Embracing God's Plan: Surrender, Peace, and Transformation

In his sermon at Apostolic Church Dallas, Pastor Justin Michael focuses on the spiritual journey of believers and the importance of tuning out negative influences to embrace God's plan. He begins by highlighting the necessity of silencing negative voices that hinder spiritual growth and emphasizes the need for the church to prepare for the harvest God has planned. Pastor Michael draws attention to the Old Testament's representation of the Throne of God through the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat, underscoring the importance of understanding the mirroring of earthly and heavenly realms.

Pastor Michael stresses the victory found in Jesus and the importance of casting our cares upon Him, as illustrated by the story of the leper who approached Jesus with complete surrender. He explains that a lack of casting our cares leads to a lack of wholeness and that continual surrender is essential for spiritual well-being.

The sermon also includes a prayer for the Holy Spirit to breathe life into the words of the Bible, with a special acknowledgment of guest Dylan Morgan's prophetic gifting. Pastor Michael calls for a move of the Holy Ghost to resist the enemy's influence and invites the congregation to open themselves up to the Spirit's work.

He speaks about the creative nature of God and the significance of believers resisting the world's negative messages. Pastor Michael points out that peace is not just a gift from God but is part of His very nature, and by being in God's presence, believers can access this peace at all times.

The concept of casting cares upon God is further explored, with Pastor Michael explaining that humans have a limited emotional capacity and that God's supernatural strength begins when our natural abilities end. He encourages believers to release their burdens to God, referencing the biblical invitation to take on His yoke because it is light and easy.

Pastor Michael discusses the idea that when the church faces attacks, it is a sign that God is preparing to create something new in the lives of the congregation. He asserts that the enemy reacts to God's creative work and that believers are called to resist twisted doctrines and ideologies that oppose the church.

The sermon also touches on the importance of understanding that our callings are meant to serve others, not ourselves. Pastor Michael urges believers to let go of selfishness and embrace their role as witnesses of God's goodness. He emphasizes the need to tune into God's voice for peace and suggests a season of turning off all other voices to focus on hearing from God.

Pastor Michael addresses the concept of being unequally yoked with God, highlighting the importance of daily devotion to step into the spiritual realm. He describes this as leaving behind natural struggles and ascending to heavenly places through prayer and devotion.

The sermon concludes with a discussion on the power of repentance, the role of the Holy Ghost in expanding God's kingdom, and the dominion that Christ has over all the kingdoms of the world. Pastor Michael emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Ghost and the importance of being baptized in Jesus' name.

Key Takeaways:

- Pastor Justin Michael underscores the critical role of silencing negative voices and influences to fully embrace God's plan for spiritual growth and readiness for His blessings. He reminds us that the voices we choose to listen to can either hinder or help us in our spiritual journey. [01:41:17]

- The act of casting our cares upon Jesus is not a one-time event but a daily practice of surrender. Pastor Michael illustrates this through the story of the leper, teaching us that our wholeness depends on our willingness to continually lay our burdens at Jesus' feet. [01:31:51]

- The presence of God is synonymous with peace, and by continually seeking His presence, we can maintain access to this peace in our lives. Pastor Michael encourages believers to prioritize their relationship with God above all else, ensuring that His voice remains the loudest in their lives. [01:39:14]

- The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing that spiritual attacks often indicate that God is preparing to do something new and creative in our lives. Pastor Michael reminds us that the enemy's resistance is a reaction to God's creative power at work within us. [01:19:57]

- Pastor Michael emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Ghost, which is essential for believers to overcome the negative influences of the world and expand God's kingdom. He encourages the congregation to allow the Holy Ghost to move freely in their lives, not just on Sundays but throughout the week. [01:47:43]

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. **2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 (AMP)**
> "And you know what restrains him now from being revealed; it is so that he will be revealed at his own appointed time. For the mystery of lawlessness (rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness) is already at work; but it is restrained only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way."

