The Power of Deep Roots - Awake Nations...direct result of them having deep roots. As we are...

The Power of Deep Roots

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Greetings in Jesus’

powerful name!

This course is one of many taught at the Impact Center of Supernatural Ministry, an onsite and online school of ministry designed to disciple and equip believers to do walk and work as Jesus did on the earth.

We pray that as a direct result of your study of any of our courses that ...the eyes of your heart [would be] flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength (Ephesians 1:18 – 19 Amplified Bible).

For further information about Awake Nations and the Impact Center of Supernatural Ministry, visit our website www.AwakeNations.org

Advancing the Kingdom of God,

Glenn & Lynn Bleakney

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“I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater

things than these, because I go to the Father” (John 14:12, Amplified Bible).

“Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the

untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously” (Matthew 10:5-8, The Message).

“Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived” (1 John 2:6, The Message).

“And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we

live like Jesus here in this world” (1 John 4:18 New Living Translation).

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Each session consists of:

Objectives:

These are the goals you should achieve by studying the chapter. Read them before starting the lesson.

Key Verse:

This verse emphasizes the main concept of the chapter. You should memorize it.

Chapter Content:

Study each section and fill in the blanks. Use your Bible to look up any references not printed in the manual.

Assignments:

Each session you will participate in various learning assignments.

For Further Study:

This section will help you continue your study of the Word of God, improve your study skills, and apply what you have learned to your life and ministry.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS NEEDED

You will need a King James or New King James version of the Bible.

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

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Video 1: The Power of Deep Roots

• Session 1 Page 6

Video 2: Dealing with Bitter Roots • Session 1 continued Page 10

Video 3: Repaired and Prepared


Video 4: Order of Salvation • Session 2 continued Page 17

Video 5: The Purpose of the Law of Moses

• Session 3 Page 21 Video 6: The Moral Law of God

• Session 3 continued Page 25

Video 7: The Law of the Spirit and Life • Session 3 continued Page 28

Video 8: Uprooting Envy and Self-Will

• Session 4 Page 32 Video 9: Uprooting Fear and Unforgiveness

• Session 4 continued Page 37 Video 10: Cultivating the Soil of Your Heart


TABLE OF CONTENTS

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SESSION ONE

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

1. Identify “bitter roots” and know how to uproot them. 2. Understand the spiritual process of personal transformation

that accompanies true salvation so that you are able to walk as sons of God.

3. Share your personal testimony effectively and succinctly.

INTRODUCTION:

At the commencement of His public ministry, the Lord Jesus Christ quoted in part Isaiah chapter 61. “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD” (Luke 4:18-19).

When Christ Jesus was on the earth, the Bible says that He went around doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). He came preaching the Good Tidings of the Gospel to poor. He ministered deliverance to prisoners, healing to the brokenhearted, and recovery of sight to the blind!

For what purpose?

Back to Isaiah 61:3: That we might be “...trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

We are called to be trees of righteousness - God's planting, for the purpose of glorifying Him. The Hebrew word translated “tree” is literally “a strong tree” like an oak tree.

God want us to be established and rooted in Christ's character. He has called us to be firmly planted in His righteousness so that we may bear much fruit to His glory! We are oaks of righteousness, not tumble weeds!

KEY VERSE: “And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah Shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward” (2 Kings 19:30).

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The Necessity of

The New Testament is clear that God demands fruit in His people:

• Matthew 3:10, And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not

bear __________ fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

• John 15:8, By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

• John 15:16, You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.

• Matthew 7:17-20, Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

One of the most overlooked definitions of fruit is that it is a _______________________ of the life inherent in the tree!

Checking the Root System In spite of the fact that Jesus demands fruit from His people, we are not expected to bear that fruit by our own efforts. Our responsibility is merely to watch over the root system of our lives, ensuring that it is healthy and the Lord will produce an abundant yield of fruit!

In the natural, the secret to ensuring a harvest of rich luxuriant fruitful is the health and vitality of the root system. This is also true as it relates to the Christian walk. “...And if the root is holy, so are the branches” (Romans 11:16). We must have healthy roots that are planted firmly in ___________________ if we are to display the fruit of the Spirit to our world.

There are two specific things that can hinder a harvest of fruit that we need to be aware of:


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1. Shallow Roots:

“And the remnant that has escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root _____________ and bear fruit ________________” (2 Kings 19:30). Note that the remnant people spoken of by the prophet produce much fruit as a direct result of them having deep roots. As we are established and rooted in Him, we will manifest an abundance of fruit for His glory even in the most difficult and dry seasons of life.

Rest assured that if your roots reach deep you will bear fruit even in the most adverse circumstances and condition in life. The iron-clad promise of the Lord is, “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 New Living Translation).

