by Robert Hotchkin

With the almost non-stop flow of information that is coming at us these days, it is more important than ever that we be intentional about what we focus on. Thanks to our TVs, radios, computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones, there is a near-constant flow of updates, headlines, alerts, messages, e-mails and texts ringing, dinging, tweeting, and announcing to us what has just happened, what is happening, and what is about to happen. Amidst this swirl of 24-hour-a-day input it can be a battle to keep our eyes and hearts focused in faith on the good news of who our God is and His amazing ability to do the impossible in the midst of the difficult (Luke 18:27).

In Matthew 16 we see examples of just how important and powerful it is to focus on God and what He is highlighting in the midst of information overload.

In Matthew 16:13-19 Jesus and the disciples are discussing some of the many things the world has to say about who the Son of Man is. Some say He is a prophet. Some say He is John the Baptist. Some say He is Elijah. And others say He is Jeremiah. But when Jesus asks Simon, Simon is able to focus in on the reality of the good news, even when it seems the most amazing and impossible of all the reports. Simon answers that Jesus is the Son of Man, He is the Messiah, the long-awaited Promise of Immanuel, the Son of the Living God. Jesus erupts with praise for Simon, telling him that he is truly blessed because he was able to focus in on what his Father in Heaven was highlighting to him in the midst of the swirl of information. Simon’s ability, in that moment, to focus on what heaven was highlighting had a powerful and lasting impact – so much so, that Simon emerges from the moment transformed. He is given a new name, Peter, which means “rock.” Focusing in on the good news of who our God is and what He is capable of in any situation grounds us in the truth of heaven and works to transform us and our circumstances.

Compare that to what we see in Matthew 16:21-23. In this passage, Jesus tells the disciples that they are all going to go to Jerusalem. Then He shares what will happen once they get there. Jesus lets them know that He will suffer many things at the hands of the leading priests, elders and teachers; He will be killed and then on the third day He will be raised from the dead. That is quite a bit of information to take in all at once. Peter, who had done so well at focusing in on what heaven was highlighting just a moment before, now blows it. He takes Jesus aside and says, “No Lord! This will never happen to You!” Jesus then rebukes Peter and tells him that he is seeing things from a human point of view, not from God’s. The mistake Peter made was to be overwhelmed by the report of what was going to happen, as opposed to being overcome with confidence in God’s ability to miraculously turn it all to the good. See, Peter focused in on Jesus being arrested, then suffering, and being killed – the bad news, instead of focusing in on the good news – Jesus being raised from the dead!

The key for us in this hour is not to ignore the information coming at us, but to remember to always focus in on what God has to say, and what heaven is highlighting. We must never allow a bad report or alarming news to have a greater impact on us than the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the miraculous ability of our Heavenly Father to bring about all of His promises – no matter what.

So let’s pray this month for XP Ministries, each of us, and the Body of Christ as a whole by joining in agreement and declaring that:

1. We will seek first the Kingdom of God, maintaining an eternal perspective in all things and at all times (Matthew 6:33).
2. We will not give heed to reports of the world, or listen to the distractions and discouragements of the enemy, but instead we will clearly hear what the Lord is highlighting to us, and be encouraged (John 10:4-5).
3. We are strong in our faith and we believe that our God is well able – always and in all ways (Mark 5:36).
4. We will keep our focus on the realities of heaven; we will allow our minds to be filled with the love, light and truth of Jesus; and we will dwell not on how temporary facts say things seem to be, but on how the eternal Word of God says they truly are (Colossians 3:1-12).
5. We will remain childlike in our faith, always trusting in our Heavenly Father to perform His Word and bring about His purposes (Matthew 18:3-4).
6. We will trust in the love of Jesus and cast our cares (concerns, fears, doubts, distractions, discouragements) upon Him, allowing Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen us so that we can continue doing good, believing for the best, and contending for the certain victory (1 Peter 5:7, John 14:26, Romans 8:37).
7. We will be absolute in our resolve to continue on in our assignments, advancing the Kingdom and bringing heaven to earth (Isaiah 50:7, Philippians 3:12).
8. We will praise the Lord in all things and at all times knowing that, no matter how things might look or seem at present, His Word never returns void but always accomplishes all it is sent to do (Isaiah 55:11).

