The Other Side

(rough draft notes for a recent message)

Mar 4:35  And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

This side was good, we learned, we listened, we grew, but now it is time to go and use what we learned. It is time to put the preaching into practice. 

Old Testament…

Deu. 2:3  Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.

They had been circling this mountain, this same mountain, for far too long.

What mountain of a problem have you been circling, staring at, for way too long?
You may be tired of the view, and tired of the travel, but if you are going to get out of this rut, you are going to have to turn!  You can't do the same thing and expect different results!

Next levels don't come by accident,

They come on purpose and by purpose.

Persistence breaks resistance!

You must say I am going up!

I am thankful for what I have learned, but there is something greater.

God has given me a yearning for more and He never teases us with a desire without being willing to fulfill it if we respond.

Jesus asked the man at the pool of Bethesda "Wilt thou be made whole…."
He didn't ask that to tease the man and disappoint him, but to stir up a desire, to fan the flame of faith, to get him thinking about healing instead of handicaps!

Here is the problem..

Next levels, Other sides, new dimensions,  only come by passing through the problem.

You can't grow without the challenge.

You can't increase without a desire and a determination.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

If you want it you have got to be determined to get it.

You can't cut back and go up

You can't slow down and go farther

You can't find Him with half a heart

To go up…you must give up…

It's ok if you want to be mediocre or just plain awful, but to go up you must sacrifice!

He had purpose! Where did that purpose come from?

He had peace in the storm

What made the difference?

Both the disciples and Jesus were on the same boat and dealing with the same storm,

One slept and the other wept (cried)

One rested others restless

One snoozed the others accused

What made the difference?

Faith!  Yes

But where did that faith come from? That power?

When He awoke, He stood and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still!

Be Calm, Be muzzled

He tells us to speak to the mountain…get outta my way…

He tells us we have dominion over sin

He tells us we have power over the enemy

He tells us we are victorious through Christ

He tells us we have a sure future

He tells us we are overcomers

He tells us It's not over till God says it's over!

*(It is not dead until we say it is dead!)

Where does this

Purpose

Peace

Power

Come from?

At the beginning of Jesus ministry, before He did a miracle, before He preached a message,

He was filled with the Holy Spirit!

Here is the good news,

That same Spirit,

That one that created the world

That did the miracles

That has creative and redemptive power

That Spirit that can make something out of nothing, wants and desires to be in you and make His abode, His dwelling, His living space in you!

Then, when we are filled with that same power

We will have a purpose that says I am going over

I am going through

I am going on

I can't turn back

Though none go with me still I will follow

We will have a peace that says worry is of the devil

Worry is faith in the enemy

I won't worry, I will pray I will trust in Him

He has never let me down.

I can sleep in the storm

We will have a power that says get outta my way!

Be healed

Be reconciled

Be forgiven

Be like Jesus!

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