SACRED STORIES

“Seeing More”
Pastor Ben Johnson – July 30, 2023

When it’s too big for us, it’s just right for God. We do not believe the lie that “God will never give us more than we can handle.” God will often give us more than we can handle so we are forced to depend on His power and sovereignty.

We will all face…

Conflict we cannot AVOID.

Conflict we cannot FIX.

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) — For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

What or who are you FIGHTING that is HOLDING you back from being, doing, and enjoying all Jesus has for you?

2 Kings 6:8-17 (NLT) — When the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he would confer with his officers and say, “We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place. But, immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, “Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there.” So the king of Israel would send word to the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he would be on the alert there.

The king of Aram became very upset over this. He called his officers together and demanded, “Which of you is the traitor? Who has been informing the king of Israel of my plans?” “It’s not us, my lord the king,” one of the officers replied. “Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!”

“Go and find out where he is,” the king commanded, “so I can send troops to seize him.” And the report came back: “Elisha is at Dothan.” So, one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city.

When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.

“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”

Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

STEPPING INTO THE SPIRITUAL

1. Resolve to make HEARING and SEEING God your first priority, not your last option.
   
   John 9:39 (The Message) — Jesus then said, “I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind.”
   
   Learn to WORSHIP and THANK the Lord BEFORE the answer arrives.
   
   It’s NORMAL to recognize challenges. It’s a choice to FOCUS on them. What we BELIEVE is more important than what we FEEL.
   
   1 Peter 2:2-3 (NLT) — Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
   

2. Trust His FAITHFULNESS to provide all you need, and rise above the WORLD’S chaos.
   
   2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NLT) — But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. Too often we’re STRUGGLING with battles that God has already given us VICTORY in, and it is BLINDING us to what we could be receiving.