Celebrating God's Mighty Acts and Unchanging Love
Summary
### Summary
Today, we reflect on the mighty acts of God in our lives. When we look back, we see His hand in our protection, provision, healing, and miracles. We recognize that we are all miracles of His grace, mercy, and love. Despite our wrong decisions and mistakes, God’s love remains steadfast and unchanging. Romans 8 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. This truth should fill us with gratitude and praise.
God’s mighty acts are evident in our lives, from healing diseases to providing in times of need. Many in our congregation have experienced miraculous interventions, whether in health, family, or financial situations. God’s timing is perfect, and He steps in right when we need Him the most. We should never take His acts for granted; every miracle, every answered prayer, is a testament to His power and love.
Our praise should not be based on our feelings or circumstances but on God’s excellent greatness. Even when we don’t feel His presence or when things are not going well, He is still worthy of our praise. Our gratitude for His past acts sets the stage for future blessings. We must remember that God can handle any situation, no matter how big or small. He specializes in turning our weaknesses into opportunities for His glory.
In conclusion, let us praise God for His mighty acts, not just in the church but in our everyday lives. He is a God of abundance, surplus power, and endless possibilities. Our praise should be continuous, reflecting our gratitude for His love, mercy, and grace. Let us lift our hands and voices in praise, acknowledging His excellent greatness and the mighty acts He performs in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Reflecting on God's Mighty Acts: Looking back on our lives, we can see God's hand in our protection, provision, and healing. These acts remind us of His constant presence and intervention, turning our mistakes and wrong decisions into testimonies of His grace and mercy. [00:36]
2. Unchanging Love of God: Romans 8 assures us that nothing can separate us from God's love. This unchanging love is not a license to sin but a call to recognize His unwavering commitment to us, despite our flaws and failures. [02:40]
3. Praise Based on God's Greatness: Our praise should not depend on our feelings or circumstances but on God's excellent greatness. Even when we don't feel His presence or when life is challenging, He remains worthy of our praise. [14:07]
4. Gratitude for Past Acts: Being thankful for God's past acts sets the stage for future blessings. If we are not grateful for what we have received, why would God bless us with more? Our gratitude should be a continuous expression of our appreciation for His love and mercy. [08:37]
5. God's Power in Our Weakness: Our weaknesses and limitations are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power. When we come up short, God steps in to show His might, turning impossible situations into testimonies of His miraculous intervention. [11:57]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - Reflecting on God's Mighty Acts
[01:21] - Miracles in Our Lives
[01:59] - God's Grace and Mercy
[02:40] - Unchanging Love of God
[03:29] - God's Perfect Timing
[04:10] - Every Act of God is Significant
[05:31] - Testimonies of God's Protection
[06:11] - God's Daily Presence
[06:46] - God's Power in Miracles
[07:15] - Let God Do What He's Famous For
[08:37] - Gratitude for Past Acts
[09:33] - Miracles in Unexpected Places
[11:57] - God's Power in Our Weakness
[14:07] - Praise Based on God's Greatness
[16:57] - Continuous Praise
[18:02] - Praising in Difficult Times
[19:38] - Worthiness of God
[21:50] - Miracles in Baptism
[22:56] - Excellent Greatness of God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) - "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
2. Psalm 150:2 (NIV) - "Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness."
3. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:38-39, what are some of the things that cannot separate us from the love of God?
