DON'T TAKE THAT OLD FURNITURE INTO YOUR NEW SEASON

Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it 3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. 4 And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But now, do not, therefore, be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. 9 “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph: “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. 10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.” ’12 “And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.”14 Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15 Moreover, he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that, his brothers talked with him.16 Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s  house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. 17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. 18 Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. 19 Now you are commanded—do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. 20 Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’ ” 21 Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. 22 He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin, he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. 23 And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. 24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.”

I.       SEASONS

            Each person will be presented with about 6 to 7 big season changes in their lifetime.

            1. Abraham Leaving His Kindred

            2. Israel Leaving Egypt

            3. Joshua leading Israel into the Promised Land

            4. Kings given to Israel

            5. John the Baptist

            6. Coming of the Messiah

            7. His Second Coming

II. TRANSITIONS INTO NEW SEASONS IS NOT HARD

            1. Carts are Provided

           

III. TRUE SEASONAL CHANGES REQUIRE US TO LET GO OF SOME THINGS

            1. Scars from mistakes made in the past.

            2. Sorrow from Loss in past season.

            3. Secret Hidden Jealousy.

            4. Memoranda from past season

            5. Mindset and Mental Conditioning.

                       

IV. TIPS FOR MAKING THE TRANSITION

            1. Realize God was in the last season

            2. Let go and go

PRAISE THE KEY TO MAXIMUM PRODUCTIVITY

Numbers 1:1-45

1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male individually, 3 from twenty years old and above—all who are able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 4 And with you there shall be a man from every tribe, each one the head of his father’s house...17 Then Moses and Aaron took these men who had been mentioned by name, 18 and they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month; and they recited their ancestry by families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, each one individually. 19 As the Lord commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the Wilderness of Sinai. 20 Now the children of Reuben, Israel’s oldest son, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, according to the number of names, every male individually, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war: 21 those who were numbered of the tribe of Reuben were forty-six thousand five hundred. 22 From the children of Simeon...23 those who were numbered of the tribe of Simeon were fifty-nine thousand three hundred. 24 From the children of Gad...25 those who were numbered of the tribe of Gad were forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty. 26 From the children of Judah...27 those who were numbered of the tribe of Judah were seventy-four thousand six hundred. 28 From the children of Issachar...29, those who were numbered of the tribe of Issachar were fifty-four thousand four hundred. 30 From the children of Zebulun...31, those who were numbered of the tribe of Zebulun were fifty-seven thousand four hundred. 32 From the sons of Joseph, the children of Ephraim...33 those who were numbered of the tribe of Ephraim were forty thousand five hundred. 34 From the children of Manasseh...35 those who were numbered of the tribe of Manasseh were thirty-two thousand two hundred. 36 From the children of Benjamin, their genealogies by...37 those who were numbered of the tribe of Benjamin were thirty-five thousand four hundred. 38 From the children of Dan...39, those who were numbered of the tribe of Dan were sixty-two thousand seven hundred. 40 From the children of Asher...41, those who were numbered of the tribe of Asher were forty-one thousand five hundred 42 From the children of Naphtali...43 those who were numbered of the tribe of Naphtali were fifty-three thousand four hundred. 44 These are the ones who were numbered, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, with the leaders of Israel, twelve men, each one representing his father’s house. 45 So all who were numbered of the children of Israel, by their fathers’ houses, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war in Israel—46 all who were numbered were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty.

1.     Reuben   (Trying to perform to get others to love you)

      Genesis 29:32

So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now, therefore, my husband will love me.

2. Simeon (Responding to Mistreatment)

Genesis 29:33

Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon.

3. Levi (Trying to earn someone's love)

  Genesis 29:34

“Now this time my husband will become attached to me because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.

4. Judah (Looking up instead of out)

Genesis 29:35

And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.

I.       THE POWER OF PRAISE

1.      Praise allows you to stay vertical

Philippians 4:6

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2.      Praise makes you immune towards what others think

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You Because he trusts in You.

