Invisible Luchadores: Evil Spirits
Luchadores are the many wrestling personalities that make up Mexico’s wrestling pop culture known as Lucha Libre. The luchador wears an iconic mask and matching outfit to reinforce is characters personality and storyline. He generally has a trademarked grappling move that he uses on his opponent to subdue them, pin them to the ground and disqualify them from the competition.
Luchadores are fictitious characters that exist for our entertainment, but life has a way of revealing very real luchadores that rise up to oppose the purposes and plans God has for all of our lives. They show up the moment we are conceived and are especially active when are young and vulnerable. They look to find success and establish a foothold in our lives, jumping into the ring whenever their grappling skills are needed. The luchador will nudge, shove, contain, carry off, submit and even destroy. He will function at any level we allow.
Luchadores have names, familiar to us all, like insecurity, discouragement, unbelief, fear, bitterness, deception, sickness, spirit, Satan. And the luchador is a master of disguise, the best of which is his ability to function without even being noticed. We see the negative circumstances he creates, but we fail to detect his presence. As a result, we think to ourselves, this is just the way life is sometimes, it’s how things often go, it’s something that we have to put up with, or at best, something we have to work around. We end up living lives that are less than what Jesus died for, simply because we fail to bring about the luchador’s eviction.
This series is designed to expose the invisible luchadores that we need to identify, call out, rebuke and banish forever so that we can thrive in life enjoying the good things that God has for each and every one of us!
Matthew 8:16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
Hollywood and pop-cultures depiction of spirits/demons has led many to disregard and even disbelieve their reality/function in the real world. But scripture paints a far more normative picture:
Jesus had regular interactions with the Devil, demons and spirits.
Satan in the desert – Matthew 4
Syrophoenician woman with an unclean spirit - Mark 7:25–26
Mary Magdalene, who had seven demons - Luke 8:1–2; John 11:2
Man in synagogue - Mark 1:23–26
Man called Legion – Mark 5:2-5
Crowds - Matthew 8:16
Jesus gave His disciples the mission/authority to cast out spirits.
Matthew 10:1 (ESV) And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
The Early Church regularly dealt with spirits.
Peter - Acts 5:16
Phillip – Acts 8:6-7
Paul – Acts 16:16-17
Casting out spirits is part of a believer’s mission.
Mark 16:17–18 (ESV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Notables About Spirits: spirits are not to blame for everything or even the majority of things but they exist and are very real. They are not to be feared.
they impact us all on some level
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
they attach to people through key gateways of sin (by, and against)
rebellion (Saul’s) - 1 Samuel 16:14–15 (ESV) Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. And Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.
prostitution (Mary) - John 11:2 (ESV) It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.
occult (Slave girl & Paul) - Acts 16:16–18 (ESV) As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
unsaved (Syrophoenician) - Mark 7:25–26 (ESV) But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
Judas betrayal - Luke 22:3–4 (ESV) Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.
In my experience spirits nudge, budge, shove and onboard in moments of fear, deception, loss, trauma, unforgiveness, bitterness, sin
they drive those they attack into acts of self-sabotage\
Young boy - Mark 9:22 (ESV) And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Demoniac - Mark 5:5 (ESV) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.
Saul trying to kill David - 1 Samuel 18:10–11 (ESV) The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.
respond to medication (as opposed to eviction) - 1 Samuel 16:23 (ESV) And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.
a common fingerprint of spirits is the presence of bizarre medical conditions
tongue but mute - Mark 9:17 (ESV) And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute.
ears but deaf - Mark 9:25 (ESV) And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
spirit of infirmity - Luke 13:11 (ESV) And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.
a common fingerprint of spirits is heightened emotional outbursts - Mark 5:5 (ESV) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.
not intimidated by spiritual atmospheres (church) - Mark 1:23 (ESV) And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
when cast out, they will try to come back - Matthew 12:43–45 (ESV) “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
while spirits will escalate from harassment to attachment to possession, there are no examples of believers being possessed
Walking In Freedom From Nudge, Budge, Shove….
