Embracing God's Blessings Amidst Life's Challenges
Summary
In today's gathering, we delve into the profound truth that God orchestrates our lives with a purpose, and His heart is set on blessing and protecting us. As we journey through life, we must recognize that spiritual resistance is inevitable. The enemy prowls around, seeking to devour, but we are assured that the One who resides within us is greater than any force in the world. This assurance is not merely a comforting thought; it is the bedrock of our faith.
As we face opposition, it is crucial to deepen our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Jesus taught us to address God intimately as "Our Father," revealing the closeness we are invited to experience with Him. The Bible is the treasure through which we come to know God's heart. It is filled with names and titles that describe His character and His role in our lives. As we engage with Scripture, we grow in understanding and intimacy with God, which equips us to withstand the trials we encounter.
The blessing of God is not a mere wish; it is a powerful declaration of His intention over our lives. Even when the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness due to their disobedience, God's desire to bless them remained steadfast. This reveals the Father's heart: even in our rebellion and the consequences of our choices, His love and commitment to us are unwavering.
God presents us with a choice between life and death, blessing and curse. He lays before us the path of obedience and devotion, urging us to choose life so that we and our descendants may experience His abundant blessing. This choice is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment to live under God's blessing by loving, obeying, and firmly committing to Him.
The blessing extends beyond mere words; it is a covenant relationship that God establishes with His children. When we say "yes" to Jesus, we are born into God's family, secured once and forever in a covenant of blessing and protection. This is the essence of the gospel: through Jesus Christ, we are saved and brought into an eternal relationship with our Father.
Key Takeaways:
1. Spiritual resistance is a sign of our commitment to God. When we step forward in faith, we must expect opposition, but we can take heart in the victory that Christ has already won. This understanding should not discourage us but rather embolden us to press on, knowing that our strength comes from the Lord. [06:17]
2. Intimacy with God is cultivated through the study of His Word. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we learn the many facets of God's character. This knowledge is not just for intellectual satisfaction but for deepening our trust and reliance on Him in every circumstance. [07:35]
3. The blessing of God is not contingent on our circumstances. Even in the wilderness of our mistakes and failures, God's heart is to bless and protect us. This truth should inspire us to live with gratitude and to trust in His unfailing love, regardless of where we find ourselves. [14:07]
4. Our choices have generational impact. When we choose to live under God's blessing, it's not just for our benefit but also for our descendants. This perspective should guide our decisions, knowing that our legacy will extend beyond our lifetime. [24:23]
5. Salvation through Jesus Christ is the gateway to the Father's blessing. By accepting Jesus as our Savior, we are welcomed into God's family and covered by His covenant of blessing and protection. This transformative truth should be the foundation of our identity and purpose. [31:33]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 2:2 - "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."
2. Numbers 6:24-26 - "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
3. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Peter 2:2, what are believers encouraged to crave, and why?
2. In Numbers 6:24-26, what specific blessings does the Lord promise to His people?
3. What choice does Deuteronomy 30:19-20 present to the people, and what are the consequences of each choice?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between spiritual resistance and our commitment to God? [06:17]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "crave pure spiritual milk" in the context of 1 Peter 2:2, and how does this relate to growing in faith?
2. How does the blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 reflect God's heart towards His people, even when they are in difficult situations? [14:07]
3. In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, why is the choice between life and death, blessings and curses significant for the people of Israel, and how does this apply to us today?
4. The sermon mentions that God's blessing is not contingent on our circumstances. How does this understanding affect our trust in God during challenging times? [14:07]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced spiritual resistance. How did you respond, and what did you learn about God's strength in you? [06:17]
2. How can you cultivate a deeper intimacy with God through the study of His Word this week? What specific steps will you take? [07:35]
3. Think of a situation where you felt like you were in a "wilderness" due to your own mistakes. How did you experience God's blessing and protection during that time? [14:07]
4. What are some practical ways you can choose life and blessing in your daily decisions? How can this impact your descendants and those around you? [24:23]
5. How does understanding that salvation through Jesus Christ brings us into a covenant of blessing and protection change the way you view your identity and purpose? [31:33]
6. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust in God's unfailing love and blessing, despite your current circumstances. How will you actively choose to trust Him this week?
7. How can you share the message of God's blessing and protection with someone who is struggling to see God's hand in their life? What specific actions or words can you use to encourage them?
