SERIES: RECOVERING STOLEN IDENTITY & RECLAIMING MISPLACED DESTINY: PART 3A: DIFFERENCE B/W PREDESTINATION (FATE) & FREE WILL – THE COST OF DESTINY. Genesis 12:1-20: 1 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family and from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4 So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth (oak) tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. 9 So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South. 10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. 12 Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.” 14 So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. 15 The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels. 17 But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.” 20 So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had.
INTRO: RECOVERING STOLEN IDENTITY & RECLAIMING MISPLACED DESTINY: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PREDESTINATION (FATE) & FREE WILL – THE COST OF DESTINY
Series: Recovering Your Stolen Identity & Reclaiming Your Misplaced Destiny. 1) The Introduction: Difference B/W Identity & Destiny. 2) Significance of Destiny Helpers. 3) How To Lose Your Identity (Don’t Sell Your Birthright) (A & B). 4) The Difference Between Predestination (Fate) And Free Will – The Cost Of Destiny.
IDENTITY THEFT IN THE REAL WORLD.
1. Secular Identity Theft: Deceitful / unauthorized use of a person's private info for gains.
2. Spiritual Identity Theft: When Satan distorts the image of God in us that leads to destiny.
ABOUT STOLEN IDENTITY AND MISPLACED DESTINY AMONG GOD’S PEOPLE.
1. Identity: Answers The Question: ‘Who has God called you to be?’
2. Destiny: Answers The Question: ‘What has God called you to do?’
3. Summary: So Our Identity Leads To Our Destiny. Without knowing who you are, you cannot reach your destiny. You must say “yes” to God – accept Him as Lord and Savior. Or you will definitely not know where you are headed.
ESAU’S BIRTHRIGHT - THE SEVEN BLESSINGS OF ABRAHAM (GENESIS 12:1-3)
1. Blessing 1 (Gen. 12:1 ........ Unto A Land That I Will Shew Thee).
2. Blessing 2 (Gen. 12:2 ……. And I Will Make Of Thee A Great Nation...)
3. Blessing 3 (Gen. 12:2 ....... And I Will Bless Thee.)
4. Blessing 4 (Gen. 12:2 ....... And Make Thy Name Great.)
5. Blessing 5 (Gen. 12:2 ....... And Thou Shalt Be A Blessing).
6. Blessing 6 (Gen. 12:3 ……. And I Will Bless Them That Bless Thee).
7. Blessing 7 (Gen. 12:3 ……. And In Thee Shall All Families Of The Earth Be Blessed).
FROM ESAU TO US…
1. Do Not Sell God’s Promises. You may not have it now but God’s promise will deliver it.
2. Do Not Sell Your Priesthood. Your direct access to God.
3. Do Not Sell Your Power. Your authority and power in the Holy Ghost.
WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT PREDESTINATION (FATE) AND FREE WILL
1. Fate – We Have No Choice (Predestination, Fatalism, Predeterminism): Defined as something that unavoidably befalls a person or that which is inevitably predetermined - nothing you can do about it. "Whatever will be, will be." If God has planned a beautiful life for you, it will happen no matter what and nothing you do can change it. Also if God has planned a bad end for you, there is nothing you can do to change it. Fatalism is a major premise of Islam & Hinduism. Theologians like John Calvin and St. Augustine promoted the doctrine of predestination – that God has predestinated some to salvation and others to destruction. For me, this belief system is flawed, unfair, bias, unbiblical, dishonors God and His Love and respect for human dignity. It implies that the God who created us in His image, holds us responsible for what He has puppeteered us to be. If this belief system is true, then there is no need for prayer, fasting, trust in God, or even going to church? Then why would Jesus even need to come to earth to save us?
