Sustaining Breakthrough
Sustaining Breakthrough
As we journey through life, we often experience mountaintop moments—those incredible times when we feel close to God, see His power at work, and experience significant breakthroughs. But the challenge for many of us is not just reaching those moments, but learning how to sustain the breakthroughs when we return to the valleys of everyday life.
This reflection comes from my recent experience ministering alongside the Gate City School of Discipleship students on our short term trip to Uganda. We had the privilege to serve in the House of Prayer in Tororo Uganda, and the testimonies from our students were incredible. Lives were dramatically changed, and we all encountered God in powerful ways. It was truly a mountaintop experience. However, as we returned, I found myself pondering how to carry that breakthrough into the day-to-day grind.
If you've ever experienced a spiritual high, you know the question that follows: "How do I walk out what I experienced on the mountaintop in the valley?" We all long for ongoing breakthroughs—whether in our personal lives, in our communities, or across our cities. But the real question is: How do we live a lifestyle of breakthrough?
Today, I want to share three points that I believe are key to not just experiencing, but sustaining breakthrough in our lives. These points are not just theoretical; they are principles I'm actively applying in my own life, and I hope they resonate with you as well.
1. Raise Your Level of Expectation
The first step to experiencing breakthrough is to elevate your expectation of what God can do. Whether it's in your personal life, your family, or your community, if you want to see more of God's supernatural activity, you need to believe that He is willing and able to move in powerful ways.
I saw this firsthand during our time in Uganda. Our team raised their level of expectation before we even left, meeting regularly to seek God and listen to what He was saying. As a result, we witnessed incredible miracles, like the woman with an enlarged abdomen who was healed right before two of our team members. These weren't isolated incidents; they were the result of a collective decision to believe God for more.
In your own life, where is God inviting you to raise your expectation? It might be in your prayer life, your relationships, or even in how you approach your work. Wherever it is, God is calling you to believe Him for more.
Key Verse: Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2. Get Uncomfortable
The second point is a bit harder to swallow: you have to get uncomfortable. We live in a society that caters to our comfort, but breakthrough often requires us to step out of that comfort zone. This might mean taking risks, like praying for someone at the grocery store, or sharing the gospel at work. It might involve financial sacrifice, or even something as simple as showing up at a prayer meeting when you'd rather stay home.
When we were in Uganda, there were moments of discomfort, like praying for deliverance when demonic manifestations occurred. But in those moments, we saw God move in powerful ways because we were willing to step out in faith.
What about you? Where is God asking you to embrace discomfort for the sake of His kingdom? Remember, there is no resurrection without the crucifixion. Sometimes, you have to endure a little (or a lot) of discomfort to see the breakthrough you're longing for.
Key Verse: Matthew 14:27-29 “27 But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ 28 ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ 29 ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
3. Do it Over and Over
Finally, if you want to walk in ongoing breakthrough, you have to keep doing the first two things over and over again. It’s not enough to raise your expectation and get uncomfortable once. You have to live in that place consistently.
This is often where we falter. We might raise our expectation and step out in faith for a season, but when the discomfort becomes too much, we pull back. The result? The breakthrough stops, and we find ourselves stuck.
The challenge is to keep going, even when it's hard. Keep raising your expectation. Keep stepping out of your comfort zone. Keep believing for more, even when it seems like nothing is happening. This persistence is what brings more breakthrough consistently.
Key Verse: Luke11:1, 5-10 “1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples…’ 5 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 ‘I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity (importunity - KJV) he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.’”
Conclusion: A Call to Action
As we close, I want to challenge you to take these three points to heart. Raise your expectation of what God can do in your life. Embrace discomfort as a necessary part of the journey. And most importantly, don't stop. Keep pressing in, keep believing, keep stepping out in faith.
The sacrifices of past seasons aren’t sufficient for the breakthroughs of today. We need to keep offering fresh prayers, fresh sacrifices, fresh obedience. So where is God inviting you to raise your expectation? Where is He asking you to step out of your comfort zone? And are you willing to do it over and over again until you see the breakthrough?
This journey isn't easy, but it’s worth it. As you persist, you’ll not only see God move in your life, but your breakthrough will become a testimony that inspires others to believe for more. So let’s commit to this together. Let’s raise our expectation, embrace discomfort, and keep pressing in for the breakthrough that God has for us.