Embracing Donkey Missions for Spiritual Growth
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk to you about "donkey missions." These are the everyday tasks and challenges that God uses to grow and stretch us. Often, we overlook these moments, but they are crucial for our spiritual development. Just like King Saul, who was sent on a mission to find his father's lost donkeys, we too are sent on various "donkey missions" to mature in our faith. These missions are not always glamorous; they are often mundane and challenging, but they are essential for our growth.
God uses these missions to build our character and deepen our relationship with Him. For instance, when we face situations that require forgiveness, like the one I shared from Luke 6:37, we are on a donkey mission. God teaches us to forgive so that we can walk in the fullness of His forgiveness. These missions help us to pause, ponder, and soak in God's Word, allowing it to transform us.
We all have a unique purpose, and God has created us in His image to do mighty things. Our identity in Christ shapes our trajectory. If we see ourselves as children of God, we will walk in that truth and overcome the challenges we face. God loves us so much that He is willing to exchange nations for us, as stated in Isaiah 43:3. We are special and important in His eyes.
As we go through these donkey missions, we must invite God into every situation. Whether it's dealing with persecution, facing personal challenges, or even simple daily tasks, God is with us. He uses these moments to promote us and advance His kingdom. We must not quit on the very things God is using to shape our character.
I challenge you to recognize the donkey missions in your life and respond with a heart willing to learn and grow. Write down who God says you are and declare it over your life daily. Journal your past and current donkey missions to see what God is teaching you. Remember, you are special, and God has a unique purpose for you. Embrace your donkey missions and let God work through them to mature you in your faith.
### Key Takeaways
1. Embrace the Mundane for Growth: Donkey missions are the everyday tasks and challenges that God uses to grow and stretch us. These moments, though often overlooked, are crucial for our spiritual development. Embrace them as opportunities for growth and maturity. [24:56]
2. Forgiveness as a Donkey Mission: One of the most challenging donkey missions is learning to forgive. As stated in Luke 6:37, forgiving others allows us to walk in the fullness of God's forgiveness. This mission teaches us to pause, ponder, and soak in God's Word, transforming our hearts. [26:32]
3. Identity Shapes Trajectory: Understanding our identity in Christ is vital. If we see ourselves as children of God, it will shape our trajectory and help us overcome challenges. God loves us immensely and has created us for a unique purpose, as stated in Isaiah 43:3. [39:49]
4. Invite God into Every Situation: Whether facing persecution, personal challenges, or daily tasks, we must invite God into every situation. These donkey missions are designed to promote us and advance His kingdom. Do not quit on the very things God is using to shape your character. [52:59]
5. Practical Steps for Growth: Recognize the donkey missions in your life and respond with a heart willing to learn and grow. Write down who God says you are and declare it over your life daily. Journal your past and current donkey missions to see what God is teaching you. Embrace these missions and let God work through them to mature you in your faith. [01:07:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[20:47] - Introduction and Prayer Night Recap
[23:15] - Invitation to Next Prayer Night
[24:19] - Introduction to Donkey Missions
[24:56] - What is a Donkey Mission?
[26:32] - Forgiveness as a Donkey Mission
[27:50] - Spiritual Growth through Donkey Missions
[30:21] - Personal Testimony of Persecution
[32:14] - Handling Church Challenges
[34:18] - King Saul's Donkey Mission
[39:49] - Identity Shapes Trajectory
[45:51] - Saul's Journey and Maturity
[52:59] - Inviting God into Donkey Missions
[01:00:46] - Attitude Towards Donkey Missions
[01:07:00] - Practical Steps for Growth
[01:12:29] - Prayer and Surrender
[01:18:40] - Closing Prayer and Worship Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 6:37 - "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
2. Isaiah 43:3 - "For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you."
3. 1 Samuel 9:1-3 - "There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a man of wealth. And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul, 'Take one of the young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Luke 6:37 teach us about forgiveness and judgment?
