We need to position ourselves for blessing

Acts 1:4-8

Acts 1:15 (about a 120 people)

Having a cup of coffee

Penticost had a certain day.

The people had to be in the upper room

Ezekiel 3:22-23 (NIV)

22 The hand of the Lord was upon me there, and he said to me, “Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you.” 23 So I got up and went out to the plain. And the glory of the Lord was standing there, like the glory I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown.

John 17:24 (NIV)

24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

1 Corinthians 10:1-12 (NIV)

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

Hebrews 4:6-11 (NIV)

6 It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. 7 Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:

“Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts.”

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

Obedience always precedes blessing......

Abraham was a friend of God because he walked in obedience......

James 2:23 (NIV)

23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

Jesus walked in obedience.......

John 14:31 (NIV)

31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.“Come now; let us leave.

Hebrews 5:7-9 (NIV)

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

We need to walk in obedience

John 14:21 (NIV)

21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

I know some of you are working...

How much TV time do you have?

It is bout positioning ourselves for the season we are in

James 4:6-10 (NIV)

6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud

but gives grace to the humble.”

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Practical things to do to seek Him and draw His presence

Fasting – a life style of Fasting – Television – food – computer. A simple fasting eg vegetable fasting for 21 days
Music – it creates atmosphere – draws God’s presence - Worship and intimacy with God – our inner man is cultivated with worship – time spent in His presence. Lock into music - on one song that helps you connect.
Physical separation – getting alone on a beach – go bush. Place that gets you near God.
Being alone on your own – a weekend away seeking God.
Your relationships with other people... (birds of a feather flock together). Listen to messages and read books that will build your faith and encourage you to move forward in God.
Meditation on the Word of God.
Tongues I pray in tongues to get my spirit activated and then I fill my mind with scripture and experience I have had with him. My longings for God and then I start to connect.
Give away what you have. Every time you get a break through give it away.
Purpose focused prayer life (a good place to start - Focus in your last encounter)
Investment - Conferences, books, materials and time