(Note: The following message is a companion article to a message which aired on Autism One Radio. To hear the broadcast at any time, please go to: http://autismone.org/radio/default.cfm?archive=1236&bg=&FromA1 and click on the arrow above "Listen to Jack and Rebecca Sytsema")

OVERCOMING THE MOUNTAIN, PART TWO

"For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says” (Mark 11:23 NKJ).

LAST WEEK we posted the first of a two-part article on overcoming the mountain. In it we discussed the first four of a nine-step process. To recap, the first four steps were submit to God, resist the devil who is the author of sin, draw near to God, and gain revelation. (A link to last week’s article is provided at the end of this article, or can be requested by email at prayer@childrenofdestiny.org.) The first four steps can best be described as preparation of the heart and mind for the next five steps, which are more action-oriented. Because we believe these nine steps to be so important for overcoming the mountains in our lives, we will spend the next several weeks looking at many of these issues more indepth. For now, here’s the continuation of last week’s article…

5. DEFINE YOUR VISION.

Having a vision is important for understanding the direction in which we are heading. Another way to put it would be to set a goal based on where you feel God is leading you. If this is not defined in our lives, we have no direction. Without a godly, biblically-sound vision or goal, we cannot know what our next step should be in overcoming the mountains of our lives. Proverbs 29:18 in the Amplified Version says, Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish. People who do not understand the direction God has planned for their lives, actually begin to decline. As human beings, we are either in a state of growing or diminishing. Therefore, in order to continue growing, we need to be reaching toward something. For that we need vision.

Gaining vision does not necessarily have to be an overwhelming process. In John P. Kotter’s secular book, Leading Change (Harvard Business School Press), he says, “The word vision connotates something grand or mystical, but the direction that guides successful transformations is often simple and mundane . . . A vision can be mundane and simple, at least partially, because in successful transformations it is only one element in a larger system that also includes strategies, plans and budgets. . .(But) without a good vision, a clever strategy or a logical plan can rarely inspire the kind of action needed to produce major change” (p. 71).

Remember, our vision is linked with our calling. If you feel you have not defined the vision God has for you in this season of your life, ask Him to clarify your call. What is He wanting you to do? Out of that call, allow Him to define your vision and show you the direction you are to take.

6. DEVELOP STRATEGY.

Once you begin to understand your vision, you need to allow God to show you the strategy for getting from point A to point B. Every strategy that God shows you will be biblically sound. No “revelation” we gain from God will be opposed to biblical principles. If we feel God is leading us this way or that, but it conflicts with a basic teaching in the Bible, we can be sure that particular “leading” is not from God.

Strategy occurs when we set forth the plan to advance. Strategy is also a military term. Whether we as Christians see it or not, or whether we like to talk about it or not, we are involved in a spiritual struggle that involves Satan’s kingdom. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Remembering that the apostle Paul wrote these words after the death and resurrection of Christ, we can see that we are involved in this battle until the second coming of Christ puts our warfare to rest once and for all.

We also need to remember that Satan is not just opposed to God’s overall plans for the human race. He is also opposed to God’s plan for each of our lives. He knows that every person that comes into the fullness of God’s plan for their lives becomes a sharp instrument against the kingdom of darkness. Therefore, Satan sets strategies against us to keep us defeated and keep us from rising up and becoming all God wants us to be. Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” The enemy has schemes and strategies to stop you. But God has a higher strategy for His people to reach their goal which the enemy cannot even attain. Spiritually, therefore, our strategy is going to have to meet the enemy that is opposing our vision from coming forth. Vision sets the overall, strategy establishes the steps to reach that goal. Strategy causes you to reach the goal that God has asked you to reach.

Although this may seem overwhelming and more than many Christians want to deal with, it is an important part of being successful in life and fulfilling the purpose for which God created us. In the near future we will devote an entire program and companion article to understanding and overthrowing some of Satan’s strategies in our lives so that we can move forward in victory.

7. ACQUIRE PROVISION.

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). As we move in our strategy, provision is released. God will always supply all your needs based on the vision He has called you to walk in. The Lord has all the resources necessary to accomplish the vision and carry out the strategy that He has set for you. Provision means to prepare to meet a need—to have it already stored up. In other words, when God gives us vision and strategy, He has already stored up the provision we will need to accomplish it. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all the money is already in our bank account, or that those whom God has called to help us in our vision are in place. Because one of the enemy’s favorite weapons against us is to hold up our supply, it often requires prayer and wisdom to unlock it. Understanding God’s provision for us and how to acquire it will be the subject another future article.

8. ACHIEVE YOUR MISSION.

There are four things to remember while moving toward achieving your mission:

1. You must set your face like a flint to reach your goal. God has a “there” for you that is on the other side of the mountain you are overcoming. Once provision is flowing with vision and strategy and you know where your “there” is, you must begin to set your face toward accomplishing your mission.

2. You must recognize the authority of God. Many times we do not reach our “there” or overcome our mountains because of the tumultuous circumstances that come against us. The Lord always has the authority to overthrow that which would keep us from coming into our next “there.” As we recognize the authority of God, we can begin to overcome the fears that hit us as a storm rages around us.

3. You must be willing to address and confront those things that would keep you from coming into your place. We tend to be people that thrive on formula. It’s easier to get a formula for success rather than to seek God daily in order to discover His plan of victory for us. But we must take the time to pray and seek God for His specific leading in that specific circumstance.

4. You can get over the mountain to the “there” God has for you! God has a way to get you to your next place in His perfect will for your life. You will find that as you follow these steps God will help you achieve your mission, you will be able to overcome the mountain and get to your next “there.”

Here again we will look more carefully into achieving your mission in the near future.

9. SECURE YOUR COVENANT BLESSINGS AND PURPOSES.

Once the mission is accomplished and the mountain is overcome, then the Lord calls us to secure (fasten, affix, bring into safety) those blessings that He has for us as we reach our “there.” Just as when a battle is won, the area must then be secured against new attacks. In Ed Silvoso’s book, That None Should Perish, he writes, “Success depends on a secure perimeter. We must secure the perimeter against the devil and his schemes. This is an act of war. Satan’s preferred mode of operation is exploiting ignorance, our ignorance, because it allows him to move with impunity” (p. 230).

The mountains of our lives can be overcome! Our prayer for you is that the Lord will clearly lead you every step of the way until you are firmly established in your new “there”!

With blessings,
Jack and Rebecca Sytsema

©2006, Children of Destiny. All rights reserved.
(This article has been adapted from the book, Possessing Your Inheritance, by Chuck D. Pierce and Rebecca Wagner Sytsema, published by Renew Books, 1999).

For the companion article of "Overcoming the Mountain, Part One," please click here.

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OVERCOMING THE MOUNTAIN, PART TWO
SCRIPTURE GUIDE

"For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says”
(Mark 11:23 NKJ).

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.
(Matthew 21:21 NIV)

Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.
(Luke 3:5, NIV)

The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
(Revelation 6:14 NIV)

Note: Specific Scriptures on the various points of this week’s topic will be posted along with the full article on each particular subject as they become available.

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