Amberly Bell and Brie Davis’ Introduction

• When we get in community, we bring heaven down to Earth
• We all need community in our lives
• At TC, we have Belong Groups – we have fun together, we share life, and we get in relationship
• We’re anchoring our leadership
• We’re calling all leaders to represent where you are
• We’re launching Belong Group Beta – you’re joining a group to learn how to lead a group
• You’ll get all the tools you need to learn how to lead a group
• The deep waters will come – that’s why we need the community to get anchored with
• Join a B-Group this semester to learn how to lead a group
• We’re all the ministers – God has gifted each of us to be a minister for somebody
• Text BETA to 828282 (the link will be available today for international members of TC nation)

Mike Todd’s Introduction

• In the south, the storm of the devil came through this week with a winter storm – because of TC we have been able to meet needs and be boots on the ground
• 2021 just started, and we’ve already seen a bunch of storms
• For people who are anchored, it doesn’t matter
• When you’re anchored to something that doesn’t move, Jesus, you can go through life better
• Open your heart and realize how important, divine, and intentional it is that you decide to be anchored
• Nobody can make you be anchored or focused

Anchored – Poem by TC Nation’s Candy

• Link: TBD

Mike Todd’s Prayer & Continued Introduction

Father, we have come to you today to hear from you. Holy Spirit, we’re asking that you invade every one of our situations right at the point that we need it. No matter if we’re on the mountain top or the valley low, we still need an anchor. God, you’re invited here – into my marriage, this dating relationship, my loneliness, this depression, this discrimination – when you’re there, everything has to change, the seas and the winds have to calm down. We declare that this is a season of no drift. We will praise you in the middle of it, we will not wait for the storm to come or to end. We worship you God!

• Anchored will impact you for the rest of your life
• Today, we’re starting week 7 (the final week) of Anchored
• As of last week, Transformation Church has a weekly/daily channel on TBN and the Hillsong channel – every weekday at 6PM Central
• When there’s a blockage, people who
• Mike’s neighbor told him that “At 4AM, your voice woke me up. I fell asleep on TBN, there were things in the works before the pandemic, and they all dried up, in my sleep, I heard you say, “If God gave you a vision, Mark My Words!”” – Mike doesn’t talk to his neighbor on the regular, but that spoke to him in his sleep
• Label some people in your phone “the drift” – label places, people, and things, “the drift” because once you get there, there’s a drift – we have to decide, “NO DRIFT!”
• Mike thought it would be irresponsible to not share the following
  • There was story about this guy who wanted to go deep sea fishing
  • He went out by himself (going to the deep is never smart alone)
    • Jesus decided to choose 12 regular people to go out into the deep with
    • He decided to do life with people regardless of His status
  • It started when it was sunny, then the sun started to set
  • He could see animals coming up that were bigger than the boat
  • At the point where he was about to give up and die, he sees somebody and they come and rescue him
  • He went back to the guy who gave him the directions to find out what went wrong
  • He said, you put in the directions one degree off
  • He asked, what does one degree have to do with me not being where I needed to be

1. When You’re In the Deep: 1 Degree Makes the Difference 

It was just “one degree off the truth” – “one degree of how many hours I worked to be paid”, “only 30 seconds of watching Instagram twerking”, “one degree away from purity” – in this vision series, we’re decided we’re not going to drift.

One degree in the shallow, from here to there, you can step into what you’re going to be in.  

2. The Drift Doesn’t Matter if You’re Not Going the Distance

From here to next year, it’s not going to matter – but when you get in the deep it matters. If you’re going to go the distance, it matters. If you’re going to be a business owner, it matters.

Care about people – not platforms. The church is one degree off. It’s not about making sure your gram is popping. It’s about making sure people’s souls are not popping in hell. That’s why our church won’t drift.

If we’re one degree off, we need to say “search me o lord” – “expose me God” – that will turn the one degree to right on path. You might lose some friends or get the demotion.

He may expose you to redirect you when you can’t get it from direction. It’s still His grace because He rather expose you here than to be 15 miles from the purpose he called you to in the deep.