2. **1 John 4:4 (KJV)**
> "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

3. **1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)**
> "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 say about the restraint of lawlessness and its appointed time?
2. According to 1 John 4:4, what assurance do believers have regarding the spirit of the world?
3. In 1 Peter 5:7, what are believers instructed to do with their cares and why?
4. Pastor Michael mentioned the importance of silencing negative voices to embrace God's plan. What are some examples he gave of these negative influences? [01:40:32]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of lawlessness in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 relate to the spiritual attacks Pastor Michael discussed? [01:19:57]
2. What does it mean for believers to have "greater is he that is in you" in the context of resisting the world's negative messages? [01:14:40]
3. How does the act of casting our cares upon Jesus, as mentioned in 1 Peter 5:7, contribute to our spiritual well-being according to Pastor Michael? [01:26:06]
4. Pastor Michael emphasized the importance of daily devotion. How does this practice help believers ascend to heavenly places and leave behind natural struggles? [01:28:49]

#### Application Questions
1. Pastor Michael talked about the necessity of silencing negative voices. What are some specific negative influences in your life that you need to tune out to better hear God's voice? [01:40:32]
2. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by your burdens. How can you practice the daily act of casting your cares upon Jesus to find wholeness and peace? [01:33:13]
3. Pastor Michael mentioned that spiritual attacks often indicate that God is preparing to do something new in our lives. Can you identify a recent challenge that might be a sign of God's creative work in you? How can you respond to it with faith? [01:19:57]
4. How can you prioritize your relationship with God to ensure His voice remains the loudest in your life? What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your daily devotion? [01:39:51]
5. Pastor Michael emphasized the transformative power of the Holy Ghost. How can you allow the Holy Ghost to move more freely in your life, not just on Sundays but throughout the week? [01:47:43]
6. Reflect on the idea that our callings are meant to serve others. How can you shift your focus from personal gain to being a witness of God's goodness in your daily interactions? [01:35:09]
7. Pastor Michael discussed the importance of repentance and being baptized in Jesus' name. How can you incorporate regular repentance into your spiritual practice to maintain a close relationship with God? [01:47:05]

Day 1: Silence for Spiritual Clarity
Negative influences can cloud judgment and impede spiritual growth. It is essential to silence these distractions to hear God's voice clearly and prepare for the blessings He has in store. By intentionally filtering out the noise, one can focus on the divine path laid out for them. [01:41:17]

Isaiah 30:21 - "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
Reflection: What are the negative voices or influences in your life that you need to silence to better hear God's direction?

Day 2: The Practice of Surrender
Continual surrender to Jesus is vital for spiritual wholeness. Like the leper who approached Jesus, laying down burdens daily at His feet allows for a life of peace and surrender, acknowledging that Jesus' strength covers our weaknesses. [01:31:51]

Psalm 55:22 - "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."
Reflection: What burdens are you holding onto that you need to surrender to Jesus today?

Day 3: Peace in His Presence
God's presence is a sanctuary of peace, a constant in the chaos of life. By seeking His presence above all else, one can tap into the peace that is part of God's very nature, a peace that surpasses all understanding and circumstances. [01:39:14]

Colossians 3:15 - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
Reflection: How can you actively seek God's presence to experience His peace in your daily life?

Day 4: Creative Power Amidst Attacks
Spiritual attacks can be a precursor to God's creative work in one's life. Recognizing that opposition often signals divine preparation can transform the way one perceives and responds to challenges, seeing them as opportunities for growth. [01:19:57]

2 Corinthians 12:10 - "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: How can you view your current struggles as potential areas where God is preparing to work creatively in your life?

Day 5: Embrace the Transformative Spirit
The Holy Ghost has the power to transform lives and expand God's kingdom. By allowing the Spirit to move freely, believers can overcome worldly negativity and step into their divine calling to witness God's goodness. [01:47:43]

Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Reflection: In what ways can you open up to the Holy Ghost's transformative power in your life this week?

You're My People

You are, by my will, will you respond to the Lord? The presence of the Lord right now—there is a drawing, an intimacy in the presence of God that's in this room. It's very obvious that God is speaking to us tonight and that God has come to minister to us.

If you're unfamiliar with what has been taking place over the past three or four minutes, the book of First Corinthians, chapter 12, Paul details a number of spiritual gifts, manifestation gifts, and two of them are paired and to be used together. One is the diversity of tongues, and the other is the interpretation of tongues.

So what has happened here in this room tonight is a Biblical thing, and we are so grateful that God would speak to us in this kind of way. Would you lift your hands all across this house and just, between you and God, however you want to say it, "God, speak to me tonight." Come on, God, speak to me tonight. I'm here to receive. I'm here to receive whatever it is that you want to say to me, whatever it is that you want to do in my life. God, I'm here, and I'm ready to receive it. Yes, yes.

And would you join me in praying for the will of God to be done in the duration of this service? Come on, let's pray. God, do your will in this place. God, have Your way among us in this environment, in this service tonight. God, this is Your house; this is Your service. We give it to You. We ask You to lead it. We ask You to have Your perfect way. Lord Jesus, we ask You to reveal Yourself through the revelation of the word of God, Your written word. Jesus, would You breathe it by the Spirit off the pages into our hearts? Father, let us be ready to receive whatever it is that You will be speaking to us tonight in the name of Jesus. Oh, in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah! Yes, Hallelujah! Praise God!

