Embracing Faith and Gratitude in Divine Moments

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound journey of faith and gratitude, drawing inspiration from Numbers 13. This chapter presents a pivotal moment for the Israelites, standing on the brink of the Promised Land, yet hesitating due to fear and doubt. We are reminded of the importance of seizing our divine moments, not allowing fear to overshadow the promises God has prepared for us. The Israelites' experience serves as a cautionary tale about missing the moment before the moment, emphasizing the need for preparation, faith, and gratitude.

We are called to prepare ourselves, cross over, and possess the land God has promised. This preparation is not just physical but spiritual, involving a transformation of the heart and mind. As we look forward to our big assignment in 2025, we are encouraged to embrace the preparation steps laid out for us, reinforcing our mission, worship, mercy, service, and commitment to the Word.

The story of the spies in Numbers 13 highlights the choice between focusing on the giants or the grapes. Caleb and Joshua exemplify faith and gratitude, urging us to see the abundance God has placed before us rather than the obstacles. Their perspective challenges us to be grateful for the grapes, enhancing our faith and giving to God. Gratitude is not just a feeling but a catalyst for explosive faith and generous giving.

As we navigate our personal and communal journeys, we are encouraged to be river givers, flowing with gratitude and generosity. This Thanksgiving season, let us not miss our divine moments by focusing on the giants. Instead, let us embrace the blessings and opportunities God has provided, allowing gratitude to transform our faith and actions.

Key Takeaways:

- Seizing Divine Moments: The Israelites' hesitation at the brink of the Promised Land teaches us the importance of not missing our divine moments. Preparation, faith, and gratitude are essential to stepping into the promises God has for us. We must be ready to cross over and possess the land, embracing the transformation God is working in our hearts. [15:43]

- Gratitude Enhances Faith: Being grateful for the grapes, the blessings God has given us, enhances our faith. Gratitude positions us to see God's abundance and strengthens our trust in His promises. This Thanksgiving, let gratitude fuel your faith, allowing it to explode and abound in your life. [27:00]

- Generosity Flows from Gratitude: True giving comes from a heart of gratitude, not obligation. When we are grateful for what God has done, our giving becomes a joyful expression of love. This applies not only to financial giving but also to how we give our time, talents, and love to others. [35:30]

- Choosing Faith Over Fear: Like Caleb and Joshua, we must choose to focus on God's promises rather than the giants in our lives. Faith acknowledges challenges but trusts in God's ability to overcome them. Let us be leaders who are filled with faith, moving toward God's promises with confidence. [32:47]

- Living as a House of Mercy: Our mission is to live as a house of mercy for everyone, everywhere. This involves being doers of the Word, embodying God's love and grace in our communities. As we prepare for our future assignments, let us commit to being a beacon of mercy and hope. [53:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:10] - Offering Our Hearts to God
- [06:38] - Preparing for Transformation
- [08:42] - Mission and Connection
- [11:41] - Embracing Diversity
- [13:26] - Engaging the Next Generation
- [15:43] - The Moment Before the Moment
- [17:04] - Spying Out the Land
- [19:14] - Grapes or Grasshoppers
- [20:23] - Caleb's Faith
- [22:45] - Captivity to Promised Land
- [25:04] - Grateful for the Grapes
- [27:00] - Gratitude and Faith
- [35:30] - Gratitude and Giving
- [53:52] - Invitation to Faith and Giving

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Numbers 13:1-33
- Joshua 1:10-11

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Observation Questions:

1. In Numbers 13, what was the purpose of sending the spies into the land of Canaan, and what did they discover there? [17:04]

2. How did Caleb and Joshua's report differ from that of the other spies, and what was their perspective on the challenges they faced? [20:23]

3. What were the Israelites' reactions to the reports from the spies, and how did this affect their journey? [22:45]

4. According to the sermon, what are the three critical components for transformation mentioned in Joshua 1:10-11? [06:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of the spies in Numbers 13 illustrate the choice between focusing on obstacles and focusing on God's promises? [19:14]

2. What does it mean to "miss the moment before the moment," and how can this concept apply to personal and communal spiritual journeys? [15:43]

