Breaking the Holding Pattern

taught by Pastor Craig Oliver from Elizabeth Baptist Church on 7/22/07 at NewBirth (2nd Service). I thought this was a wonderful follow up to the previous post taught by Paula White... He preaches from the book of Deuteronomy as well



I loved this preacher... he was so animated... actually watched him online... and the words he used... oh my my my... go get your dictionary! lol!

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Highlights
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Deuteronomy 2: 1 - 7

Holding Pattern: Dealing with a period of delay.. stuck between your place of departure and your place of destiny. You can see where you're supposed to be but unable to get there... seems like it's taking too much time


Why are you placed in a holding pattern:
Deuteoronomy 1
[Israel's pattern: they were placed in a holding pattern because they were rebellious to authority and regressive in their attitude]

**you cannot move forward looking in the rear view mirror**


To break the holding pattern:

-you must go in a new direction (you must be willing)... don't be rebellious/resistant

-don't get stuck in the redundant and repetitive way of doing things... be willing to try new things

-to go in a new direction you must be responsive to your visionary: your destiny and ability to get to the point that God has destined for you is in proportion to your willingness to be responsive to your visionary and remember the vision (mental picture of your preferable future)

The Wilderness: a place to pick up some assets and drop some liabilities... this is not your final destination

-change the way you think... this dictates how you behave... which dictates who you become

-try not to function out of fear: God has not given you the spirit of fear... but of a sound mind!!!

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Psalms 23
The Lord is my shepherd: the sheep would never make it to the still waters or green pastures except the shepherd guides the sheep...

Yea though I walk through the valley... thy rod and staff comfort me: The shepherd also guards from predators. The rod is symbolic of discipline because I get out of line. A Staff... pulls me out of water when I fall in

Head is anointed with oil: God's power on my life. The oil on the sheep's head is like an insect repellent

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-walk by faith... not by sight... because where you're going may not look like what God promised you

-maintain your focus