Can we clap our hands to the Lord and give Him praise in this room tonight? Oh, we love You, Jesus! Hallelujah!

I've said this before; I'll say it again: we are not transitioning from worship into the preaching of the word of the Lord. We are transitioning in worship to the preaching of the word of the Lord. How many of us love the word of God in this room tonight? You love God's word? Praise God! God's word is eternal. God's word does not return to Him void. I'm believing that while we are hearing the word of the Lord being preached tonight, God is going to touch somebody's life, and God's going to transform somebody tonight. Do you believe that with me? God's going to do something amazing tonight through the ministry of His word.

We're honored to have with us tonight a guest. It's his first time with us. As most of us know, his name is Dylan Morgan. We receive him in his gifting; we honor your prophetic gifting as well. We just want you to have complete liberty here tonight to say whatever God is saying to you. Can we just stretch our hands forward over to him and just pray that God would just release and use him in the totality in which God would desire to use him tonight? Yes, in the name of Jesus, I pray, God, that there would be complete liberty in the Spirit. And God, we pray for our own hearts, God, to receive what You would speak to us through Your vessel here tonight. Jesus, prepare our hearts to receive what You would speak through this man of God. We honor You, Jesus, and give You praise in Jesus' name. Come on, man, and preach to us the word of the Lord. Amen.

What a beautiful atmosphere that has been set! I'm thankful for what God has already done, and I'm looking forward to what He is about to do. Amen. It is an honor to be here, and I know that it is my first time. A lot of times when it's your first time at a place, the first few moments, everybody is just trying to get used to the guy behind the pulpit. But I pray that after everything that's already taken place here tonight, we can just kind of throw all that out. I'm a nice guy; I just want to flow in the Holy Ghost, and I pray that we could all just jump right into what God wants to do. Is that all right? Amen, amen, amen.

I give honor to your pastor and his wife. Aren't you thankful for your leadership? Amen, amen! I love the atmosphere; I love what I feel, and I thank God that you have a pastor that is sensitive to the things of the Holy Ghost. We need to thank God for that. Amen.

Turn with me to the book of 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2, and verse number 6. I'm going to read two verses here, and I'm going to read it in the Amplified version, and then we're going to jump over to 1 John 4:4, and I'll read that in the good old King James. Amen.

But I want to read this in the Amplified just because I really like the way that it words it, and I want to take from that, and I want us to just start there and just go after what God wants to do here tonight.

2 Thessalonians, chapter 2, and verse number 6: "And you knowing what restrains him, the Antichrist, now from being revealed, it is so that he will be revealed at his own appointed time. For the mystery of the lawlessness, rebellion against divine authority, and the coming reign of the lawlessness is already at work, but it is restrained only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way."

It is restrained; it is being resisted. There is a resistance against it, but it is also being resisted.

1 John, chapter 4, and verse number 4: a very familiar passage of scripture: "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you." Everybody say, "than he that is in the world." The world that is referring to that spirit of lawlessness. It's saying that God that is living in you is greater than the spirit of the world. Yes, amen!

"They are of the world; therefore, they speak of the world, and the world heareth them."

I was just waiting on the Lord to lead me on what I needed to preach tonight, and He quickened me to this. So we're just going to start here, and we're just going to see where the Lord would have us end up. We've already prayed, but one more time, I'm just asking that you would ask the Lord to use you tonight, that you would ask that God would anoint you in a unique way, and that something would be released from within you tonight to maybe step into a new calling or a gifting that you've never flown in before.

So I want you to lift your hands, and I just want you to ask for the remainder of this service. Lord, we've already prayed. God, I know Your word is anointed. I just ask that You would speak through me clearly. Lord, I ask right now that Your perfect will would be done in every life that is represented here. Lord, I pray that there would be a great healing in this house tonight. I feel that so very strongly—that You're going to do a great healing work here tonight. We need You. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Everybody say, "In Jesus' name." Amen.

You can be seated in Jesus' name.

In the beginning, God created. The first thing we learn about God, the very first look into the attribute of God, is Him creating. God is a God that creates. His spoken word is creative. Everything about who and what God is has a creative nature. God's first thing, the very first revelation, is God creating.

