Breakthrough: Start Digging: 2 Kings 3:4-27

 

1. I Have A Need Only God Can Meet.

So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. After a roundabout march of seven days, the army had no more water for themselves or for the animals with them.  “What!” exclaimed the king of Israel. “Has the Lord called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hands of Moab?” But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?”
2 Kings 3:9-11 (NIV)

2. I Have A Responsibility That Only I Can Bear.

Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went to him. However, Elisha said to King Joram of Israel, “What do we have in common? Go to the prophets of your father and your mother!” But the king of Israel replied, “No, because it is the Lord who has summoned these three kings to hand them over to Moab.” Elisha responded, “By the life of the Lord of Armies, before whom I stand: If I did not have respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah, I wouldn’t look at you; I would not take notice of you.  Now, bring me a musician. ”While the musician played, the Lord’s hand came on Elisha.  Then he said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Dig ditch after ditch in this wadi.’  For the Lord says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the wadi will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’  This is easy in the Lord’s sight. He will also hand Moab over to you.  Then you will attack every fortified city and every choice city. You will cut down every good tree and stop up every spring. You will ruin every good piece of land with stones.”
2 Kings 3:12-19 (CSB)

3. I Have To Do What Only I Can Do So That God Can Do What Only He Can Do.

The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was—water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water. Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come to fight against them; so every man, young and old, who could bear arms was called up and stationed on the border.  When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water. To the Moabites across the way, the water looked red—like blood.  “That’s blood!” they said. “Those kings must have fought and slaughtered each other. Now to the plunder, Moab!” But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and fought them until they fled. And the Israelites invaded the land and slaughtered the Moabites.  They destroyed the towns, and each man threw a stone on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up all the springs and cut down every good tree. Only Kir Hareseth was left with its stones in place, but men armed with slings surrounded it and attacked it. When the king of Moab saw that the battle had gone against him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they failed.
2 Kings 3:20-26 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/breakthrough-start-digging-2-kings-34-27/

Strapped: Sidetracked: Haggai 1:1-15

 

3 Questions To Avoid A Sidetracked Life…

1) What Am I Doing To Build The House of God?

“The Lord of Armies says this: These people say: The time has not come for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt.”
Haggai 1:2 (CSB)

Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the ENTIRE remnant of the people obeyed the Lord their God and the words of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. So the people feared the Lord.
Haggai 1:12 (CSB)

2) Am I Focused Or Distracted?

“The Lord of Armies says this: These people say: The time has not come for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt.”3 The word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”
Haggai 1:2-4 (CSB)

The Lord roused the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the spirit of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. They began work on the house of the Lord of Armies, their God,  on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius. 
Haggai 1:14-15 (CSB)

3) Is My Soul Satisfied?

“Because my house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house. So on your account, the skies have withheld the dew and the land its crops. I have summoned a drought on the fields and the hills, on the grain, new wine, fresh oil, and whatever the ground yields, on man and animal, and on all that your hands produce.”
Haggai 1:9-11 (CSB)

…So the people feared the Lord. Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, delivered the Lord’s message to the people: “I am with you—this is the Lord’s declaration.” The Lord roused the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the spirit of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. They began work on the house of the Lord of Armies, their God…
Haggai 1:12-14 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/strapped-sidetracked-haggai-11-15/

Strapped: Soulish Generosity: John 12:1-12

 

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

1. Soulish Generosity Is Not Logical

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus

had raised from the dead.  Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while

Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of

pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples,

Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and

the money given to the poor?” It was worth a year’s wages.
John 12:3-5 (NIV)

2. Soulish Generosity Is Motivated By A Great Opportunity

Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
John 12:7-8 (NIV)

3. Soulish Generosity Requires Significant Sacrifice

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. ” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
John 12:4-8 (NIV)

David said, “I will not give to the Lord that which costs me nothing.”
2 Samuel 24:24

Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Mark 14:6-9 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/strapped-soulish-generosity-john-121-12/

Strapped: Genesis 14:17-24; Hebrews 7:1-10

 

Tithing…

1. Honors Jesus

Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High.  He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 14:18-21 (CSB)

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace. 3 Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
Hebrews 7:1-3 (CSB)

2. Keeps Me Grounded

He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 14:19-20 (CSV)

The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord.
Psalm 24:1 (CSB)

…for every animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
Psalm 50:10 (CSB)

“The silver and gold belong to me”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.
Haggai 2:8 (CSB)

3. Prepares Me For God’s Blessings

After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.
Genesis 15:1 (CSB)

“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!”“How do we rob you?” you ask.“By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions. You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing me. Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.
Malachi 3:8-10 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/strapped-genesis-1417-24-hebrews-71-10/

Triggers: Spirit Triggers: Romans 8:11; Galatians 5:25

 

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
Romans 8:11 (NLT)

1. I AM BORN BY THE SPIRIT

Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 (CSB)

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)

2. I AM FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:30-32 (NIV)

3. I WALK IN THE SPIRIT

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 (NASB)

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 5:25 (NLT)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/triggers-spirit-triggers-romans-811-galatians-525/

Triggers: Prayer Triggers: Psalm 17:1-15

 

1. Search Me

Lord, hear a just cause; pay attention to my cry; listen to my prayer—from lips free of deceit. Let my vindication come from you, for you see what is right. You have tested my heart; you have examined me at night. You have tried me and found nothing evil; I have determined that my mouth will not sin. Concerning what people do: by the words from your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.  My steps are on your paths; my feet have not slipped.
Psalm 17:1-5 (CSB)

2. Hear Me

I call on you, God, because you will answer me; listen closely to me; hear what I say. Display the wonders of your faithful love, Savior of all who seek refuge from those who rebel against your right hand.
Psalm 17:6-7 (CSB)

3. Protect Me

Protect me as the pupil of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who treat me violently, my deadly enemies who surround me. They are uncaring; their mouths speak arrogantly. They advance against me; now they surround me. They are determined to throw me to the ground. They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush. Rise up, Lord! Confront him; bring him down. With your sword, save me from the wicked. With your hand, Lord, save me from men, from men of the world whose portion is in this life: You fill their bellies with what you have in store; their sons are satisfied, and they leave their surplus to their children.
Psalm 17:8-14 (CSB)

4. Satisfy Me

But I will see your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with your presence.
Psalm 17:15 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/triggers-prayer-triggers-psalm-171-15/

Triggers: Stress Triggers: Psalm 91:1-16

 

1. RUN TO GOD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.

The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.
Psalm 91:1-2 (CSB)

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”
Matthew 23:37 (CSB)

He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.
Psalm 91:4 (CSB)

2. WHEN I RUN TO GOD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE I EXPERIENCE HIS PEACE.

You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon.  Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord-my refuge, the Most High-your dwelling place, no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent.  For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.  They will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the young lion and the serpent.
Psalm 91:5-13 (CSB)

3. WHEN I EXPERIENCE HIS PEACE I DISCOVER HIS POWER AND ABUNDANCE.

Because he has his heart set on me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls out to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.  I will rescue him and give him honor. I will satisfy him with a long life and show him my salvation.
Psalm 91:14-16 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/triggers-stress-triggers-psalm-911-16/