The Way of More

Psalms 37:3-6 (3) Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. (4) Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart (5) Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (6) And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

To the seeker of ‘more’ of God, the waiting and wondering can be overwhelming. We know our desires, and our heart longs for the coming to fruition and completion of those desires. Psalms 27:14, in very pointed and directed language says “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Patiently waiting, simply waiting, or just waiting on the Lord is not an easy task. In today’s world, waiting for anything increases stress, and may cause us to want to hurry even more. When our desires remain unfulfilled, waiting becomes our hindrance to ‘more’. Why is our way seemingly so difficult when we are serving God?

The Psalmist gave very clear direction in the ‘way of more’. The scriptures we find, whether Old or New Testament, provide us with the answers we need to all of our daily struggles; not only with waiting, but how our God is going to move to fulfil our desires. Let’s look at the three answers given in Psalms 37:3-6.

First is trusting in the Lord. Sounds easy enough, after all, God made everything, owns everything, and is over everything. Even the devils tremble at the knowledge there is but one God, who is sovereign in all his attributes. It is good to trust God, not limit him in his works, allowing him to perform miracles and wonders in our sight, and also in the sight of heathen evildoers. Trust says “I am willing to let go of everything, even if it means I lose everything”. Trust says, “I know I will be alright, because God is my strength, and I am doing good in the sight of God by trusting him”. If we can trust in the truth, God promises he will feed us the strength we need in the ‘way of more’.

Secondly, the scripture instructs us to “delight thyself also in the Lord”. Delight in this context means we find great peace, contentment, and fulfillment in our

relationship with Jesus Christ. The desires we have held deep in our heart are very important to us. Our longsuffering desires consume our minds, keeping us in a state of struggle, perhaps even a state of spiritual stagnation. The steps of our way grind slower as we lose our joy and delight in the Lord. The Psalmist gives the ‘way’. We must have the peace of God which passes understanding, we mustbe content in what ever state we are in, and we must also maintain the vision of fulfillment of our desires. Our delight becomes our pleasure, knowing God is in control!

Finally, the ‘way of more’ as described in Psalms 37:5 is for us to commit our way to the Lord. When we really think about it, every step we take and every word spoken has a purpose. With purpose comes commitment. Commitment is sometimes a hard thing to understand. Truly, however, if we are unable to commit to one thing, we have in reality committed to something else. Our mis- directed purpose brings our lives to a point of commitment we may not have realized. This is why commitment to the ways of the Lord leads us to ‘more’ of God. When we totally understand for our desires to come to pass is through our commitment, we can see how our trust and delight in the Lord complete the fulfillment of our desires.

At this point, you may be thinking, “where is faith in all of this?” The ‘way’ is not a stationary point in time or space. It is a path beyond now. Our God knows the ending from the beginning. Every move we make in the ‘way’ is a step of faith. Faith leads the way to trust, delight, and commitment in the things of God. We have our desires, and of one of the greatest desires we have as believers is to make heaven our home. Jesus said in John 14:6, “...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Think about it, the God of ‘more’ is also the ‘way of more’. The way of righteousness we walk in leads us to a judgment of God’s approval. We will have walked in his ‘way’ and gained the ‘more’, all because of our trust, delight, and commitment to him!

The Recognition of More

The Recognition of More I Corinthians 2:9-10

(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (10) But God hat revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Exploring the opportunity, purpose, and pursuit of More of the things of God for this time has given us great promise and hope in our walk with God. God has not changed, he is still the mighty God, the sovereign God, and the King of Kings. Through his great love for his people, and his desire for us to achieve perfection in his image, he is doing everything he said he would do. Prayerfully, we continue to seek More of his Spirit, and as we do, he provides.

Yet, we struggle in knowing when we are hearing from God; is this God bringing ‘more’ into my life, or is this a trick of the enemy to get me off the path God has established for me? This very legitimate question has perplexed all believers many times. How can we be sure, how can we know, how can we recognize the ‘more’?

