Deut 28 and Matthew 13

These 2 passages are critical as it relates to cultivating and expectation AND a manifestation of INCREASE in our lives. The most important ingredient for success in God is obedience. Did I do what God told me to do. I am in complete obedience in every area of my life. When I am not in obedience, I create challenges for the hand of God to operate. Many times we blame the enemy for things that are consequences of our own choices. Please make every effort to ensure that you give God your very best as it relates to following what he demands.

In that same light, Jesus wonderfully compares our acceptance of the word of God to the different types of locations and soils that receive seed that is planted. If I expect an enduring harvest, then I must be good and fertile ground for him to plant in. Good ground is obedient ground. Good ground is ground that rejoices in the things that God rejoices in. Good ground is ground that walks in the commandments of God to love Him with all of our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Ephesians 1

This is one of my favorite passages of the Bible. Paul's language is descriptive of the exceeding greatness of God's work and plan for us. However, words do not clearly convey the reality of the magnitude of what God has done for us through Christ. As we ponder and reflect on our assignment for INCREASE in 2011, it is essential that we grasp spiritually what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of HIS inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe.

God has already taken us from the lowest places to a place beyond our own comprehension. According to Paul it is not about situation (what we currently face), but it is about REVELATION (the eyes of our understanding). Once we see that we not just destined for greatness, but that greatness is already a reality for us to walk in NOW, we will begin to notice God's work of INCREASE all around us.

When God's Favor is on You

As we walk in this year of expectation and INCREASE, the passage for today in Numbers presents something very clear. Balaam, the seer of Beor had every intention of bringing frustration and disaster upon the people of God. But every time he opened his mouth a blessing came out. No matter what the enemy tries to bring your way to stop you, when you are in the will of God, You CAN NOT BE STOPPED!!!! As we discover the places God wants us to be and walk in His purpose, expect your opposition to become an ally in getting you into that place that God intends.

This is why Psalms 23 tell us the God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies. God can use our enemies to feed us, not to stop us.

What is your Jerusalem?

As we reflect on Christ's command to be his witnesses, we must remember that we must start where we are. His focus of the mission began at HOME in Jerusalem and not to the uttermost parts of the earth. If we are to expand our influence and see God enlarge our territory, we must be aware that He expects us to start right where we are. If we are going to see financial increase, we must be faithful with where we are right now before expecting to see increase. If we want greater responsibility at work, we must make sure that we are faithful in the things already assigned to us.

Jerusalem represents that starting point that God will expand as we ask God to increase us while we remain faithful right where we are.