Don't Get Lazy in the Good Seasons

In today’s episode of The Morning Charge, Joshua Hommes talks about a danger many believers do not always recognize: getting spiritually lazy when life is going well.

It is easy to cry out to God in the valley. When the bills are due, the marriage is strained, the business is struggling, or life feels uncertain, most of us know how to pray with urgency. But what happens after the breakthrough comes? What happens when the bills are paid, the doors open, the family feels peaceful, and the season finally feels lighter?

This episode is a practical and biblical reminder to stay close to God in every season, not just the difficult ones. Joshua walks through scriptures like Deuteronomy 8, John 15, Mark 1, Luke 5, Romans 12, and Revelation 2 to show why comfort can become dangerous when it causes us to forget the One who brought us through.

This teaching will encourage you to stay rooted, keep tending the fire, practice remembrance, and continue seeking God’s face whether you are in the valley, on the mountain, or somewhere in between.

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Real Talk. Real Jesus. Real Life.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to the Morning Charge. This is your moment to slow down, breathe, and get your spirit aligned before stepping into the day ahead. Life moves fast, responsibilities pile up, voices compete for your attention. But before the noise of the world takes over, this is where we come back to what actually matters. This is a place for honest conversations about faith, life, purpose, and everyday battles we all face. No pretending, no religious performance, just the truth. Because following Jesus was never meant to be complicated, it was meant to be real. So whether you're driving to work, you're getting the kids ready, or simply taking a quiet moment for yourself, you're in the right place. This is real talk, real Jesus, real life. This is the morning charge. To the races in the Word today. And what the Lord had been dropped in my spirit early this morning, because I was praying about, Lord, we've talked about so many things about how to get started, what to do in the middle, you know, how to not get discouraged, shaking off the dust of yesterday. I said, I see where you're taking us. Lord, where do you want to take us this morning? And just as quick as I said that, he said, do not get lazy in the good seasons. Do not get lazy in the good seasons because we've talked about a lot of being down here, wondering how to press through. God, I really need you moments. Okay, but but I haven't been talking very much about what do you do when you're up on the mountain? What do you do when things are going well? And so uh, so yeah, don't get that's it, trash man. That's it, Roddy. Do not get lazy in those moments, in those seasons. Catherine, thanks for that. That is how you can find out all the good information about fire and water. So appreciate that, my friend. So let's pray and let's jump in this morning, see what God wants to do. Father, I thank you so much, Lord, for our morning charge family. I thank you, Father, for every person that's on this uh live stream, every household that is represented here this morning. Father, I speak blessings. I speak abundance today. Father, where people are experiencing lack, Father, I say, Lord, that you would come and that you would bless and you would move right now in the name of Jesus. Those that need their rent paid, Father, come through right now in the name of Jesus. Those that need food, Father, come through right now in the name of Jesus. Father, those that need a new job, Father, whatever it is, a new car, whatever it is today that people are crying out for, Father, I ask, Lord, that you would come and meet those needs right now. As every heart is turning towards you, Father, Lord, I pray, Lord, that you would come and meet every need. Holy Spirit, I pray over this word today. Lord, that you would just allow our ears to be open, our hearts ready to just receive what you want to show us today, God. Lord, you take us through the word. You take us through and show us, Lord. Show us the things that we do when we're in those moments where things are going well, God. And how we continue to partner with you in everything right now. Father, we just love you and we thank you right now in the name of Jesus. Amen and amen. Amen, y'all. We do not need to get lackadaisical in those moments. You know those moments when when when life is going well. The moments when the when the bills are paid and and your business is growing, your ministry is moving, great things are taking place, the house seems peaceful. You went through a season of war, and then all of a sudden it's like the atmosphere shifted. Glory to God. Things are going great. They're going well. Man, this is fantastic. My marriage is feeling healthy. God, you opened the doors that we've been praying for and on our face before you that you would open, God. Lord, prayers are being answered. Lord, we're up on the mountain. Oh, thank you, Jesus. But you have just that one moment when you're like, thank you, Jesus. And then it's almost like you just walk off the mountain. Well, we got our breakthrough. See ya. Peace out. It's almost like we're like that. Back to normal life again. That ain't normal life. Normal life is spending time with Him 24-7 because there's nothing that I can do apart from Jesus. Jesus is my source of strength. Jesus is my everything. I can do nothing without Jesus. But there's a lot of people you're crying out in the valley, oh God, I need you. Lord, come and meet me. But when you're up on top of that mountain, you just begin to drift. You're like, thanks, peace out. And you're just drifting. There's a lot of people that are seeking God deeply in those moments of pain and agony that you're going through in your life. And then, and then, and then when the Lord begins to move, you're just back, you're you're back to your, I don't even want to say back to your old self. It makes me cringe when I say that. You're just back to your what you feel like is your normal self. You're pressing in when things get really desperate. But then you're but then you're back off. You're not pressing in when things get comfortable again. And we got to be real quiet and we got to be real careful because we do not need to walk away from the fire when things get easier. It's like in those moments, you know, that you go through when you're pressing into the Lord and you're burning for him and you're giving all that you got, even in the midst of lack, when he brings the promises that he's promised you in that season, if you're not careful, you begin to get what I just call lazy. There's just no way to put it. Uh, there's no other way to put it. And that's a very dangerous spot to get. Jemiah, good morning. Good morning, everybody, as you're jumping in today. Because when things are going well, we tend to get spiritually lazy. I'm not just poking at y'all this morning. I'm talking to myself too. These are the things that God gives me as I'm going through the word early this morning. He's pointing out to me that when things are going well, we just, we, we, we start slacking off. It's like we doze off again. We stop, we stop tending the fire. We stop getting in the fire of the Lord when things are going well. We stop, we stop getting low before God on our faces before him, and we stop pressing in. Because when things aren't going well, you're pressing in. You're pressing, Lord, Lord, I'm pressing into all you have for. I know you're going to come through. I know you're going to. And then when the breakthrough comes, we should be, Father, thank you. Thank you for coming through, Lord, Lord, you give me next steps. You show me what we're doing today. Father, I want to be in it, in it to win it with you, up on the mountain and down in the valley, and in and in between.

