The Power Of Provision

Summary

Podcast Summary: Elevation with Steven Furtick – "The Power Of Provision"

Introduction In the January 24, 2025 episode of "Elevation with Steven Furtick", hosted by iHeartPodcasts, Pastor Steven Furtick delves into the profound theme of "The Power Of Provision." Building upon the foundational teachings of previous weeks, Steven intertwines biblical insights with personal anecdotes to inspire listeners to recognize and embrace God's provision in their lives.

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Recap of Previous Weeks Steven begins by revisiting the key themes covered in earlier weeks:

1. Precision: Encouraging believers to aim their efforts toward meaningful battles, avoiding futile struggles. (00:01 - 01:37)

   • “Aim at the thing God shows you… Decide before the battle begins that I might be bloody and bruised, but I won't stop.”

2. Preparation: Highlighting the significance of plowing seasons that prepare believers for God's forthcoming blessings. (01:37 - 03:14)

3. Potential: Discussing the pain of falling short versus the shame of stopping short, urging listeners to pursue their God-given potential. (03:14 - 05:34)

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The Power of Provision and Perspective In this fourth installment, Steven introduces the central theme of provision intertwined with perspective. He emphasizes that recognizing God's provision requires a clear and adjusted perspective, much like changing lenses to see clearly.

• “The image of a window symbolizes both perspective because it's what you look through... Those are not my glasses. If you give them to me right now, you have problems.” (03:14 - 03:27)

Key Insight:

• Provision and Perspective as Interconnected: Steven posits that provision and perspective might be one and the same, arguing that how we view our circumstances determines our ability to receive and utilize God's provisions.

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Scriptural Insights: The Story of Elisha and King Jehoash (2 Kings 13:14-20) Steven explores the biblical narrative of Elisha and King Jehoash to illustrate the dynamics of provision and perspective.

• Elisha's Role: Elisha serves as Israel's strategic defense, providing guidance and fortitude against enemies. (07:46 - 08:17)

  • “Elisha was more than just a preacher. He represented the entire defense system of the nation of Israel… He provided the strength to withstand the attack.”

• King Jehoash's Missed Opportunity: Despite being given arrows for victory, King Jehoash only struck the ground three times, missing the full potential of God's provision. (10:07 - 12:24)

  • “You only did half of what you should have done. You had more arrows you didn't use.”

Notable Quote:

• “God's provision has been given; you have a choice to make today… Provision. Perspective. The two are connected.” (12:24 - 13:00)

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Understanding God’s Provision Steven elucidates that God's provision often comes in forms we might not immediately recognize. It's a matter of being open and receptive to what God has already placed in our lives.

• “God provides wrapped in scripture, strange packages, and so forth… You'll never lack supply.” (18:40 - 25:07)

Key Points:

• Provision in Times of Need: Just as God provided for the disciples with limited resources, He multiplies our offerings when we present them openly.
• Hidden Provisions: Often, God's provisions are disguised as everyday situations or challenges, requiring believers to look beyond the obvious.

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Recognizing Hidden Provision in Daily Life Steven shares personal stories and observations to highlight how provision can be hidden in plain sight:

1. Dirty Windshield Analogy: Using his son's playful interpretation of windshield wipers, Steven illustrates how perspective alters perception.

   • “I saw a dirty window. He saw SeaWorld. Here's my premise. It's about perspective.” (17:58 - 19:52)

2. Receiving Through Others: He recounts interactions where offers of help are sometimes dismissed as "not needed," emphasizing that God's provision might come through people rather than immediate material needs.

   • “Paul was in prison... 'It's nice, but I don't need it.'” (24:26 - 25:15)

Notable Quote:

• “God is my source. God is my strength. It's the Lord's arrow of victory. But he put it in your hands… You must take the shot now.” (11:27 - 12:24)

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Personal Reflections and Application Steven opens up about his personal struggles with self-doubt and the fear of disappointing others, urging listeners to shift their focus from their limitations to what God has provided.

• “If I focus on what I lack and what I've lost, I won't use what I have left.” (22:30 - 22:46)

Practical Applications:

1. Change the Question: Instead of asking, "What am I missing?" ask, "What is God providing in this situation?"
2. Embrace Hidden Gifts: Recognize that provisions might come in unexpected forms, such as relationships, opportunities, or personal growth.
3. Act on Provision: Utilize the tools and gifts God has provided, even if they seem insufficient, trusting that God will multiply them.