A tree has what is known as a “_____________________.” When a lengthy drought is experienced and the water in the ground dissipates, that root tirelessly tunnels through the ground deeper and deeper until it locates water. We are in a season right now where the hot desert winds of adversity and opposition are blowing fiercely. The only way we are going to prevail is by extending our roots deeper drawing from the cool, subterranean waters of life that flow from beneath the throne of God. It is not enough to merely resist the devil; we must first be submitted to God (See James 4:7). Regardless of how close you have been to the Lord, the call in this hour is to go deeper still! As you do you will experience a remarkable renewing. “...Their leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruit” (Jeremiah 17:8).

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Journal: List five areas in your life that you need to address in order to go “deeper” in your relationship with God? Write them below and then list beside them personal actions steps you will take to accomplish your goals:

1. __________________: Action Steps: _____________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

2. __________________: Action Steps: _____________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

3. __________________: Action Steps: _____________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

4. __________________: Action Steps: _____________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

5. __________________: Action Steps: _____________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

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2. Sickly Roots

The second hindrance factor toward a life of fruitfulness is what the Bible calls the “root of _____________________.” Scripture admonishes us that diseased roots will spread poison their poison killing the entire plant. “...Lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15). The root of bitterness is that which inwardly defiles us. Jesus put it this way: “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you” (Matthew 7:20-23 NLT).

Inside-Out Righteousness

God is looking for men and woman that are more concerned about what they look like on the inside than on the outside! Psalm 51:6 informs us, “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts….” We must not be like the Pharisees of whom Jesus cried out, "”Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the __________________ and dish, and then the outside also will be clean” (Matthew 23:25-26 NIV).

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Write the definition of the following:

o Evil thoughts: Literally, “wicked thoughts.”

o Adulteries: Having sexual relations with someone of the opposite sex that is married to another.

o Fornications: _____________________________________ ________________________________________________

o Murders: “to slay” or “to slaughter.”

o Thefts: “Stealing” from the word “klepto.”

o Covetousness: ____________________________________ ________________________________________________

o Wickedness: “depravity” or “evil purposes and desires.”

o Deceit: Literally, “to decoy.” To trick or entrap someone always for personal gain or satisfaction.

o Lewdness: _______________________________________ ________________________________________________

o An Evil Eye: Literally, “The jealous side-glance” or figuratively envy.

o Blasphemy: denotes any utterance that insults God.

o Pride: Literally, “appearing above others” or figuratively arrogance.

o Foolishness: _____________________________________ ________________________________________________

If we are to walk with God and bear much fruit we must not only put down deep roots, we must also painstakingly identify and ruthlessly pull up any bitter roots of ungodliness in us. “See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10).

Before there can be a building up, there must of necessity first be a tearing down. In fact, Jeremiah cites four terms of destruction and only two terms of construction. “...__________ and to _______________, to ______________ and to _______________, to ______________ and to ______________.”

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Many today want to be used powerfully by the Lord and that is a noble desire. However, it is critical that there be ample preparing of one’s self as a fit ______________ of God's glory prior. “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21).

The Message paraphrases this passage: “In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.”

Today, more than ever, the Lord is looking for those that have ________________________ themselves to be mightily used by Him. His promise is that His glory and power will be demonstrated to and through them. These are the ones that will bear much fruit for His glory!

“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

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SESSION TWO

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this lesson you will be able to:

1. Understand the process of personal transformation that accompanies true salvation so that you are able to walk as a son of God.

2. Learn how to begin to move forward toward the fulfillment of your destiny in Christ.

3. Identify and make corrections of those areas that are out of sync with the will and purposes of God for your life.

INTRODUCTION:

The word of God is clear that the Lord has a specific plan for each one of His children. That plan includes more than heaven as our home. It also consists of eternal purposes for us in this life!

His plan has these two objectives:

1. Reconciled to God and Conformed to the Image of Christ.

2. Fulfill Your Ministry Assignment in This World.

KEY VERSES: “Then He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons” (Mark 3:14-15).

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The Triune Gospel

One of the most common misconceptions relating to Gospel is that it is really only concerned about spiritual needs. The fact is that the very nature of salvation has been greatly misinterpreted.

1. _____________________ Salvation:

The word salvation in the New Testament Greek is soteria (pronounced so-tay-ree'-ah.) Sozo is the verb form meaning “to save.” It most frequently refers to spiritual regeneration - being born- again (Cf. Acts 2:21; Eph. 2:8; Tit. 3:5).

2. _____________________ Salvation:

In James 1:21 the reference is to the soul or psyche of man. James is speaking to Christians and is exhorting them to receive the implanted word, which is able to save their soul. The implication is, “allow the word to renew your thinking, guard your emotions and captivate your will.”

3. _____________________ Salvation:

This word is also used of physical healing. Sozo is translated “made whole” in Acts 4:9 of the crippled beggar that was healed through Peter and John. In Matthew 9:21, the term is employed in reference to the woman with the issue of blood being healed.

Isaiah's Prophecy

Matthew 8:16-17 declares, ”When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”

Jesus was fulfilling what was previously written by the prophet Isaiah, "”Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted"” (Isaiah 53:4).