Y'all want to have a little back and forth? Is God created? So when you understand who and what God is, you have to understand that God is a Creator. Now, the opposite to Him—actually, there is no opposite to Him—but the opposition to Him, the devil, cannot create.

Yeah, he's not a creative being. He has no ability to create. He can do whatever he wants to do; he can say whatever he wants to say, but he has no ability to create. And so the only thing the enemy has the power to do is to respond to what is being created.

Yeah, and so God creates. God speaks, and the enemy's only response to that is to react to what is being created and spoken from God. And so the enemy is reactive; he is not creative. He is responsive. He is almost like a knee-jerk when you're at the doctor, and they hit you with that weird little pointy rubber thing in the knee, and it kicks out involuntarily. You know what I'm talking about? That's almost like how he responds to things being created from God.

And so because God is creative, you have to understand that when the enemy responds, he can only respond to what is being created. He can only react to what is being spoken. He can only respond to what is going forth. And so when you feel a reaction from the adversary, what you have to understand is this: he must be responding to something that is being created.

And so one of the things that I feel like we have to get into our mind is this: when you're under attack or the church is under attack, it's simply because God is getting ready to create something in your life and in this church. And so you have to understand who God is. He is a creative God, and the enemy is a reactive enemy to that which is being created.

Right? All right, so let's go a little further into this tonight. We see here in 1 John 4 and verse number 5, again, I'm going to read this in the Amplified Bible because the enemy is reactive. There is always a resistance coming against what is trying to be created. There is always a resistance coming against what is trying to be spoken into existence.

And so God says to your pastor, "I want you to start a church." God says to you, He begins the drawing process. You get filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost; you get baptized in Jesus' name. You begin the process of allowing the creative work of God to go forth in you, and you weren't a target before, but now that you're doing something for God, all of a sudden, you can't understand why things are falling apart, why you're all of a sudden going through this, that, and the other.

It's very simple: there is a very real adversary who is in the world that is trying to resist what is being created in your life. And so we see that in 1 John 4 and 5, he begins to talk to us about the ways of the world. It says, "They who teach a twisted doctrine are of the world and belong to it."

We have to understand that there are things in the world that are working against the Church of the Living God. Amen. There are things in the world that are pressing against you and I. There are twisted doctrines that are pressing against you and I. There are twisted ideologies and theories and so-called truths that are being pressed against you and I.

But you have to understand that as long as God has a church—I said, as long as God has a church—there's always been a resistance to that which is trying to press forward against darkness. There has always been something that is trying to work against the Church of the Living God. And you've got to get the revelation here tonight that the only reason you've been fighting what you have been fighting is because you are resisting an adversary that my mind.

And so you have to get this revelation that in the world, there is this resistance that is working against those, you and I, who are resisting. There is this thing that is coming against you and I as we press against darkness, as we are the light of the world, as we are the city that is set upon the hill that cannot be hid, as we are the salt of the earth, as we change everything that we come in contact with.

Because it's by its nature that salt, when it comes into contact with something, it changes that. And light, when it steps into darkness, it illuminates that. That is the nature of the Church of the Living God.

And so you keep reading, and it says, "Therefore, they speak from the viewpoint of the world, which is immoral. It has immoral freedom and its baseless theories." It literally means without foundation. In fact, it sounds a little bit like the day that we're living in.

Yeah, demanding compliance with their opinions sounds like the day that we're living in, and ridiculing the values of the upright sounds like the day that we're living in. And the gullible ones of the world, they listen closely and they pay attention to them. I want you to hear that. They are operating according to what they feel.

Yes, yes. Now this is where I really felt to hit on tonight, and there are some things that I'm going to touch on, and I want you to listen to me. They are operating according to feeling. They are operating according to what they feel. Come on. And you have to understand something tonight: I want to make something clear—feelings are not facts, sir.

Right? I'm going to say it again: feelings are not facts. That's why in Job 15:2, the Bible says, "Why does your heart carry you away, allowing you to be controlled by emotion? And why do your eyes flash in anger or contempt that should turn your spirit against God and let such words as you have spoken go out of your mouth?"

Watch what he's trying to say. He's saying that if you allow your feelings to work on you long enough, they will carry you away and turn your spirit against the things of God. And so we have to get this revelation that not every feeling that we have is of God. Not every emotion that we have needs to be held on to and kept.

I want to preach to somebody here tonight: you've got to learn the art of casting. Yes! All right, let's keep going. If you're not careful, you will allow lying emotions to control you. Right? If you're not careful, you will allow your heart, which is wicked, you will allow your heart to control you and manipulate you away.