Devotional
Day 1: Victory in Spiritual Resistance
Spiritual resistance is not an indication of failure but a confirmation of one's commitment to a life of faith. When one steps forward in faith, opposition from spiritual forces is to be expected. However, this should not be a cause for fear or discouragement. Instead, it is a reminder that the strength to overcome these challenges does not come from within oneself but from the Lord. The victory that Christ has secured is not just a historical fact; it is a present reality that empowers believers to stand firm against the enemy's schemes. This understanding should not lead to complacency but rather to a proactive stance in spiritual warfare, equipped with the full armor of God and the assurance of His triumph.
"Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." - 1 John 4:4 ESV
Reflection: Reflect on a recent time when you felt spiritual resistance. How did you respond, and how can you apply the truth of Christ's victory to that situation today? [06:17]
Day 2: Intimacy Through the Word
The path to knowing God more deeply is through the diligent study of His Word. Scripture is not merely a collection of ancient texts but the living and active voice of God, revealing His character, His will, and His love for humanity. As believers engage with the Bible, they discover the many facets of God's nature and His desires for their lives. This knowledge goes beyond intellectual understanding; it fosters a deeper trust and reliance on God in every circumstance. By immersing oneself in the truths of Scripture, one's relationship with God becomes more intimate, and the ability to discern His voice amidst the noise of the world is sharpened.
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." - 2 Peter 3:18 ESV
Reflection: What is one attribute of God you have discovered in Scripture this week, and how can you allow this truth to shape your daily interactions and decisions? [07:35]
Day 3: Blessing Beyond Circumstances
The blessing of God transcends the circumstances one may find themselves in. It is not dependent on one's current situation or past mistakes. Even when facing the consequences of wrong choices, as the Israelites did in the wilderness, God's heart remains steadfast in its intention to bless and protect. This unwavering commitment is a testament to His unconditional love. Understanding this should inspire a life of gratitude and trust in God's goodness, regardless of the challenges one may encounter. It is a call to recognize that God's blessings are not earned but are a generous outpouring of His grace.
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Reflection: Can you identify an area of your life where you struggle to trust in God's blessing due to difficult circumstances? How can you begin to shift your focus to His steadfast love and faithfulness? [14:07]
Day 4: Choices with Generational Impact
The decisions made today have the power to affect not only the individual but also future generations. Choosing to live under God's blessing is a daily commitment that extends beyond personal benefit. It is about establishing a legacy of faithfulness and obedience that will influence one's descendants. This perspective should guide one's choices, knowing that the impact of these decisions will resonate through time. It is a call to live with a vision that sees beyond the immediate and embraces the eternal significance of a life aligned with God's will.
"I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live." - Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV
Reflection: What is one choice you can make today that will contribute positively to the spiritual legacy you desire to leave for your descendants? [24:23]
Day 5: Covenant Relationship Through Christ
Salvation through Jesus Christ is the entrance into a covenant relationship with God, marked by blessing and protection. Accepting Jesus as Savior is not merely a ticket to heaven but an adoption into God's family. This transformative truth establishes a new identity and purpose for the believer. It is a covenant that is secure and eternal, offering assurance that no matter what life brings, one is held within the loving embrace of the Father. This relationship is the foundation upon which a life of faith is built, and from which all blessings flow.
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12 ESV
Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a child of God within His covenant of blessing change the way you approach challenges and opportunities today? [31:33]
Quotes
1) "Every time you want to take a step for Jesus, you're going to face spiritual resistance. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." [06:17](Download | Download)
2) "As you face spiritual resistance, you've got to understand the relational depth that you have with your Father which are in heaven." [06:54](Download | Download)
3) "The Bible was given to us so that we can get to know the incredible richness, the depth of relationship we're invited in because of what Jesus Christ has done for us." [09:38](Download | Download)
4) "God's like, 'I want to bless you, I want to be in your difficult situation,' because even in our rebellion, His heart is to bless and protect us." [18:13](Download | Download)
5) "Our God is a faithful God. The blessing that's Father's Heart, and you're going to have to understand his heart." [29:20](Download | Download)
6) "When you say yes to Jesus, you're born again, born forever, a clean heart, brand new start, you become a son, a daughter of God, and you're in the family once and forever." [31:33](Download | Download)
7) "God's heart is always to bless His children. Even in difficult situations and circumstances, even situations and circumstances that we put ourselves in, God doesn't leave us nor abandon us." [19:34](Download | Download)
8) "God wants us to choose to live underneath His blessing. You get a choice. Deuteronomy says today I have given you a choice." [20:48](Download | Download)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?