The Key of Intentionality
Isn’t it interesting that when you receive a word from the Lord it seems that everything around you conspires to pull your attention from what was said? Adversity, difficulties, crisis or even just the trudge of the grind of everyday life seem to work in concert to make us lose track of what God has spoken for this season. What this distraction produces is a lack of intentionality for pursuing the Word of the Lord spoken over our lives. This must not happen. There is too much that God wants to do through your life to allow this to rob you of the potential that God has spoken.
That is why the key of intentionality is so important.
Isn’t it interesting that when you receive a word from the Lord it seems that everything around you conspires to pull your attention from what was said? Adversity, difficulties, crisis or even just the trudge of the grind of everyday life seem to work in concert to make us lose track of what God has spoken for this season. What this distraction produces is a lack of intentionality for pursuing the Word of the Lord spoken over our lives. This must not happen. There is too much that God wants to do through your life to allow this to rob you of the potential that God has spoken.
That is why the key of intentionality is so important.
Intentionality Brings:
A position of purpose and strength
Causes a re-ordering of your life to fall in line with what is truly important
Is a declaration that this is of the utmost value to you
Opens your eyes to the doors that are opening to you to walk into fulfillment of what God has spoken
Increases your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
Eradicates the emotional and strength robbers that are hidden in distraction
Releases joy in the midst of your work
After reading just a few of the benefits, you might wonder why more people do not choose to be intentional with what God has spoken. The primary reason is that among other things, intentionality is an invitation into the new and the unknown. For most people, they would rather embrace the comfort of the mediocre that they know and can control over the reality of something new. This is a fruit of our fallen nature, and yet while it is understandable, it cannot be allowed to rule how we live our lives. Gideon is a prime example of this, he could have stayed at the threshing floor, providing for himself and his family, but God wanted to use Gideon to provide freedom for an entire nation. However in order to accomplish this, he needed to embrace the new and the uncomfortable.
Embracing Intentionality Means:
Saying no to certain things, people and situations that are vying to be a priority of your time and attention.
Being okay with the fact that people will not understand and may even reject you as a result of this.
Having grace and compassion for yourself because what you will walk into is so new and you will won’t have it perfect
Letting Go of Your Routine
Stepping out of your comfort zone, not just one time, or for a day or for a week, but a lifestyle of eradicating fleshly comfort
Choosing to sit still and take time to listen to the Voice of the Lord
I encourage you to take a moment of intentionality right now, to silence yourself before the Lord and ask Him to bring to remembrance the Prophetic Word over your life. Allow Him to show you how to walk in it more fully, what to weed out of your life and how to re-prioritize it so that you can flow into the reality of the new that God wants to bring.
Sincerely,
John Harke Team
Don't Hit That Rock
“Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation and their beasts drank.” Numbers 20 11 NASB
It finally happened. Moses, being pushed to the very edge of his patience by the infuriating behavior of those he was leading, struck the rock and caused water to flow from its hard exterior.
“Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation and their beasts drank.” Numbers 20 11 NASB
It finally happened. Moses, being pushed to the very edge of his patience by the infuriating behavior of those he was leading, struck the rock and caused water to flow from its hard exterior.
To the natural observer, this was a miracle; A powerful anointed man caused water to flow to meet the immediate need of the people. However the man at the center of this miracle knew that nothing could be further from the truth. When the red cleared from his vision and the blood pressure began to lower, the severity and weight of his sin became clear.
“But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them."” Numbers 20 12 NASB
Moses had allowed his emotions to push him out of alignment. Emotions aborted Mosesʼ destiny.
Some things to remember:
1. Moses is considered one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament
2. This is the one that had delivered an entire nation from one of the greatest empires in human history.
3. He is also the one that seemed to have more patience than even the Lord Himself. See when God declares His desire to destroy the Israelites and build a nation out of Moses.
All this is to make it clear that Moses is no scrub. He is not a new Christian or an immature one. In fact, Moses literally co- wrote the book on God. However all of this did not protect or exempt him from the enemyʼs attempt to get him out of position.
The same assignment against Moses is the same that I believe we must be alert and war against in this season. Itʼs a time of promotion and new position for Godʼs people and the enemy would like nothing more than to spoil the harvest you have worked so hard to contend for.
The enemy will try to hijack your emotions to torpedo the towers of your destiny. We must not allow this to happen.
Unchecked Emotions will cause you to defile what God has marked as holy in your life.
I really want to encourage you to allow God to speak into the areas of your life where there may be sore spots or wounding so that the enemy cannot use it to manipulate you. These wounds become triggers that the enemy uses to sink your inheritance.
Sore Areas or Your Past Will Be Triggers The Enemy Will Use
The need to validate your ministry/life in the eyes of your accusers will get you to act outside of your character
If you arenʼt careful, you will spend more time trying to validate the call on your life in the eyes of others that you will totally miss the windows and doors of opportunity God is bringing to raise you above the accusation and naysayers.