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You will notice that there is a seeming discrepancy comparatively between Matthew's wording and that of Isaiah. Matthew says that Jesus carried our diseases, whereas, Isaiah claims that it was our sorrows that Jesus bore on the Cross. This is no contradiction. The Hebrew word in Isaiah's text means, "__________________________." It can be translated literally or figuratively. The implication of this is something we should not overlook! The Holy Spirit was saying that Christ went to the Cross to redeem us from the cause and effect of all pain!

This is further reinforced when we understand that soteria is rendered in classical Greek “ to free from the harassment of an enemy.”

1 Peter 2:24, “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.”

Sin wounds us spiritually, even resulting in death, but Jesus sets us free from this as well (Romans 6:23). We may become ill, but Jesus will heal us if we trust in His finished work at the Cross. If we are brokenhearted, we can be confident that the consolation of the Holy Spirit will be with us healing us of our emotional pain (2 Thess. 3:16). We may feel oppressed and tormented in our minds, but the Cross has made provision for this (2 Tim 1:7).

John G. Lake who saw many healed as a result of his ministry, called such revelation, "The _______________________ Gospel" the Good News that Jesus died for our spiritual, psychological, social, material, and physical needs!

Equipping and Perfecting the Saints

In Ephesians 4:12, we are taught that God gave us the five-fold ministry for the purpose of “_______________________” or “______________________” or “______________________” the saints to do the ministry. “His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church)” (Amplified Bible).

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The word translated “equipping/preparing/perfecting” is katartismos in the original Greek. It means to “thoroughly furnish, restore, adjust, restore, prepare or repair.” In Classical Greek it is translated “to set in order, to align, to fuse together.”

Torn Fishing Nets

In Matthew 4:21, the word is translated “mend” when referring to James and John fixing their torn fishing nets! God desires to thoroughly furnish our lives. This includes repairing us and preparing us. Before we can be launched into our ___________________________, we must first be mended of our ___________________________.

Group Discussion: There are two stories in the Bible that illustrate how God repairs and prepares us. Both have to do with fishing nets. Read these two passages in the Gospels: Luke 5:4-11 and John 21:4-11. What happened to the fishing net in Luke’s account after the great catch of fish? In John’s narrative, what was affect did the large catch of fish have on the net there? Why do you think Father God has these two stories recorded? What is the purpose? What do you think was happening in the lives of the disciples during the three years they were with Jesus? What were they learning? How were they being changed and prepared for their calling?

Write It Down: What are some areas in your life that need to be “repaired/prepared” for God’s glory? Write them below. List also specific steps you will take to begin to allow the Holy Spirit to transform you.


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The ordo salutis is the "order of salvation." It focuses on the process of salvation and the logical order of that process.

The Arminian Ordo Salutis:

• Prevenient Grace or Conviction

• Faith & Repentance

• Justification

• Regeneration

• Sanctification

• Glorification

1. Conviction: Is the convincing work of the Holy Spirit drawing men to Christ for salvation. Conviction involves the convincing of sin, ___________________ and judgment (See John 16:8-11). (See also Jn. 6:44; Jer. 31:3; John 12:32).

2. Repentance: (Greek: metanoia) is a change of thought to correct a wrong. It typically includes an admission of guilt, a promise or resolve not to repeat the offense; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible (Matt. 3:2; Acts 2:38; 26:20; Rev. 2:5).

3. Regeneration: Regeneration is generally understood in Christian theology to be the objective work of God in a believer's life. Spiritually, it means that God brings Christians to ____________ ____________ from a previous state of subjection to the decay of sin and death (Ephesians 2:4).

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4. Justification: is the chief article of faith describing God's act of declaring or making a sinner righteous through Christ's atoning sacrifice. Protestants believe that justification is a singular act in which God declares an unrighteous individual to be righteous because of the Crucifixion of Jesus and the corresponding faith of the believer in the finished work of the Cross.

5. Adoption: in Christian theology, is the term that describes the admission of a believer into the family of God and has similar connotations to the act of _________________________ ________________________ a child with a parent or parents other than those to whom they were born. There are three references in the New Testament to God "adopting" Christians as his own children (Galatians 4:5, Romans 8:15 and Ephesians 1:5) and one reference to the adoption by God, of the "people of Israel" (Romans 9:4).

6. Sanctification: Sanctification means to be made holy or to be set-apart for sacred purposes. It literally means, “_________ ________ _______ _____________” Initially, it is an instantaneous work of grace which both sets one apart for God (1 Corinthians 1:2) and crucifies and cleanses the old nature, enabling the believer to be free from the dominant rule of sin (Romans 6:6, 7; 1 Corinthians 6:11). This dethroning of the old nature, this cleansing, this setting apart, places upon the believer the scriptural demand to “mortify the deeds of the body” through the Spirit (Romans 8:12, 13; Colossians 3:5).

7. Glorification: Glorification is the reference to the occasion when believers will be resurrected and receive glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:50-54). Paul expressed the Christian’s hope in the resurrection (Philippians 3:10). We look for the Savior from heaven. Paul says, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (v. 21).

