Embracing God's Call: Humility, Presence, and Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: Reverence and Humility in God’s Presence

When Moses encountered God at the burning bush, he was told to remove his shoes as a sign of humility and reverence, recognizing the holiness of God’s presence. This act set the tone for Moses’ calling, reminding us that approaching God requires a posture of awe, surrender, and respect. Whether in worship, giving, or listening to God’s Word, our attitude should reflect deep honor for who God is, not just a routine or obligation. Consider how you approach God—do you come with expectation and reverence, or with distraction and indifference? God invites us to draw near with humility, ready to listen and respond to His voice. [16:09]

Exodus 3:5
Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally show reverence and humility the next time you enter into worship or prayer?

Day 2: God Is the God of Our Past and Our Future

God introduces Himself to Moses as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not just Israel, Jacob’s redeemed name. This reveals that God is not only the God of our victories and transformed selves, but also the God who meets us in our brokenness, failures, and darkest moments. He remembers where He brought us from and is present in every part of our story. Never forget the pit God pulled you out of; gratitude for His grace keeps our hearts soft and humble, and reminds us that His love covers every chapter of our lives. [19:57]

Exodus 3:6
And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Reflection: Take a moment to remember a time when God met you in your weakness or failure—how does recalling that shape your gratitude and humility today?

Day 3: God’s Call to Go and Make a Difference

God’s command to Moses was clear: “Go, I am sending you.” This wasn’t just about Moses’ career or personal plans, but about stepping into a divine calling to make a difference for God’s kingdom. Each of us is called to go—to our families, workplaces, and communities—to share God’s love and make disciples. It’s not reserved for a select few; every believer is sent. Sometimes we confuse our career with our calling, but God’s call is about advancing His kingdom wherever we are. Will you say yes to God’s invitation to go, even if it feels daunting or inconvenient? [22:20]

Exodus 3:10
“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

Reflection: Who is one person God is putting on your heart to reach out to or invite to experience His love this week?

Day 4: God’s Presence Is Our Confidence

When Moses doubted his ability and asked, “Who am I?” God’s answer was simple and profound: “I will be with you.” Our confidence to step into God’s calling doesn’t come from our own strength, wisdom, or qualifications, but from the assurance that God Himself goes with us. Even when we feel inadequate or have made mistakes, God specializes in recalculating our path and using us for His purposes. His presence is the sign and the source of our courage—He is the great “I AM,” sufficient for every need and every challenge. [31:18]

Exodus 3:11-12
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Reflection: Where do you feel inadequate or fearful about God’s call, and how can you remind yourself today that His presence is enough?

Day 5: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus, Not Your Fears

When fear and doubt creep in, it’s easy to magnify our problems or the enemy’s power. But the truth is, God is infinitely greater—He is the King of Kings, and nothing can stand against Him. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do or the obstacles ahead, fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. When your gaze is set on Him, fear loses its grip and you find courage to move forward. God’s power and protection are far greater than any opposition you face; let your faith rise as you look to Him. [36:22]

Hebrews 12:2
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: What fear or obstacle have you been magnifying lately, and how can you intentionally shift your focus to Jesus today?

Sermon Summary

In the story of Moses and the burning bush, God’s command to take off his shoes is a call to humility, reverence, and awe. This posture is not just for Moses, but for all who come into God’s presence. Whether in worship, giving, or listening, the heart’s posture matters deeply—are we just going through the motions, or are we truly surrendering and seeking God? God’s holiness demands our reverence, and our response should be one of humility and expectation, not routine or indifference.

God introduces Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not Israel, the new name He gave Jacob. This is a profound reminder that God is not only the God of our transformed, redeemed selves, but also the God who met us in our brokenness and pulled us from the pit. Forgetting this leads to pride and spiritual amnesia; remembering it keeps us humble and grateful, aware of the grace that rescued us.

God’s nature is to come down, to be present and involved in our suffering and struggles. He is not distant or detached, but intimately aware and actively working to rescue and redeem. The promise of a “spacious land, flowing with milk and honey” is not just about abundance, but about God’s desire to lead us into freedom and fullness, even when obstacles and opposition remain.

