You Cannot ESCAPE to a New Level

Yesterday's services were POWERFUL! Pst Joy and her team took us into an incredible realm of worship and released some new songs which were captivating! We are going to need to add another row of chairs in the 10:30am service before next Sunday... Yesss!

I wasn't able to finish my message and so Part II will be delivered on Sunday, January 27. This coming Sunday the 20th will be our Vision Service. You shouldn't miss it if you want to be on the same page as we launch into this New Year.

One of the key thoughts from yesterdays sermon is that "You Cannot ESCAPE to a New Level." It is impossible because God will not allow it. I want to encourage you to examine your life, taking a close look to see if what you are probably singing about and praying for is really going to happen. I hope you are singing the songs about going up and reaching higher and going to a new level, but it isn't going to happen for us just because we sing about it or listen to messages about it. Let me explain...

In Jeremiah chapter 12, the Prophet was complaining to God about why wicked people are prospering and such... you know the complaint... it's the same one that you and I have had at times. Jeremiah even accused God of being the one who established the wicked people and made them prosper. God answered him in verse 5 asking him this question: "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?" (NIV) How I would say the same thing to you in today's language is "If the challenge that your facing right now is wearing you out, what makes you think you can handle more?" God has more for you and he wants you to go to a new level, but you must conquer this level first. You can't get promoted to the "horse" level until you can contend with "men" and not be worn out by it.

When you walk through the door to the new level, you will need to be like a soldier who has won a great victory, had some good Rest and Recreation (we call it R & R) Time and is reporting for duty ready to fight. With the combat experience, the training and with eager anticipation for the next level, the soldier will not be surprised that with the new level, maybe even with a higher rank this time around, there will be more responsibility, greater challenge and fiercer warfare then ever before! And the rewards and the glory will be greater as well! But the main point is that the soldier is prepared.

So, are you ready to run with horses? Ordinary men who have not conquered ordinary challenges will not be able to. Are you truly ready for the next level? Are you worn out? You can't show up for duty worn out. That would be like going to court as a lawyer without a law degree. What a mess that would be! God honors preparation and is not pleased with un-finished business.

So what must we do? Two words sum it up nicely: GROW UP. The wrong attitudes, the habits, the broken relationships, rebellion towards God's structure, lack of covering, ignorance of God's Word, the lack of prayer, unforgiveness, refusal to tithe... all of these things are examples of what must be dealt with in order to finally graduate. It's time! May God bless you as you wrap things up and finally take and pass the tests so that you will finally hear God say, "You are Ready to Run with Horses!"