4-Part Series: Surviving Seasons of Uncertainty

Synopsis of Part 1: The Significance of Preparation

Delivered by Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III, D.Min.
March 25, 2020

Everything God did in the earth, he prepared for us. God put things in place for man, before he created him. Water, grass, and the Sun was all created, before God created man. God prepares.

This season should expose the critical need for preparation. Preparation is developing a systematic schedule of events to accomplish a spiritual goal. In other words, it’s a plan. As we plan as a child of God, we have to ask God to bring forth his will. We want to line up with His will. God always works with a plan.

I.            THREE WAYS TO RECEIVE A PLAN

1. Through Wise Counsel

1. Isaiah 11:2 (NKJV) 2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.- It is important to know we have to have wise counsel to make strategic plans in this season.
2. John 14:26 (NKJV) 26 But the [a]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. -The Holy Spirit is inside you to bring you to a place where he can teach, navigate, and bring things to remembrance in your life. – This is why it’s important not to be too talkative. Don’t talk so much , that you don’t allow space for a response. We have to make sure we can hear when the Holy Spirit is speaking to us.
3. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) 11 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. – We do what Christ would have us to do.

1. Direct Revelation – This helps us to come into what God wants us to receive.
   1. We allow God to speak to us, sometimes through sermon, and allow God to give us revelation that will guide us to what we are supposed to do next.
2. The Spirit of Wisdom – Wisdom is spiritually, the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. God is looking for wisdom from us in this season.
   1. How do we get wisdom? We ask God for it.
      Scripture References:
      1. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) 11 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. – “God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king,” – If we are like Solomon and we don’t ask for personal gain and we instead ask for wisdom, God will give you what you ask for and in addition what you didn’t ask for.
      2. James 1:5 (NIV) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God.
      3. Isaiah 33:6 (NIV) 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.[a]
      4. Proverbs 3:6 (NIV) 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a]- If we are going to prepare, we have to be in the wisdom of God.
   2. Gods word will get us through this season.

II.            THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING IN THE WILL OF GOD

A.       Scripture References:
Isaiah 55:11 (NIV) 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

1. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. – We often say we have no fear. We say we are not scared of Corona, because we have faith. However, we ask for wisdom, so that we won’t be foolish. In other words, we appropriately apply God’s word to our situation.

III.            BENEFITS OF APPLYING GOD’S WORD

1. It Empties You of Excuses – The word of God will empty you of each excuse you have.
2. It Equips You with the Resource of a Task – How do we do it?
3. It Energizes You with the Grace and Power to Obey God – When you struggle to obey God, it is his word that will sustain you. James 4:8 (NIV) 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
4. It Enriches Your Human Revelation – God’s word sheds light on you as a human being.
5. It Enlarges You as a Reward for Your Obedience – As you obey God, He will enlarge your territory. Its about staying in the will of God.
6. When things get rough, you can’t come up with illegal ways to stay in the will of God. You have to ask God to navigate you into this season.
7. Malachi 3:14-18 (NIV) 14 “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. 17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.- God was so serious during this day. There is a choice you got to make. Are we going to serve God and do his will?
   1. Just because things are getting worse, it doesn’t mean God has changed, nor his standard, or his word.
8. We have to be personal. We must do what God called us to do. Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV) 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.- When you understand God’s thoughts, you will think towards God’s will for your life.
   1. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. – God has a future and a hope for you. His plans for your life has not been postponed or cancelled.
   2. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;- God is going to complete what he started in you.
   3. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) 12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.- God is the Author and Finisher. In otherwords, He completed it, before it was started. He has already worked it out and he is waiting on you to walk it out.
9. Financially -The power of preparation is what we must understand. Proverbs 6:6-11 (NKJV) 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no [a]captain, Overseer or ruler, 8 Provides her [b]supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. 9 How long will you [c]slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— 11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.- What is important is to hear what the prophets are telling you.
   1. Save your money. Now is the time to make financial preparation.
   2. The tithe – The tithe is a contractual arrangement where God will protect you even financially. This is how the tithe protects. When you tithe, you become a Covenant Partner with God. God protects those who are in covenant with him.
      1. Malachi 3:10-11 (NKJV) 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. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;- Bring your tithe into the place where you are being fed the word of God. The reason why our ministry is successful is because people of this ministry tithe. The point is when you tithe, God will rebuke the devour for your sake.
   3. The tithe rebukes the devour. It keeps the Economic Devour from coming to you. This is a moment you should be more a tither and seed sower, than ever before.
      1. Genesis 8:22 (NKJV) 22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and Summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”- Your seed in the ground is critical to this season.