2. Free Will – We Have A Choice In God’s Destiny For Us: This means God has a plan for my life per Jeremiah 29:11, but it requires my cooperation to make it come to pass. Man was created with the ability to make choices and he is responsible for those choices. Adam’s fall was not a predetermined event in which he was powerless victim of a Puppet-Master. On the contrary, Adam & Eve had the ability to choose obedience (with its attendant blessing) or disobedience (with its consequent curse). They knew what the result of their decision would be, and they were held accountable (Genesis 3). This accountability for choices continues throughout Scripture: Pro. 22:8a “He who sows wickedness reaps trouble”. Pro. 14:23 “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty”. Often, when the Bible speaks of destiny, it’s in reference to a destiny people have brought upon themselves: Philip. 3:18-19 “Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction”. Rev. 20:13 “Each person was judged according to what he had done”. We sin because we choose to. We can’t blame “Fate” or God. James 1:13-14: “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” Scripture also teaches that we must choose to have faith. John 20:27 “Be not faithless, but believing”. As a Christian, I must choose to believe God because “faith comes by hearing.” Summary: God is in charge, but He has given us the freedom to obey or disobey Him.
1 PETER 2:9: FIVE WAYS OF DESCRIBING OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST
1 Peter 2:9-10: 9 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. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1. We Are A Chosen Race: 1 Pet. 2:9 You Are A Chosen Race. Not color but a new people.
2. We Are A Royal Priest: 1 Pet. 9: You are a …royal priesthood. You have immediate access.
3. We Are Holy: 1 Pet. 2:9: You are a …holy nation. Set apart for God & exist for Him only.
4. We Are God's People / Possession: 1 Pet. 2:9, 10: You are God's possession. God owns us.
5. We Have Been Given Mercy: 1 Pet. 2:10b: "…You had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." God saw us in our sin, guilt & condemnation and had mercy on us.
PEOPLE THAT CHANGED THEIR SITUATIONS IN THE BIBLE THROUGH PRAYER.
Many People Changed Their Story Through Serious Prayer. Prayer changes all things. No miracle is a product of sluggishness. Many people still think that manna will fall from heaven as it did in the olden days, but nay, it will not. Those that sought God for change in their life include:
1. Jacob: Genesis 32:25-29 “Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks. But he said, I will not let You go unless You bless me! So He said to him, What is your name? He said, Jacob. And He said, Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed. Then Jacob asked, saying, Tell me Your name, I pray. And He said, Why is it that you ask about My name? And He blessed him there.”
2. Hannah: 1 Samuel 1:10-20 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine.” “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief. Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him. She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”
3. Jabez: Chronicles 4:9-10 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
SUMMARY FROM ABRAHAM: 4 (FOUR) THINGS ABOUT KNOWING YOUR DESTINY
Genesis 12:1-4: God calls Abram to leave his family and home to a future that He had for him. He didn’t tell Abram what it was. Abram took a step of faith and trusted God. 4 Things About Destiny:
1. Your Destiny Will Be Costly. Gen. 12:1: Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you." Abram had to leave everything he knew for the promise he could not see. God didn’t give him clear directions. He just told him to leave & start walking. As we start our walk with Christ, it’s important we realize it is a walk of faith. We don’t know all that the future holds for us but we know who holds the future.
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. As you start this new walk with Christ, it is going to cost you something. You might not be able to go hang out with the same people you used to hang out with, or be able to do the things you used to do. You might have to change some relationships as a result of this decision. I promise you, it’s worth it.
Destiny Is Very Costly
a) Jesus: Matthew 4:1-2 1 Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit as he left the Jordan River. The Spirit led him while he was in the desert, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for 40 days. During those days Jesus ate nothing, so when they were over, he was hungry. 13 After the devil had finished tempting Jesus in every possible way, the devil left him until another time. 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Ghost, and the news about him spread throughout the surrounding country. When We Start Off As Christians - After Repenting, Getting Baptized, having sins forgiven, receiving the Holy Spirit - we feel that nothing can stop us. But then we go through struggles, periods of dryness, where we are just trying to survive - in marriage, relationships, careers, statuses, health, finances - but don’t understand why God allows them. Jesus’ destiny began in the desert. There He learned to rely on God intimately, developed awareness of who He was and where he was headed. We want to get to God’s destiny for us, but we don’t like how He’s taking us there.
