Pivotal Seasons and Promotion from Heaven

Pivotal Seasons and Promotion from Heaven:

We often find ourselves in pivotal seasons, moments when God is orchestrating significant shifts in our lives. These are times of divine alignment, where the hand of God is actively moving to position us for His purposes. It is during these periods that a posture of humility becomes paramount, allowing God to work freely and elevate us in His perfect timing. The Lord promises to exalt those who humble themselves under His mighty hand.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” — 1 Peter 5:6 (KJV)

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our elevation comes not from our own striving but from a surrendered heart. By submitting to God’s authority and trusting His process, we create an environment for Him to manifest His plans and bring us into a season of flourishing.

The Fivefold Ministry and God’s Resources

God has established various ministries—apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher—to equip and perfect the saints. These are not merely titles but divinely appointed functions designed to minister to the body of Christ. When we embrace exposure to all facets of the fivefold ministry, we open ourselves to the fullness of what Jesus intended to give us, allowing His team and resources to address our challenges and guide us forward.

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” — Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV)

This scripture highlights the purpose of these gifts: to mature believers and build up the church. Understanding that God deploys these ministry gifts into our lives provides comfort and assurance that we are not alone in our journey but are supported by His divine provisions.

Hearing God’s Voice and Living from Your Sheep Nature

A crucial aspect of walking with God is learning to discern His voice. Just as sheep know their shepherd’s voice, so too do God’s children recognize His leading. This clarity develops as we live out of our “sheep nature”—a disposition of dependence, trust, and obedience, as opposed to a “goat nature” characterized by willfulness and independence. Cultivating this sheep-like dependence is the most vital step in hearing God with precision.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” — John 10:27 (KJV)

Jesus assures us that His sheep are intimately familiar with His voice. Embracing our identity as His sheep means cultivating a spirit of attentiveness and responsiveness, allowing His divine guidance to shape our paths and illuminate His will for our lives.

From Hiddenness to Flourishing

There are seasons in our spiritual walk that feel like periods of hiddenness—times of quiet cultivation, preparation, and perhaps even feeling unseen. Like a seed planted in the soil, these moments of darkness and quiet growth are essential for development. However, these seasons are temporary. God brings us through these periods of preparation into a glorious season of flourishing, where what has been cultivated in secret is revealed in abundance.

“For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” — Luke 12:2 (KJV)

This verse speaks to the eventual unveiling of all things. Our season of hiddenness is not a time of abandonment but a time of intentional development, where God is preparing us for greater visibility and fruitfulness. The quiet work He does within us during these times will ultimately lead to a powerful manifestation of His purpose.

Cultivating Empathy and Discernment

God often leads us through experiences that cultivate a deep well of empathy within us, allowing us to connect with and minister to others who are facing similar challenges. Our time in the “wilderness” is not in vain; it equips us with the understanding and compassion necessary to guide others. Alongside empathy, God refines our spirit of discernment, enabling us to recognize authenticity—both in His anointing and in the character of ministries. Just as a banker learns to identify counterfeit currency by knowing the authentic, we learn to discern truth by immersing ourselves in God’s genuine presence.

“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” — Hebrews 5:14 (KJV)

This scripture emphasizes the importance of developed spiritual senses for discernment. Our experiences, particularly those that require empathy, sharpen our ability to distinguish between what is truly of God and what is not. This refined discernment is critical for navigating the spiritual landscape and remaining aligned with God’s authentic moving.

Quiet Resilience and Abundant Harvest

God is imbuing His people with a quiet resilience, a profound strength that is essential for the next steps in His calling. This is not a superficial work but a meticulous, intricate process where God, like a watchmaker, is fine-tuning our God-given qualities: our ability to listen, to feel deeply, and to extend grace where it is least expected. All of this preparation is designed to fully equip us for the abundant harvest He is preparing us to interact with. Our focus must remain on this harvest—the arena where God’s call on our lives will be walked out, bringing edification, exhortation, and comfort to many.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” — Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

This verse provides encouragement to persevere in our faithful endeavors, assuring us that a harvest awaits those who do not give up. The quiet resilience God is building within us empowers us to endure and ultimately partake in the abundant spiritual harvest He has ordained.

Reflection and Review

This message highlights God’s intentional work in our lives, moving us through seasons of preparation to times of flourishing. It emphasizes the importance of humility, discerning His voice, developing empathy, and cultivating quiet resilience. The overarching theme is God’s unwavering commitment to equip and empower us for His purposes, bringing us into greater spheres of influence where we can minister His truth and comfort to others.

Call to Action

• Embrace Humility: Consciously humble yourself under God’s mighty hand, trusting His timing for exaltation.
• Seek Divine Guidance: Prioritize learning to hear God’s voice by cultivating a “sheep nature” of trust and obedience.
• Cultivate Empathy: Lean into experiences that build compassion, understanding that these refine your ability to minister to others.
• Develop Discernment: Ask God to sharpen your spiritual senses to discern authenticity in all areas of your life and ministry.
• Fix Your Gaze on the Harvest: Keep your eyes on the spiritual harvest God has called you to, recognizing that your preparation is for the purpose of bringing edification, exhortation, and comfort to others.