Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: partnership
Daily Prayer with Dutch Sheets February 14 2024 - Position and Partnership, Rights and Responsibilities | GH15
TD Jakes Daily Devotional (November-05-2023) The Divine Partnership in Emptiness.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Reflection: In the divine economy, emptiness is not a deficit but an invitation. It is a sacred space prepared for the indwelling of God's Spirit. The biblical narrative is replete with instances where God fills the voids created by human limitation and humility. Moses built a tabernacle, an empty vessel, which God filled with His glory. The apostles, in their lack and longing, were filled with the Holy Spirit in the upper room. These stories echo the same truth: God is attracted to our emptiness, our admission of "We know not."
The challenge we face is the temptation to present a facade of self-sufficiency, to sit in the pews of life with crossed legs and a composed demeanor, all the while starving for the true substance that only God can provide. Our pretenses of strength often hinder the move of God in our lives. It is when we let go of our image, when we openly confess our need and our lack, that we position ourselves for a divine filling.
Prayerful Contemplation: Lord, we come before You with open hands and hearts, acknowledging our emptiness without Your Spirit. We confess that too often we have been more concerned with our image than with our need for You. We lay down our pretenses, our self-made strength, and our pride, and we say, "We know not." We are the tabernacle awaiting Your presence, the upper room anticipating Your Spirit. Fill us, O God, with Your glory. Let Your strength be made perfect in our weakness. May our praise be a sweet sound to You, and in our humility, may we find Your exaltation. As we lift our hands and voices to You, flood us with Your presence, and may our lives bear the mark of Your partnership. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
Call to Worship: Let us lift our hands in surrender, not as a sign of defeat, but as a gesture of readiness to receive from the Lord. Let our mouths be open, not in complaint, but in praise and anticipation of the fullness God is eager to pour into us. May our worship be genuine, our hearts sincere, and our spirits expectant. For in our weakness, His strength is revealed, and in our emptiness, His fullness is received. Let Zion—God's people—travail in prayer and praise, for in our spiritual labor, new life and revival are birthed.
TD Jakes Daily Devotional (November-03-2023) The Strength in Humble Partnership.
Bible Quote: "For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." - Romans 8:26 (ESV)
In the journey of faith, there is a profound strength found in the humility of admitting our limitations. The Apostle Paul, a man of great intellect and spiritual depth, understood the power of acknowledging what we do not know. This admission is not a sign of weakness but an invitation for divine partnership. It is in recognizing our need for others, their strengths complementing our weaknesses, that we find true growth and unity. As we come together, each with our unique gifts and talents, we form a body that is far greater than the sum of its parts. Let us not be driven by ego, but by a spirit of humility that says, "We know not," and in doing so, open ourselves to the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit and the enriching collaboration with those around us.
Final Prayer: Lord, we come before You, embracing our need for Your wisdom and the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Teach us to value the strengths of others as we acknowledge our own limitations. Help us to form partnerships that glorify Your name, where our gaps are filled with the gifts of others, and our strengths can uplift those in need. May we always remember that in our weakness, Your strength is made perfect. Lead us to live not in the shadow of our egos but in the light of Your grace, where we can say with humility, "We know not," and trust in Your Spirit to intercede for us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
TD Jakes Daily Devotional (October-23-2023) The Thirst of the Soul: Seeking Divine Partnership.
Bible Passage: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5
The profound teachings of Jesus illuminate the essence of partnership. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own without the vine, we too cannot thrive without divine connection. Many of us nod in agreement, yet our actions betray a reluctance to truly partner. Consider your endeavors. Are you trying to do it all, hesitant to trust others? Remember, owning a small piece of something grand is far more valuable than owning all of something minuscule. Choose collaboration over isolation, and witness the exponential blessings that follow.
The world around us is in a state of yearning, a deep groaning that resonates within our very souls. This inner groan, often silent yet profoundly felt, awakens us in the stillness of the night, urging us to seek solace. It's the soul's cry for safety, for a haven where creativity can flourish and dreams can take root.
Safety is paramount. Just as sheep seek calm pastures for birthing, our souls crave still waters to quench their thirst. In our desperation, we sometimes make choices that don't align with our true selves, seeking temporary relief. But these fleeting solutions only intensify the soul's thirst.
Final Prayer: Lord Jesus, the True Vine, we come before You, recognizing our deep need for connection. Teach us the value of partnership, both with You and with those You place in our lives. Quench the thirst of our souls with Your living waters. In moments of groaning and yearning, remind us that You are our safe haven, our refuge. Help us to find true solace in You, and in doing so, may we bear abundant fruit for Your kingdom. In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.