3. How does gratitude enhance faith according to the sermon, and why is it important to be grateful for the "grapes" in our lives? [27:00]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that generosity flows from gratitude, and how can this principle be applied beyond financial giving? [35:30]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when fear or doubt prevented you from seizing a divine moment. How can you prepare yourself spiritually to overcome such challenges in the future? [15:43]

2. Caleb and Joshua focused on God's promises rather than the giants. What are some "giants" in your life that you need to shift your focus away from, and how can you start doing that this week? [32:47]

3. The sermon emphasizes being grateful for the "grapes" or blessings in our lives. Identify one blessing you often overlook and share how you can express gratitude for it this week. [27:00]

4. How can you become a "river giver," allowing gratitude to flow into generosity in your daily life? Consider both financial and non-financial ways to give. [35:30]

5. The sermon calls us to live as a house of mercy. What is one practical step you can take this week to embody mercy in your community or family? [53:52]

6. As we prepare for future assignments, what specific steps can you take to reinforce your commitment to mission, worship, mercy, service, and the Word? [08:42]

7. During this Thanksgiving season, how can you ensure that gratitude fuels your faith and actions, transforming your perspective and interactions with others? [27:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Divine Opportunities
In the journey of faith, there are moments when we stand on the brink of something great, much like the Israelites at the edge of the Promised Land. These divine moments require us to be prepared, both spiritually and mentally, to step into the promises God has for us. The Israelites hesitated due to fear and doubt, missing the opportunity to seize what was rightfully theirs. This teaches us the importance of preparation, faith, and gratitude in recognizing and embracing the divine opportunities that come our way. We are called to transform our hearts and minds, ready to cross over and possess the land God has promised. As we look forward to our big assignment in 2025, let us embrace the preparation steps laid out for us, reinforcing our mission, worship, mercy, service, and commitment to the Word. [15:43]

"Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go." (Joshua 1:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What divine opportunity is God placing before you today, and how can you prepare yourself spiritually and mentally to embrace it?

Day 2: Gratitude as a Catalyst for Faith
Gratitude is more than just a feeling; it is a powerful catalyst that enhances our faith. When we focus on the blessings God has given us, like the grapes in the story of the spies, our perspective shifts from obstacles to abundance. Caleb and Joshua exemplified this mindset, urging the Israelites to see the abundance God had placed before them rather than the giants. This Thanksgiving, let gratitude fuel your faith, allowing it to explode and abound in your life. By being grateful for the grapes, we position ourselves to see God's abundance and strengthen our trust in His promises. [27:00]

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

Reflection: What are the "grapes" in your life that you can be grateful for today, and how can this gratitude enhance your faith in God's promises?

Day 3: Generosity Flowing from a Grateful Heart
True generosity stems from a heart of gratitude, not obligation. When we are genuinely grateful for what God has done, our giving becomes a joyful expression of love. This applies not only to financial giving but also to how we give our time, talents, and love to others. As we navigate our personal and communal journeys, we are encouraged to be river givers, flowing with gratitude and generosity. This Thanksgiving season, let us not miss our divine moments by focusing on the giants. Instead, let us embrace the blessings and opportunities God has provided, allowing gratitude to transform our faith and actions. [35:30]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you express your gratitude through acts of generosity today, whether through your time, talents, or resources?

Day 4: Choosing Faith Over Fear
In the face of challenges, we are often presented with a choice: to focus on the giants or the grapes. Caleb and Joshua chose to focus on God's promises rather than the giants in their lives. Faith acknowledges challenges but trusts in God's ability to overcome them. As we prepare for our future assignments, let us commit to being leaders who are filled with faith, moving toward God's promises with confidence. By choosing faith over fear, we align ourselves with God's vision and purpose for our lives, stepping boldly into the future He has prepared for us. [32:47]

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where fear is holding you back, and how can you choose faith over fear today?

Day 5: Living as a House of Mercy
Our mission is to live as a house of mercy for everyone, everywhere. This involves being doers of the Word, embodying God's love and grace in our communities. As we prepare for our future assignments, let us commit to being a beacon of mercy and hope. By living as a house of mercy, we reflect God's character and extend His love to those around us. This commitment requires us to be intentional in our actions, seeking to serve and uplift others in every aspect of our lives. [53:52]

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embody God's mercy in your interactions with others today, and what specific actions can you take to be a beacon of hope in your community?

