Becoming God's Masterpiece

Becoming
God’s
Masterpiece:
Live the Life You Were
Created For
BY BRENT PHILLIPS

BRENT PHILLIPS | 3
Copyright © 2016 Brent Phillips
All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-1530994779
ISBN-10: 1530994772

BRENT PHILLIPS | 5
Why do I preach? I preach because I was there. I was there on the steps of
our house, all our clothes strewn in the yard, nowhere to go and I watched God
build a home. I was there when there was no gas in the tank and I saw the needle
move once we prayed. I was there in the hospital as the doctors said I would
always be sickly and then I experienced God’s healing of my body. I was there
when we had an accident that ripped our car in half and yet He kept us safe. I was
there when the wheels came off my life because of my poor choices and later I
watched God rebuild my life because of His grace. I was there when my marriage
was crumbling and watched God make it amazing, more than I could have asked
or imagined. I was there when my little girl lay still in the womb for three days
and I watched as God brought her back and she squirmed once more. I was there
when the lawyers told us it was impossible to return to America and then I saw
God open the necessary doors. I was there when others turned their backs on us
but God never did. I preach because I have found there is Hope when all hope
seems lost. I preach so others can experience the same amazing Jesus – the one
who saved my life.
Brent Phillips
"We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen
and heard."
Acts 4:20

BRENT PHILLIPS | 7
CONTENTS
Introduction 13
Chapter 1: Experience God through
Simplicity
17
Chapter 2: Maintain Your Vision-Find
Your Potential
23
Chapter 3: Renew Your Passion for
the House of God
35
Chapter 4: The Important of Honor 43
Chapter 5: Kingdom Eyes 51
Chapter 6: The Kingdom Has Come
with Power
61
Chapter 7: Complacency vs.
Harvest
71
Chapter 8: Find Your Potential by
Letting Go
81
Chapter 9: Insecurity Can Hinder
Potential
89
Chapter 10: Fighting for Peace 99
Chapter 11: The Link between Faith
and Forgiveness
105
Chapter 12: Living a Life of Faith 113
Chapter 13: Experience God
Through Giving
121
Chapter 14: Don’t Let
Disappointment Drag You Down
125
Chapter 15: Sacrifice Brings Fire 133
Chapter 16: Fighting for Light in the
Darkness
143
Chapter 17: Freedom from Slavery 149
Chapter 18: What if I Gave All? 161
Conclusion: God’s Involvement 169
Thank You! 173

Foreword 1
BY PASTOR STEVE WOODROW

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Poiema is a powerful word. It is a Greek word used in the New Testament,
which means God’s handiwork, His workmanship, a masterpiece of His making.
It speaks of a beautiful design by the divine artisan. God is the master artisan of
the whole universe (Romans 1:20). And He is the master designer of every new
creation in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). We get the word poem from poiema.
And so God has written each of our lives into His beautiful eternal story. Before
we meet Jesus our lives are out of rhythm and without reason. We are lost in the
world, trying to write our own story until God does His masterwork within us.
We are His special masterpiece created to do good works.
I am excited for you to read Brent’s new book for several reasons. First, we
all struggle with getting the reality of the Gospel of Jesus deep into our souls. How
often we forget who we are in Christ and the indescribable work God has done in
our lives. Through Brent’s many short admonitions in this book you will be
encouraged to see with fresh eyes just what a masterpiece of God’s work you are.
Secondly, we all also wrestle with laying hold of the faith it takes to start walking
in these good works that God has for us to walk in. Again, you will not just be
encouraged but inspired through Brent’s faith stories to trust God and start living
empowered by the Holy Spirit to find “Your God-Potential.”
God promises that once He starts His good work, His poiema, He will continue
it and bring each of us into the fullness of the masterpiece we are, which He
designed before the creation of the earth. (Philippians 1:6)
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within
us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might as or think. Glory to him in the
church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen”
(Ephesians 3:20)
Start reading and start becoming God’s poiema.
Steve R. Woodrow
Pastor, Crossroads Church Aspen
Author, Real.ational God

10 | FOREWORD 2
Foreword 2
BY PASTOR JEREMY FOSTER

BRENT PHILLIPS | 11
Have you ever reached a dead end? You’re cruising along, music turned up,
and the windows rolled down. There it is, out of nowhere, the flashing sign lets
you know in bright orange and red, this is the end of the road. Dead ends are no
fun; they usually mean you took a wrong turn along the way. Now you have to
backtrack to where you “thought” you were and correct the wrong. That’s where
I met Brent Phillips – at a dead end. Turns out, we both were just two guys
meeting for coffee at a dead end. We had both hit a wall in ministry and weren’t
sure which way to turn. I don’t know if you’ve ever had a ridiculously scary
moment when you realized that even though you help people find answers for a
living, you don’t have one for yourself. Dead ends are no fun.
Our mutual friend Eddie invited Brent and me, two of the most non-hipster
guys, to one of the most hipster coffee houses in Houston. So there we were,
drinking coffee, contemplating our lives, and speaking faith to one another. I
didn’t really comprehend it until later -we were speaking faith to one
another. Let that sink in for a minute. Two guys at a dead end, were speaking
faith to each other and getting excited about God’s awesomeness. It wasn’t a dead
end – it was an intersection. A God-appointed intersection at a hipster coffee
shop in Houston.
Divine intersections are often disguised as dead end roads. Maybe you feel
you are at a dead end or maybe it’s simply a Divine intersection and this book will
awaken the Masterpiece sleeping inside of you. Who knew God was setting us up
to journey together - to continue strengthening one another and speaking faith at
coffee shops. Now, we text several times a week, just speaking faith to one
another. That sums up Brent Phillips, he’s like the horse whisperer, except
different. He’s the faith whisperer. He has an uncanny ability to meet you in a
broken season or a hipster coffee shop and make you feel comfortable,
encouraged, and enlightened all at once. It helps that he has a super cool South
African accent which sounds like a cross between an Aussie outback guide and a
swashbuckling pirate.
This book is all about living the life you were created for and Brent knows a
lot about that. Potential is a tricky thing. In one sense “potential” means you can
be anything you want to be. On the other hand, it also lets you know you haven’t
achieved all that is possible yet. I remember when I was a teenager, specifically
when I was in trouble, people would say things like, “He has so much
potential.” What they meant was, “If Jeremy would just get his act together and
quit being a moron, God could really do something great in his life.” Potential
can be a backhanded way of making you realize what you are not.
God-Potential is uniquely different. It means God has already written the
story, all you have to do is walk it out. God has prepared this amazing plan for
you and it’s up to you to trust that He can complete what He has already
started. It doesn’t make sense, much like many of God’s amazing concepts. Take
grace and mercy for instance, two more themes throughout this book, words that
confound the mind if you think about them for long. I’m a pastor and if you slap
me across the mouth, I’d like to think I would joyfully turn the other cheek and
say something nice like, “Jesus loves you friend.” More than likely it would take
everything within my power to be still and remember He is God and not knock

12 | FOREWORD 2
you out. That’s because I’m just a man. Grace isn’t easy for me. Mercy is not
natural. With God though, He not only forgives you, He gives you a clean slate
every single day. You keep making mistakes and He keeps making mercy. Your
potential is not based on your performance, it’s based on His promise and He
gives you the grace needed to get there. God-potential, grace, and mercy are
woven like a tapestry through the pages you hold in your hands.
From finding Jesus in the poverty stricken streets of Mozambique to the
detailed struggle through the death of his sweet “Gran”, Brent wraps hope inside
of every riveting story. He’s a great story teller. He beautifully unpacks the deep
concepts of the Word and gently encourages you to trust Jesus with your life and
your potential. With this book, you are embarking on a journey to becoming the
masterpiece God has already created you to be. Wait no longer, go and be who
God said you could be!
Jeremy Foster
Senior Pastor, Hope City Church

14 | INTRODUCTION
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to
do good works, which God prepared in advance for us
to do.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew
in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he
planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
A Masterpiece Created for a Purpose
In the hustle and bustle, the busyness, and sometimes even the sameness of
everyday life, we tend to become detached from one basic truth of Christianity.
The foundational truth, the underpinning of our existence is this - God created
each one of us to be distinctly exceptional, to be His unique masterpiece.
The verse above—Ephesians 2:10—in each version makes it crystal clear
that we, as His masterpieces, are created for a purpose. That purpose is to do the
good things He planned for us.
When an artist creates a masterpiece, whether in paintings, sculpture, or
music, he or she receives critical praise for outstanding creativity, skill, or vision.
A masterpiece is the greatest work of a person’s career. A magnificent
skyscraper’s towering frame reflects the genius of its architect. The unparalleled
precision of an engineer’s design may catapult him to fame. A timeless tune
penned by an otherwise unknown composer—the symphony that thrills
audiences across generations—may elevate the musician to legendary status. A
painting that evokes emotion in all who study its strokes or scene inspires
reverence for the artist’s name. A statue stands firm through centuries of weather
and critique, declaring the inspiration of its creator. The artist defines his
masterpiece and the masterpiece reflects its creator.
We are each God’s masterpiece, His most imaginative and ingenious
handiwork in all of creation. We are His finest specimen. God Himself expressed
his greatest delight after He created man. Already pleased with His creations
before man, He had declared daily it “was good.” He, then, created His
masterpiece, in His own image. Imagine His pleasure when He shaped man’s final
curve of clay and breathed His life to enliven the soul of Adam. His masterpiece
was complete and He was pleased.
So much so that God said, “Very good.”
God, who created you, has a plan for your life — a plan prepared in advance.
It’s a very good plan.

