Embracing Challenges: Trusting God in Ministry Struggles

Summary

### Summary

Tonight's message, titled "Struggles in Ministry," delves into the challenges and growth that come with serving God. Drawing from the book of Exodus, we explore Moses' journey as he leads the Israelites out of Egypt. We see that God welcomes honest questions but does not delight in excuses, as demonstrated by Moses' initial reluctance and protests. Growth in our walk with God is a continuous journey, often requiring us to step into the unknown and take leaps of faith. This can be scary because our human minds are limited, but God calls us to trust in His limitless power and abundance.

Jeremiah's prayer in Jeremiah 32 reminds us of God's unfailing love and mighty power, reinforcing that nothing is too hard for Him. As we study the story of Moses, we see that God had a plan for his entire life, despite the challenges and mistakes Moses made. This same truth applies to us; God has a plan for our lives, seeks to connect with us, and is patient with us.

In Exodus 5, Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. Pharaoh's harsh response and increased labor demands make the situation worse, yet this serves as a test of motives, faith, and resilience. God often allows things to get worse before they get better to test our true intentions and strengthen our faith. When we face increased pressure, it reveals the cracks in our faith, which God uses to strengthen us.

Moses' questioning of his assignment and God's faithfulness is a natural human response to adversity. However, we are reminded that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours. When we don't understand what God is doing, we must fall back on what we know about His character—that He is good and perfect in all His ways.

### Key Takeaways

1. God Welcomes Honest Questions but Not Excuses: Moses' initial reluctance and excuses highlight that while God is patient and welcomes our honest questions, He expects us to move beyond excuses and step into our calling. Growth in our walk with God is a continuous journey that requires us to trust Him and take steps of faith, even when it feels scary. [01:27]

2. God's Limitless Power and Abundance: Jeremiah's prayer in Jeremiah 32 reminds us that nothing is too hard for God. He calls us to trust in His limitless power and abundance, even when our human minds see limitations. This trust allows us to step into the unknown with confidence, knowing that God is leading us. [04:06]

3. God Has a Plan for Our Lives: Just as God had a plan for Moses' life, He has a plan for each of us. He seeks to connect with us and is patient with our journey. Understanding this helps us to trust in His timing and wisdom, even when we face delays or challenges. [08:10]

4. Tests of Motives and Faith: God often allows situations to get worse before they get better to test our motives and faith. This helps us to see if we are seeking God for relief or true repentance and whether we trust Him even when our prayers seem to make things worse. [33:31]

5. Trusting God's Higher Ways: When we question God's faithfulness or our calling, we must remember that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Falling back on what we know about God's character—that He is good and perfect—helps us to navigate through times of doubt and adversity. [38:53]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:27] - God Welcomes Honest Questions
[02:41] - Growth in Faith
[04:06] - Trusting God's Limitless Power
[05:25] - Jeremiah's Prayer
[06:50] - God's Plan for Moses
[08:10] - God's Plan for Us
[09:41] - Confronting Pharaoh
[11:02] - Pharaoh's Harsh Response
[12:18] - Miscommunication with Pharaoh
[13:38] - Finding Rest in God's Grace
[15:02] - Striving in a Fallen World
[16:47] - Wisdom from Proverbs
[18:04] - Light Touch on the World
[19:08] - Christian Stewardship
[20:40] - Resting in God's Goodness
[22:00] - Personal Testimony
[23:12] - Striving for Contentment
[24:46] - God's Attention
[26:29] - Peace with God
[28:00] - Peace of Mind and Heart
[29:12] - Seductive Worldly Success
[30:44] - Conditions Get Worse
[32:13] - Increased Labor Demands
[33:31] - Tests of Motives and Faith
[34:44] - Trusting God's Plan
[36:01] - Satan's Discouragement
[37:19] - Moses Questions His Assignment
[38:53] - God's Higher Ways
[40:15] - Leadership Challenges
[41:54] - Obeying Spiritual Leaders
[43:21] - Ministry Reflections
[44:47] - Submitting to God's Timing
[46:00] - Trusting God in Suffering

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Struggles in Ministry

#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 5:1-5 - Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh.
2. Jeremiah 32:17-19 - Jeremiah's prayer about God's power and love.
3. Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours.