SPEAKER_00 6:48

Instead, we just throw up a quick prayer. Quick little thank you.

SPEAKER_01 6:55

We acknowledge it in the moment and then we and then we then we just run off into the day like we like we no longer need him. We no longer need the fire of the Lord. It's okay. I'll come back and we'll we'll let the wind blow on that in the next situation. No, no, no. We got to be red hot for the Lord every single day in every single moment. Good seasons in those moments where God broke through, those seasons, those honestly should make us more grateful. They should make us more humble. They should make us more aware of how much I still need you. God, I know there's still more to you. Father, I'm going to continue to press in. Thank you so much for going back because, see, those moments that he takes us through where there's breakthrough, a lot of us can look back and see the moments when he broke through for us even before we were truly following after him. So in those moments, those moments, God, I go back. When things are going well, if nothing else today and things are going really good, and you've seen God break through recently, you need to go back. God, I thank you, Lord, for pulling me out of that pit and giving me life and life more abundantly and cleaning me up and setting my sights upon you. Father, I thank you for when you came through and I didn't have the rent payment. God, that you put up put us on those people's hearts, Lord, and the money came through, God. Father, I thank you, Lord, for the time when we started that business, Lord. And we didn't have nothing, God. And now you've brought us to where we are. I thank you. Just continue. I thank you, God, for when I was praying for my children, Lord, and that one that ran away, the prodigal. Oh, and they turned their heart back to you, Father. I didn't give up in prayer, Lord, and you didn't give up on them. Father, I thank you. If nothing, go back and remember and just thank Him for His goodness in all of those situations and say, Lord, I know you'll do it. Every single time I know you do it. Stir yourself up again, even in the good times, the bad times, the in-between times. But we don't need to let comfort create this distance between us and the Lord. Thanks for moving, we'll see you. The next time things, you know, the thing next time things are falling apart, we'll see ya. Even Israel forgot the Lord when things got when things were started getting good. See, this is one of the clearest patterns we see in Scripture is with the Israelites. God would bring his people through, he provided, he delivered, he blessed them along the way, he brought them into a new land, established them. But then when life got easy, when life got easy, in Deuteronomy 8, starting in verse 10, we see this. And I'm reading from the New King James on this one. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which he has given you. So there's already a command on what to do. So when you've eaten and you're full, when he's brought that promise to you, when that when that particular storm is over and the solution came, you bless the Lord your God for what he has given you. In this instance, the land that he had given them. Beware, this that we're continuing. There's more to the scripture. We could stop there, but there's but there's more. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments, his judgments, his statues, which I command you today, lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and you dwell in them, and when your herds and your flocks have multiplied, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied in those seasons where he has brought you things. When your heart is lifted up in those moments, you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt from the house of bondage, who led you through that great and terrible wilderness in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water. He is the one that brought you out of those places. He brought water for you out of the flinty rock, it says, who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and that he may test you to do uh to to do you good in the end. Then you say in your heart, My power and the might of my hand have gained me all of this wealth. See, we got to be, wow, there's a fine line here. You can get you can get a little out there and be like, Well, because I did this, I got all of this. And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, and that may, oh, and he may establish his covenant, which he swore to your fathers as it is this day. Let us not forget, in those moments when things are going well, the key is right here. You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth. If things are going well for you, if you positioned your place and you were faithful to do what God said, even in the face of lack, and you have you've your your your days, days, weeks, months, years, however long it took you to get to where you are. Let's say you're up on the mountain now, you've built this business or or whatever it is God has placed in your hands, you you have worked this career and now you're you're on your way to the top, and God is uh supplying every need and then some. It is he who gives you the power to get wealth. It is he that brought you through the storms, it is he that brought you into the solution for whatever problems that you were facing. Do not forget. Do not forget. This was a remembrance for them, not to forget. Hey, hey, hey, life is going a whole lot better for you, but do not forget the one that brought you into this place, who brought you out of bondage into your promised land where you now experience freedom. Hosea 13 and 6 says, When they had pasture, they were filled. So you had a pasture, had lots of livestock. They were filled, and their heart was exalted, but therefore they forgot me. See, things were going well for what we see in Hosea. They had all, I mean, and