It would be irresponsible for Mike to not let you know your coordinates are not right.

Make sure you weren’t just punching in numbers and saying, “I want to land there” based on other people’s Instagram pages.

In the deep, there are Distractions.

Message Title: Distractions In The Deep

God does the dynamic in the deep, but there are also distractions in the deep. You might stop praying because now you have finances, you may feel better than people because now you can hire people.

By faith say, “I’m going to go the distance.”

Think about the following familiar story from a distraction standpoint.

Matthew 14:22-26 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Walks on Water

22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

What were the distractions?

3. Emotional Distractions Debilitate Your Discernment

They were so emotionally distracted that they labeled God a ghost. They were terrified even though they were just with Him.

They got emotionally distracted and lost all discernment.

Are you so emotionally distracted that your discernment has gone down? Hurt, frustrated, angry, unseen – God is saying to bring your emotions to Him so that you can see right.

The devil doesn’t even have to come if your emotions have control.

The devil hasn’t messed with some of you in a decade. It’s your own insecurities and emotions.

The number one distraction is your own emotion.

God called you to go to the deep – you don’t need someone else to validate you.

Sacrifice your emotion on the altar.  

God gave us our emotions – they’re indicators. Jesus tells us to cast all your burdens. Instead, we would rather continue to carry it, but it weighs us down.

In fact, it takes away our discernment.

Your discernment is off. You can look at your bank account and know you didn’t need that. You would’ve never let someone talk to you the way they’re talking to you 10 years ago. You’re supposed to be helping someone else do something, but you’re trying to be something you’re not called for (e.g. trying to be a pastor) and now you’re taking other people to Dummyville.

If you’re going to last, you need discernment.

4. You Need Discernment in the Deep

You can’t go to the deep on knowledge or intellect. You need the Holy Spirit.

That thing that says, “Don’t call them back, you’re emotionally unstable”, “go apologize now”, “turn around” – that’s discernment. He lets you know of the truth that is to come.

The Holy Spirit tried to enlarge your discernment when you were thinking, “something told me”.

There are situations that are God for you that feel scary or spooky. Sometimes God’s highest calling for you is lower – it doesn’t have to be “glory to glory” – He may demote you for a season to save your family. He may want to see if you still serve, still give, still love, still trust with half your salary, without your platform, etc.

These disciples knew Jesus. They weren’t new believers, they’re old crust religious people. Just because your bible is wrinkled and highlighted, doesn’t mean you don’t have an emotion of pride or a Pharisee spirit. You’re supposed to mentor young people, not prove to them that they didn’t know anything.

You may have been relevant for 10 years, but now you’ll be mute for the next 20 because you’ve lost discernment. You can’t even tell where God is anymore and He’s sitting right on top of you.

You need the Holy Spirit to tell you who to go into business with.

Anecdote: Mike may walk into rooms dressed casually filled with old white men, CEOs, etc. and Mike will hear, “you’re in charge here” from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will tell Mike to say, “Stop” – “say I want it for 50% off”. Did you know that the Holy Spirit is also called the advocate? The advocate will begin to tell you stuff. Do you know how often people say, “we’ve never done this before?” The Holy Spirit stands outside of time, that’s why you can do it regardless of if it’s ever been done before. That’s why you need to speak what He says.

You can’t if you’re emotionally distracted though.

Matthew 14:26-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

14:27 Or The ‘I am’ is here; Greek reads I am. See Exod 3:14.

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

5. What God Says In The Deep Is More Important Than What You See In The Deep

What God says in the deep is more important than what you see in the deep. They still saw a ghost, but God is so good that He’ll still speak to you.

What He says is more important than what you see.  

The response that God gave to Moses was, “I Am”… “I Am that I Am”

Everything you’re looking for, “I Am” has responded.

“I Am” is here.

What God says in the deep is more important than what you see in the deep.

What God says is stronger than what we see. When we get to the deep, we keep asking “Are you sure?” – but He said it.

In the deep, you have to anchor on what God said.

