In the journey of life, encountering moments of decrease is inevitable. Yet, it’s often these very moments that pave the way for remarkable increases and blessings. Understanding the necessity of decrease is paramount for experiencing the incredible increase of the Lord in various aspects of life, including family and future. While the process of decrease may involve difficult and painful moments, it is through these experiences that we are refined, prepared, and ultimately positioned for the remarkable increase that follows. Embracing decrease is not a sign of weakness but rather a testament to one’s willingness to undergo transformation for greater purpose and fulfillment. Join me as we explore the transformative power of decrease and its role in paving the path to remarkable increase and blessings in our lives.

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The Paradox of Decrease and Increase

It’s natural to celebrate success and avoid the pain of decrease, yet it’s through these very decreases that we often find our greatest victories. Let’s delve into personal experiences and biblical truths to uncover the unexpected power of decrease leading to ultimate increase.

Decrease Through Hurricane Andrew and Prison

My journey through the Great Decrease began with a catastrophic event – Hurricane Andrew. Buried alive in a closet with water rising to our chins, it felt like the ultimate decrease. However, it was during this time that I realized God’s hand was at work, orchestrating a significant shift in my life.

A Time of Crisis and Transformation

Hurricane Andrew marked the beginning of a tumultuous period, as I found myself facing a third-degree felony charge for a drug-related incident. The subsequent year spent in prison felt like a crushing blow, yet it ultimately became a pivotal moment of spiritual awakening and renewal.

Discovering Redemption and New Beginnings

It was within the confines of prison that I encountered Jesus, sparking a profound transformation that altered the course of my life. Despite the initial despair, the experience of decrease ultimately led to a remarkable spiritual increase, offering me a new lease on life and the opportunity for redemption.

Decrease in Marriage and Moving to Tulsa

After the failure of my first marriage, I found myself in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with no money and a shattered heart. The pain and loneliness seemed insurmountable, and I was convinced that my life was irreparably broken. Little did I know that this period of great decrease would ultimately pave the way for significant personal growth and unexpected blessings.

Decrease in Accepting God’s Call to Corpus Christi

When I felt the call to move to Corpus Christi, it seemed like a significant decrease in my plans and expectations. I was comfortable and thriving in Tulsa, surrounded by a supportive community and fulfilling ministry opportunities. The thought of leaving all that behind to move to a place I didn’t particularly like was daunting, to say the least. But as I reflect on this period, I can see how God used this apparent decrease to bring about unexpected growth and transformation in my life.

Decrease as a Campus Pastor and the Birth of Rock City Church

As I stepped into the role of a campus pastor, I faced unexpected challenges that tested my resolve and faith. Despite my initial enthusiasm and passion, I encountered resistance and opposition that threatened to derail my vision for the church. However, it was during this time of apparent decrease that I received a powerful revelation that would ultimately shape the trajectory of my ministry and lead to the birth of Rock City Church.

Decrease Through Stillbirth and Health Challenges

Life took a heartbreaking turn when my wife and I experienced the devastating loss of our child through stillbirth. The profound grief and sense of decrease seemed insurmountable, casting a shadow over our lives. However, in the midst of this immense pain, we found unexpected strength and resilience, ultimately leading to a deeper appreciation for the gift of life and a renewed sense of purpose.

Navigating Health Challenges and Unexpected Setbacks

Amidst the journey of decrease, I encountered unforeseen health challenges that threatened to derail my aspirations and dreams. The daunting prospect of navigating these obstacles felt like a significant decrease, yet it became a catalyst for resilience, perseverance, and a profound sense of gratitude for every moment of wellness and vitality.

Finding Hope and Renewal Amidst Adversity

Despite the overwhelming nature of these decreases, they ultimately became transformative experiences that reshaped my perspective and instilled a deep sense of empathy and compassion. Through these trials, I discovered an unwavering hope and a newfound appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit, paving the way for unexpected growth and renewal amidst adversity.

Decrease in Losing a Business to Hurricane Harvey

When Hurricane Harvey struck, it resulted in the devastating loss of my business. The extensive damage and overwhelming cleanup process seemed insurmountable, leaving me grappling with a profound sense of decrease. However, amidst the despair, the unwavering support and assistance from the church and the community brought a glimmer of hope and renewal, ultimately paving the way for unexpected growth and resilience.

Decrease in Being Fired as a Campus Pastor

As a campus pastor, I faced the challenging experience of being fired, which initially felt like a significant decrease in my ministry journey. The unexpected turn of events tested my faith and resolve, but little did I know that it would ultimately pave the way for the birth of Rock City Church, a testament to the transformative power of embracing the process of decrease.

Biblical Examples of Decrease Preceding Increase

Throughout the Bible, we encounter powerful examples of individuals who experienced significant decrease before experiencing incredible increase. These narratives offer profound insights into the transformative nature of decrease and the pivotal role it plays in paving the way for spiritual growth and fulfillment.

