Patrick J van Rensburg
Definition of breakthrough (“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster)
1. an act or instance of moving through or beyond an obstacle.
2. a sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique, a medical breakthrough
Opposite of breakthrough – Setback – A setback is an event that delays your progress or reverses some of the progress that you have made.
God often uses pain to get our attention. God whispers in our pleasures, but shouts at us in our pain. Do you think you have been made just to live for yourself? No, God has great plans for your life.
Proverbs 20:30 (GNT) “Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.”
God sometimes allows pain to get us to change direction. Ask yourself where you need a breakthrough? Maybe in your health, finances, your relationship, school, work, new idea for your business, for your kids, maybe with God.
Breakthroughs happen when you seek them. You must seek a breakthrough.
Psalm 77:2 (MSG)“I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord”
Psalm 77:2 (NLT) “When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted.
Prayer and fasting
In the Bible, if someone was seeking God for a breakthrough, they would always seek God through prayer and fasting.
The Story of King David.
David just got chosen as King of Israel. The moment he became King all hell broke loose in his life. This happens to many of us. The moment something good happens; all hell breaks loose.
2 Samuel 5:17(MSG) “When the Philistines got word that David had been made king over all Israel, they came on the hunt for him. David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.”
The Philistines – The enemy came against David.
David went to his Stronghold. You have to have a stronghold; when the enemy comes against you. A stronghold is a place that has been fortified to protect us against an attack.
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation — The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
David Sought the Lord in Prayer
2 Samuel 5:19 (MSG) 19 Then David prayed to God: “Shall I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you help me beat them?”
Never fight a battle without asking God first. A legal battle, a financial battle, a battle of sickness. If you don’t ask God, you are on your own. David sought the Lord in Prayer, asked God whether he should he go into battle?
2 Samuel 5:19b (MSG) “Go up,” God replied. “Count on me. I’ll help you beat them.”
The God of Breakthrough
2 Samuel 5:20 (MSG) “David then went straight to Baal Perazim, and smashed them to pieces. Afterward David said, “God exploded on my enemies like a gush of water.” That’s why David named the place Baal Perazim (The-Master-Who-Explodes).
2 Samuel 5:20 (GWT) “So David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines there. He said, “The Lord has overwhelmed my enemies in front of me like an overwhelming flood.” That is why that place is called Baal Perazim [The Lord Overwhelms].
2 Samuel 5:20 (AMP) So David came to Baal-perazim, and he defeated them there, and said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” So he named that place Baal-perazim (master of breakthroughs)
The Story of Jehoshaphat
2 Chronicles 20:1-4 (NIV) “After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Some people came and told, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in En Gedi. 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
Alarmed and afraid he immediately turns to God. He moves his vision from the enemy and turns it to God.
Then he proclaimed a fast.
A Fast tells God that you are serious about this. You are focusing your attention on God.
2 Chronicles 20:17-19 (NIV) You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you. Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.”
Jehoshaphat did 5 things right to obtain a breakthrough.
1. Instead of focusing on the problem, he focused on God. He sought help from the Lord.
2. He Prayed – He inquired from God.
3. He fasted.
4. They took up their positions. Acted in Faith – 2 Chronicles 20: 20 (NIV)“Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”
5. Praised God in the midst of the attack – 2 Chronicles 20:21(NIV) After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendour of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
The valley of Battle became a Blessing.
2 Chronicles 20:26 (AMP) “Then on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for it was there that they blessed the Lord. For that reason, they named that place “The Valley of Beracah (blessing)” until today.”
The valley of battle became the valley of blessing.
Habits to obtain a breakthrough.
Philippians 4:6-8 (NLT) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
1. Don’t worry about anything.
Refocus your mind on God, through prayer and fasting. Every time you worry start praying.
Daniel 9:3 (NLT) “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 6:34 (NLT) “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
The reason why we are messing up today, is because we spend much of our time worrying about the past and the future.
2. Pray about everything.
If it is worth worrying about, it is worth praying about. So, whatever you worry about, pray about it.
Philippians 4:6 (NLT) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
What does this verse say, you can carry all your worries, or you can give them to God. God wants to take care of this.
Talk to God about your worries.
Psalm 88:9b (GNT) “Lord, every day I call to you and lift my hands to you in prayer.”
What to pray for?
Left hand (Who to pray for)
Thumb – Family and Friends (Close to your heart)
Index – Teachers and Leaders (Points the way)
Tallest – Influencers of the Word – Government
Ring – Pray for the weak -The sick, poor, old people.
Small – Me, myself.
Right Hand (What to Pray for)
Thumb – Pray for your heart. Guard your heart (Close to your heart)
Index – My priorities and schedule; what should be first? Pray for your priorities so that God may bless them. (Points the way)
Tallest – Influencers – Praying for your influence, to be an example.
Ring – Pray for your relationships with those around you.
Small – Pray for material blessings.
3. Thank God in all things.
Philippians 4:6c (NLT) “Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.”
Ask God with a trusting heart, thanking for all he has done. No matter what you ask for, ask him with thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
God’s will for you is to be thankful. Thank for what you have. Be grateful in all circumstances, not for all things.
Psalm 118:1 (CEV) “Tell the Lord how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful.
a. Make a list of things you can thank God for.
b. Give God a thanksgiving offering. Thanks and Giving go together.
4. Stay Focused on True Things
Psalm 91:4b (NLT) “His faithful promises are your armour and protection.”
Philippians 4:8 (NLT) “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
You are confronted with lies every day. This world is filled with lies, which most people belief. Many lies. The only way to counter these is to fill you mind with the true things, the Word of God.
Read the daily encouragements. Listen to the daily devotions.
What is the result of doing these habits?
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Job 11:13-19 (NLT) “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! 14 Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. 15 Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. 16 You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. 17 Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. 18 Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. 19 You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help.