The first part of this answer is very clear. The Holy Ghost leads and guides into all truth. The scripture in John 16:13 tells us, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.” The infilling of the Holy Ghost is the initial vital connection between us and God, providing the Spiritual pathway for communication to us from the one who knows our need before we even ask and to God from us, allowing us to pour out our hearts before him, prayerfully acknowledging our hunger and desire for more of him.

Without the Spirit of Christ in us, we cannot see the opportunity or purpose, and we will not strive to or pursue things which have no recognizable opportunity or purpose for our lives. The Holy Ghost is necessary! Without the Spirit of Christ in us, we will not be able to move beyond our flesh and its desires.

Next, we must be able to recognize what God is saying and doing in this world and in our lives. The gift of the Holy Ghost lays the foundation for additional Gifts of the Spirit to become a part of our life with God. In I Corinthians 12, the gifts of the Spirit are revealed in much detail. This is a great chapter to read regularly.

For this study, verse 10 contains a key gift in our recognition of what God is and isn’t doing in this world and our lives, “To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues...” The bold emphasis on discerning of spirits is the mine, as discernment is a gift of God which he made available to his people to know how to interpret the moving of God, and what is not God.

We do, however, often struggle in knowing what is God, and what is not God, particularly in difficult times of our life. We all have made decisions based on what we thought which didn’t line up with the plan of God. In the very beginning chapters of the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve partook of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Once eaten, Adam and Eve were able to tell the difference between good and evil. This was not God’s plan, yet because it happened, it affected us all throughout every generation. Thus, the establishment of discernment was made, all of us from this point forward have the ability to know the difference between good and evil. Discernment is nothing else besides being able to recognize the difference between two or more things.

The necessity for us now is to fully seek the gift of discernment in our walk with God. He has shown us he has ‘more’ for us, we have to be able to properly recognize what is God, and what is not. The enemy will constantly try to cloud our minds with untruth...we cannot allow him to direct our path, it must be God.

There are so many scriptures to support how God leads us to, and reveals to us the deeper things of God and his Kingdom. Let’s just look at II Corinthians 4: 6-10 for some encouragement: (6) “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (8) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (9) persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; (10) Always bearing

about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”

Prayerfully, let this brief study encourage you to seek out more of the gift of discernment. It is life changing, and life saving. Through Godly spiritual discernment, we can recognize and live the deep things of God.

The Power of More

The Power of More 

John 1: 10-13
(10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (11) He came unto his own, and own received him not. (12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on his name; (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

We as God’s people know we have power, and the power is in us through the Holy Ghost. The oft quoted scripture from Acts 1:8 tells us, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The knowledge of this power was not foreign once the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, as even Simon the Sorcerer sought it, “Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.” Peter told Simon his money was no good in the gain of God’s Spirit and power. He would have to give up what he was to gain the cause of Jesus Christ, repent, of his wickedness, and get his heart right with God.

It is easy to acknowledge the power of God, as what we witness and see each and every day reminds us of the omnipotence of God. Creation alone, the placement of every element man can identify, the perfect placement of each of those elements, and the working together of all these in the working of this world testifies of the power of God. The scripture reminds us “all things were made by him and for him”, and are the gift of God to us as we live.

For the believer, the source of God’s power has never been doubted. How this power is manifest in our lives, however, does give us cause of wonderment, at the very least. How much power can a believer have in God? Does the scripture reference and statement of Jesus “greater works than these shall he do” (excerpt from John 14:12) really mean we can do greater works even than Jesus just by believing on him?

The answer is simply this. Why not? If we believe God has more for us, why wouldn’t he make this kind of declaration to us, who believe on his name and the power of his name. The God of ‘more’ really will give us the kind of power to accomplish what he has promised. The promises of God are ‘yea’ and ‘amen’, and everything in between, and everything on each side of ‘yea’ and ‘amen’!