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God’s Special Plan
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
You are God’s masterpiece—His greatest work—and He has good works for
you to accomplish, according to the plan He designed for you before you were
born.
So how do we live as a masterpiece? It is possible to follow His plan, but it’s
not automatic. There’s a particular pathway to our full potential. Unfortunately,
not all Christians reach that full potential, because there is another pathway
described in Proverbs.
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it
leads to death.
Proverbs 16:25
Consider the word appears in this verse. The way seems right, looks right,
feels right, but it is wrong. Instead of leading us in the appropriate, true, perfect
way to live, this deceptive way escorts us to death. The way that appears to be
right is when we want to do things our own way rather than follow God’s perfect
plan for us.
Living God’s way helps us live in our God-designed potential. His way brings
peace, joy, contentment, and victory, all with a sense of fulfillment.
What This Book is About
Sounds simple. Live God’s way and be happy and fulfilled. Why, then why, do
we see so many discouraged, unhappy, and unsatisfied Christians?
We are human; we cannot see the future or be sure of the right way without
carefully seeking it. Becoming God’s Masterpiece: Live the Life You Were Created
For is laid out to lead you step-by-step to find your special life plan, to find your
God-potential.
We will use the Bible as our standard and guidebook—our map. We’ll look at
how those in God’s Word fulfilled (or failed to fulfill) God’s special plan for their
lives.
We’ll see Joseph of the Old Testament, who experienced unfair challenges
and setbacks, yet continued to walk out God’s plan.
We’ll see Samson, who was strong-headed, independent, and for most of his
life, self-serving. Did he overcome in the end? He did, but he certainly took a
roundabout way to get there.
The Bible never minces words nor does it gloss over the actual events.

16 | INTRODUCTION
Most of us would rather be a Joseph than a Samson. Yet we live more like
Samson—following our own pathway and working outside God’s plans in order
to produce the fulfillment of our own desires.
Here’s the good news: we can follow God’s path and His plan for our lives—
instead of going the way that only appears to be right. Obstacles will rise up. We
will be frustrated. But we will learn how to reach our highest potential and how
to live full of purpose and victory.
***
Those who study genealogy and ancestry love to discover the history of their
family. The most important genealogy is the one found in the Book of Life. The
Book of Life is God’s record of those who are believers, those who have accepted
Christ’s sacrifice, God’s gracious gift as described in the books of Philippians and
Revelation, and as we begin, it is of utmost importance that you know you are
God’s child. He gave himself to redeem you from certain death. He has made you
his own child with full family privileges and inheritance. Begin now by asking
yourself, “Am I in the Book of Life?” Have you given your heart to Jesus and
accepted him as your Savior? If not, you can do that now by humbling yourself
before Him and claiming the gift of salvation for yourself. If so, you are ready to
live in the full scope of potential He has planned for you.

CHAPTER 1
Experience God
through Simplicity

18 | EXPERIENCE GOD THROUGH SIMPLICITY
The one thing you will not find within this book is a lot of complicated or
confusing theological discussions. The Gospel I teach, love, and live is simple.
Take a look at your walk with God. Is it bogged down in complexities? Do you
spend more time on minor biblical ideas and theories than on Jesus? Are there
issues that cloud your view of a loving Savior Who died for you?
As a Pharisee, Saul diligently studied the Law of Moses under the strict and
elaborate teaching of the celebrated Rabbi Gamaliel. Saul was an astute
intellectual who passionately persecuted Christians. Yet, after a divine encounter
with Jesus, who changed his name to Paul, the name most familiar to us, his entire
life changed. As evidenced here, the Apostle Paul wrote these words in his letter
to the church in Corinth, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV). From this verse we
see Paul was intent on keeping things simple—despite the depth of his
knowledge. His message and his life were unpretentious and straightforward—
Jesus only.
The Gospel I grew up with in South Africa was a simple Gospel because life
was fragile there. Racial tensions, violence, hunger, theft, poverty – the list goes
on and on. When someone came to church it was his or her best opportunity to
meet with Jesus. Life might never offer them another chance. The motive for
being there wasn’t to learn some new religious fact or add to the stack of things
they knew about the Bible. Instead, the point of every service was to experience
Jesus, in all of His love and grace.
So What?
Let’s be honest here. It’s easy to slip into thinking we are advancing in the
kingdom of God because we are adding amazing theological facts to our
knowledge banks. Yes, facts are interesting and useful. Exploring Levitical laws
and their layers of meaning, and peering into the deep concepts of theology—
salvation, redemption, and sanctification, fascinate and flood our minds and souls
with wonder about God and His Kingdom. Even so, the bigger question we must
ask is, “So what?”
I’m not against Bible knowledge or systematic theology and doctrine. But
Jesus is the key to living in life’s full potential. Knowledge is useless without Him
at the center, first and foremost.
Has the message, knowledge, and resulting insight created an impact in your life?
Has your life been changed? What will you say, see, feel, understand, think, or do
because you heard the Word?
What if I bought my wife a new car and other expensive gifts and came home with
flowers every day, but I never spoke to her or listened to her? Would any of the
gifts matter? Not at all. But if a husband and wife have healthy communication—
the give and take of ideas and information and love for each other—then the
smallest gift would be a treasure.
Continually learning new biblical facts can work for us only if those details
and specifics are added to a strong foundation based on a focused love of our Lord
Jesus. A relationship with Jesus is simple; religion, however, can be complicated.

BRENT PHILLIPS | 19
If you are married, you remember how complex a wedding can be. But how
much of the wedding ceremony has anything to do with building a happy
marriage? Have you ever heard of a marriage that was absolutely transformed
because of the beautiful bouquet the bride carried down the aisle? Did anyone
ever say, “We got such a great start to our marriage because the food at the
reception was perfect?” No, a great marriage is built on focus, trust, forgiveness,
deep abiding love with Jesus in the center of it.
American journalist, Mignon McLaughlin said, “A successful marriage
requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” Even though
in a long marriage you will discover the traits and habits of your spouse, the key
to success is continually falling in love. Your spiritual life is much the same; as
you study the Bible, you will learn so much about God and how He works. Your
job is to constantly fall in love with Him. Over and over, fix your eyes on Him.
Focus on his love. Concentrate on His character traits.
Our relationship with Jesus develops as we focus on Jesus. We trust Him. He is
merciful. He is with us. We think, “being a Christian is so hard,” but He says, “For
My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30 NIV) Easy and light
aren’t words we use often in our Christian walk.
When is the yoke easy and the burden light? When we focus, communicate, and
rest in Him.
Pastors Under Pressure
The poverty in Mozambique is much worse than in South Africa. Children face
gang rape and are sometimes forced to watch the murder of their parents. I
visited an orphanage and was surprised when I felt a palpable peace. Why? All
because of Jesus and his presence there. Then, I took a bus to a garbage dump.
Trash was stacked four stories high, but the people had built a community there.
Daily they rummaged through the rubbish to find food and building materials.
The smells and flies were so horrific, my first thought was, “I gotta get out of here.”
Then I met the pastor and entered his church—a tin shack. The heat was intense,
but the people sang glorious songs and the pastor spoke of contentment and
peace. His clothes were ill fitting and full of holes. He was the poorest of the poor,
but he was the happiest pastor I’ve ever known. His Christianity was simple. It
was all about Jesus. This man didn’t have a library full of books explaining what
the Word means. He looked to Jesus to unravel the Bible for him. He told his small
congregation, “You’ve heard the good news, so let’s go out and share it.” And they
did. No lunch at the local cafeteria. No afternoon nap. As they engaged the people
they met, I watched. I saw a man kneeling in the trash—giving his life to Christ.
Then another man began shouting, “I have Jesus! I have Jesus!”
Pastors in our culture are under great pressure to preach new points and present
new ideas because their congregations have a consumer mentality. “I know that;
I’ve heard that before. Now tell me something new,” is the thinking of the day.
Parishioners walk out of a church service thinking it was a good message because
it was filled with new information. There’s nothing wrong with developing a full
understanding of the principles found in the Bible–unless we let the quest for new

facts overshadow the person of Jesus. The crucial question is, “Are you
experiencing Jesus?”
The Apostle Paul, even though he was highly educated, declared that he
wanted to know nothing…except Jesus Christ and Him crucified because Paul knew
when the Gospel becomes complicated, problems and misunderstandings arise.
Our human nature and finite minds cannot know the full depth of God’s
knowledge. We read about a concept and then do the only thing we know to do—
apply “human” logic to it. Then when my logic doesn’t agree with your logic, we
argue. Our reasoning and rationale are incapable of seeing all the truth in a single
panoramic view. God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our
thoughts (See Isaiah 55:8-9). We need Jesus.
My experience at the church in the dump was a ministry eye-opener. Jesus is
the answer. Jesus is the way. Follow Him and preach Him simply.
God’s Way or Your Own Works?
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul underscored the point:
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before
your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as
crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did
you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by
believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After
beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain
your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much
for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give
you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you
observe the law, or because you believe what you
heard?
Galatians 3:1-5 NIV
The Galatians started off well, but then slipped back into looking at their own
works, rather than living by simple faith. How might that look in our lives?
• We set out to faithfully read the Bible because we are excited to know
more about God, but then the daily reading slips into a dull routine and
becomes a chore—something we feel obligated to do.
• We pray because we are excited to spend time with God. Then we look
at the calendar and sigh, “Oh it’s prayer time again…”
The slipping back spreads into every area of our Christian life, “Oh no, I have
to go to church. It’s church time again…” Groan.
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the
serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led
astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For
if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other