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Moses' initial reaction to God's call, and how did God respond to his reluctance? ([01:27])
2. How did Pharaoh respond to Moses and Aaron's request to let the Israelites go? ([09:41])
3. What does Jeremiah's prayer in Jeremiah 32:17-19 reveal about God's character?
4. According to Isaiah 55:8-9, how are God's ways and thoughts different from ours?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does God welcome honest questions but not excuses, as seen in Moses' interactions with Him? ([01:27])
2. How does Jeremiah's prayer in Jeremiah 32:17-19 encourage us to trust in God's limitless power and abundance? ([04:06])
3. What can we learn from Moses' experience about God's patience and His plan for our lives? ([08:10])
4. How do the increased labor demands placed on the Israelites serve as a test of their faith and motives? ([33:31])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt reluctant to follow God's call. How did you move past your excuses, and what was the outcome? ([01:27])
2. When facing a difficult situation, how can you remind yourself of God's limitless power and abundance, as Jeremiah did in his prayer? ([04:06])
3. Think about a challenging period in your life. How did understanding that God has a plan for you help you navigate through it? ([08:10])
4. Have you ever experienced a situation where things got worse before they got better? How did this test your faith and motives? ([33:31])
5. When you question God's faithfulness or your calling, how can you fall back on what you know about His character, as described in Isaiah 55:8-9? ([38:53])
6. How can you find rest in God's grace during times of increased pressure and adversity? ([13:38])
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust God's higher ways. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him? ([38:53])

Devotional

### Day 1: Moving Beyond Excuses to Faithful Action

Description:
God welcomes our honest questions and understands our fears, but He does not delight in our excuses. Moses' initial reluctance to lead the Israelites out of Egypt is a prime example of this. Despite his protests and excuses, God patiently addressed each of Moses' concerns, urging him to step into his calling. This teaches us that growth in our walk with God is a continuous journey that requires us to trust Him and take steps of faith, even when it feels scary. We are called to move beyond our excuses and embrace the path God has set before us, trusting in His guidance and provision. [01:27]

Bible Passage:
"But Moses said to the Lord, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.' Then the Lord said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.'" (Exodus 4:10-12, ESV)

Reflection:
What is one excuse you have been using to avoid stepping into a calling or task God has placed on your heart? How can you take a step of faith today to move beyond that excuse?

### Day 2: Trusting in God's Limitless Power

Description:
Jeremiah's prayer in Jeremiah 32 reminds us that nothing is too hard for God. Our human minds often see limitations and obstacles, but God calls us to trust in His limitless power and abundance. This trust allows us to step into the unknown with confidence, knowing that God is leading us. When we face challenges that seem insurmountable, we must remember that God's power is beyond our comprehension and that He is capable of doing far more than we can imagine. [04:06]

Bible Passage:
"Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you." (Jeremiah 32:17, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of a situation in your life where you feel limited or powerless. How can you actively trust in God's limitless power and abundance in that situation today?

### Day 3: Embracing God's Plan for Our Lives

Description:
Just as God had a plan for Moses' life, He has a plan for each of us. Despite the challenges and mistakes Moses made, God remained patient and continued to guide him. This same truth applies to us; God seeks to connect with us and is patient with our journey. Understanding this helps us to trust in His timing and wisdom, even when we face delays or challenges. We are encouraged to embrace God's plan for our lives, knowing that He is working all things for our good and His glory. [08:10]

Bible Passage:
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on a recent challenge or delay you have faced. How can you trust in God's timing and wisdom, believing that He has a good plan for your life?

### Day 4: Understanding Tests of Motives and Faith

Description:
God often allows situations to get worse before they get better to test our motives and faith. When Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh, his harsh response and increased labor demands made the situation worse for the Israelites. This served as a test of their motives, faith, and resilience. God uses such situations to reveal the cracks in our faith and to strengthen us. It helps us to see if we are seeking God for relief or true repentance and whether we trust Him even when our prayers seem to make things worse. [33:31]

Bible Passage:
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of a recent trial or difficult situation you have faced. How did it test your motives and faith? What steps can you take to trust God more deeply in the midst of such trials?

