Embracing Change: Faithful Living Through Every Season

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Seasons of Change with Faith

Life is full of changing seasons—some joyful, some difficult, and some that seem to come faster than we can process. Each season brings its own challenges and opportunities, and it is easy to become overwhelmed or nostalgic for what once was. Yet, God calls us to recognize the season we are in, to trust that He is present in every transition, and to look forward with hope to the new season He is bringing. Whether you are facing personal loss, new beginnings, or simply the passage of time, remember that God’s faithfulness endures through every change. He invites you to live fully in the present, attentive to His work in your life and the lives of those around you. [55:44]

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (ESV)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Reflection: What season are you in right now, and how might God be inviting you to trust Him and step forward in faith during this time of change?

Day 2: Living with Purpose in Light of Christ’s Return

The early Christians lived each day as if Jesus might return at any moment, shaping their priorities and actions with a sense of urgency and hope. While we may not know when Christ will return, we are called to live with the same expectancy—making the most of every opportunity, loving deeply, and serving faithfully. This perspective helps us focus on what truly matters and reminds us that our time is precious. Let your life today reflect the hope and purpose that comes from knowing Jesus could return at any time, and let that hope shape your relationships, your work, and your worship. [57:30]

1 Peter 4:7-11 (ESV)
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Reflection: If you truly believed Jesus could return today, what would you do differently in your relationships or priorities?

Day 3: Remembering Well—Letting Go of Nostalgia’s Illusions

Remembering the past is a biblical practice, but we are called to remember well—not to sanitize, maximize, or idolize our memories. When we cling to an idealized version of the past, we risk missing the opportunities and people God has placed before us in the present. True remembrance honors what God has done without distorting reality or longing for a “Mayberry” that never truly existed. Instead, we are invited to see God’s faithfulness in both the joys and hardships of our story, and to let those memories propel us forward rather than hold us back. [01:08:41]

Deuteronomy 6:12 (ESV)
Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Reflection: Is there a memory or season from your past that you have idealized or sanitized? How might God be inviting you to remember it truthfully and move forward with gratitude?

Day 4: Using Your Gifts to Serve and Build Community

God has uniquely gifted each person, and He calls us to use those gifts to serve others and build up the community. Whether your gift is hospitality, encouragement, practical service, or speaking, you are invited to share what you have for the good of others. When we come together, offering our gifts and celebrating the gifts of others, we create a community that reflects God’s grace and love. Don’t hold back or compare your gifts—bring what you have, and trust that God will use it to bless others and bring Him glory. [01:18:26]

Romans 12:4-8 (ESV)
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Reflection: What is one gift or resource you have that you can offer to someone in your community this week?

Day 5: Pressing Forward—Letting the Past Inform, Not Dictate, Your Future

While it is important to remember where we have come from, we are not meant to be defined or limited by our past. God calls us to press on toward what He has ahead, letting go of what is behind and straining forward to His calling. This means not settling for a casual or comfortable relationship with Jesus, but allowing Him to shape and form us for the new season to come. As you look to the future, ask God to help you run toward His purposes with hope and courage, trusting that He is preparing you for what is next. [01:13:25]

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally “press on” toward God’s calling in your life this week, rather than letting your past define your present or future?

Sermon Summary

Life is a series of seasons, each marked by change, challenge, and the faithfulness of God. Looking back, it’s clear that God’s goodness has been present through every transition—whether joyful or painful, expected or sudden. Our lives, families, churches, and even our nation are always moving from one season to the next. In these times of change, it’s easy to become nostalgic, to look back and either sanitize or idolize the past, sometimes longing for a “Mayberry” that never truly existed. While remembering is important—Scripture calls us to remember well—we must be careful not to let our memories distort reality or keep us from seeing what God is doing right now.

As we navigate new seasons, the words of 1 Peter 4 offer a guide for how to live faithfully. Rather than letting our identity be defined by what we do or what we’ve done, we are called to focus on who we are becoming as God’s people. Peter urges us to be alert and of sober mind, to pray, to love deeply, to offer hospitality without grumbling, and to use our gifts to serve others. These are not just tasks to check off, but postures of the heart that shape our communal life and witness.

