Aligning Our Lives with God's Will and Love

 

Summary

Today, we gathered to explore the profound journey of aligning our lives with God's will, a journey that requires us to be in the "place of there," where God's provision and blessings await us. This journey is not about perfection but about choosing kindness, humility, and trust in God over worry and resentment. It's about understanding that God's word is foundational to our lives, filling us with joy and worship, and guiding us to be sowers of His love and grace in the world.

We delved into the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17, where God directed him to specific places for provision. This narrative illustrates that God's blessings often require us to be in the right place, both physically and spiritually. The "place of there" is where God's will is fulfilled, and it is crucial to be there to receive His blessings. This requires us to choose God's will over our own, understanding that His will is good, acceptable, and perfect, even when it challenges us.

Choosing God's will is a continuous process, not a one-time decision. It involves daily choices to align our lives with His purpose, even when it means making sacrifices or stepping into the unknown. Jesus exemplified this in His journey to the cross, where He chose obedience to God's will despite immense suffering. His example teaches us to approach God's will with faith, trusting that it is always for our good.

Ultimately, God's will is about His love for us. His commandments are not burdensome but are designed for our well-being and to bring us into the fullness of His joy. By abiding in His love and keeping His commandments, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and fulfill our deepest desires. This journey is not meant to be walked alone; we are called to support one another as a community of faith, choosing God's will together and experiencing His transformative power in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Choice: Every day, we have the power to choose our attitude and actions. By choosing love, forgiveness, and trust in God, we align ourselves with His will and open our hearts to His blessings. This choice is foundational to our spiritual journey and shapes our relationship with God and others. [00:00]

2. The Place of There: God's provision often requires us to be in the right place, both physically and spiritually. The "place of there" is where God's will is fulfilled, and it is crucial to be there to receive His blessings. This requires us to choose God's will over our own, understanding that His will is good, acceptable, and perfect. [51:14]

3. Continuous Choice: Choosing God's will is a continuous process, not a one-time decision. It involves daily choices to align our lives with His purpose, even when it means making sacrifices or stepping into the unknown. This ongoing commitment deepens our faith and strengthens our relationship with God. [01:02:22]

4. Jesus' Example: Jesus exemplified choosing God's will through His journey to the cross. Despite immense suffering, He remained obedient, teaching us to approach God's will with faith and trust. His example encourages us to persevere in our own challenges, knowing that God's will is always for our good. [01:07:18]

5. God's Will and Love: God's will is rooted in His love for us. His commandments are designed for our well-being and to bring us into the fullness of His joy. By abiding in His love and keeping His commandments, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and fulfill our deepest desires. [01:22:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Choosing Attitude and Actions
- [02:00] - The Importance of Kindness and Humility
- [04:00] - The Power of God's Word
- [06:30] - Being a Sower of God's Love
- [09:00] - The Journey of Faith
- [12:00] - The Place of There
- [15:00] - Elijah's Story and God's Provision
- [18:00] - Choosing God's Will Over Our Own
- [21:00] - Jesus' Example of Obedience
- [24:00] - The Continuous Choice of God's Will
- [27:00] - God's Will and Our Joy
- [30:00] - The Role of Community in Faith
- [33:00] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Kings 17:1-16
- Romans 12:2
- John 15:9-11

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Observation Questions:

1. In 1 Kings 17, what specific instructions did God give to Elijah regarding where he should go, and what was the significance of these locations? [51:14]

2. How does the sermon describe the "place of there," and why is it important for receiving God's provision? [55:27]

3. According to the sermon, what daily choices are emphasized as necessary for aligning with God's will? [01:02:22]

4. How does Jesus' example in the sermon illustrate obedience to God's will, even in the face of suffering? [01:07:18]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17 teach about the relationship between obedience and provision from God? How might this apply to modern believers? [51:14]

2. The sermon mentions that God's will is "good, acceptable, and perfect" (Romans 12:2). How can believers discern and embrace this will in their daily lives? [58:14]

