Seasons of Change
Introduction
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. —Isaiah 53:7 (NLT)
They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” —John 12:13 (NIV)
Two Main Reasons Why We Must Go through Seasons of Change
Because
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. —Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. —Genesis 8:22 (KJV)
To Fulfil
in our
Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” —John 12:23-28 (NIV)
Navigating the Five Seasons of Change
Season of
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. —Luke 2:7 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. —2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. —1 Peter 2:2 (NIV)
During the Season of
Season of
Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. —Luke 2:46 (NLT)
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. —Luke 2:52 (NLT)
During the Season of
The Season of
He spent his days in the Temple teaching, but his nights out on the mountain called Olives. All the people were up at the crack of dawn to come to the Temple and listen to him. —Luke 21:37-38 (MSG)
During the Season of
Season of
During the Season of
“Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” —Matthew 26:40b - 41(NIV)
Keep
Know When to
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? But Jesus remained silent. —Matthew 26:62 (NIV)
Let us not grow weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. —Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
During the Season of
Season of
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. —John 8:36 (ESV)
During the Season of
Conclusion
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. —Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
My Next Steps:
- Determine which season I am currently in and try to navigate it in the same manner Jesus navigated that season.
- If I am in a season of sacrifice, extend my prayer time this week by 10 minutes each day, and attend the Wednesday morning prayer meeting & the nightly prayer meetings this week.
- If I am in a season of sacrifice, practice being silent and make every attempt to not complain about the sacrifices I’m making this week.