Notable Quote:

• “What I see is up to me. Elisha was a sea seer… There is a connection between your vision and your victory.” (30:30 - 31:56)

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Conclusion Steven Furtick wraps up the episode by reinforcing the message that God's provision is always present, awaiting our recognition and action. He encourages listeners to lift their hands in faith, trusting that God will supply all their needs for the season they are in.

• “God shall supply all my needs… The spirit of the Lord is in this place today to meet every need.” (45:25 - 46:44)

Final Encouragement: Steven calls listeners to actively seek and embrace God's provisions, assuring them that with the right perspective, they can witness and participate in the miraculous works God intends for their lives.

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Key Takeaways:

• Interconnectedness of Provision and Perspective: Shifting how we view our circumstances can unlock the provisions God has already placed before us.
• Active Reception: God's provisions often require our proactive recognition and utilization.
• Trust in God's Plan: Even when provisions come disguised as challenges, trusting in God's overarching plan ensures that we receive what we truly need.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Provision. Perspective. The two are connected.” (12:24)
• “God is my source. God is my strength. It's the Lord's arrow of victory.” (11:27)
• “What I see is up to me. Elisha was a sea seer… There is a connection between your vision and your victory.” (30:30)

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Closing Thoughts "The Power Of Provision" serves as a compelling reminder that God’s resources are abundant and tailored to our unique journeys. By adjusting our perspectives and remaining open to His provisions, we can navigate life's battles with faith and confidence, embodying the victorious spirit that Steven Furtick passionately advocates.

Transcript

[Steven Furtick]

Hey, this is Steven Furtick. I'm the pastor of Elevation Church and this is our podcast. I wanted to thank you for joining us today. Hope this inspires you, hope it builds your faith. Hope it gives you perspective to see God is moving in your life. Enjoy the message. Now go on over in your Bible to 2nd Kings 13, 14, 20. Yes, we're still in the same passage we started in, and I'm going to read it again. Verses 14, 20 part a week one. Our study was on the power of precision. It was kind of a double meaning to that. We were saying, aim at something. Don't just waste all of your arrows and ammunition fighting worthless battles that don't matter anyway. Have you ever just worn yourself out fighting over stuff that was imaginary? It either wasn't going to happen or was going to happen no matter what you did about it. You were so worn out by the time you actually fought it that you lost because you were swinging, just wasting your energy. So we were saying, aim at the thing God shows you. That was week one, but we were also saying preside. Don't wait until you get discouraged to decide whether or not you're going to continue. Make a decision about it, a precision. Amen. Decide before the battle begins that I'm.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Still going to be standing at the end of it.

[Steven Furtick]

I might be bloody and I might be bruised and my body might be sore, but I won't stop. That's what we were talking about in week one. We talked in week two about preparation. We talked about those plowing seasons that prepare the ground for the great things God wants to do in your life. Then we talked about the power of potential. That was a really powerful message for me because I discovered that the pain of falling short is nothing compared to the shame of stopping short. Touch your neighbor and say, don't stop short, because there's nothing worse than to wonder what would have been could have been. That's kind of why we're frustrated with this king Jehoash in 2 Kings 13, 14, 20 because of what could have been. We see the potential that was unfulfilled in his life and it reminds us of ourselves and it makes us a little afraid and it challenges us. We've had a lot to think about. In this fourth installment, I want to speak about the power of provision, declaring over your life that God has what you need. It's a matter of you receiving it and opening yourself to it. In the scripture, the image of a window symbolizes both perspective because it's what you look through and sometimes what you're looking through is just as important as what you're looking at. I can prove this. I don't even need the Bible. I will read the Bible in a minute. But those are not my glasses. If you give them to me right now.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Whoa.

[Steven Furtick]

You have problems. We need to pray for her.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Miracles of healing, recovery of sight to the blind.

[Steven Furtick]

Man, you look funny now.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Before I put these on, you looked awesome.

