Receive
Receive
By Fred Hartley, IV
“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” Mark 3:13-15
There is a leadership saying, "you can't lead someone to a place that you've never been." To confidently lead someone, you have to know where you are taking them and how you're going to get there.
For example, if someone is following you in a car through the streets of downtown Atlanta, if you don't know where you're going, and you don’t have a GPS, you'll be so focused on what's in front of you, you might forget all about the person behind you and quickly separate from them. But if you confidently know the route, you don't have to be so focused on what's in front of you, and you can continually look back in your rearview mirror to make sure they are right there with you. Essentially, you're free to focus on them rather than on yourself. This only comes from having been there yourself.
This is true not only when it comes to leading someone to a physical destination, but it's also true when thinking about a spiritual destination. I learned early on in ministry that I am not able to take anyone to a place that I have not been myself. My ministry is only as deep as the depth of my walk with Jesus. If my relationship with God is shallow, then my ministry will be as deep as a kiddie pool. This is true for all discipleship. We will reproduce who and what we are.
When it comes to making a kingdom difference in the lives of people, it comes down to our ability to receive. During this fast, we have been considering the theme of receiving. God created us with the ability to receive. We have capacity and we have the ability to increase that capacity as we grow in His presence. The more that we receive from Christ, the more we have to give.
Jesus set this example before us as recorded in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus called the original disciples to spend time with Him and by doing so they received in order to give. These verses teach us that receiving is ultimately being with Jesus. By receiving from Jesus, the disciples were empowered to do the works of Jesus which ultimately launched the church.
In order for us to avoid having a ministry that is a mile wide and an inch deep, God calls us to linger in His presence and receive from Him. It is in His presence that He will give you everything that you need to see His kingdom come to your ministry setting.
Pray now: Jesus, I recognize that so much of what my heart longs for is found in your presence. Everything I need to receive from you can’t be found apart from you. So, teach me to linger.
Pray for Breakthrough in the Nations!
Each day during this fast we are asking you to join us in asking for the remaining nations where the College of Prayer is not yet serving churches.
Pray today for Nauru.
“For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous.” Psalm 125:3
By Fred Hartley, IV
“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” Mark 3:13-15
There is a leadership saying, "you can't lead someone to a place that you've never been." To confidently lead someone, you have to know where you are taking them and how you're going to get there.
For example, if someone is following you in a car through the streets of downtown Atlanta, if you don't know where you're going, and you don’t have a GPS, you'll be so focused on what's in front of you, you might forget all about the person behind you and quickly separate from them. But if you confidently know the route, you don't have to be so focused on what's in front of you, and you can continually look back in your rearview mirror to make sure they are right there with you. Essentially, you're free to focus on them rather than on yourself. This only comes from having been there yourself.
This is true not only when it comes to leading someone to a physical destination, but it's also true when thinking about a spiritual destination. I learned early on in ministry that I am not able to take anyone to a place that I have not been myself. My ministry is only as deep as the depth of my walk with Jesus. If my relationship with God is shallow, then my ministry will be as deep as a kiddie pool. This is true for all discipleship. We will reproduce who and what we are.
When it comes to making a kingdom difference in the lives of people, it comes down to our ability to receive. During this fast, we have been considering the theme of receiving. God created us with the ability to receive. We have capacity and we have the ability to increase that capacity as we grow in His presence. The more that we receive from Christ, the more we have to give.
Jesus set this example before us as recorded in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus called the original disciples to spend time with Him and by doing so they received in order to give. These verses teach us that receiving is ultimately being with Jesus. By receiving from Jesus, the disciples were empowered to do the works of Jesus which ultimately launched the church.
In order for us to avoid having a ministry that is a mile wide and an inch deep, God calls us to linger in His presence and receive from Him. It is in His presence that He will give you everything that you need to see His kingdom come to your ministry setting.
Pray now: Jesus, I recognize that so much of what my heart longs for is found in your presence. Everything I need to receive from you can’t be found apart from you. So, teach me to linger.
Pray for Breakthrough in the Nations!
Each day during this fast we are asking you to join us in asking for the remaining nations where the College of Prayer is not yet serving churches.
Pray today for Nauru.
“For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous.” Psalm 125:3
Posted in 2025 Breakthrough Fast
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