livestock was a big thing for them in the Bible, okay? If you had a whole head herd of cattle, whole head of cattle, whatever they say, you were somebody. You that you would that your riches were based upon the livestock you had. So if you had a lot of livestock, let me tell you something. You had something that was worth something, but yet they forgot me. When things are good and going good, sometimes we we forget the one that brought us the good things. In Judges 8, starting in verse 33, so it was as soon as Gideon was unalived, that the children of Israel again played the harlot with the Baals and made Baal beareth their so false God. We see the false gods here. Thus the children of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. Now they're over here, they've forgotten so much, they're over here worshiping false gods. What in the world? The warnings that we see through these are very clear to us. Prosperity can become dangerous. We see this. The promise that the Lord, the things that God trusts you with and places in your hand can become dangerous if it causes you to forget the one who actually brought you there or who actually gave you what you're holding in your hands. That is where the danger part of it is. Wealth is not dangerous. Wealth is not bad. All right. The promises that God has brought you are not bad. What is bad is if you forget the one that actually brought you the promises, who brought you to your promised land, your promised solution, your promised whatever it is. When he brings you what it is that you needed, and he brings you even more abundantly what it is you needed, because he is a good, good father. And sometimes he will place in your hands, wow, I did not deserve this. Thank you, Lord. Remember the Lord in those moments. And then when you are talking about that new car or that new, y'all know I'm not a prosperity preacher, okay? If y'all just jumping in for the first time, I ain't that guy. I am saying when God does bless you overly abundantly and has given you, and someone says, Man, that's a nice car you have, you say, That is the Lord. God is the one that worked out every detail. All right. The van that we upgraded, listen, y'all, we needed a new van. All right. We had an old Honda Odyssey. I mean, we're we're trucking on like 300,000 miles in this thing. It's a Honda, probably could have gone to like 800,000, but it was showing its signs and its wares and its tears and its things and all even. We had, I mean, we we kept it up to date, but we used it. When you have as many children as we have, you do not buy cars to resell them. You buy them to drive them and to use them. Resale value is not looking good from the Hamas household after we've had it for just a little piece of time, okay? But we own our own business. It's a little harder to get, you know, different things. All right. And so, but we went to the dealership. Yeah, they were, they were trying to do this and trying to do that. And uh, and this was while we were jumping into the whole RV situation. But we had found a van that we like, another Honda Odyssey's. Those things are the things are great. All right. Anyone's ever had one knows. So we go down to the dealership and we are there, and we're in between these addresses and all this. So they're trying to pull this together and that together, and like, you RV full time, tell me your situation. I mean, it was one of those where you're like, I don't, this probably ain't gonna happen. Well, those guys got in there and they got to working and they worked and they worked and they worked and they pulled and they called and they did, and they came out and they said, Okay, we got everything together. Sorry it took so long. Uh, we just need you to come in and sign some paperwork and you'll be on your way. I'm like, okay. I mean, I might need to pull up some pay stubs, or you know, I need to pull together our finances, bank statements, all that kind of stuff. Owning your business a little different. We got in there, we signed the paperwork, and they handed us the keys and said, have a great day. I understand that, you know, they run your credit and all that. I didn't, I didn't show them anything. I'm like, I've never walked into a dealership where I didn't have to give prove this and prove that and prove the other. I I don't know, I can't explain what happened, but God, but God made a way to supply a major need that we needed, okay, because we know the Lord has called us to travel and to minister and to do what he has called us to do. That lined up with what he had called us to do. So we worked out the deal, he put it together, and we walked through it and it worked. If, if, if there, and I feel like if there's somebody on this live stream this morning and you are trying to do something, and it's like this door closed and that door closed and this thing happened. There is a time and a season where you push, push in because you know that God said what he said. And because you have one closed door, don't mean that one door is not going to open. There's a fine line walking with the Lord here. Somebody needs to go back to the drawing board, lay everything out before the Lord again, and say, here's a here is it all, here is everything. Lord, what are we doing? Where are we going? What are you speaking right now? There's a lot of people, there's there's a lot of people that need to go back to the drawing board and say, you know what, this hasn't worked because there's a time and a season for everything. What God spoke to you in this season may be from for four seasons from now. It might be for next spring, not this spring. See, God will talk to you like that. He gave us the vision for fire and water ministries back in like 2018-2019. This is 2026. And this is a just the beginning things that you see for fire and water and what God has put in our hands, what he has entrusted us for, or entrusted us with.