IV.            WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I REFUSE TO SUBMIT MY FINANCES TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

1. I Miss God – We often miss the move of God when we don’t trust God with what he has give to us.
2. I Rob Others – People’s lives depend on what we do. When we don’t support God’s Kingdom, then we prevent blessings to get to some people.
3. I Prove to God that I Cannot be Trusted – We are saying to God, “You can’t trust me to represent the Kingdom”.
4. I Live Off the Sacrifice of Others – When we don’t give, we benefit from the giving of others.
5. I Cause Others to Make Painful Adjustments by Having to Sacrifice Even More – Others have to carry our load instead of the weight of the load being evenly distributed.
6. The word Store House mentioned in Malachi 3 is critical. You need to lay or store some stuff up. 1 Chronicles 26:15-17 (NIV) 15 The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom, and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons. 16 The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah. Guard was alongside of guard: 17 There were six Levites a day on the east, four a day on the north, four a day on the south and two at a time at the storehouse. – This scripture shows that they had a storehouse where they stored things up.
   1. 1 Chronicles 27:27 (NKJV) 27 And Shimei the Ramathite was over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the produce of the vineyards for the supply of wine.
   2. 1 Corinthians 9:19 (NKJV) 19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 2 Chronicles 32:28 (NKJV) 28 storehouses for the harvest of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of livestock, and [a]folds for flocks. – Everyone ought to have a storehouse. In this season, start making wise financial situation.
7. Diversify yourself.
   1. Proverbs 21:20 (NKJV) 20 There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.- When you squander all your money, the bible refers to you as foolish.
   2. Ecclesiastes 11:2 (NKJV) 2 Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth. – Don’t put all your money in one place. You don’t know what might come along next.
8. Nothing catches God off guard. Mark 4:1-9 (NKJV) 4 And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. 2 Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching: 3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds [a]of the air came and devoured it. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no [b]crop. 8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” 9 And He said [c]to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”-This is an example of how we hear the word of God. Think back to all the sermons you’ve heard, prior to this Pandemic happening. God was preparing us. Referring to this scripture, God wants to know, “Has His word fallen on good ground?”. God never lets a Season happen that you are not prepared for.

V.            BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF STORING UP FOR LATER

1. Genesis 41:33 (NKJV) 33 “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. – Joseph tells them how to store up for a season that was to come. Thanks to Joseph, Egypt survived because they had made preparation.

VI.            FOUR THREATS TO PREPARATION

1. Complacency – No foresight, no insight.
2. Self-Reliance- False sense of security: Example, “It won’t happen to me”.
3. Misuse of Spirituality- This is like us saying, “I won’t get screened, because the word says, I won’t get cancer”.
4. Too Busy to Pay Attention to Detail – Have you been paying attention to what God is dropping into your spirit? Now you realize all the stuff you pay for that you don’t need. God want’s you to pay attention to all that you waste.

VII.            THE SIGNS OF A PREPARED PERSON

A.     They Possess Peace

1.       When you are prepared from God, it is evident.

a.       Scripture References:
Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

1. Genesis 41:33 (NIV) 33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.
2. John 14:7 (NIV) 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” – When you are prepared, you have peace. You are not worried.

B.     They Are Not Stressed

1. The Disciples should have been stressed out on the ship, because Jesus was on the ship. don’t
   Scripture Reference: John 14:27 NIV – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

C.     They Are Not Struggling

1. Scripture Reference: Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.-

D.     They Are Not Settling

1. Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV) 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. – God’s promise will manifest, therefore, I refuse to settle.

E.      They Do Not Succumb

1. Scripture Reference: Psalm 91:5-7 NIV – “5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.”- When you prepared, you don’t get stressed

*Speak this over your house.

Psalm 92:5-7 (NKJV) 5 O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. 6 A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this. 7 When the wicked [a]spring up like grass, And when all the workers of iniquity flourish, It is that they may be destroyed forever.- A thousand my fall at your side, and 10,000 at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.

Lay your hand on yourself and say ”it shall not come near me”!!