BRENT PHILLIPS | 21
than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different
spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel
from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily
enough.
2 Corinthians 11:3-5 NIV
Verse 3 in the NASB uses clear language, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent
deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and
purity of devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3 NASB)
Paul saw how these Corinthian men and women fell into the trap. Someone
began talking to them about a different Jesus—other than the one Paul had taught
them about. They were moving away from the simplicity of knowing Jesus alone.
Paul fulfilled his highest God-potential. And one of the reasons he did was
because he never veered from the simplicity of the Gospel.
Vince Lombardi was one of the greatest football coaches and strategists in
American football history. On one occasion his team, the Green Bay Packers, lost
to an inferior squad. Coach Lombardi called a practice the next morning. The men
sat silently, looking more like whipped puppies than a team of champions. They
had no idea what to expect from the man they feared and admired the most.
Gritting his teeth and staring holes through one athlete after another, Lombardi
began: “Okay, today we go back to the basics.”
Holding a football high enough for all to see, he said, “Gentlemen, this is a
football!” i
When a seasoned coach—who arguably knew more about football’s offense
and defense, plays, strategies, and philosophies returned to the basics, it’s like
saying “Librarian, this is a book” or “Maestro, this is a baton.”ii
To experience Jesus, we need to say, “Believer, this is Jesus!” Know Him, study
Him, follow Him.
Do you know the Jesus Who first drew you into belief in Him and His
salvation? Or have you retreated from Him through the appeal of captivating,
complicated, appealing theories and theology. Have you heard intriguing new
concepts that entice you away from the basics? My friend, there is great
excitement and passion in knowing Jesus in His simplicity.
Return to Simplicity
One of the beautiful things about going on a mission trip is that in many areas
of the world, people aren’t fluent in English. You must simplify the Gospel
message. Suddenly you realize just how powerful the Gospel is in its purest form.
In what areas of your Christian walk have you allowed yourself to slip into a
complicated theology? Realize that those are the very places that can hinder or
sidetrack you from following the plan and pathway God designed for you. Begin
to take the needed steps today to re-embrace the pure simplicity of the Gospel.
Determine, as Paul did, to know nothing but Jesus and Him crucified. Only
then will you clearly see the path to fulfilling your God-potential.

CHAPTER 2
Maintain Your Vision –
Find Your Potential

24 | MAINTAIN YOUR VISION – FIND YOUR POTENTIAL
It will be difficult—if not impossible—to follow God’s plan, to discover your
God-potential, and to fulfill your calling, without maintaining a strong vision.
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that
keepeth the law, happy is he.
Proverbs 29:18 KJV
This Proverb explains the importance of having a vision. Without a vision,
this verse warns us, we will perish. In this chapter, we’ll explore why we will
perish without a vision, purpose, and direction.
While in training, an athlete focuses and adheres to a rigid set of disciplines
for diet and exercise. During the off season, however, he’s apt to get lax and lazy.
The same could be said about a bride and groom before their wedding day.
She goes to great lengths to tan, lose weight, tone up, and have her hair and nails
done just right. He goes through similar rituals, hoping to present his best self to
her on the big day. Both are totally focused on their love for one another. After
the wedding, that focus may fade.
Where are you in your journey to find your God-Potential? Lax and lazy? Or
getting your game on?
What is Your Vision?
What is the vision for your life? It is an important question. If you’re not living
with a defined purpose, then you are simply existing.
Have you ever had one of those leisurely days when you accomplished
nothing? We all need an occasional break, and a day like that once in a while
means no harm done. But what if we made every day a holiday, we would waste
an entire lifetime. No vision, without purpose, lacking focus. Unfortunately, the
person who lives such a life may be busy all the time, but in the end have
accomplished nothing important or valuable.
Let’s look into the following passage where God makes it clear what should
be of utmost importance in each life.
Listen to Him
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John
the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain
by themselves. There he was transfigured before them.
His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as
white as the light. Just then there appeared before them
Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If
you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for
Moses and one for Elijah.”

BRENT PHILLIPS | 25
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them,
and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I
love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the
ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them.
“Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked
up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Matthew 17:1-6
Known as the transfiguration of Christ, the event permitted the disciples to
look behind the veil, as it were, and truly see Jesus glory and divinity. They were
given a unique opportunity to see His glory and gain a greater understanding of
who Jesus truly is. The disciples were extremely excited at the transfiguration;
Peter was ready to build shelters so they could all camp right there. Anyone
would have loved to have a glimpse of the famed Moses and Elijah which they
were given that day.
Then a cloud came over the scene and the voice of God clearly spoke. He said
nothing about Moses or Elijah, only about Jesus. The message was this: “There’s
only important person here and He is the Son of God. Don’t get excited,
sidetracked, or distracted by the wrong thing or the wrong person.”
Was it wrong for them to be excited to see Moses and Elijah? No. This
moment on the mountain was an incredible, life-changing event. Even so, while
this life offers many good things, only one is great and of vital importance - Jesus.
Always only Jesus.
We get incredibly excited about theologies or activities or people, but God’s
focus is only Jesus. When the cloud cleared away, the bright light faded, and the
commotion subsided, who did they see? No one else - only Jesus. The vision was
clear. He is the One to whom you and I need to listen – Jesus - our Vision.
Mind Focus
When we leave a church service, we often feel more directed and purposeful.
Why? Our minds have been focused on Jesus and the Word; our minds have been
renewed. We have been affected by our acts of worship, our focus on Him, our
gifts offered to Him, the preaching of the Word, and the fellowship of like-minded
believers.
Afterwards, our focus can drift away from Jesus altogether.
What was Samson’s downfall? (Judges 16) What was David’s downfall? (2
Samuel 11) Each one looked—and saw— and acted out with a woman whom they
should have never looked at in the first place. Their focus was in the wrong place.
Once while I was fasting, I tuned into the evening news on television. There
before me was an advertisement for my favorite restaurant. That food looked so
good. It took quite a few minutes for me to get my focus from craving that food
and back onto God.

Imagine how powerful out life would be if we set our eyes on a Godly vision
daily. Consider how it would impact our lives – because our lives will follow what
we focus on.
Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision merely passes
the time. Our lives meander in all directions when we don’t have vision. However,
vision with action can change the world.
Words at Your Funeral?
Have you ever wondered what people might say at your funeral? What will
be written on your headstone? How will your eulogies sound? What will be your
legacy?
What if your epithet read: He was in love with God? Or She sold out for God? If
an epithet like this was true of you, nothing could be more powerful, because
someone sold out for God will lead a life destined to change the world. You cannot
love God and fail to love others. You cannot love God and neglect others. It’s
impossible.
Time and Resources
What’s the vision for your resources? If you have $100 with vision, you can
do amazing things. If you have $100 with no vision, you’ll likely just waste it.
How we spend our time and resources reveals our vision - whether our vision
is for what God can accomplish in one day, an hour, a moment - or not.
God has given each of us abilities and opportunities. We should be compelled
by our love for Him and our vision to do something—to use what He has given us
and do something significance for His kingdom.
Why Am I Here?
One of the major questions people ask is, Why am I here? As Christians, we
have the answer. Paul knew the answer - beyond the shadow of a doubt.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:2
Why am I here? Paul’s answer is simply to know Jesus. We often over-
complicate the question. The purpose of being a Christian is not to do our
Christian duty. Actually, it’s not even to reach people for Jesus—although
witnessing is a high calling and a command from Jesus (See Matthew 28:19-20).
Our first purpose, as believers, is to know Jesus in a personal and intimate way.
To experience God individually with increasing familiarity. To love Him and to
know His love in a profound way. The overflow from knowing Him is each one of
us will be salt and light.