The key to ‘more’ for the believer in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost is to not limit God. We limit God in many ways by our unbelief. This unbelief throttles the power of God. Even Jesus did not to do the works he would have desired because of unbelief (Matthew 13:48). We cannot have the ‘more’ of God and have unbelief in our lives. The limiting of God’s power does not mean God has less power, or less ‘more’ for us. Note in the Matthew 13:58 text, Jesus did not do the works because of unbelief in the city. His power was not diminished, in other words he ‘chose’ not to do the works because the unbelief of the people would mean his works would not have the capability of changing their unbelief into belief. God will not override the will of mankind, but yet mankind must not limit the power of God to impact their lives with all the benefits of this one who died for us, that we might have his Spirit and power.

In Romans 13:1, Paul states, “Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” In the Letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6:10), Paul again declares, “Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” We can have the mighty power of God. All through the scripture, reference after reference lets us believers know the power of God is there for us and in us, so we can accomplish the works of the Holy Ghost through his power.

A final thought is we the power of God realize the power of God by what we see God do and how he moves. This is evidence of the power of God, and the witness of the power. So, in our minds, power is only present when we see the evidence of what it has done. However, power, simply defined, is ‘ability’. The Holy Ghost grants us the ability of the power of God. Our God given ability is to do the will of God. It is this ‘more’ he is calling his people into greater depths of his Spirit and power. We know him! We believed on his name! We received him! He gave us power to become the sons of God! Child born of God, get ‘more’ of his unlimited power in your life, you have the ability through the Spirit!

The Journey To More

Hebrews 6: 1-3

(1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (3) And this we will do, if God permit.

The grace and mercy of God has allowed us to be a part of this time in history. The moving of God in the realm of the Spirit in the eyes of true believers has never been doubted, and now, those who are looking with keen spiritual eyes are seeing the plan of God fulfilled, just as he promised it would be. From our perspective, the perspective of the Holy Ghost filled child of God, we are enduring, and surviving, steadfastly looking towards the prize.

For many of us, the journey of our walk with Jesus Christ has been less than easy. Stumbling blocks, pitfalls, slips and trials have made our pathway less than smooth and level. In the scriptures of Hebrews 6: 1-3, however, we are directed to “go on”, and leave some things behind. The doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment are foundational principles of doctrine within our Apostolic life. Many of us have read those scriptures, and wondered, where do we go from here?

After all, Jesus’ Name baptism, healing of the sick by laying on of hands, the dead rising first when Jesus returns to claim his bride, and the eternal judgment of all souls are at the very core of what we believe. Perhaps it has crossed our minds as being complete in him (Jesus Christ). Perhaps we feel it is enough, we are sufficient in what we know and believe.

When the Lord begins to show us ‘more’, putting the things of ‘more’ into proper perspective causes us to realize there is going to be a journey. Thus far, God has shown us opportunity, given us the purpose, directed us to pursue, and helped us recognize the ‘more’ God desires us to partake of. As we have become aware, the things of God are not without obedience and sacrifice. There is a challenge to make it to the end. The joys, hardships, and life lessons are all part of the

journey, and the writer to the Hebrews is reminding us we have not yet arrived. There is a perfection yet to be achieved, and it is ours if we are willing to make the trip for it.

The danger along the way is found in II Timothy 4: 3, which says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears”. For these souls, the journey for ‘more’ did not follow a righteous path, but departed from the doctrine of God, leading them to follow their own lusts and desires. I John 2: 16 declares, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world”. The journey to ‘more’ must stay on the path God has established. The lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path is there for the sole purpose of keeping the word and promise of God our sole focus and point of illumination on this journey.

