Category: Destiny

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Keys to overcoming fear

[A blog by Leif Hetland 3rd June 2023]

Without doubt, the greatest hindrance to our ability to step into our destiny is fear. Fear, which is rooted in unbelief, holds us back from the purposes of God. Unbelief thrives in a heart that is not in alignment with God’s nature, purpose, power, and presence. Because of this, every believer must confront unbelief and come face to face with fear. There is no way around it. To step into freedom, we need to deal with unbelief and fear—first within us and then around us.

Thankfully, our heavenly Father has given us everything we need to defeat fear (2 Tim. 1:7). These three gifts—power, love, and a sound mind—are the keys to saying no to fear in our lives. 

1. The first key to overcoming fear is learning to walk in the power of God. When we face overwhelming circumstances, we can respond to them in one of three ways—we can run from them, we can ignore them, or we can face them. The first two options are rooted in fear. The third option, facing our circumstances, is the choice to step into God’s gift of power in our lives.  Continue reading “Keys to overcoming fear”

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Shaped by history, or shaping history?

Kris Vallotton in a blog 14th September 2022 quotes a comment his son Jason made while they were have a conversation about ‘Becoming a man that shapes History’. Jason says …

“Your purpose in life comes out of your identity, so if you never really figure out who you are and how you were made then you spend the rest of your life chasing things you were never supposed to be chasing.”

Kris goes on to add something I believe is very important …
                      The truth is there is a big difference between
                            working from love and working for love. 

If you are working so that you have an identity, you will never be able to work hard enough, long enough, or well enough to find fulfilment in yourself.

I’d propose that, if you want your life’s actions to produce a legacy that nourishes the future generations, you need to consider your internal motivator – are you working from a place of performance or a place of love? This will be the fruit that feeds the future generations.

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A life of discouragement or a life of favour

Discouragement seems to so often grip us – even though we might consider ourselves mature in faith and able to stand strong in the tides of life. Discouragement among other things takes the wind from our sails – even though it is the breath of God who breathes life into them. 

It never ceases to amaze me how one sharp comment or disapproving look can undo all the praise and encouragement that comes our way especially as we seek the approval of others and the love of God through our good works.

The missionary William Ward had this to say about discouragement – consider how it sits with you ……
“Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellowman, and unbelief in the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God.” 

I wonder if we should be people of discouragement or be encouraged by the reality that we are favoured by God. We get to choose. Do we worship a God of discouragement or a God of blessing?  We get to choose – agree with God or not!

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Keys to Partnering with God’s Breakthrough

If you could draw the word “breakthrough” what would it look like? A sledgehammer crashing through a wall? A dam bursting its banks? A sapling pushing through the hard dirt? Perhaps you would use words to describe its process like hard work, grit, tenacity, and maybe even weariness.

At times in our good-hearted, passionate pursuit of breakthrough we can ever so subtly shift our focus onto our own effort and will. We begin to carry the burden for breakthrough on our own back, and grow weary in the struggle. But if we turn to the scriptures to define this powerful word, we see a picture – not of humanity breaking through barriers – but of God as the One bursting through on behalf of His people.

When David faced the Philistines, in what was called the Valley of Giants (Rephaim Valley, 2 Sam 5:18), he watched the Lord burst through upon his enemies, and win the victory on Israel’s behalf. There David renamed that Valley of Giants to ‘The Valley of The Lord Who Bursts Through’.

What valley of giants are you facing? God wants to burst forth against your enemies with such power that you rename that valley after Him – The Lord Of The Breakthrough. Right now, all of heaven is breaking through on your behalf. Heaven is bursting at the seams, breaking into our churches, our cities, our cultures and our workplaces. May we simply “show up” in the valley, give God our “yes” and see Him burst through. Continue reading “Keys to Partnering with God’s Breakthrough”

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I Am Part of God’s Genealogy for Revival

Overcoming feeling insignificant
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase”                         (1 Corinthians 3:6)

One Christmas season I was reading hurriedly through the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew. As I was waiting to get to the “good stuff,” I sensed God speak to me. “Steve, you are part of the genealogy of the great end-time revival. You are also included in many other big things that have been done and will be done.” 

As I read this genealogy, a couple of things struck me. First, none of those mentioned really knew that their highest purpose was for something that would occur after they died. They had a seed in them to pass on that was greater than any obvious assignment. Second, they lived in varied spiritual climates. Some lived in a revival culture, while others were living in backslidden times. Even so, they all were vital in God’s big picture of things.  Continue reading “I Am Part of God’s Genealogy for Revival”