If I had the opportunity to preach just one last time. If I wrote just one last blog. If I was to sit and have coffee with you and could share anything with you that you could take to heart for the rest of your life, it would be what you are about to read.

Do you want a “touch” from God? Do you want a breakthrough in your walk with God? Do you long to know the Father’s love, the beauty of Jesus and the communion experienced with the Holy Spirit? Maybe you need a breakthrough in your marriage, finances, job, or just life in general? I want to tell you today that now is not the time to back up or back down—but to break through!  I want to share a few thoughts with you regarding the following verses. Let’s pick up the story of Jacob at verse 22:

Genesis 32:22-27 “And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had.  Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.  Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.  And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

I pray that your heart is wide open to receive what God has for you today.

“And he arose…”

The very first thing that Jacob did in this story is arise. He had to get up and do something. He could not just sit back and watch his destiny pass him by. He arose. And the very first thing that we must do if we want God to touch us is that we have to arise.

Arise from complacency and lethargy. Arise from religious mindsets. Arise out of sin. Arise from depression, discouragement and disappointment. We must arise. Arise from a wounded or offended heart. Arise from our sickness and pain. Arise from deep within. You know that feeling. It’s an internal resolve that I am going to get up and move forward in God or die trying. We have to arise and:

“…lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” Heb. 12:1

You have to do something. You have to make a change. You have to arise. Same ole same ole has never worked for anybody. If you want to really encounter God and see changes in every area of your life—you must arise.

“…that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone;”

God wants you—and you alone. God has been trying to get you to be by yourself and talk with you for quite some time. There are times and seasons in our lives where we have to tell even our own families, I need to be alone from “this time to this time” because I have to meet with God. That kind of dialogue needs to be restored to our homes. Where’s dad? Seeking God. Where’s Mom? Spending time alone with God.

It’s that important. It’s keeping the first commandment, first place. To love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. Jacob not only sent over his family but he sent over what he had. “Stuff.” There are many things that we do or have in life or that we are even a part of that we also need to “send over”. Maybe for you it’s TV, Netflix, social media, overworking, or just being too busy. Send it over with your family and get alone with God.

You may say, I just don’t have that kind of time to get alone and seek the Lord. Tell that to Jesus and He will find time for you…trust me.

“…and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.  Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.  And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

Jacob wrestled with this Heavenly being all through the night. He did not give up. Did you hear me? HE DID NOT GIVE UP! We have to learn the art of praying and pushing through until we get the answer. The old saints of God knew this well. You pray—until the answer comes or at least the assurance of the answer. Period.

We live in a society that demands results right now and we know that that is not how God operates. We have to take the time to seek Him with all of our hearts, no matter how long it takes. How long should I seek the Lord? Until you find Him. Until He touches you. Until you’re changed from the inside out. Until…

you limp.

Jacob had been known for his self-preservation and self-reliance and that all changed in this encounter. When he returned to his family, he was not the same. You know his family had to wonder what happened to him—why this limp. Jacob probably said something like, “I’m changed. I am not the same man that I was before. God touched me.”

You see when you really get ahold of God and He touches you, your wife will know it. Your husband will know it. Your kids will know it. Your family will know it. Your friends will know it. Your church family will know it. The place you work will know it. The people you hang out with will know it. The world will know it. Because God has touched you.

You don’t even have to say a word. They will see it. They will know it. You’re different. You don’t act the same. You don’t talk the same. You have more love than you ever had. You have more humility than you ever had. You are walking in a new place in God. There is a Heavenly fragrance around you. You have a fresh joy. You have hope and purpose. You have fire in your eyes and compassion in your heart.

All because you did something that many never get to do—conquer God! That’s right. When you wrestle with your past, present and future—when you wrestle God about your finances and your family. When you hang on and push through regarding your healing and emotions, God allows Himself to be conquered by you—though you are the one that leaves with the limp. Ultimately we are no match for the God of the universe. Yet, in His infinite wisdom and great love for us, He allows Himself to be captured, captivated and conquered by our sincere heart and wholehearted pursuit.

And once you wrestle with God and prevail, you have found a new place in God that is far beyond anything you have ever dreamed or imagined. It’s a wonderful place to be. More than that, it’s a wonderful place to live! And don’t just stop with one, two, or three wrestling matches. Don’t settle. Keep pursuing for more of Him. We will never exhaust what can be encountered in Him.

Beloved, never, ever stop going hard after God.

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Thank you!