[Steven Furtick]

But what I was looking through changed the dimensions of what I'm looking at because it wasn't meant for me. Amen. I'm preaching on my recap, but another thing a window represents is provision. Like in Malachi 3, where God challenges his people. If you will release what's in your hand, I will release what's in my heart. I want to bless you, but the windows are closed. That's why we have these power windows. The power of preparation. It opens the window of provision. God's provision often awaits our preparation. This week, as we talk about provision and perspective, I want to ask the question, is it possible that provision and perspective are one and the same? I'll make the case as we go here, but I'm excited about what God gave me to teach you today. By the way, I always pray before I preach. Like I was riding up this morning to church. I looked out my window, and before the first worship experience, there are people lined up to get to church. I always get excited when I see that. Just amazed at all the people who are coming. I also get kind of terrified by it. My greatest fear in life is disappointing people. I'm always scared I'm going to be a disappointment. And then people put a complex on me because when they meet me, they say, you look taller on screen. Like, they're disappointed that I'm shorter or something like that. So I stay in my house until Sunday. I see the people lining up, and I always go through this conversation with God, God, you have to speak to these people you sent because they need something I don't have. Furthermore, I don't even know exactly what they need. You do. God has a surveillance system on your situation. How many believe he can speak the specific thing you need today?

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

I mean, from the front of the.

[Steven Furtick]

Room to the back of the room to the overflow, God has what you need. I don't even worry about it anymore because I look at myself like an Amazon.com drone that just drops it off at your doorstep and flies away. All right. I always pray that, God, they need something I don't have. I feel like the disciples who had 5,000 men and women and children to feed and no bread. Yet God said, bring what you have to me, even if it seems to be too little, and watch what I will do through you. It's interesting, isn't it, that to provide for the people, Jesus did not bypass the meager supply of the disciples. He multiplied it. So the whole process of provision starts when you offer what you have, regardless of whether or not it seems to be enough to you, the little bit of time you do have, that's the window, the perspective of provision. I wonder if provision is a matter of perspective. Elisha seems to think so. This great prophet is dying, and this new king has one chance to to get what he needs from the mouth of the man of God. Let's see what happens. 2 Kings 13, 14. Now, Elisha had been suffering from the illness from which he died. Jehoash, king of Israel, went down to see him and wept over him. It's one thing about pressure. Pressure will cause you to seek provision and get your priorities in order. There was no seeking of Elisha's advice until the Arameans started to oppress the people of God. When it got to that point, the king went down to see the prophet. I don't know what brought you to church today, but I sure am glad you're here. Touch your neighbor and say, I'm glad you're here. Don't even care what brought you here. You might have heard there were pretty girls at elevation. But I'm glad you came. Might get a valentine and a word from God. Amen. All at the same time. God is good, supplies all my needs according to his glorious riches. That's not a pickup line. That's a scripture. So he went down and he wept over him.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

I understand why he's weeping.

[Steven Furtick]

He's weeping because what he's losing is so significant. Elisha was more than just a preacher. Elisha represented the entire defense system of the nation of Israel. He was their window. Not only the window through which they saw the activity of God, but the window through which God would give them many times the protection from their enemies. He had a unique ability to strategically.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Cut off the enemy's advances.

[Steven Furtick]

He would tell the kings where the enemy was going to attack so they could be ready for it. Note that it did not prevent the attack from happening. It provided the strength to withstand the attack.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Sometimes we get confused about the provision.

[Steven Furtick]

Of God because we mistakenly believe that.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

The provision of God will mean the prevention of problems. When we ask God to provide for.

[Steven Furtick]

Us what we're actually asking him to.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Do, truth be told, is to eliminate the need. In other words, God, create a life.

[Steven Furtick]

For me that will make you unnecessary. And he won't do it.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

He's weeping over what's leaving, and Elisha is pointing to what's left. In every season of my life, I have the choice. My father. My father. The chariots and horsemen of Israel. Elisha is about to leave the building, but before he goes, he points to the provision. He points to the provision. I believe God wants to point out the provision he has placed in front of you in your life today.

[Steven Furtick]

I've been asking him to do that. Watch this. Elisha said, verse 15.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Get a bow and some arrows. The arrows did not magically appear at this point. The bow didn't fall down out of the sky. It had been there all along. He is simply instructing the king to locate what has been there all along, what was in the house when he came. Now he instructs him to take it in his hands. Notice that he does not tell the king to study the composition of the bow and the arrow, or to browse a catalog of bow and arrows, or to read the history of bows and arrows. Sometimes when we come to church, we want to learn stuff about trivial historical details that don't require us to do.