2. According to Isaiah 43:3, what lengths is God willing to go to for His people?
3. In 1 Samuel 9:1-3, what task was Saul given by his father, and how does this relate to the concept of "donkey missions"? [24:19]
4. How did the pastor describe the importance of recognizing and embracing "donkey missions" in our daily lives? [24:56]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of forgiving others, as mentioned in Luke 6:37, help us to walk in the fullness of God's forgiveness? [26:32]
2. What does Isaiah 43:3 reveal about our value and identity in God's eyes, and how should this shape our self-perception? [39:49]
3. Reflecting on Saul's mission to find his father's donkeys, how can mundane tasks in our lives serve a greater purpose in God's plan? [24:56]
4. Why is it important to invite God into every situation, including our daily tasks and challenges? [52:59]
### Application Questions
1. Think of a recent mundane task or challenge you faced. How might this have been a "donkey mission" designed to grow and stretch you? How did you respond to it? [24:56]
2. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? How can you apply the teaching from Luke 6:37 to this situation? What steps will you take this week to offer forgiveness? [26:32]
3. How does understanding your identity in Christ, as described in Isaiah 43:3, change the way you approach your daily life and challenges? [39:49]
4. What are some practical ways you can invite God into your daily tasks and challenges? How can you remind yourself to seek His guidance regularly? [52:59]
5. The pastor mentioned journaling past and current "donkey missions." Have you ever journaled about your spiritual journey? If not, how might starting this practice help you recognize God's work in your life? [01:07:00]
6. How can you declare who God says you are over your life daily? What specific declarations will you make, and how will you incorporate this practice into your routine? [01:07:00]
7. Reflect on a time when you faced persecution or a significant challenge. How did you see God working through that situation to promote growth in your character? How can this perspective help you face future challenges? [30:21]
Devotional
### Day 1: Embrace the Mundane for Spiritual Growth
God often uses the everyday tasks and challenges we face to grow and stretch us spiritually. These "donkey missions" may seem mundane and insignificant, but they are crucial for our spiritual development. Just as King Saul was sent to find his father's lost donkeys, we too are sent on various missions that may not seem glamorous but are essential for our growth. Embracing these moments allows us to mature in our faith and build our character.
These tasks teach us patience, perseverance, and reliance on God. They help us to pause, ponder, and soak in God's Word, allowing it to transform us. By recognizing these moments as opportunities for growth, we can approach them with a heart willing to learn and grow. Embrace the mundane tasks in your life as opportunities for spiritual development and maturity. [24:56]
Bible Passage:
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." — Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a mundane task you often overlook. How can you approach it with a heart willing to learn and grow in your faith today?
### Day 2: Forgiveness as a Donkey Mission
One of the most challenging "donkey missions" is learning to forgive. Forgiveness is not just a one-time act but a continuous process that requires us to pause, ponder, and soak in God's Word. As stated in Luke 6:37, forgiving others allows us to walk in the fullness of God's forgiveness. This mission teaches us to let go of grudges and extend grace to others, just as God has extended grace to us.
Forgiveness transforms our hearts and helps us to grow spiritually. It is a crucial aspect of our spiritual development and a reflection of God's love in our lives. Embrace the mission of forgiveness, and allow it to transform your heart and deepen your relationship with God. [26:32]
Bible Passage:
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." — Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
Reflection:
Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
### Day 3: Identity Shapes Trajectory
Understanding our identity in Christ is vital for our spiritual growth. If we see ourselves as children of God, it will shape our trajectory and help us overcome challenges. God loves us immensely and has created us for a unique purpose. Our identity in Christ gives us the strength and confidence to face the "donkey missions" in our lives.
Knowing who we are in Christ helps us to walk in the truth and overcome the challenges we face. It shapes our actions, decisions, and attitudes. Embrace your identity in Christ and let it guide you through the various missions God has for you. [39:49]
Bible Passage:
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." — 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
Reflection:
Write down who God says you are and declare it over your life daily. How does understanding your identity in Christ shape your actions and decisions today?
### Day 4: Invite God into Every Situation
Whether facing persecution, personal challenges, or daily tasks, we must invite God into every situation. These "donkey missions" are designed to promote us and advance His kingdom. By inviting God into every aspect of our lives, we allow Him to work through us and shape our character.
God uses these moments to teach us valuable lessons and to draw us closer to Him. Do not quit on the very things God is using to shape your character. Instead, invite Him into every situation and allow Him to guide you through the challenges you face. [52:59]
Bible Passage:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." — Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you invite God into this situation and trust Him to guide you through it?
### Day 5: Practical Steps for Growth
Recognizing the "donkey missions" in your life and responding with a heart willing to learn and grow is essential for spiritual development. Write down who God says you are and declare it over your life daily. Journal your past and current "donkey missions" to see what God is teaching you. Embrace these missions and let God work through them to mature you in your faith.
Taking practical steps for growth helps us to stay focused and intentional in our spiritual journey. By journaling and reflecting on our experiences, we can see how God is working in our lives and learn valuable lessons. Embrace the "donkey missions" in your life and allow God to use them to mature you in your faith. [01:07:00]
Bible Passage:
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" — 2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)
Reflection:
Journal your past and current "donkey missions." What is God teaching you through these experiences, and how can you apply these lessons to your daily life?