BRENT PHILLIPS | 27
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its
saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer
good for anything, except to be thrown out and
trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill
cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and
put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and
it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way,
let your light shine before others, that they may see your
good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-15
Imagine how altered your day would be, how different your conversations
would sound, and how your actions would change if tomorrow were totally
focused on God’s purposes. What if you and I were intent on discovering the
reason we are here—our God-Potential?
If we were, I believe the people around us would see our light and glorify the
Lord.
Get Excited
In this world, we see people get excited over some truly insignificant things—
sporting events, concert tickets, movies releases. And here we are with the most
amazing thing ever — the presence of Jesus within us. Focused on Him, our lives
are exciting and meaningful.
Think back to when you first met Jesus—when all your vision was focused
on Him. Remember? You were a new Christian and a whole new world had just
opened up to you. Scripture made sense to you and you experienced profound
peace and joy. You wanted to tell everyone. Why? Because it was your focus and
your vision.
Somewhere along the line; however, we get distracted with job demands,
family obligations, television, Internet, the nightly news, and the list goes on.
Rather we need to focus on Jesus and His power and His direction for us.
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be
straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then
all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to
the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Proverbs 4:25-27 ESV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not
give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
Distractions
Distractions steal our affection and turn our focus away from our First Love
(Jesus). Our enemy (Satan) would love for us to accomplish nothing of
significance. He is a destroyer and a liar. Your God-Potential and purpose is his
first target. If he can convince you to while away the time with trivial pursuits, he
wins. If he persuades you to wait, slow down, or postpone, he triumphs.
When you know your vision and your purpose, that knowledge creates a
foundation which will surpass circumstances and tragedies. That understanding
will surpass all the distractions.
A man with a strong vision can experience tragedy and never lose his resolve.
A woman who understands her purpose can experience amazing success and still
never lose her vision.
Did you know success can distract you from your vision as easily as
adversity? Yet a person of vision cannot be sidetracked. Run your race and don’t
allow distractions to hinder you.
Each one of us must answer these questions:
• What is my vision and purpose?
• How can my vision lead me to find my God-Potential?
Making Choices
Your vision will affect both large and small decisions. For instance, the
person determined to adopt a healthier lifestyle, who has set attainable goals to
do so, will make different daily life choices than the person who has no such
vision. The donuts may be available in the office lunchroom, but the person with
the healthy focus and vision will choose to snack on healthy trail mix, energy bars,
fruit, or another alternative. The decision is made before the donuts ever show
up.
When you are determined to follow God, you know ahead of time the types
of conversations you will or will not take part in. You already know the stories,
ideas, and images you will not allow into your mind. You know these things
because you have determined your path and destination. Your vision keeps you
on track.

BRENT PHILLIPS | 29
True Vision Comes from the Word
Where does true vision come from? It comes from God’s Word. The Word is
God’s divine guide book.
Without divine revelation about who you are, what God has designed you to
do, and how precious you are to Him, living is blind, stormy, and barren. Those
who don’t know are the people whose lives are running wild and they don’t even
realize it. You can look at these people living stress-filled, directionless lives and
wonder, “What are they thinking?” Yet from their perspective, life feels normal.
It often seems the whole world is running wild - running to this religion and
that religion, loving this love partner and then on the next one, abusing one
substance after another. Running like this without a goal is hollow and empty.
The vision specifically suited for you comes only from the One who designed
you, who knows you, who formed you. Only He knows where, and how, you will
be the most fulfilled. If you’re looking for true happiness, ask God.
Strong Vision Helps in Decision Making
Can you have a vision and not know exactly what you’ll be doing tomorrow?
The answer is yes you can. The vision is out there ahead of you, but the place you
are at this moment may seem to be a little foggy. Your foundation, your anchor,
is the big vision, the purpose God has given you. The decisions you need to make
moving forward are the choices you need to make today.
Daniel and three Hebrew boys were taken captive in their homeland and
transported to Babylon. They had no idea where their path as captives would lead
them, but these four young men knew their basic vision—their basic purpose –
to serve and honor God in any way they could. How did their long-range vision
help them in the smaller daily choices?
Daniel’s First Test
Shortly after arriving in Babylon, they faced the first test. Would they eat the
King’s food which had been offered to idols? Well aware of their larger vision, the
decision was simple. There was no question in their minds of what they should
do and they refused the King’s food, choosing instead water and fresh vegetables.
It took great courage, but they stood their ground. When they became
healthier and stronger than those who ate the King’s food, the authorities took
notice and they were promoted in the King’s palace (Daniel 1).
Strong Vision Keep Us on the Right Path
This example helps us to realize it is our vision that keeps us on the right
path. We know ahead of time when we need to stand strong and when we should
say no. Having a strong vision keeps us safe so the temptations have no power.

Before I was married, I created my vision list of 22 attributes I wanted in my
future wife which included the fact that she loved Jesus, was honest, trustworthy,
didn’t smoke or drink, etc. I framed this list and put it on my wall, so I could see
it constantly. I knew my long-range vision and it kept me on track, particularly in
finding a wife who shared my passion for Christ and lived a similar lifestyle which
honored Him. It helped me avoid entering into relationships that would likely fail.
I knew who wouldn’t be a good fit for me and I trusted God to bring the girl he
was preparing for me into my life which ultimately saved me from the emotional
ups and downs of falling for someone who was wrong for me.
Life is too important to set the bar low and then sit back and hope for the
best. God has specific plans for each one of us, great plans, and He puts His laws
in place to protect us. When you have vision, and you’re looking to God for
guidance, you know you’re in the right place and doing the right thing.
If you have a job offer which includes a transfer and you discover there’s no
Bible-believing church in the area for you and your family to attend, no
opportunity to worship God with like-minded believers, then you know
immediately the job will not fit with your vision to live for God. Nothing is worth
the price of getting out of the vision God has given you for your life. When you
make difficult choices to remain true to the vision, everything confusing and
distracting clears up and you can see the path God intends for you.
Who Told You?
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord
God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the
day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of
the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where
are you?”
He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was
afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have
you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to
eat from?”
Genesis 3:8-11
God asks a powerful question in this passage of Scripture: “Who told you…?”
Who told us? We have been lied to by the world, by the system, by the never-
ending clamor of the media. All the places our vision is NOT supposed to be. Our
vision is in Jesus.
Suppose a child came to his parent and said, “I’m just useless. I can’t do
anything right.”
What will the parent answer? “Who told you?”
In the same way, God asks you and me:
• “Who told you that you cannot make a difference in this world?”

BRENT PHILLIPS | 31
• “Who told you that you are insignificant?”
• “Who told you that you are not important?”
• “Who told you that you’re not able to carry out my plan for your life?”
The world under the direction of Satan (the media, our culture, unbelievers,
even so-called friends) will always try to minimize our vision and make it appear
small. Satan wants to make us believe our vision is impossible – but with God all
things are possible. (Mark 10:27)
Stay Focused
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat
and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he
dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he
went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that
night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a
considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves
because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on
the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake,
they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out
in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is
I. doesn’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you
on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the
water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the
wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out,
“Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught
him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:22-31
This is a fascinating story from the Bible. Impetuous Peter is more than ready
to walk on the water to Jesus. He climbs out of the boat with the storm raging and
the winds and waves boisterous; but Peter’s focus was on Jesus and nothing else
mattered. The moment he diverted his attention from Jesus and focused on the
wind and waves, he began to sink.
Just like Peter, our vision affects our faith. When we focus on the character of
God and His faithfulness, our faith will grow. When we focus on the many

problems and obstacles in our lives, our faith will falter. When we focus on Jesus,
we can walk on the water in the midst of a storm.
The Enemy Wants Us to Sink
At times we’ve all felt like we could conquer the world. Yes, we all have had
problems, but when we trust God, we know he will come through for us. Many
times, though, all of a sudden something happens in the midst of trusting God,
and we begin to sink. We’ve all experienced it – the time when we were about to
get all our debts on track, on time, paid off, and suddenly the car dies. More
expenses, more debt, must be incurred, we falter and fall into despair.
Like Peter, we’ve taken our eyes off our vision. Satan wants to distract us. He
wants our minds to be set on the acquisition of material things. He loves to
discourage us with the troubles of the world. Riches are temporary and a vivid
vision sees right through the world’s constant turmoil. Vision instills peace and
power to take the next step, always toward Jesus.
My wife and I have lived in places that were spacious and accommodating,
and we have lived in places that were cramped and inconvenient. My wife is very
gracious and we share a common vision.
We have been able to move from one place to another, and even walk through
uncomfortable circumstances, because our eyes were not on our living conditions
but instead on Christ. Fortunately, our eyes have remained steadfastly on our
vision of what God has called us to do. Because of that, we are winners. Each
circumstance moves us ever closer to being the good and faithful servants that
God has called us to be, and allows us to impact more people than ever before. It’s
all about vision.
What are we doing with God’s Plans?
We all have different callings and ministries. Business leaders with million-
dollar businesses are needed to support the Gospel because it takes money to get
the Word out. Prayer warriors who will fight heavenly battles for those in
ministry are vital to the proclamation of the Gospel. Preachers. Teachers. Writers.
Administrators. Printers. Internet gurus. Artists. Musicians. Financial experts.
Communicators. Telephone operators. It takes people of all different callings to
make up the complete body of Christ on the earth. No job is too trivial. No person
is too important or too insignificant.
We Are Royalty
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above,
not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:1-2