TD Jakes Daily Devotional (October-21-2023) The Power of Partnership in Prayer.
Bible Passage: "Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven." - Matthew 18:19
Isolation can be our own worst enemy. When we retreat into solitude, especially during times of pain or fear, we often become our own harshest critics and attackers. However, the beauty of partnership, especially in prayer, is that it brings forth strength, unity, and revitalization. Think of Paul and Silas, whose combined faith caused an earthquake. Consider Elijah, who emerged from his cave of despair when he found Elisha. Reflect on Naomi, who rediscovered purpose through her bond with Ruth. These biblical examples show that when two souls unite in faith, miracles happen.
The enemy knows this. That's why, often, our biggest battles aren't with our relationship with God, but with our relationships with others. It's heartbreaking to see talented individuals unable to harness their gifts due to a lack of emotional intelligence or the inability to connect with others. True power, productivity, and fruitfulness come from partnership.
Remember Peter? His miraculous escape from prison wasn't just because of his faith, but because of the collective prayers of intercessors. This underscores the importance of agreement in prayer. It's not just about finding someone to pray with, but someone who genuinely desires the best for you. Agreement in spirit and heart is the key to unlocking the power of prayer partnerships.
Final Prayer: Lord Almighty, we come before You today, recognizing the immense power of partnership. We thank You for the individuals You place in our lives to stand with us in prayer, in faith, and in purpose. Help us to seek and nurture these divine connections, understanding that together, we can achieve more than we ever could alone. May we always find agreement in our prayers, and may our combined faith move mountains. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
TD Jakes Daily Devotional (October-20-2023) The Power of Prayer Partnerships.
Bible Passage: "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." - Matthew 18:19
Throughout the annals of church history, the term "prayer partners" emerged, symbolizing those chosen by God to stand with us in spiritual warfare. While the term itself might not be directly inscribed in the scriptures, the essence of it is deeply rooted in biblical narratives. These prayer partners aren't just ordinary friends; they're divine appointments, chosen to amplify our spiritual connection.
Every believer should recognize that God hears our silent prayers, our innermost thoughts, and even our quietest chuckles. He discerns our intentions even before we voice them. Yet, the Bible emphasizes the power of spoken words. Just as God spoke the universe into existence, we too have the power to manifest through our words. Speaking isn't just about communication; it's about creation.
The synergy of partnership amplifies this power. The Bible illustrates that while one can chase a thousand, two can chase ten thousand. This isn't mere arithmetic; it's divine mathematics. It underscores the exponential power of agreement and unity. God designed us not for isolation but for collaboration. Our strength, productivity, and fruitfulness multiply when we unite. Remember, isolation can hinder growth, but collaboration births abundance.
Final Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of prayer and the power of partnership. We recognize that while we can approach You individually, there's an amplified strength when we come together in agreement. Teach us the value of interdependence, reminding us that we are stronger together than we are apart. May we always seek divine collaborations that align with Your will, understanding that through unity, we can achieve greater spiritual victories. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
The Departure Of Partnership // Kingdom Kouples (Part 3) - Michael Todd, Sunday Sermon September-24-2023. Scripture References: Acts 15:36-40 NLT; Acts 15:37-38 NLT; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 NIV; Acts 16:16-40 NIV; John 16:13 NLT; Ephesians 2:10 NLT. In Week 3 of the Kingdom Kouples Series, Pastor Mike delves into the sensitive topic of knowing when it's time to end partnerships. Using the journey of the Apostle Paul’s experience in navigating his partnerships with Silas and Barnabas, this story gives us valuable keys. Pastor Mike outlines several ways we can discern the departure of a partnership: when the season changes, we sense the same cycle persists, when storm is coming, or simply if Holy Spirit says go. If you are navigating your relationships, watch this sermon to gain insight and understand how Holy Spirit can partner with you in this season.
How to Pick a Partner // Kingdom Kouples (Part 2) - Michael Todd, Sunday Sermon September-17-2023. Scripture References: Ephesians 4:9-12 NLT; Luke 6:12-16 NLT; Ephesians 4:29 NLT; Ephesians 6:18 CSB; John 1:6-8 NIV. Embracing the power in the partnership can be a journey and we all need wisdom on how to pick the right partner. The pathway to powerful partnership is in the pick. In Week 2 of the Kingdom Kouples series, Pastor Mike shows us how Jesus picked his partners and showed us what to look for in a powerful partner. We pray you become a partner and find partners that master the art of the pump-up, principles and presence.