SPEAKER_00 19:24

Discern.

SPEAKER_01 19:25

Trying to be careful what I say, because somebody needs a strategic plan. Somebody's been praying for a strategic plan and you haven't seen it. I want to encourage you this morning that God knows you and He sees you. God understands the seasons you're in, but you need to discern the season you're in. What does this season look like, Lord? I know you're speaking this and you're speaking that, and I see this and I see that. But God, what do you want to place in my hands right now for this season? Look at your life and see what's growing. Look at your life and see what God is touching right now. I usually say, see what God is kissing. What is God, what it, what, what, what is God revealing to you right now? What is seems to be growing? If there's something that seems to be growing, that's what you need to be tending. If you still have a packet of seeds over here, it might be next season you need to plant that. Doesn't mean that's not important, but you got to partner with the Lord to know the timings and the seasons. What do you see growing in your life right now? Bring that before the Lord because that's the thing you need to be touching. That's the thing you need to be stewarding well right now. All the other things he's spoken to you about that you ain't seeing nothing on, you tried to pull together, breathe. Say, Lord, I'm gonna give this to you again. I haven't forgot this, and I will do my part. When you say move, I will move. He's looking for those that'll move when he says to move. But don't you move until he says move. You pick up with what he's got for you right now in the name of Jesus. But don't forget where the blessings come from. Don't forget who the who brought you to your promised land in your promised season. When things are going well, that's not a time to back off. That is a time to stay firmly rooted and grounded in the Lord. When life seems to get easier, you have those moments when when things, oh, there's there's an ease. Some things got a little easier. We tend to just sort of treat that like, Lord, thank you for this, thank you for that, you know, and now I'm off again. Instead of daily communion with the Lord, instead of communing with him, we just sort of make it like uh just a real quick thing. And then we're off.

SPEAKER_00 21:44

We say thanks, we stop lingering in his presence.

