Luke 8:43-48 (King James Version)
We read in the scriptures that there was a woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years. She spent everything she had and didn’t have anywhere else to turn. She heard about Jesus was delivering people and setting them free from afflictions. She wanted to improve her situation.
Are you at a time in your life were you want to improve your situation? I think I know your answer. Why did I ask that? You would say that many do. However, some people are so hopeless that they feel their situation can never improve. The important this you must know is that your situation can improve.
TRANSITIONAL STATEMENT
Definition of Strategy – a careful plan or method; the means or procedure for doing something
There are strategies in the Word of God to improve your situation. Say if people knew better, they would do better. God has a plan to make your situation improve. Today, is a new day in your life. You are getting ready to hear four strategies that can change your life today. You have to know that you situation is not hopeless and it will get better!
FOUR STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE YOUR SITUATION
I HAVE A CORRECT IMAGE OF WHO WE ARE
You can see yourself in your situation so long that the enemy has convinced you of the image that you are unloved, not worthy, or will never be delivered.
The woman with the issue of blood could have seen herself unworthy to get the healing that she deserved. The woman was broke, busted, and disgusted.
However, somewhere in this woman she saw an image of a whole and healthy woman. She got a revelation of who she could be and was.
II Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
Imaginations – mental reasoning or arguments in the mind to obey God’s Word.
The enemy is tricking many of you with of image that nothing will ever change. You can image living a better life and improving your life.
The correct image of who we are is in Genesis 1:27-29
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Blessed – empowered them
This is the image of who you are:
• I am a child of God
• A joint-heir with Christ Jesus
• A new creation in Christ Jesus
• A citizen of the Kingdom of God
Ephesians 2:6 - And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus
The woman deserved to be healed. Jehovah Rapah the Lord who heals came to her rescue.
She saw herself improving her situation if she could just touch his garment.
When she confessed that she touched the hem of His garment, He said “Daughter”. He confirmed who she was.
Luke 8:47-48
II STOP MAKING EXCUSES
Definition: Excuses are the crutch of the uncommitted.
Excuses cause you to:
1. Cover up – it’s human nature ( I can’t – I’m too old)
2. Speed up – keep plowing ahead and never acknowledge you are making excuses (just keep on going on with life and never acknowledging you are making excuses)
3. Give up – 90% of all people who make excuses are not defeated; they quit. (simply quit)
Many have placed labels on you and you use them as excuses not to move forward to improve your situation.
However, the woman with the issue of blood made no excuse. Look how her issue was viewed during the time she lived in:
Among the things considered defiling, disqualifying one for the rituals of religion, was an issue of blood, especially menstruation or hemorrhage. The woman with the issue of blood had been plagued with a flow of blood for 12 years, no one having been able to heal her.
She found the courage in a crowd to force her way up to Jesus, approaching him from behind so as to remain inconspicuous, and simply touching his garment. When she touched Jesus’ garment, the flows of blood stopped. Jesus turned and asked who touched him.
The disciples tried to brush aside the question, protesting that in such a crowd no individual could be singled out. Jesus pressed his inquiry and the noble woman identified herself and declared to the crowd the blessing that had come to her. Jesus treated her not only as having worth but as doing a responsible thing. He did not rebuke her for what the cultic code of holiness would have considered as having defiled him. Rather, he relieved her of any sense of guilt for her seemingly rash act and said, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace!"
Some of you are going to have to stop making excuses that society has put on you (Black, African American, African, poor, broke, etc.) and start taking responsibility to improve your situation.
It may mean taking night classes, opening a business, or implementing an idea or invention God gave you. Some of you are going to have to be bold.
You are going to have to be bold and stop making excuses.
III MAKE SURE THOSE YOU “FLOCK” WITH THOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT FEATHERS”
There is a saying that bird of a feather flock together. Are you walking with people who are positive over your situation or negative over your situation?
In Jesus’ day, it was the Jewish custom that if you were invited to someone’s house and let inside for dinner, you were invited into the “inner court” of someone’s home. This meant you were an intimate friend and trusted/loved by the family.
You will have basically two types of people around you:
• Those who are with you will stick with you through thick and thin no matter what your situation is. They are there to encourage you to never give up or quit.
• Those who will tell you that you can’t make it (can be society or your situation).
The woman with the issue of blood almost brought into the lie that she was never going to get better. She spent all of money on trying to get better and the physicians told her she would never be better.
However, What A Friend We Have in Jesus – all our sins and grief to bear. Oh what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.
Jesus didn’t condemn the woman who touched him but rather look at her and said go ahead girl. You got your healing. Your faith has made you whole.
As you can see, your choice of friends can “make you” or “break you”. That’s why I don’t stay on the telephone too much with people. If you stay on the phone long enough, they will start speaking negatively about a situation.
Many of you are going to have to find your Elizabeth to make your baby leap!
Luke 1:24-57
I asked you, what is happening to your situation with the friends around you today or people speaking into your life? What are you birthing? Unbelief? Doubt? Negativity? Gossip? Complaining?
Proverbs 13:20 - He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Are you going to the place of Juda (or praise) to praise our way out of your situation. Did your babe leap knowing that all is well and your situation is dead but your vision and dreams are alive and well and currently living in America?
Example: Show some feathers (ugly ones) and then throw those away to show something beautiful in its time.
IV START CONFESSING THE WORD
Matthew 12:35-37
Words are very important. You need to make the correlation between what you say and your current situation.
We blame others for our situation but it is our confession.
Numbers 13:1-2; 25-33
Ten gave evil report; two gave good report. Evil is harmful.
Definition of Confession: Say the thing or agree with what God says and not what your situation dictates. It simply means to say what God said.
The only reason why your situation hasn’t improve is that you don’t believe what you say will come to pass. You believe more in negative things than positive things.
You can’t change your mouth until you change your heart. (Numbers 14:2)
People are not your problem but your mouth is. The giants can’t stop you but your words. (Numbers 14:1-2)
Luke 6:35
The word must be in your heart (spirit).
God has determined that no one can determine your future but you. What you say will determine if your situation will improve.
Matthew 12:37
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue not the devil.
To clean up your words, you are going to have to clean up your heart.
The spirit is like a bag and is full of words. When pressure comes, our words will come out of us what is in our heart.
CLOSING POINTS
In order to see your situation improve we discovered we must:
I Have a correct image of who we are
II Stop making excuses
III Watch your friends you hang around with
IV Confess the Word
Hebrews 10:32-38 (Message Bible)
Turn to your neighbor and say, “He’ll show up most any minute”. Tell them – it’s a matter of time for my situation to improve.
CONFESSION:
I am a Believer and have a destiny and purpose. I have been called, appointed, equipped and anointed for such a time as this. My situation has already improved and I will see the manifestation of my blessing. I am moving forward and focusing on God’s plan for my life and will give up or quit no matter what situations come my way.
I have the vision and faith to accomplish all that God has called me to do in this generation.
I am filled with God’s Spirit and know He is with me.
I agree with God’s word that says I am prosperous all the days of my life.
I am already a winner because I haven’t quit.
I am destined for greatness.
God’s favor is upon my life.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
