When we live bottom side up, we miss so many of the blessings of God -- and even missing our life-fulfilling purpose. 

First Question: What is this life all about? What is this season of my life all about? (Why are we here anyway? At this particular time?)

- The world would say: I exist for my pleasure.

> Pursue your own ambitions, your happiness and satisfaction.

(Red flag) Where is surrender? Where is humility?

 - The Word is clear: Pursue God. We exist for God. 

** I have a purpose, but it's all about God's purpose for me. **

(Generally, it's to obey and worship God.)

(Checkpoint) We see passed ourselves and see others -- passed me but about the Master.

* It's not wrong. . . except if the motive is not right

                        . . . except if it wasn't what God had purposed for me/you

For example: I wanted to help lead others to fall more in love with God. 

Practical Implementation: (1) Pray the Scripture for 21 days. (2) See how the Holy Spirit directs you. 

Secon...

This week's podcast starts from the account of Jesus walking on the sea and calling Peter to Him, which is found in Matthew 14:22-33. 

Here, Peter started walking on "the Word." He responded to what had been breathed out over him. When he took his eyes off the Word (Jesus), he began to sink. 

We have to believe that Jesus is who He says He is, no matter what we are in the midst of. The Word will rescue us. Let the Word hold us up.

The people that I'm praying for -- their greatest need is Jesus. May Jesus be seen by these individuals for a true transformational encounter. 

* Throw a lifeline to them 

> Those that are drowning: Pray the Word -- that they will come to Jesus, they'll see their need for Jesus

> Those that are drifting: Pray the Word -- that they'll grab hold, come up, and walk on the water/ the Word

The lifeline is the Word that reached them in their desperation. 

Step One: Pray the specific Word. Speak it out, like a lifeline. 

Step Two: Pray they will grab hold o...

There are people who really want your passion; they want your zeal; they want to know God the way you are pursuing God; they want to see God in a more dynamic way. 

Ask yourself:

(a) Am I aligned with the Word? (b) Is there peace in my heart? (c) Is my passion for God from the heart of God and not my own agenda or selfish ambition? 

* Remember Esther - She set her heart on pleasing the King. (To please means that the countenance of your face reflects your heart.)

When you encounter opposition...

1. Do not take offense. When you get offended, you respond in the wrong way. The proper response is to forgive them. Ask God for the grace to forgive them.

2. Be real. Be honest how God is maturing you in your faith. Speak in love and humility. The challenges you are walking through are making you better.

3. Give testimony. Love others. People who are hurt or wounded really need for someone to love them. This is a testimony of what God is doing in your heart -- not holding a grudge or un...

- We need to live the truth so that people will see what truth looks like. (And living God's Word can be pretty radical!) We have to be intentional. 

Consider finding someone who will walk with you. 

Why do I challenge you to have this someone?

1) We all need godly relationships -- to keep us moving forward righteously. 

2) We need to be accountable to someone -- to encourage us, to pray with one another. 

This includes sharing your heart and your innermost thoughts. This someone won't judge you, won't laugh at you, will guard their responses, hear you, counsel you with the Word, give room for the Holy Spirit to guide your heart, and just listen to you. 

Caution:  When your someone shares with you, guard your response (even your facial expressions). * Be prayed up when you know you're coming together. You want to be prepared for what is going to happen in the moment. We, not cautious of leaning into someone's heart, could inhibit, make a difference in their life.

3) We need carv...

God showed me that I was pursuing my own thoughts - my own ways - something that I could easily do in the flesh. And it might have been good, but it was not God's best use for me and what He created me to do at that moment. 

Note: I loved God at that moment. I would've done whatever God told me to do, but I had begun to commingle what I thought was good (and justified it to pursue it) rather than waiting on God to order my steps.

My fleshly ambitions had taken over and I needed to surrender it. And I did. And what came out was a greater message, ministry and impact.

In my surrender, I didn't know what God wanted to do next, but I just pursued God.

This life is about becoming His vessel -- becoming is a process that God does through our life, through our experiences.

The goodness and graciousness of God stopped me to expose what it really was and put me on the right path.

