His glory. (Rm.12:2) Agree with God: Transformation involves a process of coming into agreement with God with our intentions (perseverance), behaviour (character), and perspective on things (hope). (Rm.5:3-4) Choose your response: Transformation is not an automatic result of trials. Transformation occurs only if we respond rightly and this depends on how we understand the pressures. (Dt.30:19) Pray for the church this week

Resist offense: Tribulation works perseverance instead of offense (anger). (Hos.5:15). Increase in God’s favour: Paul says that trials do not contradict the reality of having God’s favour, but they are occasions for increasing it. (Rom.12:2) Ask for purpose: Trials cause despair unless we see a purpose in them. (Eph.1:17) Bear the responsibility: The greater the calling, the greater the pressures that come to prepare our character for it. (Therefore stand! Eph.6:10-14) Pray for the church this week

Perseverance: –Consistently realign the intention of our heart to believe and obey God instead of giving up and giving in to sin, unbelief, or spiritual passivity. Perseverance refers to spiritual fortitude that stays firm in faith and obedience under pressure. It is made stronger by exercising it under pressure. Proven character: –to follow through in changing our behaviour (actions). This results in increasing our capacity to receive from God in a sustained way as the fog of spiritual dullness lifts from us. There is a dynamic connection between what we do and how we feel and see. Hope: –to have confidence about the future that is in agreement with God’s plan for our life purpose. –This hope will never disappoint us, it will not put us to shame. –Our hope or confidence is alive with a deep awareness of the love of God. The Spirit helps us to see that what we will receive is beyond what any eye has seen (1 Cor 2:9-12). –** Difficulty often makes us question why we are obeying and believing God instead of giving up and giving in. These regular reviews cause us to see more clearly and purifies our motives! –The anguish of hopelessness is cured by constantly realigning our hearts with the leading of the Holy Spirit who reveals the will of the Father.

Our response to trials ASK FOR INSIGHT IN A TIME OF TRIALS If we ask God for insight during trials, He will give it to us without any reproach or rebukes. Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience [perseverance]. But let patience have its perfect work [full impact in us], that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing [in our obedience]. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:2-5) ASK FOR WISDOM INTO AREAS WE LACK OBEDIENCE We are to ask God for wisdom into areas in which we lack complete obedience (v. 5). We ask the Lord to re-align us now with insight into our lack of obedience instead of at the judgment seat. David asked the Lord for insight into areas in which he lacked complete dedication to Him. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps. 139:23-24) Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret (unperceived) faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins…Then I shall be blameless… (Ps. 19:12-13)

For this week’s notes, send an To: With subject: Notes of 16/03/2010