admin – Fall Line Church

Day 21 – Forward

admin — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 01:19:14 +0000

PURSUING THE VICTORY

In Joshua 10, Joshua held on to God’s promise of victory over Israel’s enemies and was not content until Israel achieved total victory. His conviction resulted in him asking God to cause the sun to stand still. In that significant moment of history, God did cause the sun to stop in mid-day, until the people of Israel completely defeated their enemies!

The pursuit of victory begins with a conviction in our hearts. In the pursuit of victory, there is no place for doubt. In the heat of the battle, it was Joshua’s bold proclamation that touched God’s heart. The key to winning the battles in our lives begins first with the conviction that God will accomplish all that He says He will.

The conviction in our hearts determines our response. When we know that God is on our side, we have the boldness to make faith-filled requests, knowing with full confidence that God will work on our behalf. We begin to take spiritual authority in the midst of our situation, confident in our identity as sons and daughters of God. Press on and contend for all of the promises that God has given to you, until you see them come to pass!

What are you believing God for at the beginning of this new year? Share that with someone who can pray and believe with you. Keep praying, keep declaring and keep living in faith as you wait for God to bring you your victory!

Reflect:

- What are some bold, faith-filled declarations that you can make over your life? Declare them over your life today!

- Is there an area of your life that you have not experienced victory in? Commit your doubts to God, ask the Holy Spirit for a fresh conviction as you continue pursuing the promise of victory.

Prayer:

Dear God, I know that You have good things planned for me and You are faithful to Your word. Help me to hold on to Your promises despite my circumstances and to persevere in faith until I see the victory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Read:

Joshua 10:12-13 NLT
On the day the LORD gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the LORD in front of all the people of Israel. He said, “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies. Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day.

Day 20 – Forward

admin — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 01:17:33 +0000

PRESSING ON

Completing a full marathon is no easy feat. Even for a seasoned runner to finish the race, he needs to choose to keep going despite the pain and exhaustion that may set in along the way.

The apostle Paul recognised that the Christian journey is just like a race. In Philippians 3, he teaches us how we can complete the race:

- Forget the past – our past mistakes, failures and shortcomings can hinder us from stepping into God’s plan and purpose for our lives. You will not be able to run far if you carry the weight of your past. Choose not to be hindered by your past, and place your confidence in God!

- Look forward – God has a plan and purpose for your life. Keep your eyes fixed on God’s call for your life and take intentional steps in obedience that will bring you closer to His plans and purposes for you.

- Press on – unhindered by your past and fixed on what lies before you, make a decision to endure and persevere even when the going gets tough. Press on until you reach the goal!

Instead of letting guilt, shame or feelings of unworthiness discourage us, let’s make a decision to maintain our focus and look forward to the eternal reward that awaits us at the end of our race. As we persevere, God will be there to teach, direct and equip us every step of the way – may the only time that we look back be to see how far we have come!

Reflect:

- Take a moment to list down areas in your life that are hindering you from moving forward (e.g. past guilt, wrong habits). What are some practical steps you can take to leave those areas behind?

- When the going gets tough, one simple way to persevere is to look back and remind yourself of how far you’ve come. Celebrate the small victories, acknowledging that God is continuously working in you.

Prayer:

Dear God, I thank You that You have a purpose and plan for my life. Today, I commit to leave the past behind, to look ahead and run the race You have called me to. Help me to fix my eyes on You and trust that You will help me to accomplish all that You have planned for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Read:

Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Day 19 – Forward

admin — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 05:04:14 +0000

The tallest species of trees in the world can grow up to 110m and live for 1,800 years or more. However, it’s easy to forget that even the biggest of trees grow from the smallest of seeds. What seems magnificent and majestic, actually started from a tiny seed that could fit into a child’s hand.

God is constantly at work in your life. In Isaiah 43, God reveals Himself as a creative God who is always working behind the scenes. God does not want us to remain stagnant. Instead, He is constantly working in us, leading us into His plans and purposes for our lives. In times that you feel frustrated with the lack of progress or change in your life, don’t give in to doubt! Instead, trust that God is actively working in you, even though you might not see it.

Don’t place a limit on what God can do! In 1 Kings 18, Elijah prayed earnestly for rain after the nation of Israel experienced three years of drought. Even though the first sign of rain came in the form of a small cloud the size of a man’s fist, Elijah knew without a doubt that God had answered his prayer, and that heavy rain would soon come. The great things that God desires to do in us often have small and insignificant beginnings. Don’t despise the small beginnings! Instead, seize the moment and believe that what you see is just a glimpse of all that God will accomplish in your life.

