Creating a Picture-Perfect Life Through God's Design
Summary
Taking a selfie of our lives often reveals imperfections and missing pieces, much like the filters we use to mask reality. Yet, God desires for us to have a picture-perfect life, one that prospers in every aspect: spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, professionally, and financially. This series has been about understanding how to let God work in our lives to achieve this prosperity. Today, we focus on the importance of a happy home life, which is crucial for a picture-perfect life. Without a harmonious family life, other achievements like career success or financial stability lose their significance.
The Song of Solomon illustrates the deep emotional connection and love that God intends for marriage. This lovesick state is not just for Solomon and his wife but is God's will for every married couple. Scriptures like Deuteronomy 24:5 and Proverbs 5:18-19 emphasize the importance of joy and satisfaction in marriage. God wants us to be lovesick with our spouses throughout our lives, and this requires meeting each other's needs and maintaining a romantic connection.
Moreover, a happy home life extends to our children. Proverbs 23:24 highlights the joy of having wise children, and Psalm 112:2 speaks of children being mighty in the land. As parents, we are the ultimate fans of our children, desiring their success and happiness. This is part of the picture-perfect life God envisions for us.
To achieve this, we must follow God's perfect ways, as outlined in Psalm 18:30. The world's ways often lead to broken families, but God's ways, though different, are higher and better. By aligning our family life with God's instructions, we can experience the joy and prosperity He promises.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Desire for a Picture-Perfect Life: God wants us to prosper in all areas of life, including spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, professionally, and financially. This holistic prosperity is part of His plan for us. [01:21]
- The Importance of a Happy Home: A harmonious family life is essential for a picture-perfect life. Without it, other achievements lose their significance. God desires for us to be lovesick with our spouses and to have joy in our family relationships. [09:07]
- Meeting Each Other's Needs in Marriage: Marriage should be a place where both partners' needs are met. This includes emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. By prioritizing each other's happiness, couples can maintain a strong and loving relationship. [14:28]
- Raising Wise and Mighty Children: God wants our children to be wise and mighty in the land. As parents, we should be their biggest supporters, guiding them to live righteous and prosperous lives. This is part of the picture-perfect life God envisions for us. [19:02]
- Following God's Perfect Ways: The world's ways often lead to broken families, but God's ways are higher and better. By aligning our family life with His instructions, we can experience the joy and prosperity He promises. [22:12]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - Seven Puzzle Pieces of Prosperity
[02:27] - Faith and Divine Protection
[09:07] - Happiness at Home
[10:43] - Lovesick Marriage
[12:10] - God's Will for Marriage
[13:34] - Romantic Getaway
[14:28] - Meeting Needs in Marriage
[16:18] - Joyful Parenting
[17:52] - Parents as Ultimate Fans
[19:02] - Mighty Children
[21:20] - From Broken to Blessed
[22:12] - God's Perfect Ways
[23:22] - Family Store Analogy
[24:31] - Walking in His Ways
[25:51] - Higher Ways of God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Song of Solomon 2:5
2. Proverbs 23:24
3. Psalm 18:30
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Observation Questions:
1. In Song of Solomon 2:5, what does the term "lovesick" imply about the emotional state of Solomon's wife? How does this reflect God's intention for marriage? [10:43]
2. According to Proverbs 23:24, what brings joy to a father? How does this relate to the concept of a picture-perfect life? [16:52]
3. Psalm 18:30 mentions that God's way is perfect. How does this verse contrast with the world's way of living, especially in the context of family life? [22:12]
4. The sermon mentions that a harmonious family life is essential for a picture-perfect life. What are some specific examples given in the sermon that illustrate this point? [09:07]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "lovesick" in marriage challenge or affirm modern views on romantic relationships? What might this suggest about God's design for marriage? [12:10]
2. Proverbs 23:24 speaks of the joy of having wise children. What does this imply about the role of parents in guiding their children, and how does it relate to the idea of being the ultimate fans of their children? [17:52]
3. Psalm 18:30 states that God's way is perfect. How might this understanding influence the way individuals approach challenges in their family life? [22:12]
4. The sermon emphasizes meeting each other's needs in marriage. How does this align with the biblical teachings on love and partnership? [14:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current family dynamics. Are there areas where you feel your home life is not harmonious? What steps can you take to align your family life more closely with God's perfect ways? [09:07]
2. In what ways can you actively work towards being "lovesick" with your spouse, as described in the sermon? Are there specific actions or changes you can implement to strengthen your romantic connection? [12:10]
3. Consider the role of being the ultimate fan of your children. How can you better support and guide them to become wise and mighty in the land, as Proverbs 23:24 suggests? [17:52]
4. The sermon discusses the importance of meeting each other's needs in marriage. Identify one need of your spouse that you may have overlooked. How can you prioritize fulfilling this need in the coming week? [14:28]
5. Psalm 18:30 highlights the perfection of God's ways. Are there specific worldly practices or mindsets you need to let go of to embrace God's higher ways in your family life? [22:12]
6. Reflect on the sermon’s analogy of the family store. How can you ensure that you are seeking guidance from God, the ultimate "family store," in your daily family interactions? [23:22]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of kindness in family relationships. How can you cultivate a kinder atmosphere in your home, especially during conflicts or disagreements? [01:02:09]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Holistic Vision for Prosperity
God desires for us to experience prosperity in every aspect of our lives, encompassing spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, relational, professional, and financial well-being. This holistic prosperity is not just about material wealth but about thriving in all areas of life. By aligning ourselves with God's vision, we can experience a life that is truly fulfilling and abundant. This involves seeking God's guidance and wisdom in every decision and trusting in His plan for our lives. [01:21]
"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul." (3 John 1:2, ESV)
Reflection: In which area of your life do you feel the most need for God's prosperity? How can you invite Him to work in that area today?
