"When Pharaoh let the people go, God led them not by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God said, Lest the people change their purpose when they see war and return to Egypt. But God led the people around by way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites went up marshaled [in ranks] out of the land of Egypt." - The Greatest Love Story Ever Told
Human nature always seeks a shortcut.
When we see war (or resistance), we have a tendency to change our purpose and return to what enslaved us.
But on the road to destiny and dreams, you will see war. And until you experience a dry season in your life where nothing works, nothing grows, prospers or comes to pass; you will never fight or stand up to Jericho (your greatest fears.)
There are some things you will never possess until what impeded you from getting there in the first place, dies.
Today, I want to give you the first of six things that will kill the conspiracy against your dreams:
- PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST
"[Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home." - Pr 24:27
Whatever comes first determines the rest.
Whatever is sown out of your life first determines what will follow. If the first thing out of your mouth is that you will never find a job, then joblessness will follow. If the first thing out of your mouth is you will never trust or love again, then isolation and loneliness will follow. If the first thing out of your mouth is slander, than ruin and destruction by the hands of others will follow.
But likewise, if you learn how to bless others, blessing will follow. If you learn how to forgive, freedom and grace will follow.
Joseph was the first one to go into Egypt from his family. He arrived in chains, but dared to dream and the rest of his family followed his footsteps to influence, plenty and the best in the land.
CONSIDER THIS: In the beginning, the first thing God told Adam (man) to do in the Garden was work. Before he gave him a ministry (of his own family) he gave him a job to create a "work ethic" to take care of that family.
Years ago, at my company, sometimes my wife would get upset at me when I would pay bills/wages for the business before our home, but I had to take care of the "storehouse" God gave me; I was preparing my harvest outside, so I could bring a harvest home.
In the Christian walk, sometimes we have it backwards. We want ministry and not work. And we make excuses for seasons of unemployment and business misfortune by saying we are "called" to something else.
But that is not scriptural. God has always chosen men and women for ministry that were already working and honoring the law of FIRST THINGS FIRST. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, but it must be used on His terms, by his laws and under His commandment.
In Ezek 4:1-6, when the children of Israel neglected the sabbaticals and Jubilees for 430 years, the land missed 70 Sabbath years. Therefore, God allowed them into captivity so the land could lay desolate 70 years and enjoy her "Sabbath rest." (2 Chronicles 36:15-21.)
God warned them in Lev. 25:2-7, you owe the land a Sabbath or a "tithe" every seven years. And in the seventh year, they were to neither sow their field nor prune their vineyard. But God gave them an incredible promise during the "Sabbath" year:
"Therefore you shall do and give effect to My statutes and keep My ordinances and perform them, and you will dwell in the land in safety. The land shall yield its fruit; you shall eat your fill and dwell there in safety. And if you say, What shall we eat in the seventh year if we are not to sow or gather in our increase? Then [this is My answer:] I will command My [special] blessings on you in the sixth year, so that it shall bring forth [sufficient] fruit for three years. And you shall sow in the eighth year, but eat of the old store of produce (FROM THE SIXTH YEAR); until the crops of the ninth year come in you shall eat of the old supply." Lev 25:18-22
God told them they would make in ONE YEAR, what they needed to survive for three.
Because this earth ("or vessel") is still renewed by rest.
Today, what was the first thing you did when you woke up? Did you talk to Him? Did you hear from Him? Slow down and listen to what God is saying in His Word. He wants to command "special" blessings to give you a strategy to harvest smarter, not harder.
He can still bless you in one year what you failed to make in three years combined.
There are three things you can count on life: 1.) There is a war 2.) The battle is the Lord's and 3.) We don't win with human weapons.
In the midst of war, sometimes God instructs us: "You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, [AND] stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you; Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you." (2 Chro. 20:17.)
You don't need to fight every battle that presents itself.
Take your position and stand.
Prioritize. Listen. Put FIRST THINGS FIRST and God will unveil His supernatural plan to make you a reservoir while everything else around you is starving.
Stay tuned for Part 3 next week.
