By Pastor John Mateos Ong
This new series talks about people who had a radical change in their life because of their encounters with God. As you go through this, you will see that God did not only work in the past but He also works in the present as you remember people nowadays who also go through the same.
Moses
Moses was born a Hebrew but because of the killing of babies, he was adopted into pharaoh’s family and was raised as an Egyptian. But eventually, he encountered God because his destiny was not to become a ruler of Egypt but the savior of Israel. Exodus 3:2-3 says, “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” It was in this place where God gave Moses the order to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and he had a radical change.
Paul
Saul was the worst persecutor of Christians during his time. But it was in the road to Damascus where he enountered Jesus and had a radical change.
Acts 9:3-4 says, “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”” Saul knew Jesus was already dead at that time and during this time, he became blind. But when he regained his sight, he became a disciple of Jesus. He was the number one evangelist and was planting churches even to the point of death.
Thomas
Thomas was hardly mentioned in the bible, but this one story made him very famous. All you rememeber about him is that he doubted Jesus’ resurecction.
John 20:25-28 says, “So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”” After this story. Thomas did everything and was willing to die for Jesus.
Peter
The most hot-tempered apostles of Jesus was also the most scared of them all. He was already walking on water and then he got scared. He was also theone who denied Jesus three times, much to his dismay. Luke 22:60-62 says, “Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.” This was his last denial. During the time when he was asked to deny Jesus again, it cost him the life of his wife. He was crucified upside down because he said he was not worthy of dying the same way Jesus died.
Pivotal Moments are those that make your life turn or change. It does not matter how or when; what matters is that you turn for the better. Job 32:6-8 says, “So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: “I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know. I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’ But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.” Pivotal moments defines the difference between people who are simply old and those who grow in wisdom. Physical age and spiritual maturity is very different. It is the pivotal moments or kairos moments that make us mature.
Many people who have grown in age still do not have the right reasoning skills. Their advices are wrong. Chronos is just running time that you cannot stop; you cannot bring it back. Kairos is the moments God gives you so make it count. Pivotal moments are in the kairos moments. That is when you gain in wisdom and you grow in ways that chrosnos moments cannot teach. Sometimes, you force things to happen even if it is not yet the season. The pains and victories are the seasoning of your life.
Life is made up of a series of moments. Each one is a journey to the end. You are not only a moment; you are made up of moments. Everything that you are now is because of something that happened to you in the past. Good or bad, they are who you are. Do you recognize the moment that you are in now?
Leave the season. Philippians 3:14 says, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” You need to leave the past season in order to move on to the next.
Embrace the season. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” You have to give your all in the season you are in.
Enter the season. Deuteronomy 1:28 says, “Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt in fear. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.’ ” If God is asking you to step into a new season, go ahead. Do not be afraid ofthe hindrances you see ahead of you. But be careful because the enemy can also lead you into a new season. The devil is the kiing of the world. He can give you empty promises and false hopes.
2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” How will you decide which season you will enter? Make sure the promises are not just temporary. If a job will cost you your faith, what use is the money you will earn?
How will you know your seasons in life?
Body - practical opportunities (sound financial decisions)
Soul - common sense, advices
Spirit - prayer, peace
Sometimes, God does not speak through the thunder; sometimes He speaks in a small voice, in a whisper. If He is whispering to you, you need to silence yourself and concentrate more.
Principles to remember:
There is a higher purpose in every season.
It is not always obvious.
You have to silence your heart, mind and soul.
Your reaction to these moments will lead to radical change.
Philippians 3:4-8 says, “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ”
circumcised on 8th day
Of the people of Israel
Of the tribe of Benjamin
A Hebrew of He rews
In regard to the law, a Pharisee
As for zeal, persecuting the church
As for righteousness based on the law, faultless
Nothing will compare to the blessing you will receive from Jesus. What season are you in? Are you embracing your season? Are you doing what you need to do?
Comments