Yes! That's why in 2 Corinthians 10:5, the Bible teaches us to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and then bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

There is a revelation of this hour that we have to get a hold of. The enemy is trying to manipulate the emotions of God's people through false accusations and lying opinions and things that are not real. But in the hour that we're living in, we have to be a church that understands you were never meant to carry; you were meant to cast. Amen!

Your pastor said it a few moments ago: God wants to heal somebody of anxiety and depression here. I felt that so strongly. That's why in 1 Peter 5:7, we are taught to cast all your care upon Him. That word "care" literally means anxiety and worry, for He careth. Everybody say, "He careth."

That "eth" at the end of that means continually. That's right! It means when you run out of emotion and ability to care, God says, "Now I can care beyond your ability to care."

I wish if I gave you a $100 bill, how much of that could you spend? $100. Why? Because that's the limit of what I gave you. Right? Yes! That's how much emotion—let's just say this in the context of what I'm preaching. God gives man—God says, "All right, you have a $100 of emotions to spend in this day."

Yes! And because we as humans are emotional creatures—anybody ever heard your mom say, "You're on my ever-loving last nerve"? Am I the only one? You're on my ever-loving last nerve! It's the last little bit before I kind of go a little crazy on you, boy! Right?

And so watch: God says, "Cast your care." God says, "I want to teach you the art of casting upon Me." Because when you run out of natural emotion, when you run out of natural ability, you're going to learn that's where the supernatural begins.

And so here's what we do: we throw things on our shoulders, and by our own nature and by our own human will, we try to carry things that God always intended for us to cast. And that's why we have people that are worn down emotionally. That's why we have people in this room right now who are on the verge of a mental breakdown, and you're struggling with anxiety and depression.

And I'm here tonight to tell you that it is the resistance of the world that is opposition to what's living on the inside of you, and you've got to learn how to loose and cast. [Applause]

The Bible says this: "Take My yoke, take My burden, for it is light; it is easy." Watch and learn. What was He trying to say? When you yoke up with Christ, He said, "I'm going to show you how heavy things get lighter."

You want to talk? I know the Bible says that you shouldn't be unequally yoked. Yes! And I know there's no contradiction in Scripture, but then you just throw in all of a sudden that He says, "Yoke up with Me." That's being a little unequally yoked because you're yoking up with the Great I Am.

You see, that's why daily devotion is the most important part of your life. Hello, somebody! That's why daily devotion is one of the most important things that you will ever do. Because what you're doing is you're stepping out of the natural and into the supernatural.

That's why in Ephesians 2:6, the Bible says we are seated in Him in heavenly places. This is the way that I see devotion; this is the way that it kind of was shown to me. It's kind of like you step into an elevator. You know what I'm talking about? You wake up, and everybody's flesh is like it went to the gym that night. It's like it drank like 100 ounces of whey protein, ate 12 scrambled eggs, did the whole carnivore diet—it's ripped!

No? Okay, I'm the only one. I'm the only one who's not already in heaven. I get it. I'm the only one still living here on Earth. All of y'all are saved, sanctified, delivered, and you're already up in glory. But us normal folks, we wake up in the morning, and it's like we're back in our natural self, and that struggle is there.

And so it's like you step up to an elevator door, and please press the button going up. Don't press down. Yeah, never mind. So you press the button, and it's like the upward arrow. And then all of a sudden, you enter into His courts with thanksgiving, and you enter into that house of praise and worship with Him.

And then you step up onto the altar of repentance, and you begin to rid yourself of anything. Everything—repentance is not only for when you've done wrong; repentance is a part of the process. You come to that altar, and you repent, and you get your ego out of the way, and you get your flesh out of the way, and you get your carnality out of the way.

And you don't get up from that altar until Dylan is dead. And then you go up to the next dimension, and you're up a little higher. And now you're up here, and you're beginning to feel all of a sudden these weights coming off of you. And all of a sudden, these things that you begin to think were important, as you begin to see it up in heavenly places, you're elevating yourself out of the natural and into the supernatural.

That's why Romans 13:14 says, "Put on Christ Jesus and so not fulfill the lust of the flesh." And so what you do is you ascend up into those heavenly places, and you take your seat in Him. Yes! And all of a sudden, everything of the world just gets a little smaller, and it gets a little easier, and everything that you're going through just begins to be made simple.