BRENT PHILLIPS | 33
If we keep our focus (set our hearts) on being a person who is seated in
heavenly places with Jesus, every word we speak and every action we take will
reflect our focus and will reflect who we are. We are royalty.
It’s time to start thinking like a king and thinking like a queen. We are royalty
in the body of Christ.
Royalty acts differently. Royalty has a different viewpoint. Royals think big,
focusing on the positive. A good king is powerful and yet comforting. As the
leader, a good king’s heart provides for the nation. He focuses on the best for the
kingdom. Before Jesus came into our lives, it was our nature to sin habitually.
Now it is our nature to be Christ-like—royal. Suddenly our lives are different
because we are no longer earthly-minded, but rather heavenly-focused.
Listen to Wise Instruction
My son, pay attention to what I say;
Turn your ear to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
Keep them within your heart;
For they are life to those who find them
And health to one’s whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:20-27
This passage from Proverbs gives clear and insightful instruction for living a
Godly, vision-filled life – a life of fulfilling our God-Purpose.
• Focus on God’s Word
• Guard your heart
• Fix your gaze
• Keep a straight path
• Keep your foot from evil
Where is your vision? Where is your focus? Is it to be successful in the
business or professional world? To gain riches that perish? These are low visions,
indeed.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses
surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance
and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our
eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for
the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne
of God.
Hebrews 12:1
The writer of Hebrews gives the total solution—fix your eyes on Jesus. When
we see Jesus, everything else falls into place. God’s purpose for you will be lived
out. Your life will count for all eternity.

CHAPTER 3
Renew Your Passion for
the House of God

36 | RENEW YOUR PASSION FOR THE HOUSE OF GOD
The title of this chapter may have you scratching your head. What does
having a passion for His church, for His body, and church attendance have to do
with finding your full potential, and making you the masterpiece God intended?
In order to walk in our full potential, our hearts must be in accord with God’s
heart. This, of course, includes the attitude of our heart. In this chapter, we’ll dig
down and uncover why the local church is of prime importance in our lives as
Christians.
Punch the Conscience Clock
What does attending church mean to you as a believer? Is it the time of the
week where you punch your conscience clock and get your duty done? Or is there
more? Are we Christians missing something when it comes to church attendance?
Scripture tells us God wants His children to gather together.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and
all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25
From these words, we know meeting together is something God wants for us.
But why? What should our attitude be toward attending church?
In Psalm 122:1, we read, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the
house of the Lord.’”
The King James Version says, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into
the house of the Lord.’”
This joy, rejoicing, and gladness was the attitude taken as the Israelites made
their way to Jerusalem to the Temple of God.
What Makes You Glad?
Stop and think. What makes you glad? When do you rejoice? What gets you
excited? No matter how tired you are and no matter what else is happening in
your life, what is the special something which brings joy to your heart. What is it?
Going to the lake? Taking a vacation? Going shopping? Playing golf? Spending
time with your children or grandchildren?
Some activities, people, places, or events make us overjoyed. Unfortunately,
for most Christians today, church doesn’t make the list. It’s not a thing that elicits
excitement in us.
How can I make that statement with such surety? All you have to do is look
around the sanctuary on any given Sunday. The expressions and body language
tell the tale. Many are distracted (texting, answering email, whispering to others);
others are completely checked out.
Another way to tell is a quick scan of the crowd at the end of the service. It’s
as if the building is on fire and we are making an emergency evacuation. Why are

BRENT PHILLIPS | 37
we in such a hurry to leave? Is it so we can carry on with the rest of the day. At a
church I attended in Colorado, many people arrived to attend services in their ski
gear. It was no secret where they were headed as soon as church let out.
That Long Movie is Amazing
Many of you will remember the movie Dances with Wolves starring Kevin
Costner. This unique movie was over three hours long. No one complained about
the length of the movie. In fact, people continually commented on how amazing
it was. Now consider what happens if the preacher goes over the regular time
limit on Sunday morning? Few people in the congregation will be commenting
how amazing it was. Instead most would feel cheated, thinking, “He’s taking up
my time…”
In the Psalm cited above, David expresses the joy, passion, and excitement at
the opportunity to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This particular Psalm is one
of the Psalms of Ascent, songs the people sang on the journey to worship, sacrifice,
celebrate, and remember. Songs that promised to prime their hearts for worship.
When the Israelites made this journey to the temple in Jerusalem they
interrupted their lives. They were unable to carry on with normal business or
customary daily life. They left everything behind to go worship and celebrate.
Their focus changed.
Today going to church is more like a gas station stop on a long trip — an
inconvenient interruption. The only reason you stop is because you must; the car
needs gas and the travelers need restrooms.
Surely there’s more to church attendance. What are we missing?
Distracted and Disengaged
Sometimes we’re so distracted during a church service if someone asked
afterward what the message was about, you might think for a minute and them
offer, “Um, I don’t really remember the details; but I know it was good.”
Distractions flow over into our relationships with family and friends, too.
When we are distracted, we miss opportunities to connect. Conversation doesn’t
flow. Emotions don’t unite. Yet, when we are fully present and focused, time with
family and friends becomes electric, and we hang on every word, expression, and
emotion.
“Martha Disease”
Once Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha at their home (Luke 10:41, 42).
Martha was distracted—mentally and emotionally checked out—because she
was busy. In America, most of us have contracted a little bit of “Martha Disease.”
We’re worried and upset about many things. Jesus is talking, and we don’t know
what He’s saying because concerns and busyness sidetrack us and drown out His
voice.

Choose the Way of Love
Look how our preoccupation with other things contrasts with the Psalmist’s
exuberance in Psalm 122:1 where he exclaimed, “I rejoiced with those who said to
me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” His anticipation and focus propelled him
to the sanctuary.
In this situation the Israelites journeyed to Jerusalem to the temple because
it was the law. Today, we choose to go and worship God out of love, not because
it’s required by law, duty, or a check mark on our weekly to-do list.
Reverence the Lord’s Day
In generations past, church services often lasted half of the day, and the
remaining half was spent in quiet. The children might have wanted to play, but
the parents reminded them, “This is the Lord’s day.” Stores were closed. There
was nothing to do. The entire day was set aside to reverence God and refocus men
and women for the week ahead. Rest and listening to Truth recharged hearts and
minds.
We don’t know exactly what Martha was doing, but in that moment it seemed
ultra-important to her. It was vital to her identity. As a result, she missed the one
thing Jesus talked about. (See Luke 10:42) Is our distraction during church
causing us to miss the one thing we need to hear?
When we are not distracted, something remarkable happens. We gather in
an attitude of reverence, awe, and excitement. You may feel your life is falling
apart, but when you enter into corporate worship, God pulls the pieces together.
Lord, I can’t figure this mess out, but I know my heart is in pain because of this
situation I’m in. I know that you are close to the broken hearted. I know you hold
my world together. So I come into your presence, and I come to give everything to
you.
A Matter of the Heart
Why is it so easy to miss what God has designed for us by missing church?
Why did He admonish us to not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit
of doing? (Hebrews 10:25). What does God want us to know and understand
about corporate worship in a church setting? Let’s begin with attitude of the
heart.
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are
far from me.
Matthew15:8

BRENT PHILLIPS | 39
What are we Celebrating?
What are we celebrating when we come to church? We celebrate that we are
the children of the Most High God—the Creator of the Universe. He loves us. We
are new creatures in Him. We’ve been restored and made new. We should pull
out all the stops for this exciting celebration. A married couple celebrates their
wedding anniversary with both memories and anticipation; we dare not let our
time of worship become a boring ritual. Let’s preserve our special date with the
Lord when we go to celebrate in His house.
In order to prepare our hearts for worship, we should first allow God to
examine our hearts. We should pray to him confessing our shortcomings and ask
him to open our hearts during the worship to hear what he is saying directly to
us. We should go in with our minds cleared and focused on Christ and what He
has done for us.
We also must go to church with an attitude of worship and thanksgiving – not
looking for what we can get from the service, but more what praise can we give
to God for all his blessings. We should also give tithes, offerings, and share our
gifts with the other believers in attendance. Our final act of worship comes as we
share what we have learned with those who do not know Christ so they may come
to know him and encourage those in the faith who need support. It’s all about our
focus and our vision.
Worry Chokes the Word
Still others, like seed (the Word of God) sown among
thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the
deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things
come and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Mark 4:18-19
Remember Martha and how she missed a special time with Jesus. The power
of her worry robbed her of intimacy with the Lord. (Luke 10:42) This verse makes
it even clearer. Can you see how anxiety and thinking about other things actually
choked the Word?
These cares, worries, and desires cause many Christians to sit through a
church service, even when there is anointed praise, anointed worship, and
anointed preaching of God’s Word. They miss the blessing.
As technology becomes more user-friendly and accessible, pastors and
worship leaders become experts in engaging and involving the people. But our
real reason to participate and join in worship must come from within. Our desire
to worship the Lord and join brothers and sisters in praise and prayer should
drive us to church. We should arrive with thrilled hearts, not hope to leave with
tickled ears.

