LIVING IN CHANGING SEASONS
(First part)
Memory verse: (Dan2:21) " And he changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding ”
All things on earth are subject to seasons (Gen 8:22). Rainy and dry seasons, summer, winter, autumn and spring, sowing seasons and harvesting seasons. This changing of seasons controls the life of every living thing on earth. Activities of man are controlled by seasons. There are also spiritual seasons. They control how we walk and live the kingdom life on earth following God and fulfilling our purpose on earth. God has ordained our lives to be fruitful and fulfilling. God has made us for peculiar purposes. We have divine purposes to accomplish. The scripture say of David, that he served his generation according to God’s will and he slept (Acts13:36). Men like Joseph, Daniel, Ezekiel, Abraham, Enoch, Moses, Joshua, Deborah, Esther, Apostles, Our Lord Jesus, John the Baptist etc, discovered God’s purposes for their lives here on earth.
A purpose driven life passes through diverse experiences, situations, and challenges in order to be equipped for God’s assignment. God wants to transform us, build us, strengthen us, build our character, and increase our wisdom, knowledge and understanding. God wants to change our hearts and make us loving instead of selfish, God wants to plant a vision in our lives, God wants to change our perspectives about life, our selves, God, world, money etc.
It takes great effort to mold a vessel of honor, so it takes God great effort, patience, love, longsuffering, time to take one life that Satan had destroyed and transform it into a vessel of honor. This season of molding is one of the most painful both to God and man (Jer18:1-6). No believer enjoys this period, it’s painful but gainful if we decide to endure. Jesus said that every branch in him that bears fruit He prunes it. My brother and sister, today if you decide to live a life that’s fruitful for God, then be ready for the pruning. God stretches us for greater productivity (Is 54:2-4). Stretching is very painful. God will stretch you beyond your limits and capacities. Seasons of stretching will come your way and they won’t be fun. And of course they are seasons when our fruits are ripe and all kinds people come from every corner to buy. Seasons of significance. Seasons of divine attraction.
Tomorrow we will study about, ‘Seasons determine your location’
(Second part)
Memory verse: (Psalm105:17-21) " He sent a man before them-Joseph- who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons. Until that his word came to pass, The word of God tested him. The king sent and released him, the ruler of the people let him go free. He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his possessions "
Seasons determine your locations in life. Joseph’s story has a lot to teach us about the journey to our destiny. When we give our lives to the Lord, He begins to control our movements, locations and positions. We need to follow the Lord otherwise we might be disobedient to the Lord and we begin to be busy doing our things and discover after a long time that we have been walking around in circles around the same mountain. Routine life is not God’s choice for you. It may seem comfortable and predictable but it is a wasted life. God moved Joseph at the age of about 17 years from his father’s house in Canaan and transferred him to Egypt so that he may fulfill the word he spoke to Abraham. Joseph found himself one day in Potiphar’s house as a slave. But the Bible says even in Potiphar’s house GOD’S FAVOR was with him. God promised to be with us through the journey of life (Is 43:1-3).
God settled Joseph in that environment for some time for a purpose. That was not Joseph’s end but a means to the end. My brother and sister, I don’t know what kind of season your life is experiencing, but I want to comfort you that it's not your end, it’s a way to your throne. Joseph’s time to be in Potiphar’s house was over and God arranged his relocation to the next step of life. God took him to the prison. Joseph was in the prison for some good years. Joseph could not really understand what went wrong with him. Always victimized, always hated, always given an unfair deal etc, but God was in control of every one of his steps. What matters is not the pathway of life but the destination. The way might look bad and unpalatable, but it will lead you there. Joseph did all kinds things in the prison, controlling the prison, interpreting dreams etc. In difficult times of your life don’t spend time complaining but do those things God has gifted you to do. Sharpen your gifts and talents. The day came and it was the day for Joseph to step into the place God had been preparing him for.
Joseph’s journey: from his father house to the pit, from the pit to Potiphar’s house, from there to the prison and from the prison to the palace. The journey to your palace is long, but go for it.
Tomorrow’s subject, ‘Seasons changes your status’
(Third part)
Memory verse: (Psalm105:17) " He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave "
Seasons change your status. They change your name. Many time people identify us by what experiences we go through in life. There is always a second name the society call you because of what you’re going through. In Jacob’s house, He was Joseph the beloved son, in Potiphar’s house he was a slave, in the prison he was the prisoner, and finally in the Government of king of Egypt he was the Prime minister.
My friend it doesn't matter what people are calling you, it’s temporary. When God changes your location, he will change your name. People won’t call you what they’re calling you now forever. You won’t be in sickness forever, you won’t be in poverty forever, you won’t be in that position forever, you won’t be in that pain forever, you won’t be barren forever, you won’t be jobless forever. When that chapter is complete, God will turn over the page and your status won’t be the same again. The people who crucified Jesus for calling Himself the Son of God were the very people who said after killing him: " surely this is the Son of God ". The very people who mock you will one-day praise you. Those who oppress you will one day bow before. My friend take heart, your condition will change. God is in control and everything happening to you is working together for your good (Rom8:28). Joseph woke up one morning a prisoner but by the evening the same day, the same man was a prime minister.
Humble your self if you are in your palace, rejoice if you’re in the prison, and do God’s will where he has placed you. God’s presence and grace will be with you wherever he has placed you. The state of the location, position and condition don’t define who you’re. These are just instruments God uses to shape us. So never allow your self to become a product of the condition. Going through poverty don’t make you a poor man, we are rich in CHRIST. Mordecai sat in the gate of the king for good time, everyone who passed by used to call him the other gatekeeper. In fact some never new his name and they called him simply, the gatekeeper. But when the season changed his status changed and changed his name. When your status is changed; your named is changed also. Keep following the Lord who changes seasons, your turn is coming. God is about to give you a new name. The God who has brought you into this new year is going to lead you into new ways, new victories, new open doors,
Tomorrow’s subject, ‘ Anointing on your life is determined by seasons’
(Fourth part)
Memory verse: (2Sam2:4) "Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul ”
The Bible teaches that we move from glory to glory. So, anointing can increase or decrease upon our lives depending on certain factors. David was anointed three times publicly. Samuel anointed him when he was still a shepherd boy. (1Sam16:1-13). He was again anointed the second time to become the king of Judah, see the above scripture. He was anointed the third time to become the king of the whole nation of Israel: Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying: "Indeed we are your bone and your flesh.Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’” Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel. (2Sam5:1-3)
David was anointed three times at different seasons. Every time they anointed him it meant a new season. The first time he was anointed he was a shepherd boy tending his father's flock. And after anointing him he stepped into a new level, he left the sheep and he was appointed to work in the palace serving king Saul as a skillful musician. The second time they anointed him was after the death of King Saul to be the king of Judah. And the third time he was anointed to be the king of Israel.
Every new season God ushers you into requires a certain dimension of anointing. God created seasons in such a way that one season ushers you into another season. So you need to be faithful to God in every season so that he may promote you (Ps 75.6). The scripture says when you are faithful in small things God will put you into bigger things. Don’t waste the opportunities God brings into your life. Maximize every moment God brings your way. Keep doing what God has given to do now. There’s a new and great anointing coming to the faithful ones. Greater seasons are coming your way with greater anointing. May you receive new seasons from God and may God shower new anointing upon your life this year. May this be a year of great exploits in your life.
Tomorrows word ‘New Season demands New wineskin’