Recently while in bible study I had a few verses that really stood out to me and I thought I would share them and also a prayer that goes along with them.

In Proverbs 31 the chapter starts with a message to King Lemuel from his mother who taught him with wisdom as he grew. She was grooming him to be a righteous King according to these verses and to not be given over to lusts of the flesh and rely on false comfort and substance that numbs the senses.

She shared that he should be a King that rules with wisdom and all senses sharp and care for the people. the main people group she speaks of if those who cannot speak for themselves and those who are and have been crushed and are being destroyed.

We as Believers in Jesus are also Kings and Priest before our God (Revelations 5) and are called to establish His Government on the earth. As we submit to Him he will lead us and show us how to partner with Him.   One way we do this is through intercession. We can be a voice for those who have not had one.

Here is a prayer that was written recently for this:

The scripture reference is out of Proverbs 31:8

Prayer for those who cannot speak for themselves

Lord, we come as priests and kings ministering before You our God. We cry out for those who cannot speak for themselves. Lord, we cry out for justice to be ensured for those who are being crushed by the enemy’s schemes. We use the voice You have given us and are speaking up for the poor and the helpless, so they may receive justice.

We pray for Your river of life to flow through us, Your people, to those who are hurting and abused and in need of You, so they can experience Your great love, salvation and abundance.  We pray in agreement with Your Word in Isaiah 61 and decree that Your Spirit is upon us. You continue to anoint us to preach the Good News to the poor, and send us to bind up the broken hearted, set the captives free, and open of prison doors. And as we have once been those who were broken, we now sing the songs of freedom for all to hear. We will go forth into the nations and be repairers and restorers and builders in the wastelands, and we’ll see the desolation of many generations brought to repair and complete restoration in Jesus’ name! We call forth salvation for the peoples and nations around the world who have not been able to speak nor cry out for themselves, and we declare they now have a voice and it is heard by the Most High God.

Blessings,

- Kim Hadaway

I know we are all familiar with Psalm 91, but this week I am sending this in the form of a Decree. We can lay hold of the promises in the word and remember these are a part of our inheritance. This decree I have personalized for XP ministries, feel free to personalize it to you and your family and the areas you serve in, it is a gift of God to all believers.

Lord, we thank you for the awesome privileges and blessings that you have given to us. We now lift up and release this prayer over Patricia, XPministries and all those who serve inside of this ministry in any area and our families. We tuck ourselves inside of this prayer and the blessings inside of these promises.

We decree that XP ministries and all those who serve with this ministry choose to abide in the Secret Place of the Most High, and we will remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, whose power no foe can withstand. We say of You, Lord, “You are our Refuge and our Fortress, Our God; in You we confidently trust!”. For as we do this, we position ourselves to receive the fullness of Your blessings.

You deliver us from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

We thank you that You cover us with Your feathers, and under Your wings we trust and find refuge. Your truth and Your faithfulness are a shield and a buckler to all of us at XPmedia.

We decree, we will not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrows (the evil plots and slanders of the evil one) that fly by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand, but it will not come near us! Only a spectator shall we be, because we are inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High, as we witness the reward of the wicked.

And Your word says that because we have made You our refuge and the Most High our dwelling place, there shall be no evil that befalls us, nor any plague or calamity come near our dwelling place.

We thank you for the angelic host that You have released to Patricia, and all that serve at XPministries , and we call them in. We thank You, Father, that these angels have been given charge over us to accompany us, to defend and preserve us in all our ways. We thank you for these angels and that they bear us up on their hands, so we do not dash our foot against a stone, and cause any harm to ourselves or others.

We decree that we at XPministries and all who serve in this ministry will tread upon the lion and the cobra; the young lion and the serpent we will trample underfoot.

Thank You, Father, for Your promises to us as believers. We set our love upon You, Lord, and we thank you that You deliver us.

We thank and praise You for setting us on high, and thank you that we have increasing knowledge and understanding of You more every day. We acknowledge Your mercy, love, and kindness and we rely solely on You, knowing You will never forsake us, never.

We thank you that when we call upon You, You hear us, and You answer us. You are with us in troubles and You deliver us and honor us. You satisfy us and show us Your salvation!

And now we choose to praise You for doing this in our lives, individually and corporately.

Many blessings to you all, in the mighty name of Jesus!

- Kim Hadaway