Follow Jesus And Fear Not - Acts 19:13–16 (ESV) Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Recognize A Spirits Influence
testing - Romans 12:2 (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
test - 1 John 4:1 (ESV) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
recognition - 2 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV) so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
discerning of spirits - 1 Corinthians 12:10 (KJV 1900) 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:
ask for wisdom - James 1:5 (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Identify And Call The Spirit By Name
what is your name? Luke 8:30 (ESV) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him.
name reveals attachment point
Command The Spirit To Leave With Your God-Given Authority
cast out with the word - Matthew 8:16 (ESV) That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
cast out with authority - Mark 6:7 (ESV) And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
Walk In The Spirit, Strong & Without “Velcro”
be filled with the spirit - Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
the Spirit is the strongest man - Matthew 12:43–45 (ESV) “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
Renounce all sin (no velcro) - Titus 2:11–12 (ESV) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
Invisible Luchadores - a series to expose enemies that show up to push back against YOUR BEST LIFE, often in disguise, especially as we stretch for MORE.
Ephesians 6:10–12 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
LIFE Is Filled With Luchadores
“wrestle, armor, schemes and forces” indicate an opponent
these luchadores show up at conception
they continue every day after
function at whatever level they are permitted (nudge, shove, tackle, harass, intimidate, corral, lay siege, kill and destroy)
Everyone Has An Arch-Luchador
every wrestler has a nemesis, and so do you
luchadores look to find success and lock in and travel for as long as they are allowed
they introduce themselves via deception, trauma, someone sin against you, your personal sin
they appear in forms of sicknesses, brokenness, strongholds and spirits
who is yours?
Luchadores Are Masters Of Disguise
“for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against” indicates a confusion to what is actually happening.
“you thought one thing, but it’s actually something else”
luchadores are good at hiding, disguising themselves and blaming others
some experience the impact of the luchador, never see the luchador – they settle with the circumstance
luchadores are happiest when you are ignorant of their existence and live within the confines of their harassment
some experience the impact of the luchador and blame the wrong source
luchadores love to have you burn calories fighting the wrong opponent
Luchadores Lose When God’s People Fight Back
when you finally recognize your luchador…
when you finally recognize who you are in Him…
when you finally function in the strength of the Lord (inward) and the strength of His might (outward)
when you finally begin to use your armor/weapons
you can stand against His schemes (stay your course)
you may have to fight… again… and again… but you win every time!
Joshua 10:7–8 (ESV) So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.”
Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NLT)
4 The Lord gave me this message: 5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. 6 “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” 7 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” 9 Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! 10 Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”
Those in the Bible who stretched for more: Abraham, Gideon, David, Moses, Ruth, Jeremiah, Joshua, Esther
“The STRETCH is the catalyst that unlocks the MORE that He has. As I do my part, God will miraculously do His part!”
catalyst: something that causes activity, an event, or change. And usually, these events and changes are big.
God will release abilities that have remained dormant as you begin to stretch.
“Your best unfolds when God is permitted to build a better you,” Ps. Steve
Excuses that get in the way of stretching for more:
Offenses from others in church family.
Believe to be unqualified for the job.
Refusing to give up control of how much to give out.
Stretching through those excuses:
Go to God’s word
Pray scripture audibly
Spiritual counsel
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Philippians 1:6 (CEV) God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
Oswald Chambers: “Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, ‘I cannot stand anymore.' God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands. Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”
Isaiah 54:2 (NIV) “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
Genesis 2:18, 21-22 (ESV) Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
In 6 days God created the heaven and the earth and it was GOOD!
good: tob (gk) – pleasurable, agreeable, enjoyable… for everyone involved
Genesis 2:18 (ESV) Then the Lord God said, “It is NOT GOOD that the man should be alone;
not good, not pleasurable, not agreeable, not enjoyable… for everyone involved
NOT GOOD: ALONE, the condition of Adam
NOT GOOD was not the result of bad circumstances
NOT GOOD was because Adam had yet to become who God designed Him to be
God Made A Promise: Genesis 2:18 (ESV) I will make him a helper fit for him
a better translation - I will COMPLETE him and he will FACE & SEE his helper.)
Adam’s Transformational Moment: Genesis 2:21-22 (ESV) So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
God didn’t change Adam’s circumstances; He removed his rib! And then his circumstances changed.