[Steven Furtick]

Anything, but instead preach.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Pastor Stephen, get up. Oh. Touch your neighbor and say, do something with it. Do something with this word. Make up your mind in advance. Even if I don't like that preacher's pink shirt, if he says, one thing I can apply in my life today.

[Steven Furtick]

I'm going to use it.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Get a bow and some arrows. And he did so. He was the original Nike advertisement. He did so.

[Steven Furtick]

Just do it.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Take the bow in your hands, he said to the king of Israel.

[Steven Furtick]

And when he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king's hands. This message is for somebody at Gaston today. Get ready. It's going to come then. Verse 17 is our theme verse, where he says, open the east window. And he opened it. Shoot, Elisha said.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

And he shot.

[Steven Furtick]

Then he declared, watch this promise.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

The Lord's arrow of victory. The arrow of victory over Aram. If Paul were writing, he would say, I am more than a conqueror through him who loved me.

[Steven Furtick]

Yeah.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

If John were writing, he would say, this is the victory that overcomes the world. The arrow of victory. The Lord's arrow of victory. God is the source of my supply. God is the source of my strength. It's the Lord's arrow of victory. But he put it in your hands, God gave the victory, but you must take the shot now. I feel the spirit of Wayne Gretzky coming on me. I don't even like hockey. But he said, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. He shot the arrow, but what happened next is tragic because he had the opportunity of a lifetime to completely defeat the enemy that was oppressing him, and he missed it.

[Steven Furtick]

He didn't do. The prophet said, take the arrows. And the king took them. Strike the ground. And he struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with them and said, you only did half of what you should have done. You had more arrows you didn't use. This is where I want to key in today. It is significant that it was not a lack of arrows or artillery that caused the king to miss the potential victory. It was not the lack of weapons. It was the lack of will. If you would have used every arrow you had, you would have completely defeated this thing. And now you only defeat it three times. The power of provision. God has given me what I need for the season I'm in. I have a choice to make today and every day. Will I weep over what I'm losing, or will I wield the weapons that are left? Provision. Perspective. The two are connected. I'll tell you a story I didn't tell any of the other worship experiences because I'm kind of partial to you guys. Because after you. I'm done. We're on vacation this summer, and I turned on the windshield wipers, and Graham was sitting in the passenger seat. The windshield was dirty. That's what I noticed. He said, daddy, when you turn on the windshield wipers, I pretend there's a race. He said, the dirty triangle. The windshield wipers don't get to. That's the shark's fin. The part of the windshield the wipers clean. That's a whale. The wipers are the dolphin. And when you turn them on, they're jumping. Here's why I told you that story. I was looking at a dirty windshield. He was looking into the windshield. I saw a dirty window. He saw SeaWorld. Here's my premise. It's about perspective. What I see is up to me. Elisha was a sea seer, and when he saw something, he spoke and he spoke something, and he saw something. And the needs of the people materialized because of Elisha's ability to see and to speak. There is a connection between your vision and your victory. Your perspective is connected to your provision. My mind plays these tricks on me. I Only see the dirty windshield. Here's the thing. My mind is always noticing. I'm always noticing and asking myself the question. I have the ability to work in any situation, to walk in, and I automatically notice what I'm missing. That's what my brain tends to think when I walk into a situation. I want you to pray for me because this is a terrible question just to walk into. Do y'all have that question? Because I want it on the screen. My brain is constantly asking the question, walking into any situation. Flow with me when, what am I missing? I'm really good at weeping over what isn't there or worrying over what isn't there. My brain is trained to do it. It's almost as if I feel like somewhere along in my life, I took.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

A class on how to walk into.

[Steven Furtick]

Any situation and notice what I'm missing, what I don't have, what I can't do, what I can't control.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Now, I'll give myself a little credit.

[Steven Furtick]

Because some people don't even notice the need. They just walk by it. It amazes me sometimes what my children.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Will not even see that needs to be done.

[Steven Furtick]

It's not that they didn't do it.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

It's that they didn't even see that it needed to be done. One of my children asked Holly the other day, you mean I have to take a bath every day? He doesn't see the need because he doesn't smell the stench. You know, you can get to a place in your life where you've been in a situation and condition so long that everybody else smells it but you. I mean, you can get to the place where you don't even see the need. I remember a few years ago, I took a whole group of staff members and the trash cans in the office were just overflowing. Not kind of full overflowing. I walked a group of staff around and I said, answer me a question. Did you not take this trash out because you didn't want to take it out, or did you not notice? You know what? Honest to God, they didn't even notice the need. Or at least that's what they told some people don't even notice.