David’s Journey from Shepherd to King

David’s early life was marked by a series of decreases that ultimately led to his unprecedented rise as the king of Israel. Despite facing rejection and isolation within his own family, David chose to embrace faithfulness and humility in the face of adversity. His willingness to decrease in status and honor set the stage for God’s remarkable increase in his life, ultimately fulfilling the prophetic promise of kingship.

John the Baptist’s Surrender for Greater Purpose

John the Baptist’s thriving ministry and profound impact on the lives of many exemplified the power of spiritual increase. However, his unwavering commitment to decrease in favor of exalting Christ’s ministry demonstrated a profound understanding of the paradoxical nature of decrease preceding increase. His ultimate sacrifice, laying down his life for the sake of his calling, serves as a poignant example of embracing decrease for the greater fulfillment of God’s purpose.

Preparing the Way: Making Our Hearts a Highway for God

Preparing the way for God involves clearing the road and making our hearts a highway for His presence to travel through. Just as a highway is cleared of obstacles for royalty to pass, our hearts need to be free of hindrances to welcome the King’s chariot. This process requires us to examine our lives and identify areas that need to be cleared out, such as pride, selfish ambition, and deceit. It’s a call to level the path of our hearts with honor, justice, integrity, and transparency, creating a straight and open highway for God’s presence to dwell within us.

Embracing the Decrease to See God’s Increase

Embracing the process of decrease may seem counterintuitive, but it often paves the way for remarkable spiritual increase and transformation. As I reflect on my own journey, I’ve encountered numerous moments of decrease that ultimately led to unexpected growth and fulfillment. Let’s delve into the paradoxical nature of decrease and explore how embracing it can pave the way for incredible increase in our lives.

The Identity Crisis of Decreasing

When we fully surrender our lives to Christ and are born again, we can experience a true identity crisis. It’s a period of uncertainty and confusion where our sense of identity becomes insecure due to a change in our expected aims or role in society. This divine interruption turns our world upside down, leading to a loss of complete self-vision and a sense of purpose. Embracing this great decrease often means letting go of the person we once were, which can be incredibly challenging when faced with resistance from family, friends, and loved ones who preferred the old version of us.

Refining our identity never stops with the Father. The daily or seasonal pruning process of good fruit branches can feel like loss, as God cuts out things that are good in our lives to mold us into his likeness. This continuous identity crisis can be unsettling, especially when we lose things that seem good to us and God changes us to be more like him. However, the Father never leaves us the same; instead, he replaces our old identity with a new one that is far greater, making us rightful heirs to his promises and allowing us to bloom and blossom in the right way.

Decreasing to Fight for Others

When we take a stand to fight for others, it often involves embracing a life of decrease. This intentional decrease is not aimed at personal gain or recognition but is driven by a deep commitment to advocate for the marginalized and vulnerable in society. As we step into this role, it’s natural to encounter resistance and opposition, as our actions challenge the status quo and confront injustice. The very act of fighting for others through proper decreasing can lead to increased scrutiny and even hostility, as it disrupts the systems that perpetuate desolation and marginalization. Despite the potential backlash, staying committed to this path of decrease is crucial in paving the way for transformation and advocating for those in need.

The Greatest Ways to Decrease

One of the most impactful ways of decreasing is by investing in the future generation, building something that will outlast our own lives. This could involve creating opportunities, establishing institutions, or sowing seeds of wisdom and knowledge that will bear fruit in the lives of those who come after us. It’s a selfless act of decrease, as it often means sacrificing immediate recognition or fulfillment for the greater good that will be realized by others in the future.

  • Investing in the future generation
  • Creating opportunities and institutions
  • Sowing seeds of wisdom and knowledge

Furthermore, embracing a life of decrease involves actively participating in acts of service and sacrificial giving. Whether it’s contributing financially, volunteering time and skills, or showing up to support and uplift others, each act of giving and service represents a deliberate choice to decrease personal comfort or convenience for the betterment of others and the community at large.

  • Acts of service and sacrificial giving
  • Contributing financially
  • Volunteering time and skills

Conslusion

As we conclude our exploration of the necessity of decrease, let us find hope in the transformative journey it entails. While embracing decrease may lead to moments of difficulty and hardship, it’s essential to remember that these experiences are not without purpose. Just as the biblical examples of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Paul faced great decreases before experiencing remarkable increases, so too can we trust that our own journey of decrease is paving the way for divine blessings and fulfillment in our lives. By surrendering to God’s refining process and embracing the changes and challenges that come our way, we position ourselves for a future filled with the incredible increase of the Lord. As we heed the call to rebuild and prepare the way for God’s remarkable work in our lives, let us do so with unwavering faith and trust in His divine plan. Embracing decrease is not a sign of weakness but rather a testament to our willingness to undergo transformation for greater purpose and fulfillment.

 

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