Embracing Each Day: A Journey of Attentiveness

 

Summary

Today is a unique gift from God, crafted by our loving Creator, and it is an opportunity to rejoice and be glad. This day is not a product of random chance but a divine creation, and it invites us to be present and attentive. We often go through life on autopilot, missing the richness of the present moment. Ezra Sullivan's insights remind us that our minds wander about 50% of the time, causing us to miss out on life. Cultivating the habit of attentiveness is crucial, as it allows us to stretch our minds and souls toward the present, much like stretching our bodies.

The concept of a "habitual readiness to flourish" is about having an open mind and a surrendered will. This means being open to truth and willing to change when necessary, while also being ready to let go of wrong habits and cultivate the right ones. William James' idea that actions lead to habits, which then shape our character and destiny, underscores the importance of our daily choices. Our character is the main thing God gets out of our lives, and it is shaped by the habits we form.

Frank Laubach's "game with minutes" is an invitation to bring our minds back to God regularly, recognizing His presence in every moment. This practice leads to a deeper friendship with Jesus, where doubts fade, and we become more sure of His presence. As we engage in this game, our lives become richer, and we experience God not just through knowledge but through an interactive relationship. This relationship transforms our perception of the Bible and our interactions with others, making our faith vibrant and alive.

God's creation is full of variety and surprises, and our spiritual journey should reflect that. If our devotion becomes dull, we are invited to explore new forms of fellowship with God. This game is not a grim duty but a delightful privilege, offering limitless possibilities for spiritual growth. Every moment is a fresh beginning, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. As we cultivate habits that lead us toward God, we embark on a journey of love and discovery, sailing on the seas of God's infinite grace.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Gift of Today: Each day is a unique creation from God, not a product of chance. It is an opportunity to be present and attentive, recognizing the divine in the ordinary moments of life. By cultivating the habit of attentiveness, we can fully embrace the richness of each day. [00:37]

2. Habitual Readiness to Flourish: An open mind and a surrendered will are essential for spiritual growth. Being open to truth and willing to change allows us to let go of wrong habits and cultivate the right ones, shaping our character and destiny. [02:29]

3. The Game with Minutes: Regularly bringing our minds back to God helps us develop a deeper friendship with Jesus. This practice transforms our lives, making our faith vibrant and alive, and allows us to experience God in an interactive relationship. [04:14]

4. Variety in Devotion: God loves variety and surprises, and our spiritual journey should reflect that. If our devotion becomes dull, we are invited to explore new forms of fellowship with God, making our faith journey exciting and dynamic. [08:27]

5. A Delightful Privilege: Engaging in the "game with minutes" is not a grim duty but a delightful privilege. It offers limitless possibilities for spiritual growth, with every moment being a fresh beginning, filled with the joy and strength of the Lord. [09:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:37] - The Gift of Today
- [00:56] - The Importance of Habits
- [01:26] - Attentiveness and Presence
- [02:13] - Cultivating Readiness to Flourish
- [03:10] - Habits Shape Character
- [03:56] - Invitation to the Game with Minutes
- [04:42] - Experiencing God's Presence
- [05:13] - The Prizes of the Game
- [06:06] - Friendship with Jesus
- [07:15] - Interactive Relationship with God
- [08:09] - Vibrant and Alive Faith
- [08:27] - Variety in Devotion
- [09:33] - A Delightful Privilege
- [10:56] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
2. John 17:3 - "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of recognizing each day as a creation from God rather than a product of chance? [00:37]

2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "habitual readiness to flourish," and what role does it play in spiritual growth? [02:29]

3. What is the "game with minutes" as described in the sermon, and how does it help in developing a deeper friendship with Jesus? [04:14]

4. How does the sermon suggest we should respond if our devotion becomes dull or routine? [08:27]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What might it mean for someone to have an "open mind and a surrendered will" in the context of spiritual growth, and how does this relate to the habits we form? [02:29]

2. How does the practice of regularly bringing our minds back to God transform our perception of the Bible and our interactions with others? [07:42]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God’s creation reflects variety and surprises, and how should this influence our spiritual journey? [08:27]

4. How does the concept of "a delightful privilege" in engaging with God challenge the notion of religious practices being dull or burdensome? [09:33]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you cultivate the habit of attentiveness to recognize the divine in ordinary moments? What specific changes can you make this week? [00:37]

2. Identify a habit in your life that you feel is not leading you toward spiritual growth. What steps can you take to surrender this habit and cultivate a more positive one? [02:56]

3. Consider the idea of the "game with minutes." How can you incorporate this practice into your daily life to deepen your relationship with Jesus? What reminders can you set to bring your mind back to God throughout the day? [04:14]

4. If your spiritual practices have become routine, what new forms of fellowship with God can you explore to make your faith journey more dynamic? [08:27]

5. Think about a time when you felt the joy of the Lord as your strength. How can you intentionally seek out moments of joy in your spiritual practices this week? [09:49]

6. How can you approach your spiritual journey as a "delightful privilege" rather than a duty? What mindset shifts are necessary for this transformation? [09:33]

7. Identify one area in your life where you can experience God’s presence more fully. What practical steps can you take to invite God into that area this week? [07:15]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Divine Gift of Today
Each day is a unique creation from God, not a product of chance. It is an opportunity to be present and attentive, recognizing the divine in the ordinary moments of life. By cultivating the habit of attentiveness, we can fully embrace the richness of each day. Our minds often wander, causing us to miss out on the beauty and significance of the present moment. By being mindful and present, we can appreciate the divine craftsmanship in each day and find joy in the simple, everyday experiences. [00:37]

Psalm 118:24 (ESV): "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Reflection: What is one ordinary moment today where you can pause and recognize God's presence, turning it into a moment of gratitude and joy?