When it feels as though nothing is changing in your life, encourage yourself by recognizing that you are a “work-in-progress”! As we allow God to work in us, He brings us from glory to glory, until we experience the fullness of His plans and purpose for our lives.

Reflect:

Is there an area in your life that you desire to see breakthrough in? List down the small victories and wins that you’ve seen in this area and remind yourself that a breakthrough is on the way.
What are some reasons that can cause you to stop short of your breakthrough? (e.g. fear of greater commitment, fear of inconvenience)

Prayer:

Dear God, I believe You are the God of breakthroughs, and that You are actively leading me into the plans that You have for my life. Help me to be open to Your leading, knowing that You are walking alongside me to fulfill all that You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Read:

Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
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Day 18 – Forward

admin — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 13:00:58 +0000

SPURRING ONE ANOTHER ON

In 2 Samuel, the Israelites were confronted by their enemies, who attacked them from the front and back. Joab, the commander of King David’s army, split the army into two, with half led by him and the other half by his brother, Abishai. Joab strengthened Abishai’s resolve and stirred his spirit by telling him that even though they were fighting battles on two fronts, that either of them would help the other if they were being overwhelmed. They were not fighting two separate battles, but together as one.

We are called to stand with each other. The people of Israel would only win the battle if both Joab and Abishai experienced victory on both fronts. Battles are not won alone! More often than not, our personal victories are possible only because others have come alongside us, believing, encouraging, and giving us strength as we fight for our breakthrough. In our lives, we may know of others who are in the midst of a battle. God has called us to stand by them and to do all that it takes to see them achieve their victory!

We must be willing to sacrifice. Choosing to stand by each other may mean sacrificing our convenience, our time, and even comfort. In fact, we might even be fighting battles of our own while helping others! Even when we find that we don’t have enough, the truth is that God is able to supply all that we need! As we choose to stand by each other, we find the strength and courage to stand, knowing that we’re not fighting our battles alone, and that God’s purpose will prevail.

Is there someone you know who is fighting a battle? Choose to come alongside and stand with them, and do all that it takes to support them until they receive their victory.

Reflect:

How have others stood by you in the midst of a difficult situation? How did that make you feel?
Identify someone (e.g. a new believer) whom you can invest your time, effort and energy in. Commit to seeing the person grow in his walk with God.

Prayer:

Dear God, open my eyes to those whom You have placed in my life. Give me a heart for those who are going through difficult situations. I know that You will enable me to stand with them until we see the breakthrough that will come from You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Read:

2 Samuel‬ ‭10‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬

”Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you. Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.”“
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Day 17 – Forward

admin — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:02:50 +0000

DECLARING WHO WE ARE

In the Old Testament, it was common that names given by parents to their children often determined their future. In 1 Chronicles, we read the account of Jabez. The Bible tells us that his mother named him Jabez (“borne in pain”) because she gave birth to him in pain. Because of his name, those around him saw him as someone destined for a life of sorrow, pain, and hardship. However, Jabez knew who he was in God and boldly asked God to bless and prosper him.

We need to know our God-given identity. Before Jabez asked God to bless him, he had to first know who he was in God. To declare who we are in God, we first need to know what God says about us. God says that we are blessed, loved and highly favoured! Dive deep into God’s word to know what He says about you and believe that nothing will ever change God’s heart toward you.

Choose to reject the lies of the enemy. The enemy will come and distort who God says we are (e.g. that we are worthless and not deserving of any love). When we choose to believe what the enemy says about us, we lose sight of God’s heart towards us. God’s word is an effective shield against the lies of the enemy. When the enemy tells us that we’re not deserving of God’s love, declare Romans 8:38-39 over yourself!

Today, make a decision to reject who the enemy says you are, and like Jabez, allow what God says about you to determine your identity. Have you given in to the identity that others have given to you? Don’t lose heart! Today, know that God’s heart towards you is good. He desires to move from where you are, to the place that He wants you to be. Believe that God’s heart towards you is good and boldly declare that over your life!

Reflect:

What are some of the labels that you’ve allowed to become your identity? Surrender them to God and allow Him to reveal who you are in Him.
What does God say about you? List down some of the ways that God describes you from the Bible (e.g. fearfully and wonderfully made).