We need to make sure to never use what God has given us to serve our own purposes. Moses used his authority in God to validate himself and shut the mouthes of the Israelites and their whining. This became all about Moses and his needs and nothing about God and His purpose.
Sincerely,
John Harke Team
God Wants to Partner with You
During this holiday season we are reminded of the arrival of the ultimate gift any of us will ever receive. When Jesus paid the ultimate price for our redemption and freedom, it was a present with incomparable value..
On top of being able to go to Heaven, much of the New Testament teaches us about things that we now have access to; the gift of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, total freedom, supernatural joy and strength, the list goes on and on. But it doesn’t stop there. Along with gifts, we have tremendous authority. To me this new life is kind of like the story of Rip Van Winkle. In the story, Rip decided to take a nap in the forest but he ended up sleeping for like 50 years. When he finally woke up the world as he knew it had completely changed.
During this holiday season we are reminded of the arrival of the ultimate gift any of us will ever receive. When Jesus paid the ultimate price for our redemption and freedom, it was a present with incomparable value..
On top of being able to go to Heaven, much of the New Testament teaches us about things that we now have access to; the gift of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, total freedom, supernatural joy and strength, the list goes on and on. But it doesn’t stop there. Along with gifts, we have tremendous authority. To me this new life is kind of like the story of Rip Van Winkle. In the story, Rip decided to take a nap in the forest but he ended up sleeping for like 50 years. When he finally woke up the world as he knew it had completely changed.
That’s what I believe happens when we allow ourselves to be born again. It’s like we have been asleep all this time, a slumber brought on by our sinful nature, our selfish desires, our pain and a host of other things that have fought to keep us down. Then Jesus shows up on the scene and comes into our heart, awakening us to a whole new world, the world of the believer. It doesn’t stop there.
Once we wake up from our slumber, the Holy Spirit is right there handing us our new passport (identity) a duffle bag full of supplies (the amazing blessings and gifts we have access to because of our salvation) and also a full arsenal of weapons (our authority in Christ). It’s that last part I want to discuss in the rest of this post. The letters from the Apostle Paul throughout the New Testament all speak of a tremendous authority that we now carry as believers.
But what is all this authority for? The immediate answer is, He gave you authority so that you could use it. The larger answer is this; God wants to partner with YOU.
Yes YOU.
He wants to actively work with you every single minute of every day to live and breathe with purpose. Not just any old purpose, but the one that He has set and destined for you to walk in. That's the whole point of Him giving you authority, it's proof that He wants to do something with you.
I am a person that loves to be in the middle of anything exciting.
“Oh, you’re going to Walmart at 2:30 in the morning? I’m in.”
“Oh, and it’s not the one in Florida but the one in Los Angeles? Even…better. “
So the fact that I get to partner with God is the best thing ever, I don’t want to just sit on the sidelines of what He’s up to in the world today and I know that most of you are the same way. What makes things even more wonderful is that it is His heart that you be in the middle of the action also.
Don’t believe me? Just look throughout the Old Testament when God wanted to do something in the earth. He could have just gone in and done it Himself but He didn’t. Prime example of this is when God would raise up Judges to deliver the children of Israel from the hands of their persecutors and captors. God could have totally gone in there, sent a few angels and bring them to freedom on their own but He didn’t do that. Instead He raised up a man or a woman that would partner with him so they could do it together. God wants to do the same thing with you in your life. GOD WANTS TO PARTNER WITH YOU!
When we understand this one point, it settles a lot of the weird baggage that some of us carry from some of our previous seasons about the heart of God towards us. It helps to bring clarity in the midst of the noise. With everyone yelling and shouting about what you should and should not do, about the latest and greatest revelation coming to the Body of Christ at any given second, it can be easy for many of us to get lost in it’s tidal wave and not know what to do. The fact that God wants to partner with you, gives you confidence to ask your partner, “God, what are we partnering to do?” Starting a conversation with someone that you know wants to help you and talk to you is a whole lot easier and more effective than when we assume we are being a burden or the person we are asking is somewhat indifferent to our plight or our mission. It’s a simple key but this key has the ability to set a whole lot of people free from the feeling of being stuck.
Sincerely,
John Harke Team
What it means to Walk in Humility
The greatest example of humility is when we are falsely criticized by others and dismiss the need to vindicate ourselves. Although we are never to associate humility with weakness, we must come to the conclusion that genuine humility possesses real conviction. When we are truly humble we know how to steward our lives and our resources responsibly. This gives evidence that we can be trusted with the treasures of the Kingdom of God. We can disciple and influence Kings like the prophet Daniel. We become like our Lord Jesus who is the most approachable person the world has ever seen.