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Scriptures that Speak of Predetermined Destiny

•“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

•“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Psalm 139:13-16).

•“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Psalm 139:16, New Living Translation).

•“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” Eph 2:10 KJV

•“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Eph. 2:10 New Living Translation).

•“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (New International Version).

•From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live (Acts 17:26).

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The Blueprint for Our Lives

When it comes to God’s destiny for our lives, we recognize from the Scriptures that His plans are:

1. _______________: God is the one that has plans the course of our lives. We are called to seek Him for the revelation of His purposes.

2. _______________: Your destiny is inimitable. God has specific gifts that He desires you to discover, develop and deploy in order that you may execute the specific and unique ministry assignments He has for you.

3. _______________: No matter how gifted and anointed one may be, at the very most what they do is a single contribution in the grand scheme of our Heavenly Father’s redemptive purpose. You are called to belong to a community of believers. You are one part of the Body.

4. _______________: Knowing what it is the Lord wants you to do and in what context, can only be recognized through the process of revelation.

Exercise: Read the following Scriptures in your group (Gal 1:1; 11-12; 16 and Gal 2:7-8). Discuss among yourselves: What did Paul learn re: His personal calling and destiny via revelation?

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SESSION THREE

LESSON OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

1. Understand the nature and purpose of the Law in the Old Covenant.

2. Comprehend the meaning of and difference between mercy and grace.

3. Appreciate how Christ came to fulfill the Law through a new and better Covenant.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding the Purpose of the Law

No subject is more inseparably bound up with the nature of the Gospel than that of Law and grace. A flawed understanding of the function of God’s Law can completely distort a proper understanding of the Gospel.

KEY VERSES: “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17).

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NOT UNDER LAW?

A great deal of the confusion has been generated today regarding the obligation to keep the commandments of God based on a misconception of the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 6:14: “...You are not under law but under ____________________” as well as other references that speak of the Christian not being obligated to follow the Law such as Ephesians 2:14-15, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace” (Emphasis Added).

From the reference above we learn:

•Christ forever broke down every dividing wall by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances. This means that when Jesus died on the cross He abolished every barrier between man and God and between man and fellow man (Jew and Gentile). We have been wholly reconciled to God as a result of the Atonement. The obstacle between Jew and Gentile was the __________________ _____________, “...the Law of commandments contained in ordinances” which speaks of the feasts, sacrifices, offerings, laws of cleanliness and purification, and all other such distinctive outward commandments that were given for the unique separation of Israel from the nations were abolished.

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HEROD’S TEMPLE: THE COURT OF THE GENTILES

1. Herod's Temple; Its Divisions; the Courts:

In building the temple Herod the Great had enclosed a large area to form the various courts. The temple itself consisted of the two divisions, the Holy Place, entered by the priests every day, and the ______________ ____________ ____________________ into which the high priest entered alone once every year. Immediately outside the temple there was the Court of the ____________________, and in it was placed the great altar of burnt offering. Outside of this was the Court of the Israelites and beyond this, the Court of the Women.

2. The Court of the Gentiles:

The site of the Temple itself and the space occupied by the various courts already mentioned formed a raised plateau or platform. From it you descended at various points down 5 steps and through gates in a lofty wall, to find yourself overlooking another large court--the Court of the _____________________, who desired to see something of the glories of the temple and to offer gifts and sacrifices to the God of the Jews, were freely admitted. (J. Armitage Robinson, D.D., Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians, 59; see also Edersheim, The Temple, Its Ministry and Services as They Were at the Time of Jesus Christ, 46).

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The Court of the Gentiles formed the lowest and the outermost enclosure of all the courts of the sanctuary. Its name signified that it was open to all: Jews and Gentiles. It was very large. In this court the oxen and sheep and the doves for the sacrifices were sold as in a market.

a. The Middle Wall of ____________________

Paul asserts that Christ is the peace of both Jewish and Gentile believers and that He has made both to be one in Himself, and has broken down “the middle wall of partition” which had divided them from one another. The middle wall of partition is a reference to an actual wall in the Temple at Jerusalem also known as the “Balustrade” beyond which no one was allowed to pass unless he were a Jew. While Paul was writing his Letter to the Ephesians, this barrier in the temple at Jerusalem was still standing. Yet, the apostle was not afraid to write that Christ had broken down the middle wall of partition, thus affirming that the Gentiles who were far off were now granted complete access to God and all the privileges of sonship possessed previously by Israel alone! All ceremonial distinctions and requirements were removed (cf. Acts 10:9–16; 11:17–18; Col. 2:16–17).

Group Discussion: What does the realization of the shed blood of Jesus Christ as the only way of access to Father God mean to you? How does this challenge you?

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THE MORAL LAW OF GOD

The fact that all people can now draw near to God as a result of Christ “...destroying the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations” is a profound and life changing revelation! However, we must be very careful to maintain the critical distinction between the abolishing of ceremonial laws and the moral law of God.