Your best life unfolds when God can build the better you.
Key Transformational Moments
1. When You’re Forced To Choose Between Him And Something Else…
2. When God Repeats Himself, Again - when God is trying to get our attention, he repeats himself audibly while using circumstances to reinforce His message
Numbers 22:
Balak, King of Moab was afraid of Israel and their recent wins
v5 call for Balaam son of Beor at Pethor in the land of the people of Amaw (prophet, diviner)
v6 “curse a swarm of people coming out of Egypt”
v8 “I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me”
v9-11 “these men want me to go with them to curse a swarm of people so they can win
v12 “you will not go, you will not curse, these people are blessed”
v15 repeat (God doesn’t change his mind!)
v22-35 Balaam was going in a wrong direction, donkey saw the Angel of the Lord about to punish her master and she turned off the road into the field (struck); on a narrow walled path, he put his foot into a wall (struck); lay down in road (struck with staff)
sometimes we push against what God has speaks to us, He repeats himself
we ignore God and do what we want, and when less than ideal circumstances develop we scream, “why is this happening?”
less than best circumstances often develop to reinforce His message
lay down on the table, repent and ask God to transform you
After David’s huge failure - Psalm 51:10 (ESV) Create (bara – to shape) in me a clean heart, O God, and renew (chadash – repair) a right spirit within me.
pray - declarative prayer
press in – study, conversations, research
3. When Your Leader Says, “Can We Talk?”
this happens as God sees my “rib” keeping me from experiencing/maintaining His best and I am not hearing HIM.
we have to develop the mindset – “they aren’t doing this for them, they are doing this for me!”
have a teachable spirit/submissive spirit - Isaiah 66:1–2 (ESV) …Thus says the Lord: All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
remember that God uses imperfect leaders to perfect us!
good loving leaders don’t wield submissive clubs!
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
we typically choose our leaders in the good moments; don’t eject from the tough ones
Conclusion
Matthew 12:13 (ESV) Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.
Genesis 2:18, 21-22 (ESV) Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
In 6 days God created the heaven and the earth and it was GOOD!
good: tob (gk) – pleasurable, agreeable, enjoyable… for everyone involved
Genesis 2:18 (ESV) Then the Lord God said, “It is NOT GOOD that the man should be alone;
NOT GOOD: ALONE, the condition of Adam
(gk) hi – he, she, it
(gk) bad – separated (implies a design feature yet to be realized)
NOT GOOD was not the result of bad circumstances. NOT GOOD was because Adam had yet to become who God designed Him to be. NOT GOOD applies to You. You are not who God designed you to be either… YET
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
God Made A Promise: Genesis 2:18 (ESV)
I will make him a helper fit for him
make (asah – make, accomplish, the idea of completing)
fit (neged – in front of, facing)
I will complete Him and he will FACE and SEE his helper.
Adam’s Transformational Moment: Genesis 2:21-22 (ESV) So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
God didn’t change Adam’s circumstances; He removed his rib! Too many people think a change of circumstances leads to a better life.
October 2018 Benzinga article by Hannah Genig – according to a study by Wolf Street, nearly one-third of U.S. lottery winners declare bankruptcy within a few years of their big win.
In the late 1980’s, William Post III, won $16.2 million in the Pennsylvania Lottery. By the early 1990’s, Post was $500,000 in debt and filed for bankruptcy.
Alex and Rhoda Toth won $13 million. They took their winning in payments of $666,666 over a 20-year span in 1990, but filed for bankruptcy in 2006. The couple was later charged with tax evasion. Rhoda was sentenced to two years in prison and was fined $1.1 million.
Denise Rossi won $1.3 million. Her first endeavor after her big win was to divorce her husband, who had no knowledge of the win. Later, her ex-husband sued and the judge declared that Rossi had violated state asset-disclosure laws. As a result, the ex-husband received all of the winnings.
Adam’s external circumstances improved as his internal transformation was underway.
Your best life unfolds when God can build the better you.
