“But we all with, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Cor 3:18)

We all want positive change. What we don’t like, is the process. Indeed, most won’t change until their misery factor exceeds their fear factor! We tend to just focus on the outcome, but God knows the greatest profit lies in the process of getting us there. The apostle Paul was always either going into a crisis or just coming out of one, but every crisis brought Kingdom advancement. Crises can bring change and a preparedness for new challenges!

Isa 43:19 “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness; and rivers in the in the desert.”

Deut 32:11-12 “As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him and there was no foreign god with him.”

Matt 4:19 “Follow Me and I will make you...” Jesus is always much easier to admire than to follow!

The Process of Change and Preparation:

Revelation. “By revelation He made known to me.” (Eph 3:3) First God gives you a new task or shows you an opportunity. “I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles.” (Gal 2:2)

Incentive. “The grace of God which was given to me for you.” (Eph 3:2) Some things are given to me for you, so you better stay connected or you will miss out on what God has in store for you. On the other end of my obedience God has blessing and increase in mind for somebody else.

Decision. “I became a minister…” (Eph 3:7) We are then presented with a choice to obey or disobey. (Deut 30:19) Without obedience you will always live in the realm of mere potential.

Enablement. “To me… this grace was given.” (Eph 3:8) We experience God’s grace and favor when we obey, and God’s opposition when we disobey. We all must learn to recognize God’s opposition to our disobedience. Jonah is a good example of this. The battle is not over your past or even your present, it’s about your future. And your future is not just about you, but all those that God wants to bless through you. Jonah’s eventual obedience saved a whole City. It’s wonderful when your ministry or gift becomes somebody else’s miracle from God.

Advancement! “And to make all see…” (Eph 3:9) When our mission is accomplished, we are ready for the next New Thing. “When they had fulfilled their ministry...” (Acts 12:25) “The Holy Spirit said, Now separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)

In Victory Churches, we have come to call this, “That Happily Terrified Feeling!” Happy that God wants to use us – but terrified at what He is asking us to do!

Yours for Exciting New Adventures with God in 2017

Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International