Do we occasionally feel that God is hidden, HIS Purposes, HIS Promises are hidden? But, as we mature we do learn/realize there is a reason/ purpose it’s hidden. The good things of God are never hidden eternally
Principle of the almighty [Daniel 2:19-22] God wants us to Chase, Persevere, and endure. Perseverance ultimately develops Character(eternal). God is calling us to persevere through to develop. God is presenting on a set of circumstances where are we focusing: Opportunity/ Opposition? God delights in curiosity. (e.g.) Catching up games with kids. God is saying to persevere. Hiddenness will break through and there will come through that breakthrough moment How’s God’s Kingdom[Matthew 13:44] HE wants us to hunger and HE wants to thirst for righteousness. There is a treasure that is hidden in the field of your life, the field of you Hiddenness of God in the life of Moses [Exodus 1 & 2] Life of Moses being a prime example. Moses (the person chosen to deliver the Israelites) was born into opposition when this decree was to kill all Israeli kids. How do you hide a baby (Moses) in a slave house? How he float in the Nile (venomous water snakes, crocodiles, snapping jaws of the enemy, etc.) are you going through a similar experience? Sometimes we look back and say I have no clue how I survived through that? – Hand/Hiddenness of God. Other examples are the life of Joseph, the Death of Jesus, David reaching out to the sword of Goliath and possessing that, etc.
Dealing with Opposition [Psalms 27] Opposition is the outer shell and the opportunity is inside. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It requires a perception change.
When the time comes God will say ‘now’. You are God’s best-kept secret. Something inside of you – yet to be relieved. Are you so aware of the opposition that you never see the opportunity?
When we live and persevere everything that happens will propel us in the will of God.
Hiddenness of God – Bewildering/ Amazing/ Exciting mystery. Let’s keep chasing HIM alone and Persevere and Endure.
WHAT ARE WE TOLERATING
WHAT ARE WE TOLERATING?
The heart of the father, wants us to do well, living a fulfilling life. He is interested to see us mature and develop in the process. He is interested in ‘What we are going through?’ and ‘What we will become?’. Among the garden of our lives there are loads of weeds started to grow. Initially, we are offended but if we don’t act it becomes part of our lives. Weeds: Relationships/ Habits/ Way of Thinking – it can be anything(which isn’t acceptable in HIS sight).
WHAT WE TOLERATE – WE ENDORSE?
Judges 1:1-3
Judah goes first(Praise). Difficulty/ Happiness/ Sadness any peaks/ troughs – our first response should not be friends/ social media/ people. It must be Praise. God, I am about to go through something, here I am, worshiping.
Simon means – God heard us.
Judges 1:19-21.
Israelites stopped winning and started to tolerate enemies. Not able to win them? Where is the spirit of Jericho? Where is the desire to do greater things for God? By tolerating them/ our weeds they/ we started to endorse, and starting to insult God. Are we tolerating it because it’s offending somebody? We are HIS representative wherever we are – we can be the rescue – we can be the light in the dark place. Most often what we tolerate is within ourselves.
Judges 1:27-33.
Making a deal with enemies? Hold on what did God say – these people are blaspheming in HIS eyes. They need to be moved out. We are making a deal with them. There are things in our lives, which are determined to stay – but in God’s eyes, it should be out. If God says it gotta go, it gotta go.
STOP TOLERATING!
WHAT WE TOLERATE – WILL CONTAIN US?
Judges 1:33-36
The enemy is determined to live in your life. Overcomes were overcome. Conquerors have been conquered. Do we have the spirit of Amorites?: Boast of achievements. Pride, Arrogance, Boasting – it will contain us. If I am full of myself then I am not full of God. John the Baptist – I must decrease so that he might increase. A man wrapped up with himself will make a small parcel. Speaking unkindly about others. Criticizing – to promote themselves. There is a saying, Big Minds speak Vision, Moderate Minds speak about Events/ Things, and Small Minds speak about people.
Luke 18:10-14
Gossiping in his prayers. Who goes justified in front of God, only THE HUMBLE MAN!
If I have any spirit of slander/ unkindness, it will contain me. God is challenging us to resurrect the attitude of Judah and Simon – start conquering again. Breaking out of Containment can be very difficult, and needs discipline. But, suddenly overcomer becomes the overcomer again.
STOP TOLERATING!
WHAT WE TOLERATE –WILL JUDGE US?
What we allow is a judgment of our character, because it displays to everyone else, what we are ok with. Things we are tolerating/ going around in our lives – advertisement to everyone around us/ what we don’t mind happening to us.
Judges 2:20-22
Their own slackness – has become a judgment on them. The thing they have tolerated is testing and judging them. We allow a lifestyle a habit a way of thinking to dominate us, instead of conquering it – causes others to think less of us. Spoils our testimony. Then allow them to judge and defeat us.
Israelites were set out with great determination and seal, but, a bit of opposition stalling them?
What are you just putting up with it, right now? Then we endorse – we are OK. What we say OK – will contain you – what contains you – will judge you. Stops you living the freedom that Jesus purchased on the cross of Calvary. We all have sinned – if it was the grace of God – HE wouldn’t have brought this to our attention. What are we going to do with this? Is this something to stop this year? Is something going to change this year?
STOP TOLERATING! God called us to do greater things for HIM, let’s not be Prisoners of our own choices, limiting our ministries and ourselves!
