Message: “MAXIMIZING THE SEASON OF LIFE (II)” from Min Oluleke

TOPIC: MAXIMIZING THE SEASON OF LIFE (II) OBJECTIVES: To introduce the 4 seasons from promise to fulfilment: 1. Promise Season 2. Delay Season 3. Wilderness Season 4. Good Land Season To teach how to make the most of each season To give prayer strategies for each season SCRIPTURES: Deuteronomy 8:3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. (NKJV) Hebrews 5:8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. It causes isolation that enables God get through to us (Jacob).   3. Wilderness Season Deuteronomy 8:3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. Hebrews 5:8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. It causes isolation that enables God get through to us (Jacob). Meant to teach you the principles of God through grueling (extremely tiring and demanding) personal experience. It causes isolation that enables God get through to us (Jacob). It shapes character and purifies us. He humbles us and breaks our pride. 3.1 What to do in the Wilderness Season The main key to pass through this season successfully: Not fasting, Not prayer not Rhema… but ENDURANCE. Other keys are beneficial, but endurance is most vital. Do what is right even if does not yield positive results immediately. There will be queries from people: How come you're doing all these good things for God and yet it is not producing positive results? How come you are so righteous, and yet sinners are doing better than you? Beware of temptations. There will be several invitations to sin, especially in seasons of weariness/discouragement (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). Be deeply aware that God is with you. Psalm 23 Be aware that all things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). Spend generous time with Him. Humans are proud/busy and sometimes it takes afflictions for God to get our attention. Good news: once the lesson is learned, once all tests are passed, the season rolls off suddenly like a cloud that gives way to the sun. 3.2 PRAYER Prayer Strategies for the Wilderness Season Ask for grace not to grow weary in well-doing even when it is not yet yielding desired results (Galatians 6:9) Grace to learn what God may be trying to teach us (Deut. 8:3). Grace to endure persecution and mockery which will come in this time. (Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter 2:20) Grace to wait for God's "proper time" of reward (Galatians 6:9, Ecclesiastes 11:6, Ecclesiastes 3:11) Ask for grace to be faithful unto death even if the Lord decides not to rescue from the fire (Daniel 3:16-18, The 3 Hebrew boys; Revelation 2:8-10, Smyrna Church) Fear must die: Ask God for deliverance from the spirit of fear - of the unpleasant consequences of obedience to Him. Decide that you will go with God until the end: "Even if I perish (for obeying God), I perish" (Esther 4:16). 4. THE GOOD LAND SEASON Deuteronomy 8:7-10 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; 9 a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10 When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. 4.1 Prayer Strategies for the Good Land Season Grace not to forget the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:18) Grace to remember to give God glory for the good things you enjoy (Joel 2:26) To maximize opportunities to be rich in good works and help the needy (1 Timothy 6:17) Pray not to become slack in the work of God. Rekindle and sustain spiritual fire/fervor (Romans 12:11, Rev. 3:16-18) Pray against arrogance: Beware of pride and self satisfaction (Prov. 16:18, Luke 12:13-21, Rich fool) CONCLUSION Wilderness Season Action No matter what you pass through, God is with you Patient and ENDURE. Prayer Lord, teach me what you want me to learn from all these experiences. Good Land Season Action: Be generous and rich in good works to the needy and poor. Prayer Thank God for His blessings. Grace not to get proud and independent of God because of riches/blessings.

Scripture References: Deuteronomy 8:3

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From Series: "Sunday Service"

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