When speaking of the “moral law” of God we are referencing that which for the Jews was summarized in the Ten Commandments and which is written on the hearts of all men (Rom. 2:15) and still commanded of them (Rom. 13:8–10).

God’s moral law reflects His own ___________________________ __________________________ and therefore can never change (cf. Matt. 5:17–19). In fact, the entire moral commands known as the Ten Commandments are obligated in what Jesus called the Great Commandment” (Matt. 22:34-40). Christ was clear that He did not come to annul the law” (Matthew 5:17).

Today, many Christians believe that being “under grace” disavows them of any responsibility to keep the commandments of God. To them, the idea of being obedient to the law of God is not consonant with the liberty they have as a new creation in Christ and is tantamount to “______________” (the principle of attaining salvation by good works, rather than salvation based upon the grace of God.)

However, let’s look closely at the testimony of New Testament Scripture:

•‘If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments’ (Jn 14:15).

• ‘If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love’ (Jn 15:10).

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• ‘And by this we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that says, I know him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his word, in him verily the love of God is made perfect’ (I Jn 2:3-5).

• ‘Beloved, if our heart does not condemn, we have confidence toward God, and whatsoever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do those things that are well-pleasing in his sight . . . And he who keeps his commandments abides in him and he in him’ (I Jn 3:21, 22, 24).

•‘For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments’ (I Jn 5:3).

•‘If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love’ (Jn 15:10).

•‘He that hath my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me’ (Jn 14:21).

The Law and the Prophets represent what we now call the Old Testament, the only written Scripture at the time Jesus preached (see Matt. 7:12; 11:13; 22:40; Luke 16:16; John 1:45; Acts 13:15; 28:23). It is therefore about the Old Testament that Jesus speaks in Matthew 5:17–20. From the outset, Jesus wanted to guard His hearers from any misconceptions about His view of _______________. He is clear that He has not come to throw out the old, but to fulfill it. He fulfilled the Hebrew Feasts, ceremonies, and the keeping of Sabbaths. He was the ultimate sacrifice and the one that would give them rest for their souls (See. Col. 2:16–17; Mt 11:28-29). However, when it comes to the moral or righteous requirements of the Law, the demands that Christ imposed upon His hearers were even more exacting than those of the Pharisees.

•Jesus said that the Pharisees were “____________________” Greek, anomia in Matthew 23:28.

In the following verses Christ indicts the Pharisees as guilty of breaking the _____________ of the law:

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•Matthew 5:21–22, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment”

•Matthew 5:27-28, "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

The more rigorous demands of the New Testament reinforced by Christ is known as the “Law of Christ” by Paul in 1 Cor. 9:21 and culminated in a more severe judgment of the transgressor. “Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebs 10:28-29).

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Important Facts Regarding the Law:

1. The Law is ____________: because it reveals the holiness and character of God. The law of God is the holiness of God commanding and demanding from humankind a response consistent with His holiness. In other words, we must be perfect as God is perfect; the law is that which the perfection of God dictates in order to bring about conformity with his perfection (Leviticus 11:44; Romans 7:7-17). The Law was intended to bring life (Romans 7:10), and the man that does the things of the law will live by it (Galatians 3:12). Even though the law is holy, just and good, it has never succeeded in making anyone holy due to the power of sin operating in us. (See Romans 7:8-12).

2. The Law _______________: It exposes the sin that may lie hid in the deepest recesses of the heart and penetrates our personal blindness toward and presence of sin in our hearts and minds. The law is spiritual and as the word of God it is alive and powerful, searching the thoughts and intents of the heart (Romans 7:14; Hebrews 4:12). It is this discerning and searching function of the law that Paul describes when he says. “For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet’” (Romans 7:7). The law lays bare the apathy that blinds us to the depravity of our hearts. The law renders guilty and pronounces a worthy judgment of condemnation on any person who even one time breaks a single commandment! He who is guilty at one point is guilty of all (James 2:10-11). ‘Cursed is every one that continues not in all things written in the book of the law to do them’ (Galatians 3:10).

3. The Law _______________: The Law, not only does nothing to reform the hearts of men, it in fact emboldens increased expressions of its depravity. “But sin took advantage of this law and aroused all kinds of forbidden desires within me” (Romans 7:8 New Living Translation). The more the light of the truth of God’s law shines in our degenerate hearts, the more our minds are roused to opposition resulting in a conviction that the mind of the flesh is not subject to the law of God, neither can it be (Romans 8:7-8). (Cf. John 3:19-20; Romans 1:28-32).

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So What Are We To Do?

We are summoned to be holy as our Father is holy. By necessity that means, we keep His moral law and righteous requirements. Yet, we face an impasse! ___________________ __________ holds us captive and unable to walk in the power needed to live a holy life! “For sin, seizing the opportunity and getting a hold on me [by taking its incentive] from the commandment, beguiled and entrapped and cheated me, and using it [as a weapon], killed me” (Romans 7:11).

What is the solution? The answer is mercy and grace!

4. The Law ________________ Us: The ultimate purpose of the Law was to point humankind to a savior. “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24).

