Impact

20/20 Plan(ting) for a Breakthrough

In the previous article, 20/20 Vision for a Breakthrough (1), when King David was in a crisis, he called on God in prayer. He was immediately delivered from his enemies twice by God the Lord of the Breakthrough! Consequently, reading this story, your faith was stirred, and you called upon God in prayer (1) to deliver you from your serious situation. However, it seems as if God did not respond immediately to your crisis situation. Why King David and not me? I am glad you asked!

We have all heard of the overnight successes where actors are discovered, and practically overnight, they are stars. However, if you read these actors’ history, you will find they spent years and even decades preparing to become an “overnight” success. The same was true in David’s life, the shepherd King as he spent many years growing lambs into sheep and growing in his knowledge of the Lord. That is, King David’s victory in his crisis situation had been growing for many years as He learned to pray and obey the Lord.

Let us go back to the Book of Genesis, the beginning, to aid in our understanding. God created a man named Adam in His image from Earth’s soil (Genesis 2:7). God then plants a Garden called Eden (Eden means pleasure) and then, like a farmer (Isaiah 5:1-7. James 5:7), caused many trees of different varieties to grow from the soil. Realize, God did not create a garden (1) with a “Let there be ______” command as He did when creating all other vegetation on the Third Day (Genesis 1:11-13). God caused the trees to grow from the soil as a farmer. (Genesis 2:8,9) God then places the man into the Garden to tend to its trees (Genesis 2:15). A woman is then created from the man’s flesh and bone to be his indispensable companion. (Genesis 2:21-23).

Realize, mankind was placed in the Garden of Eden, a living object lesson to teach them how the Kingdom of God operates. All needs in the Kingdom of God are supplied by planting a seed, tending it, and then harvesting the fruit when the time is right.

“While the earth continues to exist, planting time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.” (Genesis 8:22 NET)

Jesus taught us the same thing in the parable of the sower sowing seed (1). A parable that Jesus described as the key to understanding all other parables (Mark 4:13 NET). Furthermore, Jesus described in that parable how Satan will do everything in his ability to stop the seed from growing. Satan was the Archangel (1) Lucifer in Heaven; therefore, he understands that everything in the Kingdom of God works by planting seeds, persistently tending them, and harvesting. This includes supplying all of our physical and spiritual needs.

He also said, “The kingdom of God is like someone who spreads seed on the ground. He goes to sleep and gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. By itself the soil produces a crop, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. And when the grain is ripe, he sends in the sickle because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29 NET)

Jesus explained that you do not have to understand how seeds supply all of your needs in the Kingdom of God for it to work. However, you must be obedient to plant seeds, diligently tend them, and with patience wait for the time of harvest.

Realize, the seed for all needs is Jesus, who is the Word of God! (John 1:1,14) So, how do we plant Jesus in the soil of our spiritual hearts? Again, I am so glad you asked!

We plant Jesus by praying (1), with a righteous motive (1), the promises of His Word (1) (the seeds) into our spiritual hearts (the soil), believing (1) that God will meet our need (will grow the fruit) through the seed. Again, Jesus is the Living Word that abides forever!

He also asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to present it? It is like a mustard seed that when sown in the ground, even though it is the smallest of all the seeds in the ground—when it is sown, it grows up, becomes the greatest of all garden plants, and grows large branches so that the wild birds can nest in its shade.” (Mark 4:30-32 NET) (Matthew 13:31. Luke 13:18,19)
So the Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this black mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled out by the roots and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. (Luke 17:6 NET)

Jesus clarifies that it is not the size of your faith or the need that will prevent it from being met. It is a matter of our understanding that receiving any of our needs met by God is a process (1) of planting a seed, persistently tending it, and harvesting its fruit when God prompts.

Furthermore, once we plant the seed through prayer, we must persistently (1) tend to it with the nutrients of a lifestyle characterized by unconditional love (1) and gratitude (1).

However, we must not eat our seed by seeking first a human solution rather than first seeking God for a solution (1) to the problem. (Matthew 6:33) Also, we must not dig up the seed we planted by failing to take all thoughts of doubt captive (1) to the obedience of Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 10:3-5)

How does this relate to King David’s victory by the Lord of the Breakthrough? Glad you asked! Again, King David had been planting and persistently tending seeds of deliverance (1) from the enemies of God for many, many years. Consequently, when he needed deliverance, he had many ripe “deliverance fruits”!

Perhaps you have a crisis situation in your life, and you have prayed to God for deliverance, and nothing seems to have happened. It might result from not having ripe “deliverance fruits” due to a lack of persistently enjoying the Christian disciplines (1). If so, you may not have the deliverance you need today, but you can start planting seeds of deliverance today!

Realize, many times when we perceive God is saying no to our prayer requests when He, in reality, saying the fruit is not ripe yet; however, do continue to persistently tend to the seeds you have previously planted. You will reap a harvest in due time if you do not give up (1).

Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:7-9 NET)

If you are a new Christian, then God will likely provide the “deliverance fruit” you need until your fruit is ripe or should have been ripe. This is similar to God growing trees for Adam and Eve when they were new to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9). However, God expects us to grow up in Christ (Ephesians 4:15,16) and not be infant Christians but rather mature (1 Corinthians 3:1,2. 1 Peter 2:2. Hebrews 5:12-14).

