Two days ago, I returned from Europe, the “prodigal continent.”
So many things originated in Europe. In fact, many of the things we see God doing today were birthed in Europe.
For example, Martin Luther’s “the just shall live by faith” and the modern missions movement. Sweden once gave as many missionaries as any country in the world!
Yet somehow, this continent that has brought the grace of God to the world is no longer deeply committed to God.
That’s why I call it the “prodigal continent.”
This got me thinking… can you and I be on fire for God and slowly begin to dim our flame? Without even realizing it?
See, God has called us by His Spirit to rise in THIS generation and demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit. You are a vessel of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit draws you to Christ, and the Holy Spirit changes everything in your life through the blood of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit can move through you and affect a person!
Let the cry of your heart again be, “God, I’m hungry for more of you!”
Don’t settle for where you’re at, don’t become complacent.
God has more of Himself He wants to reveal to you.
NOW is the time to rise and catch fire for the things of God!
Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.
Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Many of you know currently, I am in Brussels, Belgium. The time here has been unbelievable and anointed.
From experiencing what God is doing to seeing the scenery of beautiful Brussels, I am spiritually moved.
Thank you for your prayers!
This Monday, I want to remind you of the Holy Spirit in YOU.
In John, we can find a couple of scriptures discussing the flows of the Holy Spirit.
John 3:34 shares that we have an unlimited anointing of the Spirit, “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.”
This is the inflow of the Holy Spirit! The more you receive, the more that will burst out!
John 7:38 tells us, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” The river is the outflow of the Spirit.
We must begin to share the river, this life-giving water, the Holy Spirit, with those around us. Let it flow!
The flow of the Holy Spirit isn’t just for us to withhold within but to be filled and given.
My challenge for you is to begin to share with others about this life-giving water you have. Start today!
Tell them about this unlimited access to the Spirit of God, who gives you the power to overcome, walk, talk, and think differently.
If they ask you how you can live differently, tell them it’s the Spirit of the living God, living and flowing on the inside of me.
The Holy Spirit is a gift to all who will receive Him by believing.
Know the Holy Spirit who’s living on the inside of you!
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” -John 7:37-38
Today, I am reminded of a phrase that changed how I live, “You are the only Jesus some will ever see and the only bible some will ever read.”
Man, living with this perspective will shift how you interact with others.
Some people may never walk into a church, but we can bring the experience of Jesus to anyone we meet.
You are called to minister to people and don’t need to be behind a pulpit.
Our life reflects our relationship with Jesus – for better or worse.
God has imparted His life, very nature, on the inside of us the moment we were born again. It’s up to us to nurture that relationship and share it with others.
He freed us from sin and gave us the power to walk in His very nature. When we walk in this nature, the life of God, others will see it and want it.
That’s what it means to walk in the newness of life. You have become a new creation. No longer are we like the world, but God.
The world hated Jesus and will hate those who have the same life living inside them. So, likewise, the world may not like you sharing the nature of Christ in your everyday life.
It’s worth it if one person comes to know Jesus because you choose to walk out Jesus’ love.
You might be the only Jesus some will ever see and the only bible some will ever read. It’s worth it!
Ultimately, our heavenly treasure and rewards will be much greater than what we receive in this world.
Today’s challenge is to walk in the newness of life.
Why? Because why not?
If you’ve been freed, why continue to walk like someone enslaved to sin?!
Romans 6:4, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
You have been so faithful in reading the Monday Motivator each week.
It blesses me to know you’re being blessed!
Right now, I’m traveling, ministering God’s word, and attending meetings with some dear friends of mine who are mighty men of God.
Today, I decided to switch it up and let them share what God has put on their hearts to encourage you.
Caleb Wehrli shares:
“I want to encourage you as I spend time with Mikel and other leaders. One of the things I am always encouraged by is the gift of God He has already put on the inside of us. You might be reading, and wondering ‘What is the gift God has put on the inside of me?’ The scripture says, in 1 Timothy 4:14, ‘Don’t neglect the gift God has put on the inside of you.’ It may be in speaking, writing, or encouraging, but for all of us, it’s in sharing our faith with others and cultivating whom God has called us to be. So, don’t neglect the gift and go after all God has called you to do.”
