I Belong to God and Serve Him

Devotional

Day 1: Muddy Ditches and Living Water

A man stares at a filthy ditch holding his dead child, then asks, “Who is Jesus?” The story of a water well in Pakistan reveals how meeting physical needs opens doors to eternal questions. Clean water becomes a bridge to living water. Every act of compassion carries the weight of eternity, inviting others to taste God’s goodness. True ministry meets both body and soul, refusing to separate the cry of the stomach from the cry of the heart. [01:07:11]

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38, ESV)

Reflection: Where has God placed a “ditch” in your world—a tangible need that could become a doorway to His love? How might meeting that need create space for someone to ask, “Who is Jesus?”

Day 2: Poking the Curator in the Chest

A museum curator tries to silence worship in the upper room, but boldness declares, “I belong to God.” The clash between religious formality and fiery faith reveals a choice: preserve tradition or host His presence. True worship disrupts comfort, prioritizing encounter over etiquette. When we know Whose we are, no human authority can stifle our praise. [01:23:35]

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6, ESV)

Reflection: What “rules” or expectations have you allowed to quiet your worship? Where is God calling you to boldly declare your belonging to Him this week?

Day 3: “Cheer Up—I Believe God” in the Storm

Paul shouts over hurricane winds, “I believe God,” while prisoners and sailors despair. Storms test where we anchor our confidence—circumstances or covenant. Declaring faith isn’t denial of chaos but defiance against it. Every “I believe God” is a lifeline thrown to those drowning in fear. [01:17:49]

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair.” (2 Corinthians 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: What storm are you facing where God is asking you to voice faith aloud? Who around you needs to hear your “I believe God” today?

Day 4: $1,500 Tires vs. Eternal Souls

The sting of spending $1,500 on tires contrasts with drilling life-saving wells. Money always flows toward what we value most—convenience or eternity. Every financial choice whispers our true priorities. God blesses not to increase comfort but to fund rescue missions. [01:10:20]

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:19–20, ESV)

Reflection: What recent purchase or financial decision reveals your heart’s true treasures? How could redirecting one earthly expense fund an eternal difference?

Day 5: “Power to Become” More Than Labels

A Bible college president says, “Pick another profession,” but God says, “Power to become.” Labels from others shrink; declarations from Scripture expand. Our past doesn’t define our purpose. When heaven’s truth collides with earth’s lies, chains of inferiority shatter. [01:31:36]

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12, ESV)

Reflection: What false label still haunts you? How would living as God’s “right now child” instead of earth’s “former failure” change your choices today?

Sermon Summary

Paul’s words in Acts 27 rise out of a dark, violent storm. Paul is a prisoner headed to Rome, the ship is breaking down, the sailors are scared, and nobody has eaten for days. Yet Paul stands up and says, “Be of good cheer, for I believe God.” Faith does not wait for the storm to calm down before it speaks. Faith stands up in the middle of what looks impossible and says God will do exactly what He said.

Paul first declares, “I belong to God.” That is more than a church phrase. The Bible reveals who God says His people are, and that truth has to become louder than every voice that said they would never make it. God takes people who were lost, beat down, ashamed, and called nobody, and makes them children of God, joint heirs with Christ, ambassadors for Christ, and new creations. The price Jesus paid proves the value God places on a life. A child of God cannot keep living under the label of inferior when Christ has called that person redeemed, loved, forgiven, and justified by grace.

Paul also says, “Whom I serve.” Belonging to God and serving God go together. God is not a divine order counter where people walk in demanding miracles with whipped cream on top. God gives power, the Holy Ghost, provision, and blessing so that His people can reach a world that needs Jesus. The Holy Ghost is not museum history. God did not pour out His Spirit merely for a memory, but for witness, boldness, and present-day power.

The gospel call carries both urgency and compassion. Jesus sends His people to preach the gospel and bless the poor. A water well becomes more than clean water when a community asks, “Who is Jesus Christ?” A Bible opened to John 3:16 can introduce Christ to somebody who has never even heard His name. Children who have never been told that God loves them need to hear it, but every person also needs to know that Jesus died for sin and gives eternal life.

The storm does not get the final word. God’s ownership, God’s Word, and God’s purpose give believers a reason to get in and enjoy the ride, even when the ship is shaking.

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Key Takeaways

1. I belong to God [01:20:02] God’s claim on a person is stronger than every old label, family wound, failure, or accusation. The Bible does not flatter human weakness, but it does announce what Christ has done for those who receive Him. Identity becomes steady when it rests on “whose I am,” not on what people said. A redeemed life must learn to answer shame with God’s Word. [80:02]
2. Faith speaks inside the storm [01:18:44] Paul did not deny the darkness, hunger, danger, or fear on that ship. Paul declared God’s promise right in the middle of it. Biblical faith is not pretending that trouble is small. Biblical faith is believing that God is still true when trouble is loud. [78:44]
3. The gospel must reach the unreached [01:08:52] The question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” exposes how many people still live without even a basic witness of the gospel. Clean water matters because people matter, but eternal life matters forever. Compassion opens a door, and Scripture names the Savior. Christ’s love must be spoken where His name is unknown. [68:52]
4. The Holy Ghost gives present power [01:23:35] Pentecost cannot be turned into a museum where people only remember what God used to do. The Spirit who drew people to Jesus still fills, empowers, and sends believers to witness. God’s power is not given for religious display or personal comfort alone. The Holy Ghost makes Christ’s people bold enough to live like they belong to God.

