Worship

“Build Your Church” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music

Scripture

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” -Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV)

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” -Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV)

“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” -Jude 1:3 (ESV)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” -Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)

A Story of Faithful Witness

Many of you have heard me say, “No generation has been called or prepared for this time in history like our generation.” We are being made ready to carry a mandate like no one before us. The great cloud of witnesses (also translated as martyrs) is cheering us on to our finish line. Jesus is interceding for us. We may feel ill-equipped or unprepared, but the pulsating power of Christ in us speaks another word.

We are being trained in the secret place to contend for our faith and for the gospel. I looked up the original meaning of the word contend, and here’s what it means:

“… to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize) … 1) to enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games 2) to contend with adversaries, fight 3) metaph. to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers 4) to endeavor with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something”

Over the last couple of years, the Bride of Christ had been shaken to the core. The foundation of many (whether built on sand or rock) was revealed. Our faith was shaken, and it was strengthened. We came to find out whose voice was the loudest counsel—the world or the Spirit of God. We had to come to grips with whom we were living for and whether we would be people of courage or fear. The shaking showed what we were truly made of. The enemy sidelined many in this last season, but I am watching an army emerge with focused faith, deeper passion for Jesus, and a conviction to live for Christ no matter the cost. Although the Church ran and hid with the rest of culture in the lockdown, many are now saying with bone-deep conviction, “I will not do that again.” There’s a new resolve for many in the Bride of Christ today because of these last two years.

This last trip to South Asia was life- and vision-transforming for me and our team. I told you of my translator whose father was martyred and how he vowed to the Lord he would preach the gospel fearlessly, just like his father. That’s contending. His prize was always Jesus—he just had a new reality of the rules of the game as it pertained to his enemy. That story really hit my spirit because I wondered if I would have the same response in my suffering. Would it put a deeper resolve in me to share the gospel, or would I sit in self-pity and ask the Lord, “Why?” I feel like seasons of suffering have prompted the later question, rather than the first conviction. I want my contending to not include self-pity, self-loathing, and self-preservation. It’s time to shake free from the focus of self and get Jesus in our eye’s sight. Can you see Jesus on the other side of the finish line cheering you on? No more belly-button gazing—it’s time to run! It’s time to build! It’s time to move with the fire of God!

“We must make a commitment to the land we are in to bring the fire of God—to confront people with the reality of God’s zeal and to prepare the way of the Lord to see that zeal consume the people.” -James Maloney, “The Dancing Hand of God”

“The key to revival is whether or not we’re going to venture out and discover the secrets to uprooting Satan’s strongholds. Revival is launched from heaven but must find a landing pad in the hearts of man. It takes a covenant of God’s will with man’s preparation to bring revival.” -Mario Murillo

Breaking Free from False Beliefs

Women of God, we cannot carry revival and contend for the faith if we have not first been consumed with Jesus. You can’t carry what you don’t contain, nor can you contend for what you don’t carry. It all begins with the utmost surrender to Jesus and His purposes. When we realize what He paid for—for our abundant life, healing, and righteousness—the only response is worship in surrender. Revival isn’t contingent on our giftings—it’s contingent on our surrender.

There are some of you who have disqualified yourselves based on personal inadequacies, history, or perceived lack of giftings. I was praying through this prayer and sensed the need to bring it to you so we can run unhindered from inaccurate self-perceptions and hang-ups. Pray this prayer with me!

“1. I break, shatter, cut-off, dissolve, and destroy the iniquity that says I am not special.
2. I break, shatter, cut-off, dissolve, and destroy the iniquity that says that I do not have the same standing as others.
3. I break, shatter, cut-off, dissolve, and destroy the iniquity that says that others are smarter than me.
4. I break, shatter, cut-off, dissolve, and destroy the iniquity that says others are better than me.
5. I break off, shatter, cut-off, dissolve, and destroy the iniquity that says that others know more than I do.
6. I break, shatter, cut-off, dissolve, and destroy the iniquity that says others are more important than I am.
7. I break, shatter, cut-off, dissolve, and destroy the iniquity that says I am not good at anything.
8. I break, shatter, cut-off, dissolve, and destroy the iniquity that says I will not speak or laugh in public.
9. I break, shatter, cut-off, dissolve, and destroy the iniquity that says no one cares about me.
10. I break, shatter, cut-off, dissolve, and destroy the iniquity that says I cannot be taught anything.” -Paul Cox, “Generational Prayers—2022 Edition”

You have been chosen and called to bring Jesus to the world. He has given you your unique voice, experiences, giftings, and intimacy with Himself. No one can do what you have been called to do. Break free of the lies you have believed and be one who raises her hand to carry revival to this nation and the nations.

The Time for Action

“God is raising up an army that will break every chain. He is on the move all over the world. … If you are in a relationship with Christ, you are in His army. If your heart is stirred to put Jesus on display … then you can be sure He will put you on display. You can do great things for the sake of His Kingdom if you believe and are willing to step out and take the risk (which is another way I often spell faith).” -Robby Dawkins, “Do Greater Things”

It’s harvest time. Let’s go!