[Steven Furtick]

Worse yet, sometimes we don't see the.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Need because all we see is the symptom.

[Steven Furtick]

Can I preach a little bit?

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

In your body, this is called referred pain.

[Steven Furtick]

It's when you have something wrong in your chest, but you feel it in your neck, so you're trying to fix it in a place it is not coming from. When David said, the Lord is My shepherd, I shall not want. He is also implying that God is the only one who knows what I really need when I pray. Give me this day my daily bread. As Jesus taught his disciples to pray.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

I no longer pray.

[Steven Furtick]

God, give me what I think I.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Need, but give me what you know I need. God is the only one who has.

[Steven Furtick]

Been in my tomorrow.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

So he's the only one who knows what I'm going to need when I get there. If he knows I need to fight a lion, so I'll be ready for Goliath, I want to fight the lion. I don't want him to prevent the fight. I want him to provide the faith so that I will. Because if I don't fight Goliath, I can't get his sword. And if I don't get his sword, it won't be in storage when I need it. God. God knows what I need. He is my source. Somebody shout, God is my source. Tell it to the person sitting next to you. You're not my source. My job is not my source. My boss is not my source. See, there are some things in life that. That are nice to have, but I don't really need them to survive. I love when Holly says this to me. And Valentine's Day is coming up, so maybe she'll say this to me on Tuesday.

[Steven Furtick]

She'll say, I appreciate everything you've given me because I try to take care of her.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

I really do, always to the best of my ability. Sometimes that meant water, and we eat chips at the Mexican and share a Speedy Gonzalez. But sometimes that meant I could take her to Morton's. But whether it was Mexican or Morton's, it didn't matter. I was always giving her what I could. But every once in a while, she'll tell me something like this, it's not the things you gave me.

[Steven Furtick]

I think she means it.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

It's not the things. Because she was there with me when there weren't any things. It's not the things she left me in Juniper Terrace, apartment C15. She loved me in the duplex. I don't love you for the Denali. I loved you in the duplex. It's not what you gave me. Our love is not contingent upon a material possession. I wonder, have I come to that.

[Steven Furtick]

Place in my relationship with God that I really believe that if he didn't give it, I don't need it?

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

My brain tells me differently. My brain tells me, even while I'm preaching this sermon, that I am not intelligent enough, articulate enough. When I go to Tell my little jokes I'm not comical enough because my.

[Steven Furtick]

Brain picks out the people who look.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Hateful in the crowd every time. I don't know how I find y'all, but I find you. Somehow my brain will pick out what's missing. There could be a thousand people standing up, Preach, Pastor.

[Steven Furtick]

But my little brain.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

You too. I mean, I can walk in a situation and find what's wrong in a minute. Notice who wasn't nice to me in a minute. Always notice what I'm missing. Always notice what I lack. Always notice what I've lost. But if I only notice what I lack and what I've lost, I won't use what I have left. What God wants to do through my life next is not contingent upon what I lack or what I've lost. Come on, you better help me preach. Get a bow, get some arrows Punch.

[Steven Furtick]

Your neighbor in the arm and say, what you have is what you need. What you have is what you need. What you have is what you need. What you have is what you need. What you have is what you need. God should have made me taller. I didn't choose to be five foot nine.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Five foot nine is all I need. That's all I need.

[Steven Furtick]

I don't need any extra inches. Praise the Lord. One time I called a guy to thank him for contributing to the church, and he said, I appreciate your call. It's nice, but I want you to know it's not needed. I thought it was needed because he gave a million dollars to the church. I thought if you gave a million dollars, you ought to get a phone call from the head man. He said, I appreciate it, and it's nice to hear from you, but it's not needed. I never forgot what he said. This was years ago this week. I was reminded of one time when Paul was in prison. He's writing to the church at Philippi, who just contributed toward his legal defense. Paul writes to them to thank them and express his gratitude. He says, hey, I got your gift, and I was happy for it. In fact, I rejoice greatly. This is Philippians 4:10. That you renewed your concern for me at last. It took a while, but I know you were concerned but had no opportunity to show it. That's important, too, because Paul's problem created their opportunity. Sometimes we miss God's provision because it is disguised as a problem. We don't receive the provision because it's wrapped in a package that looks like a problem.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

We keep sending back the gift God is trying to bestow upon us because.