Quotes

"Lord, we do thank you today that we have a response To all that you have given to us And that response is that we give our hearts to you That we present ourselves as a living sacrifice Holy and acceptable unto you Which is our reasonable spiritual service We will not be conformed to this world But transformed by the renewing of our minds Transformed by the renewing of our minds That we may prove what is that good and acceptable And perfect will of God In Jesus' name we pray And everyone said amen Thank you today You may be seated Amen" [00:05:01] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Grab a hold of those three challenges today. Prepare yourselves, cross over, and possess the land. Those are critical components for personal transformation, family transformation, and community transformation. They are invaluable to understanding what God is doing in our hearts right now here at Bethesda Community Church. There's a preparation process happening. There's a deeper understanding, a heart movement, a heart transformation as he is preparing us for our big assignment in 2025." [00:07:24] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"just about everything in life is filled with a nevertheless the choice and the decision that we have to make is whether that nevertheless is filled with faith or filled with fear nevertheless the people who who dwell in the land, are strong. Let's just say that's the enemy's power. The cities are fortified and very large, the enemy's possessions. Moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there, the enemy's partnerships." [00:19:21] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Then Caleb, oh, I love Caleb. This elder statesman, in the midst of the chorus of fear, quiets the crowd. And Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it. But the men who had gone up with him said, we are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land, which they had spied out, saying, the land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants." [00:20:38] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Being grateful for the grapes enhances our faith in God. Have you ever met anyone who is grateful, who is thankful, that doesn't have abounding faith? Growing faith. Exorbitant faith. I read Colossians chapter 2 and it... verse 6 and 7 it's like a volcanic eruption in my soul and I think it will be for you if you really grab a hold of it but look what it says as you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord as we experience Christ as we receive him so walk in him you might want to just highlight that how do we walk in him so walk in him rooted and built up in him and established in the faith so walk in him as you have been taught abounding in it abounding in what as you have been established in faith abounding in faith with or the Greek word in abound which simply means you position yourself in thanksgiving." [00:26:40] (89 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"It comes because we have positioned ourselves in gratitude. We are grateful for the grapes. We are seeing what God is doing in our lives, and because of what he is doing, our faith explodes. It abounds. It grows. It increases. Because of our thanksgiving, we're in this thanksgiving season. Isn't it wonderful when you sit down at the thanksgiving table and you eat the turkey and all of the trimmings that you have leftovers?" [00:28:06] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Thanksgiving provides leftovers. Thanksgiving creates leftover faith that goes on and on and on. The more you're grateful for the grapes, it goes on. It goes on. It goes on. Something in you can't stay the same. It's not a status quo faith. You're rooted and built up in faith, positioned in thanksgiving. It goes on because God is a God of grace. God is a God of more than enough. God is a God of leftovers." [00:29:17] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"People who were not seeing the grapes, who do not understand that God is so much bigger. So much bigger than the giants. So much bigger than the grasshoppers. So much bigger than every situation. When our mess is messy, he's bigger. When our chaos is chaotic, he's bigger. When our emotions are emotional, he's bigger. He's so much bigger than every problem that we face." [00:34:25] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Have you ever met anyone who wasn't grateful, who wasn't abounding in giving? Giving to God. People ask me, they'll say, Pastor Wayman, down through the years, they've asked the question, what is your, what is your perspective on giving? Many of you know I've preached lots of sermons here at Bethesda. You've never heard one sermon on giving. And yet people have asked me down through the years, what's your perspective of giving? Here's what I've learned in the Bible. That when you look at the Bible, you give out of love and not out of the law." [00:35:38] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Are you seeing the things that God is doing in your life and in your family we all have problems we all have challenges but are you grateful to God and in the midst of that grace gratefulness it is enhancing your faith in God and your giving to God and those things are abounding and exploding in your life during this thanksgiving season if you take anything away from this message hear this don't miss the moment before the moment don't miss your moment of divine destiny for personal transformation and family transformation and church transformation because you're so focused on how big the giants are and how small you are as a grasshopper you're so focused on how big the giants are and how small you are as a grasshopper that you're so focused on how big the giants are don't you miss the incredible blessings of God that are flowing to you and through you would you stand with me today" [00:49:33] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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