There’s a couple in the room who doctors told they would never have children. They walked through a stormy season where professionals said no (they are not the final say). God is a man that He should not lie. If He said it, He will complete it. If He said it, that means you’re going to see it. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t get sleep last night. A side effect of autism is insomnia. Mike and Natalie were up every hour last night on the hour. Mike doesn’t see it yet, but He said it. There’s a date that Mike marked down – every time MJ gets worse, Mike says, “I don’t see it but He said it.” They may ask, “why do you keep believing your whole family will be saved?” You need to say, “I don’t see it but He said it.” “Why are you driving down that street every day?” “I don’t see it but He said it.”

Don’t get distracted by what you see.

The job may look worse than it did a week ago.

In Houston, Dallas, Texas – you’re going back to homes ruined by mildew and busted pipes. He said it would be the year of breakthrough for your family. Get anchored on what He said. You may not see it, but He said it.

You just asked God to meet your needs for last week’s bills. “You said if I get you out of this situation you’d never do that again.” “You just came off of 21 days of prayer and fasting with me.” – But you don’t recognize God?

Matthew 14:28 New Living Translation (NLT)

28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

He says, Lord, that means, somewhere in him he knew that it had to be Jesus.

He wasn’t sure enough to put his weight on it. He wasn’t sure enough to anchor on it. His language declared what his heart doubted.

Sometimes our language declares what our heart doubts. Jesus is so gracious, He says, “Yes, come”.

Matthew 14:29-30 New Living Translation (NLT)

29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

That was an invitation for everybody to come. We could have been talking about the story of 12 men who walked on water together.

You need friends who can walk on water with you. People who can do the unthinkable with you. People who can walk into a depressed area of town and fix all the houses.

Part of the problem with the scripture is that there were scared saints on the boat. You’re already in the deep.

We need people who are never scared.

Jesus said “come” and only one got up.

Why is it important that you start leading a small group? Peter could’ve said, “y’all come on”, “I know your marriage is at the brink, I’ve seen God do it before”, “come.”

What miracle will you miss because you stayed on the boat?

“Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus” – can we give Peter a hand clap? He tried. He didn’t stay scared in the boat whether he sank later or not.

Critics sit on the side line and judge something they’ve never played. It’s easier to be a commentator than to actually play in the NBA. They’re in the NBA, they’re married – stop highlighting people’s worse moments as summing up who they are. They may be there because they stepped over the side of the boat.

Some issues you only face in the deep. Some criticisms need to do down, especially if you’ve never been in that level of water.

You can’t be in the kiddie pool judging.

Your words need to be edifying to the hearer.

Ephesians 4:28-30 King James Version (KJV)

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Today, Mike is going to give a Peter Award.

Remind people that they actually walked on water. What if the disciples said, “Bro you did it! You can do it again!! You’re sinking now but you can do it again!!”

We out here…that’s why we need our discernment.

Like Peter, you’re most vulnerable when you did it, but it’s not done.

6. You Are Most Vulnerable When You Did It, But It’s Not Done 

Many of us have done “the thing” – we did it, but it’s not done. This is where distraction comes in at its finest.

Many of you have done things that nobody thought you’d be able to do (like Peter).  

You got the money, but you haven’t learned how to manage it. You did it, but it’s not done. You got the marriage, but now you have to cultivate the marriage. You did it, but it’s not done. For it to get done, you need focus.

You got the title of “Director”, but now you have to cultivate leaders. You wrote the book, but now you have to sell the book. You’re not done.

Getting on the water wasn’t the goal. The goal wasn’t to stand on water, the goal was to make it to Jesus. The goal isn’t to have the best church in the world. We’ve done everything Mike put on paper in 6 years. That’s not it though. We’re in the deep. We need focus to make it to Christ now.

Matthew 14:30 New Living Translation (NLT)

30 But when he saw the strong[a] wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

This can be other people’s lives, other people’s posts.

7. Don’t Be So Distracted You Draw a Blank – He’s Been A Deliverer 

Peter saw distractions and forgot who told him to get out of the boat. Did you forget who called you to be in that relationship? To lead that team?

