Get Equipped

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

1. WALK IN GOD’S POWER. God has called us to go out and change the world but only when we are clothed with His power (Luke 24:49). Though we live an earthly life, we do not fight an earthly war (2 Corinthians 10:3). God has made available spiritual weapons to believers—like the Name of Jesus, the Blood of Jesus, and the Word of God.

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A Different Way of Thinking

The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.” Then Gideon said to him, “O my Lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” Judges: 12-13a

1. GOD USES RELUCTANT WARRIORS. When God called Gideon to step up and rescue the people of Israel, Gideon responded with excuses: God’s abandoned us; I’m the least important and the youngest; if this is You, God, prove it. He was expressing attitudes that had been formed by years of oppression and disappointment. But God was introducing Gideon to a new way of thinking.

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Empowered for Effectiveness

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

1. CLOTHED WITH GOD’S POWER. These famous last words of Jesus before He ascended to heaven show that He did not leave us powerless. We can go out into the ridiculousness of a challenging world with confidence, knowing that He has clothed us with “power from on high” (Luke 24:49), and that it’s as available for us in the twenty-first century as it was for the Early Church.

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The Winning Life

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 1 Corinthians 9:19

1. BE FREE. The apostle Paul is communicating that being free from fear of other people enables him to truly serve those people. “The fear of man brings a snare” (Proverbs 29:25a). God wants to set us free to be more influential than we ever could be if we stay tripped up by what others think.

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Power for Life

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

God has given us spiritual power tools that take us from a hand saw to a power saw; from a shovel to a front-end loader; from a mediocre situation to supernatural strength. If you feel stuck in a pit or depressed, it’s time to utilize some of these powerful tools from your toolbox.

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Hold Fast to Your Confession

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

1. MAINTAIN THE GOOD REPORT. What we speak will determine success or failure in our lives. God is calling us to embrace and maintain the good report through the powerful profession of our faith. Our faith isn’t based in human optimism but in the eternal truths of God’s promises.

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How to Avoid Compassion Fatigue

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2

1. MAINTAIN AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. The best part of life is Jesus. Everything we do is for an audience of One. Life here on earth has too many needs for us to ever keep track of and take care of, and that’s why we must keep seeking the eternal things of Jesus and trust Him with this life.

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The Assurance of Faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of [those] . . . who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises. . . Hebrews 11:1, 32-33

1. CONQUER KINGDOMS. Our place in life is to be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). It’s not an earthly battle we’re fighting but a spiritual one against forces of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus has given us delegated authority and we can pray from a position of victory, using Scripture to believe for great things to take place in our city, our region, and our nation.

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Restoring the Soul

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3

REST. Rest is not a luxury; it’s a requirement. When we approach life from a position of rest, we will make better decisions and won’t be as susceptible to sin. That’s why we must take time to quiet ourselves before the Lord, to let His peace come in and replace the commotion.

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New Beginnings

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

GO FORWARD. Jesus came on the scene not to condemn or reinforce failure, but to become a sin substitute for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Don’t let the past hold you back. If there is an area of self-inflicted misery in your life, repent and move on. When vision gets disrupted, when momentum gets crippled by challenges, it is God who is at work urging and helping us to put off the old person and keep putting on the new (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 4:22-24).

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Security in God

Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers. For they will wither quickly like the grass and fade like the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:1-4

1. DO NOT FRET. Jesus wants us to be birdwatchers. Next time you go outside, look at the birds as a cure for anxiety. God supplies seeds, worms, and water for them, and you are worth much more to Him than they are. He will take care of all your needs as you walk out this life of faith (Philippians 4:19).

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Heart Life

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38 NKJV

1. A PROTECTED HEART. Tending to the hidden person of the heart is very important in this hour. The devil will try to discourage you; so take control of what you allow to influence you. Shake off bitterness, unforgiveness, and strife and diligently guard your heart.

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How to Live In Harmony

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

1. RUN FROM STRIFE. “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out” (Proverbs 17:14). God has designed us for unity and harmony, but as you go through life, opportunities for strife will come up (Matthew 18:7). Strife is seductive in the moment, but yielding to it will hinder your effectiveness and progress. As much as it depends on you, pursue peace (Romans 12:18).