Key Transformational Moments
When You’re Forced To Choose Between Him And Something Else…
you face a decision that requires you to say no, even walk away from something you value because you know that God has something better. The challenge is that you can see the thing you are walking away from but can’t see the thing you are walking toward… YET!
Genesis 12:1–4 (ESV) Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
sometimes it’s a choice between good and bad.
sometimes it’s a choice between good and God’s better
recognize and embrace – this is a defining moment, a hardening of the cement of who you are and will be. It points the trajectory of your life and the destination you encounter are at stake.
take the first step!
When God Repeats Himself, Again…
the value of reading, listening, and praying is that it tunes you into heaven’s frequency
when God is trying to get our attention, he repeats himself audibly, and other times through circumstances
Numbers 22 - Balaam was going in a wrong direction, donkey saw the Angel of the Lord about to punish her master and she turned off the road into the field (struck); on a narrow walled path, he put his foot into a wall (struck); lay down in road (struck with staff)
sometimes we find ourselves listening to the same themes over a few years, even a few decades.\
recognize & embrace the moment
press in – study, conversations, research
pray - declarative prayer
failure to respond creates a rut that is hard to escape, forming the you that is less than what God intended.
We are continuing in our series “MORE.” It is so important that we continue to dive into this idea that God is the GOD of more. It is so easy to find ourselves in positions that we lack something and instead of taking it to God we try to figure out how to become comfortable with our lack. We let it move in a become a bothersome roommate that makes messes and doesn’t pay the rent on time.
Lack is a concept that was created by and perpetuated by Satan himself. God created the Earth and gave Adam and Eve dominion over everything. And Satan comes along and say to Adam and Eve that God is withholding from you. If you eat from the tree he told you not to eat from, He knows that you will be like Him, knowing right and wrong. God is withholding. And mankind has struggled ever since believing that for whatever reason that God is holding back His goodness from us.
But, throughout the scriptures through God, His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit there is a constant drumbeat of He has more for us and that lack is not a part of His original design or heaven.
But what about being content?
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13
This does not mean that following Jesus means that we will not experience pain, trouble, heartache, or sadness. But it does mean that God strengthens us to fight to see the fulfillment of his promises.
UNDERSTANDING THE FIGHT
In the battle to experience the fullness of God, we must understand the enemy(s) that we are facing.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Our own thoughts keep us from experiencing MORE!
We talk ourselves into thinking that God doesn’t care about our situation or that He has better things to do. Or worse yet that He is unable. We argue with our own doubts and we seek other’s opinions on what we should do. These are the real enemies that we face.
Take a moment and stretch.
Doesn’t that feel good. Stretching is likely on of the first things that you do in the morning, or after a long car ride.
Stretching is often a preparation for some activity. It helps prevent injuries and decreases stiffness. It can helps to relieve stress and promotes circulation.
Physical stretching is a good but, the stretching that we do in the spirit is the catalyst to unlock the more.
2 examples of a stretch to experience God’s best.
1. Man with the withered hand. - He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. Matthew 12:9-13
Jesus could have healed the hand without the stretch but, the stretch was the indication of the man’s faith in Jesus.
FAITH REQUIRES ACTION!
2. Woman with the issue of blood 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 8:43-48
It was her faith the made her well. Her stretch was the catalyst for God to show up big!
There were hundreds in the crowd that could have “touched” Jesus. What was different about her?
GOD WILL USE OUR LACK TO COMPEL US TOWARDS HIS MORE!
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6
Hunger and thirst are things that we “lack” that compels us to be filled.
What else do we lack? It is time that we stretch toward what God has already promised we can have or experience.
Keys to Stretching for MORE!
STRETCHING WILL BE UNCOMFORTABLE AT FIRST – Any new area that we venture into will require some adjustment. The stretch will always be a move toward the unknown. It requires faith.
STRETCH OFTEN – This allows for the faith muscles to move more effectively. Consistent stretching in faith increases the level of faith that you operate in.
STRETCH BIG – You can’t outstretch God’s goodness! Understanding that we are stretching for what God already has prepared for us.
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO STRETCH – A issue of blood for years, a withered hand, a diagnosis, a persistent fear, brokenness. Maybe you have never stretch out for God’s goodness before. He responds when we stretch!