INTRODUCTION
Proverbs 4:7
“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.”
When you know and understand why something is happening, it gives you both peace and perspective when things happen.
Psalm 103:7 NCV He [God] showed His ways to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel.
Psalm 103:7 NLT He [God] revealed His character to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel.
To be sure, the ignorance of God, His will, His ways, and His character hinders the growth of so many believers.
Matthew 19:27-30 NIV
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Whenever you can’t figure out what the Lord is doing, you have got to know that he’s up to something good and better for you.
SEVEN STAGES
1. The Lord is in the business of DRAWING US to himself through His son, Jesus.
Jeremiah 31:3 NIV The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
2. The Lord is in the business of DIVIDING US in an effort to separate us from a broken, confused, and selfish culture.
2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Think about it beloved. Your clothes are always separated before they are washed. So allow the Lord to set you apart and sanctify your life.
Hebrews 12:1-2 GNT So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.
3. The Lord is in the business of DISCIPLINING US that we would know his ways, character, and standard.
Hebrews 12:11 ERV We don’t enjoy discipline when we get it. It is painful. But later, after we have learned our lesson from it, we will enjoy the peace that comes from doing what is right.
The love of the God for us demands the he disciplines us, because his standard is holiness and not foolishness, selfishness or independence.
4. The Lord is in the business of DIRECTING US to the paths and ways of living a godly life.
Psalm 37:23-24 NLT 23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Heed the voice of the Lord and you’ll find yourself being less troubled by troubles.
5. The Lord is in the business of DEFENDING US against the attacks and harm of the enemy.
Psalm 54:4 NIV Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Isaiah 41:10 NCV So don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 Voice Still, the Lord is true to His promises; He will hold you up and guard you against the evil one.
The Lord will always deliver those that are totally devoted to him. There’s no doubt about it.
6. The Lord is in the business of DEVELOPING US in an effort to mature us and perfect our faith.
The mistake most believers make is thinking and believing that God is punishing them for something, when the reality is that he’s preparing them for something.
God rarely punishes us, but he’s always in the business of preparing us for more than we can ever imagine.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Maturity in Christ has always been the goal of the Gospel. So no real Christian should grow older and while remaining spiritually immature
When you know what the Lord is doing, you’ll find yourself more at peace as you walk through the ups and downs of life.
7. The Lord is in the business of DEPLOYING US to step into our divine destiny
Listen beloved.God wants to use you. His greatest joy is seeing you do what you were created to do.
1 Peter 2:9 NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Hebrews 13:16 AMP And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Don’t settle for less than the Lord’s best for yourself. Allow him to plant you where you’ll prosper, grow, and make a real difference in the lives of others.
CONCLUSION
1 Peter 4:10 ERV God has shown you his grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift he has given you in a way that will best serve each other.
God is always looking to use someone, send someone, stretch someone, and transform someone, to impact many.
1 Peter 5:10 NIV And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
To get to something, we must be willing to go through something. Hence knowing why God does, what he does, can give us a lot of peace, perspective, comfort, and hope when we’re struggling to hold on.
To blame God or to find fault in Him while being ignorant of His nature, will, and character is madness. In fact, it’s lazy faith.
Therefore, when you know the season, you will understand the reason why the Lord is doing, what He’s doing in your life.
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