Embracing a Divine Reset for a Better Life

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the concept of taking a "timeout" to reset our lives, drawing parallels between the global pandemic and a divine opportunity for reflection and transformation. The past year has been a period of forced introspection, akin to a global timeout, where we were sent to our rooms to reconsider our attitudes and priorities. As we emerge from this period, God is not calling us to resume our old ways but to embrace a reset—a chance to redefine our lives at a higher level, moving from the good life to the better life.

The better life, as described in the Bible, is not just about having more or doing more; it's about living a life that is more aligned with God's purposes. This requires an intentional reset, which involves eliminating non-essentials, excelling at what truly matters, embracing new things God is doing, and expecting incremental change. We must let go of sins, activities, and habits that hold us back and focus on what is essential—spending time with Jesus, managing our time wisely, living on purpose, and choosing good priorities.

God is a God of newness, always doing new things, and we are called to cooperate with these changes. Life will not return to what it was pre-pandemic, and we have a choice: to lament the past or to embrace the future God has for us. This reset is not an overnight transformation but a gradual process of growth and sanctification. As we commit to this journey, we can trust that God will guide us, and as a church community, we will support each other in this transformation.

Key Takeaways:

- Eliminate Non-Essentials: In this season of reset, it's crucial to identify and remove the non-essential elements in our lives. This includes sins that hold us back, activities that waste our energy, and unhealthy habits. By doing so, we free up our limited energy to focus on what truly matters. [07:34]

- Excel at What Really Matters: We don't need to be good at everything, but we must excel at what is most important. This involves managing our time wisely, living with purpose, and choosing priorities that align with God's will. By focusing on these essentials, we can live the better life God intends for us. [13:12]

- Embrace New Things God Does: Change is inevitable, and God is always doing new things. We must not only accept but embrace these changes, loving them as part of God's plan. This means being open to new opportunities and directions that God is leading us towards. [23:46]

- Expect Incremental Change: Transformation is a gradual process. We often desire rapid change, but God works little by little. This principle of incremental growth applies to all areas of life, including our spiritual journey. Patience and persistence are key. [35:47]

- Commit to a Life Reset: As we emerge from the pandemic, we have a choice to either resume our old lives or reset for a new, better life. This requires a commitment to let God lead us into this new season, trusting Him to guide us through the process of change. [45:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - The Global Timeout
- [01:16] - Opportunity for a Reset
- [02:16] - Moving to the Better Life
- [03:34] - Definition of Reset
- [05:33] - Eliminate Non-Essentials
- [07:34] - Sins, Activities, and Habits
- [12:56] - Excel at What Really Matters
- [16:01] - Managing Time and Living on Purpose
- [21:31] - Choosing Good Priorities
- [23:46] - Embrace New Things God Does
- [35:47] - Expect Incremental Change
- [40:25] - Pathway to the Better Life
- [45:21] - Commit to a Life Reset
- [49:04] - Call to Action and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Hebrews 12:1 - "Let us run the race before us and let us never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sins that hold us back."
2. Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"
3. Proverbs 13:11 - "Wealth that comes easily disappears quickly, but wealth that is gathered little by little will grow greater."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the sermon suggest is the purpose of the "global timeout" we experienced during the pandemic? [00:55]
2. According to the sermon, what are the three things the Bible tells us to eliminate from our lives? [07:51]
3. How does the sermon describe the process of transformation and change in our lives? [35:47]
4. What does the sermon say about God's nature in relation to new things? [27:08]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of a "global timeout" relate to the idea of a spiritual reset in one's life? [01:16]
2. In what ways might eliminating non-essentials help someone live a life more aligned with God's purposes? [05:48]
3. How can embracing new things that God does lead to a better life, according to the sermon? [23:46]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of incremental change in spiritual growth? [35:47]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: What non-essential activities or habits can you identify that might be holding you back from living a better life? How can you begin to eliminate them this week? [07:34]
2. Consider your current priorities: Are they aligned with what truly matters according to God's purposes? What changes can you make to ensure you are excelling at what really matters? [13:12]
3. Think about a recent change in your life: How did you respond to it? How can you better embrace new things that God is doing in your life moving forward? [23:46]
4. Identify an area in your life where you desire rapid change: How can you practice patience and persistence, trusting in God's process of incremental growth? [35:47]
5. How can you make spending time with Jesus a top priority in your daily routine? What specific steps can you take to ensure this becomes a consistent habit? [22:34]
6. Reflect on the past year: What lessons have you learned that you can carry forward into this new season of life? How can you apply these lessons to your spiritual journey? [04:48]
7. As you consider the future, what is one new opportunity or direction you feel God is leading you towards? How can you take a step of faith in that direction this week? [27:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Eliminate the Unnecessary to Focus on the Essential
In this season of reset, it's crucial to identify and remove the non-essential elements in our lives. This includes sins that hold us back, activities that waste our energy, and unhealthy habits. By doing so, we free up our limited energy to focus on what truly matters. The process of elimination is not just about removing the bad but also about making room for the good. It requires discernment to recognize what is truly essential and what is merely a distraction. As we let go of these non-essentials, we create space for deeper spiritual growth and alignment with God's purposes. [07:34]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What is one non-essential activity or habit in your life that you can eliminate today to make more room for what truly matters?


Day 2: Prioritize What Truly Matters
We don't need to be good at everything, but we must excel at what is most important. This involves managing our time wisely, living with purpose, and choosing priorities that align with God's will. By focusing on these essentials, we can live the better life God intends for us. This requires a conscious effort to evaluate our daily activities and commitments, ensuring they reflect our core values and spiritual goals. It's about making intentional choices that lead to a life of significance and fulfillment, rather than one of busyness and distraction. [13:12]

Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Reflection: What is one priority in your life that you need to realign with God's will today, and how can you take a step towards that realignment?