The greatest example of humility is when we are falsely criticized by others and dismiss the need to vindicate ourselves. Although we are never to associate humility with weakness, we must come to the conclusion that genuine humility possesses real conviction. When we are truly humble we know how to steward our lives and our resources responsibly. This gives evidence that we can be trusted with the treasures of the Kingdom of God. We can disciple and influence Kings like the prophet Daniel. We become like our Lord Jesus who is the most approachable person the world has ever seen.
Meekness isn’t looking to take vengeance upon people who have failed miserably. Meekness is looking for ways to release people from being enslaved to behaviors which are outside the will of God. It’s really the art of living, living for others and not the selfish narrative that seems to permeate our culture. It’s the ability to make just and right decisions without a political agenda. Humility will ensure that we live successfully. It opens the door for wisdom that not only tells us how to live but tells us how not to live. It’s the armor that protects us from self deception. It calls out like a prophet and says, “come to me and let me carry your burden”. Its power interrupts the pride that surfaces in all of us, because we live in a day where there is the tendency to talk more about what we’re doing in the name of the Lord instead of actually speaking the heart of God.
When humility becomes our prize, prosperity becomes our prophecy.
Beloved, when one has humility they seem to see the beauty of authority, and when that takes place, the Lord graciously pours out His heart to us and tells us what He is thinking. Then our gifting, no matter how powerful, will never allow us to become inflated with ourselves. We willingly accept the invitation of our Lord, not to satisfy our need for knowledge, but to come in relationship with God.
For instance, science is curious about cause and effect, however God’s word isn’t written with science in mind, it’s written with an invitation to all who come by faith. Scripture isn’t written to prove itself, it’s written to probe the human soul and offer a remedy for its pain. Science searches for a cure to what ails humanity, the scriptures invite us into the truth which is the cure. Modern man isn’t Interested in what is holy, because what is holy can only be recognized by the humble. For the humble life isn’t a competition, it’s a collaboration with the deep desire to see others succeed. It isn’t a race to see who wins, its passion is to champion people. They seem to dream bigger dreams because they aren’t writing the script for their lives, God is. No wonder our Lord said “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth”.
Sincerely,
John Harke Team
Love Isn't Always Blind
Love isn’t always blind it just imagines what could be there. For being in love with the Lord is the best way to live in the Kingdom of God. Love doesn’t seem to notice what others notice, it seems to ignore what others can’t ignore. What is never passed over socially, isn’t overlooked by the one who loves. Not to say that love overlooks justice, for love is the greatest act of justice. Love opens the eyes to intimacy and away from selfishness. Our vision becomes blurred when love is non existent, and love returns the heart back into focus. Love penetrates the defenses of rejection and the walls of criticism that have been built. When love becomes an acquisition instead of a lifestyle, it becomes perverted. So we pray with the words of this verse in Song of Solomon 1:4.
Love isn’t always blind it just imagines what could be there. For being in love with the Lord is the best way to live in the Kingdom of God. Love doesn’t seem to notice what others notice, it seems to ignore what others can’t ignore. What is never passed over socially, isn’t overlooked by the one who loves. Not to say that love overlooks justice, for love is the greatest act of justice. Love opens the eyes to intimacy and away from selfishness. Our vision becomes blurred when love is non existent, and love returns the heart back into focus. Love penetrates the defenses of rejection and the walls of criticism that have been built. When love becomes an acquisition instead of a lifestyle, it becomes perverted. So we pray with the words of this verse in Song of Solomon 1:4.
“Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers. We rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine. How right they are to adore you!”
Adoration is never the incorrect action when it comes Jesus. When life brings us to a place of indecision the right response is adoration. For we have been wonderfully made to adore Him. We become wealthy when we chose to focus on Him instead of ourselves.
Detachment isn’t being divorced from life, it’s the invitation into a life of freedom. To deny ourselves daily is just opening the door to adore the Lord with greater affection. We then learn to love righty because to love rightly is to restore dignity. So we begin to burn with the kind of courage that attracts a generation to Christ. Truth then seizes the soul consuming it with adoration and thanksgiving. We are no longer amazed by lust because we’ve been made to love.
We then graduate from being a consumer of religion and become a worshipper of God. Even though we live in a world that is hostile towards what we value, we continue to adore our Lord. Although government calls immortality, abortion and legal drug abuse freedom, we still adore the One who sets us free. Yes, our culture has replaced images for truth, but true adoration towards the Almighty God replaces authentic human likeness. Adoration towards the Lord keeps the soul alive. It removes the idea that we are too sophisticated to obey the prophets who called Israel back to the Lord.
Adoration towards the Lord confronts the endless binge for self- satisfaction. Because when we adore Him we experience the abundance of His love. And like the prophets of old, we have learned to train our eyes to see differently. The arrow of Christ’s love has so pierced our soul that every fear has collapsed. We are not afraid to dream and adore the One who believes in us. “Oh” how right we become when we adore Him. No amount of cynicism can erode our desire to love Christ Jesus intensely. No amount of despair can erode our desire to adore Him.
Sincerely,
John Harke Team
