This Is Your Season I For God I Darryl Strawberry

There is a unique joy and anticipation that comes with gathering in the house of the Lord. It’s not just another day; it’s a sacred opportunity to encounter God, to be transformed, and to be used for His purposes. Life without God is empty, no matter how much we achieve or accumulate. King Solomon learned this, and so have many of us: all our trophies and successes are meaningless apart from Christ. True fulfillment comes only from a real encounter with Jesus—a touch from Him that changes everything. When we surrender our lives, giving Him the keys instead of trying to drive ourselves, we discover the happiness and purpose we’ve been searching for in all the wrong places.

Sin keeps us separated from God, and it’s only by turning away from it and embracing the gift of salvation that we find freedom. The world offers endless distractions and false promises, but the abundant life Jesus gives is marked by peace, joy, wisdom, and power. Our calling is not just for ourselves but to be examples for the next generation, to intercede for them, and to show them what it means to walk in faith. God doesn’t need us, but He chooses to use us—broken, imperfect people—to display His grace and power.

This is a season of activation. It’s time to move beyond passive church attendance and let the Word of God transform us. When we discipline ourselves to study, pray, and seek God in the quiet places, He meets us, fills us, and equips us for His purposes. Sometimes, God has to stop us in our tracks—just as He did with Saul—to complete us and redirect our lives. The journey is not about outward success but about being conformed to Christ, living by faith, and letting God’s power work in and through us.

God desires a personal relationship with each of us. He waits for us to seek Him, to listen, and to surrender. The world’s noise and temptations can drown out His voice, but when we turn off the distractions and enter into His presence, we find the living water our souls crave. Prayer is powerful—especially the prayers of the righteous—and God hears and responds. Our faithfulness, teachability, and willingness to be accountable are keys to spiritual growth and victory. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; He alone can heal, restore, and fulfill every longing. Today is the day to respond, to come boldly to Him, and to let Him wrap us in His love and grace.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True transformation begins with surrender. When we stop trying to control our own lives and hand the keys to Jesus, we experience a freedom and fulfillment that nothing in the world can offer. The pursuit of happiness in worldly things always leaves us empty, but a real encounter with Christ brings lasting joy and purpose. [05:31]
• 2. God often stops us in our tracks to complete us. Like Saul on the road to Damascus, sometimes our plans and ambitions must be interrupted so God can redirect us toward His greater purpose. These moments of divine interruption are invitations to become God’s masterpiece, shaped by His Spirit rather than our own efforts. [19:04]
• 3. The discipline of seeking God in the quiet place is essential. Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident; it requires intentional time in the Word, prayer, and shutting out distractions. When we let God turn our “man caves” into classrooms, the Holy Spirit fills us with wisdom, revelation, and the power to live differently. [29:13]
• 4. Faith is not just a belief but a way of living. It means surrendering, committing, and trusting God even when circumstances are hard or unclear. Faith is built by hearing the Word and acting on it, and it empowers us to pray boldly, fight spiritual battles, and experience God’s supernatural provision and miracles. [35:44]
• 5. God’s love and grace are available to all, but it requires a response. He won’t force His way into our lives; we must choose to come to Him, to be teachable, accountable, and faithful. When we do, He wraps us in His love, heals our pain, and gives us a new identity and purpose that no one else can provide. [43:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:04] - The Joy of Gathering in God’s House
• [02:26] - The Power of a Real Encounter with Jesus
• [04:34] - Straddling the Fence and the Call to Commitment
• [06:13] - The Emptiness of Sin and the Gift of Salvation
• [08:19] - Living by Biblical Principles
• [10:17] - Becoming a New Creation and Guiding the Next Generation
• [15:01] - This Is Your Season: Activating Your Spirit
• [16:41] - The Discipline of Studying God’s Word
• [19:04] - When God Stops You to Complete You
• [22:41] - Waiting on God and Resisting Temptation
• [25:20] - The Finished Work of Christ and True Freedom
• [27:25] - The Power of Intercessory Prayer
• [29:13] - Turning Your Man Cave into a Classroom
• [34:10] - Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
• [38:59] - The Importance of Community and Accountability
• [40:39] - Responding to God’s Call and the Gift of Salvation
• [43:38] - Coming Boldly to Jesus for Healing and Restoration
• [46:59] - Staying Connected and Growing in Christ
• [49:24] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

1. Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

1. Romans 6:23 (ESV)

1. John 10:10 (ESV)

1. According to Galatians 2:20, what does it mean for Christ to live in us? How does this relate to the idea of surrendering control of our lives to Jesus? [05:31]
2. In Romans 6:23, what is the contrast between the wages of sin and the gift of God? How did the sermon describe the emptiness of life without God? [06:13]
3. What does Jesus promise in John 10:10, and how did the sermon illustrate the difference between what the world offers and what Jesus gives? [11:09]
4. The sermon mentioned King Solomon’s experience in Ecclesiastes. What did Solomon discover about success and achievement apart from God? [01:45]

1. The sermon says, “True transformation begins with surrender.” Why is surrendering control to Jesus so difficult for many people, and what does it look like in real life? [05:31]
2. The preacher shared about God “stopping us in our tracks” like He did with Saul. What are some ways God might interrupt our plans today, and why would He do that? [19:04]
3. The discipline of seeking God in the quiet place was emphasized. Why is it so hard to make time for God in our busy lives, and what are the consequences if we don’t? [29:13]
4. The sermon talked about being an example for the next generation. What does it mean to “intercede” for others, and why is this important for spiritual growth? [12:09]

1. The sermon challenged us to “hand the keys” of our lives to Jesus. Is there an area of your life where you’re still trying to stay in control? What would it look like to surrender that area to God this week? [05:31]
2. The preacher described how God sometimes has to “stop us” to redirect us. Have you ever experienced a time when your plans were interrupted, and looking back, you can see God’s hand in it? How did it change you? [19:04]
3. The message encouraged turning off distractions and seeking God in the quiet place. What is one specific distraction you need to set aside this week to spend more intentional time with God? [29:13]
4. The sermon said, “Faith is not just a belief but a way of living.” What is one step of faith you feel God is asking you to take right now, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? [35:44]
5. The preacher talked about the power of prayer, especially for our families and the next generation. Who is one person you can commit to pray for daily this week, and how will you remember to do it? [28:32]
6. The message said, “God’s love and grace are available to all, but it requires a response.” What is holding you back from responding more fully to God’s invitation? Is there a step of obedience or repentance you need to take today? [43:38]
7. The sermon emphasized being teachable, accountable, and faithful. Which of these three is most challenging for you, and what is one practical way you can grow in that area this month? [38:59]