Transformative Power of Seeking God in Affliction

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Seeking God in Affliction**

When we face our darkest moments, it can be easy to feel hopeless and lost. However, the story of King Manasseh in 2 Chronicles 33 reminds us that no matter how far we have fallen, seeking God with a humble heart can lead to redemption and restoration. Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings, yet his life was transformed when he earnestly sought the Lord amidst his affliction. This teaches us that God is always ready to hear our prayers and bring us back into His fold, no matter our past mistakes. By turning to God in our times of trouble, we can experience profound change and renewal. [23:02]

2 Chronicles 33:12-13 (ESV): "And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt distant from God due to your circumstances. How can you seek Him earnestly today, trusting in His power to bring about transformation and renewal in your life?

**

Day 2: Rejecting Negativity**

Our thoughts have a powerful impact on our reality. If we allow negativity to consume us, it can hinder our spiritual growth and cloud our vision of God's love and plans for us. Manasseh's life was filled with negative influences, but his turning point came when he rejected these negative thoughts and focused on seeking God. By actively rejecting negativity and focusing on God's positive plans, we can experience transformation and victory in our spiritual journey. [27:41]

Philippians 4:8 (ESV): "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Reflection: Identify a negative thought or influence in your life that has been holding you back. How can you replace it with a positive focus on God's love and His plans for you today?

**

Day 3: Personal Responsibility in Spiritual Growth**

We are responsible for our own spiritual health and growth. This means actively rejecting negative influences and thoughts, and continually seeking God's guidance and presence in our lives. Manasseh's story teaches us the importance of self-reflection and personal responsibility in our spiritual journey. By taking ownership of our mental and spiritual health, we can align ourselves with God's will and experience His blessings. [32:55]

Galatians 6:4-5 (ESV): "But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to take responsibility for your spiritual growth? How can you actively seek God's guidance and presence in your daily life?

**

Day 4: Commitment to Our Spiritual Duties**

Just as a soldier remains at their post, we must stay committed to our spiritual responsibilities, regardless of the challenges we face. This commitment involves not only personal growth but also actively blessing others and spreading God's love. By remaining steadfast in our spiritual duties, we can be effective witnesses for Christ and positively impact those around us. [59:41]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Reflection: In what ways can you remain committed to your spiritual duties today? How can you actively bless others and spread God's love in your community?

**

Day 5: Proactive Faith and Self-Reflection**

Regular self-reflection and alignment with God's will are crucial for our spiritual growth. We must ask ourselves tough questions about our spiritual state and make necessary adjustments to stay on the path God has set for us. By being proactive in our faith and continually seeking to align with God's will, we can experience the fullness of His blessings and be effective witnesses for Christ. [48:51]

Lamentations 3:40 (ESV): "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!"

Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your current spiritual state. What adjustments do you need to make to align more closely with God's will? How can you be proactive in your faith today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the story of King Manasseh from 2 Chronicles 33, focusing on the transformative power of seeking God amidst affliction. Manasseh, despite being one of the most wicked kings, found redemption when he humbled himself and sought the Lord. This narrative underscores the importance of maintaining a positive focus and rejecting negativity, which can cloud our spiritual vision and hinder our relationship with God.

We reflected on how negativity, whether from our past, our environment, or our own thoughts, can lead us astray. Manasseh's life was filled with negative influences, but his turning point came when he sought God earnestly. This teaches us that no matter how far we have strayed, God is always ready to hear our prayers and bring us back into His fold.

The sermon emphasized the need for self-reflection and personal responsibility in our spiritual journey. We are responsible for our mental and spiritual health, and we must actively reject negative thoughts and influences. By focusing on God's love and His plans for us, we can overcome the enemy's attempts to derail us.

We also discussed the importance of being proactive in our faith. Just as a soldier remains at their post, we must stay committed to our spiritual duties, regardless of the challenges we face. This commitment involves not only personal growth but also actively blessing others and spreading God's love.