### Day 5: Trusting God's Higher Ways

Description:
When we question God's faithfulness or our calling, we must remember that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Moses' questioning of his assignment and God's faithfulness is a natural human response to adversity. However, we are reminded that God's character is good and perfect in all His ways. When we don't understand what God is doing, we must fall back on what we know about His character. Trusting in God's higher ways helps us to navigate through times of doubt and adversity, knowing that He is always working for our good. [38:53]

Bible Passage:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of a time when you questioned God's faithfulness or your calling. How can you remind yourself of God's good and perfect character in times of doubt and adversity? What practical steps can you take to trust in His higher ways today?

Quotes

1. "As we walk with the Lord, we should not be staying in the same place. Listen, if you've walked with Jesus for, you know, whether it's been five years, 10 years or 50 years, right? You shouldn't be at the same place as when you started because as we're following the Lord, God is intentional and growth doesn't have to be rapid, but growth has to be something that is, it's a trajectory. You're walking it out." [01:27] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "There are steps of faith that God wants us to take. And it can be scary because our human mind, again, it thinks in terms of limitations. My limitations are, I can only do so much. Well, it wasn't supposed to be on your shoulders. And so that's why understanding that a walk of faith is I'm dependent upon the Lord. This is why it can become scary because God calls us to step into his hands." [02:41] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God has a plan for your entire life. He repeatedly looks to connect with you and he is patient with you. So as we're reading about Moses, we also understand that God has a plan for you. He has a plan for you. He has the same truth because of the character of our God, that these things apply to us as well." [08:10] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We can find rest for our souls in God's grace. The work that God was doing was a work of grace. And the beginning of this work that he was up to right here was because of the promises he'd made in the past because of the prayers and the cries that he was hearing in the present and the pain that they were actually going through in that moment. God cares. God heard their cry. God hears your cry. He understands your pain." [13:38] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The perspective that God wants us to have is just to understand that how brief life is. And again, as I, as I just look here, I see through the different eyeballs and different perspectives of people and ages and everything here within this room. And I know that some of the natural drive of young people are to get ahead because, you know, they, you know, they want their own car. They want their own house. They want, you know, their own types of things to be established." [16:47] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Godliness with contentment is great gain and with food and clothing, with these things that we should be content and the striving. Now this, this, this can sound different to each one of you. And I don't, I don't mean this to be altruistic. I don't mean this to put this on display as, as, oh, well, you're just a pastor and you're just trying to do all this stuff. You know, I don't consider myself a humble guy, so I'm not going to even go into it." [18:04] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Remember that we have peace with God through Christ Jesus. Romans 5, 1 and 2. We're never going to get through this study. We're like only on point number one. I don't know where all these stories came from, but somebody needed it. The word says this, Paul says this. He says, therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ, our Lord has done for us." [26:29] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "When God allows the pressure to uptick within your life, it's to reveal the cracks within your faith. Why? So that the weak spots can become places where you lay before God in prayer. So that he might strengthen you. It's not for him to destroy you. And this is what Moses is wrestling with right before us." [36:01] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "When my prayers are delayed, what's happening? God is teaching me to submit to him. It's his timing. It's his wisdom. It's his ways. So when my prayers are delayed in the situation, I've been laying this before God, it's just, it's completely worse. Just understand that God is teaching me to submit to him. And? When suffering happens within my life, God is teaching me to trust him." [44:47] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "When we begin to question God about the new life that we've started, Lord, I was going this way and I was, I was doing all this, but you, you've moved in my life and, and, and, and now I'm here and I'm yours. Why, why are all these things happening to me? We should understand God's ways. We should understand. And we get an opportunity to read the scriptures, to see those people that have gone before us that have faltered, that when the pressure has come and the things have, have gotten so grievous that we see that they were just human." [38:53] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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