We must also remember those things which are our foundation. As we build upon the foundation of our lives on our daily journey, we see clearer and clearer the importance of sound Godly doctrine. Psalms 119: 89 tells us, “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven”. When we get the word of God settled in our heart, in our mind, and in our lives, and they are all established doctrines, we can“go on unto perfection”. The journey to ‘more’ has now become our quest, we are now willing to achieve what was once deemed unachievable or too difficult. We have declared there is no going back, but yet we must go beyond the principles of the doctrines of Christ, and attained unto the characteristics and attributes of the deeper God. Never forgetting where and how we came, but having the knowledge of those principles embedded in our being, along with the prize of perfection of ‘more’ we have journeyed to.

The journey is not easy, but has the reward of God. Ecclesiastes 9: 11 lets us know “the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong...”. Jesus spoke in Matthew 14: 4-51 in great detail concerning the end time, and in verse 13 promised “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”. To endure means to “suffer patiently”. Our lives and journey are in the hands of the only just one, Jesus Christ. As we continue on, let us become ‘more’ of him, his image, his perfection, his ways! God will permit!

The Confidence of More

The Confidence of More

Hebrews 6: 10-12 (10) For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (11) And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: (12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

There is no doubt, all of us relish assurance, confidence, and stability. Chaos and turmoil are seemingly always in motion, and we make our best attempt to put the fire out, and get back to a place where we are stable and comfortable. In all of this, our confidence takes hit after hit, and we just don’t have the assurance we desire, the confidence in what we are doing for God, and for one another. Our ministry among people can easily cause us to doubt, and even fear, we are not in the right place, doing the right thing at the right time.

A supervisor once told me regarding a piece of equipment...if you are running this pump, and the engine falls off, keep going like nothing happened! My reply, “Uh, but something happened, and it is not good, and disaster could be imminent!” The lesson was this, if the negative happens, don’t let it break your confidence and assurance in the bigger realm. Let the confidence in what you already know to be your assurance for the greater goal. Our confidence and assurance in the things of God will lead us to ‘more’, the miracle of the day should not pass by because we don’t have the confidence God is making a way where there seems to be no way!

Our daily walk with God strengthens as we continue to delve deeper into his spirit. Strength carries with it confidence, and our trust in the God who is our strength and buckler assures us, the assurance he is not only with us and cares for us, but he is there to help us fight our battles, overcome the works of the enemy, work through our weakness and insecurity, and pick us up when we stumble.

We may ask ourselves, what ‘more’ can God do for me? He already does so much; he is my provider, rock, joy, hope, and many other things. He continues to be all he said he would be. His promises and benefits he brings to our lives daily are such blessings. What else is there? After all, Hebrews 6: 10 is very clear God is not going to forget us.

With all God does for us, it is very easy for us to become complacent, even slothful (Verse 12). The common attribute of slothful is lazy, but there is a companion definition to slothful of “inert.” To be inert is “lacking the ability or strength to move.” Something inert can no longer move on its own and lacks the power to effect any kind of positive impact on anything else. We must not be inert children of God. This is why God, through the Holy Ghost, gives us power, but if we lack confidence in him, our power is circumvented, our effort lacks the diligence to go on, and our assurance becomes unstable.

Ephesians 3 speaks of the “unsearchable riches of Christ.” The knowledge God is always going to have ‘more’ for his people should now be undeniable to us.

Those things which were a mystery to us become clearer as we get ‘more’ of God. Our confidence, and thus our spiritual strength carry us to depths of his spirit to where finally, in Ephesians 3: 12 we understand, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

Hebrews 10: 35 encourages us by telling us “Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.”

Phillippians 1: 6 gives us even more encouragement and confidence, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” God did not fill us with the Holy Ghost and power to not have the confidence he would carry us through, guide us through the course of our life, and then let us become inert, without the ability to move. The God of ‘more’ is the God of miracles we have not seen, the God of healings for diseases we have never heard of, the provider of spiritual gifts we didn’t know we could have, and the fullness of his promises yet to come!