Day 3: Embrace the New Things God is Doing
Change is inevitable, and God is always doing new things. We must not only accept but embrace these changes, loving them as part of God's plan. This means being open to new opportunities and directions that God is leading us towards. Embracing new things requires faith and courage, as it often involves stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting in God's greater vision for our lives. It is an invitation to participate in the unfolding of God's kingdom, welcoming the unknown with a spirit of hope and expectation. [23:46]

Isaiah 42:9 (ESV): "Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them."

Reflection: What is one new opportunity or change in your life that you feel God is calling you to embrace, and how can you take a step of faith towards it today?


Day 4: Trust in Incremental Growth
Transformation is a gradual process. We often desire rapid change, but God works little by little. This principle of incremental growth applies to all areas of life, including our spiritual journey. Patience and persistence are key. Understanding that growth takes time can help us remain steadfast and committed, even when progress seems slow. It is about trusting in God's timing and being faithful in the small steps, knowing that each step is part of a larger journey towards spiritual maturity and fulfillment. [35:47]

Zechariah 4:10 (ESV): "For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth."

Reflection: What is one small step you can take today towards a long-term goal or change you desire in your life, trusting in God's timing for the outcome?


Day 5: Commit to a Life Reset
As we emerge from the pandemic, we have a choice to either resume our old lives or reset for a new, better life. This requires a commitment to let God lead us into this new season, trusting Him to guide us through the process of change. A life reset is about surrendering our plans and desires to God, allowing Him to reshape our lives according to His purposes. It involves a willingness to let go of the past and embrace the future with hope and faith, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. [45:21]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to commit to a reset, and how can you invite God to lead you in this new direction today?

Quotes



Instead of resuming our old ways of living, our old lives, God is interested in giving us the opportunity to reset our lives, not to resume our lives, but to reset our lives. What do I mean by that? Instead of going back to your old ways, we have a chance to reboot. We have a chance to refigure, to redefine, to reset our lives at a better level, a better life, better than the good life. [00:01:20]

Eliminate the non-essentials in my life. Now, I have mentioned to you in both previous weeks the physical and the emotional cost of trauma and chronic stress. And remember I said, it's like a battery. If you got a battery and you have one light bulb attached to it, it'll last a long time. If you attach two light bulbs to the battery, it burns out in half the time. [00:05:51]

You need to be more selective in your life, in your attitudes, in your schedule, in your calendar. Now, the Bible specifically tells us three things that we need to eliminate in our lives, and they're the next verses there on your outline. We need to eliminate the sins that hold me back, the activities that waste my energy, and the unhealthy habits. [00:07:36]

Excel at what really matters. That means you stop focusing on the stuff that doesn't matter and you start focusing on the stuff that does matter. You eliminate the non-essentials and you emphasize and you excel at what really matters. Friends, I want to tell you this from personal experience. You don't have to be good at everything to make it in life. [00:13:01]

Managing your time, selection is the name of the game. The secret of an effective life is selection, knowing what matters most and doing that. Managing your time. One of the big differences between successes in life and failures in life, or for that matter, the difference between living a good life and living the better life is that people who live the better life do a better job of using their time. [00:16:23]

Proverbs 17:24 says this, "An intelligent person aims," aims, that's purpose driven, "at wise actions." You work intentionally with your life. "But a fool starts off" how? I can't hear you, how? - [Congregation] In many directions. - In many directions, in many directions. Friends, as your pastor who loves you, the last thing I want you to do is with all the new-found freedom, when all of a sudden all the restaurants are open and everything, all the events are open and everything is open and we're all freed up again and we're not restricted, is to go out and fill your life with a bunch of stuff that doesn't matter. [00:19:01]

Embrace the new things that God does. Now, I chose that word embrace intentionally because embrace means more than just agree with it, to grudgingly accept it. To embrace means to be content with it. It means to even love it. You don't embrace things you don't love. So what I'm saying here is you not only accept the new things that are happening in God's world, in God's church, in God's family, in your family, in your life, but you actually learn to love them. [00:23:36]

Life's never going back to the way it was a year ago. I hate to let you down, I hate to tell you that, but it's not going back to the way that it was before COVID. Everything has changed, including you. The past is past. You can't go backwards in life. You can only go forward. And so you can't go back, we can't go backwards. So really what we all have is two choices. [00:26:08]

Expect incremental change. That means little by little, incremental change. And I'm talking about in you, in me. Now, this is the exact opposite of what we normally want. We don't like incremental change. We want rapid change in our lives. We want fast change. You go on a diet, you want rapid results. You want instant transformation. You want the pill that changes you overnight. [00:35:43]

You didn't just create the problem you've got right now overnight. You're not gonna get out of it overnight. You didn't create the mess you're in overnight. You're not gonna get out of it overnight. You didn't develop those bad habits overnight. You're not gonna get rid of them overnight. It's gonna take incremental change. Moving from the good life to the better life. [00:37:23]

God has already decided how He's gonna bless your life. God has already decided your promised land. God has already decided all the really cool, good things God wants to do in the rest of your life. But He says, "I've given them to you, you're just not gonna appropriate them yet 'cause you've got to do a little growing first. You're not ready to handle all the blessing I want to give you. [00:39:08]

So let me ask you a very pointed question, in the post-pandemic world, post-COVID, what are you gonna do when you get all the freedoms that you had before? What are you gonna do? Are you gonna resume the old life? Or are you gonna reset a new life? It's your choice. Now, will you futilely attempt, and I mean futilely attempt, to resume your old life just like it was before the pandemic with no changes at all? [00:45:02]

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Transcript
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