Pastor Syd has found three conditions in the miracles he has seen in his own life. They are: #1 Having a great desire or desperation; #2 Finding the Word of God concerning your situation; and #3 Releasing your faith by speaking it out and acting on it. Luke 18:1-8 tells about persistent faith. The trial of your faith is patience, the lapse of time until you see the manifestation. The gospel is the power of God (Romans 1:16-19). We will press in when we see God as our only source, and we don’t back off of it. Pastor Syd shares how he believed God for a set of new tires and how God provided for them without his sharing the need with anyone else. We have God’s thoughts, and He has revealed the deep things to His people. Find the will of God for your situation by getting His Word on it, and then you can pray according to it. Don’t be money-led. His power is in His Word, and when you take it like a pill, it releases His power and faith. Pastor Syd relates how the Lord supernaturally told him to which school to send his son. In Luke 17:11-19 the ten lepers were cleansed because they were desperate and acted on Jesus’ word to go to the priest. The one leper who returned to thank Jesus was saved and made whole – spirit and body (sozo). Pastor Syd demonstrated point #3 by the supernatural way God took care of their need for their house after the economic crash in 2008. In Acts 14:7-10 a lame man heard the gospel, had faith that could be seen, and then released that faith by acting on it by leaping up and walking. You can stand on the Word, because it will work for you. Release your faith by speaking and acting as though it is true.
Miracles By Faith
Loyalty
Loyalty is an act of binding yourself intellectually or emotionally to a course of action; an alliance; a commitment. You choose to be loyal. Proverbs 3:3, 5 says to bind mercy (loyalty) and truth around your neck and trust in the Lord. We can do that because God’s love and mercy made us alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:1-9). Loyalty to God demands discomfort, testing our faith as we go through rough times. Loyalty is birthed out of love. We need to be selfless to move immediately at God’s direction. Loyalty is taught (Ephesians 6:1-4). Children learn loyalty from the father showing his love to them, and then they can obey and be loyal to their Heavenly Father, too. Obedience comes before loyalty (Colossians 3:18-21). The church needs loyal “pillars”. The apostle Paul learned obedience and became loyal to the point of being willing to die for the Gospel (Acts 9:1-9, 16-30; 1 Corinthians 15:8). Are you willing to suffer persecution for the Lord? We must be able to stand forever, because loyalty is a lifestyle of abiding in His love (John 15:9). Help one another first and be loyal in your giving and living (2 Corinthians 9:1-2, 8).
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead – Just Looking
Genesis 2:16-17 and 3:1-6 tell of Adam and Eve hanging around the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve became deceived by what she was looking at, and Adam was deceived because he obeyed his wife rather than God. Looking at the tree brought desire, which is a great motivating force. You will go after the greatest desire you have. Desire will lead to action. Keep your eyes where God wants to take you. Husbands and wives should make a list of the positive attributes of their spouses and keep focusing on the positive list. You become what you look at. Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:15-26). If you look at the wrong thing long enough, you will become dull and insensitive. If God tells you to do something new and difficult, don’t look back longingly. Make sure that what you’re looking at brings light and not darkness (Luke 11:34-36). Desire the best gifts, the gifts of the Spirit, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Expect miracles. [Other Scriptures: Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 1 John 3:2.]
Looking Ahead – Getting Wisdom and Understanding With Focus
Texts: Proverbs 4:18-27 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. There is natural and spiritual seeing. Spiritual seeing is getting an image from the Lord. David was able to defeat Goliath because he built a desire by his repeated asking about the reward for the one who would defeat him. He did not want the giant to keep defying God, so he kept his focus on the promise. Don’t look at the fear side of things but on the faith side. Keep God’s Word in your heart. Guard your heart. Look straight ahead. You go where you look, so don’t look at the problem. Proverbs 29:18 says that we need revelation (prophetic vision) and to listen to instruction to be happy. Otherwise, we’ll run wild, casting off moral restraint. Habakkuk 2:2-3 tells us to write down the vision. This is so that our eyes will be focused on it. Hebrews 10:38-39 and 11:1-12:2 tell examples of people who lived by faith by focusing on the eternal and spiritual (not seen) promise. Psalm 123:1-2 tell us to keep our eyes on the Lord.
