Little by Little

"The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, for the wild beasts would grow too numerous for you." (Deut. 7:22)

Its been another good month in the Kingdom...

I had the opportunity to lead a couple ministry trips for Kris, and they both went well (for the most part). We saw many people touched by God.

We were in southern California for one of the trips, and I got to see my family. In fact, we had the whole team (I think 12 people) stay at my parents house one of the nights. That was really fun. We made pizza, played Wii (hoola-hoop and ski-jumping rated PG-13 for sure), prophesied, relaxed, and just had some quality team/family time.

Here's a picture of us at Harvest Rock church in Pasadena:


(He doesn't look very happy, but Carl's just being a comedian)

One of the most helpful revelations I've received about the Kingdom at Bethel is how we take our Promised Lands "little by little," just how the people of God took their Promised Land in the Old Testament. It's encouraging to know that nothing is wrong with us just because we're not walking in the fullness of our destiny-- what we've seen of it. It takes time. Its a process. And its good this way.

We're given promises from God-- a destiny-- at the beginning of the journey. We're given a goal and enticed by the reward dangled before our eyes... "A land flowing with milk and honey." The promised land of our souls.

God says, "This is what is possible for you. This is what I offer you. This is for you. Go for it! Go get it!" These are exciting times, the early days when the seeds of destiny are being sown, when its all fresh and anything seems possible. As Bobby Conner recently told us, "Conception is the fun part. Its the delivery that takes work." In other words, receiving the seed, the idea, the vision, the inspiration, is the fun part. Its laboring to birth that vision into reality that takes strength. It takes faith and patience and perseverance. As the writer of Hebrews explains, it's by faith and patience that we inherit the promises.

Vision gives pain a purpose.

Jesus, our model, endured the cross for the joy set before Him. He endured pain and hardship to capture His vision. He fought with all His heart to inhabit the promised land of His soul.

There are enemies in our land that must be displaced if we are to live in it. Its our land. We're given it for free, as a gift. We have God-given rights to claim it. But we have to fight to actually live in it. Little by little, battle by battle, we increase in strength and stature. Cultivating faithfulness with what have, we prove ourselves ready for more.

I tasted a little more of the fruit of my land in this last month. I'm thankful. But I know there's so much more available.


Quote(s) of the day:

"Most of what you need will be brought to you. Most of what you want you'll have to fight for." (Bill Johnson)

"Sometimes joy sweeps me off my feet, but more often it courts me and asks for a decision." (Ben Patterson)