And out of nowhere, you get up out of your chair or your place of devotion, and you stand up in Christ. That's right! Wherefore, old things are passed away, and now you're in the One that has the victory. Because if I go by Dylan's ability to stand, I must fail. But if I step into the One that could not fail, that was tried and tempted in every way but had no failure, when I get in Him, all of a sudden, I step out into the world, and I am equipped for what I was not equipped for on my own.

That's right! That's why we've got to get back to the simple revelation of daily casting our cares. If you believe that, shout amen! If you believe that, shout amen!

That's why the next verse—it's no coincidence that in 1 Peter 5:8, it says, "Be sober." That means be clear-headed. Be vigilant because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour. What was he trying to say? You don't have time to not cast your care. You don't have time to not throw the things that are in your life at Him.

Yes, sir! You know what I love? You know the story of when Jesus healed the leprous men, and the one came back, and he cast—or the Bible says threw himself at His feet. That's the same word that Peter used when he says "casting."

And watch: he is the only one that's made whole. You know why there is a lack of wholeness within us? Because there's a lack of casting within us. And because we don't understand the necessity of casting, we aren't made whole daily.

Friend, let me tell you something: until you are raptured out of this Earth, there is a resistance that is working against you. That's true! There are principalities and powers and rulers of darkness in heavenly places that are working against you and I.

And the only avenue of escape—it is not by our might, and it is not by our power, but it is by the Spirit, saith the Lord God.

Now I want to talk about this just for a minute because sometimes I've noticed that we pray and we ask God to use us, and then when we step out of the church house or wherever we made that prayer, and we get around certain people, we feel things. You think thoughts that maybe you've never thought before. You experience things maybe you've never experienced before.

You're at work, and you walk by somebody, and out of nowhere, a weird thought comes into your head. And what you do is you accept that thought as your own, and you've missed the point that really what God is doing is allowing you to work in this thing called discernment so that He can use you in this thing called intercession.

And so what we do is we make every emotion that we feel about us instead of allowing the discerning of spirits to work and realize God's just calling you to a place of intercession so that you can break the yoke off of somebody and that they can be set free.

Come on, somebody! We've got to realize not every calling is to the pulpit or to the platform. Some callings are to prayer closets. Some callings are to private places of intercession.

And so we've got to get this mindset that everything that we're feeling is about us. Everything we're experiencing, it's all about you and I. It's all—no, no, no! It's not about us. Really, what just happened is I was discerning what my friend was going through, and God allowed me to discern that so that I could be a witness in due season.

That's good! There's a reason that the Bible says that Isaiah says, "He gave me the tongue of the learned." Not every trial is for you. Man, I feel this in the Holy Ghost right now. Some trials are so that you can have a word of wisdom to somebody in due season.

We've got to loose the selfishness of our walk with God and realize He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light that we might show forth the praises. It's all about testifying of the goodness.

For when I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that He has done for me—Is this all right on a Sunday afternoon?

And so we've got to get to this revelation and understanding that God is wanting to use us like we ask to be used. That's right! Hello! God is wanting to release some things within the body. God is wanting to call forth people.

But we think the only avenue of calling is a pulpit or a platform or a microphone, and God is trying to break a mold. God is trying to break things out of your mind on what we think that we should be used.

No, maybe God is simply calling you to give a word in due season. You know, in the Old Testament, the Bible says that the word of the Lord was precious. It was precious; it was rare. It wasn't every day that somebody just heard the booming voice of God, Samuel. No, that didn't happen every day.

But in the New Testament, "He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is trying to say to the church." Yes, sir! In the Old Testament, it was a rarity. In the New Testament, God's always speaking. It's not that He ever stopped speaking; it's that we've got to get back on the right frequency.

But our frequency is so interrupted with the distractions of this world that we have lost sight of the voice that we're supposed to be keyed in on—Jesus.

And so one of the reasons that we don't have peace is because we're not tuned in to the voice of the peace. That's right! Is this all right?

And so we get frustrated with God because we're dealing with negative emotions, and we're dealing with negative this and negative that. Let me ask you a question: whose voice are you listening to? What voice have you opened yourself up to that might allow that thing into your life?

You need to quit listening to every voice. There ought to be a season where you turn off every voice of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, Fox, NBC.

Let me tell you something: if you turn on the things of the world, you're only going to hear one voice right now. That's right! Fear! That's right!

And it's preaching one message—resistance. That's true! It's preaching one message, and it's a message that is resisting the things of God. It is a message that is resisting your peace.

Let me tell you, there is nothing worth my peace. There is nothing worth the peace of the Holy Ghost. Yes, sir!

And let me tell you something: peace is not just something that God gives you. Peace—PEACE—is what God is. May the God of peace crusade in under. It is not what He does; it is who He is.

