GOD PREPARES US BEFORE THIS DAY FOR THIS DAY…
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (This is a two part lesson)
It only takes one person to change your life… Do you know who that one person is? YOU! YOU CAN CHANGE!
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Psalm 75:6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
GOD IS SEARCHING FOR A FRIEND… A RELATIONSHIP… ABRAHAM IS MIDDLE AGED (75)… NOW GO… GO… IT IS TIME TO BREAK ALL TIES WITH THE PAGAN RELIGIONS AND CULTURE TO FOLLOW THE ONE REAL GOD…
GOD HAS SOMETHING NEW FOR ABRAHAM AND SARAH. I WAS RAISED IN UR, MESOPOTAMIA… LEAVE YOUR FAMILY, LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND LEAVE YOUR PEOPLE FOR THE UNKNOWN? CAN YOU IMAGINE GOING TO THE U-HAUL TRUCK RENTAL STORE TO RENT A BIG U-HAUL TRUCK? GOD HAS A FRIEND NAMED ABRAHAM. GOD DESIRES TO BLESS ABRAHAM BUT GOD’S PLAN REQUIRES SEVERAL AREAS OF OBEDIENCE.
Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
Abraham required faith, trust and courage to leave the known for the unknown. Abraham will be faithful in the midst of hard trials and temptations. God prepares Abraham for the upcoming blessings.
BY FAITH… BY BELIEVING… BY FAITH ABRAHAM AND SARAH ARE WILLING TO GO WHERE EVER GOD LEADS… ABRAHAM LEARNED HE WAS A PILGRIM, A STRANGER OF THE WORLD.
Our citizenship is not UR, it is not MESOPOTAMIA… The God of the universe wants to bless us and keep us. GOD IS PREPARING ME THIS DAY FOR THE DAY OF BLESSING…
Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Sometimes you have to let go of what you have to receive the blessings. God’s plan was not UR, in Mesopotamia… There is a promise, give up what you know to receive a new land and a new nation. ABRAHAM, the covenant is about SEEDS… The promise is about offspring that would become the Jewish nation through his and Sarah’s son…His son Isaac... this seed will pass through many generations of famous people… RUTH the Moabitess, OBED, JESSIE, DAVID… the man after God’s own heart. WE KNOW THE SEED LEADS ALL THE WAY TO JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD…
God will establish the covenant by circumcision on the eighth day. The preparation for the blessing is you have to leave what you know for the unknown. God promises: I WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU AND BLESS YOU… but you have to leave UR.
WHEN ABRAHAM LEFT UR THERE WAS A LONGING IN HIS HEART FOR MORE… THE GOAL WAS CLEAR: A FRIEND OF GOD… AN ETERNAL PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP…THERE IS MORE THAN JERUSALEM AND ISREAL… THERE IS A NEW JERUSALEM. GOD PREPARED ABRAHAM FOR A DAY TO COME…
Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
GOD PREPARED THE DEAF MAN FOR A DAY OF HEARING. JUST THINK ABOUT THE HEADLINES IN THE DECAPOLIS TIMES. DO WE THINK WE CAN DEFINE AND TELL GOD HOW TO PREPARE US FOR OUR MIRACLE? THINK AGAIN… GOD TENDS TO GET US READY FOR OUR MIRACLE IN SOME STRANGE WAYS… GOD HAS PREPARED THIS DAY FOR THIS HEALING.
LET US JOURNEY TO DECAPOLIS…. HERE IS A DEAF MAN? HOW SHALL WE GET HIM READY FOR THE OPENING OF HIS EARS? SPIT? JUST THINK ABOUT THE HEADLINES IN THE DECAPOLIS TIMES.
Mark 7:33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
JESUS WAS PREPARED TO MEET A BLIND MAN PREPARED TO RECEIVE HIS SIGHT. NOW READ THE HEADLINES, SPIT IN THE MUD? RUB THE MUD IN THE EYES…? THEN EXPECT THE BLIND MAN TO WALK TO THE POOL OF SILOAM? WHY CAN’T SOMEONE BRING ME WATER TO WASH WITH? I AM BLIND… I AM EXPECTING A MIRACLE…GO TAKE A HIKE… FOR THE HEALING JESUS NEEDED TO SOMEHOW STRETCH PEOPLE’S FAITH TO NEW LEVELS…
John 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
My friend, if God can make man out of the dust, his son can do as he pleases. Jesus can meet our needs however he desires.
38 YEARS, GET READY JESUS IS COMING. HEY MAN, WE HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE… God has prepared a way.
Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
If not here, then where? If not you, then who? If not now, then when?
