Choosing Life: Finding Strength in God's Promises

Devotional

Day 1: The Timeless Word of God in Crisis

In times of crisis, believers have the unique advantage of turning to the timeless Word of God for peace, strength, and encouragement. The current global situation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the fleeting nature of worldly things and the importance of securing our eternity in Christ. The Scriptures offer a steadfast foundation amidst uncertainty, reminding us of God's eternal promises and unchanging nature. As we navigate these challenging times, we are called to anchor our hope in the Word, which provides clarity and assurance when everything else seems unstable. [02:11]

"For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." (Psalm 33:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you incorporate the reading of Scripture into your daily routine to find peace and strength during uncertain times?

Day 2: Choosing Life and Blessing

Deuteronomy 30:19-31:8 presents us with a choice between life and death, blessing and cursing. This call to choose life by loving and obeying God is as relevant today as it was for the Israelites. In times of crisis, we are encouraged to draw near to God, seeking His presence and guidance. His promises are eternal and unchanging, providing us with peace and grace. By choosing to follow God's ways, we align ourselves with His blessings and experience the fullness of life He offers. [03:59]

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that reflects your choice to follow God's path of life and blessing?

Day 3: Experiencing God's Presence

God's presence is a source of comfort and strength, as demonstrated by biblical figures like Daniel and Esther, who faced great challenges with God's help. In our own lives, we can experience this same presence by turning to God, especially in times of failure or struggle. His compassion and mercy are abundant, and He invites us to seek Him while He may be found. By cultivating a relationship with God, we can find solace and courage to face any situation. [19:01]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God's presence in your daily life, especially during moments of struggle or failure?

Day 4: Overcoming Fear with God's Power

God's power enables us to overcome fear, anxiety, and crisis. His perfect love casts out fear, and His power is sufficient to forgive sins, redeem us, and equip us to live victoriously. In these uncertain times, we must choose to walk by faith, not fear, trusting in the unchanging, victorious, risen Savior. By relying on God's strength, we can face challenges with confidence and hope, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. [24:10]

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a fear or anxiety you are currently facing. How can you invite God's power and love into this situation to overcome it?

Day 5: The Necessity of Obedience

Obedience to God's Word is essential for experiencing His promises, provision, presence, and power. In these uncertain times, we must choose life and blessing, turning to God in prayer and seeking His guidance. By aligning our lives with His will, we open ourselves to the fullness of His blessings and the peace that comes from walking in His ways. Obedience is not just about following rules but about cultivating a relationship with God that transforms our lives. [26:24]

"And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth." (Deuteronomy 28:1, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to greater obedience? How can you take a step towards that today?

Sermon Summary

In these challenging times, it's crucial to remember that as believers, we have a unique advantage: the timeless Word of God. In a world filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and fear, we can find peace, strength, and encouragement in the Scriptures. The current global crisis, brought on by COVID-19, has shown us the fragility of our world and the fleeting nature of worldly things. It serves as a reminder to ensure our security in Christ Jesus, whose promises are eternal and unchanging.

Reflecting on Deuteronomy 30:19 through 31:8, we are reminded of the choices set before us: life and death, blessing and cursing. Moses urged the Israelites to choose life by loving and obeying God, and this call is just as relevant today. In times of crisis, we must draw near to God, seeking His presence and guidance. The passage reassures us of God's promises, provision, presence, and power. He goes before us, never leaving nor forsaking us, and provides all we need, including peace and grace.

God's presence is a source of comfort and strength, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Daniel and Esther, who faced great challenges with God's help. In our own lives, we can experience this same presence by turning to God, especially in times of failure or struggle. His compassion and mercy are abundant, and He invites us to seek Him while He may be found.

Moreover, God's power is manifest in our lives, enabling us to overcome fear, anxiety, and crisis. His perfect love casts out fear, and His power is sufficient to forgive sins, redeem us, and equip us to live victoriously. In these uncertain times, we must choose to walk by faith, not fear, trusting in the unchanging, victorious, risen Savior.

Key Takeaways

1. In times of crisis, believers have the advantage of turning to the timeless Word of God for peace, strength, and encouragement. The current global situation reminds us of the fleeting nature of worldly things and the importance of securing our eternity in Christ. [02:11]
2. Deuteronomy 30:19-31:8 calls us to choose life by loving and obeying God. In times of crisis, we must draw near to God, seeking His presence and guidance. His promises are eternal and unchanging, providing us with peace and grace. [03:59]
3. God's presence is a source of comfort and strength, as demonstrated by biblical figures like Daniel and Esther. By turning to God, especially in times of failure or struggle, we can experience His compassion and mercy. [19:01]
4. God's power enables us to overcome fear, anxiety, and crisis. His perfect love casts out fear, and His power is sufficient to forgive sins, redeem us, and equip us to live victoriously. We must choose to walk by faith, not fear. [24:10]
5. Obedience to God's Word is essential for experiencing His promises, provision, presence, and power. In these uncertain times, we must choose life and blessing, turning to God in prayer and seeking His guidance. [26:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction and Context
[00:56] - Times of Crisis and Uncertainty
[02:11] - The Advantage of Believers
[03:20] - Turning to God's Word
[03:32] - Deuteronomy 30:19-31:8 Reading
[06:32] - The Tendency to Turn Away
[07:18] - Choosing Life and Blessing
[08:26] - God's Promises
[09:16] - God's Provision
[18:32] - God's Presence
[23:17] - God's Power
[25:38] - The Necessity of Obedience
[26:24] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[28:10] - Conclusion and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Deuteronomy 30:19-31:8
- Isaiah 55:6-7
- 1 John 4:18