3. How does Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (as referenced in the sermon) demonstrate the struggle and ultimate submission to God's will? What can believers learn from this? [01:09:44]

4. In John 15:9-11, Jesus speaks about abiding in His love. How does keeping His commandments relate to experiencing His joy and love? [01:17:46]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between your own desires and what you believed to be God's will. How did you make that decision, and what was the outcome? [01:02:22]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being in the "place of there." Identify a situation in your life where you need to be spiritually or physically present to receive God's blessings. What steps can you take to get there? [55:27]

3. Jesus' example of obedience is highlighted in the sermon. What is one area of your life where you find it challenging to obey God's will, and how can you seek support from your faith community to persevere? [01:07:18]

4. The sermon discusses the continuous choice of aligning with God's will. What daily practices can you implement to ensure you are consistently choosing God's will over your own? [01:02:22]

5. Consider the role of community in supporting your faith journey, as mentioned in the sermon. How can you actively contribute to and benefit from your faith community in choosing God's will together? [01:33:56]

6. Reflect on the concept of God's commandments being an expression of His love. How can this perspective change the way you view obedience to God's word? [01:22:06]

7. Identify one specific commandment or teaching of Jesus that you struggle to keep. What practical steps can you take this week to abide in His love by keeping this commandment? [01:17:46]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Daily Choices
Every day, we are presented with the opportunity to choose our attitudes and actions. This power of choice is foundational to our spiritual journey, as it shapes our relationship with God and others. By choosing love, forgiveness, and trust in God, we align ourselves with His will and open our hearts to His blessings. This choice is not a one-time event but a continuous process that requires intentionality and mindfulness. As we make these choices, we cultivate a heart that is receptive to God's guidance and provision. [00:00]

"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it." (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific attitude or action you can choose today that aligns with God's will and opens your heart to His blessings?


Day 2: Finding Your "Place of There"
God's provision often requires us to be in the right place, both physically and spiritually. The "place of there" is where God's will is fulfilled, and it is crucial to be there to receive His blessings. This concept is illustrated in the story of Elijah, where God directed him to specific places for provision. Being in the "place of there" requires us to choose God's will over our own, understanding that His will is good, acceptable, and perfect. It challenges us to step out in faith, trusting that God knows what is best for us. [51:14]

"And the word of the Lord came to him: 'Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.'" (1 Kings 17:2-4, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a specific area in your life where you feel God is calling you to be in your "place of there"? What steps can you take today to move towards that place?


Day 3: The Journey of Continuous Choice
Choosing God's will is a continuous process, not a one-time decision. It involves daily choices to align our lives with His purpose, even when it means making sacrifices or stepping into the unknown. This ongoing commitment deepens our faith and strengthens our relationship with God. As we make these daily choices, we learn to trust in God's plan and experience His transformative power in our lives. This journey requires perseverance and a willingness to let go of our own desires in favor of God's perfect will. [01:02:22]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to continuously choose God's will? How can you take a step today to align that area with His purpose?


Day 4: Following Jesus' Example of Obedience
Jesus exemplified choosing God's will through His journey to the cross. Despite immense suffering, He remained obedient, teaching us to approach God's will with faith and trust. His example encourages us to persevere in our own challenges, knowing that God's will is always for our good. By following Jesus' example, we learn to embrace obedience as a path to spiritual growth and fulfillment. This requires us to surrender our own desires and trust in God's greater plan for our lives. [01:07:18]

"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you follow Jesus' example of obedience in your current circumstances? What might it look like to trust God's will in the face of challenges?


Day 5: Embracing God's Will Rooted in Love
God's will is rooted in His love for us. His commandments are designed for our well-being and to bring us into the fullness of His joy. By abiding in His love and keeping His commandments, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and fulfill our deepest desires. This journey is not meant to be walked alone; we are called to support one another as a community of faith, choosing God's will together and experiencing His transformative power in our lives. [01:22:06]

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." (1 John 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace God's will as an expression of His love for you today? What is one commandment you can focus on keeping as a way to experience His joy and blessings?