Finally, let’s look at I John 5: 14-15, “(14) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: (15) and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” Our desire for more of God is rooted in all of the confidence and trust we have in him. Pray for increased confidence and boldness in the Holy Ghost, God is faithful and sure to provide his will for your life to grow more and more!

Welcome back to the Sanctuary!

Welcome Back to the Sanctuary 

Sunday, June 28, 2020.

We will be practicing social distancing with the state recommended 50% seating capacity, and have a plan with procedures to help you feel safe as we gather for worship. 

  • We will have two services for Sunday to comply with our state guidelines.

  •  Services will be conducted as family-style worship.

  •  There will be no Sunday School classes. 

  1. 9:00 am (CST) will be for ages 50 and up. (Doors open at 8:30 am)

  2. 11:00 am (CST) will be for ages 49 and under. (Doors open at 10:40 am) 

Please go by the head of the household for age guidelines.

There will be no Sunday PM service at this time. 

Masks are recommended, not required. However, for those who have underlying health issues, or have more significant concerns, please wear a mask upon entering the building. You may feel safe removing your mask once inside the Sanctuary. Some may wish/need to wear a mask during the complete service, and if so, we understand, and we encourage it.

Please be kind and considerate to those who feel comfortable wearing or not wearing a mask, everyone is still welcome, and we want you to feel comfortable. 

There will be parking attendants to help guide you for parking.

  •  You will enter from the side entrance on the west side of the building. The ushers will open the door for you. 

Upon entering the building, you will find hand sanitation stations at several locations. 

  • Restrooms will be open with adequate cleaning and sanitation available. 

  • You will be directed to the Sanctuary for seating. 

  • The ushers can help direct you to find appropriate seating for your family to keep the 6ft distancing recommendation.

We are asking your family to all sit together, including your teenagers. Once you are seated, giving envelopes will be provided to you.  When service has ended, the pulpit will give direction for dismal. 

  • You will be directed to the back of the Sanctuary and will be exiting through the north door of the Sanctuary. 

  • When you are exiting, there will be giving baskets where you may drop your giving/envelopes.

We ask you to refrain from hugging, high-five/handshaking and keep from fellowshipping in the hallways/kitchen nook area.

However, smiles, waves, and a "It's so good to see you" are welcome! Please save your fellowship until you are outside, where it is more open and ventilated. 

Once the first service has ended, all areas, doorknobs, handles, bathrooms, pew chairs, will be sanitized and cleaned for the 11:00 am (CST) service. 

There will be no coffee/food available in the kitchen nook at this time. 

IF you are not feeling well, have safety concerns, have a fever, cough, or are sick or exposed to someone who is sick, please stay at home until you are fully recovered. 

IF you have any questions or concerns, please call Sis Donaldson.

IF your work schedule does not allow your attendance to your recommended time, please call Sis Donaldson. We can work with your schedule. 

Visitors are welcome to come to either service. If you are bringing a guest with you, regardless of the age guidelines, they need to come with you, so they are comfortable. 

To all of our staff, including our leadership, Sunday School staff, Musicians, Praise Singers, Ushers/Parking staff. We are working on a minimal state recommended involvement guide.

 Please be patient with us as we try to navigate through the waters of bringing us all back on board with involvement. It will take time, planning, and strategy. We want you to know, we love you all and appreciate your understanding. 

MID-WEEK WORD & WORSHIP

 We will also be gathering again for mid-week word and worship beginning Wednesday, July 1 at 6:30 pm (CST) 

Wednesday services will be open for everybody, for all ages for the entire church.

 Should we be over the recommended capacity limit, there will be a planned break out session for the youth and hyphen age groups. We will be utilizing the youth chapel and gym if needed to keep social distancing guidelines. 

All social distancing guidelines will remain in place for our mid-week service, as is lined out for our Sunday services. 

