THE VALLEY OF THE UNCLAIMED
DEVELOP A MINDSET TO BE BLESSED!
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
This is a three part lesson.
I. INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?
Do we have a generational mindset of leaving God’s plan
and purpose?
A. HAVE YOU DEVELOPED PLANS THAT WILL ACCOMPLISH GOD’S PURPOSE IN YOUR FAMILY?
B. People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan, then doom and gloom lies before them for the lack of planning?
C. Do you have an individual plan to release God’s purpose in your daily life? Does your family have a plan? How about your church?
D. Good growth is not an accident!
E. Let me start by saying a great truth:
CHANGE WILL OCCUR WHEN THE PAIN OF CHANGE BECOMES LESS
THAN THE PAIN OF REMAINING THE SAME.
SEEMS WE ARE PLANNING THE FUTURE BY THE PAST?
F. Let me add another comment: Theological debates are great places to hide from an encounter with a loving, living God.
G. There are several steps to bring God’s release:
1. There is reality? It is easy to allow reality’s wind to drive our ship.
2. Then there is reflection?
3. Then there are visionaries? Some see things as they are and say why?
4. Others see things as they could be, and say WHY NOT?
5. Then there are those that know the value of projection.
II. WHAT ARE YOU PROJECTING?
A. Remember the sad verse Numbers 13:33 ?
---and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers,
AND SO WERE WE IN THEIR SIGHT.
B. Are we projecting faith and deliverance?
C. IF YOU ARE DOG TIRED AT NIGHT, IT MIGHT BE YOU GROWLED ALL DAY?
D. Seems man finds for what he is looking.
I was standing with my neighbor, he knelt down and picked out a four leaf clover, in a few minutes he bent over again and he plucked up another four leaf clover. I was amazed.
Later, I was thinking, why did he find two four leaf clovers and I found none?
The answer is very simple. He was looking for them, I was not.
E. There was an old song my Dad sang, I overlooked an orchid while searching for a rose.
F. How many blessings has God planned for us that go unclaimed?
G. Our society seems to be overlooking the weightier issues that are important to the Christians success.
Sports, music, sex, movies, --- seems man can be annoying to be honest to no eternal purpose.
H. Nothing brings peace and tranquility to our hearts as much as a steady, planned purpose. God give us PASSION and PURPOSE!
III. THERE IS AN INVITATION TO MEET WITH THE LORD GOD!
GOD HAS A PLAN FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH!
THERE IS A VALLEY OF UNCLAIMED POWER AND STRENGTH!
SET YOUR SIGHTS! REACH FOR THE GOAL.
TEXT:
Philippans 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one think I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.
14 I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
A. Peter knew Jesus and loved Him. One day Peter heard Jesus invite him to "COME" and Peter crawled over the side of the boat to experience walking on the water.
B. Since that day many have tried walking on the water without hearing the invitation. You better stay in the boat without the Divine Invitation!
C. KJV
Psalms 84:6 Who passing through the Valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
7. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
D. LIVING BIBLE
Psalms 84:6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains!
7 They will grow constantly in strength and each of them is invited to meet with the Lord in Zion!
E. The Message by E. H. Peterson
Psalms 84:6 The wind through the lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
F. Dakes Annotated Reference Bible
The valley of weeping making a well of tears. Perhaps this refers to Bochim, the place of weeping. Those who weep and seek God will be refreshed by rain and pools of SPIRITUAL WATER.
Men who pray and weep before God GO FROM STRENGTH TO
STRENGTH!
G. Spirit Filled Life Bible
Psalms 84:6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools.
7. They go from strength to strength.
1. Baca is a type of surviving in dry conditions.
2. The rain is the early rain that begins to fall and it gives new life to sprouting plants and strength to men.
IV. THERE IS A RARE ALMOST LOST ART TODAY: LISTENING!
MANY PEOPLE HEAR, FEW LISTEN!
WILL WE HEAR AND ACCEPT THE INVITATION TO ASK?
A. It is very hard to listen and talk at the same time.
II Kings 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, ASK WHAT I SHALL DO FOR THEE, BEFORE I BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEE.
B. You will grow by facing the giants and allowing God, much more than running away and never facing the Divine Possibilities.
V. I LAY MY CLAIM TO GOD’S PLAN, I HAVE MY TITLE DEED FAITH!
I KNOW WHAT I WANT, I EARNESTLY AND SINCERELY DESIRE
THIS GOD FACTOR IN MY DAILY LIFE!
II Kings 2: 9 And Elisha said, I PRAY THEE A DOUBLE PORTION OF THY SPIRIT BE UPON ME.
