subscribe, view past issues  and  Get the Book Trusting God... a lot more Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. 13 The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. 14 He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.  Gen 26:12-14  NIV Underdog to Wonderdog - We all like to root for the underdog. Whether we're watching movies or life we like to see the little guy or girl grow from obscurity and turmoil to fame and fortune. Why? - most of us see ourselves as the little guy and our hearts long to do something great for God. The reason that "rags to riches" theme sells movies and books is because it plays on a desire God put in our hearts. God's heart is to bless his people and make them famous with so much integrity, notoriety, and wealth that they can bless others with the overflow. The United States has a call to export blessing to the nations. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Gen 12:2-3 NIV Examples - Spiritual entrepreneurs are emerging in this season to take on great exploits in expanding the Kingdom - now. For the last couple of weeks we featured Mike Dana. and in prior newsletters we introduced Mike Nelson. This week I want to introduce you to John Klien. He's a financial consultant from Bend, Oregon. John is a Messianic Jew that seems to carry an inherited favor in real estate and the stock market. You'll enjoy his interview. These guys have been in pastoral ministry for years and they have great hearts for God's people. Now they are multiplying finances so they can multiply ministry... helping God's people experience Abrahams covenant promises. They carry an anointing to help people like us multiply and all three represent real investment opportunities. Not for "me" - Now here's the anomaly I see in the Body of Christ right now. People are just beginning to see opportunities and act on them. To date, most of us have listened to visions that sounded too good to be true and written them off as a sales call no matter where we heard them. What is profoundly striking now is that spiritual people that know God often just pass on the opportunities God brings their way; won't even look at them. It seems like there are scales on our eyes that God is healing. Lights are coming on all over the world at the level of first fruits. God's people are beginning to believe His favor really is on them. It's just a taste of what's to come in Releasing Kings. Why Lord? - Why are we prone to pass on God's blessing instead of believing it could work for us and taking the steps to make it happen? Theology of course! Our concept of God is a half bubble off! Here's how. Historically we have believed in a deterministic version of predestination; defining sovereignty as a vague notion that God somehow knows and controls the future. Here's the dilemma: Sickness - If we encounter sickness, we don't automatically pray for healing. First, we wonder if God is somehow behind the sickness searching for some character flaw that needs maturing. Trouble - If we get laid off, have a car wreck, or run into any kind of trouble we first ask if God is disciplining us; as though a problems must be rooted in self-inflicted presumption and we're reaping the wrathful consequences of our sinful behavior. The bottom line is that if we view God's omnipotence in a way that requires Him to cause or allow evil - then we won't naturally trust him. Respect Him from a distance yes; become His friend no. Kids never feel close to a Father they perceive as abusive even though they want to respect him and love him. Their hearts will not let them get too close. 18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." 20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." 21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Ex 20:18-21 NIV Can you see why we distance ourselves from the goodness and person of God? We view him has a great cosmic force. We view ourselves as ants, sporadically crushed by a greater cosmic scheme. In our hearts we quote Rom 8:36 and Ps 44:22... "For your sake we face death all day long and are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." We resign ourselves to try and love God (from a distance) in spite of every set back he gives us (ants). Like slaves bound to the trials, persecution and suffering inherent to the will of God we preach the cross in our gospel, but not the resurrection; at least not in this life. Kings Trust - I want to politely suggestion that our concept of God needs tweaked to become more Biblical. He does have a plan for the future, but He's simply not controlling every detail and He's not the author of your sickness or your car wreck. He has chosen to give a us a genuine free will and the world we live in suffers from both people and evil entities that choose to do evil. Why do bad things happen?... bad people, bad demons, and life in a sin-full world. See, we're here to fix it, not pretend to enjoy it. Let's see... God is Good! Right? - Will you get sick, have an accident, or suffer an injustice? If you're living on earth the answer is a probable yes. You have a couple of options. The preventive medicine is intercessory prayer, listening the the voice of the Holy Spirit, and prophetic intervention with God's word. You really can dodge many of those things because God really does love to answer prayer and intervene. For the rest, we (and God) go back to His plan, modify it slightly, and employ His resurrection power to turn a bad situation into a good one (Rom 8:28). Here's the deep theological premise you need to remember; God is good; the devil is bad. If you can believe that, you can trust God to walk on water. About 1 in 12 are willing to trust, but a day is coming when 12 out of 12 will be invited... and we'll become that spotless bride. Said another way; if you want to be on the front lines, 1) you have to expect arrows, and 2) you can't be in the fray if you're wondering if it was God shooting at you. Exploits - Why do people like Mike Nelson, Mike Dana, and John Klien believe for great things then step out and do great things? Their understanding of God. They expect good things from God and bad things from the devil. They trust God, love Him, talk to Him and carry a level of optimism that allows them to take great initiative and bear great fruit. When they have a set back they are not confused on who to blame and who to get help from. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD... Jer 29:11-14 You can do it too - God's favor is available for all of us. We just have to learn to trust him enough to act. Find the "sweet spot;" where your heart's desires match up will God's plan and take the initiative to plant a seed that can multiply into your vision.   Life is an adventure. People are a blessing. God is amazing. We're winning.   Love, John & Harold     (are dancing - Join us)   Conference in Charlotte, NC   ____________________________________________________________________ You can get your copy of Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace at 1-800-308-5837 (or) www.releasing-kings.com