Behold His Glory
When we were young, I took my wife to McDonald’s® for a date. We were so
in love it didn’t matter if we were sitting in a charming sidewalk café in Paris or
the McDonald’s® around the corner. We didn’t care because we were looking at
one another. I only saw her and she was more beautiful than my surroundings.
What if our worship were this focused? The sheep of His pasture beholding
His glory and His face, whether or not someone is changing words on the big
screen.
We are told to bring the sacrifice of praise (Jeremiah 33:11). Why? Because it
should cost us - our time and our thoughts. Worship should interrupt life and
cause us to stop and ponder, to reflect and hear what God is saying to us.
Lost Zeal
Notice the psalmist’s intensity of excitement.
I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the
house of the Lord.”
Psalm 122:1
How do we refresh and renew our zeal and our passion? We must approach
the act of worship and church attendance in a new light.
You Are Being Watched
You are a role model whether you believe it or not. New Christians watch you.
Young adults watch you. Children watch you (both your children and other
children in the church). What kind of example are you setting? Be the kind of
example who demonstrates joy and gladness in the church service. Begin with
your face– put on a smile. Speak to everyone. Ask someone how his or her week
was and then listen. Pray with them on the spot about concerns. When the
worship music begins, join in with a strong voice (whether you can sing well or
not). Listen to the words. Participate in public prayer by praying along with the
leader. Take the words of the speaker into your mind and soul. If you are easily
distracted, buy a small journal and begin to take notes (it really does help you
remember). Respond to the Spirit’s calls and challenges.
If we are not joyful about serving God, are not joyful in His house, and are not
asking God to clean out our hearts, we will have a difficult time leading others to
Christ. On the other hand, when someone sees our passion and excitement, when
they see our love and joy — despite our circumstances--they will know God is
real and can then hear Him speak.

BRENT PHILLIPS | 41
An Exciting Opportunity
Begin to think of church service as an exciting opportunity. The Psalm says,
“Let US…” When I was growing up, there were very few times we went to church
by ourselves. Our vehicle was God’s way to bring people to church with us. It
didn’t matter if a person lived across town, we picked them up and took them to
church. All through the week we looked for people to invite to church, thinking
how many people can we fit into our car?
Rather than saying to someone, “You should go to church,” we said, “Come
with us to church this week.” Sundays became mission day!
Who Needs Encouragement?
What if, instead of racing to the parking lot to get away, we asked God, “Show
me who needs encouragement today… or…Lead me to the person here who needs
a smile and a listening ear.”
There are so many hurting and lonely people and most of them are within
our reach. All we need to do is be open to God’s leading. What better place to
minister than in church? When our mindset is joy in the house of God and love
for God’s people, then Sunday becomes the most special day of our week.
As this attitude of the heart begins to take root and grow, you will find you’ve
become more sensitive to God’s leading. When you’re sensitive to His leading,
you’re much closer to discovering your God-Potential.

CHAPTER 4
The Importance of
Honor

44 | THE IMPORTANCE OF HONOR
When I was a youngster and my grandfather was still alive, I was more
interested in playing games and being with my friends than spending time with
him. He was a WWII veteran and now, looking back, I realize I missed golden
opportunities to glean from his wisdom. I never paid attention to the stories
inside of this man. Neither did I honor this special person in my life. I don’t want
to make that mistake again. I’m now in my thirties and many of my friends are in
their fifties. I enjoy honoring them by learning from them and spending time with
them.
What is honor? What does it mean to honor someone? More importantly, why
is it important? What does honor have to do with becoming God’s masterpiece
and finding our full potential? In this chapter, we’ll discover the answers to those
questions.
An Example of Honor
When I first met my wife, Daniela, her mother treated me with honor when I
had done nothing to deserve it.
When I had dated other girls and met their parents they often acted as if they
didn’t want me around. Daniela’s mother was different. At one point, Daniela and
I broke up, and I visited Daniela’s mother just to talk. She invited me in, sat me
down, fixed me something to eat, and then said to me, “Don’t worry, my boy.
We’re going to work this out.” What an encouragement!
Early in my life, I created a list of 22 attributes I wanted in my wife. Daniela
possessed all of those attributes and more. God outdid Himself when He made
her!
At that time in my life, I had little to offer Daniela, but it mattered little to her.
She is passionate for Jesus and full of grace. She created a position of love and
security for me for the rest of my life. She called out the best in me and I rose to
the occasion. She is the reason I succeed. Her love for me is a picture and a pattern
of what Jesus does for us every day.
Honor Clarified
Notice how Paul clarifies this concept of honor.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say
to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem
to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable
we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated
with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But
God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so
that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal
concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is
honored, every part rejoices with it.
1 Corinthians 9:21-26

BRENT PHILLIPS | 45
If one suffers, we all suffer. If one is honored, we all rejoice. This principle
helps the body of Christ grow. For example, when we come into the worship
service at our church each week, we see the choir, the praise team, the pastor,
and others who are visible. Of course, at the same time behind the scenes are
scores of people who do enormous work. Without them, the pastor would be
unable to bring the Word. There are ushers, sound technicians, nursery workers,
children’s teachers, and custodial workers who do their jobs in in obscurity. Some
may never get a thank you or an acknowledgement.
Overlooked
I’ve been overlooked many times. Growing up as an asthmatic child, I was
seldom picked when the other kids were choosing up sides for sports. I was never
good enough, big enough, old enough, smart enough, talented enough, handsome
enough. I grew up with a sense of being “less than.”
Honor One Another
Romans 12:10 says we are to be devoted to one another in love and to honor
one another above ourselves. This “code to live by” places you and me in the other
person’s shoes and gives us empathy for them.
Our society teaches us to look at people according to their wealth, status,
talents, good looks, or even what they can do for us. Early on we learn the
questions to ask.
• Why spend time with someone if it doesn’t help my status or my profit
margin?
• What good does it do for me to help someone else?
• Where’s my payday?
• How will it help me?
Our culture teaches us to do something only if it’s profitable for us. /while
that may be culture’s message — it’s not the Gospel.
True honor—biblical honor—means treating a person with respect even if
he or she can do nothing for you. It is God’s will for us to honor one another.
King David Demonstrates Honor
When I was young, there were people who wrote me off. I was such an angry,
crazy young man, they saw no hope in me. Others never gave up on me. Those
who saw the gold in me were the ones who saw what I could be instead of what I
appeared to be at the time. Those were the people who changed my life.
King David had the opportunity to show honor.
David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of
Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named
Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and
the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”
“At your service,” he replied.
The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house
of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”
Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan;
he is lame in both feet.”
“Where is he?” the king asked.
Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of
Ammiel in Lo Debar.”
So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the
house of Makir son of Ammiel.
When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul,
came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.
David said, “Mephibosheth!”
“At your service,” he replied.
“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show
you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will
restore to you all the land that belonged to your
grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your
servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”
Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said
to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything
that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons
and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring
in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be
provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your
master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had
fifteen sons and twenty servants.)
Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever
my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So
Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s
sons.
Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all
the members of Ziba’s household were servants of

BRENT PHILLIPS | 47
Mephibosheth. And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem,
because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame
in both feet.
2 Samuel 9:1-13
What had Mephibosheth done to deserve the honor of the King’s table and
life in the palace? What had he done to deserve to receive Saul’s land and to be
given all those servants? Nothing at all.
At that time in history, a lame person was totally rejected by society. Often
they were left to beg for their subsistence. Add to the fact he was an ancestor of a
deposed king and would have normally already been put to death.
In his own eyes, Mephibosheth saw himself no better than a dead dog, and
yet David honored him for Jonathan’s sake. Overnight Mephibosheth vaulted out
of living as an outcast to sitting as honored (and regular) guest at the king’s table.
Not because of what he had done or what he could do for David. In fact, King Saul
had made David’s life a living hell. Nevertheless, David gave Mephibosheth all the
inheritance from Saul.
Honor gives preference for the lame man who hasn’t done anything to
deserve it.
Just like our Father God.
The act of honoring someone else brings great joy to the heart of God. When
we show honor to others we are acting like our Father.
In the spiritual sphere, each one of us has been raised up to be seated in
heavenly realms with Christ Jesus. (See Ephesians 1:20) We have received this
honor in spite of the fact that what we deserve is an eternal hell.
God Looks on the Heart
In chapter 3, we talked about the attitude of our heart as it pertains to
worshipping with other believers. We established worship with other believers
is God’s plan and desire. We pointed out the Scriptures which show God’s heart
in the matter.
Honoring others is also a matter of the heart. David personally knew how it
felt to be ignored and overlooked. When the prophet Samuel came to Jesse’s
house (David’s father) to anoint the next king, all of the brothers were marched
out before Samuel.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his
appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The
Lord does not look at the things people look at. People
look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at
the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
And though some of the brothers were impressive in size, stature, and good
looks, God said He was looking for a different kind of leader. Jesse hadn’t even

