Flourishing in the Land

The following blog is compiled of some of recent sermons I preached and some new revelations I have received from the Lord.

In Genesis chapter 26, King Abimelek forced Isaac to move from his home in Gerar, because he had become too powerful.  So Isaac journeyed on and set out to re-dig his father Abraham's wells.  The first two wells he came to had been re-dug and claimed.  He gave them names that meant opposition and dispute.  The third well he came to had yet to be claimed, so he re-dug it and named it Rehoboth (open space) and then proclaimed "Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land." Two verses later in verse 24, the LORD appeared to Isaac and promises to bless him by increasing his descendants.

When we speak life into our situations, we move God into action by our faith.  The LORD saw Isaac's faith by proclaiming that they would flourish in the land.  When life happens and frustration rises up, how do you react?  Do you speak life or death.  Because we have the power of both in the tongue.   Hebrews chapter 12 says, "And let us run the race with endurance....." Just this weekend, I worked security for the second year at the World Championship Iron Man triathlon, which includes 2 miles of swimming, 112 miles of cycling and then a 26 mile marathon.  The first place winner finished in 8 hours and some change.  I'm sure he might have encountered a few problems along the way.  A tight hamstring.  Heat exhaustion from the heavy humidity here in Kona.  But he probably didn't complain or carry on negatively about any hindrances.  That verse in Hebrews goes on to say, "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." The Iron Man champion kept his eyes focused on the prize.  No matter the task of the day, when Jesus is the main focus of our eyes, everything else really does become blurry.

When Paul describes the full armor of God that we are to equip ourselves with, you might notice in Ephesians 6 that we aren't given any armor for our back.  The reason for this is because we are not to turn our backs and run from the enemy.  We are covered from head to toe on the front side, but nothing for the backside.  Not only are we to continue on the offense, but God has our back.  Paul repeats the word 'stand' many times in the final chapter of his letter to the Ephesians.  We're given this armor for a reason.  Not to retreat, but to stand our ground.

I leave you with a quote from Rocky Balboa and two of questions.
"You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.  But it ain't about how hard ya hit.  It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."

What are you proclaiming?....Life or death?
What are you focused on?....The problem or the solution?

God bless,
Derek Owen

To learn more about my YWAM ministry or to donate, click on the link below:
http://www.uofnkona.edu/support/missionaries/?id=5841&search=derek%20owen