What holds us back from seeing a move of God today? Do you know what is holding back the expansion of the kingdom of God?

— Is it politics?

— Is it a pandemic?

— Is it money?

— Is it people?

— Is it power?

Or is it our perception of who God loves?

The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NKJV),

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

John 4 reveals a monumental moment where Jesus is changing the disciple's perception of who God loves.

Today, the body of Christ is leaning into who and what we are against rather than who and what we are for.

In Luke 19:10, Jesus illuminates His followers by showing that "the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Have we lost sight of His goal?

The Bible stands clearly against the devastation of sin. We are to be watchmen to warn, "Flee the wrath that is to come." John 16:8 says, "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." In our quest to reject sin, have we forgotten about saving the lost?

My heart has cried out for the lost this week. The deepest parts of my soul cling to Acts 10. In this passage, Peter has a vision while in a trance, "And a voice came to him, 'Rise Peter; kill and eat'" (Acts 10:13). These words transformed Peter's heart and the people of God.

The unusual words had convicting power. Their meaning grew later when Peter traveled to a Gentile's home. He said, "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean" (Acts 10:28, NIV).

Peter saw everyone as God's creation. He saw the lost as God's children.

Rise

Rise to a new altitude. To get where God is calling us, we cannot stay where we are now. God is opening doors we have never expected for the end-time harvest and supernatural times of refreshing.

Kill

Kill the old ways to embrace a new attitude. Everything in our future is about our perspective today. Jesus starts the New Covenant with the beatitudes.

Eat

Eat with a new appetite. God is calling us to sit with Him in heavenly places—to be filled with the grace of the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

His presence and power are all for the lost to be saved.

Altitude, attitude and appetite are all heart issues, not stomach guidelines.

This Sunday, I will be preaching against sin, darkness, unrighteousness and the devil, just as Jesus did. I will also be lifting up the name above all names.

Jesus has come to heal the brokenhearted, set the captive free, heal the sick, cast out demons, break through bondage and oppress sin. Who the Son sets free is free indeed.

You are beautiful; I see Jesus in you. Have an awesome week.

Mikel French has challenged spiritual awakening all across America, where many celebrations extended into multiple weeks, and has conducted celebrations in France, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Haiti, Japan, Singapore, India and Thailand. He conducted an outreach celebration in Manila, Philippines, reaching 200,000 teenagers with the Book of Hope. Through the generous support of partners, he has presented the message of Jesus Christ to millions of people in the nation of Russia through televised citywide soul-winning celebrations. Mikel considers it an honor to assist in conducting the annual pastor's conference, where thousands of pastors from Russia's 11 time zones come for training, teaching and equipping. Mikel and his wife, Marsha, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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