bothered to bring David before Samuel because David was the youngest son who
tended the family sheep. In Jesse’s eyes he was not important enough to be
considered.
A Devastating Experience
A few years ago, I was teaching a Bible study when unexpectedly the church
leadership said, “Brent, you need to sit down and shut up. We don’t want to hear
you speak anymore.” The conflict arose because I believe God still moves today
just as He did in the New Testament. It went so far that some in the church called
me Satan, the Antichrist, and other kinds of names. The pain and rejection was
devastating.
After I left that church, I began teaching another Bible study. One night after
a lesson, a man came up to me. He was weeping. He said, “You have no idea how
much your teaching has touched my heart and changed my life.” His words
encouraged me especially since I had felt such pain in the previous experience. It
was all because he honored me by telling me how my teaching had helped him.
The point here is if you have an inner urging to go speak to someone to
encourage them, don’t assume they don’t need to hear it. You have the
opportunity to encourage and resuscitate someone as you honor them. You might
be the one person who motivates them to believe in their dreams.
David Honors a Dying Egyptian Slave
Let’s look at yet another incident—found in 1 Samuel 30—where David
honored an individual. Before he was king, David and his men were fighting the
enemies of Israel. In their absence, an enemy raiding party came, plundered their
camp, and kidnapped their families. As David led his men in pursuit of the enemy,
they came upon an Egyptian in a field who was starving to death. David stopped
to help the man by giving him food and water. The Egyptian explained his
dilemma.
He said, “I am an Egyptian, the slave of an Amalekite.
My master abandoned me when I became ill three days
ago. We raided the Negev of the Kerethites, some
territory belonging to Judah and the Negev of Caleb.
And we burned Ziklag.”
David asked him, “Can you lead me down to this raiding
party?”
He answered, “Swear to me before God that you will not
kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you
down to them.”

BRENT PHILLIPS | 49
He led David down, and there they were, scattered over
the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because
of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the
land of the Philistines and from Judah.
David fought them from dusk until the evening of the
next day, and none of them got away, except four
hundred young men who rode off on camels and fled.
David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken,
including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or
old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken.
David brought everything back. He took all the flocks
and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other
livestock, saying, “This is David’s plunder.”
1 Samuel 30:11-20
David had no idea his assistance to this dying many would lead to the rescue
of their families and goods. David chose honor, perhaps because he knew what it
was like to be overlooked and what it was like to receive dishonor from those
closest to him.
Jesus is not Honored
When Jesus was in his hometown, he said hometown honor is non-existent.
His hometown, Nazareth did not believe nor did they give him respect or
admiration. As a result, he did not do great miraculous works there. (See Mark
6:4) When we fail to honor someone, we will never see what gifts they have to
offer. When we honor people we will see the gifts within them manifested.
Our honor draws out the gold treasures in others. None of the twelve men
Jesus chose as His disciples were well-known or exceptionally skilled. They were
common, ordinary men—most of whom the world would have otherwise
ignored. Jesus knew exactly how to honor the overlooked and how to draw out
the best in them.
Honor Those in Your Life
There are people in your life whom God has purposefully placed there for
you to honor and lift up. You are to be the one who will give them honor,
admiration, and esteem. They may not understand why, but when you say kind,
encouraging, inspiring words like, “God thinks you are amazing,” the honor of
your words lifts them up and encourages them.
When honoring others becomes our attitude – our way of life – our churches
will not be big enough to hold the people drawn there by the love of Jesus. It’s
irresistible. We have plenty of doctrine, plenty of teaching, plenty of preaching,
but not nearly enough Jesus-love which comes by way of honor. When that kind

of love and honor floods out of us into our homes, neighborhoods, offices, and
streets, we’ll soon learn people are starving for the love of God.
In Matthew 25:40 Jesus sums it up, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you
did for me.’”
We honor others because God has honored us. We were filthy, dirty, and in
the mud, and He came and loved us when we didn’t deserve a thing. When we
love those who don’t deserve it, we release the power of God to change lives. We
are helping that person step into their full God-potential. And when they do that,
they will glorify God for His goodness.
In a nutshell, this is honor - honoring Jesus by honoring those He has placed
in our lives. You can start today! And when you do, you will be much closer to
coming into your own God-potential.

52 | KINGDOM EYES
All through the Old Testament we find many references to the words king,
kingdom, and sovereignty. The Jews were well aware of what it meant to have a
strong kingdom (such as in the time of Solomon). They knew what it meant to
lose the kingdom (such as during the Babylonian captivity). It’s no surprise then
that they expected Jesus to restore the kingdom.
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord,
are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to
Israel?”
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or
dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and
you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea
and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:6-8
What was on their minds? A glorious physical kingdom such as Israel had in
the past. Actually, Jesus continually worked to clarify this kingdom issue
throughout His ministry on earth. Again and again, he described exactly what the
kingdom of heaven was like.
Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to
when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered
them and said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with
signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!'
or, 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your
midst."
Luke 17:20-21
The kingdom Jesus brought to us is quite different than what anyone at that
time imagined. In this chapter, we will delve even deeper into the concept of the
kingdom and what it means to have kingdom eyes as well as how these eyes can
make an immense difference in your Christian walk and in your close relationship
with the Lord. Having kingdom eyes means you will see in a completely different
way.
The Power of Thoughts
Have you ever noticed when you feel fit and think positive thoughts, you are
full of energy and enthusiasm and feel as if you can accomplish anything? But if
you feel depressed and your thoughts are negative, your energy drains and you’re
not sure you can achieve anything.
Science has proven our thought processes cause physical and chemical
changes in our body. Most of us don’t have to have the laboratory research notes
to know this to be true. You receive bad news and instantly your whole demeanor

BRENT PHILLIPS | 53
changes. On the other hand, when you receive good news, you want to shout for
joy. A simple thought often transforms into a physical response.
The same is true with kingdom eyes. Having kingdom eyes means having a
kingdom mind.
The Psalmist’s Complaint
This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they
go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my
heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning
brings new punishments. If I had spoken out like that,
I would have betrayed your children.
When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me
deeply…
Psalm 73:12–16
The Psalmist complained the wicked prosper and get away with murder, but
the righteous endure afflictions and punishments.
As we look around us it seems as if people who don't serve God have no
troubles in spite of the fact that they disregard everything about God.
The psalmist is confused — troubled deeply. He wonders why those who hate
God seem blessed and why difficulties and anxieties plague those who love and
honor God.
The inequity grieves the Psalmist, but then he changes his mind.
… till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood
their final destiny.
Psalm 73:17
The moment he came into the sanctuary of God, he had clarity on the whole
scenario. Now he understood, because he now had kingdom eyes.
As we read through the Psalms, we often trace the process of how the Psalmist
struggles with pain and confusion. In Psalm 73, we see the writer’s progress from
envy and disillusionment. The idea of successful God haters and weary God
followers became oppressive to him. (See verse 17) The process continues until
he brings his feelings to God. When he entered the sanctuary, he saw the
greatness of God and the power of God. He, then, clearly knew the future of those
who did not trust God. His new perspective came when he entered into the
sanctuary of God. At that moment, his viewpoint became eternal and he was able
to say, “I desire nothing on earth.” (verse 25)
We also struggle when our perceptions are clouded by circumstances and
problems. But God had a divine viewpoint which sees the beginning from the end.
While a situation may appear one way to us, it’s entirely different to Him.

54 | KINGDOM EYES
Joseph
One of the first biblical examples of a person having kingdom eyes is Joseph.
His life story is one catastrophe after another. Betrayed by his brothers. Sold into
slavery. Put into prison. Accused of sexual assault. Put back into prison. Forgotten
by someone he helped and left in prison. But when he finally saw his brothers
again, he said to them,
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good
to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of
many lives.
Genesis 50:20
Do you think Joseph had a sudden flash of revelation at the end of this
journey? Not at all. He had been living with his kingdom eyes open every step of
the way. He may have gotten discouraged and disappointed, but he came to the
conclusion that whatever is meant for evil, God turns to good all because he saw
with kingdom eyes.
Stephen
Stephen was an ordinary guy who was selected to serve tables for the
widows. But he was also a man full of the Holy Spirit and as he served, he
overflowed with love and compassion. The religious leaders hated him yet while
they stoned him to death, he prayed for God to forgive them saying, “…Lord, do
not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60)
Comprehending with kingdom eyes brings a much different response than
seeing with natural eyes.
David
The Israelites were humiliated by the giant Goliath who had been trained in
battle from childhood. At more than 9 feet tall, he was powerful enough to wear
200 pounds of armor and carry a huge sword. It appeared no one could defeat
Goliath. Israel’s soldiers crouched in fear of the mighty giant. The army saw him
with only natural eyes. Goliath's size, strength, sword, armor, and fighting skills
terrified these trained soldiers. Young David looked at the situation with kingdom
eyes instead and said, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll
strike you down and cut off your head.” (1 Samuel 17:46)
What a difference in perspective. In the exact same circumstances, the army’s
viewpoint caused fear. On the other hand, David examined the situation with a
God-eye-view and the result was victory.