Sergiy Demidovich – Strength in the Day of Adversity
Proverbs 24:10-11 says that if you faint in the day of adversity, your faith is small. We get so used to things going well that can we trust God when adversity comes, because it does come? Whatever Word we receive, it will be tested. We must be strong enough that when adversity comes, we not only can take it but can help others through it. Sergiy told of the war in Ukraine and how the church helped orphans and others who were affected by the war. The church is to be the answer in time of need. Ukraine had not completely separated itself from Soviet and communistic influence. Now Ukraine has taken a stand and can rebuild better than before. Unfortunately, the Russian Christians did not stand with the Christians in Ukraine. Cultural and ethnic influences should not override our faith in Jesus Christ. Pray for Russia to not go back to the “Soviet days” and away from freedom. Sergiy told of the attack on Christians by the Russians and Muslims. The church was and is the answer to many people, providing water, food, insulin, and housing. The church must have power and not fall into panic. Sorrows change us. What was important to us before changes in times of adversity. Relationship and faithfulness are important. Be strong in the day of adversity. (There was a video of testimonies from Ukraine.)
Looking Ahead Part 2
The path of the just shines brighter and brighter, and the just shall live by faith (Proverbs 4:18 and Hebrews 10:38). We are different because of the light in our lives. Our future is brighter and brighter, and we are going forward with increase. Looking backwards will cause you to stumble and fall. Pulling back is the opposite of going forward in faith. Keep your eyes looking ahead. Complaining is looking back longingly. The Israelites couldn’t enter the Promised Land because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:7-19; 4:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12). What you look at, you will desire. Look to the future, where you victory is. It’s ahead of you (Exodus 14:10-23; Number 11:4-20). If you look behind yourself, you miss the miracle that you’re experiencing now. Don’t hate the provision of the Lord. Rejoice in His provision for you today. Look forward in faith. Philippians 3:12-15 says to forget those things which are behind and reach forward to the things that are ahead.
Looking Ahead Part 1 – How to Leave Your Church
We have more and more of God in our lives (Proverbs 4:18). God gives increase (Psalm 115:14). Isaac sowed in famine, and he went forward and got richer (Genesis 26:12-15). The believer should be the envy of the world. God told the Israelites to obey His voice and walk in His will, that it would go well with them, but they disobeyed and went backward (Jeremiah 7:23-24). We are family. Don’t look back and think about those who have left. Be committed to one another. Sit down with the person who wants to leave. Release them and forgive them. Walk in love. We’re in covenant. We need to be committed to each other. Ask people who come to your church why they left their previous church. The only reason should be that the Lord told them to go. There is a place where you are supposed to be. Be in His will. When leaving a church, pray through it with them. The timing and the place are important for a blessing. Your leaving should leave everyone brighter. Submit to authority and repent if you left a church the wrong way. Some of the people Jesus called were looking back in a longing way (Luke 9:59-62). Look to the future. Hebrews 10:38 says that if anyone draws back, God has no pleasure in him. God’s time is now. Step into obedience.
Receive Only the Truth
Don’t believe every spirit in what you hear preached or see in articles and books (1 John 4:1-4). Mormons believe that Jesus came in the flesh, but they don’t believe that He came in our flesh. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Be teachable but not gullible. Don’t read everything. Some people will depart from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1-5). Jesus did not bear witness to traditions, dogmas, Papal edicts, or anything that substitutes for the Bible truth. There are spirits involved in doctrines, seducing spirits. When a person breaks covenant by wanting something they shouldn’t have, seducing spirits get involved. Demons bring false doctrines. Watch out for hypocrisy and lies, and instead study truth. Paul was concerned about false doctrines (2 Corinthians 11:3). Don’t back off of the truth. He’s coming back. Get ready! Let all things be done, decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). Let all things be done. When it’s done, let it be done decently and in order. The reason why some ministers stop what’s happening is because they don’t how to test it. Don’t swallow false teaching. You may lose a relationship because you believe the truth. Be hungry for the truth. Sometimes you have to stop what is happening. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide.
Prayer
(Please listen for much more detail.) Nehemiah was an example of an intercessor. He had great identification and compassion for the Jews who had gone back to Jerusalem after captivity. His identification and compassion for the people caused him to weep, intercede, fast, and pray for them. He acknowledged God and His promises, stated the problem, and then prayed the solution. After a period of three months he went into action. As the king’s cupbearer, he could speak to the king. He appeared in service to the king with a sad face, which could have cost him his life, but because prayer preceded him and the hand of God was on him, the king granted him favor.