2. In Psalm 150:2, what are the two reasons given for praising God?
3. How does 2 Corinthians 12:9 describe the relationship between our weaknesses and God's power?
4. What examples of God's mighty acts were mentioned in the sermon? ([00:36])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that nothing can separate us from the love of God, as stated in Romans 8:38-39? How does this assurance impact our daily lives? ([02:40])
2. How can reflecting on God's past acts of power, as encouraged in Psalm 150:2, influence our current faith and trust in Him? ([08:37])
3. In what ways does 2 Corinthians 12:9 challenge our understanding of strength and weakness? How does this perspective help us rely more on God? ([11:57])
4. The sermon emphasized praising God based on His greatness rather than our circumstances. How can this shift in focus change our approach to worship? ([14:07])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's protection, provision, or healing. How did this experience strengthen your faith? ([00:36])
2. Romans 8:38-39 assures us of God's unchanging love. How can you remind yourself of this truth during difficult times? ([02:40])
3. Think about a recent situation where you felt weak or inadequate. How can you invite God's power into that situation, as described in 2 Corinthians 12:9? ([11:57])
4. The sermon mentioned that our praise should not depend on our feelings or circumstances. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a habit of continuous praise in your daily life? ([14:07])
5. How can you express gratitude for God's past acts in your life? Share a specific example and discuss how this gratitude can set the stage for future blessings. ([08:37])
6. Identify an area in your life where you need a miracle or divine intervention. How can you trust in God's perfect timing and power to handle this situation? ([03:29])
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of praising God for His excellent greatness. How can you incorporate this perspective into your personal worship and prayer time? ([16:57])
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting on God's Mighty Acts
Reflecting on God's mighty acts in our lives helps us recognize His constant presence and intervention. When we look back, we can see how He has protected us, provided for us, and healed us. These acts are not just random occurrences but are testimonies of His grace and mercy. Even when we make wrong decisions or mistakes, God turns them into opportunities to demonstrate His love and power. This reflection should fill us with gratitude and praise, acknowledging that we are all miracles of His grace.
God's mighty acts are evident in various aspects of our lives, from healing diseases to providing in times of need. Many have experienced miraculous interventions in health, family, or financial situations. God's timing is perfect, and He steps in right when we need Him the most. We should never take His acts for granted; every miracle, every answered prayer, is a testament to His power and love. [00:36]
Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Think of a specific instance in your life where you experienced God's intervention. How can you express your gratitude for that moment today?
Day 2: Unchanging Love of God
Romans 8 assures us that nothing can separate us from God's love. This unchanging love is not a license to sin but a call to recognize His unwavering commitment to us, despite our flaws and failures. God's love remains steadfast and unchanging, even when we make mistakes or wrong decisions. This truth should fill us with gratitude and praise, knowing that we are always loved and accepted by Him.
God's love is a constant source of comfort and strength. It is a reminder that we are never alone, no matter what we face. His love is a foundation that we can build our lives upon, knowing that it will never fail. This assurance should inspire us to live in a way that honors Him, reflecting His love to those around us. [02:40]
Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV): "The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did His unchanging love bring you back? How can you share this love with someone else today?
Day 3: Praise Based on God's Greatness
Our praise should not depend on our feelings or circumstances but on God's excellent greatness. Even when we don't feel His presence or when life is challenging, He remains worthy of our praise. Our gratitude for His past acts sets the stage for future blessings. If we are not grateful for what we have received, why would God bless us with more? Our praise should be a continuous expression of our appreciation for His love and mercy.
Praising God in difficult times is a powerful act of faith. It shows that we trust Him, even when we don't understand what is happening. It is a declaration that He is greater than our circumstances and that we believe in His power to turn things around. This kind of praise can transform our perspective and open the door for God's blessings in our lives. [14:07]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you praise God for His greatness in the midst of this situation?
Day 4: Gratitude for Past Acts
Being thankful for God's past acts sets the stage for future blessings. If we are not grateful for what we have received, why would God bless us with more? Our gratitude should be a continuous expression of our appreciation for His love and mercy. Reflecting on His past acts helps us to remember His faithfulness and to trust Him for the future.
Gratitude is a powerful attitude that can transform our lives. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, from our problems to God's provision. When we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we open ourselves up to receive more of God's blessings. It is a way of acknowledging His goodness and expressing our trust in His plans for our lives. [08:37]
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV): "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: Take a moment to list three specific things you are grateful for today. How can you express your gratitude to God and others?
Day 5: God's Power in Our Weakness
Our weaknesses and limitations are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power. When we come up short, God steps in to show His might, turning impossible situations into testimonies of His miraculous intervention. This truth should encourage us to rely on Him and to trust that He can handle any situation, no matter how big or small.
God specializes in turning our weaknesses into strengths. He uses our limitations to display His power and to show that He is in control. When we acknowledge our need for Him and invite Him into our struggles, we give Him the opportunity to work miracles in our lives. This reliance on God is a powerful testimony of His greatness and a source of hope for others. [11:57]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you feel weak or inadequate. How can you invite God to demonstrate His power in this area today?