In conclusion, the message was a call to action: to reject negativity, embrace a positive focus on God, and take responsibility for our spiritual growth. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of God's blessings and be effective witnesses for Christ.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Reflection**: Regular self-reflection and alignment with God's will are crucial. We must ask ourselves tough questions about our spiritual state and make necessary adjustments to stay on the path God has set for us. [48:51]
### [48:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[19:16] - Importance of Small Acts
[20:03] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
[21:17] - Introduction to 2 Chronicles 33
[22:11] - Manasseh's Transformation
[23:02] - Seeking God in Affliction
[24:46] - Manasseh's Background
[25:23] - Hezekiah's Influence
[27:03] - Turning Point for Manasseh
[27:41] - Impact of Negative Thoughts
[28:11] - God's Positive Plans
[29:02] - Avoiding a Critical Nature
[30:26] - Focusing on God
[32:55] - Responsibility for Spiritual Health
[34:07] - Realizing the Need for Help
[35:20] - Regular Self-Reflection
[36:24] - Maintaining Positive Energy
[37:15] - Impact of Negative Thoughts
[38:17] - Avoiding Negativity About Others
[39:20] - Praying for Others
[40:30] - Working on Personal Victory
[41:17] - Examining Ourselves
[42:45] - Christ's Example of Love
[43:10] - Personal Experiences
[44:42] - Negative Influences
[45:49] - Rising Above Negativity
[46:21] - Spiritual Realignment
[47:33] - Personal Responsibility
[48:03] - Praying for Others
[48:51] - Aligning with God's Will
[49:34] - Working on Victory
[51:00] - Personal Testimonies
[52:44] - Saul's Transformation
[54:14] - Paul's Mission
[55:15] - Developing Spiritual Resilience
[56:00] - Blessing Others
[57:32] - Winning Christ
[58:01] - Staying Positive
[59:41] - Commitment to Spiritual Duties
[60:22] - Knowing Ourselves
[61:22] - Avoiding Negativity
[62:30] - Working on Victory
[63:13] - Praying for Help
[63:43] - Seeking God's Help
[64:35] - Responsibility for Spiritual Growth
[65:12] - Needing God Daily
[66:42] - Being Effective Witnesses
[67:22] - Overcoming Excuses
[68:05] - Acknowledging Limitations
[68:40] - Avoiding Spiritual Slumber
[69:26] - Being Busy for God
[70:05] - Praying for Help
[70:50] - God Hearing Our Prayers
[71:24] - Waiting on God
[72:08] - Rejecting Negative Energy
[73:04] - Mental Shift and Realignment
[74:38] - Positively Impacting the World
[75:36] - Examining Ourselves
[76:16] - Aligning with God's Will
[77:41] - Maintaining Our Post
[78:36] - Burden for the Lost
[79:48] - Worship and Praise
[80:25] - God's Potential for Us
[81:35] - Healing and Letting Go
[83:26] - Offering and Announcements
[84:28] - Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What actions did Manasseh take when he was in affliction according to 2 Chronicles 33:12-13?
How did Manasseh's behavior change after he sought the Lord in his distress? [22:11]
What were some of the negative influences in Manasseh's life that led him astray? [25:58]
How did the pastor describe the impact of negative thoughts on our spiritual health? [27:41]