VI. STICK LIKE GLUE YOUNG MAN!
IT WILL BE UP TO YOU, YOU HAVE ASKED BUT WILL YOU BE
FAITHFUL IN THE LITTLE THINGS?
YOU MUST STICK TO THE WORD, THE PROMISE AND THE MAN OF GOD LIKE GLUE.
II Kings 2:10 And Elijah said, THOU HAST ASKED A HARD THING: nevertheless, IF thou see me when I am taken from thee, IT SHALL BE UNTO THEE; BUT IF NOT, IT SHALL NOT BE SO.
A. Be like a stamp?
1. Be ready to serve.
2. It never quits, even when it is licked.
3. It sticks to the task.
4. It goes where needed!
B. Quitters never win! Winners never quit!
VII. THE OLD PREACHER GIVES THE YOUNG MAN THE OPPORTUNITY TO QUIT AT LEAST FOUR TIMES? QUIT QUITTING!
A. God has a beautiful plan for your life! PRESS ON!
II Kings 2:2 --- Tarry here, I pray thee... for the Lord hath sent me --- As the Lord lived and as my soul liveth, I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE.
II Kings 2:3 Warning: Do you know the Lord is coming to take away
your Master?
Yes, I know it.
II Kings 2:4 Elisha tarry here, I pray thee, for the Lord hath sent me...
As the Lord lived and as my soul liveth, I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE.
II Kings 2:6 And Elijah said to Elisha, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me...
As the Lord lived and as my soul liveth, I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE.
B. THE JOURNEY IS PROGRESSIVE AND PLANED ON PURPOSE!
1. Gilgal --- Rolling Stone gathers no moss.
2. Bethel --- House of prayer.
3. Jericho --- Praise, sweet fragrance.
4. Jordan --- death to self.
VIII. THERE IS POWER IN WHAT ELISHA ASKED THAT DAY.
THE ANOINTING WENT WITH HIM ALL OF HIS DAYS, AND THE ANOINTING WORKED FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE.
WE DIE FOR THE LACK OF THE DOUBLE PORTION OF GOD!
A. ELISHA’S FAITH TO ASK FOR MORE RELEASED THE DIVINE PLAN AND PURPOSE BEYOND MAN’S ABILITY!
B. HE WILL SMOTE THE WATERS AND WALK ACROSS.
DURING GREAT DROUGHT HE PREACHES REFRESHMENT.
C. THE WIDOW WILL SAVE HER SONS AND HAVE OIL!
D.ELISHA’S FAITH WILL BRING THE SHUMANITE WOMAN’S SON BACK TO LIFE.
E. ELISHA TAKES GOD’S MIRACULOUS POWER OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY LINE OF ISRAEL.
F. UNBELIEVERS WILL HEAR GOD’S JUDGMENTS FROM HIS LIPS.
G. ELISHA STOOD UP TO SIN AND THE KING!
H. ELISHA LIVED A TRIUMPHANT LIFE.
I. ELISHA NEVER RAN FROM GOD’S ENEMIES.
J. ELISHA NEVER FACED PERIODS OF COMPLAINING AND
DISCOURAGEMENT.
K. ELISHA HAS POWER ON HIS DEATH BED!
L. NO OTHER PROPHET IN THE WHOLE BIBLE SAW AS MANY MIRACLES AS DID ELISHA, ALL BECAUSE HE ASKED FOR THE HARD THING!
IX. THERE ARE GREAT BENEFITS FOR SEEKING AND ASKING FOR GOD’S DOUBLE PORTION.
THIS POWER WILL KEEP YOU WHEN YOU ARE LET DOWN!
II Kings 13:21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that behold, they spied a band of men, and they cast the man into the sepulcher of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
A. THE DOUBLE PORTION, THE ASKING FOR THE PLAN OF GOD TO BE RELEASED IS FOUND BY FOLLOWING IN OBEDIENT WORKS BEYOND EXPECTATION.
B. DON’T LEAVE GOD’S POWER IN THE GRAVE YARD, CLAIM IT
FOR YOU AND MENTOR OTHERS IN THE LAUNCHING OF FAITH!
C. God’s power can be released even when we don’t have the ability.
X. GREAT FAITH TESTIFIES BEYOND THE GRAVE!
I am going home free, free at last!
A. God makes a wonderful promise to Abraham.
B. Abraham’s God promises reaches to Lot, Ishmael, and Isaac!
C. God’s promises are not taken seriously by Esau!
D. But Jacob becomes Israel, Prince of God. Standing on the Promises!
E. Jacob had a loving son named Joseph!
F. But Jacob’s faith returns home as God’s people are in bondage and slavery.
G. GOD’S PLAN DOES NOT STOP WHEN WE STOP.
WE MUST TEACH THE POWER OF INHERITANCE AND ADVANCING THE TORCH. ADVANCE THE TORCH AS FAR AS YOU CAN, THEN PASS IT ON INTO THE HANDS THAT YOU HAVE TAUGHT TO GROW IN THE PLAN!