3.   Praise gives you energy to produce more

a. Dan - Rachael's Maid Bilhah  (Vindication). Gen 30:1-6

b. Naphtali - Rachael's Maid Bilhah (Wrestlings). Gen 30:7-8

c. Gad. (A Troop Comes to me)  Genesis 30:10-11

d. Asher (are you happy because of what other will say)  Genesis 30:12-13

e. Issachar (Hire, wages)  Genesis 30:14-18

f. Zebulun (Dwelling) Genesis  30:19-20

g. Joseph ( Adding) Genesis 30:22-24

h. Benjamin  (Son of my Sorrow/ Son of my Right Hand)       Genesis 35:16-18

MIZPAH

Genesis 31:36-42

Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me? 37 Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both! 38 These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock. 39 That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. 40 There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night and my sleep departed from my eyes. 41 Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. 42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.” 43 And Laban answered and said to Jacob, “These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne? 44 Now, therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.” 45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46 Then Jacob said to his brethren, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 And Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed, 49 also Mizpah, because he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another. 50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us—see, God is witness between you and me!” 51 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me. 52 This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.” And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.

I.                   THE CORE OF SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIVING IS DETERMINE BY YOUR INNER ATTITUDES

      1. The Kingdom is about Attitude

             Romans 14:1

For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.                                                        

      2. Faith is an attitude of the Heart

           John 14:17

"Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me..." 

      3. Forgiveness has to do with inner attitudes

      4. Endurance/Perseverance deals with inner attitudes

           Hebrews 10:35-36

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

II.               OFFENCE IS SATANS GREATEST WEAPON

            Matthew 13:53-57

            53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? 57 And they were offended in him.   But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house. 58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

      Matthew 11:2-6

            Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

III.            HISTORY OF JACOB

            1. Prophecy of His Birth (Rebekah has twins, Jacob and Esau)

            2. Jacob stole Esau's Birthright

            3. Jacob Stole Messianic Blessing from Esau

            4. Jacob Flees to Laban

            5. Jacob deceived by Laban (Leah for Rachael)

            6. Changed wages 10 times (cheated out of money)

            7. Cattle miracle

            8. Jacob stole away

            9. Laban chased him but dream that night

II. MIZPAH IS A STATE OF MIND WHERE YOU REALIZE NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS GOD'S GOT YOU (No More Stress)

            1. Heap of stones for a witness

            2. Pillar Witness

                        a. My destiny is sure

                        b. If I mess up He will forgive me

                        c. God will bless me when others are trying to hurt me

                        d. God won't let me suffer loss...In the long run

                        e. God will protect me

      3. Mizpah - May the Lord watch between me and thee

III. LEARNING TO LIVE AT REST

      1. No thought for your life

      Matthew 6:25-33

                        Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

      2. No Fear in the midst of Difficulty

            Mark 4:35-41

                        On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

                       

      3. No Fear in the Face of Enemies

            Philippians 1:28

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

III. AFTER MIZPAH YOU QUALIFY FOR TRANSFORMATION

      1. Genesis 32 He wrestled with an Angel and His name was changed

Contending for African American History 

Acts 17:26-28

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

I.                   THE DESTINY OF NATIONS

And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; Acts 17:26

A.   Diversity was intentional in the heart of God at creation. He intentionally created various nations of people all from one blood. The opportune time of these nations and the boundaries of their expansion was predestined by God. The word nation is ethos in Greek, which also refers to various ethnic groups. 

Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward, they shall come out with great possessions. 15 Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation, they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” Gen 15:13-16

Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. Exo. 12 40-41; Daniel 2:24-45; 

B. God's sovereignty extends toward nations and various ethnic groups. He determines times and boundaries. He chooses some for various purposes that others are not chosen for these purposes. He gifts certain ethnicities in certain ways distinct from others. He allows seasons for some while others experience different seasons. We must learn to embrace God's call and choice whether it's nationally or individually.

II.               GOD'S PURPOSE FOR THE NATIONS IS THAT THEY MIGHT SEEK AFTER HIM

"...That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:" Acts 17:26

A. All of God's dealing with nations and individuals is to create circumstances in which they would seek Him. Whether it's His judgment of Egypt or His goodness towards Israel. Whether it’s His correction towards America or His restructuring of another nation, they are all for the same purpose. All of His handling of all nations and people groups is so that men may seek Him and perhaps find Him.