Do you remember that just couple of chapters ago, the disciples were in a different storm. Peter is tripping but Jesus had already gotten them through the same type of storm. Instead, he was distracted, and drew a blank about his deliverer.

Have you had Christian amnesia?

God might be like, “put some respect on my name – I’ve been a deliverer” – He’s kept you and sustained you. The enemy had arrows on you as a child, angels moved people out the way during that car accident, God moved heaven and Earth to put you in the city you’re in” – He’s been a deliverer.

2 Samuel 22:2-3 King James Version (KJV)

2 And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

Psalm 18:2 King James Version (KJV)

2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalm 20:7 King James Version (KJV)

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Some trust in Teslas, but I will trust in the name of our Lord. People trust in the vehicles, their jobs, their relationships, S&P 500, Bitcoin, the stock market, pop culture, what you can do with your hands – don’t trust in all that. Trust in the One who’s been a deliverer.

Matthew 14:30 New Living Translation (NLT)

30 But when he saw the strong[a] wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

8. Distractions in the Deep Aren’t Always the Devil 

The devil didn’t make you oversleep. You’re lazy; your presentation was trash. You spent more time on IG than working on the presentation that would change your bank account. It’s not the devil – you were distracted.

Jesus sent them to the lake. He sent them to the lake while he prayed for them. He knew the storm they were going to and made intercession for them. He gets into a supernatural state and meets them at their need – He meets them there because He set it up. What if what you’re calling the devil was a set up by God?

It could be to get something in you and something out of you that could come no other way.

Mike had a $150,000 fail with contractors to learn for a 50 million dollar future. God resolved the situation with the 4 year lien right before becoming the lead pastor. It wasn’t the devil, it was for Mike’s development.

When God is trying to develop us, many of us are distracted in the deep. It could be other people, your own self-talk, or not focusing on the word of God.   

9. Distractions Drown You When Vision Drifts 

If we’re off one degree, it doesn’t matter what we talk about.

It’s only been two months and we’ve had Capital Riots, Gorilla Glue Girl – who knows what will happen later this year – it doesn’t matter if we’re anchored.

Gorilla Glue Girl had the right thing there, but ran out of it. She hurt herself. She experienced bad consequences because she didn’t focus on what it was and what it was actually used for. Fix your focus.

Hebrews 12:1-2 New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

That’s every distraction. We’re not even talking about sin yet. It is both distraction and sin.

It’s not a sin to eat 50 Oreos before bed, but you’re distracted.

The miracle would have never had to be a miracle if you were focused in this season of being anchored.

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” – don’t get disqualified running in someone else’s lane.

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” – Not Pastor Mike – you need the word of God. Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Your favorable future and your ferocious failure are in the direction of your focus.

If you’re directly focused on the wrong thing, feeling like you’re in purpose, it doesn’t matter if you’re focused if you’re focused on the wrong thing.

We’ve made a decision to drop our anchor and fix our focus on Jesus.

Matthew 14:31 New Living Translation (NLT)

31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

God in His grace, even when we don’t deserve it, He still does it. Peter was a disciple and drowned. You’re okay. You’ve never been in this place before, and it feels like everything around you is caving in on you and you’re drowning, but if someone who Jesus chose to walk with Him drowned at one point in their life, you’ll be okay.

Your discernment may have been off for a long time. You may be literally drowning, but you’ve just been distracted in the deep. If you allow God, He’ll reach out and grab you to safety.

10. With God, the Doubt Won’t Drown You 

God still loves you even with the questions, even with the fear, even with the failure.

Matthew 14:32-33 New Living Translation (NLT)

32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

In chapter 8, Jesus spoke to the winds and waves. As God walks in the authority He has been given in your life, your only response needs to be worship. The disciples were still in the storm even though they were not in the water.

God will take care of the storm and the wind, you take care of the worship.

“You take care of the wind, and I’ll take care of the worship.”

Today, at the end of this series, we’re going to be anchored knowing that our anchor is still Jesus.