## [83:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[63:57] - Preach the Gospel and Bless the Poor
[65:10] - The Open Door in Pakistan
[66:16] - Water Wells and Compassion
[67:11] - Who Is Jesus Christ?
[69:47] - A Call to Give and Go
[74:13] - Children Need to Hear God Loves Them
[76:24] - Paul’s Declaration in the Storm
[77:49] - Be of Good Cheer, I Believe God
[80:02] - I Belong to God
[83:35] - The Upper Room Is Not a Museum
[88:52] - From Nothing to New Creation
[92:33] - Knowing You Belong to God
[97:05] - Whom I Serve
[98:00] - Power to Reach the World

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 27:23-25
“For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.' So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” [01:16:24]

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” [01:09:03]

Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” [01:24:14]

Observation questions

What three statements does Paul make about his relationship with God and his confidence in God’s promise while the ship is in danger? [01:16:24]
What details show how serious the situation on Paul’s ship had become before he told the people to be encouraged? [01:18:44]
In the story about the water well, what question did the man ask after learning that Jesus Christ had provided the well, and how was he introduced to Jesus? [01:08:02]
According to Acts 1:8, what is the purpose of receiving power from the Holy Spirit, and how does that connect with the call to reach people with the gospel? [01:24:14]

Interpretation questions

Why does Paul’s declaration that he belongs to God matter before he declares that he believes God’s promise? How can knowing whose someone is change how that person faces fear and uncertainty? [01:20:20]
Paul does not deny the danger of the storm, yet he speaks courage into the ship. What is the difference between biblical faith and simply pretending that trouble is not real? [01:19:02]
John 3:16 reveals both God’s love and the need to believe in His Son. Why is it important that compassion for physical needs is joined with a clear message about Jesus and eternal life? [01:14:13]
Paul says he belongs to God and serves God. What does this show about the connection between receiving God’s grace and living for God’s purposes? [01:37:05]

Application questions

What storm, pressure, or uncertainty is making it difficult to be encouraged right now? What specific promise or truth from God’s Word can be spoken over that situation this week? [01:20:02]
What old label—such as failure, shame, rejection, inferiority, or “not good enough”—has tried to speak louder than God’s Word? What does it look like to answer that label with the truth that you belong to God? [01:30:35]
Is there an area where it is easy to approach God mainly for personal needs, like placing an order, rather than remembering that believers serve Him? How might that attitude change in a practical way? [01:37:41]
Who in your daily life may know the name of Jesus but not truly understand who He is or what He has done? What would be a natural next step toward sharing the gospel with that person? [01:09:03]
What need in your community or in another part of the world stirs compassion in you—clean water, hunger, children, loneliness, or something else? How could meeting that need become an opportunity to point someone toward Christ? [01:06:32]
Acts 1:8 connects the Holy Spirit’s power with being a witness. Where do you need fresh boldness to live openly as someone who belongs to Jesus—in your home, workplace, school, or neighborhood? [01:24:14]

Sermon Clips

36s

“And if I love somebody, I better tell him the most important thing I can tell him before I leave them. I said, if you died, would you go to heaven or hell? He said, I'm not sure. And I said, well, first John five thirteen says, you can know you have eternal life. Luke chapter 10 says you can know your name is written in heaven. Romans eight would let you know that you're a child of god. You don't have to be 98% sure you're ready to meet god. You don't have to be 99% sure you're ready to meet god because if you're only 98 or 99% sure, I say you are 100 lost.”

32s

“But the truth is, our body belongs to god. My body belongs to god. So the same price that was paid for you is the same price that was paid for anyone else. It doesn't matter if you're a king or you're a beggar, you're rich, you're poor, you're young, or old. How many know God loves you as much as he loves anyone else? So you may be down on yourself, but God values and loves you. There are unlimited possibilities with God.”

37s

“At every one of the water wells that we put in, we feed the whole community of children, we present the gospel to them at every one of those places. And I'm gonna tell you how many know the word will not return void. Some of these children have never heard that god loves them. I've had kids that will be crying when I'm talking, and I'm thinking, well, I'm pretty bad, but I should they shouldn't be crying. But then you'll go over, and I remember asking a little 10 year old girl in Columbia, South America why she was crying while I was preaching. She said, I've never heard anybody tell me that God loves me.”

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