[Steven Furtick]

It doesn't feel good.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Sometimes God will send correction into your life to make you better.

[Steven Furtick]

You've been praying for God to make you better, but he didn't do it through somebody telling you how good you are.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

He sends somebody to correct you, but.

[Steven Furtick]

You don't like the way correction feels.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

So rather than receive the correction, which is a gift to take you where God is calling you to, you get offended and quit.

[Steven Furtick]

God's provision comes wrapped in scripture, strange packages and so forth. Paul is in prison and God provides for him through the church, and he's.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Writing back to them. And he said, thank you for the gift. I received it.

[Steven Furtick]

I was happy about it and I appreciate it. But watch what he says in the next verse.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

He said, I'm not saying this because I'm in need. For I have learned this is something.

[Steven Furtick]

You are not born with.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

You don't know what you need. I mean, you are born just screaming, you don't know what you need. You just know you need to eat. You don't understand the process, but life is the process of God teaching you that he is the One who feeds you. Sometimes he'll do it over here, sometimes he'll do it over there. Sometimes he'll do it through nobody at all. Sometimes he'll do it when you're all alone. But when God is your source, you will never lack supply. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow saying, what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? For your Father knows you need these things. He knows what I need.

[Steven Furtick]

Paul says, it's nice, but I don't need it. It's nice, but I don't need it.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

I appreciate what you bought for me. Holly said, it's nice, but I don't need it. I like it, but I don't need it.

[Steven Furtick]

Even Let me tell you something right here. Stand back up. I appreciate your passion. I was watching you in worship and here I am preaching and you are standing up like you are ready charge.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

The devil with a nerf bow and arrow. I love it. I love your response to the word of God.

[Steven Furtick]

It's nice.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

But I want you to know I don't need it. I'm going to preach this. If you stand up and shout me down. I'm going to preach it. If you sit there and sleep because I can't hold it in. It's my calling. It's my assignment. See if you want to respond. That's nice. But even if you don't respond, I have a word from God and I have to get it out. This is for all of you who have been underappreciated in the position you're in. You have to come to the place where you say, you know, it's nice when people thank me. It's nice when people notice me. But God is my rewarder. God is my source. God is my supply. I don't need it. It would be nice to have a date on Valentine's Day, but I don't need it. I'll take myself out for pasta. I buy my own shrimp. Okay, high five. Somebody say, I don't need it. If God didn't give it, I don't need it. If it's not in my reach, it's not for this season. If he let it go, I will too.

[Steven Furtick]

Because I found out the deeper the.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Valley, the greener the grass.

[Steven Furtick]

He will never lead me to a place he will not feed me. He will never send me into a situation he does not supply for. Elisha had the unique ability to go into the same situation others had walked into and seen only shortage and see God's supply. Who is this for today? You know who I'm worried about? The one who pretends like they have.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

No need.

[Steven Furtick]

Or the one who has become so calloused in your heart, the one who has become so dependent on dysfunctional systems that cannot feed you in a sustainable way that you have lost your ability to come before God and say, I need you. A broken and a contrite heart he will not despise, but the arrogant and the proud he will cast down. The prerequisite for supply is that you know your need. I need you, God. I need you. If I see you. If I seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, all these things. These things, see, they're not needs, they're things. All I need is Him. He will supply all my needs. I've been switching my question a little bit. Instead of asking the question, what am I missing? Because I can stay stuck there forever. I'm a broken person. There are skills I do not have, there are talents I cannot employ, there are resources I cannot access. If I focus on that my whole life, it will feed my fear and starve my faith. And I will not receive what Jesus died to give me. For every needy person in the place today. Let me give you a better question. Instead of walking into the situation and asking the question, what am I missing? Walk into the same situation and instead of asking the question, what am I missing? Ask the question, what am I missing? What am I not seeing? What is it God has Put in front of me. What are the weapons that are within my reach that I am not seeing pro vision in this message?

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Freedom.

[Steven Furtick]

I'm telling you, man, because you have been so stuck in what was weeping at the feet of Elisha. He's gone now. You have been so stuck in what's not, what you don't have, what you can't do. Sweetheart, if I would have made a list of everything I can't do and everything I'm bad at, there would not be an elevation church.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

I'm serious. The devil is going to beat me up for preaching to you like this. Because when it gets real like this, I open myself. And sometimes it feels like I'm just. Just opening myself. But there is so much I wish I could take some time and talk.