Ashley Wilson shares:
“I am encouraged by what I see the Holy Spirit doing worldwide in this season. So, I want to encourage you to get connected with what God is doing. Be hungry. Be humble. Go after God with everything you have this week. Step into the rising tide of the Holy Spirit we are experiencing worldwide, and watch God do something supernatural in your life this week.”
I loved what Ashley and Caleb said to you guys because it is so TRUE!
God is doing great things around the world right now. The Holy Spirit is on the move and touching lives every day! So many people get caught up with the negative in the world and miss what God is doing supernaturally in front of their own eyes. I have seen dozens of hearts dedicate their lives to God, hearts being set on fire, and lives filled with the Holy Spirit.
I’m convinced that many miss what God is doing simply by not getting involved with what He is doing.
God is looking for those ready to surrender and do His will.
Get involved by doing what Caleb encouraged. Use the gifts God has placed on the inside of you! God has given us these gifts, not for our benefit but to help others. When we choose to use them and not neglect them, God can use us mightily for the body of Christ.
This week, get in tune with the Holy Spirit, use your gift, surrender, and allow God to use you!
Part of the idea for the Monday Motivator is to begin the week off with God because how you start gives you a better chance of finishing strong.
That got me thinking…
Have you realized the first four words in the bible are “In the beginning, God…”
What if we started the week off with God?
What if we started our days off with God?
What if we quit putting God last and made Him first?
When you start with God, you overcome.
When you start with God, you are spiritually prepared.
When you start with God and stay with God, you finish in God’s will and victory.
We will finish in His strength and grace if we start with God.
We cannot take on everything in our strength. We need the power of God on our side. We need His wisdom to handle life’s challenges.
I challenge you to start your days and week off with God.
Don’t just start, but take Him with you throughout your day. Finish with Him!
Don’t make the mistake of starting with Him but finishing without Him and then wondering where things went wrong!
God wants to walk with you throughout your entire day.
Take Him to breakfast, take Him with you to get your kids, take Him to work, take Him shopping, and take Him with you when you lay your head down at night.
We are limited in our ways and thinking, but God’s ways are always higher and greater. He is the secret to success. Wouldn’t you want someone like that to be on your team?
God sees every path and the ending.
This is why He has given the Holy Spirit. To be with us daily, accessible at all times when we need him.
How do you take God with you everywhere? 1. By meditating on His Word 2. Praying without ceasing 3. Praising Him throughout your day
I encourage you to begin this practice of starting and finishing with God and see how the outcome is greater than if you were to do it on your own.
Joshua 1:8 says, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”
1 Thessaliones 5:16-18, says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 13:15-16, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
If there were one thing I could teach or give a lesson on, it would be to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
This short sentence holds the key to a peaceful, fulfilling life.
To seek His Kingdom and righteousness is simply to seek His will and way of living.
Many people have been held in captivity by the feeling of needing material things.
Not realizing God is the creator of it ALL.
God has provided all material things, such as clothes, food, money, etc., for our good. First, to meet our daily needs, but also to enjoy life.
Yet, without realizing it, many of us have made creation our lord instead of Jesus, the Lord of lords! It is an easy trap.
We must remember that the God who has created all things can also provide all things!
He calls us his most prized possession out of all his creations.
When you own something of worth, you treat it as valuable. You do not neglect it. You take care of it and keep it safe. So our Father will never ignore us or our needs because we are the most valuable thing to Him.
Many have given first place in the hearts to materialism, but if we shift our focus back to God, making Him first, all these things will follow.
Ask yourself, did God ever neglect those in the bible who sought first His Kingdom? No, he didn’t. He always had provision and does for you and me too.
A heart after God unlocks provision.
As you live out each day, seek his Kingdom and righteousness first, and God will provide!
Matthew 6:23, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
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