To intercede means to go to a higher authority on behalf of someone else. We can do that through prayer, but intercession is more than prayer. Jesus intercedes for us. He is not praying for you, but as our High Priest, He represents your prayers before the throne. Jesus receives them and then presents them to the Father. Identification is the key to intercession. When you identify with someone, you’re concerned about them, and the best thing you can do is pray for that person. Compassion is responding from your heart as you respond to another in need and affliction. Identification leads to compassion which leads to intercession and action to benefit the other person. Identify with the sins of the people and take responsibility for them. Compassion carries a weight (burden) to it. It causes you to take action by stirring your heart. Phase two of intercession is to do something to be part of the solution. Take responsibility in your heart. You may have to carry something for a time until the delivery time. You cannot have any sin in your life. Jesus identified with us and our sin as He took it upon Himself and became our intercessor. Intercession is identification with compassion, which will drive you to action.
Working With The Prophetic Word
Do things with His Word, not your own. We know in part, so we need the ministry gifts in others (1 Corinthians 13:9). It’s up to you to get the rest of the pieces of the puzzle and to walk out His way. Stay close to Jesus, keeping faith and patience so you get the rest of the word. You become a different person when you’re walking in the anointing and in His calling. What hinders us from fulfillment of a dream, vision, or word? #1 Unbelief. #2 Pride. #3 Impatience. #4 Deception. #5 Negligence. #6 Procrastination #7 Slothfulness #8 Disobedience. #9 Selfishness. #10 Fear. #11 Quitting. #12 Operating in two minds. #13 Lack of knowledge. #14 Fleshly-led, rather being led by the Holy Spirit. #15 Sin. Don’t stagger at the promise through unbelief (Romans 4:17-19).
Discipleship
We are to duplicate Jesus. Be an example to and of the believer. We are the image of God. Model what you want to see in those who follow you. Excellence requires a higher standard. Demonstrate the kingdom of God. People will know you are Jesus’ disciples if you have love one for another (John 13:35). Love is proactive, looking for ways for others to prosper. Commit to stand with your pastor. The just will live by faith (Habakkuk 2). Faith is absolute trust in God. God’s Word is settled forever. He is! We are! Wisdom is in me. Get closer to God. His promises do not change. Do you believe God? Do your disciples follow Christ? Go to war with the Word and win. Demonstrate: Be holy as He is holy. It’s perfectly natural to be supernatural. Hang out with the genius of the Holy Spirit. Use every opportunity to share Jesus. Discipleship begins with parenting. Give no intentional offense that the ministry be blamed (2 Corinthians 6:3). Live a life of faith and live a life of holiness and integrity. Demonstrate what you want your disciples to emulate. Make disciples!
Prosperity
Text: Philippians 4:10-19. If you release more when things are tight, it increases the value of your giving. If you’re going to be a giver, you must also be able to receive. God seeks the fruit that abounds to your heavenly account. He provides your need because you planted seed. Sacrifice attracts God. It takes faith to give. Philippians 4:19only works for you if you give and plant seed. The love of and the mishandling of money is evil. Satan submitted to money. Psalm 78:40-41 says the Israelites limited God in the wilderness and desert. God has pleasure in our prosperity. Provision means “before seeing”. God will supernaturally provide, so be patient. You can’t surprise God with your need. Look to God and don’t limit Him with your mouth. Teach your children about trusting God. Fear negates your trust that God takes care of you. If you don’t tithe to God, you’ll tithe to Satan. John 6:5-14 is the account of Jesus’ feeding the 5000. God tests us sometimes. The ravens fed Elijah food from the king’s table. Act out what you believe. Keep your word and vows. It takes wealth to establish His kingdom.
Receiving New Armada Members/Receive Only the Truth
Comfort yourselves and edify one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11-21). Congregations are to get to know their leaders. Warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks. Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t make up manifestations. Don’t try to top the last meeting. Don’t despise prophecy. Prove all things – prophecy, teaching, doctrines. Make sure you judge truth. Test every spirit, even from your family or friend (1 John 4:1-2). Your purpose must be the truth. If you find out a truth, you need to change because of it. Know what you believe and why. Many false prophets have gone out into the world. Deception keeps close to the truth. The truth is that Jesus is greater than he who is in the world. Jesus came in the flesh, and the flesh He came in is your own. How do you test the spirits? #1 Does this hurt people? #2 Is it scriptural? #3 Is it corrupt? (How is it used? Does it hurt someone? #4 Addition. Does it add to Scripture? #5 Subtraction. Don’t hold off on truth. #6 Don’t mix it with man’s American traditions or thinking or doctrine. #7 Don’t make a truth THE truth (Acts 7:27).