And so when you're continually in His presence, you always have access to His peace. Yes, sir! That's why when you come to church on Sunday, what do you feel? Because He's here! He knows that this is a meeting place.

But this shouldn't be the only meeting place. There should be a meeting place tomorrow morning or tomorrow afternoon or tomorrow night. There should be a meeting place. We should walk after the things of the Spirit, for they that walk after the Spirit, they are led by the Spirit. These are the sons of God.

And so there is a realm of this that we have to realize: it's voices that are disturbing our peace. Right? There are voices right now that you are listening to that are the cause for your unrest.

Yes, sir! You need to hear what I just said: there are voices right now that you are tuned into that are the source of your unrest. And let me tell you something: you can rebuke the spirit all you want to; you're not going to rebuke a voice that you have opened yourself up to.

Your pastor can say, "I cast it off of you in the name of Jesus" a hundred times, but until you turn the voice off, you're going to be struggling with what you're struggling with.

Oh, help me right now! I want this church to hear me: God has a harvest. God has a plan. But right now, there is a deepening that God is trying to bring a good majority of this body to so that He can have the strength to bring it up like He wants to bring it up.

Lift your hands for just a moment. Let's ask the Lord to talk to us right now. Hallelujah, Jesus! Hallelujah, Jesus! Hallelujah, Jesus! Hallelujah, Jesus!

Come on, that's it! That's it! That's it! That's it! Can you put Daniel 2:35 up? Can you do that for me?

There's a lot of singing about the throne of God. A lot of—even in pre-service prayer, we reference the throne of God. Now, in the Old Testament, in the Tabernacle, the throne that He sat in was called the Ark of the Covenant, the Mercy Seat. The glory of God would come down, and God would literally sit on that throne, and it was what they understood as the throne of God.

Now we are told in the New Testament that this was a shadow and a type of what was happening in heavenly places. And so it was a mirroring of what was taking place in the heavenlies.

Now, in the Old Testament, He would sit on the throne at the Ark of the Covenant, and then they would know that their sins were forgiven, their atonement was taken care of for that year. Okay? That means it was rolled back, and they kept rolling it back until the fullness of time.

What happened at the fullness of time? God sent forth His Son. And so atonement was the pushing back until what? Until the final Lamb slain that was slain from the foundations. When that Lamb was slain, there was no more need for atonement. Right? That was the final representation done. Your sins are forgiven.

And so what we have to do is get alignment with the blood, but that's another topic for another time. And so you have to understand that in the Old Testament, He sat on the throne of the Ark in the Mercy Seat. He sat there, and we are told that now you and I are the temple of the living God.

Right? And we're taught by the prophets that God wants to sit on the throne of our heart. And so when we begin to talk about God enthroning Himself, what we're saying is we need You to rule in our life. We need You to reign in our life.

And so what God wants to do is He wants to sit on the throne in your heart, in your life, and He wants to help rule the things that are out of your control. He wants to help rule the emotions that you don't have control over. He wants to help you understand that He wants to give you dominion.

The first thing He gave man—what was it? Dominion over the fish of the sea, the fowl of the air, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the face of the earth. That was the fowl of the air. He's the prince and the power of the air. The things under the sea—that means things that nobody can see. The things that happen behind closed doors. Right?

Yes! And then you have to understand that the cattle was a representation of wealth. So there were three places God wanted man to have dominion. And so when God gives you His Spirit and He sits on the throne of your life, He's saying, "I want to give you dominion on every level of your life."

Does that make sense? All right, so we look at Daniel, chapter 2, and let's begin at verse number 35.

So this is the beginning and the coming reign of Jesus. This is what we're talking about here. He says, "Then the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold broke into pieces together and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors."

Now watch: "And the wind"—everybody say, "and the wind"—"carried them away that no place was found for them."

And the stone—everybody say, "the stone"—"that smoked the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth."

So I'm going to give you a little bit of context. This is Daniel interpreting the dream for Nebuchadnezzar. And when he interprets the dream, he's keying him in that all of the kingdoms of the world are going to be smoked by this rock that was cut without hands, and it smites the kingdoms of the world.

And that's where we pick it up. And when it smites the kingdoms of the world, the Bible says that it falls like it's on a threshing floor. And so Christ is the rock. Everybody say, "Christ is the rock."

Christ is the rock! And so when the rock smites the images of the world, it releases the work of the wind.