b) Israel: Exodus 13:17-18 17 When Pharaoh drove the people out of Egypt, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was the shortest way. God said, “If they have to fight, they might change their minds and go back to Egypt.” 18 So God led them through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites were dressed for fighting when they left the land of Egypt. We Always Look For The Shortest Cut. Yet God knows the shortest way is never the best way, especially when it comes to fulfilling His purpose for our lives! The Israelites thought they were ready to fight and ready to take the Promised Land, but God knew they weren’t ready to fight because they still had a very superficial relationship with Him. We must understand that just because we feel like we’re ready, that doesn’t mean we have the character, inner strength, or faith to be more than conquerors just yet (Romans 8).
c) Israel: Exodus 16:2-3, 6-8 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Our Destiny Takes Shape In The Desert, But Too Often We Avoid, resent and isolate ourselves in the desert. Two responses we can have: turn to God or turn against God. If you’ve found yourself more resentful, grumbling more, complaining more, envying others more, blaming more, turning to the flesh more, then that only exposes how uncommitted you are, and feelings & people mean more to you than God.
2. God Will Fulfill Your Destiny. Genesis 12:2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. We see God making it clear to Abram that HE GOD would accomplish His part - “I will” make you a great nation and “I will” bless you. Song: “My Lord Who Began It.”
The World Says:
? Creation: Impossible to create “something from nothing,” God produced cosmos (Genesis 1).
? Sarah Conceives: It’s impossible for a woman in her old age (80-90) to give birth, yet that’s how God Blessed Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 17).
? Animal Speaks: Impossible for Animals to speak – Balaam’s donkey spoke (Numbers 22).
? Red Sea: That there was no way that the Israelites walked across the Red Sea or the Jordan River on Dry Ground, yet the evidence tells a different story (Exodus 14, Joshua 14).
? Sun Stops: There is no way to make the sun, moon and stars stand still, but scientist are trying to figure out why there is a day missing in the celestial clock (Joshua 10).
? Not To Mention: Making an ax head float (2 Kings 6); raising children from the dead (1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 4); feeding a crowd with only a little grain (2 Kings 4), Healing the blind (2 Kings 6), and healing the sick (2 Kings 5, Isaiah 38). Few miracles in the OT not the NT.
There Are Daily Disciplines we need to do in our lives, but we can rest assured God is faithful to complete the work He began in us. Eph. 3:20: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
3. Your Destiny Is Not For You Alone. Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Once we give our lives to Christ, everything changes. Not only do we change, but as a result, those who know us see the change in us. They will begin to ask you what is different.
That Is Why God Blesses People – Blessed To Be A Blessing
? Joseph: Blessed To Deliver Israel.
? Elijah: Blessed To Heal Others And Save Lives.
? Elisha: Given Double Portion To Save Lives.
? Jesus: Came To Save And Then Was Elevated.
? Paul: Saved To Reach The Gospel To Others.
? Moses: Saved To Save Others.
? The 4 Lepers: Discovered Food To Reach A Starving Nation.
? Mary: Given Jesus To Share With The World.
The Law Of The Harvest
? You Will Always Reap What You Sow. The harvest is the result of what you sow. Gal. 6: The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Remember: “A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. (you get to decide what kind of crop you want to reap). People object to this bible passage: Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
? The Harvest is a Process. Galatians 6: “Do not grow weary in well doing”. Don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up…. Your harvest will not happen over night. It will take time. Blessings come through understanding your harvest. Mark 4:26-32 Then Jesus said, "God’s kingdom is like seed thrown on a field by a man who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows—he has no idea how it happens. The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. When the grain is fully formed, he reaps—harvest time! Matt. 25:34-40 NKJ 34. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35. for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36. I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37. “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38. When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39. Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40. And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it
When Abram Said Yes To God, God changed the destiny of his family and the rest of his generations to come. Through you, many will come to know Christ. It might be your family, or those that work with you. It might even be your neighbors or people you know on social media. Whoever it might be, let them know what God has done in your life because you never know - something you might say to someone could be just what they need to hear that day.