[Steven Furtick]

To you about my weaknesses.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

I mean, there are so many weaknesses I have. But I have never allowed my weaknesses to prevent me from using my weapons. Who am I preaching to? I have a bow. I have an arrow. I intend to use every arrow in my quiver. So Peter and John are going to the gate called Beautiful. They're just going to church one day. And along the way to church, because destiny will often disguise itself as a distraction.

[Steven Furtick]

That was too quick.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

They were walking to church and there was a beggar at the gate called Beautiful asking them for alms. He was shaking a cup in their face, asking them for some spare change. But how many know God doesn't always give you the kind of change you ask for. See, God knows the need beneath the need, Beneath the need. Beneath the need. Beneath the need. Beneath the need. This man has been lame since birth. He has never been able to walk. He's doing the best he can. He's in the only place he thinks he can get any kind of provision or assistance at all. Here comes Peter and here comes John. Apparently they look like the kind of people who would be willing to help a little bit. So he asks him boldly. In fact, the Bible says in verse two that he saw Peter and John going up to the temple. If he hadn't been in the right place, he wouldn't have seen his provision. That's why I have to come to church. Because if I don't get in the right place, I might miss the provision. I might miss the word God wants to give me to fight the battle I don't even know about yet. So I have to get there.

[Steven Furtick]

As he's sitting there, he sees verse three, he sees Peter and John. He sees provision. Vision. I'm going to stay right here. Provision and the wipers are the dolphins and the dirt is the shark. What do you mean? Boy, it's a dirty windshield. No, I see something in it. Maybe that's why he said, we need to have faith like a child and stop being so blind to our supply. The enemy, if he can't keep you from seeing the need, then he will keep you blind to the supply. When he saw Peter coming, he said, hook a brother up. Peter said, I have good news and bad news. The good news is, I see you look at it. It says, not only did the man see Peter and John, but Peter looked straight at him. I wonder how many people had passed by him. I wonder how many people had stepped over him. I'm not saying that to make you feel bad. I mean, we all get in a hurry, and we're never going to be able to do everything for everyone. That's not my point. My point is that in this particular passage, the miracle was sitting there in the form of something. Everyone else walked past. Peter looked at him. He was there. I don't think Peter was the first one to church, nor was he the last one. But he looked at him and he saw something. He saw an opportunity disguised as a problem. God is an optometrist. He wants to fix the way you see. You've been asking, will I have what it takes? God is asking, will you take what you've got? Get a bow, get some arrows. It's right there. It's right there. God will hide your provision in plain sight to cause you to seek for him. Sometimes as men, we ask God to give us wisdom, and he hides it in our wives if we'll listen.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

I thought I would get some female support and endorsement.

[Steven Furtick]

Hidden provision. Something you've been walking past. That's what Elisha was able to do. That's what the window is for.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

To see. God is working. To see God at work beneath the surface. God, show me where you're working in this situation. That's my prayer. I assume you are. You're always working. Now open my eyes to see the miracle already in progress.

[Steven Furtick]

Touch my eyes so I can see. Some of y'all I see around this church have been with me a long time. I have never preached a more anointed sermon than this one. Right now, God is doing corrective eye surgery.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

This is like Lasik for the soul. Right now, God is trying to get you back. You've been looking at situations through the lens of limitation. But God said today, I'm not going to change your situation. I'm Going to take off your spectacles so you can see your situation through the lens of my provision. I wouldn't despair unless I believed I.

[Steven Furtick]

Would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. You're looking at it wrong. It's not a dirty windshield.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

It's Shamu.

[Steven Furtick]

You'Ve been praying for. Patience. God sent you preschoolers. It's provision wrapped in Pampers.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Y'all better talk to me. I'll preach all day. There's no parking lot for me to clear right now. I feel on fire with the word of God.

[Steven Furtick]

Peter looked at the man, and where others saw an inconvenience, he saw an opportunity. He looked straight at him. Open the east window. Look straight at the thing that's in your way.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Don't divert your attention. Don't distract yourself. Look at it. See it for what it is. See it for what it can't be.