Quotes
1. "And a donkey mission are the things that are happening in our life on a daily basis. And if we're not asking God to participate in those with us, we may be missing out. We may be missing out on the harvest that he has right before our eyes. Amen? And it's our day-to-day things. And if we don't let God work, he's not part of what's happening in that moment. We're trying to do it all ourself and make it happen ourself. Amen? And that's what a donkey mission is. And they're so important for you in your life." [24:56] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "They're so important is because God takes you on a journey through these things. And this is how he gets you to grow. Church, are you hearing me? He's going to grow us and stretch us when he sends us on these different donkey missions. And there's many times that we don't even stop to recognize that God's involved in everything that we're doing on a regular basis. When you got up this morning and we're thinking about getting ready to go to church or maybe thinking about, maybe I'm not going to go to church today, but you decided to go anyways, there's a donkey mission happening right inside that moment where God wants to grow you and stretch you and show you something. Amen?" [26:02] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Because if I choose not to forgive somebody, I'm not really walking in God's will. And I sure am not thanking him for forgiving me for all my stuff. If I can't forgive somebody else. Amen. And so it's a donkey mission. And you and I, we need to pause and ponder the word of God and let it get soaked into us. We don't read the Bible as a book, right? We read it to receive and understand. And those are donkey. Spiritual donkey missions that God will take you on through the truth of his word. Amen." [27:05] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Some of you need to hear this because that's exactly what you need to maybe move forward. Because the truth about donkey missions is they build your character and who you are in Christ. And not just how you see yourself, but how others see you actually is how they mature you and help you grow. This is powerful. If you grab hold of this, and here's the truth. You're already on a donkey mission right now. You are on a donkey. You're on a donkey mission. Listen to me. Talk about you being on donkey missions. Because you're sitting there going, I'm not on a donkey mission. No, I'm not." [27:50] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And let me tell you something about donkey missions. They're not always glamorous. It's a donkey mission, not a black Arabian stallion mission. It's a donkey mission, right? It's something that maybe God just wants to do in you. You might be saying, okay, Pastor David Tripp, you must, man, you give us the word of God every week, and it's so powerful, and it's so strong. Well, let me tell you all something. It took me a while to get to where I'm at in my walk. I just didn't start the first time I preached the message, and I knew where I was going to go and what I was going to do, and that God was speaking to me in that moment, and God has grown me and moved me along." [28:24] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And the way you're gonna find out your value is that you are willing to go on donkeys. If you can go on a couple donkeys mission, you are willing to go on革 combinations to bite a dog. It gonna hurt you, Take your hat off, take your shoes off, get ready to shoot and you're gonna be a say, and double option breathing. because I'm glad he taught me. before I share anything else today, I need you to get one thing very clear in your mind and believe it with all your heart that you are special." [38:10] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And when you know who you are and whom you are, it matters a lot, church. It matters because your identity is going to shape your trajectory. You understanding your identity is going to shape your trajectory. In the way that you go. Example, if you're a pig, you're heading for slop. If you're a prince or a princess, you're heading for inheritance. Amen? If you believe that you're not good enough, it's going to send you on a trajectory in a certain direction, just as much as you believe in your child of God will send you on a different trajectory." [39:49] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And you cannot quit on the very thing God's trying to use to shape your character in Christ. You can't quit on it. You can, but he's just going to bring it back to you again and just in a different form, because it's the same thing you've got to learn to get a breakthrough. And it just keeps coming. You know what I'm talking about, don't you? Have you experienced that before? Because God wants to move you forward. See, donkey missions happen in obscurity. There's no fanfare when the donkey mission is taking place. Nobody's around you to celebrate. It's you walking through and learning. It's you growing and what God wants to mature you in." [52:59] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And don't misunderstand what I just said. I believe in mentoring and coming alongside one another. I'm just saying in a donkey mission, there's some times where you've got to be alone with God so he can show you what needs to happen. You don't need somebody else's answer. You need the answer from God. Now, I want you to remember this. See, in the Bible, it says that God can make donkeys talk. And so don't get yourself in a situation. Where you're not close enough to God to where he has to use a donkey to talk to you versus him to get your attention. I can't hear from God. Well, I'll make this donkey talk and maybe that will get your attention and make you feel like I'm really real." [53:57] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And so let's pray. I want to pray over you. And we're going to start by just surrendering. Surrendering some things of the Lord in our prayer. And then I'll pray for you to have this relationship with Jesus. I want to ask outside of the worship team to quickly move in this direction, but then I want everyone else to remain silent so that we can focus. Because I want to have, I want to invite you into an account, an encounter with the Lord right here. And so if you all just close your eyes and just, and this is what I want you to do. I want you to think about a person that comes, comes to mind that's hurt you. Or maybe you have a little bit of hate towards them. Or maybe you're just frustrated with them or angry with them. Are there something you, you, you know what that thing is, but find that maybe that person's God. Maybe you're angry with God. Maybe you think that God's not fair in a certain situation. I want you to find that person and we're going to pray." [01:12:29] (72 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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