Stretch (A Call to Press for More)
By Apostle Joshua Selman

Psalm 27:1, Revelations 12:11, Genesis 2:19, Genesis 15:1

Testimonies are very powerful

Psalm 96:1-3

Don’t be silent about what the Lord has done

Pray:

Lord, let me have my portion today

Everything holding me down so that I will not manifest prophecy in this season by the word of God, like hammer, let it be broken

Lord what you have deposited in me, draw it out, bring it out, let it be revealed!

There is a progression in the growth journey of a believer.

Everyone starts in this journey as an unbeliever, and then by acknowledging the lordship of Jesus over your life, according to scripture a transition happens to you immediately(in the spirit) - you are born of God, the word, the spirit.

But when you come into the faith life, there is such a thing as a babe/infant in the spirit 1 Peter 2:2 So the salvation experience is not the totality but the initiation of the process that produces a mighty man and a mighty vessel out of your life.

The danger that comes in remaining in such a spiritual state is found in Galatians 4:1

Through the agency of sound teaching of the word, prayer, corporate gathering, in addition to your passion and desire, you begin to evolve. From an ignorant believer(Christ is not yet formed in you Galatians 4:19) to a transformed believer, in terms of your character and strength of your understanding spiritually.

The next step is to obtain empowerment, the en-gracing that makes you a validator - Mighty in word and deed.

God does not trust transformation alone, he trusts transformation and empowerment. If you are not trained through transformation, grace becomes a waste in that life.

Isaiah 54:1 - 3, Genesis 13:14-18, Proverbs 4:18

There are 6 factors that control fulfilment

1. Fulfilment
2. Variety
3. Significance
4. Love and acceptance
5. Growth
6. Impact and contribution

Exodus 34:24

The word “Stretch” captures within it a press for more, it captures within it the idea of breaking out of a comfort zone, breaking out of the status quo. To press for the greater, higher, nobler - where you are is not the zenith of God’s expectation for you.

Dis-satisfaction is actually a creative term - when you are dissatisfied, it compels you to do more.

When God can find a people whose hunger never dies, he has found a people whose impact will never go down

Pray:

Father, I am tired of where I am, I bring before you my hunger, stretch me O God!

Philemon 1:6

Keys for anyone who desires to stretch beyond comfort zone, to step into higher horizons

1. A burning desire - Hunger that cannot be quenched. Hunger is proof of health - To the degree to which you are hungry, that’s the degree to which you are healthy.

   Father, plant within me from today, a burning desire for your presence, prayer, the word, your house! Psalm 37:4

2. Pay the price for correct and higher perceptions Jeremiah 1:12
3. Light - High level spiritual illumination
4. Wisdom - How to profit from truth(knowledge) Proverbs 3:13-14, 24:3
5. Diligence - void of laziness Proverbs 14:23, 22:29 - the stamina to stay and work, the discipline to obey the rituals that produce victory. One of the enemies of diligence is emotions(you can't wait till you feel like reading...) you must move past the realm of emotions. Anything worth doing, is what doing now!
6. The power of strategic relationships Matthew 4:18&19
7. The prophetic Hosea 12:13, 2 Kings 3:15, 17

Pray:

Father, In this season I declare that where I am is too small for me, take me to a higher dimension by your spirit!

Father, any demonic activity around my destiny, around my tomorrow, fighting my next level, by the blood of Jesus, let those activities come to an end now

Father, the grace to stretch, beyond my comfort zone, I obtain that grace now!