[Steven Furtick]

Then he spoke to it.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

First he saw it and then he spoke to it. Peter looked at the man and then Peter told the man, look at us. Do you see a common theme in this passage? Every good thing that happened happened by virtue of perspective. Provision for the vision. Pro Vision vocabulary lesson. Pro for vision sight. I want to see how God is working this for the good of those who love him. God is for me, not against me. I just have to open my eyes. Eyes to see it.

[Steven Furtick]

The man was expecting something that was much less than what God was willing to give. Could that be? You notice what happened, man? This part got good to me when I was preaching it over at the 9:30. And I hope I can do it. Right now. I'm closing. I really am closing, kind of sort of in my own little way. Oh, man. If I could get you to see this. God help me say it like I see it, because I see it. I see that he wanted to get something, but first he had to give something. Look at verse five. The man gave them his attention. What if it's not about what you're not getting that is causing you to live in a state of shortage. What if the windows are closed because you wouldn't open them? God will test you on this. He will test you on this because he does not want you dependent on sources of energy or affirmation that are not connected to his heart. He will let a brook dry up so you'll move on and realize it wasn't the birds that were feeding you to begin with. It was him. He is my supply in every season for whoever the three people are. I'm preaching this to when he gave them his attention, God exceeded his expectation. He expected to get something from them. I don't know what you're expecting God to do in this season of your life that he won't do yet. Because usually when we ask God for change, what we really want him to change is the situation, not ourselves. Sometimes when I preach, I don't feel anything. Sometimes I feel something. The times when I didn't feel anything, I used to think something was wrong. And God spoke to me really very clearly. It's louder than out loud. It's not out loud, it's louder than that. You know what I'm saying? It's like this sense that, you know. God said the reason you don't feel anything is because I want to set you free from the need to feel it, to do it. I don't need you to feel feel. I need you to preach. I want you to depend on the feeling of my presence. I want you to see it when you can't feel it. I want you to know it.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

When.

[Steven Furtick]

The sensation of your emotions do not confirm it. Sometimes God will bypass what you want to give you what you need now. And Tim, who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, we always think that that verse is pointing upward. He's able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all we ask or imagine. I believe it is that the arrow of victory is flying over Aram.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

But what if that verse works both ways?

[Steven Furtick]

What if he wants to do something deeper than what I'm asking him to do? Deep work. I want to do a deeper work. I don't just want to give you people in your life to encourage you. I want to teach you how to encourage others. I learned how to fight the devil. If nobody texts me to encourage, I go to work on my own contact section and I start finding people. See, I'm teaching the devil. Don't mess with me because I'll cut off your head with your own sword. You discourage me and I'll encourage them. Peter said, I'm not going to give you what you want. I don't have it. I don't have what you think you need. But such as I have, I give unto you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Get a bow, get some arrows. In the name of Jesus Christ of.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Nazareth, the name above every name, the name above every knee. Who is this message for? God is reaching his hand out to you. God is reaching his hand out to you. Will you receive it right now? In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth get up and walk. The man wanted a meal but he got a miracle now unto him who is able to do immeasurably more he shall provide.

[Steven Furtick]

He shall supply all my needs the ones I see the ones I don't see the spirit of the Lord is in this place today to meet every need I said the spirit.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Of the Lord is in this place today Rock Hill the Spirit of the Lord Blakeney, Ballantyne, Matthews. The spirit of the Lord is in this place.

[Steven Furtick]

God's hand cannot bless your clenched fist God what am I walking past? I keep talking about my limitation what am I walking past? Silver and gold have I none I keep weeping over the season that is.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

Behind me what am I missing that's right in front of me? Can we flip it?

[Steven Furtick]

This week Faith flips the question to know that God has placed his provision. That's what it means, provision.

[Co-host or Guest Speaker]

For before you even got there.

[Steven Furtick]

He put the supply in the situation I have to close. If you receive this message today, lift both your hands in the air. Just lift your hands to your Father. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Give us this day our daily bread. We believe you will feed us what we need for the season we're in. Feed me what I need for the season I'm in. God, we trust you in this moment. We receive in this moment the grace that we need for the calling that we have received. Thank you for joining us. Special thanks to those of you who give generously to this ministry. It's because of you that this ministry is possible. You can click the link in the description to Give now or visit elevationchurch.orgpodcast for more information. And if you enjoyed the podcast, you can subscribe. You can share it with your friends. You can click the Share button, take a screenshot and share it on your social stories and tag us LevationChurch. Thanks again for listening. God bless.