We look forward to seeing you in the Sanctuary! God Bless You

 Pastor & Sis Donaldson 

First Responders

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

​In this day and time, we need to be seeking the Lord as we have never done before. It is not the time to let up or back up. Just as Bro. Mike has been letting us know we need to be seeking and pursuing the "more" God has for us. We need the desire to seek God first. Our first responders are called "first" because they are the first to arrive on the scene when in a crisis. They evaluate and transfer to the needed area of treatment. Our first responders help us to get to the "more" we need to regain our health and strength. First responders in the spirit help us to regain our spiritual health and strength. ​

1. God is calling us to be spiritual first responders to help others to regain their spiritual strength and encouragement. He wants us to be available to help those struggling with life, health, and spiritual issues. We need to lift up and help others find God's strength so they can grow into the role of a spiritual first responder to help those they come in contact with.

​2. God is calling us to be spiritual first responders in worship. When bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to the temple, David danced before the Lord in his ephod. 2 Samuel 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. He didn't care if anyone danced with him or not, or if anyone was watching, he was so overjoyed the ark was home. One night while going to church, I leaned my head on the headrest and told God I didn't feel like getting with it that night. He responded with, "whether you feel like it or not tonight, I deserve it." Worship is not about us or our situations; it's about giving God what is due Him because of how big and worthy He is. Let each of us be the first responders to worship Him no matter how we feel, no matter what's going on in our lives, and no matter who is sitting around us. It's not about us, and it's about Him!

​3. God is calling us to be first responders in feeling and moving right in the middle of the spirit realm. I remember a time that God spoke to me to go to the altar during the offering in a very "ritualistic" church. I argued with God that if there was sin in my life, I could repent in my pew. He just kept telling me to go; being afraid of disobedience, I went. Others told me a great outpouring of the spirit fell over the whole congregation as I walked to the altar. Later that night, I found out there were backsliders who came to the altar. What if I hadn't stepped out first? Would the backsliders still have gone to the altar? Would I be accountable for their souls? Yes, I didn't want to go; yes, I argued with God; yes, I obeyed God even though I didn't know where I was going in the spirit realm or where he was taking me; but He knew where he wanted to take the congregation. ​

4. God is calling us to be the first responders of followers into an unknown land. God told Abram to go into a land that He would show him. "Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.". Abram started out and had no idea where he was going or how to get there. He just started walking, trusting God to lead him there. Like Abram, God is asking us to go to a place we haven't been before; but he hasn't told us anything about, where it is, or how to get there except the name "more." I know we can reach it if we seek "more" of him first! ​

He wants to take us to the "more" that Bro. Payne has been writing about it. We will get there by being a first responder to his word, his spirit, and his direction. By seeking Him first, He will give us the desires of our hearts. If our heart desires are to seek Him first, we will get our desire. Someone has to be first to desire him, to feel after him, and seek the "more" He has for His people.

Someone has to be first responders; why not me, why not you?

The Pursuit of More Devotional written by Bro. Payne.

The Pursuit of More

Philippians 3: 13-15

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Every believer in this time of turmoil is greatly desiring to get back together with fellow believers in the church building, worshipping and praising our God! We are hungry for the fellowship and corporate worship, the being together, bearing one another’s burdens and joys, and just the strength which comes from unity of the faith.

God has, time and time again, shined through every turmoil and tribulation, proving over and over he is the sovereign God, the one and only Saviour, and the King eternally. In the extent of spiritual growth, these times are invaluable. The Lord Jesus is providing ‘opportunities’ and ‘purpose’ for ‘more’ of him in the life of every born again believer. He is saying to his people, please do not be satisfied with just getting back to normal, getting back to corporate worship, getting back to church; make it more of me, more of my spirit, more of the prize of the high calling, more perfection in us as God’s children!