Day 2: The Foundation of a Happy Home
A harmonious family life is essential for achieving a picture-perfect life. Without a happy home, other achievements like career success or financial stability lose their significance. God desires for us to be deeply connected with our spouses, experiencing joy and satisfaction in our family relationships. This involves being intentional about nurturing love and meeting each other's needs, as well as creating an environment where joy and peace can flourish. [09:07]
"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it." (Proverbs 15:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to foster a more joyful and loving atmosphere in your home?
Day 3: Nurturing Love in Marriage
Marriage is a sacred bond where both partners are called to meet each other's needs, including emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. By prioritizing each other's happiness and maintaining a romantic connection, couples can build a strong and loving relationship. This requires ongoing effort and commitment to understanding and supporting one another, ensuring that the marriage remains a source of joy and fulfillment. [14:28]
"Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe." (Proverbs 5:18-19, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally meet one specific need of your spouse this week to strengthen your marriage?
Day 4: Raising Wise and Mighty Children
God desires for our children to be wise and mighty in the land, and as parents, we play a crucial role in guiding them towards this vision. By being their biggest supporters and encouraging them to live righteous and prosperous lives, we help them fulfill their God-given potential. This involves teaching them God's ways, modeling integrity, and providing a loving and supportive environment where they can thrive. [19:02]
"The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him." (Proverbs 23:24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can actively support and encourage your child's growth in wisdom and character this week?
Day 5: Aligning with God's Perfect Ways
The world's ways often lead to broken families, but God's ways are higher and better. By aligning our family life with His instructions, we can experience the joy and prosperity He promises. This involves seeking God's guidance in our relationships and being willing to follow His path, even when it differs from worldly wisdom. Trusting in God's perfect ways leads to a life of true fulfillment and blessing. [22:12]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your family life where you need to realign with God's ways? How can you take a step towards that alignment today?
Quotes
1. "God actually wants to make your life better. And what we've been doing in this series is showing you how to let God do what He wants to do in your life. And so for the very first week, we found that there are really seven puzzle pieces of prosperity. These seven things make up your whole life. God wants you to prosper in all of them. So He wants you to prosper spiritually. He wants you to prosper physically. He wants you to prosper mentally, emotionally, relationally, professionally, and financially." [00:01:01] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And we learn ultimately, though, that to have those things in our lives, health and protection, we have to use our faith. That faith is the key to withdrawing those blessings out of our spiritual bank account. And for our faith to work, we've got to take the time to make sure we're full of faith food. We've got to take the time to take God's word, God's scriptures on those issues, make sure they're in our hearts so we can see the supernatural in our lives." [00:02:27] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "It's not just the will of God for Solomon. If it was, you might say, well, good for you. Well, this is actually the will of God for every married couple in this room. It's the will of God for every single person that wants to be married to get to the place where you are lovesick with your spouse. And there's a number of scriptures that reveal this to us. I won't take it to all of them because we don't have enough time for that." [00:12:10] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Part of the picture perfect life is seeing your kids doing well. In fact, Psalm 112 and verse 2 only gives us more along these lines. It says, their children talking about those who live right before God, will be mighty. Somebody say mighty. Mighty in the land. The generation of the upright still talking about their children, will be blessed. That word mighty there means powerful, warriors, champions." [00:18:35] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "In other words, the world has a way of thinking and a way of doing things that might seem right to them, but the outcome isn't good. It's not the picture perfect life. And we see that all the time. We see broken families all around us. And a lot of times those families aren't broken because somebody in the family is evil, but sometimes it is. But a lot of times people are trying to do what they think is best. But their way of doing things simply doesn't work." [00:22:25] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "I'm gonna say this the farther away you get from doing things God's way the farther away you get from a happy home and so you've got here two moms as I was told they're called and you've got one that's not in good shape it's a lot of people's family lives because they've been doing things in their home and they've been doing things in their home and they've been doing things their way then you have one that's in great shape somebody's been following instructions they're taking good care of it." [00:27:13] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So we are one. We operate as one according to God's ways. That's a big one. So I take some time on this one because I think we've just gotten away from it. I mentioned this in the first experience. You've got this move right now where a lot of American men are going overseas to find a wife. They call them passport bros. And a lot of American women are upset about it, but they don't understand." [00:39:05] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Love is kind. Every time you are mean, there is a price that's going to be paid for that. The Bible says a brother offended is hard to be won. Every time you are kind, there's a benefit that comes from that. Harsh words create a toxic atmosphere. Some of us, that's the problem. We got a toxic home because of our words because we're mean. Kind words create a loving atmosphere." [01:01:12] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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