Quotes
1. "If you would take a moment and look back over your life, you would be able to see the hand of God's mighty acts at work in your life. You would look back and you'd see protection, provision. You would look back and you'd see healings and miracles. You would look back and see accidents the Lord protected you from. You would look back and you would see where people gave you negative, bad reports, but the Lord turned those things around for you." [00:36] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we look back over our life, we see God's intervention. We see God's help. We see mercy and grace, forgiveness, repentance, forgiveness of our sins. We look back and we see that the whole progression that God's had us on, it's just been miraculous. I don't think it's a stretch to say every single one of us are miracles this morning. Miracles of grace, miracles of mercy, miracles of God's love, miracles of God's power, miracles of God's provision. We're all miracles this morning. Amen." [01:21] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We can look back and we can see God's mighty power overriding bad decisions, bad mistakes with God's power of provision. And healing and grace and mercy and love and kindness and all of that. You think about Romans 8, who can separate us from the love of God? Nothing can separate us from, not even bad decisions, not things we've done, not things we've thought or we've said. Nothing can separate us from the love of God this morning." [02:40] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He's a faithful God. He's an on-time God. He's a mighty God that's there for, whenever you're there, needin' help. He's a God that has your help available. Somebody praise Him in the house here right now with me. Praise Him for His mighty acts. Salvation is a great, incredible, mighty act. Forgiveness of sins is a mighty act. Healing in our bodies, those are mighty acts. These are incredible things that I think the church kind of gets all kind of so, you know, ho-hum, another. It's not just another deal. Every act of God's a great thing." [04:10] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He's a mighty keeping God this morning. He is a mighty strong keeping God this morning. Your God can keep you. Your God can watch over you. Your God can provide for you. Your God can help you through. Somebody shout amen. It's not just religion. It's not just a church thing. This is actual real life stuff. life. Every day in the car, at work, at home, real life stuff. He's a God of mighty acts. Don't sell your God short." [06:11] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Let God do what he's famous for. Make a way where there's no way. Open doors nobody can open. Do things doctors can't say can be done. Come on, defy. Defy the wisdom of man. Defy the logic. Let God do his own. He's a good God that's full of awesome, mighty, powerful God stuff. God can do God stuff. God can do big things. God can do incredible, awesome, mighty things." [07:15] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Our praise for his past acts, I believe, is a precedent for the next future acts for us. In other words, if we're not thankful for what we've got, why would he wanna give us anything else? If we're not blessed for the blessings to thank God for, why would he want to bless us with anything else? Well, I believe the Lord specializes in blessing people who are grateful and thankful and who appreciate it, who appreciate love and grace and mercy and him stepping in." [09:33] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "There will be things in life that we will not have answers for, but he's a God of mighty acts. And out of nowhere, the answer comes. Sister Debbie's dad, for years he's had the Holy Ghost, but had no recognition at all of Jesus' name baptism. We had one, just a few minute session with him, and Debbie began to let the Holy Ghost bless her and use her, and the Lord used me. We witnessed to him about Jesus. They had baptism, an 80-year-old man on his dying bed whose hook saw the light, and he said, I want that baptism. We baptized him in a pool in his hospital bedroom in the name of Jesus. It was a miracle." [10:24] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Our extremities are God's opportunities. Our weaknesses just give God a chance to work and move. Where we come up short, the Lord says, I've just been waiting for you to realize that. Now I can step in. Now I'll show you. Come on, Abraham. You can have a baby. You're 100, but now I can help you to have that baby. I believe God's a miracle-working God that can show himself. You just got to make way, get out of the way, and yield to the mighty power of God and the works of God in your life." [12:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We praise him because he's deserving of praise. We may have dropped the ball a thousand times, and I have. I know it. But I still praise him because he's worthy of praise. He's a God of love and kindness and forgiveness and mercy. I don't praise him based upon my feeling. I praise him based upon his love, his power, his greatness, his mercy. And he is an awesome God. If this makes any sense to you this morning, get up on your feet and give the Lord a mighty shot of praise in this house today." [19:38] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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