Day 2: Cultivate a Readiness to Flourish
An open mind and a surrendered will are essential for spiritual growth. Being open to truth and willing to change allows us to let go of wrong habits and cultivate the right ones, shaping our character and destiny. Our daily choices and actions form habits that ultimately shape who we are. By being intentional about our habits, we can align our lives with God's will and purpose, allowing our character to flourish in His presence. [02:29]

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

Reflection: Identify one habit that is hindering your spiritual growth. What practical steps can you take today to replace it with a habit that aligns with God's truth?


Day 3: Engage in the Game with Minutes
Regularly bringing our minds back to God helps us develop a deeper friendship with Jesus. This practice transforms our lives, making our faith vibrant and alive, and allows us to experience God in an interactive relationship. By intentionally focusing on God's presence throughout the day, we can deepen our relationship with Him and experience His love and guidance in every moment. This practice is not about perfection but about cultivating a heart that is continually turned toward God. [04:14]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: How can you incorporate brief moments of prayer or gratitude into your daily routine to remind yourself of God's presence?


Day 4: Discover Variety in Devotion
God loves variety and surprises, and our spiritual journey should reflect that. If our devotion becomes dull, we are invited to explore new forms of fellowship with God, making our faith journey exciting and dynamic. By embracing different ways to connect with God, we can keep our spiritual life fresh and engaging, allowing us to experience His love and grace in new and unexpected ways. [08:27]

Isaiah 43:19 (ESV): "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 new spiritual practice or form of worship you can try this week to invigorate your relationship with God?


Day 5: Delight in the Privilege of God's Presence
Engaging in the "game with minutes" is not a grim duty but a delightful privilege. It offers limitless possibilities for spiritual growth, with every moment being a fresh beginning, filled with the joy and strength of the Lord. By viewing our relationship with God as a joyful journey rather than a burdensome task, we can experience the fullness of His love and grace in our lives. [09:33]

Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"

Reflection: How can you shift your perspective today to see your spiritual practices as a joyful privilege rather than a duty?

Quotes


this day this exact day this day right here this is the day that the Lord has made it did not come about by accident it is not random chance it is a gift it has been crafted by our great and loving Creator and therefore because of that I will rejoice and be glad on the occasion of this day because it's God's day it's the only opportunity that I will have to be with God right now [00:00:25]

Ezra Sullivan in his book habits and Holiness cites one study that says that 50 of the time people's minds are wandering that is they are not attending to the task or the event that is at hand half of you missed that so I'll say it again 50 of the time people's minds are wandering and therefore we miss what is going on in life [00:01:16]

Sullivan talks about it as the habitual Readiness to flourish and it is a bit to the will like an open mind is to the intellect I want to have an open mind so that I'm always open to truth and whenever I'm wrong about something I'm quick to recognize it and change what it is that I believe [00:02:26]

William James in his classic book principles of psychology begins his chapter on habit with this classic comment so an action Reba have it so a habit reap a character so a character repay destiny and that is not a cliche it's not a several clever sounding or trite expression it is simply neurologically physiologically true [00:03:04]

the game is I see can I cultivate this mental habit can I bring my mind back to God and God's presence once every minute I'll have other things to do other tasks but can I right now remember God is with me I feel a slight breeze and I remember that the word for wind or Breeze is the same as the word for Spirit [00:04:11]

Lubbock writes about the game with minutes it is obvious this is unlike other games in many respects one difference is we all win and you know God wants you to be a winner and to feel like a winner in this great game we may not win all or even half our minutes but we do win a richer life which is really all that matters [00:05:43]

our unseen friend becomes dearer closer and more wonderful each day until at last we know him as Jesus Lover of My Soul not only in songs but in experience doubts fade we are made more sure of him being with us than of anybody else this warm Ardent friendship ripens rapidly until people see its Glory shining in our eyes [00:06:19]

how to know God is not just to know about God but to be in an interactive relationship with him John 17 3 this is eternal life to know you the Eternal Father and that's exactly what lavik is talking about here where I don't just know about God but it is possible to experience him to interact with him [00:07:13]

the notion that religion is dull stupid and sleepy is abhorrent to God for he has created an infinite variety and he loves to surprise us and if you look at nature or you look at the Bible you know that that's true God loves variety and he loves to surprise if you are weary of some sleepy form of devotion probably God is as weary of it as you are [00:08:16]

this game is not a grim Duty nobody needs play it unless he seeks richer life it is a delightful privilege if you get to play if you forget to play it for minutes or hours or days do not groan or repent but begin Anew with a smile like right now because again the joy of the Lord is our strength [00:09:30]

do not turn the game into a sour faced Penance with God every minute can be a fresh beginning ahead of you lies Limitless anticipations Walt Whitman looked up into the starry skies and fairly shouted away oh soul hoist instantly the sail oh daring Joy but safe are they not all the Seas of God [00:10:07]

hi I'm Tim thanks for joining us you mean so much to us as a community and we hope that this series helps you build some new habits in your life to help you grow spiritually one day at a time and we want to hear from you throughout the series if you have questions you can put them in the comment box [00:10:53]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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