Going Forward
GOING FORWARD
Deu 1:1-7 KJV 1 These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab. 2 (There are eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.) 3 And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them; 4 After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei: 5 On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying, 6 The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: 7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
Originally it was expected to be an eleven day journey but it turned out to be a 40 years journey. What happened? Because of their rebellion and lack of faith. They were dwelling in one place other than where God had appointed for them. It was an error.
Every power delaying or prolonging your journey in life shall perish by fire in Jesus name.
The Lord does not delight in stagnation so He spoke to them again and in chapter two Moses recorded this for us:
Deu 2:1-3 KJV 1 Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days. 2 And the LORD spake unto me, saying, 3 Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
They were moving in a circle, compassing Mountain Seir until God told them enough of moving in a circle. Whatever is making people to move in a circle shall be terminated in Jesus name.
God wants us to make progress in life and it doesn’t matter the circumstance that we are facing, He just wants to go forward. This was exactly what happened at the Red Sea. They were compassed by forest, Red sea was in their front and the host of Pharaoh was coming from behind. There was no place to run to yet God spoke to Moses:
Exo 14:15 KJV And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
It doesn’t matter what is before you, you will go forward in Jesus name.
The story of Isaac in the Bible tells us how people move forward in the Bible.
Gen 26:13 KJV And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
“and went forward” , literally, went going , the verb followed by the infinitive expressing constant growth or progressive increase
And the man was GREAT; and he went, going on, and was GREAT, until that he was exceeding GREAT
The Bible used the word “waxed great” because it was a picturesque way of making candles. When the thread is soaked in wax and allowed to cool then, it is soaked again so that another layer can be added, then the process is repeated over and the thick layer of wax or candle is formed. It was a gradual and consistent growth.
This was the same thing that happened to Isaac. He was growing consistently, increasing in size and making progress. It was not a sudden, overnight growth or miraculous growth.
The Bible described his growth
Gen 26:14-15 KJV 14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. 15 For all the wells which his father’s servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.
In the new covenant, it is the same. God wants us to increase.
1. Grow in the word. Just like little babies that need formula to grow so also we need the sincere milk of the word. Avail yourself of the teachings. What you don’t know will hunt you. Your faith cannot be above your knowledge. The will of God is also subsequent to the knowledge of the word.
1Pe 2:2 KJV As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
When you receive Jesus as your Lord, you are like a baby. But don’t stay there, grow to eat solid food
1Co 3:2 KJV I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Heb 5:12 KJV For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:14 KJV But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
2. Grow in grace
2Pe 3:18 KJV But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Most people pray for the grace of God to increase in their lives. But how does grace grow and what does Peter mean by telling people to grow in grace?
Growing in grace does not necessarily answer to prayers and fasting but this is what the same Peter said:
2Pe 1:2 KJV Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
Increase and growth in grace comes through the knowledge of God and of the Lord Jesus. Knowing what God has done through the substitutionary work of atonement of the Lord Jesus. Knowing the love of God and the grace of the Lord Jesus.
Knowledge of who we are in Christ Jesus, Knowledge of Christ has procured for us. Knowledge of how to use them. Knowledge of the name and power in the name of Jesus. Knowledge of the ability that we have.
The reason is that people are still praying for God to do what He has already done or they are asking Him to do what He asked us to do.
So when He said grow in grace He was telling them to know about the subject of grace which is Jesus and author of grace which is God.
The Greek word for knowledge there is “epignosis” pronounced ep-ig’-no-sis. It means: precise and correct knowledge. recognition, that is, (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement: – (ac-) knowledge (-ing, -ment).
Growing in grace also involves utilizing to the best all the advantages we have in Christ Jesus, talking about His authority, power, ability, anointing
3. Grow in faith
Most people are also asking for faith like the Apostles they said Lord increase our faith
Luk 17:5-6 KJV 5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
Because they were not born again at that time, He said If you have faith. After a man becomes born again, he has faith. Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. Faith is now a fruit of the Spirit Gal 5: 22-23.
Faith comes by hearing the word of God.
Rom 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So now it’s not a matter of increasing my faith but using your faith.
4. Grow in character, habit and right attitude.
These are characteristics of christians.
Gal 5:22-23 KJV 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Luk 16:12 KJV And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
What is keeping many people from growing is sometimes wrong habits and wrong attitudes. Attitudinal issues will pursue potential customers, employers and spouses.
5. Grow into Christ: This is the ultimate growth
Eph 4:15 KJV But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:13 KJV Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
from the state of “children” to that of “full-grown men.”
In conclusion, you can not grow in holiness and righteousness because they are gifts. We were made righteous and true holiness Eph 4: 24. You cannot be more righteous, you are just righteous. Rom 5: 17
Growing in graces we have is subject to utility. Using them consistently. This is how faith develops and more shall be given unto you.
Mat 13:12 KJV For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
This is how grace grows too. The anointing grows by reason of use. Find opportunity to exercise your gift, if you don’t use it will be dormant, stir up your gifts.
Faith is like a muscle. It needs to be stretched and exercised for it to function.
2Ti 1:6 KJV Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE GROW UP?
1. We know more of the mysteries of God. This is because we have become special class of people
Mar 4:11 KJV And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Amo 3:7 KJV Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
2. The more spiritual we become the more of God we receive
1Co 3:1-3 KJV 1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
3. We begin to receive what belongs to us. The reason why many are not receiving it is because they are babies and can’t handle success. It will destroy them. so, God keeps it for them till they are mature enough. You can’t buy a car for a ten years old boy.
Gal 4:1-2 KJV 1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
4. We are capable of handling spiritual things like demonic activities
Eph 6:10-11 KJV 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
5. We can receive blessings by ourselves based on our faith without depending on others. When we are babies others may use their faith to receive healing and blessings for us but a time comes when heaven expects you to receive on your own faith now. This time it doesn’t matter how many times they lay hands on you or prophesy on you, you will still have to receive on your own faith.
6. We become sons. This is the real purpose of God in redeeming mankind. That through Jesus we might become sons.
Gal 4:6-7 KJV 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Heb 2:10 KJV For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Prayers
Whatever is in my life by my attitude or character prevents me from experiencing dynamic growth, Father opens my eyes to see them, let me be corrected in love.
Every power that is bringing obstacles and barriers to my growth; financial, marriage, blessings be shattered in Jesus name.
I prophesy that in the name of Jesus i am moving forward, i am unstoppable, blessings manifests in Jesus name.