4. Your Destiny Depends On Choices You Make. Genesis 12:4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him... At the end of the day, it was Abraham’s choice to say yes or no. If he had said no, he would have missed out on all that God had for him.
Making The Right Choice - Lot's Choice Led To:
? War - Gen 14:11 2. Kidnapping - Gen 14:12
? Oppression and torment by the citizens of Sodom - 2Pet 2:7-8; Gen 19:1-11
? Loss of all his material wealth - Gen 19:15-16,24-25
? The death of his wife - Gen 19:17,26
? The shame of incest with his daughters - Gen 19:30-36
? All these things happened despite the fact that Lot himself was a righteous person - 2Pet 2:7-8
What Choices Do We Make That Greatly Affect Our Lives?
? The one that will affect your life more than any other: THE CHOICE TO FOLLOW JESUS! It will determine your place in eternity
? Choosing your CAREER
? Choosing your MATE
? Choosing your FRIENDS. Having close friends can be a wonderful blessing - Prov 17:17. But the wrong friends can be a curse for the righteous - Prov 12:26; 1Cor 15:33
? Choosing WHERE YOU WILL LIVE. It was in this choice that Lot made his mistake. It might just be there are some modern-day "Sodoms" and "Gomorrahs"!
How Can We More Likely Make The Right Choice?
? Ask God for wisdom - James 1:5-8
? Seek advice from others - Prov 11:14; 12:15
? Discuss your alternatives with older, mature Christians
? Consult the wisdom found in the Bible (especially in a book like Proverbs)
? Whatever you do, do it for the Lord's sake - Ps 37:5-6, 23-26; Jam 4:15
Each Of Us Has A Choice. We have a choice on whether or not we say yes to Jesus. Asking Jesus to come into your heart is only the first step on a life long journey of trusting Him and saying yes to all that He has for us. There will be moments when you might doubt God or wonder why He is asking you to give up something, but take time to look at all that He has done in your life and let your faith rest on His Word and His promises to you.
5 TRUTHS ABOUT DESTINY WE MUST UNDERSTAND.
1. Biblical Destiny Is Communicated To People By God: Biblical destiny is not a person’s good idea. Destiny doesn’t originate from within us. It is not generated by our desires or ideas. We may want to be many things in life, but if we submit to God, then His destiny for us is what is fulfilled. I wanted to be a medical doctor, then a professor, then a journalist, then a musician. Look at where I am today – not even on my list. None of these ideas weren’t wrong in themselves / none of them were bad desires. It’s just not what destiny is all about. Example: Moses learned the same thing: Raised in Egypt until 40. Great idea to deliver Israel but it was God’s way that prevailed and 40 years after in a burning bush experience in a desert far from Egypt. But Moses had to say yes. Once you say yes, the course is set in spite of problems, it will be fulfilled. Isaiah 55:8 “…My ways are far beyond anything you can imagine…”
2. Biblical Destiny Is Not About The Individual. God chooses people to be channels for His plans. But Destiny is not all about you or the individual - it’s all about God and what He wants to do through the individual. We are simply channels for the purposes of God to flow through. Why doesn’t God just choose angel to carry out his plans? God uses people because God’s priority is about relationships. Destiny is first a relational issue before it becomes a reality. This is why God doesn’t need superstar players on His team. I Corinthians 1:27-29 “…God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish…he chose those who are powerless…He chose those things despised…” God chooses people who are not qualified: Moses, Gideon, Abraham, 12 disciples. Since God’s destiny is not about the individual and the creation of superstars, He calls imperfect people. Hey, this means we all qualify!