Furthermore, we can grow fruit that can help others in their time of need. Especially if you have “prayed the price” (i.e., planted, tended, harvested) for deliverance and victory through one of the many crises of life. You would then have a plant producing much fruit that can be shared with those that need it. (Psalms 51:13) Realize, it is the fruit of a plant that contains the seeds, and it is those battle seasoned seeds that you can sow into the soil of the spiritual hearts (1) of others to accelerate the growth of their own fruits for deliverance!

Now God who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow. You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God, (2 Corinithians 9:10,11)

Furthermore, God, who sees the future, routinely gives us opportunities to plant the seed for the fruit He knows we will need in the future. For example, “something tells you” (1) (i.e., the Holy Spirit (1)) that you should go and speak a word of encouragement to someone, give something to someone in their time of need, pray for someone for their healing, give of your finances, etc. Realize, every seed yields after its own kind (Genesis 1:11,12); therefore, God will ask you to sow by faith what you will need in the future. Again, we often do not realize that God allows us to meet our future needs in the present. If we pass on these opportunities, then we find ourselves in need of a miracle instead of harvesting deliverance fruits when the need arrives. Fortunately, our God is the Lord of the Breakthrough!

Back to the Garden of Eden, recall when Adam and Eve rebelled against God, leading to humanity’s fall (1). What was God’s solution to this seemingly insurmountable problem? I am glad you asked! God promised a seed that would grow to become Jesus the Savior of the World! Jesus would then be the seed that would transform us into His image, collectively forming the Body of Christ when planted in the soil of our spiritual hearts!

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” (Genesis 3:15 NASB)
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. (Galatians 3:16 NASB)

When some Greek men desired to see Jesus, He explained that you cannot see Him in reality until after His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus compared this to planting a seed in the soil, which dies and grows to produce seed-bearing fruit.

Now some Greeks were among those who had gone up to worship at the feast. So these approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew, and they both went and told Jesus. Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the solemn truth, unless a kernel [i.e., the seed](2) of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain [i.e., seeds](2). (John 12:20-24 NET)

It is the seed of the Gospel that causes us to be born again!

You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:23 NET)

Again, God solves problems by providing seeds! Realize, we can be so focused on looking for the solution (i.e., the fruit) for a problem that we miss the seed that will grow into that solution. For example, the nation of Israel was looking for an adult warrior king (i.e., the fruit) to set them free from Roman rule and again establish the Kingdom of Israel. However, they missed Jesus because He came as a baby (i.e., the seed of a woman). May we learn from the mistakes of those that have gone before us.

For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope. Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you unity with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:4-6 NET)
Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16,17 NET)

Words of Caution for the Journey

We must guard against seeking a formula (1) from God and not God Himself in seeking our breakthrough.  Realize, God does everything in the interest of building relationships (1). Understanding that, why would He give us the one size fits all formula knowing that we would soon think that we no longer need Him? For example, we might think that we have the three-step formula for having everything we say; therefore, we do not need to seek an intimate relationship with God!

Actually, that is one of my litmus tests for teachings about God; do the teachings make me more dependent on God or less, do they bring me into a closer relationship with Him or make me more independent. Is it simply more rules to keep (legalism (1)) to get what I desire, or is it living out the Gospel in good times and bad while cultivating a deep dependence on God for everything (i.e., Relational Christianity (1))?

Nevertheless, I know God lovingly accepts us even as we misguidingly seek His formulas, for at least we are seeking the only true God. For we are all born again (1) as simple children that must grow up in Him. I am so grateful that He has grown me through that period of seeking God for the formula to seeking the author of life simply because He alone is worthy of all my devotion. And yet, there is much room for further growth, and I am grateful that we can help each other see our blind spots as He leads. Dear hearts, forgiveness is only repentance (1) away.

But other seed fell on good soil and grew, and it produced a hundred times as much grain.” As he said this, he called out, “The one who has ears to hear had better listen!” (Luke 8:8).

(cf. Matthew 11:15;  Matthew 13:43. Mark 4:9. Luke 14:35. Revelation 2:7,11,17,29. Revelation 3:6,13,22)  
Pay attention and come to me! Listen, so you can live! (Isaiah 55:3 a). 
Breakthrough Series:


Shalom
(Security, Wholeness, Success)
Peace

Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 
(3 John 1:2 NET)


(1) Select the link to open another article with additional information in a new tab.

(2) Words in brackets added by the author for clarification.

Hal has taught the Bible for over three decades. Through an interdenominational ministry dedicated to helping the local church build men for Jesus, Hal trained men, the leaders of men’s ministries, and provided pulpit supply. Before that, he was a Men’s Ministry Leader and an Adult Bible Fellowship teacher of a seventy-five-member class at a denominational megachurch. Presently, Hal desires to honor Jesus Christ through this Internet teaching ministry, thereby glorifying the Heavenly Father in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. He believes, second to cultivating his relationship with God that raising his family unto the Lord is the most significant task for him while on Earth. Furthermore, Hal believes that being a successful leader in the church or workplace is no substitute for failing to be a successful leader at home. 
DOULOS HAL'S TOPICAL INDEX

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