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Observation Questions:

What choices does Moses present to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 30:19-31:8, and what are the consequences of these choices? [03:46]
How does the sermon describe the advantage believers have during times of crisis? [02:11]
What examples from the Bible were given in the sermon to illustrate God's presence and help during challenging times? [19:01]
According to the sermon, what are the four gifts from God that believers have in times of crisis? [08:58]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the call to "choose life" in Deuteronomy 30:19-31:8 apply to modern believers facing today's challenges? [03:59]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's promises provide peace and strength during uncertain times? [09:41]
How does the sermon explain the role of God's presence in overcoming fear and anxiety? [19:33]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between obedience to God's Word and experiencing His power and provision? [25:38]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent time of crisis in your life. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that situation? How might you respond differently after hearing this sermon? [01:11]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of drawing near to God during times of struggle. What practical steps can you take this week to seek God's presence more intentionally? [07:18]
Consider the biblical examples of Daniel and Esther. How can their stories inspire you to trust in God's presence and power in your own life challenges? [19:01]
The sermon mentions God's perfect love casting out fear. Identify a specific fear or anxiety you are currently facing. How can you apply this truth to that situation? [24:10]
Reflect on the concept of choosing life and blessing. What specific choices can you make this week to align more closely with God's will and experience His blessings? [26:24]
The sermon discusses the necessity of obedience to God's Word. What is one area of your life where you feel called to greater obedience, and what steps will you take to pursue that? [25:38]
How can you encourage someone else in your life who is struggling with fear or anxiety, using the insights from this sermon? [23:49]

Sermon Clips

a believer has a tremendous advantage because we can go to the timeless word of the living god and that is where we find our security that is where we find peace and strength and encouragement from him isn't it interesting that despite all the advances in our world one little virus has brought everything to a standstill it shows us that our world is not quite as smart as perhaps we thought it was [00:02:02]

i call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you that i have set before you life and death blessing and cursing therefore choose life that both you and your descendants may live that you may love the lord your god that you may obey his voice and that you may cling to him cling to him for he is your life and the length of your days [00:03:44]

moses said i set blessing and curse life and death before you that's a human choice that we have to make and i pray that throughout this awakened series you will make that choice to turn to god and to seek him afresh and the new it might be that years ago you walked with him but things have grown somewhat cold [00:07:37]

but my dear friend god is reaching out to you through this covet 19 crisis and he's saying you come to me and i will teach you the depth of my love and the strength of my goodness and the gift of my salvation in the lord jesus christ i'll teach you what it is to know the touch of revival and to be lifted and filled once again with the spirit of the living god [00:08:07]

you might be worried today about the next step that you can take but you need not worry if you are in christ you can allow him to lead you and to guide you then he promised he is the one who goes before you he promised he'll be with you he promised he'll not leave you nor forsake you do not fear or be dismayed [00:09:20]

you see as you look in scripture you find that all the way through daniel is abandoned to the lions but god is in there and daniel says live forever o king god sent an angel to close the lion's minds you think about esther as she faces the possibility of losing her life for going into the king having not been called for and yet god is there and he goes with her [00:18:56]

seek the lord while he may be fond call upon him while he is near let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return to the lord for he will have mercy on him and to our god for he will abundantly pardon you see when we turn to god and ask him for his presence he does not drive us away [00:21:04]

we are not to be driven by fear or by anxiety or by crisis but we are to walk by faith faith in an unchanging victorious risen living savior there is freedom and victory and assurance that is fine nowhere else but in a close and intimate relationship with jesus [00:22:07]

his powerful love room removes that fear that anxiety that crisis for first john 4 and verse 18 says perfect love casts out fear because fear has torment don't be tormented turn instead to the living christ and let him deal with that fear power enough to forgive sin to redeem us and to equip us to live in this world without being of this world [00:23:56]

there is power enough to quiet the storms all those storms within the family those storms within the workplace those storms within the nation and the area those storms that go on on the inside jesus has enough power to overcome them all power enough that you need today that i need today and it is there it is available [00:25:14]

seek the lord in prayer turn to him today moses said life and death blessing and cursing choose life choose blessing dear heavenly father thank you for the word of god thank you that it is timeless thank you that regardless of the crisis the anxieties the fears that can come you can bring a stillness deep in the human heart [00:26:24]

lord we want to turn to you today and for those who do not know you would you cry out to him from where you are and simply say god be merciful to me a sinner and come and live in my heart fill me with your holy spirit teach me how to walk with you let me be born again according to your word [00:27:10]

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Choosing Life: Finding Strength in God's Promises

Devotional

Day 1: The Timeless Word of God in Crisis

Day 2: Choosing Life and Blessing

Day 3: Experiencing God's Presence

Day 4: Overcoming Fear with God's Power

Day 5: The Necessity of Obedience

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Choosing Life: Finding Strength in God's Promises

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