Interpretation Questions

What does Manasseh's story teach us about the power of seeking God during times of distress? [23:02]
How can focusing on God's love and positive plans for our lives help us overcome negativity? [28:11]
In what ways are we responsible for our own spiritual growth and mental health? [32:55]
How does the commitment to our spiritual duties resemble the dedication of a soldier at their post? [59:41]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you were in a difficult situation. How did seeking God change your perspective or outcome? [23:02]
Identify a negative thought or influence in your life. What steps can you take this week to reject it and focus on God's positive plans for you? [27:41]
How can you take more personal responsibility for your spiritual growth? What specific actions will you commit to this week? [32:55]
Think about your current spiritual duties. Are there areas where you need to be more committed, like a soldier at their post? How can you improve in these areas? [59:41]
How often do you engage in self-reflection and spiritual realignment? What questions will you ask yourself to ensure you are on the right path with God? [48:51]
In what ways can you actively bless others and spread God's love this week? Identify one person you can reach out to and how you will do it. [56:46]
How can you maintain a positive focus on God amidst the challenges you face daily? What practical steps will you take to keep your spiritual vision clear? [30:26]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "You are what you think about. If you continue to walk around with problems and thinking about negativity, living in the past, thinking about all your weaknesses, all the things that you've ever done wrong, everything everyone else has done wrong, if that's all that's in your mind, it impacts you. What we need is for people to have a vision of God and his love. And what he's trying to get accomplished in our life. Do you know God loves you this morning?" [27:41] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you want to look for negativity, if you want to look for things that are wrong, you can do that. But I'd rather look up and see God moving in my life. I want to see possibility. I want to see the abundance of God's love. I want to know that my God loves me and all that God has prepared for me. I've been looking down on the ground long enough. I've seen the bad. I've seen the evil. I've seen all the other stuff that's out there. I'd rather have my eyes on God." [30:05] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You are responsible for your spirituality. You're responsible for your own mind. And you've got to begin to do some things if you want to be right with God. You see, because Manasseh was the son of a great king. He had all, all kind of opportunity. But he did so much evil. He was one of the worst kings we read about in the Word of God. Until he got to a point, he prayed and said, then he began to call upon the Lord, his God." [32:55] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If you focus on negative stuff, you can't even see the good people trying to do for you. You're not even, you can't even see how God is trying to bless you. They don't say, well, so you buy me a lunch or you do this or that's not good for me. It got you from point A to point B, didn't it? Can we say amen this morning? And so what we have to do is we have to begin to realize that God's trying to bless us but we have to take responsibility for our mental health." [32:02] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You have to align yourself and make sure you're spiritually aligned with God. If you find yourself talking negative about people, if you find yourself crying and you don't even know why you're crying, if you find yourself doing things and not knowing why you're doing it, and then you have to fall down and get back up and you fall down again, then it's time to stop and say, God, how is everything between me and you?" [50:17] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "When you don't have a vision, the devil's taking all the wrong paths, doing all the wrong things. You need to focus on the positive. God, what can I do for your king? We are servants of God. We're waiting on God. And that doesn't mean we're sitting there doing nothing. What waiter does not sit there and do nothing? A waiter is watching who he's supposed to be waiting on to receive orders. Do I need to bring them some more napkins? Do I need to bring them some water? A waiter is watching. We are waiting on God and watching for God. God, what would you have me to do?" [01:11:24] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You are responsible for your spiritual growth. We need to be saved. We need to be committed. You need the baptism of the Holy Ghost. You need the power of God on the inside. You must be dedicated, committed to doing what God wants you to do. And if you're going half-heartedly, you're just kind of taking baby steps and saying, well, you know, I'm not in, but I'm in. I'm not saved, but I'm saved. You have to make your mind, are you in? Are you out? Are you moving forward to God? Are you moving away from God?" [01:05:58] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I know me. If I let myself get too deep in that mud, I already know what's going to happen. Can somebody say amen this morning? I know y'all may not understand what I'm saying. Hopefully, I'm coming across OK. But I know me. If I let some things come my way, I know how I respond. I know I can be a smart addict. I know I can be mean. I know I can be unkind. And I don't want to get that way. So sometimes, I've got to take action. Come on out. I'll rebuke that in the name of Jesus. I don't receive that. I'm not going to go that way." [01:00:22] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You have to pray that person. Lord, help me. He's the difference maker. When you can't do it all yourself, you get to like Manasseh could. I'm chained. I'm bound. And now, God, I need you to help me. And he prayed unto the Lord his God. And God made a way. Now, let me ask you as we get ready to pray this morning and kind of bring it all to a summary. If God heard the man who was wicked for 55 years, come on now, did more wickedness than almost any other king. But in this final time, he realized, I'm bound and I need a change. And he prayed to the Lord his God. And God heard him." [01:10:05] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You have to find yourself spiritually aligned. Do you? Do you ask yourself, am I right with God? Do you examine yourself? Because along the way, you may have prayed for salvation 10 years ago, but unless you've kept yourself in his presence, walking in his grace, then you're not going to be where you're supposed to be. Oh, yes, you may be in church. You may have a cross around your neck. You may have a Bible at home, but that does not mean that you're where God wants you to be." [49:34] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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