Now the Lord said to Moses, “Go into Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, 2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am theLord.” Exo. 10:1-2; Exo. 14:4;

Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.” And they did so. Exo 29:46; Exo 11:7; Rom 9:22-23; Rom 2:4

III.            JESUS  IS OUR ANSWER

"... For in him we live, and move, and have our being;..." Acts 17:28

A.    The answer to everything we need and everything we are looking for is in Christ. Whether it's a nation, individuals or African American peoples. Our help comes from above. Jesus is the sum total of our need. All that we are looking for is found in Him,..for in Him we Live, Move and Have our being.

1.     In Him, we Live

Zao - life, behavior, purpose identity).  (Highest Quality of Life)

a.      Eternal Life

As You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:2-3

Eternal life is quality, quantity as well as status. It's a realistic dimension in this age and the age to come. 

b.     Abundant Life

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

                        2. In Him, we move  (Highest Expression of Life)

a.      Highest Expression of Life

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

... For in him we live, and move, and have our being;..." Acts 17:28

b.     Our Purpose is Found in Him

If you don't know the purpose of a thing, then abuse is inevitable (Myles Munroe). To understand the purpose of a thing, you have to go back to the original intent of the Creator. Our purpose is found in Jesus! All other pursuits outside of Him or for Him are distractions and deviations of our true purpose. Our true aim is to know Christ and make Him known through whatever career or sphere of life we choose.

Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Timothy 1:9

c.      Our Productivity Comes from Him

But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Cor. 15:10

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

3. Have our being  (Highest Identity in Life)

a. Our identity must be in Him

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28

I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. Lev 26:12;  Jer 7:23; Jer 11:4; Jer 30:22; Ezekiel 36:28.

IV.  HOW MUST WE SEEK JESUS

1.     We must Seek the Lord Intimately

Intimacy Must be our consistent goal. We should not just seek the Lord religiously or cerebrally—we must seek Him for and in intimacy. The first and greatest commandment demands it.

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22:36-37

a.      Jesus must be our reward

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Gen 15:1

b.     We must not forsake intimacy

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown. 3 Israel was holiness to the Lord, The firstfruits of His increase...5 Thus says the Lord: “What injustice have your fathers found in Me, That they have gone far from Me, Have followed idols, And have become idolaters? 6 Neither did they say, ‘Where is the Lord, Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness,Through a land of deserts and pits, Through a land of drought and the shadow of death, Through a land that no one crossed And where no one dwelt?’... 10 For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, Send to Kedar and consider diligently, And see if there has been such a thing. 11 Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit. 12 Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the Lord. 13 “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. Ps 73:25

2.      We must seek The Lord Redemptively –

We must cry out for the redemption of our ethos. There are several things God has placed in the culture and experience of African Americans we must press into redemptively:

a.     Affinity towards spirituality (Holy Spirit)

b.     Orientation towards Justice

c.      Proven Endurance

d.     Rhythmic and musical orientation

e.      Diligence and superior work ethic

3.      We must seek the Lord Urgently

 “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; 36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke 12:35-40

V.                IS CONFERENCE IS DESIGNED TO MOVE US TOWARDS DESTINY

This conference is designed to call all believers but especially those in the Black Community to STAND in three primary areas.  Our Aim is to motivate all to pursue prayer, embrace a prophetic perspective and move forward with practical application toward increased Kingdom Impact. We will share topics such as:

A.    Prayer

1.     Contending for the Habitation of the Lord – Psalm 132

2.     God enjoying is in our weakness 

3.     The necessity of the knowledge of God Jn17:26

4.     The centrality of God's word                                                        

5.     Singing the word

6.     Prophetic worship 

7.     The End Time worship movement

8.        The call to the house of prayer Isa 56:7

B. Prophetic Perspective

1.   Knowing times and knowing what to do. 1 Chronicles  12

2.   Responding with grace to the growing racial tension Eph. 2:14

3.     A vision for revival

4.     The Glorious Gospel

5   Beauty: The sustaining power of worship 

     C. Practical Outworking

1.    One King: loving Gods purpose for the Jews

2.     How to start and sustain corporate prayer

3.     How to sustain personal prayer

4.     Hope City: engaging our inner cities through 24/7 prayer

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