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Watch Over Your Heart

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23

1. FROM BITTERNESS TO FORGIVENESS. Protect and guard your heart from the poison of resentment and fear. They are vision suppressors and growth inhibitors. Keep forgiving. Your heart needs to stay fresh and clear because there is plenty more God has planned for you to accomplish.

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The Power of Unity

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever. Psalm 133

1. THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY. Unity creates strength. This is a law like gravity—it works for both the just and the unjust. In the Old Testament we see unity being used for evil purposes in building the Tower of Babel. When God saw what the people were doing, He said, “Now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them” (Genesis 11:6b). If even evil agendas can use the power of unity to advance their causes, how much more can the godly advance when we unite under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

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People of One Purpose

Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Philippians 2:2

1. GATHER TOGETHER. When the Early Church prayed together, things happened. When the apostles Peter and John were released from prison and told not to preach God’s Word, they gathered with their own companions and “lifted their voices to God with one accord” asking for boldness to preach the Gospel and for signs and wonders to take place (Acts 4:23-31). In the next chapter, we see their prayer in action – people getting healed and saved (Acts 5:12-16). When we gather together, united in spirit, prayer changes things.

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Walking by Faith

Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:28-31

1. STEP OUT OF THE BOAT. God is calling us to be brave and courageous. When we look at circumstances around us, it seems against human logic to step out in faith at God’s bidding. But when we get out of the boat in obedience, nations can be saved, families can be turned around, and individuals can be restored.

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Knowing God

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Mark 1:35

1. CONNECTION. Christianity is a relationship—not just knowing about God, but knowing Him personally. We’ve all drifted at times and gotten into routine, but when we take time to connect with God—through prayer, times of worship, and getting in the Word—it makes all the difference.
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True Greatness

But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11

1. FIND HAPPINESS IN SERVING OTHERS. If you want to have greatness, get involved with a life of serving. Jesus came not “to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). The world is skewed in valuing what’s important, grabbing at any form of happiness available. But the true recipe for happiness is to do something good for somebody else.

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The Value of Serving

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45 NLT

1. SERVE THROUGH LOVE. (Galatians 5:13b) The only time in the Bible we are told to compete with others is to outdo one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10). We are going to win the world not by flashy methods or by prowess or by badgering people, but by showing our care and love for them. So let’s get up every day and figure out how to serve others.

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The Adventure of Faith

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7

1. ADMIT YOUR NEED FOR GOD. God uses ordinary, flawed people to do extraordinary things. The life of faith is not humanity exerting our strength—it’s admitting our complete need for God and letting the vessel of our humanity be filled with God. When we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He can use us!

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Let God Use You!

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong. 1 Corinthians 1:26-27

1. COMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD. God uses ordinary, flawed people to do extraordinary things. God called Gideon a valiant warrior while he and his people were still hiding in caves. Moses said he couldn’t speak, but God used him as His spokesperson. God even spoke through a donkey and a burning bush! It’s not by our might or power, but by the Holy Spirit.

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Jesus Is Your Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3

1. FOLLOW JESUS. The Bible uses the example that we are like sheep and God is our shepherd: we can trust Him and follow Him. If you’ve lost your way, call on Jesus. He will find you.

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Pray for the Best JUMP! Yet

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 2 Corinthians 9:8

Here are some points to pray and confess the next two weeks of JUMP!

• Thank You, God, for safety and blessing over all the kids, families, staff, and volunteers at JUMP! Psalm 91:10, 12:7

• God is able to make all grace abound to each volunteer so that they have sufficiency and abundance in everything they do. 2 Corinthians 9:8

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How to Abound

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. 2 Corinthians 9:8

1. REALIZE GOD’S WILLINGNESS. God is always pouring out grace and abundance to His people and His nature doesn’t change—what He told the Early Church stands true for His Church today. He delights in your prosperity (Psalm 35:27). Spend some time studying the Word of God to better understand the One we are called to cast our cares upon and the Father who has merciful provision and sufficiency for every situation.

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