We’re deciding that we’re going to drop our anchor.

Praise God. Give Him thanks. Sing unto Him a new song.

Call Him what He is – He is a provider.

God, thank you for being good, for sustaining us, for not letting us drown, for being committed to us when we were not committed to you. God take care of the marriage, I will take care of the worship. He will take care of the business, the diagnosis, He will sustain.

He sustains.

Your promises always come true

Not dependent on me

But relying on you

Your mercies are new everyday

So I will trust You

I will trust You

(In the middle, in the middle)

I will Trust you

(Faithful and true, I’m anchored on you)

Through the rain, still you reign

You sustain

You’re an anchor in the middle of the storm

I can trust You no matter what comes

No matter who comes, or who goes, I will trust you.

You sustain, God.

You’re a good, good Father

It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are

And I’m loved by You

It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

You’re a good, good Father

It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are

And I’m loved by You

It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

You are perfect in all of Your ways

You are perfect in all of Your ways

You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

You’re a good, good Father

It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are

And I’m loved by You

It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

You don’t need to “manifest” something that God freely gives.

God cares so much that 2000 years ago, He went to the cross and knew you would come to the end of you rope, feel like you’re drowning, and need Him as your anchor. All you have to do is believe in Him (Romans 10:9), not change everything yet. If you want to be included in that prayer, put your hand up in the air 1. You’re making the greatest decision you’ve ever made. 2. We’re proud of you, but more importantly, your name will be in the lamb’s book of life. 3. Just shoot your hand up right there. Transformation church is a family so we pray together.

Prayer: God, thank you for sending Jesus as my anchor. Today, I know I need Him. I believe He lived, died, and rose again, just for me. Today, I give you my life, change me, renew me, help me, transform me, I’m yours, I’m anchored. In Jesus name, Amen.

• Text ‘Saved’ to 828282 for resources and content to help you to be anchored

Peter walked on the water alone, and you don’t have to walk through anything alone. If you’re deciding you’re going to be anchored, and lead other people to the deep, and help other people not drown, sign up for our B-groups Beta. Text BETA to 828282 (the link will be available today for international members of TC nation).

God, I declare that we will not drift. God, show us the distractions that have been keeping us in delusion while we’re in the deep. Thank you that you sustain in the middle of it all. I thank you that this will be our church’s best week ever. Today, we stand anchored in your word, that we will not drift. We give you glory, honor, and praise. I am anchored.

You can still get “Relationship Goals” the book and study guide today for additional support:

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SUMMARY NOTES

1. When You’re In the Deep: 1 Degree Makes the Difference
2. The Drift Doesn’t Matter if You’re Not Going the Distance
3. Emotional Distractions Debilitate Your Discernment
4. You Need Discernment in the Deep
5. What God Says In The Deep Is More Important Than What You See In The Deep
6. You Are Most Vulnerable When You Did It, But It’s Not Done
7. Don’t Be So Distracted You Draw a Blank – He’s Been A Deliverer
8. Distractions in the Deep Aren’t Always the Devil
9. Distractions Drown You When Vision Drifts
10. With God, the Doubt Won’t Drown You

Link to full Video (share this message💕): TBD 

Text BETA to 828282 to join a Belong Group Beta to learn how to lead others.

Join TC on YouTube for Prayer on every Monday night at 6PM CST.

Text SHARE to 82828 to share your story via the TC video booth.

Transformation Church would love to hear how God is touching your life through this ministry!  Tell us your story by emailing mystory@transformchurch.us!

If you would like to support TC financially you can give through the TC app, or online through the website by clicking here https://transformchurch.us/give/.  You can also Text ‘TCGIVE’ to 77977.

If you need prayer, email prayer@transformchurch.us!

For more information about Transformation Church, visit https://transformchurch.us/.

To join a Belong Group, visit https://transformchurch.us/BELONG/ or text BELONG to 828282

The D.I.G. stands for Deeper In God and it is a conversation where we dive deeper in God. Join us this Wednesday at 7pm (CST)! — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYv-siSKd3Gn9IsliO95gIw