3. Biblical Destiny Is For The Blessing Of A Larger Focus. God always has a larger plan He wants fulfilled. God calls individuals, but his plans affect the masses. Individuals simply channel the larger plan of God. E.g. God called Moses, yet it delivered a nation. God called David to be King and it unified a nation. Jesus called 12 men, and it changed the world. Do you see a pattern? God has a calling upon this church to bring restoration to lives, marriages, freedom to those that are prisoners to all kinds of addictions, hope to those who are hopeless to reconnect with God, to be channels of blessing to a community so that it can be exalted! Looks impossible. But God doesn’t give us destiny that is easily accomplished or attainable through our wisdom and resources. Zechariah 4:6 “…It is not by force nor by strength, but by My Spirit…”
4. Biblical Destiny Is A Life Altering Experience. God’s destiny changes the direction of your life. It is impossible to keep living life the same if you embrace God’s calling on your life. E.g. The Disciples: Luke 5:10-11 “…Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!’ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.” Luke 5:27-28 “…He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax-collecting booth. ‘Come be My disciple!’ Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him.” Are you willing to let go your life in order to follow where Jesus takes you? Do you really believe that your plans are better than God’s? God always empowers people to do what He calls them to do. When we resist God, the Holy Spirit is quenched / grieved in our lives. He’s hindered. Ephesians 4:30 “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live.
5. Biblical Destiny Requires Obedience To Experience Fulfillment. Biblical destiny is a conditional promise. Experiencing the fulfillment of God’s destiny for us requires our cooperation. We can forfeit God’s destiny for our lives individually and corporately. E.g. Samson (Judges 13:5); King Saul (I Sam. 10:24); Jeroboam (I Kings 11:31, 38). God’s destiny is only realized as we walk in God’s way. We must realize that it is conditional based upon our response. The journey is just as important to God. Why? Because there are lessons to be learned along the way. Lessons about God, how He works, how we relate to Him, how we represent Him, how we draw on His power, how we stay connected to Him when trials come…
SOME THINGS GUARANTEED TO KILL YOUR DESTINY
1. Failing To Understand Your Purpose: Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. To discover how God wants to use your life, first know why you were created.
2. Failing To Understand The Rules Of War: God desires to kill your old man. 2 Cor. 4:11-12 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. Satan desires to kill your destiny. 1 Pet. 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Know you’re in a spiritual battle & use your authority to overcome.
3. Sin Within You Becomes The Open Door For The Enemy: Jesus had no sin in his life. John 14:29-31 “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” Satan has a legal right to sift you if there is any sin in your life. Open door is a place where we allow Satan to make us bitter, angry, unforgiving, etc. Review your life and see if there are open doors that the enemy could still have access to your life.
4. Unbiblical View Of Work & Ministry: We often struggle to find spiritual meaning in the daily routine of work. Col. 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”. Your work should be viewed as worship.
5. Living By Programs & Principles Alone. Programmed living can be beneficial because it gives people focus. But living by the power of the Holy Spirit shows a heart that fears God. Give and yield your life to Jesus Christ and let the Holy Spirit lead you instead of programs & principles.
6. Failure To Understand & Withstand Satan’s Three Pillars Of Entrapment: Passion. Possessions. Position. Satan has no new strategies to stop us but the old. 1 John 2:16-17 For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 Cor. 16:9: For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” Make sure you are accountable to someone.
7. Summary: Ecclesiastes 7: 15 In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness. 16 Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise - why destroy yourself? 17 Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool - why die before your time? 18 It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.
HOW TO FIND AND FULFILL YOUR DESTINY
1. Consider Why It’s Important To Start Living According To Your Destiny. Living out your destiny will give you greater fulfillment, direction, stability, significance, identity, and provision in your life. Don’t settle for less than the best God has for you, which is to find and fulfill your destiny every day that you live.
2. Don’t Confuse Busyness With Purpose. While it’s noble to be busy working for God, make sure that you’re seeking God’s will for your work rather than just jumping into activities that seem to be worthwhile. Too often, people spend their time and energy on activities that are good but don’t reflect God’s purposes for their lives. Decide to seek God’s guidance for your life every day.
3. Measure What You Do According To What God Has Created You To Do. Consider whether or not to pursue certain activities on the basis of how they will or won’t help you fulfill your destiny. Keep in mind that your destiny is “the customized life calling God has ordained and equipped you to accomplish in order to bring Him the greatest glory and achieve the maximum expansion of His kingdom.”
4. View Yourself As God Sees You. God has created you to be a masterpiece, and that’s how He sees you. As a masterpiece, you are: rare, special, valuable, named, and known. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of that every day, to help you live with confidence.
