In The Zone
Blessed Series Pt.2- Pastor Mike McClure, Jr.
Genese 12:1-3
Blessed is not just having more; it’s being more.
Blessing starts with placement. If I’m in position, provision will find me. God puts me where He wants me, not where I planned to be.
Pro/Vision- That which God has called you to do
Pro-Beofre
I don’t have to wait on it, it will be waiting on me.
Before God gives me things, He gives me strength.
The true sign of a blessing isn’t that life gets easier, it’s that I get stronger.
The Deception of Possession- Being blessed isn’t about possessions it’s about position.
“You will be like a tree.. planted..” - A Word!
I’m strong bc of what you don’t see..
We assume that bc we have it, we’re ready for it.
In the Kingdom, readiness, isn’t about what’s in your hand, but where your heart stands. Position over possession.
The blessing isn’t random it’s structural.
God doesn’t bless who you pretend to be, He blesses who you are built to be.
You’re not blessed bc you have, you’re blessed bc you’re built. You’re crafted for blessings.
Genesis 12:1
Abram- He isn’t Abraham yet. This is him pre-blessing.
What he does as Abram, determines if he gets promoted to Abraham.
Before Abraham received the promise, he had to leave comfort, control, and comparison.
Vs.1-The first thing God said was -“Go!”
-Sometimes the promise doesn’t come through addition, it comes through subtraction.
The Blessing of Subtraction-
Sometimes God doesn’t grow you by adding more to your life; He grows you by removing what no longer fits your next season.
We often assume growth = gain, but in God’s Kingdom, growth = pruning.
Am I crying over subtraction that’s really addition?- Oop!
God is making room.
John 15:2- “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit…and prunes that ones that do bear fruits they will produce more.”
No fruit- cut the branch off
Leaves- cut the leaf so that the fruit can get some sun
Certain people are cut because they’re blocking the Son.
They aren’t bad for you, they’re just blocking God getting to you everything that you need to become you.
He prunes the ones that do bear fruit, so that they will produce.
Before every major promotion in Scripture , there is always subtraction.
Biblical Examples:
-Jonah was thrown off the boat before he fulfilled his mission.
-Gideon had to subtract his numbers and his army, before he could win the battle.
-Jesus lost all His followers before He received His resurrecting power.
-Abraham had to leave his country.
God’s math doesn’t math.
Comfort says, I’ll stay where it’s safe.
Control says, I’ll move when I understand.
Comparison says, I’ll go when I can keep up.
Sometimes God’s next step is uncomfortable on purpose.
Sometimes God’s next step is uncomfortable on purpose to see how bad you really want to be in purpose.
Comfort is the enemy of calling.
God rarely calls you to comfort zones; He calls you to growth zones.
“Growth zones” describe the mental, emotional, and spiritual spaces where development happens. Where you stretch beyond comfort without collapsing under pressure.
You won’t be broken, the version of you that you show will be..
Who you are now isn’t who you need to be.
The you that you were designed to be won’t be broken.
5 Zones
________
Comfort Zone- where you feel safe but stay the same.
Mindset- “At least I know what to expect..”
Trap- Familiarity feels like faith, but it’s really fear dressed up as wisdom.
Fear Zone- where excuses sound reasonable
Mindset-“What if I fail?”
Trap- Fear isn’t a sign you’re out of God’s will; sometimes it’s proof you’re stepping into it.
3. Learning Zone-where faith replaces formulas
Mindset- “I don’t know how, but I trust Who.”
Action- You start seeking wisdom, acquiring new habits, and unlearning old mindsets.
4. Growth Zone- where calling becomes character
Mindset- “I was made for this…”
5. The Glory Zone- where your development becomes declaration
Mindset- “This was God all along”