It’s tempting to crystallize our understanding of faith and church, settling for a comfortable relationship with Jesus or clinging to a version of the past that fits our preferences. But God calls us to press forward, to strain toward what is ahead, and to let Him shape us for whatever season comes next. This means paying attention to what God is doing in our lives and in the world, being present to the people around us, and living in a way that brings honor and glory to God in every season.

Ultimately, our time on earth is brief. Each season is an opportunity to make the most of what God has given us, to honor Him, and to do our very best for His kingdom. Let us be people who remember well, love deeply, serve faithfully, and live expectantly—ready for whatever new season God brings.

Key Takeaways

1. Remember Well, But Don’t Idolize the Past Scripture calls us to remember, but we must do so honestly. It’s easy to sanitize or idolize our memories, longing for a past that never truly existed. When we do this, we risk missing the opportunities and people God has placed in our lives right now. True remembrance honors the past without letting it dictate our future or blind us to God’s present work. [68:41]
2. Identity Is Found in Who We Are Becoming, Not Just What We Do Our culture often defines us by our roles or achievements, but God is more concerned with the kind of people we are becoming. Seasons of change can unsettle our sense of identity, yet they are invitations to let God shape us more deeply. Rather than clinging to old labels or routines, we are called to become people marked by love, hospitality, and faithfulness. [72:42]
3. Be Alert to God’s Work in Every Season Peter urges us to be alert and of sober mind so that we may pray and discern what God is doing. Change can be disorienting, but it’s also a time to pay close attention to God’s movement in our lives and communities. Asking daily, “What is God up to in my life?” keeps us open and responsive to His leading, even in seasons of uncertainty. [76:25]
4. Practice Generous Hospitality and Shared Life Hospitality is more than opening our homes; it’s about sharing who we are and what we have with others on the journey. In every season, God gives us unique gifts to offer the community, and we are called to celebrate and encourage one another’s contributions. Doing life together, without grumbling, reflects the heart of Christ and strengthens the body for whatever lies ahead. [78:26]
5. Live and Speak in Ways That Honor God Our words and actions carry weight, especially in times of transition. Peter reminds us to speak as those who speak the very words of God and to serve with the strength He provides. In all things, our aim is to bring honor and glory to God, making the most of our brief time on earth and pointing others to His kingdom.

** [79:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[53:51] - Opening Prayer and Reflections on God’s Faithfulness
[54:38] - Seasons of Change: Personal and Community Transitions
[55:44] - Navigating Life’s Major Changes
[56:32] - The Meaning of “The End of All Things Is Near”
[57:30] - Living with Expectancy and Readiness
[67:30] - The Dangers of Nostalgia and Idolizing the Past
[68:41] - National and Church-Level Divisions Over the Past
[69:29] - Missing Jesus in Our Pursuit of the Past
[70:20] - The Restoration Movement and Crystallized Faith
[72:42] - Moving Beyond a Comfortable Relationship with Jesus
[73:25] - Pressing Forward: Paul’s Example
[76:25] - Peter’s Checklist for Navigating Change
[78:26] - Practicing Hospitality and Shared Gifts
[79:49] - Speaking and Serving for God’s Glory
[80:46] - Responding to God in a New Season
[81:49] - Making the Most of Our Season on Earth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 4:7-11 (ESV) — > The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Peter 4:7-11, what are some specific instructions Peter gives for how believers should live as “the end of all things is at hand”?
In the sermon, what are some examples the pastor gives of seasons of change in his own life and in the life of the church? [55:44]
What does the sermon say about the way we tend to remember the past, and what are some of the dangers of nostalgia? [01:07:30]
How does Peter connect the use of our gifts with serving others and bringing glory to God? (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Interpretation Questions