There's always a preparation in the purpose. Remember Esther. She had to prepare herself for her purpose and n...

Months ago, we began this journey asking: How do we become God's vessel? 

We cemented that it starts with surrender -- giving our heart and our life to God, selling out to God -- and desiring to keep our heart before God to please God.

But the most popular question asked is still: What is my purpose?

Don't look around and start moving. Instead, your next step is to look up. As you surrender, humble yourself before God and look up and seek God's face -- seek a greater intimacy with Him. Then, He will begin to direct you. 

Caution: In the flesh, our sight can be distorted. So, how can we get there?

Step One: Seek the face of God. How? Read Scriptures that talk about God (not what you want from God, but His attributes like majestic, goodness, graciousness)

You will see your next step because you were loving God, spending time with Him, getting to know Him. 

Step Two: Desire to stay there. Now that you want to linger in His presence, there's a reason why -- to let Him breathe on you...

One of the biggest encounters, in searching for a pearl, is waiting. The moment that we are in may be wrapped up in a sequence of time. 

* There is a purpose in the moment. 

In making real pearls, it always requires an irritation. 

     God is perfecting something in your life. 

     God is making and molding us into His image. 

     In the irritation, it can bring a lot of joy. 

I learned (in the let downs of expectations) to trust God. I can truly look up into the face of God and say, "I trust You."  It's good that you have been afflicted. "Now you're going to learn to run to My Word." 

We expect God to move "quickly," in our time frame. But God is not bound by time because He is eternal. From His eternal seat in Heaven, He works out His purpose. We must rise up to that position where He is. 

* It takes "time" out of our promise, but walking in the footsteps of God. Then, we can walk humbly with Him, broken before Him, getting to know Him. 

Finding my pearl in the moment, an...

For good pearls, there's a price to pay. 

It's up to us -- are we willing to pay the price?

The Kingdom of Heaven is so valuable. 

Find the pearl in the moment. What is your moment?

God has a purpose for your moment. 

God never wastes anything. 

1. Look for the pearl.
2. Know the value of the pearl. (You can learn the value. Take it to the light.)
3. There is a cost. It is worth it.
4. Along the way, you will need the Holy Spirit's discernment. * Don't let your pride get in the way.
5. Once you see the pearl, keep your eyes on it. * You don't want to pray the price again.
6. While you're pursuing the pearl, put on the armor of God.
7. Possess it.

Scripture to study: Matthew 13:45, John 9:4, Psalm 119:130, Psalm 18:30, Ephesians 6:11-18   

How many times have I missed [God's] goodness, Your favor, Your blessings on my life all because of my selfishness?

God has so much more for me . . . to reach out and grab hold of His purpose for my life. 

"I knew my heart was missing something. I loved God but I loved the things of this world also."

I had to die to my flesh, crucify the flesh. 

> Allow God to be the Master and follow His instructions. 

When the flesh rose up, I would fight in my own strength, reasoning it to be ok. But, it was not ok -- just gratifying the flesh. 

I needed to trust God in my everyday life, not just one big moment. 

> I needed to humble myself, surrender, and walk step by step with God. 

Four steps to overcome the daily battle when the flesh wants to rule over you

1. You must recognize that your flesh is rebellion against God. 
2. Recognize the flesh. 
3. Immediately, pray for grace. 
4. Put on love. 

On this journey, day by day, He wants us to purpose to love Him and display His love to the world...

Humility in the sight of God is a spiritual position -- it's submission. 

By this we bless God. 

I needed to renew my spiritual position (and physical position) before the Lord. 

Jesus gave His life so that you might have life, not just to be saved/salvaged. 

What does it mean to bless God? And how do we bless Him?

To Bless God = Kneel before God

1. I submit to God.
2. I envoke God -- praise Him, celebrate Him. 
3. I am grateful for the grace and favor of God. 
4. I remain in this spiritual position and go throughout the day humbled. Bless God all day long. Focus on the praises. 

In humility, there's no flesh. 

Scripture references: Titus 2:11-12, Leviticus 17:11, Psalm 135:20, 1 John 5:11-13