Quotes

"We would hope that this would be a place that you can come and Receive the word of the Lord And enter into the fellowship of the saints Amen The people of faith Amen And God bless you Amen Today's a good day The Bible says this is the day That the Lord has made I will rejoice And be glad in it God gives the day you choose the attitude" [00:41:04]

"So right now I'll just say I choose To love And not hate I choose To forgive And not hold no grudge I choose To trust God And not worry I choose To be nice To be kind To be humble To be real To be patient Amen Before you sit down You don't have to be perfect But you do got to be kind You don't have to be perfect But you do got to be nice You don't have to be perfect But you do need to be humble Amen" [00:41:35]

"God's not a magician God is a creator God's not into hocus pocus God sends his word He sends his word He said and he sent his word and he healed them He spoke and it was done And so We need to value God's word Amen God's word will fill you with joy God's word will fill you with worship My daughter Kayla Several people have approached her over time And asked her for some pointers Some tips on how to Do lead praise and worship She says fill yourself up with the word of God" [00:43:50]

"Christianity is about It's about God Not because God is insecure Or God is Got a complex problem It's that God is the source of life Amen You're not the source of life Life is injected into you by God And if you're connected to God You'll have life flowing through you If you're not connected to God You won't have life flowing through you When you have life in your life Then you can live life People are trying to figure life out No life is not something Life is a person His name is Jesus He said I am the life Amen" [00:49:12]

"The place of there is where you and I need to be. Where we need to be. If you read the story carefully, God did not send the ravens to find Elijah. God told Elijah where the ravens were going to go. God has a provision for Elijah. But the provision is at the brook of chariot. You need to be there. Because they're not looking for you, they're looking for the brook." [00:54:17]

"Sometimes we think that the blessing comes to us. That when God provides, it comes to me directly. But sometimes God sends it somewhere and you need to be there where God's going to send it. And then after that, the brook dried up because there was a drought in the land. And then God came again and said, now, I want you to go to a city. Because in that city, I have sent your provision. You need to be there. Amen." [00:54:43]

"One thing is my will and another thing is God's will. And I will have to choose between one of the two. You can't have them both at the same time. The place of there is God's will for your life. And God's will is a blessing. Though it can be challenging, it's a blessing. Though it can cause a little bit of fear in you, the prophet said, don't be afraid. Do what you plan, but give me first." [00:55:41]

"God's will is the best thing working for you right now in your life. I know you're educated, but that's not the best thing. I know you're smart, but that's not the, it's a good thing, but it's not the best thing. I know you're determined, you're a hard worker, but that's not the best thing. The best thing you got working on your behalf is God's will for your life." [00:56:51]

"God's will will satisfy your soul, quench your thirst. And they said, it's perfect. Say perfect. There's no plan B. There's just a plan A. You and I need a plan B, but God doesn't need a plan B. God has a plan A. And that's it. It works every time. It's flawless. It's perfect. It doesn't lack in any way. It doesn't need to be upgraded." [01:00:15]

"Jesus gave us the example on how to choose God's will. He gave us the perfect example of how to choose God's will. Especially when God's will is challenging. When God's will is very difficult for you. When God's will seems completely impossible for you to do. Jesus gave us the example on how to choose God's will." [01:05:07]

"Father, if it is possible to pass this cup from me, I desire that. But if not, let your will be done. Not my will, Lord. In other words, if it's possible, can we do this a different way? Is there another way to do this besides me having to go to the cross? It's not that he didn't want to do it. He felt like he could not do it." [01:09:14]

"God's commandments sometimes come to us in a negative way. Because we have sin in our lives. We've been corrupted by this world. And we don't understand God's love. God's commandments are tailored by his love for you. And tailored in his desire and his pursuit for your well-being. And tailored that you may receive all of his blessings. He's trying to put you there. Say there." [01:24:51]

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Transcript
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