SPEAKER_01 21:50

Oh, things are going good. Why why why why why why do I need to see if the fire needs to burn bright in the valley? Then the fire needs to continue to burn bright on the mountain. Amen. Nikki, God's gonna you're having some issues. Well, Father, I just pray right now in the name of Jesus, Lord, that you would just bring revelation, knowledge, and understanding, Lord, according to your word, even in the midst of her situation now. Lord, that you would speak to her heart, speak to her mind, and that she would be able to walk forward in her career as you have called her to. Lord, if this is the place that you have called her to, Father, Lord, show her what this season looks like and how to respond in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Amen, friend. If we take a look at John 15, 4 through 5, it says, Abide in me, abide in him, and I in you. He abides, I abide in him, he abides in me. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing. So I in him, he in me, in the pruning seasons, in the uh in the seasons of waiting on the fruit to arrive. See, you cannot bear much fruit unless you are abiding in him. That means I need to continually be connected to the vine because the fruit comes, and then you go through the season again, and then more fruit comes, and then you go through the season again, and the fruit comes. Hello? Yep, that's that that is it. I and you and you and me, circle dance. We need to go there after this. Amen. My wife wrote a song all about that. And it's being in the circle dance with the Lord every single day. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and you are a part of that. You are connected to the vine. Amen. If we also look at 1 Chronicles 16, starting in verse 10, glory in his holy name. Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord, seek the Lord in his strength, seek his face evermore. Lord, I seek you, Lord, I love you, Lord, I need more of you every single day in the mountain or in the valley. Psalm 63, O God, you are my God. Early will I seek you. My soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. I've looked for you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, because your loving kindness is better than life. My lips shall praise you, thus I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name. Psalm 63 is amazing if you've never read that before. You want to memorize scripture? That's a good one. Jeremiah 29, 13, and you will seek me and find me. We always go Jeremiah 29, 11. What about Jeremiah 29, 13? You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all of your heart. Those that are seeking him are going to find him. If you are pressing into the Lord, you will find him. He is there. Kelly's Corner. Kara, thanks for your heart me's this morning, y'all. And anyone else I've missed this morning. Good morning, everyone. Cody, thanks for your heart me. Thank you, everyone, jumping in today. This is Real Talk, Real Jesus, Real Life. And that's what we're talking about. Just we talk about real life in this room. That's what we do. See, abiding in the Lord is not a seasonal thing, not just when you're down in the valley. Abiding in the Lord isn't everyday, all day, good, bad, indifferent, ugly, all the things in between. You're always continually abiding in the Lord, seeking him. It's not just in emergency situations. I'll seek him when things are going bad. No, no. Prayer is not just for the desperate times. God, I need you. I need this need, and I don't know what I'm going to do, and I don't. No, it's an everyday thing. It's an everyday thing. We don't just need him when things are out of whack. We need him when things are in line, when you're in right alignment, when you're walking out his promises and you're walking out the things that he has for you. In fact, one of the healthiest things that we can do as believers is to remain deeply dependent upon him. Every say, God, I need you. Oh, I need you. Every hour I need you. My one defense, my your righteousness. And that goes, oh God, I need you. I need you. I need you. I need you. Lord, I need you. There's no obvious crisis around me. There's nothing that's forcing me into this dependence with you. But oh Jesus, I need you today. I cannot do this without you. Lord, I mean, let's just say today is things are going well today, but I have this list of tasks. God, I cannot do a single thing without you. And Lord, I want you to take a look at this list. And Father, I want to make sure that I'm doing everything that you want me to do today. I plan my ways, but God, I know you order my steps. Father, order my steps in the midst of this today. And you have permission in my life to come and change this as needed. Then be quiet and see what he has to say about your schedule and your times and what you got going on, because I want to be dependent upon him in everything all day long. That is showing that you're a mature believer, by the way, when you begin to do that. Jesus stayed with the Father even when he was moving in power. Jesus hung with the Father while moving in power. Jesus is our perfect example here. He was not only seeking the Father in those high pressure moments, and Jesus had some high pressure moments. Come on. He was with the Father constantly. He said what the Father said. He moved when the Father moved. He he stopped when the Father stopped. He was in it to win it. He knows, who knows, knows knows how to move by the leading of his heavenly father. Even when ministry was going and him, miracles, signs, and wonders were taking place, everything was going, Jesus still did what? He stepped away. He stepped away to be with his father. He was our example on how we should live our lives and how we should get alone with the Lord. In Mark 1 and 35. Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, Jesus got up a long while before, in the midnight hour, early in the morning, he went out and departed to a solitary place, and there he prayed. He found a quiet spot. If Jesus himself, y'all know me, and I'm going to say it. Most of you probably know what I'm going to say. If Jesus himself had to go and be quiet, if he had to go to the solitary place, the secret place long before the sun came up, how much more important is it for us to go to the solitary place and there we shall pray. There we shall listen to the Lord. There we shall commune with our heavenly Father. How much more important is it for us? He was our example. We're adopting the lifestyles of Jesus in 2026. Our lifestyle has to line up with getting up, going to the secret place, and dwelling with the Father and praying. Luke 5, starting in verse 15. However, the report went around concerning him all the more, and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of their infirmities. So he himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. I don't care how strong you feel that you are, like you are a soldier for the Lord, and I could have a service tonight and pray and see miracles, signs, and wonders, and service tomorrow night, pray miracles, signs and wonders, and healings and deliverances, and we're just going hours and hours and hours and hours. Jesus himself at some point had to withdraw into the wilderness alone to pray. So many