Prayer:

Dear God, I thank You that Your thoughts towards me are good and that You desire to prosper me in all that I do. Today, I choose to assume the identity that You have given to me, that in Your sight, I am loved, blessed, and highly favoured. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Read:

1 Chronicles‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

”Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.“
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Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

”For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“

Day 16 – Forward

admin — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 15:11:39 +0000

A dam is not built for days when there is no rain. Rather, a dam is built in expectation of the large volume of water that comes when there is a thunderstorm. Trying to build a dam only when there are signs of rain would be futile!

Challenging circumstances are opportunities to grow our capacity.Before God can lead us into new things, He first needs to grow our capacity. Before meeting Goliath on the battlefield, David already knew what it meant to face an enemy much stronger and bigger than himself. While tending to his flock of sheep, David defended them from attacks from wild animals. This gave him the courage, strength and capacity to eventually stand up to Goliath and defeat him. God is constantly working in our lives to grow us, even in the midst of challenging circumstances. When we recognise that God is working in our lives, we respond in a way that not only honours God, but also grows our capacity and character. Like David, we need to allow God to mould and shape us, in preparation for the greater things that He wants to do through us.

It begins with faithfulness! David was able to handle the greater things that God did through him because he was first faithful over the little that was entrusted to him. In order for God to use us to accomplish His plans and purpose, we must remain faithful over all that God has entrusted to us. Has God called you to be a Connect Group Leader? Be faithful over those who have been entrusted to you. As we grow in our capacity and remain faithful, we avail ourselves to be used by God to take new ground!

Reflect:

Ask God to reveal to you the areas in your life where He wants to grow your capacity.
What are the roles and responsibilities that God has called you to in this season? List them down and commit to being faithful over them.

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to be faithful to the things that You have called me to this season. I know and trust that You are working in every area of my life to increase my capacity. Thank You for working in and through me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Read:

1 Samuel 17:34-36

”But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.“
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Day 15 – Forward

admin — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 01:25:01 +0000

WEEK 3 – TAKING GROUND

Our focus for our final week in our 21-Day journey is on Taking Ground, where we take bold steps forward and experience victory in the different areas of our lives.

Even when everything around us seems to come to a standstill, God’s desire is not that we shrink back or remain passive. Rather, God’s desire is that we continue to advance and move forward, taking new territory and stepping into the plans and purposes that He has for us in this season. God is constantly doing a new thing in our lives, and we need to recognise what He is doing, and submit wholeheartedly to His leading.

This week, allow God to reveal truths to you, change your perspective and position you to step forward!

CHANGING OUR PERSPECTIVE

Have you ever looked through a pair of sunglasses? Everything you see seems dull and muted, but in reality, things are not what they appear to be. When you take off your sunglasses, you will realise how bright and colourful your surroundings actually are. The truth is that there are things that can distort or limit our perspective.

Don’t let your perspective dilute God’s promise. In Genesis 12, God promised to give Abram the land of Canaan and that his descendants would fill the land. There was only one problem – Abram and his wife Sarai were childless! In spite of the hopelessness that Abram felt, God’s promises had not changed! Just like Abram, our perspective can be shaped by our present limitations, causing us to doubt God’s promises. When we focus on our limitations, what we see in the natural begins to take the place of our faith in who God says He is. Instead of believing that God will fulfill all the promises that He has made, we begin to focus on all the reasons why God’s promise will not be fulfilled. But the truth is that God is a promise-keeper and He will never fail us!

God can give us a new perspective! In the midst of our discouragement, God desires to give us a new perspective – one that is perfectly aligned with who He says He is and the promises that He has given to us. We need to step outside of our tents and look away from our current circumstances. When God gives us a new perspective, we receive a fresh faith to believe that God’s promises will come to pass.

Evaluate the areas which stop us from lifting up our faith. Hold on to God’s promises and look up towards His purposes. As we do so, faith begins to arise in our hearts and what looks impossible becomes a reality in our lives.

Reflect:

- Allow God to examine if there are areas in your life (e.g. in your work, relationships, or ministry) where you need a new perspective. Be prepared to respond as He speaks.

- We begin to see God’s greatness when we worship Him. Devote some time to worship God and allow Him to change your perspective.

Prayer:

Dear God, I choose to turn away from my limitations and circumstances and turn to You. I acknowledge that You are the Creator who can do all things. You are the Promise Keeper who never fails. Give me a new perspective of who You are in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Read:

Genesis 15:5-6 NLT
Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Day 14 – Forward

admin — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 01:22:21 +0000

RELYING ON THE HOLY SPIRIT

For toddlers, taking their first steps is not easy. They do not learn and grow just by relying on their own strength – their parents hold their hands as they learn to walk. Similarly, we grow and mature spiritually not through our own strength, but by relying on the Holy Spirit. He is our guide and counsel in our spiritual growth!