5. Seek God’s Kingdom First In Your Life. Place your relationship with God at the center of your life and revolve everyone and everything else around it. Once you start making it your top priority to pursue God, you won’t have to struggle to find your destiny, because God will reveal it to you in the context of your growing relationship with Him. So make God the central focus of your thoughts, actions, desires, time, talents, and treasures, and expect Him to make miracles out of even the messes in your life.
6. Don’t Distinguish Between Sacred And Secular Work. Realize that God has called all believers in all professions to advance His kingdom on Earth through their work. God can use your work in any field to accomplish powerful goals that have eternal value. Make a commitment to God that you will do all of your work – whatever it is – with excellence to serve Him every day. View yourself in the workplace as one of God’s ambassadors.
7. Trust In God’s Sovereignty. Since nothing happens to you without God allowing it to happen and God is all-powerful and completely loving, God has a good purpose for allowing every difficult circumstance into your life. Whenever you experience something confusing or hurtful, choose to trust God in the midst of the situation, and ask Him to show you how to respond to it in ways that best fulfill His purposes.
8. Ask God To Reveal Your Passion And Help You Connect It With Eternity. God has created with you with specific desires and motivations; paying attention to those will help you discover what you’re passionate about. Ask yourself questions such as: “What captures my attention the most?” “What makes me feel alive?” “What would I choose to do if I could do any kind of work?” Once you’ve identified what you’re passionate about, consider how your passion connects to eternal values, such as those that the Bible describes. Pray about your passion, asking God to show you how you can pursue it in ways that will expand His kingdom on Earth.
9. Move Forward One Step At A Time. Don’t wait to act on the guidance that God gives you about how to fulfill your destiny. God’s guidance will often come gradually, rather than in a dramatic vision that shows you everything you should do far into the future. Rather than letting your partial understanding limit you, respond to God on the basis of what you do know, trusting that God will continue to guide you step by step to encourage you to stay closely connected to Him.
10. Develop And Use Your Natural Talents And Spiritual Gifts. Ask God to help you identify the talents He has given you to use in the world and the gifts He has given you to use in the church. Once you know what these are, aim to use them as fully as you can every day, and as you serve you will be fulfilling your destiny in the process.
11. Make The Most Of Your Time. Every day that God gives you on Earth contains valuable opportunities for you to fulfill your destiny as much as you can. So maximize your time by presenting yourself as a living sacrifice for God every day, ready to say “yes” to whatever He may call you to do.
12. Commit Yourself Fully To God. Rather than pursuing your own plans, seek God’s will and do your best to follow it in every part of your life, without holding anything back. You can best do this by inviting the Holy Spirit to renew your mind daily, empowering you to replace thoughts that don’t reflect God’s truth with ones that do.
13. Cooperate With God As He Trains You To Depend On Him. Don’t fight God’s efforts to strip you of self-sufficient habits that negate the healthy dependency God wants you to develop on Him. Keep in mind that you can do much more while depending on God than you can ever do on your own. Recognize that your destiny will always be bigger than you, so you must learn how to rely on God to help you fulfill it.
14. Develop A Lifestyle Of Worship. When you approach every situation in your life with an attitude of worship (honoring God), you will start to recognize God at work in your life and position yourself to hear from the Holy Spirit regularly, which will help you fulfill your destiny.
15. Aim To Work For God’s Glory Rather Than Your Own. Keep in mind that the ultimate purpose of fulfilling your destiny is for God to be glorified on Earth, leading people to seek Him and find salvation and redemption through Him. Check your motives for your work regularly. Ask God to root selfish motives out of your life and keep you focused on what matters most for eternity: serving God.
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
1. Your Destiny Will Be Costly.
2. God Will Fulfill Your Destiny.
3. Your Destiny Is Not For You Alone.
4. Your Destiny Depends On Choices You Make.
THE AARONIC BLESSINGS
Numbers 6:23–27: 24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 27 “So shall the name of the Lord be upon you and bless you. Amen.