Prayer
Moses was on the mountain with God, and Aaron listened to the desires of the people for a god (Exodus 32:1-35; 33:1). The pastor must have the authority. God speaks to the man in authority. Moses had to intercede, because he was more concerned about God being glorified than about himself. As an intercessor, sometimes it’s better not to know too much. A real leader takes responsibility for his actions and gives his life. Don’t respond out of emotion to other people’s sins. When we are challenged by people’s sin, keep your eyes on Jesus, and don’t be moved by emotion. You need to hear from the Lord. God deals with humanity because of covenant. You can’t trust in your own abilities. Exodus 33:14 says that God’s presence would go with Moses and the Israelites. Keep yourself in love toward the people you’re ministering to. All you need is faith in God. Keep a heart of love. The greater the work, the greater the revelation you need. To go to the next level, you must die to the things of the flesh. It’s an opportunity for God to show what He can do. Show me Your glory. If you lead people, you’ll need His revelation and help. We need His help to see them like He sees them. You need a revelation of God and His love.
Prophetic Presbytery
God’s Anointing
(If you wait for the provision for what God has said to do, money is your god.) God asked Samuel how long he was going to mourn over Saul, since He had rejected him from reigning over Israel (1 Samuel 16). Saul failed because of his insecurity, but God didn’t give up. The anointing is not limited by man’s failures. Samuel had to let go of some relationships for the Lord. God always provides. An anointing service is important. In Samuel’s case, anointing David was worth risking Samuel’s death. Samuel looked on the heart and relied on God’s Spirit to know who would be the next king- called, chosen, and faithful. God sees in your heart, your destiny, your position, and your plan. Listen to the Word, not razzle-dazzle. Samuel anointed David in the midst of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David. The anointing needs to be in the midst of the brethren. God anoints families, a church, a body. God wants us to recognize what He does. Don’t turn your back on your brothers, but root for one another. God anoints what man anoints. Anoint means prosper, represent, come mightily. (Gene English was anointed and ordained. Pastor Sydney was anointed and installed as CWI pastor. Apostle Dale was anointed as admiral and apostle over the Armada.)
Prayer
God shows us the future and gives us vision, but we are to focus on what’s now, not the past or the future. You can read the Bible, looking for the character of God or you can look for the power of God. Matthew 25:1-13 is about the wise and foolish virgins. What’s the message? #1 Be ready. #2 Be filled with the Holy Spirit (the oil). Allow the Lord to interrupt you, allow time for compassion, be balanced in flexibility and structure, and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Don’t miss opportunities (Luke 9:51-62). Encourage yourself and minister to the Lord when you get tired. Feed the hungry, not wasting your time on those who won’t receive you and the message. Don’t worry about who is not here. Watch out for people who talk a lot about themselves. Know what can wait and what can’t. You may only have a moment to do and to go. Don’t compare yourself with others. Stay full. Be patient. What you need in order to go, He provides. Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest (Luke 10:1-2). Obey God and do your part.
Working With the Prophetic Word
1 Timothy 1:18-20 says that some people reject faith and good conscience and become shipwrecked. If you are sitting on a prophetic word, do what you need to do. Know God and rightly divide the Word so you can discern what the prophetic word is. There is a birthing process. Fight with the Word. Resist fear, because it takes you out of the place of faith. Know who your enemy is. Hang onto your faith and keep a clear conscience. Flee some things and pursue and fight for your faith (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 4:7), pull down strongholds daily (2 Corinthians 10:4-5), and endure hardships (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Receive the word you’ve been given and operate like it’s true. Love from a pure heart and good conscience (1 Timothy 1:5). Don’t put more stock in “a word” than the Word of God. War with the Word of God. You have the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20, 27). As you yield to God, He can download to you. The Holy Spirit will teach you if you abide in Him. Live in a relationship with Him. What is the proper response to prophecy? #1 Discern so you can reject or receive the word. #2 Faith. #3 Obedience. #4 Patience. #5 Humility (Submission to God’s Spirit). #6 Meekness. #7 Submission to His lordship.
Discipleship
The goal of discipling is for someone else to become just like you. It is not the same as teaching. Serving is not glamorous. The church exists to worship, and disciples exist to make it happen without distraction. We are trained to demonstrate the kingdom. Be bold and do the Word wherever you are- Costco or Walmart. Disciples need to be teachable, learning from their masters or leaders. To be a witness means laying down your life. The disciples had to wait for the Holy Spirit. Elisha had to stick closely to Elijah. Real disciples do not quit but endure to the end. Disciples ask a lot of questions. They will work for free or pay to work. They are going someplace. They are part of a team. They do what they are supposed to do. They demonstrate the kingdom of God. When Jesus comes, what will you be doing? Disciples are chosen on purpose. They will get the work done. Do the ministry. Other Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Romans13:11– 14:4.