Trusting God’s Plan
- Trust in God’s plan, even if it seems different or unconventional.
- The world already perceives Christians as different.
2 Timothy 4:1-8
- Focus on 2 Timothy 4:1-8.
- “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.”
- A time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but will seek teachers who cater to their desires.
- Turn away from the truth and embrace fables.
- Be watchful, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
- Elder Dustin is ready to be offered, the time of departure is at hand.
- Elder Dustin has fought a good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith.
- A crown of righteousness awaits, not only for Elder Dustin but for all who love His appearing.
Personal Reflections and Struggles
- Elder Dustin keeps a notebook by the bed to record thoughts from the Lord.
- Once lost a message by not writing it down immediately.
- Elder Dustin wants strength to fight harder and do more for God.
- It’s easy to quit, walk away, and follow the world’s path.
- Pastors and preachers are charged to preach the word, but lay members also have a responsibility to preach the word and be instant in and out of season.
- Elder Dustin needs help and feels surrounded by the enemy.
- The enemy tempts Elder Dustin to quit and return to a life before Christ.
- Contemplated returning to the world because it seems easier.
- If truly saved, something inside won’t let you quit for life.
- The more the flesh is crucified, the easier it is to do what Christ wants.
- The more disobedient, the easier it becomes to do what one wants.
- Elder Dustin recalled announcing the call to preach and being on fire for God.
- The enemy questioned the call, suggesting to be a teacher instead.
- Elder Dustin listened to the enemy and sat down for over a year.
- Attended church but wasn’t doing what God asked.
- Attending services is meaningless without obedience.
- Brother Danny Greger told Elder Dustin that coming to the altar every Sunday wouldn’t help until Elder Dustin accepted God’s calling.
- Elder Dustin knew all along that God was asking to stand and preach.
- Elder Dustin initially didn’t struggle with the call to preach but later listened to the enemy.
- The enemy suggested stopping after getting what was wanted.
- God doesn’t make mistakes when calling someone to preach.
- It was easy to walk away and listen to the enemy, questioning the call due to a questionable past.
- Elder Dustin was miserable while sitting down, despite attending church.
- The enemy tempted Elder Dustin to quit, suggesting calling Brian and Tommy to cancel commitments.
- Elder Dustin understands the enemy’s tactics and started praying for strength.
- Elder Dustin doesn’t want out of the battle but wants strength to stand and do more for Christ.
- Elder Dustin wants to be concerned about people hearing about Jesus Christ, not personal struggles.
- Many have “tucked tail” and gone home, needing others not to give up.
- Brother Greg’s testimony of walking away from the Lord and feeling conviction upon seeing godly people was mentioned.
- People need to see the preacher and feel conviction from the Holy Ghost.
- Elder Dustin isn’t advocating beating people over the head to drag them to church.
- Things will start happening, and God will get attention.
- If truly saved, people will return.
- The enemy will try to make even those who are faithful quit.
- An older saint said the “hot steamy breath of the enemy” will be on the doorknob when entering heaven.
- The enemy won’t give up, even if you sing, attend church, or preach.
- The enemy will keep coming harder.
- Without strength, reading the Word, prayer, and fellowship, one will walk away.
- James 4:17: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
- Unwillingness to do what God asks is sin.
- Repentance and making things right with God are necessary.
- Serving God one’s own way doesn’t work.
- 1 Corinthians 9 discusses running a race to obtain a prize.
- Run to obtain an incorruptible crown.
- Keep the body under subjection to avoid being a castaway after preaching to others.
- Elder Dustin doesn’t want to boast but wants to run the race with Christ at the head.
- Elder Dustin is tired of being in dark places but understands God’s purpose.
- Even saving one soul is worth it.
- Elder Dustin asks for help with complaining and strength to endure whatever comes.
- If death comes, then going home to heaven.
- Elder Dustin wants to be transparent and honest about struggles.
- Experiencing God’s Spirit provides enough strength to get through to the next time.
- These things are not found when quitting or listening to the enemy.
- God is faithful and knows exactly what He’s doing when one pushes in during hard times.
- Christians with the most bruises are those God can use the most.
- They’ve been through battles and have had to pick themselves up.
- They stand holding the blood-stained banner of Jesus, knowing He won’t fail them.
- If everything was rainbows and unicorns, there would be no need for God.
- When things are good, one prays less.
- When bad things happen, one constantly asks for God’s help.
- God’s desire is for us to strengthen ourselves and grow stronger.
- Things that hinder us: laziness, pride, arrogance.
- The flesh loves these things.
- The enemy knows how to use these things against us.
- The enemy doesn’t fight fair and knows our disadvantages.
- This body is always in combat, with no days off.