people in this live stream this morning are saying, I'm burnt out. I'm worn out. I've been in ministry for years. I ain't really seen the fruit myself, or I've been on this job for years, and I feel like God called me here, but I ain't seeing no nothing from it, and I'm feeling burnout and I'm feeling pressured. You need to get yourself into the secret place. Don't be looking for your boss to fill you back up. Don't be looking for your pastor to make sure you're filled up every Sunday morning. Don't be looking for no man to come and pour into you. I'm telling you, how you get poured into is you go to the secret place, and God, our Father Himself is the one that pours and fills you up. If your tank is feeling low, it's because you haven't been tapping into the right source. You have not been, and you've been tapping into a false source. Your pastor can only take you so far. He can only do so much, he can only meet with you so much, he can only pray with you so much. He is a man or a woman, whoever God has sent in the house to be a shepherd to help you. I am telling you this morning that they can only do so much for you in your life. They are not everything. And we have put pastors way up here on the pedestal. We put pastors way up on the pedestal. And when they when they don't come to see us in the hospital, or they don't, they don't come to the house when we really need it, whatever, and or they don't, they don't show up for this, that, or the other, we have placed a lot of blame on them. Now, I believe we are to be in community and we are to be surrounded. There are people in your life that should be there for you, and there's people in your life that you need to be there for them. And I believe wholeheartedly in community and coming together and praying with one another and sharpening one another. But all of us can only do so much for one another. I can only do so much for you here on the morning charge. I can pray with you. I'll stand in faith with you. I will lift you up, Brandy, and I will pray for you when even when we're not on here, we're lifting up our morning charge family. I I can I can lead you to the Word of God. I can show you where scriptures are, but I can only do so much when I say I love you and I'll see you tomorrow morning, and I end at nine o'clock. That's usually it for me and you. That's usually so much. Colony, good morning. It's good to see you this morning. Listen, Colony and Daniel Hughes, they have a heart for people who have been uh who have been bound in addiction. They have a drug and alcohol rehab program between Northeast Alabama and the Gulf Coast. These people, and they see, and once again, that's what I'm talking about. They can only do so much. They lead people to the river, they show, they lead people to the man that can give them a life change. And they are ones that have fruit on their lives that are able to that you can look at them and you can see what God can do. But they can only do so much. We have to find ourselves in the secret place. We love you guys, by the way. We got to find ourselves in the secret place so that God can pour into us. If you're feeling down, you're feeling empty. He's the one that's got to, he's the one that needs to fill you up. He's the only one that can fill you up. I got so excited, I scrolled all the way down. Jesus Himself withdrew. Jesus Himself withdrew to pray. John 5 and 19 even said, then Jesus answered and said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of himself. But what he sees the Father do, for whatever he does, the Son also does in this manner. He was our example. I know I mentioned that earlier, but that's John 5 and 19, if you need that reference to go see that. We should be seeing what he's doing and doing those things. We should be intently listening to our Father's voice and go based upon his leading. We should see him in everything. In everything. Just in little things. We should see him in the little things. God is in every detail of all of everyday life. Everyday life. This morning I was out taking my walk about, praying, listening to the Lord. And uh, and as I was walking around this morning, I looked and I could see uh through the tree line, I could see somebody that's got those dust to dawn lights that come on. Got the little, the little indicator on the front, the little sensor. So when it notices there's enough light, it turns off. So I'm looking and I see it on. And as soon as I look, it's on and then it goes off. And I was, in my mind, I was thinking, that is so crazy. Like of all the times for it to just go off. It was in the moment that I just happened to look and I was focused in on it. And the Lord said, that is because, that is because I've ordered your steps. You were in the moment at the right time to look through the tree line at the light to watch it go off. What God was reminding me was that my steps are ordered. Now, see, a lot of people just be like, they wouldn't even think anything about it. But when the but the Lord wants to show you himself in everyday things. Some of you might say, Josh, that's a little crazy, whatever. But God gives us reminders. Are you looking? Are you paying attention? Are you zeroed in on what he is doing in your life right now, today? Right now, today. If you're seeking him, you're following him, you're allowing him to lead you and guide you. I was in the right place at the right time. He's like, Yeah, that's because I've ordered your steps. You gotta believe that he's ordered your steps today. Jesus did not allow all of the busyness of ministry, all right, his ministry. Jesus did not allow the busyness of life and and the communion. I mean, just think he had people around him all the time. He had his He had His disciples that were following Him and were with Him all the time. They broke bread together, they ate meals together, they lived together, they traveled around together. He was around all of these people while he was ministering, miracles, signs and wonders, deliverances, healings, all these things taking place. So, but but God did not allow just all of that to be what life was. And neither should we. We've gotten our priorities out of whack. We feel like we've got to be busy doing things and busy doing things. And while life may be busy and you may have a lot of things going on and all of that, if you have not found time to withdraw and walk with him, what have you been doing? A lot of people, you're in denial, you're like, I'm fine, I'm doing good, everything's great, things are going well. God is blessing, I must be okay. I mean, we're just going, we're just we're out here and we're going and we're going and we're going and we're going. And things may be going well. And you're in that mode where you're moving and moving and moving and moving and moving. But if you do not find time to withdraw and go deeper with him, you will run out eventually. Jesus stayed close to the Father in the fruitful seasons. He stayed close to the Father when he went to that cross. And he unalived for our sins. He took on all sickness and all disease and all and all of our and all of our worries and our anxieties and all of those things. And in those moments when he was taking on all of this dreadful stuff, he still loved the Father.

