Last time we learnt when we understand ‘there will be situations we can control and those we can’t’ we are able to put aside the risks of failure, and fear of not being good enough, and we CAN STAND hearing God with how to proceed. We reframe our thinking instead to be looking outwards, and thinking what about the ones around me that will see the victorious outcome? That there is a way provided for them to enter their impossible situation too!
Let’s continue on, and begin with Testimony of But God!
I remember being in a zoom meeting that I was chairing and face an opportunity, a challenge of what we would pay or provide in funds for our last guest speaker. One of the men felt the Lord gave him the amount $1000, now as we were on zoom it was interesting watching the expression of the other men in this meeting. I felt this amount was right so moved the motion, and a new member who had not long joined the committee 2nd the motion and so I said “all in favour say I” there was silence then reluctantly the other men one at a time said I, then I said any against say No at this point by the expression on the men’s faces I knew they were thinking and I verified this later, so where are we going to get the money? Since we had about $300 in our account.
Pause here, can you see the similarities between this situation and the spies that entered the promise land for the first time? David saying I will kill Goliath, or Jesus saying I am the Truth and the Light!
Yes, all these situations and challenges maybe different in nature and responsibility yet are similar in one thing the decision was started by preparation of the heart and mind.
Luke 18:27 (NIV)
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God
Back to Testimony:
I was fortunate that I had seen and been saturated in lack, many times in order to say I have seen His Word come through in Provision, from food multiples, money appearing or fiancé provided in many ways. So during this meeting I was able to calculate the risk from God’s eyes in this situation. After passing the motion to give $1000 to the last speaker, I carried on the meeting, waiting for the But God moment.
Of course it was at the end, the end of the meeting it came, one guy said well I guess I need to put $1000 into the account and another said I will put in $200. So now we had more than enough to pay the speaker.
This a simple but good example of how to make a calculated risk. Another great way we have used in meetings is START WITH TESTMONIES of what the Lord has done. It’s from this place, we can calculate the risk and make decisions based on what He says rather that our opinions or wants.
Remember Elisha, in 2 Kings 6:15-17, what the servant saw was only half the story, if the decision was made on what he saw then we would not have proceeded. This is why Elisha prayed and asked the Lord to open his spirit eyes so he could get a glimpse into the reality of the situation.
“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha”.
Let’s finish up with a verse that has been important in my life, work, family and ministry.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Now if you want to be able to live an abundant life be an overcomer, be victorious, and a witness to others around you through making calculated risk then this verse is a must for you to learn and apply!
Challenge Time: Grab your journal and space to be with the Lord and record all He answers.
- Reality check: God would You show me where I still believe the lie that things are impossible for You? (don’t be offended but grateful as God loves you too much to leave you held hostage by any lies – Jesus wants you completely free and living free)
- God do You say about each of these situations, relationships, events?
- Choice Time: If you want to pick up God’s truth and eyes here, pray “Father God today I lay down each and every situation, relationship, event You have showed me that I believed is impossible, and I choose to Trust and Pick up Your Truth that for each and every one of these that You have shared with me. Thank You Father.
- God like Elisha would You open my spirit eyes each morning so I may see as You do Your reality
- Give Testimony to all around you, what God has done for you and will do!
- Praise Him for He is Worthy of ALL Praise from the rising of the sun to the going down of the sun, Praise Him.
Father God, we pray like Elisha did “Open our eyes Lord so that we may see” and we Trust in You Lord with all our heart, and lean not our understanding but we submit to Your leading and way, declaring Jesus You are Lord of our lives. Hallelujah. In Jesus name. Amen.
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries
