Breathing Life into Dry Bones: Embracing God's Renewal
Summary
In the sermon, I shared my personal journey of struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety, feeling helpless and questioning God. I was in a valley of dry bones, focusing on my pain and struggle, unable to see the miracles happening around me. However, I realized that I was the dry bones and God needed to breathe life into me again. My prayers changed from questioning God to asking Him to use me as His vessel, to let His power and breath in me encourage others to rise up and speak life into their circumstances. I encouraged the congregation to speak God's promise and life into their circumstances and valleys, as there is nothing He cannot change when we rise and speak life.
In another part of the sermon, I shared my experience of feeling shame and believing I had messed up too much for God to accept me again. However, I realized that we are never too far gone, as Romans 3:23 says, "for everyone has sinned, we all fall short of God's glorious standard." I emphasized that what matters is not what we've done in the past, but that God still has a purpose for us. Our past does not determine our future, God does. I shared how God has renewed me, delivered me, and given me a new identity in Him, leading me to a calling in ministry.
Key Takeaways:
- God can breathe life into our "dry bones" and use us as His vessels to encourage others to rise up and speak life into their circumstances ([34:25]).
- We are never too far gone for God to accept us again. Our past does not determine our future, God does ([16:44]).
- Holding onto our sins can hinder our walk with Christ. We need to release them to God and not take them back ([20:49]).
- We have the choice of which yoke to pick up - a false sense of freedom where we deal with things on our own, or surrendering and submitting to a path that is far better than anything we can lead ourselves to ([27:16]).
- We can find freedom and fulfillment in Jesus if we choose Him ([18:40]).
Study Guide
Takeaways from the sermon:
1. We are often hindered in our walk with Christ by our anxieties, worries, and addictions. However, we can overcome these obstacles through the help of the Divine Counselor. This realization often comes in moments of deep spiritual connection and surrender. #!!20:49!!#
2. We are all given free will and the choice of which yoke to pick up. We can choose a false sense of freedom where we have to deal with things on our own, or we can surrender and submit to a path that is far better than anything we can lead ourselves to. #!!27:16!!#
3. We can find freedom and fulfillment in choosing God over our sins, fears, and addictions. This is an active decision that we have to make daily. #!!14:42!!#
Bible reading:
1. Romans 12
2. Proverbs 10
3. Galatians 5
Observation questions:
1. In Romans 12, what does Paul say about the transformation of our minds?
2. What does Proverbs 10:17 say about accepting discipline and ignoring correction?
3. How does Galatians 5 describe the battle between the flesh and the spirit?
Interpretation questions:
1. How does Romans 12 relate to the idea of choosing God's path over our own?
2. What does Proverbs 10:17 suggest about the consequences of our choices?
3. How does the battle between the flesh and the spirit in Galatians 5 reflect our daily struggles?
Application questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you chose to surrender your worries and anxieties to God? How did that experience change your perspective?
2. How can you actively choose God's path in your daily life? Can you share a specific situation where you need to make this choice?
3. How can you encourage and support each other in choosing God over the struggles and temptations of the world?
Devotional
Day 1: Surrendering to Divine Counsel
When we surrender our anxieties, worries, and addictions to God, we allow Him to work through us and guide us towards healing and peace. This surrender is not a sign of weakness, but a testament to our faith and trust in God's divine counsel. It's about acknowledging that we cannot do it alone and that we need God's guidance and strength to overcome our struggles ([20:49]).
Psalm 55:22 - "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."
Reflection: Reflect on a struggle or worry you've been holding onto. How can you surrender this to God and trust in His divine counsel?
Day 2: Speaking Life into Your Circumstances
God has the power to breathe life into our circumstances, no matter how dry or hopeless they may seem. When we trust in Him and speak His promises into our situations, we invite His transformative power into our lives. This act of faith can lead to breakthroughs and renewal in our lives ([34:25]).
Ezekiel 37:5 - "This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life."
Reflection: What is a situation in your life that feels dry or hopeless? How can you speak God's promises into this situation?
Day 3: Only God Can Fill the Void
The world offers many things that promise fulfillment, but only God can truly fill the void in our lives. Our jobs, money, and even our friends and family cannot provide the deep, lasting fulfillment that comes from a relationship with God. When we choose to walk with Him, we find salvation, freedom, and fulfillment ([12:44]).
Jeremiah 2:13 - "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."
Reflection: Where have you been looking for fulfillment outside of God? How can you shift your focus towards seeking fulfillment in Him?
Day 4: The Freedom in Surrender
Surrendering to God's path for our lives brings a freedom that is far greater than any false sense of freedom the world can offer. When we submit to God's will, we are freed from the burden of trying to control our own lives and can rest in the assurance of His perfect plan ([27:16]).
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: What areas of your life are you trying to control? How can you surrender these areas to God and trust in His plan?
Day 5: Seeing Beyond the Dry Bones
In the midst of our struggles, it can be difficult to see beyond our pain and hardship. However, when we shift our focus from our "dry bones" to the miracles and blessings God has provided, we can find hope and encouragement in the midst of our trials ([26:54]).
2 Corinthians 4:18 - "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Reflection: What "dry bones" are you focusing on in your life? How can you shift your focus to the blessings and miracles God has provided?
Quotes
1. "There's nothing that can happen in that tunnel, no negative thing, that can amount to when you finally see the light at the end of it and get out of that tunnel. We are all given free will and we are all given the choice of which yoke to pick up." - 27:16
2. "I was standing in a valley where all I saw were Dry Bones. I couldn't see the miracle that was right in front of me. I couldn't see that God had used me to bless my home to multiply our home." - 29:50
3. "I started praying Lord Let Me Be Your Vessel that your power and your breath that lives in me can encourage others to rise up and speak life into their circumstances." - 35:09
4. "I was filled with rejection and denial and I did that to God. We need to trust the one who gives us light and use that to shine. Don't let the enemy turn your light Into Darkness. We've all been there, we just need to put our full trust into God." - 09:55
5. "I felt abandoned, rejected, I became alone and I couldn't even stand myself. This led me to depression, to anxiety. I even thought about taking my own life. I had lost faith in God, stopped talking about them, thinking about them. I stopped praying, reading my Bible. I fell through bad habits instead." - 04:14
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