BRENT PHILLIPS | 55
Spies in the Promised Land
When the Israelites came to the boundary of the Promised Land, they sent
spies to inspect the territory. The spies’ report revealed what kind of eyes they
used.
We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak
come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers
in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.
Numbers 13:33
As if they suddenly became mind readers, the spies were certain they knew
exactly what those giants thought and how they would act. This foolish mindset
caused them to perceive they were insufficient and unable to take the land.
With natural eyes, they saw only the problem and not the Provider. They
focused on what they were capable of doing in their own strength and failed to
remember they served the God of the impossible. Natural eyes always find a
reason to say we can’t and submit to defeat. Kingdom eyes always find a reason
to explain why God can and accept His victory.
In spite of this bad report from 10 of the spies, there were two spies who
chose to look at the circumstances with kingdom eyes.
Then Moses and Aaron fell face down in front of the
whole Israelite assembly gathered there.
Joshua, son of Nun, and Caleb, son of Jephunneh, who
were among those who had explored the land, tore their
clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The
land we passed through and explored is exceedingly
good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into
that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will
give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do
not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will
devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with
us. Do not be afraid of them.”
Numbers 14:5-9
Joshua and Caleb saw the bounty of the land and believed God would give it
to them in spite of the giants there.
Jairus’ Daughter
In the New Testament, there is a graphic account of the difference between
seeing with kingdom eyes and seeing with natural eyes.
Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for
they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus,

56 | KINGDOM EYES
a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet,
pleading with him to come to his house because his only
daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
Luke 8:40–42
On the way to the house Jairus, a messenger arrived with the bad news that
the child had died.
While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the
house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter
is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”
Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just
believe, and she will be healed.”
When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let
anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James,
and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the
people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop
wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”
They laughed at him, knowing that
she was dead.
Luke 8:49-53
Natural eyes saw the situation as finished. Over. Done. Case closed. The girl
was dead. When we look at our circumstances with natural eyes, it often seems
as if all hope is gone.
But Jesus said the child was only sleeping, because He saw the situation with
kingdom eyes, and in the kingdom all things are possible. The kingdom of God
does not adhere to the natural rules of the world. With kingdom eyes, we are able
to see there is hope, security, peace, and joy.
But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”
Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus
told them to give her something to eat.
Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not
to tell anyone what had happened.
Luke 8:54-56
Was the girl asleep? By kingdom principles, she was. We see death as final.
The kingdom sees earthly death as the entrance to life in another realm. The spirit
can return to the body if God decrees it so. Kingdom principles are different from
earthly principles and all are in God’s control.

BRENT PHILLIPS | 57
Givers in Corinth
Look at an example of kingdom eyes found in 2 Corinthians.
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,
and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own…
2 Corinthians 8:3
These were not wealthy people but they gave beyond their ability because
they saw the situation with kingdom eyes.
Now let’s contrast this attitude with another story that also has to do with
giving — the rich young ruler. His story is told in Matthew 19. This young man
came to Jesus to ask about obtaining eternal life. Unlike the members of the
church in Corinth, this man did not have kingdom eyes. All he could see was his
riches in the natural realm.
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your
possessions and give to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad,
because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard
for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter
the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 19:22-24
Does this passage mean it will always be a problem for people with wealth to
enter the kingdom of God? Of course not. It will be a problem only for those who
are looking with natural eyes and do not see their Father God as the total source
of everything they possess.
When we look with natural eyes, wealth is a stumbling block. When we see
with kingdom eyes, we recognize our resources as a gift from God and we
celebrate by using those resources for kingdom work.
When we compare the Corinth church and the rich young ruler, we discover
a clear picture. First we see a group of people who in the natural world have little
to give and yet they give all with joy. Second, we see a rich young man who has
much to give, but is afraid to give, “If I let go of what I have, it’s gone. There won’t
be any more for me.”
Jesus promised that “everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father,
mother, wife, children, or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much
and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29)

58 | KINGDOM EYES
Why were those in Corinth so excited about giving? They gave because they
understood kingdom principles. They understood you never lose by giving—in
fact, you multiply your resources, not only on earth, but in heaven as well.
We cannot be all God has created us to be —His masterpieces —unless we
open our kingdom eyes and move into the kingdom realm.
We are no longer slaves or servants to sin. We have renewed minds and are
new creations, helping to move the kingdom forward by thinking with kingdom
minds.
The person with natural eyesight says, “I can’t go to church. I don’t have time.
I have better things to do. I need to spend time on my job, with my family, or
whatever. I need to be developing my life.”
But with kingdom vision, you and I say, “Lord, I want to be with your people.
I want to be where your Word is going forth. I want to be in corporate worship. I
want to spend as much as much time with You as I can.”
It becomes a battle between the natural eye, I can’t wake up early in the
morning to spend time with God. I need my sleep and the kingdom eye, Lord, there’s
no way I can start my day until I’ve met with you. There’s no way I can go forward
until I’ve experienced you.
Joseph understood his destiny because he saw God’s hand in the worst of
circumstances. Stephen forgave and blessed his tormentors even as they stoned
him. David overcame fear because he knew God was bigger than the mighty giant.
The two spies, Joshua and Caleb, didn’t compare their ability to the giants of the
land; they focused only on God’s ability. Jesus perceived the child was only
sleeping. The church at Corinth grasped the truth that it is better to give than
receive.
When we go through life with kingdom eyes, we will not fear because we are
resting in God's ability. On our own, we are defeated. We are frail, we make
mistakes, and we fall apart. Seeing with kingdom eyes teaches us that God loses
to no one. God does not get knocked out by anyone. When we’re hooked up with
Him, we win.
Kingdom Eyes Change Our Minds
When we come into God’s presence whether it is in a corporate setting such
as a church service or in a quiet time alone with God, we have the opportunity to
fix our eyes on Jesus. When we use those kingdom eyes, our minds are renewed.
Before we encounter God, we have hateful, sinful, vindictive thoughts, but when
we see with kingdom eyes, those thoughts are changed forever. When we see
clearly with kingdom eyes, we want to please God and give our hearts and lives
to Him. Kingdom eyes save ministries, marriages, families, and lives.
Unless we are constantly coming into God’s presence — unless we let Him
renew our minds — we are open and vulnerable to negative thoughts.
If you are angry with someone, allow God to renew your mind and heart by
seeing them with kingdom eyes. Your anger will change to a desire to seek out
that person, forgive them, and tell them how much God loves them. You go from
worldly thoughts, seeing things with natural eyes, to renewing your heart and

BRENT PHILLIPS | 59
mind with kingdom eyes. One of the best places to make this transition is in God’s
house. As the Psalmist said, “… until I entered the sanctuary of God.” When we
seek Him, He finds us.
The Roaring Lion
Peter gives us a key to developing a kingdom mindset.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls
around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
A sober mind. When we see the word sober, we think of someone who is not
sober, meaning they are drunk. Let’s take that path for a moment. When someone
is drunk, what is affected? The mind. The person is no longer thinking clearly, his
or her mind is a fog—sometimes such a fog that the next day they cannot
remember what they said or did.
In this verse, Paul is not talking about a mind corrupted with alcohol, but
rather a mind corrupted with worldly thoughts and attitudes — living by natural
means and with natural vision.
If our mind is on the natural world and not renewed to kingdom principles
and kingdom ways, we become an open target for the enemy. If we operate by
natural means and natural principles, we live the same way as the world, opening
ourselves up for the devil to ruin our lives.
If we plant worldly seeds, we will reap worldly results. If we plant kingdom
seeds, we will reap the kingdom of God in our lives. We need to come before the
Lord and ask Him to renew our hearts and minds.
“Lord, I need you to create a fresh heart in me. I can’t
do this on my own. Restore my heart so I can see
circumstances through kingdom eyes. When people are
oppressing me, allow me to see the real reason it’s
happening.”
When You Are Robbed
Years ago, my brother was approached by a man who was helping people
make 20 percent return on their money. People gave the man a certain amount,
and within a short time, they got it back their investment plus the 20 percent
profit. Of course, they all wanted to invest even more.
My brother told his friends about what a great deal this was. I even put some
money into it. Soon the so-called financier said, “How about if I keep your capital
and I just pay you the interest? That way it can be easily reinvested.”
One day my brother received the inevitable phone call. The whole thing was
a scam and the perpetrator made off with billions of dollars. Everyone’s money
was gone.

60 | KINGDOM EYES
Soon after, my brother was sitting in a church service. The pastor spoke
prophetically saying, “There’s someone here who has had money stolen from you.
You need to forgive, and if you forgive and let it go, God will restore everything.”
In the natural realm when something has been stolen from you, chances are
there’s no getting it back. It’s stolen. It’s gone. In the kingdom realm, God will
restore.
My brother can testify because he did forgive the man; in the years following,
God restored all that was stolen and more.
One way to react to such circumstances is to be bitter and hate the guy for
the rest of your life, remaining stuck in that mindset. With kingdom eyes you can
say, “I choose to let go. I choose to release it. I choose to forgive.”
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be
poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will
be measured to you.
Luke 6:38
What measure do you use in your life? Do you use the measure that sees with
kingdom eyes? Or do you use the measure that sees with the eyes of the world?
It’s vitally important because whichever you use, that's how things in life will be
measured back to you.
When you learn to see with kingdom eyes, your vision will be clear to see and
follow the path God has laid out for your life.

CHAPTER 6
The Kingdom Has
Come with Power

Becoming God's Masterpiece

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