SAMSON, GOD IS PREPARING YOU FOR THE BATTLE… WILL WE RUN AWAY FROM OUR PROBLEMS? OR WILL WE FACE OUR PROBLEMS HEAD ON? OUR ENEMY HAS A PLAN THAT IS AGAINST US… THE SATANIC PLAN IS TO CREATE FEAR, DOUBT AND WORRY WHEN GOD GIVES A PROMISE. A GODLY COUPLE RECEIVED A PROMISE OF GOD FOR THEIR SON. SAMSON WAS A NAZIRITE, IN THE BIBLE SAMSON WAS THE LAST OF THE JUDGES…
Will this obstacle destroy me? Can this obstacle from the enemy become a stepping strong to grow our confidence and faith? Samson was strong but he had some weak tendencies. Our enemy tries to give birth to doubt, fear, worry and panic attacks. LET NOTHING DETOUR US AROUND GOD’S BLESSINGS. God has this covered.
Judges 14:5 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. 6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
THE MIRACLE GOD HAS IS MORE THAN KILLING A LION… THE MIRACLE IS BIGGER THAN A DEAD LION… THE LOCAL MCDONALDS WAS CLOSED… SAMSON WAS HUNGRY… SAMSON’S MOM AND DAD WERE HUNGRY… BECAUSE SAMSON FACED HIS LION HIS FAITH GREW, BUT THERE WAS MORE THAN THAT… GOD PREPARED HONEY…
Judges 14:8 And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. 9 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.
Honey is more than a sweetener… Honey was used as medicine. Honey is an ideal quick source of energy. Samson faced and defeated the lion that was against him. He turned the BEES and the HONEY into a miracle life source of strength and invigorated his whole family. FACE YOUR LIONS… The lion intended to kill Samson and then his parents would have had no source of power. GOD KNEW SAMSON AND HIS PARENTS WOULD BE HUNGRY SO GOD PREPARED A SOLUTION EVEN BEFORE THEY KNEW THEIR NEED.
THE TEST? GOD IS GETTING US READY AND PREPARING US FOR THE JOURNEY AHEAD… A JOURNEY TO BLESS US… BEFORE GOLIATH, BEFORE THE HIT SONG DAVID HAS SLAIN HIS 10,000, BEFORE DAVID EVER SAT ON HIS THRONE, BEFORE DAVID KNEW GOD’S BLESSINGS DAVID SAT MANY NIGHTS ALL ALONE IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE TENDING HIS FATHER’S SHEEP. LOOK UP MY FRIEND, WE MUST NEVER FORGET GOD’S SEASONS OF PREPARATION PRECEDES THE PROMOTION…
1 Samuel 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
I KNOW WHAT I KNOW… I TRUST MY TRAINING… I have not proved KING SAUL’S ARMOUR … THE TEST OF MY ALONE TIME HAS PROVEN GOD HAS BEEN WITH ME…
1 Samuel 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
ALL THE WAY GOD HAS LEAD AND PREPARED ME FOR THIS DAY BEFORE THIS DAY…
1 Samuel 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
GOD IS PREPARING YOU TO RECEIVE THE BLESSING…THE TEST: EAT AND DRINK AND BE MERRY? DANIEL THE TEST THEN THE PROMOTION…
Daniel 2:48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
WE REFUSE THE PANIC ATTACK… WE REFUSE TO WORRY… BUT GOD! IF THIS TEST IS GOING TO LEAD US TO PROMOTION, WE MUST WALK BY FAITH TO KNOW GOD IS PREPARING TO BLESS US.
Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
One of the benefits of God’s plan and order is that those that plotted for the LIONS DEN had an appointment made to meet the lions face to face.
GOD PREPARES US FOR THIS DAY BEFORE THIS DAY ARRIVES. WILL WE REALIZE THIS HURT? THIS PAIN? THIS MISUNDERSTANDING? THIS HEART ACHE? THIS BEING EXCLUDED? THIS IS ALL A SEASON OF PREPARATIONAL BLESSINGS… GOD IS READY TO MOVE.
IS THIS GOD PREPARING TO BLESS ME? Joseph had a dysfunctional home? Is this God? He was hated by 10 brothers. Is this God? Thrown in a pit. Is this God? Sold to slave traders. Is this God? Put on a slave block and sold? Is this God? Goes to Potiphar’s house as a slave. Is this God? Accused of rape. Is this God? In jail. Is this God? Forgotten in jail. Is this God? YES, GO IS PREPARING JOSEPH.
Genesis 41:37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
MY BROTHERS, ALL THIS BAD STUFF WAS GOOD STUFF THAT PREPARED US… GOD KEEPS THE 70 FAMILIES MEMBERS ALIVE WHEN THERE WAS NO WAY… NO WAY? BUT GOD’S WAY.
Genesis 50:19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
CONCLUSION: Divine elevation comes by being faithful to your post of duty. Divine promotion comes with hours of constant prayer and surrounding yourself with God’S people. SURE YOU CAN KEEP SCREAMING, FUSSING AND GRIPING BUT THIS WILL NOT KEEP THE ONES THAT LOVE YOU FROM LOVING YOU. BUT YOUR MEAN, SARCASTIC WORDS THAT YOU SCREAM WILL KEEP THEM FROM LOVING THEMSELVES AND GOD’S BLESSINGS. GOD TAKES BAD STUFF TO BUILD HIS CHURCH.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Trust God’s plan…