Genesis 50:13 For Jacob’s sons carried him unto the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah ---
H. A GREAT FAITH TESTIFIES OF GOD’S ANOINTING,
I AM GOING HOME FREE! I STAND ON GOD’S PROMISES!
DO YOU HAVE LIVING FAITH THAT SPEAKS WHEN YOU ARE DEAD?
Genesis 50:24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die:
and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land, unto the land which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.
I. BOYS I AM GOING HOME IN GREAT FAITH, FREE, FREE AT LAST! GOD PROMISED, I BELIEVED, I ACCEPTED.
I WALKED THROUGH THE RED SEA!
Exodus 13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, ---
XI. ANOINTING FALL ON ME, MAY THE ANOINTING OF THE FRESH FIRE OF GOD CONSUME ME.
A. As a candle gives itself for the light, so might we offer ourselves to the Most Holy God!
B. In the USA, 17 out of 20 churches are stagnant, plateaued, or in decline.
3 out of 20 churches are growing, but that is not good news.
Of the 3 out of 20 growing churches, two are not really growing they are taking Christians from other churches. I call this reshuffling the deck.
How sad, how sad, my heart breaks, 1 out of 20 churches in the USA is growing and increasing. WHY?
C. 500 pastors and preachers are leaving the ministry a week.
That will be about 2000 discouraged ministers of the Gospel a month?
Are we headed toward extinction?
Is what we teach the truth?
D. We have lost sight of the goal!
We forget about God’s promise. We forget heaven.
There is more! There is the double portion, have we asked?
E. IF IT DOES NOT FIT YOU MUST ACQUIT?
Remember the O. J. Simpson trial. The famous, rich lawyer made a statement: If the glove does not fit, then you must acquit.
God’s anointing fits like a good pair of gloves.
XII. ARE WE EARNESTLY SEEKING MORE OF GOD?
WHAT RAINBOW AM I CHASING?
WHAT TRAIL AM I LEAVING FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW?
WHAT KIND OF INHERITANCE DO I PREPARE TO LEAVE? PHYSICAL?
SPIRITUAL? GOD’S SPIRIT WANTS TO USE YOU TO BE A RESTORER!
WILL YOU PERMIT GOD TO USE YOU AS A REPAIRER OF THE BREECH?
A. Don’t let this opportunity slip beyond our reach!
Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed in the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
B. Can we find more if we are not actively seeking?
Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Isaiah 49:8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth,
to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breech. The restorer of paths to dwell in.
XIII. EVERYBODY HAS A CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE, GOOD OR BAD.
A. One thing that has always amazed me is the influence that bad people can have over good people.
B. I say: Are you a good example of a bad example?
C. People are watching you! People are listening to you!
D. WHAT ARE YOU DEMONSTRATING?
Matthew 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
XIV. WE MUST REACH FORWARD, QUIT THIS SELFISH FOCUS AND GIVE GOD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RELEASE THE DOUBLE PORTION.
DO WE LATCH ON TO THE PROPHETIC WORD OF GOD TO LAUNCH US? OR ARE WE FORGETFUL HEARERS?
Psalms 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
A. THERE IS A NEW FAITH LEVEL FOR YOU AND FOR THE CHURCH!
REACH FORWARD! STRETCH IN THIS VALLEY OF OPPORTUNITY!
THEN BRING OTHERS TO THIS VALLEY OF OPPORTUNITY.
B. I HAVE NOTHING TO LEAVE:
Did you hear about the great preacher?
He died and had very little to leave those left behind.
He left six silver spoons for those that carried his coffin to the grave.
Oh, yes, he left something more than that, he left the great Methodist Church! WHAT ARE YOU LEAVING?
C. Do we have a generational mindset of leaving God’s plan and purpose?
Will you take the prophetic word?
Will you take this dream and vision and advance it?
Psalms 78:5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children.
XV. HAVE YOU MADE UP YOUR MIND? ARE YOU EARNEST?
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: ---
Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall: and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
II Corinthians 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
XVI. DO YOU HAVE A BAG WITH HOLES?
Haggai 1:6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Jude 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
A. GOD HAS A PLAN! God wants to bless you!
B. Will you accept the invitation to COME closer to His heart?
C. John lay his head on Jesus’ chest! Will we?
D. Custody vs ownership? Control vs chaos? Plan vs failure.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Help me? Join my team? Pass this on to another?