In Hebrews 13:8, the well-quoted scripture is written, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.” We easily recognize our God does not change from day to day, yet we also realize we change, perhaps, many times in a single day. Our humanness comes through in our emotions and actions. Striving for perfection is not easy, it is pressing for constant diligence and consistent pursuit of the ‘more’. Yesterday is gone, the page is written, today is here where we are living, and forever seems far away. Our minds, many times, jump ahead in planning and preparation to the unknown of forever. Even when it is apparent the next minute of reality is still a bewilderment at times, we press on, pushing, striving to make that minute better than the last one. Surrounding today is yesterday’s experience, and the revelation of forever, just as the writer penned to the Hebrews.

Let’s not be satisfied with just getting back to church services as we have known. Believe me, we have had some great moves of God. The Spirit of the Lord has moved mightily through word and deed in many ways. But, God has ‘more’. As was stated previously, it has been said we “will never obtain that which is not pursued, and we will never pursue that which is deemed unobtainable”. We have the promises of God for the things which are to be obtained. The opportunity and purpose are clear, it is now about the ‘pursuit’.

Matthew 6:33 tells us, “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Pursuit involves seeking, and we have read if we seek we will find. The pursuit takes us through the opportunity into the purpose. Our goal is not to remain the same, but to gain everything which God has for us. He has never abandoned his people, we are his bride, and he is calling those which will pursue him continuously into greater relationship and power.

How much does God desire ‘more’ for us? Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:17, “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The pursuit of this perfection makes us overcomers. Overcomers of the trials of life, the burdens of our soul, and the sin of this world. Strive, push, pursue with great desire the perfect will of God, which will make you perfect. Never say it cannot be obtained. If God has furnished it, the opportunity is there, the purpose is declared, and the pursuit will result in perfection. Forget the mistakes of the past, reach forth in pursuit of the things before, and press towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!

Giant Slayers | Devotional written by Hallie O'Dell

READ 1 Samuel 17:49-51

49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

Sometimes we say “that was in the past” or “the past is in the past.” Sometimes, something we used to deal with or the thing that used to trip us up somehow keeps showing its ugly head. It always seems to show up right in the time that we think we have victory over that one thing. Trust me when I say, we are human, we have all felt that. It can sometimes make you feel like, “ Did I even let that go in the first place?” or “Did I even have victory over that?” Let me tell you again; we are human; we have all felt that way.

In 1 Samuel 17:51, we see that David has just slain the giant Philistine, Goliath. He ran over to the giant, drew the giants sword from his sheath, and cut off his head. When I read that, it made me think that if he had already killed Goliath with a stone, then why did he cut off the head of something already dead? I believe small victories are given to us from God, but the power in the victory is the testimony we live after that victory. David slew the giant with what he had with him, and what he knew from previous victories would do the job. When David, cut off that giants head, he proved to those around him that the one thing they thought would stop the Israelites was dead.

If there is something in your life that you have given to Jesus, and there are little things that keep making it show back up, or if there is something in your life that you can’t seem to get the victory over, let’s first kill it with what we know we have and then cut it off for the enemy to see. If you use what has already been proven to work, the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, you will achieve that first victory for yourself. (Hebrews 4:12) Then, declare to the enemy and fouls of the air that come to pick at the thoughts in your mind, I am cutting off the head of that giant in my life! Off with the head of the lies and torment that have been bombarding you. In Hebrews 4:12, it says the Word of God divides asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Use your sword to cut off the head of your giant.

After David had cut off Goliath’s head, he lifted the head of the giant, and the Philistines saw their champion was dead…THEY FLED. The enemy knows you aren’t playing games when you walk in victory and kill the very thing that once made you feel you were not victorious.

Romans 8:37-39 We are more than conquerors!

The Purpose of More by Bro. Payne

The Purpose of More

Romans 9:17

”For the scripture saith unto Pharoah, Even for this same purpose have raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.”

