(March 29, 2009)

Once you breakthrough one time, things become easier. Many people will fight and fight and fight, but then give up just before their breakthrough. Don't give up because once you experience that breakthrough, things will become much easier and you will build confidence to bring people with you and teach them to experience their own breakthrough.

One of the greatest breakthroughs was done Abraham. Family issues, fear, battles because of bad decisions, and thinking that God wasn't there all kept him from his breakthrough. It was only until he believed and kept on going that his breakthrough came. God won't get you started in something only for you to fail. He will provide you with that breakthrough if you just force through and keep on keepin' on.

As it goes with the leadership, it goes with the people. If you study the nation of Israel, you'll find out that a kind King leads his people to good times, but a poor King leads his people to poor times. It's about walking the walk, not just talking the talk. If you want to have breakthrough kids, we have to have breakthrough teachers.

Be on the lookout for breakthrough moments. Breakthroughs occur when (1) people hurt enough, (2) people learn enough, and (3) people receive enough. Once you get there, it's time to bring someone else through with you. Breakthrough requires a process of following through. He who began a great work will be faithful to complete it.

When you understand the process, you will then gain momentum. When a church has a breakthrough, things become exciting. You begin to wonder how you can become part of the process, then you begin to walk others through that same process. This will build the best relationships of your life. Every breakthrough carries a price tag. Most people aren't willing to pay the price, however. Nothing is ever for free. If you'll learn to pay the price the first time, it become easier each successive time because you understand how rewarding the breakthrough is. Count the cost: it's not going to be free and it is going to be tough, but the reward will be more than you can fathom! If you back off of the breakthrough, then you have made that breakthrough even tougher later. You will limit yourself, you will then limit other people. If you reach your potential, you do not help to reach the church's potential. If you don't want to grow, you aren't just punishing yourself, you are punishing your church, thus you're punishing the world.

You've got to understand God's timing. Hurt to the need, learning leads to the want, receiving leads to the "able". Begin to look at potential breakthroughs in your life and pray about them. Prayer is essential. Without God's help, you won't make it. To be a breakthrough person, you have to be willing to share with people your story. People can relate to your story whether you believe it or not. Be transparent: people respect that you still have weaknessness and that you aren't perfect.

Building a culture of breakthrough. A culture of breakthrough creates a culture of revival. Come along side others and partner with them en route to their breakthrough, thus growing the church and aiding in the growth of God's Word in the world.

You need to put your hand in God's Hand! Are you hurting enough? Then, are you learning enough? Then, are you receiving enough? If the answer is yes to all three questions, then you can experience breakthrough and walk with others to help them experience breakthrough as well!

- Jon Bruney
(credit to John Maxwell)