Don't Waste Your Valley

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James 1:2–18 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Introduction

Trials, Pain, Grief, and Struggle comes to us all. I don’t care what your race, familial pedigree, socio-economic status, any profession, or political contact that you have; you can’t avoid them. At some point in your life you will come to face with one or more of them. You can’t “Name It and Claim It” or “Deny and Ignore” them away. You can’t even count on your Divinely Appoint and Anointed Pastor, Your Faithful Mother, Father, Grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle or Aunt to pray or fast you out. You can’t escape any circumstance allowed by the Permissive Will of GOD.

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Beloved, I learned some thirty years ago, that I still struggle with to this day. Church, we service an omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (all place at once), and omnipotent (all powerful) GOD. I also learned, at the same time, we also serve a Sovereign GOD. I must also admit that, at the time of learning of this, I had a juvenile understanding of what GOD’s sovereignty meant.

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As I matured in life, through a relationship with GOD through Christ Jesus, I have come through a sobering reality. Child of GOD, I have a problem with this aspect of God. Yea, I said it. I have a problem with it. Don’t look at me funny. I just said what you were thinking, but were ashamed to think it, or say it. Please allow me to explain quickly, as not to sound sacrilegious, and be run out of this house of worship.

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Family, I must admit that all that GOD does it right, but not all that GOD allows to happen in my life sits well with me. For example, GOD choice to heal my maternal grandparents, my maternal grandmother, my auntie/mama (my aunt who raised me) , and my brousin (cousin by blood but brothers by choice) in death was right, but it wasn’t alright with me. I wanted them to attend my wedding, attend my ordination, be by my side as I experience fatherhood (if bless by GOD at some point), etc.… But GOD…. But GOD…But GOD had other plans. My desire to have more time with them was in direct conflict with the sovereign decision of the MASTER.

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I must admit that this “But GOD” didn’t make put a shout in my feet and didn’t make me want to shout Hallelujah. Instead, it left me, at one-point, contemplating suicide. Instead shouting “Thank you GOD” I was shouting “Why GOD, Why”! This “But GOD” sent me falling into a bottomless pit of depression.

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Church, if there are some undercover suffers who present (physically or virtually) in this Palace of Peace, Coliseum of Comfort, and Place of Worship… This message is for you. GOD has not abandoned you or forgotten you. GOD has sent me home today to remind you Morning Star to help you navigated and understand His Sovereign Permissive Will!!

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We are used to GOD Providential Will provides:

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· Manna from Heaven-Exodus 16

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· Lead by Cloud by day and pillar of fire by night-Exodus 14

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· Feeds 5000-Matthew 14

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· Turns Water into Wine-John 2

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· Provide you with a car you wanted when your credit so bad that you can’t get a free sample at the local supermarket.

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· Provide you with a job that you weren’t initially qualified for, but you find favor in the eyes of your supervisor, so they promote you and pay for you to further your education.

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Church, we are good with GOD’s Providential Will. When GOD Providential Will is at work everyday is a day of Thanksgiving. When GOD’s Providential Will is at work it is Christmas every day. When GOD’s Providential will is at work it is easy to always have a praise report on your lips, a dance in your feet, and a clap in your hands. We love GOD’s Providential Will…but I got one more question for you.

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Can you keep that same energy when it comes to living with what GOD’s Permissive Will allows to come into your life? GOD’s Permissive Will is were GOD, who does not cause confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), will allow for trials and discomfort to befall us. You don’t believe me? Allow me to give you example.

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· Moses and the Children of Israel trapped at the Red Sea with Pharaoh on their heels, and nowhere to run. (Exodus).

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· Job, a just and upright man losses his children, wealth and health (book of Job)

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· Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abed-nego) who were bound and tossed in the fiery furnace for refusing to dishonor GOD by bowing to a graven image set up by the king. (Daniel 3: 1-30)

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· Daniel, who was thrown in the Lion’s Den for praying to GOD (Daniel 6:1-28)

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· Paul and Silas- Wrongfully imprisoned, beaten, chained, and thrown under the jail.

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