Tutor = ___________________________________________________.

The Mercy of Christ and the Spirit of Grace

“Justice - When you get what you deserve. Mercy - When you don't get what you deserve. Grace - When you get what you don't deserve.”

Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve and mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve. Author Unknown

The Bible tells us that we need both mercy and grace. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” Hebrews 4:16).

1. MERCY is God withholding the punishment we deserve because of our sinfulness. The consequences of our sin is death, yet Jesus paid this penalty for us (Rom. 6:23). God is long-suffering and will delay giving us our just punishment in order for us to have every opportunity to repent and to receive His gift of salvation 2 Pet. 3:9.

2. “GRACE is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon” - John Piper.

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Grace is further defined as “the _________________ influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life!”

FACTS ABOUT

It is true that Ephesians 2:8 says we are “saved by grace.” However grace is much more that unmerited favor. Romans 5:2 says, we “stand by grace.” 2 Peter 3:18 says that we are to “grow in the grace....” Grace is tangible and can be identified when it is present: Acts 11:23, “When he came and had seen the grace of God....”

ACCESSING THE GRACE OF GOD

How Do We Access the Grace of God and Fulfill the Law of Christ?

We must be filled with & controlled by the ________________ ________________! Paul implied that grace is the power of God working in us to desire and do the divine will. (See Philippians 2:13). One of the names of the Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of grace” (Zech. 12:10; Hebrews 10:29) and the “Spirit of Life” (Romans 8:2). As Spirit-filled people, we are to learn how to “...walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit])” (Gal 5:16 Amplified Bible). (See also Romans 8:1-4 NKJV).

THE NEW COVENANT

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Hebrews 8:10).

The Old Covenant was mediated by ___________________. The New Covenant is mediated by Christ and is fulfilled in us by the Holy Spirit. When we are actively accessing the Spirit of grace and life we will experience the following:


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1. A _________________to Do the Will of God:

“And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” (Ezekiel 36:27 NIV).

2. Freedom from ________________ and a Life of Victory: Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”

3. Knowledge of the ______________________: He will lead us into all truth (John 16:13) and keep us from error (1 John 2:26-27).

4. Power to Testify of the Resurrection of Jesus: Acts 4:33 “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”

5. Power to Fulfill Our ________________ ___________________:

Romans 1:5, “Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name 1 Corinthians 3:10 “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder....”

Write It Out: How does the definition of grace you have just learned differ from what you previously believed?

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SESSION FOUR

LESSON OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course you will know:

1. How to identify bitter roots that defile the spirit, soul and body.

2. Uproot deeply embedded toxic attitudes and behavior.

3. Maintain a life of freedom from the harassment of the Enemy.

INTRODUCTION: BITTER ROOTS

As we learned in session one of “Deep Roots,” there are two things that prevent us from living the fruitful life that the Lord intended for us: shallow roots and sickly roots. The latter is also referred to as a “bitter root” in Scripture and will be the subject of our study in this session.

KEY VERSES: “ Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15).

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UPROOTING SELFISH AMBITION & ENVY

In James 3:16 we read, “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” The fact is that envy and self-seeking is the root of all evil, the matrix from which all sin and wickedness emerges. There is no greater example of presumptuousness as when a man or a woman, a mere creature, asserts his will against the will of his Creator. Self-willed people are in fact idolaters. They idolize their desires and plans above God’s! 1 Samuel 15:23 states this clearly: “…and stubbornness [is] as bad as worshiping idols” (New Living Translation). The word for” idols” or “idolatry” in this verse is teraphim in Hebrew and refers to a household idol that was placed on a mantelpiece for the purpose of bringing blessing or good luck. In the Lord’s evaluation, when selfish ambition is driving our lives we are engaged in the most blatant forms of veneration.

The antithesis of self-will is ______________. In verse 13 of James chapter three we see this. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” The word translated “meekness” speaks of strength under control. It is used to describe a horse that has been broken and trained to submit to a bridle and no longer balks against its’ master’s will. For the Christian, it speaks of a well-tempered individual that is completely submitted to a Christ’s Lordship and has yielded his will unquestionably and unreservedly to God’s.

Jesus is the prime example of this. In Matthew 11:29 he says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Jesus lived solely for the will of His Father in Heaven (See Jn 4:34; 6:38). In fact, the reason why He walked in such authority was because of His complete _________________________ to the requirements of Father God (Cf. John 11:41-42; John 8:29).


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THE WICCAN REDE

Aleister Crowley, (12 October 1875–1 December 1947) was an influential English occultist and believed by many to be the founder of modern day __________________. He wrote, Book of the Law in 1904 in which he stated, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.” In other words, the principle for governing our lives should be, “do whatever you want to do.” Later on, Gerald Gardner (1884-1964) generally regarded as the founder of modern wrote in his book, The Meaning of Witchcraft, “Do what you like so long as you harm no one.”

Our culture is driven almost entirely by the principle of the Wiccan Rede. “You deserve it. You are entitled to it” is the modus operandi of the masses today.