The Holy Spirit will give us understanding when we need it. The way we understand and react to circumstances are often shaped by our beliefs and past experiences. This can limit our understanding of how God wants to work in and through us. For example, when we encounter a challenging situation (e.g. the loss of a job), we can easily lose hope and worry about how to provide for ourselves and our families. In these situations, the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and understanding. 1 Corinthians 2:11-12 tells us that we have received the Holy Spirit so that we can know and understand God’s mind. As we begin to rely on the Holy Spirit, He begins to reveal God’s purpose for us even in the midst of our situation.

It is the Holy Spirit who will empower us to overcome difficult situations. As we choose to rely on the Holy Spirit, He gives us the courage and faith to trust God with our situation. He brings us from a place of anxiety and worry into a place of absolute confidence and trust in God.

Today, make the decision to rely less on yourself. Instead, choose to rely on the Holy Spirit. Seek the Holy Spirit’s direction in every decision you make, no matter how big or small.

Reflect:

- Why is it difficult to rely on the Holy Spirit?

- Is there an area in your life where you are believing for a breakthrough? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what God is doing in the midst of your situation.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for the promise of Your Holy Spirit. I know that when I choose to rely on the Spirit, I will step into the plans and purposes that You have for my life. Help me to rely less on my own strength and knowledge and more on Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Read:

Zechariah 4:6 NLT
Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

1 Corinthians 2:11-12 NLT
No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

Day 13 – Forward

admin — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 13:50:25 +0000

The Holy Spirit is the one who sends and empowers us. During His own time of ministry, Jesus demonstrated His God-given authority to fulfill His purpose here on earth – to preach the gospel of salvation, comfort the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom to those who are bound. This is exactly what God has intended for us to do. The good news is that it is not dependent on our strength or ability. It is the Holy Spirit who will give us the right words to say, show us the right things to do, and help us pray prayers that are in line with God’s will and purpose. The Spirit also empowers us with spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 tells us that the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts, not for our own benefit, but so that we can help one another.

God has anointed us for the purpose of reaching those around us. We are His representatives to those around us, but we need to partner with the Holy Spirit in order to represent Him well. We can identify needs in the lives of those we see around us and begin to ask Him to show us how to meet these needs!

Reflect:

Why do we sometimes experience fear when we share the gospel?
Take a moment to identify a need in someone you know and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can meet that need in their life.

Prayer:

Dear God, I know that I have been anointed by You to preach the gospel and meet the needs of those around me. Help me to not rely on my own strength, but on the Holy Spirit who enables me. I choose to be used by You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Read:

Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

”The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,“
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1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

”Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.“
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Day 12- Forward

admin — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 14:18:26 +0000

In Joshua 5, Joshua was on the brink of attacking the fortified city of Jericho when he encountered a divine messenger on the road with sword in hand. In that moment, Joshua did not know if the divine messenger was on his side or if he was the enemy. When the messenger announced that he was the commander of the Lord’s army, Joshua immediately recognised that he was sent by God and fell face down on the ground in worship and reverence.

Receiving a breakthrough begins with a fresh revelation of who God is. In the midst of a difficult situation, God desires to reveal Himself in strength. If you are believing for financial provision, God desires to reveal Himself as Your provider. If you are believing for healing, God wants to show Himself as Your healer. When we receive a revelation of who God is to us, we receive the assurance that He knows and understands all that we’re going through. How does God reveal Himself to us? One way that He does so is through the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 1:17 Paul describes the Holy Spirit as a Spirit of wisdom that helps us grow in our knowledge of God. When we ask the Holy Spirit, He gives us a fresh revelation of who God is in our lives.

Don’t just seek God only when you need Him. In all you do, begin by first asking the Holy Spirit to give you a fresh revelation of who God is. Desire to know Him more personally and intimately. Purpose in your heart to first seek God first before taking any step ahead and hear Him tell you what He wants you to do.

Reflect:

God’s word reveals who He is. Cultivate the habit of reading and meditating on God’s word daily and allow God to reveal His character and attributes to you.
Is there a situation or challenge that you are facing now? Encourage and strengthen your faith in God by asking Him for a fresh revelation of who He is!

Prayer:

Dear God, I know that You are active and present in my life and that You desire to reveal Yourself to me through the Holy Spirit. Give me a fresh revelation of who You are in my life and give me the courage to take a step of faith in obedience to anything You say to me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Read:

Joshua 5:13-15

”Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.“