Transition - Part 6

Hindrances to Entering Our Promised Land

Oftentimes, it is ungodly soul-ties with something or someone that prevent us from advancing. The Israelites were so “tied” to Egypt, they would not enter into God’s full promises. Ungodly relationships form one of the worst hindrances to fully entering God’s purpose for our lives. If we want to fully serve the Lord, we need to stay single. Why? 1 Corinthians 7 encourages the single life, unless we find that one person who is totally devoted to what God has called us to be and to do. We will be judged for what God has purposed and planned for us at the judgment seat of Christ. By marrying out of loneliness, sexual frustration, etc, we have chosen to disobey the Bible. Once we are married, God says that marriage covenant takes precedence over all others. If we are married to someone who is not called to our purpose, we will probably end up never fulfilling it! (We will still have to give an account before God for the gifting, calling and graces.)

Transition - Part 5

Training For Reigning

Today, we know little about the process of discipleship. What was it like to be a disciple of a rabbi in Jesus time? Paul was a disciple of Gamaliel, a leading authority in the Sanhedrin. If you were chosen by a rabbi to be his disciple, you were to sit at his feet and bear his yoke. When Jesus chose the disciples, he did not choose them so they could be the best that they can be and do what they thought was best! The disciples were chosen to bear His yoke with their dominion gift. When we become a part of a local fellowship, God is joining us together so our dominion gift will help that local expression to accomplish what God desires to bring forth from that body of believers, and in that training, to eventually release it to the surrounding culture to impact it for the kingdom of God. As powerful an anointing as Daniel had, the Lord did not set him alone…he placed him in community with at least three other friends!

Transition - Part 4

Community Is Necessary...Leadership Is Essential

How do we prepare for destiny? It is not accomplished independently. It is attained through community and a joining of the generations. Just as we are transitioning as individuals, God is transitioning generations. The generation that has led us is now shifting to an advisory capacity. Like Moses, they have been forerunners; they have led the way into the depths of God. Now they are needed to counsel and advise the next generation. Leaders like John Paul Jackson, Lou Engle and Mike Bickle represent a transitional generation that can join generations together. They are “raising up” the next generation to recognize their destiny before they are ensnared by the cares of this world.

Transition - Part 3 - The Discipline of Confinement

Transition is very confining. It is the place of surrender where we give up our own way. It is uncomfortable. It is disciplined and constrictive. He’s taking us to a place where we have not walked. Marketplace transformation leader, Lance Wallnau, describes transition this way: “I’m going through hell, and I think God’s in it!”

Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language defines transition as the:

1. “Movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another.

2. In music, (a) a passing from one key to another; modulation, (b) a sudden, unprepared modulation.

3. Passage from one scene to another by sound effects, music, etc., as in a theatrical production.

Transition - Part 2

What is your dominion gift or gift mix? We are in a kairos (God’s right time) moment. We must get in line with God’s order and His timing. Now is the time to begin to walk in our dominion gift. Until intercession is established, things never fully work correctly, and therefore operating in our dominion gifting in the culture is greatly hindered. God created man first for intimacy and from that position we are to rule and reign. The word “mediocre” literally means “half way up the mountain,” which is a picture of those who will not accept the discipline and dedication necessary to see the fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose. Part of this discipline is character development and learning to prevail in prayer. “Halfway up the mountain” is a picture of those who do not completely answer God’s call and quit somewhere in the process of training and discipleship. Most people quit during this transitional phase (between the actual change, and the full enactment), because it’s the place where our relationship, character and commitment is tested.

Transition - Part 1

What is transition anyway? It is a defined leaving the familiar we have been in, and going through a narrow, confining passage, to an unfamiliar place. It’s a place that holds no name because it is the space between where we were and where we are going. If we observe a bundle of smashed grapes, we can no longer identify the distinct, beautiful, plump, ripe fruit. It is not what it was; it is not yet what it is to become — juice or wine. More grapes, additional ingredients and time all play an integral role in the transformation of the grapes to the desired, new state. Many of us are like these grapes; we are ripe fruit presently being squeezed through a narrow place. Just like the grapes, the Lord is changing us into who He has called us to be. Transition is what we pass through to become; it is the place of transformation.

Transition is explained in the scripture but not defined. Joshua 3:1-5 provides a clear picture of transition. As 2008 unfolded, the Lord strategically placed His finger on this passage to show us His work at this time. As we inch ever closer to the spiritual Jordan, our eyes and hearts must be fixed on Him if we are to reach His intended destination (our destiny, His plan for us fulfilled).

The “Severity” of a Compassionate God

Romans 11:22: “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.”

The Lord can at times seemingly be the most gracious and compassionate Being in the universe and also seemingly, the most “severe.”  His severity only appears to be so severe because we are seeing Him through the eyes of the fallen Adamic nature.  Adam, and all pertaining to him, is under God’s curse.  There is no good in it, and it must be eradicated.  God’s “severity” is only such as we dwell in fleshly lusts and carnality.  His discipline comes into our lives to grow us up, and cause us to be literal partakers of His nature and divine attributes (2 Pet. 1:3-4).

When the “severe” disciplining hand of the Lord begins to be bared in our lives, it is imperative we have a foundation laid of His overwhelming kindness, compassion and delight in us.  If we have not got a foundation laid in our lives of the absolute delight and joy the Father has in us as His children, when the Lord begins to bring maturity into our lives, we will lose heart, at best, and lose faith, at worst.

It is necessary that we dwell on His goodness and kindness, focusing in on His great love for us as we pass through tests and trials.  It’s only as we “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:2), will He complete that which He has started, and bring us into ever-deepening realms of intimacy, friendship and glory.