THE SERIOUSNESS OF SELF-WILL

Romans 2:8-9, “but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek.”

In 2 Peter 2:10, False-teachers are identified as “…presumptuous, self-willed….”

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SELF-WILL AND ENVY

If self-will is functioning in your life, so will envy and every evil practice. We see this in John 2:22-30: 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

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27 To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ[j] but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become __________________.”

THE EVOLUTION OF ENVY

Envy is the opposite of _________________ (1 Cor 13:4). At the very center of the evil is excessive desire. It is an attitude of the heart. It is a motive deep in the inner man. Additionally, it is excessive desire for something that you do not have. It may or may not be focused on material possessions. What is desired in this way may be some kind of notice and the inflation of the ego. The distinguishing feature of envy is oriented to this personal comparative aspect: I am envious when I dislike someone because he or she has what I want but lack in some comparative way.

“Many evil practices arise out of envy as it is an internal attitude that underlies many external evil acts. In Galatians 5:26 envying is associated with provoking. Envying and provoking are acts of the sinful nature (5:19) along with things like enmity, strife, jealously, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, and divisions (5:20). Envy lies behind enmity or malice and it drives strife, quarreling, angry fits, and dissension. And Paul gives a very pointed warning to the effect that "those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (5:21). Richard Ostella, Love is Contrary To Envy. http://bible.org/seriespage/love-contrary-envy-1-cor-134

SIMON THE SORCERER

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”

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“But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin” (Acts 8:18-23 New Living Translation).

STEWARDS OF LIFE: BOUGHT AT A PRICE

“The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways…” (Proverbs 14:14)

“For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed…” (Titus 1:7).

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19, 20).

Our Reasonable Response: “Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go” (Joshua 1:16).

Prayer Time and Reflection: How has self-will and envy held you back at times from being the person God wants you to be?

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UPROOTING FEAR AND ANXIETY

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! 6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? and not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows (Luke 12:4-6).

In the aforementioned passage of Scripture Jesus tells us what we should and should fear no one and nothing. He is clear that we should not fear what men can say or do to hurt us (v. 4). The fear of man can be very destructive. “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.…” (Proverbs 29:25). The Lord also exhorts us to never fear that we would be forgotten by God (v. 6, 7). He then takes an unexpected turn and _____________________ us to fear God! “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (v.5). Jesus is giving us a profound revelation! He is stating that the antidote for fear is fear! In reality, He is saying if we fear God the way we should, we will never have to be afraid of men or of being without anything we need in this life.

Here is a weighty truth: Fearing _______________ will always keep us from fearing God and fearing God will keep us from the fear of men!

THE SPIRIT OF FEAR DEMANDS WE PAY _______________ TO IT

“No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God” (John 5:44 New Living Translation).

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“And yet [in spite of all this] many even of the leading men (the authorities and the nobles) believed and trusted in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that [if they should acknowledge Him] they would be expelled from the synagogue; 43For they loved the approval and the praise and the glory that come from men [instead of and] more than the glory that comes from God. [They valued their credit with men more than their credit with God.] (John 12:42-43 Amplified Bible).

FEAR REQUIRES OUR UNDIVIDED

DEVOTION AND SOLE ATTENTION!

Because fear demands a response and even a commitment from us, it is in a sense a form of ___________________. In the Old Testament, the word for worship is fear (See 2 Kings 17:33- 35).

Worship means “worthy of our time, recognition and honor.” If we allow anyone of anything to govern our lives other than the Lord, it is idolatry. Fear holds you back or makes you flee! It ____________ or panics: When we fear man or our circumstances or anything other than God, that means that we are letting it be the source of our peace, basis for decision-making and motive of behavior.

UPROOTING ANGER & UNFORGIVENESS

Jesus said that before we in fact actually commit the act or behavior of sin the seed is present in our heart. He says that the seed the of ______________________ is hatred and anger (Matt. 5:21-22; 1 John 3:15

Matthew 18:23 – 35. This parable was given in response to a question asked by Peter of Jesus. Verse 21, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Peter’s gesture of forgiving seven times was in fact generous as the practice of those days by upheld by the Rabbis was to extend forgiveness a maximum of __________________ times. Jesus raises the bar to an unprecedented level! “7 x 7” or limitless forgiveness!

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A TALE OF TWO DEBTORS

One man was forgiven a debt of 10,000 talents = 10 __________________ dollars.

Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Micah 7:19, “He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

Another man was forgiven a debt of 100 denari = 100 days wages. Why the contrast in the debt amount? When someone sins against us, it is usually one or a few __________ ___________ whereas, all sins are a violation of God’s law and affront to His character (See Psalm 51:4).

HOW ARE WE TO FORGIVE?

“…and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).

1. If we will not forgive, we will not be forgiven: (Matthew 18:32-35; See also Mark 11:24-25).

2. If we will not forgive, we end up becoming _________ to the destructive power of bitterness. All manner of destruction can occur: emotionally, spiritually, physically even opening the door to demonic activity (Eph 4:26-27). When we forgive, something therapeutic happens: we are released from the prison of the bitterness and healing can begin!

