Destiny Decisions
20 May 2007
1. Introduction:
· Ephesians 2:10 - “We are His workmanship created in Jesus Christ unto good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”.
· Before the foundation of the world you were in God’s mind – He planned your life.
· Your destiny is God’s destination for you and your own faith journey towards that destination.
· Your part is to discover and live out God’s desired destiny for you.
· Achieving your destiny involves discovering God, His purpose and fulfilling it.
· It is a process and it is an exciting journey.
· The surest way to miss it is to spend your life pleasing others.
· 2 Timothy 4:7 - Example of Paul – “I have finished my course”.
2. Destiny Decisions:
Choices you make that enable you to fulfill you God-given destiny.
I. Let go past hurts – Say “No” to bitterness and Negativeness:
· Hebrews 12:15 - “Look carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God, rest any rest of bitterness springing up cause trouble and by this many become defiled”
· Two issues that will hinder you fulfilling your destiny.
a) Unresolved hurts / trauma
b) Wrong believes about yourself and about life.
· Every person experiences disappointment / Grief but these do not determine destiny.
· Unforgiveness hold you to your past and defile your present and steals your future.
· When people are hurt they form negative beliefs and expectations.
· Proverbs 23:7 - “As a man thinks in his heart so he is”.
· You must say no to bitterness, unforgiveness and negative beliefs.
· Examples:
a) 2 Samuel 6:16-23 - Michal missed her destiny - BITTER
b) 2 Samuel 6:14 - David fulfilled his destiny - FREE
II. Take personal responsibility – Say “No” to the Blame-game / Victim Mentality.
· Romans 14:10-12 - “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God’.
· God holds us personally responsible for our thoughts, attitudes, motives, words, actions.
· Blame: place the responsibility upon someone else.
· Victim mentality: Not my fault, I am not responsible, couldn’t help it.
· Fulfilling destiny requires we take full responsibility for our life.
· Assuming responsibility empowers you to change, move forward.
· 1 Corinthians 3:8 - “…each one will receive his own reward according to own labour”.
· Examples:
a) 1 Samuel 15:20-21 - Saul missed his destiny – blamed others.
b) 1 Samuel 24:10 - David took responsibility – fulfilled his destiny.
III. Pursue Excellence - Say “No” to Mediocrity / Hold Heartedness.
· Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men”.
· Mediocre = barely adequate, moderate to inferior in quality.
· Fulfilling destiny requires a commitment to passion and excellence.
· Excel = to go beyond a limit or standard, o rise high, distinguish self.
· Every person has a strength to cultivate.
· Personal choice to resist “She’ll be right attitude” and to commit to excel.
· May not be gifted but excellence is an attitude of ‘rising high’.
· Proverbs 10:4 - He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but a hand of diligence makes rich”.
· Examples:
a) Revelation 3:14-16 - missed destiny, luke warm.
b) Daniel 6:1-4 - Daniel, fulfilled destiny – excellent spirit.
IV. Develop Character - Say “No” to compromise.
· Romans 8:29 - “…He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son..”
· Character is the collection of tracks that form the type of person you are.
· Your gift can open doors for you but only character keeps you there.
· Character => What you are and behave like when no one is looking.
· E.G. Honesty, Integrity, Purity, Faithfulness, Determination, Courage.
· Character is built daily in small decisions no one sees.
· Examples:
a) 2 Kings 5:20-27 - Gehazi – missed his destiny – greed
b) Daniel 3:17-18 - Daniel’s friend fulfilled destiny – courage.
V. Pursue vital Relationships - Say “No” to isolation / independence.
· Proverbs 13:20 - “He who walks with wise men will be wise, companion of fools will be destroyed”.
· Those closest to you determine the direction and outcome of your life.
· One most important aspect s in defining future is the relationships you embrace.
· Every relationship is taking you somewhere.
· God links you with people to assist you fulfill your purpose.
· Pursue vital relationships that stir, bring out the best e.g. mentors.
· Examples:
a) 2 Timothy 4:10 - Demas - missed his destiny – abandoned his mentor.
b) 1 King 19:19-21 - Elisha – fulfilled his destiny – pursued his mentor.
VI. Develop a Plan Say “No” to drifting.
· Proverbs 29:17 - “Where there is no revelation the people cast of restraint”.
· Without vision you have no clear direction and miss vital opportunities.
· Destiny must be translated into goals that give steps to work on.
· Most important commodity in life is TIME – goals from your time and energy.
· Proverbs 21:5 - “Plans of diligent lead surely to plenty”.
· Examples:
a) Proverbs 22:3 - Simple man misses destiny – fails to plan ahead.
b) 1 Corinthians 4:17 - Paul fulfilled destiny – had planning.
VII. Cultivate Intimacy with God – say “No” to Religion:
· Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…He will direct your path”.
· A Key to intimacy is trust – becoming vulnerable and open heart to obey.
· Develop lifestyle of prayer and Word of God to be open to the Holy Spirit’s leadings and directions.
· Example:
a) Matthew 23:13 - Pharisees
b) Acts 13:36 - David – fulfilled destiny.