Why does Peter emphasize being “alert and of sober mind” in times of change? How might this help believers navigate uncertain seasons? (1 Peter 4:7)
The sermon talks about remembering well but not idolizing the past. What does it mean to “remember well,” and how can distorted memories affect our present faith? [01:08:41]
The pastor mentions that our identity is not just in what we do, but in who we are becoming. How does this perspective challenge the way people often define themselves, especially during transitions? [01:12:42]
Why is hospitality, as described in 1 Peter 4 and the sermon, more than just opening our homes? What does it look like to practice “shared life” in a church community? [01:18:26]

Application Questions

The sermon warns against idolizing the past or longing for a “Mayberry” that never really existed. Is there a time or season in your life or in the church that you tend to look back on with nostalgia? How might that be affecting your openness to what God is doing now? [01:08:41]
Peter calls us to be “alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” What are some distractions or habits that keep you from being spiritually alert? What is one practical step you can take this week to be more attentive to God’s work in your life? (1 Peter 4:7)
The pastor shared about how easy it is to let our identity be defined by our roles or achievements. Is there a role, job, or label you’ve held onto that makes it hard to see who God is shaping you to become? What would it look like to let go of that and trust God with your future? [01:12:42]
Think about the gifts God has given you. Are you using them to serve others in this season? If not, what is one way you could start using your gifts to bless someone in your church or community this week? (1 Peter 4:10-11)
The sermon describes hospitality as sharing who you are and what you have with others, not just opening your home. Who is someone you could show hospitality to this week, and what would that look like for you? [01:18:26]
The pastor said, “Our words and actions carry weight, especially in times of transition.” Is there a conversation you need to have, or a way you need to encourage someone, that would honor God in this season? [01:19:49]
The message closed with a reminder that our time on earth is brief. What is one thing you want to do differently in this season to make the most of the time and opportunities God has given you? [01:21:49]

Sermon Clips

Somehow, we have to come together and remember well who we are and who we should be. But instead, we're sanitizing, maximizing, minimizing, and we are creating an idolatrous past on both sides. And we're reaching in different directions. And we're missing Jesus in the center. [01:10:20] (27 seconds) #RememberJesusAtTheCenter

We are part of what is called the restoration movement. And the whole idea is to restore, to dig into, and try to be the body that was there in the first century. And to restore the heart of that. It's a nice idea. And I think what we end up doing is we want to restore back to our glory days in the churches of Christ in the 1960s. Folks, we've got to look way further back than that. And restore to Jesus himself. [01:11:45] (39 seconds) #RestoreToJesus

Personally, we settle for a casual and comfortable relationship with Jesus. And I told Jesus I loved him when I was baptized. And if I change my mind, I'll let him know. I think he wants a little more than that. But we settle for this casual, comfortable relationship with Christ, where we pursue at once... our life and our desires and our will and we just want to sprinkle a little Jesus on top. And Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life, and he wants to come underneath our life and shape and form us and to prepare us for whatever season that is to come. [01:13:18] (48 seconds) #BeyondCasualFaith

Paul gives us an idea in Philippians. He says, forgetting what is behind, I strain towards what is ahead, and I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Paul is saying—he's not saying what's behind is not important—but he's saying what's behind is not going to dictate how I live the future, because he is leaning forward, running forward to where God is calling him. He wants us to do the same. [01:14:06] (33 seconds) #PressForwardInFaith

Be alert. Pay attention to what God is doing. We can't lean towards what God is doing if we're not looking for what God is doing. So a question you might ask every day is, what in the world is God up to in my life? Pay attention to what God is doing in the world and be ready and willing to step into that. [01:15:20] (25 seconds) #ClearMindSeeOthers

Don't be frivolous with your words. As the people of God, the very words we speak are the words of God. Don't be frivolous with your words. Live in a way that brings honor to God and points others to the kingdom. [01:20:02] (21 seconds) #LiveForGodsGlory

And in all things, in this season, and in the new season to come, and the new season after that, let us live in a way that brings honor and glory to the Father. [01:20:23] (17 seconds) #WorkWhileThereIsTime

The end of all things is near. That may not mean Jesus is coming back tomorrow, but it does mean, folks, we have work to do. Let's make the most of what God has given us. [01:20:43] (18 seconds) #HonorGodInYourSeason

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