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Forgive them. Even in his final breaths. Do not be drifting. Because things are going so great.

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Stay connected to the vine. Because he's our source of everything. And one of the last things I want to tell you this morning is the fire that God has begun burning in you. That fire has to be tended. The fire has to be, you you need to you need to be a good steward of that fire. Alright? He started the fire in you. That fire needs to be tended to, it needs to be protected. You need to continue to feed, you need to continue to feed the fire daily. This is wood for the fire. It was prophesied many years ago that I would bring the wood. Well, here you go. I'm throwing more wood on your fire today. I'm leading you to the word of God. Because that's, I mean, that's where your source of information comes from. Your instruction manual for life. But if you if you stop putting wood on the fire, things are going great. I don't, you know, you're not waking up early and having that time with the Lord again. You're not getting in your word like you should anymore because things are going so well. The fire begins to dwindle. Yeah, don't let your wood get wet. If you got wet wood, you need to dry that thing out. We need to get it set back on again. It's set ablaze. And the fire doesn't go out all at one time. But it just begins to it begins to dwindle. It kind of cools off just little by little by little by little. And that's how people just begin to drift again. You find yourself out here, little compromise here, a little compromise there. A little less prayer. Not as hungry for the things of of God because things are going well. I just, you know, I'm good. I'm just gonna, we're gonna get by. A little less time in the Word, not as much repentance and lingering in His presence and allowing Him to search your heart, and then before you know it, the thing that was blazing bright and blazing high has cooled off. Romans 12 and 9 says it like this: Let love be without hypocrisy, abhor what is evil, cling to what is good, be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love and honor, giving presence, I'm sorry, giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligent, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. This is how we should live every single day. 2 Timothy 1 and 6 says, Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. We are to help stir up the gift on the inside of each one of us. In Revelations 2, 4 through 5, nevertheless, I have this against you that you have left your first love. There's a lot of people that are going to leave their first love. Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen, repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. We must have a heart of repentance every day when we come before the Lord. Father, you know I am just a mere man. I am merely human. Lord, I need you today. Father, I humbly come before you. Lord, to deny myself, to take up my cross and to follow you in this day. In this day. What does that look like? What does that look like for you? What is God telling you? How is he how is he instructing you to walk from that place and that posture every single day? And if we see from the word here, specifically those in Ephesus, and we've talked about this many times, you know, they were doing many things. They were very active, they were they were enduring and they were standing, but what had happened is they had left their first love. They left their first love. That means you you can still you can still function in ministry on the outside. You can put on that hard shell, you can still look like a good little Christian doing all the good little things on the outside, but on the inside, your fire is not burning. On the inside, there's just a tiny little ember, not even keeping anything warm anymore. God is looking on the inside. You can fake it, but are you gonna make it? The only way, I mean, there's that saying, what, fake it till you make it? God's looking right on the inside. There is no faking it for him. And we're not here to please anybody else and look a certain part. We should be ones that should uh that should care about what he is thinking, what he is saying, what he is seeing on the inside of us. We got to take care of business every single day in his presence.