Sometimes it’s really hard to figure things out. We have a tough time putting two things together, which don’t seem to match, fit, or add up right. Dill pickles and ice cream aren’t supposed to go together, let alone in the same bowl. Sometimes, we discover with one of these pairings, which turns out really good. We wouldn’t have known unless we tried it. Still, it just doesn’t seem right. In our lives, we like to have everything line up, go together, fit perfectly, and work out just the way it’s supposed to. It is really easy to get frustrated, even downright angry when this happens.

In our heart of hearts, we know all things don’t work out the way we planned. This knowledge is not foreign to us. When we see things starting to get out of control, we adjust as needed until we either get back on the path or careen out of control.

We know we have a sovereign God who is in control of everything, and we know we should trust him with everything. We know there is a purpose for all things, even that which seems to us to be a failure, a big mistake, or a lost opportunity. In the “Opportunity of More,” we saw there are opportunities God is presenting individuals and the church to take advantage of. Those opportunities have embedded within them the purpose of God.

It has been said we will never obtain that which we will not pursue, and we will not pursue that which we believe to be unobtainable. There has to be a purpose, a reason, an end result, which will make the pursuit worth the effort. Otherwise, we continue on, even if we don’t necessarily like where we are, and the “taskmasters” keep us so busy we can’t move on toward anything, let alone see the purpose of God.

How does God show us the purpose, even the purpose of more? We know the account of the Exodus pretty well. God sent Moses to deliver his people out of bondage. In his way was a ruler who had come to power to keep God’s people bound. Moses accepted the challenge, but not without first letting God know of his limitations. He accepted the purpose, even though God sent him with a single message, “Tell Pharoah I AM hath sent thee.” Moses, with his staff, had confidence in his message but found the message which impressed him did not impress Pharoah. Why didn’t God make it an easy, one trip to the court of Pharoah, in and out, done and delivered?

God wanted the purpose to be engrained in the hearts, minds, and being of his people. The scripture above says he raised up Pharoah, that he might show his (God’s) power. The promise was deliverance, but Pharoah didn’t need deliverance from Egypt, the children of God did. This match of Moses and Pharoah had been set up years before. These two men were brought up together for this deliverance. In reality, they didn’t match up, they were opposed from the beginning, yet God had allowed Moses to learn the ways of the Egyptians, which was contrary to the ways of God. God had a purpose, a purpose of more, for the Hebrew children who relied on Moses to speak, and Pharoah to harden his heart. Moses delivered the message of the plagues, and God brought the plague to pass. Romans 9:22‐24 tells us, “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?”

This scripture, along with others in the Bible, tells us God is willing to go to any and all lengths to accomplish his purpose. The “More” of his purpose we are willing to pursue, the “More” of his purpose will be revealed in us, his people. God let Pharoah wield his power as the leader of the Egyptians so he could prove to the Hebrew children they would be delivered, and the Name of God would be declared throughout all the earth. He allowed Pharoah to put their lives in further turmoil by increasing their workload and suffering, yet his purpose was still deliverance.

So, let’s not get too hung up on the “how”, but the “who” is providing this deliverance for us. God is in everything going on, he has placed into this earth his power, and even though we feel we are in a world of trouble (literally and figuratively), his purpose is still to deliver his people whole out of it all.

The final verses of Romans 9 go like this, (32‐33) “Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

Yes, it is easy to stumble; there are plenty of stumbling blocks for us to trip over. Faith overcomes. This could be added to, but simply, “Faith Overcomes.” The Chief Cornerstone, the Head of the Corner, desires more for his people. His purpose is for our deliverance. Pharoah (the world) has his purpose, but it is to selfishly hold on to that which is not his, so God uses what he has created to prove to us his purpose. Let’s rely on Him, and let him lead, even if it seems life isn’t match up the way it should be.

In this time of worldly turmoil, keep your faith in God. His purpose is deliverance from this world, the riches of his glory to us, his vessels, the vessels he has already bought with a price we cannot pay. Believe in the purpose of more, and there is a great opportunity for more in it! The time of God’s purpose for his people is now!

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