Yeah, come on! Yes, sir! Which is the Spirit of Christ. John chapter 14, He didn't say that another would come. He said that the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, will come in My name. That's right! He said, "I will come to you." He made it plain: "I am that which is coming."

And so the stone smites the images, and then you've got to let the wind blow. Yeah! Can you go with me just for a second? That wind, according to John chapter 3, is likened unto what? The Holy Ghost.

This by the Spirit. And so it is talking about the Holy Ghost that the wind would blow, and there would be a sound thereof, and you wouldn't be able to tell where it's coming or where it's going. So is everyone that is born of the Spirit.

And so what Daniel was trying to teach us was this: when you're baptized in the name of Jesus, that's the rock of Christ smiting all of the images of the world. Because that's what He did when He went into the grave. He smote all of the images, and He made a triumphant victory procession over death, hell, and the grave.

Now watch: but the images were blown away by the wind. And so what the rock does is it releases the work of the wind. Yes!

And that's why not only do you have to be baptized in Jesus' name, but you've got to be filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Because what the rock starts, the wind blows away.

That's why when you're baptized in Jesus' name, it smites every image of addiction. It smites every image and every stronghold in every part. But watch: the wind begins to blow.

Yes, sir! And it wasn't until the wind blew that the mountain began to become great. Yes, sir!

And so the growing kingdom of God happens when people allow the wind to move in their life. Yes, sir! You've got to hear what I'm trying to say.

That's why Isaiah said, "And the increase of His government there shall be no end." What was he trying to say? This kingdom is never going to stop growing. It's just looking for people that are going to allow the wind to blow.

And so the only answer for the world at this time, it's plain and it's simple. And the only way to resist everything that's happening in the world, it's plain and it's simple. We've got to be a church that allows the wind to blow freely.

Oh, I feel like preaching that just for a minute! You've got to let the wind blow, and not just blow on Sunday. It wants to blow on Monday!

And God—come on, somebody! Let the wind blow right now! Somebody let the Lord—come on! Come on, lift your voice! Lift your voice!

I said we've got to let the wind blow because if you want an increase in government, of the increase of His government, and there's that peace again, there shall be no end. That only happens when the wind is blowing.

Because when the wind blew, it blew the kingdoms of the world away, and then the mountain, or the rock, began to turn into a mountain. What was He trying to say? The only way to resist what the enemy is trying to do in your life and what the enemy is trying to do in the world right now, it's very simple.

You know what we need to have? A good old-fashioned Apostolic move of the Holy Ghost! You know what we need to do? We need to let God mess up our schedule, mess up our day, mess up our agenda, and say, "Lord, blow right here! Lord, move on me! Lord, move right here!"

Come on, lift your voices right now and allow the wind to blow! Allow the Spirit of the Living God to flow fresh on you right now!

"In the New Testament, God's always speaking; it's not that He ever stopped speaking, it's that we've got to get back on the right frequency, but our frequency is so interrupted with the distractions of this world." [01:37:50] (Download)

"One of the reasons that we don't have peace is because we're not tuned in to the voice of the peace. We get frustrated with God because we're dealing with negative emotions and we're dealing with negative this and that." [01:38:28] (Download)

"God says I want to teach you the art of casting upon me because when you run out of natural emotion, when you run out of natural ability, you're going to learn that's where the supernatural begins." [01:27:35] (Download)

"The growing kingdom of God happens when people allow the wind to move in their life. It's just looking for people that are going to allow the wind to blow." [01:47:43] (Download)

"We've got to be a church that allows the wind to blow freely, not just on Sunday, but every day. Let the wind blow and see the increase of His government." [01:49:17] (Download)

"For the church is under attack, it's simply because God is getting ready to create something in your life and in this church. You have to understand who God is; He is a creative God and the enemy is a reactive enemy to that which is being created." [01:19:57] (Download)

"We are told in the New Testament that the Old Testament throne, the Ark of the Covenant, was a shadow and a type of what was happening in Heavenly places, mirroring what was taking place in the heavenlies." [01:42:04] (Download)

"Heavy things get lighter when you yoke up with The Great I Am. That's why daily devotion is one of the most important parts of your life." [01:28:49] (Download)

"There is nothing worth my peace, there is nothing worth the Peace of the Holy Ghost. Peace is not just something that God gives you; peace is what God is. When you're continually in his presence, you always have access to his peace." [01:39:14] (Download)

"God has a harvest, God has a plan, but right now there is a deepening that God is trying to bring a good majority of this body to, so that he can have the strength to bring it up like he wants to bring it up." [01:41:17] (Download)