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In his presence.

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James 4 and 8 says, Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double minded. Once again, Maintaining, maintaining that come and search me and know me thing every single day. When you're up on the mountain, you need to make sure that those words are written upon your heart. Lord, I'm drawing near to you even today. Lord, will you draw near to me? Come and search me, Lord. Lord, I want clean hands and a pure heart before you. I don't want to be double-minded. God, I don't want to be uh any sin to be deep rooted in my heart, Father. I need you.

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I need you every single day, every hour, I need you. So if life is going well, and in those moments where life is going well, that's great.

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That's wonderful. I'm glad God has blessed you. Now, if I kick down the door, that door might shut at any moment in time. But when God brings you something, when God gives you something, when God does something, He will maintain it. You do your part and He will do His part. You work like it all depends on you and pray like it all depends on Him. And I'm telling you, something good is gonna happen. You're gonna plan your way and God's gonna order your steps. And you're gonna keep planning and order, He's gonna keep ordering over and over and over. And that plan is gonna get massaged every single day. All right. You're on the potter's wheel and he's shaping some things. Trust him in the process. Somebody again in here needs to see and hear these things this morning. Trust him in the process. Trust him, trust him, trust him, trust him, trust him. Keep your prayer time intentional every single day, whether it's going great or things are uncertain. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. If you're adopting the lifestyles of Jesus, rejoice always, thank you, Jesus. Pray without ceasing, talk to him all day. In everything, give him thanks, and for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. In Christ Jesus for you. Jesus is the one that has made these things possible for you. Jesus is the one that made life possible for you. And now you were co-resurrected, uh, you were co-crucified and co-resurrected with him. You are also seated in heavenly places. Know who you are and whose you are, and stand up and arise in your own identity in him today. That's it. That's the long and short of life. And read your instruction manual. Everything's in there. Every situation, how to handle it. You need to keep seeking his face, not just his hand, not just what he can give you. You need to seek his face and seek his heart and hear his voice every single day. Don't just talk to God when you need something. Don't just talk to him when you're in need. Talk to him every single day. Tell him how good he is, tell him how much you love him because he's always pouring his love out on you and on me. Stay in the word daily. Don't just let blessings come to you and replace the discipline that you need in your life to continue to receive the blessings. Be disciplined in your walk with the Lord. You need to be remembering all the things that God has brought you. Practice your remembrance every single day. Lord, I remember we went through that prayer earlier. I remember when you did this, Lord. I thank you. I remember, God, when you did this and you brought this person out and you brought this one to the Lord. Father, when you brought me through this situation and that situation, God, I remember. I remember, Lord, and I know you'll always be there for me. Stay humble in all things. Success may have come your way. Success may have come your way, but you need to remember the one that brought those things to you, that brought you through those bad situations. And then brought you into where you are now. That's today's morning charge. Before you move on with your day, take a moment and let what you've heard settle into your heart. Faith isn't just something we talk about, it's something we live out in the ordinary moments of everyday life. Wherever today takes you, remember this: you don't walk into it alone. God is already ahead of you, working in ways you may not even see yet. Stand firm, walk in wisdom, lead with love, and don't forget who you belong to. Until next time, keep your heart anchored, keep your faith strong, and keep living out real talk, real Jesus, real life. We'll see you on the next morning charge.