- The body can cause problems and prevent serving God.
- The flesh can agree with the enemy’s temptations.
- The body must be kept battered, bruised, and under subjection every day.
- It’s easy to run back to the world when someone makes you mad or hurts your feelings.
- It’s hard to reconcile with one another in brotherly love, as agreed upon when joining the church.
- Elder Dustin shared an experience of a coworker being mad for no reason.
- The Lord told Elder Dustin to reconcile, but Elder Dustin initially resisted.
- Elder Dustin eventually apologized, even though not at fault.
- The relationship was restored.
- Unwillingness to make things right could hurt the church’s witness.
- Elder Dustin wants strength to fight and be in whatever battle God has.
- Elder Dustin wants to lay aside every weight and hindrance from running the race.
- Things may have to be laid down that we don’t want to lay down.
- Elder Dustin loves football but has stopped watching it because it interferes with his walk with God.
- It causes anger and conflict.
- It was detrimental to Elder Dustin’s walk with the Lord.
- Elder Dustin still checks highlights and scores.
- The enemy can use even small things to take us away from God.
- If something takes you away from God, you need to let it go.
- Elder Dustin was reminded of a song from a youth retreat:
- “Shine a light on every corner of your life until the pride and lust and lies are out in the open. Then read the word and put to test the things you’ve heard until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked.”
- Things allowed on the stage of life clutter the area and make it harder to worship.
- We need to clear those things out and expose ourselves as God knows us.
- God knows our faults and failures and still loves us and wants us to serve Him.
- Elder Dustin doesn’t want to be someone who “did run well” but wants to keep running well.
- Elder Dustin doesn’t want his or others’ kids to look back and say he used to be on fire but isn’t anymore.
- All it takes is the enemy saying one thing to get our feelings hurt, and we’ll run back to the world.
- Picking up the Bible on weekdays is important to come back from the enemy’s attacks.
- Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
- To fight, one must suit up and get ready for battle every day.
- It must be a choice, not something taken a day off from.
- The enemy knows when the armor is on and where there are weak spots.
- God said, “Put it on, and I’ll fight the fight.”
- Elder Dustin wants to be like Paul, ready to be offered and depart.
- Elder Dustin wants to fight a good fight, keep the faith, and finish the course.
- Elder Dustin wants to be found faithful and hear those words.
- Elder Dustin wants crowns to throw at God’s feet.
- Elder Dustin has seen others’ fights and knows they want to fight a good fight.
- Keep coming back, even when it’s hard.
- God knows when we hurt and don’t feel like being there but loves us anyway.
- God has reeled Elder Dustin back in and flooded his soul with His Spirit, even when Elder Dustin’s mind was elsewhere.
- God deserves our very best, even if it’s not very good sometimes.
- Those who exercise and run marathons don’t get results overnight; they put in the work.
- It’s the same with walking with God: work, pray, fast, read the Bible.
- If we only live for Him on Sunday, we won’t be very strong.
- We expect God to bless us, but we haven’t prepared all week long.
- Think of what God would do if we came in prepared, sold out, and ready to worship.
- That sinner or backslider may get right, but often we need to get right first.
- Elder Dustin wants to fight a good fight and not outstay God’s welcome.
- The enemy says it would be easier to go back to the easy life when lost.
- The Holy Ghost says, “But you’d still be lost and headed for hell.”
- Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord knows how to deliver them out of them all.
- God knows what we need, when we need it, and how we need it.
- Elder Dustin is trying to be honest and means what he’s saying.
- God knows the intent of our hearts.
- Keep standing, pushing, and doing because He has something for us to do.
- Elder Dustin is praying for revival, especially at New Providence Primitive Baptist Church.
- Elder Dustin wants to see nationwide revival but is praying for it to happen right here.
- Elder Dustin wants this place to be on fire for God.
- The Holy Ghost moves during Sunday school hour.
- We can’t be content just because it’s here this Sunday; it may not be next Sunday.
- Elder Dustin wants it to be something that’s here on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday.
- Elder Dustin wants to come back and hear about what God has done.
- This is the place where Elder Dustin gets help and is strengthened.
- Elder Dustin wants to be the one who can stand and do the same for others.
- We’re in a battle like never before, with things going on all around us.
- It’s not a surprise to God that all these things are going on in churches and schools.
- When we do fight, He’s always had someone willing to stand and do the work.
- Isaiah said, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”
- Help me to fight the good fight, not to lay it down, not to get weary.
- Help me to keep coming back when I lose strength.
- God will supply the need.
- Brother Tom was asked to come on.
- He said, “I fought a good fight, finished the course, and I’ve kept the faith.”
- Brother was preaching about Stephen.