3. Bitterness and Unforgiveness ______________________. Many are defiled or stained by a bitter person (Hebs 12:15). A root of bitterness will spread defiling many! “Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul” (Proverbs 23:24-25).

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SESSION FIVE

LESSON OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this lesson you will know how to:

1. Extend your spiritual roots to the depths needed in order to experience personal and corporate breakthrough.

2. Prepare the ground of your heart sufficiently so that the seed of the word of God will germinate and grow to maturity.

INTRODUCTION:

We saw in an earlier session that believers are called“...trees of righteousness...”(Isaiah 61:3). The word translated “tree” is literally “a strong tree,” comparable to an oak. God wants you to be established and rooted in faith and in the love of Christ (Col 2:7; rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, Eph.3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love).

In the natural, a tree having deep roots can withstand the most violent of storms without being toppled and will continually produces fruit even in seasons of drought. This is because such a tree has “...roots that reach deep...” (Jeremiah 17:8a). In the spiritual, this is the key to breakthrough! We must learn how to go deeper with God! Invariably, this will involve:

• True ______________________

• Uncompromising _____________________

• Commitment to ___________________ and profound intercession.

KEY VERSE: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

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THE PROMISE AND THE PREMISE

In our text (2 Chronicles 7:14), we read God’s promise to hear us from heaven, forgive our sin and bring healing to our lives and land (2 Chronicles 7:14). This is an ironclad promise predicated on the immutable nature of the Lord Himself, the one who has magnified His word

above His name (Psalm 138:2). We can believe what He has promised!

THE THREE-FOLD CORD

The prerequisite for experiencing the promise that God will hear, forgive and heal His people is also found in the same verse. It is a “...three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped” (Ecclesiastes 4:12, The Message).

• ________________: ‘...humble themselves....’

• ________________: “...pray and seek My face....”

• ________________: ‘...turn from their wicked ways....’

“Prayer is not coaxing God to do something for us; it is cultivating our hearts into a fertile place where the word of the Lord can be sown and produce a bountiful harvest.” – Glenn Bleakney

“The essence of prayer does not consist in asking God for something but in opening our hearts to God, in speaking with Him, and living with Him in perpetual communion. Prayer does not mean asking God for all kinds of things we want; it is rather the desire for God Himself, the only Giver of Life. Prayer is the desire to possess God Himself, the Source of all life. The true spirit of prayer does not consist in asking for blessings, but in receiving Him who is the giver of all blessings, and in living a life of fellowship with Him.” Sadhu Sundar Singh

“Many people pray out of the destitution of their life. True prayer is praying out of desperation for His life” – Glenn Bleakney


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ROADBLOCKS OF REVIVAL MARRED MOTIVES:

"And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure" (James 4:3, NLT).

What am I really after when I pray? What are the things I'm praying for right now? What is my motivation in those?

When we realize that we're coming to God with wrong motives, we must deal with it like the rest of the sin in our lives. We have to confess it to God and ______________. We have to change our motives and then come before God with the right motives.

CLINGING TO SIN:

Psalm 66:18; "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened"(NIV).

Sin that we hold onto, sins that we refuse to let go, sins that become part of our lifestyle--these are hindrances that keep God from answering our prayers. Such things also interrupt our fellowship with Christ Jesus, keep us from spending time in His Word, dilute the joy in our lives, interfere with our worship and undermine our assurance and trust in the Lord.

Ask yourself:

Is there any habitual sin that would be an obstacle in my prayer life?

Are there any situations or relationships that are not pleasing to God that you are holding onto?

Deal with it:

Deal with the sin. Acknowledge it; confess it; and turn away from it. Then, let it go; walk away from it; get rid of it; don't go there; get new friends; make a clean break with that sin.

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PUTRID PRIDE

"Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it" (James 4:2, NLT). How many times do we blame God when our prayers don't get answered? The problem is we're trying to find fault with the wrong person. Instead of looking at God, we need to take a good look at ___________.

The focus of pride is what “__________________” do: My way, my will, my plan, my concept of God, and my concept of righteousness. There is pride of family, pride of finance and accomplishment, pride of material possessions, pride of nationality, pride of employment and position, pride of religious affiliation, pride of knowledge, and education. Pride also is also evidenced in self-sufficiency. Am I remembering to ask God for what I need? Or am I just trying to do everything on my own? Psalm 10:4 says, “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”

If we want revival, we must acknowledge that we are made of the dust of the earth. That before God we are all alike, sinners saved by grace, and that there is nothing that we have that has not been given us by God. We must realize that our pride before God is a stench in His nostrils and ask God to forgive us of the pride in our lives in whatever form it has taken.

Ask yourself:

• Is there any pride that would be an obstacle in my prayer life? In which ways I am stubborn, insistent of my own ways? Is my prayer life really a reflection of my dependence on the Lord?

The Power of Deep Roots - Awake Nations...direct result of them having deep roots. As we are...

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