1st Insight
2 Relationships with culture
1. Imitation - taking on the attitudes or philosophies of the world
2. Isolation - 'I have nothing to do with the world at all!'

We need to change to..
1. Insulation - Keeps the anti-God culture out, but keeps the core values of God and spiritual disciplines IN! We need to be insulated with TRUTH, walking in truth. Shallow preaching doesnt insulate at all
2. Pentration - The word 'stealth' is associated with it, undetected by radar. The kingdom of God is like leven, mixed into the dough, you dont know its there but the bread rises. Leven creates change in the dough. As believers, we are like that 'leven', we dont go around boasting about it, but people see the effect through our attitudes, through our excellence

2nd Insight
Pst AR Bernard, is amazingly such a forward thinker and discerner of the times and season we are living now!

Daniel 2:19-22 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. 'Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings ; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness and light dwells with Him.'

He shared how just as in the bible, the finger of God was active to remove kings and raise up kings such as the example of Nebuchadnezzar was removed to raise up Belzhazzar his son, then he was taken over by Darius the Mede who was then overthrown by Cyrus from Persia who interestly, although he was pagan, he had a friendly heart towards the Jews, allowing them to rebuild the ruined temple!

This is reflected very clearly as a parallel in the Barach Obama election campaign too! All the different factors like the economic recession, the housing slump, the desire for change birthed in the hearts of Americans could actually bridge the racial divide that have had been so entrenched in American society for generations!

The finger of God is the activity of God in human society.

3rd Insight
3 ways that God works in human activity
1. Human Order - Established principles and law
2. Conscience - Universal knowing of right and wrong that God has placed in both believers and non-believers. Creates awareness of a moral standard written in the hearts of ppl.
3. Providence - A Kairos (moment in history) intervention by God affecting the normal sequencial order of things.

Example
If a family has a past history of financial problems, crime, heart attack, drunkeness, most likely it is passed on from 1 generation to another, the curse of abuse is passed on. but Yet GOD INTERRUPTs the sequential order of things, through his providential grace and SAVES you! and thats totally changes the final outcome!

The word ' seasons' in greek means 2 things
1. Kairos - a moment in history of deeply meaningul change
2. Metanoia - Radical change in mind and consciousness

This moment in history brought a dramatic change to the history of America, resulting in a metanoia that broke the racial divide in America, bringing an end to the captivity of the minds of the people. The people could now rise up, in unity to build the country and pray for the peace of the city.

What is true for a country to come into this 'season of metanoia' is true for a business and a community of people - like in the cell group. We may be walking through struggles, storms, only to realise that this is the perfect storm and you become a recipient of God's providential grace and favor. The struggles and trials are not meant to crush you but to make you stronger!