The call to “go” is for everyone, not just a select few. God’s mission is not confined to church walls; it is lived out in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Every believer is called to make disciples, to bring the hope and love of Jesus to those around them. Our excuses and feelings of inadequacy do not disqualify us—God delights in using the unlikely and the unqualified, because His presence and power are what make the difference.

Even when we have wandered, failed, or made a mess of things, God’s call remains. He specializes in “recalculating” our lives, redeeming our detours, and inviting us back into His purpose. Fear and shame have no power when we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. The invitation is to move beyond being spectators of God’s fire, to become participants in His mission, listening for His voice and stepping out in faith.

Key Takeaways

1. Reverence and Humility in God’s Presence Approaching God requires a posture of humility and awe, not just outward actions but an inward surrender. True worship is not about singing songs or following routines, but about abandoning ourselves before God and recognizing the holiness of His presence. This sets the tone for everything else in our lives, shaping how we listen, give, and respond to Him. [16:09]
2. God is the God of Our Past and Our Becoming God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not just Israel, Jacob’s redeemed name. This reveals that God is present in both our brokenness and our transformation. Remembering the pit He rescued us from keeps us humble and grateful, and reminds us that His grace covers every part of our story, not just the polished parts. [19:23]
3. God Comes Down—He is Not Distant God’s nature is to come down and be involved in our pain, suffering, and need. He is not a distant observer, but a present rescuer who hears our cries and acts on our behalf. This truth anchors us in hope, knowing that God is attentive and active in every season of our lives, even when we feel forgotten or overwhelmed. [21:10]
4. The Call to Go is for Everyone God’s call to “go” is not reserved for the spiritually elite, but is the mission of every believer. Making disciples, sharing hope, and living out our faith happens in everyday places—our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Our sense of inadequacy is not a disqualification, but an opportunity for God’s power to be displayed through our obedience. [26:03]
5. God Redeems Our Detours and Defeats Our Fears No matter how far we have wandered or how many mistakes we have made, God’s call on our lives remains. He specializes in recalculating our path, using even our failures for His purpose. When fear and shame threaten to paralyze us, fixing our eyes on Jesus dispels their power and empowers us to move forward in faith and boldness. [35:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:09] - Reverence: Taking Off Your Shoes
[16:47] - Posture in Worship, Giving, and Listening
[18:02] - Encountering God’s Holiness
[18:40] - God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
[19:23] - Remembering the Pit: God of Our Past
[20:35] - God Comes Down to Rescue
[21:44] - The Promise of a Spacious Land
[22:20] - The Call to Go
[23:31] - The Meaning of “Church on the Go”
[24:10] - The Purpose of Gathering
[25:28] - Beyond the Fire: Hearing God’s Voice
[26:03] - The Universal Call to Make Disciples
[27:22] - Moses’ Excuses and God’s Response
[28:42] - God Recalculates Our Path
[31:18] - God’s Presence is Enough
[31:52] - “I Am” – The Name of God
[33:10] - Personal Story: Overcoming Fear and Shame
[35:05] - The Powerlessness of Fear
[36:22] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
[37:44] - Responding: Who Are You Inviting?
[39:42] - Encountering God’s Voice Today

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Exodus 3:1-17 — (The story of Moses and the burning bush, God’s call, and His self-revelation as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.)

- Hebrews 12:1-2
(“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” – alluded to in the sermon [36:22])

Observation Questions

In Exodus 3, what does God tell Moses to do when he approaches the burning bush, and why is this significant? ([16:09])
How does God introduce Himself to Moses, and what names does He use? What stands out about the way God refers to Jacob? ([18:40])
According to Exodus 3:7-8, what does God say He has done in response to the suffering of His people? ([21:10])
What is the promise God gives Moses about His presence when Moses expresses doubt about his calling? ([31:18])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God asked Moses to take off his shoes? What does this teach about how we should approach God today? ([16:09])
God calls Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not Israel. What does this reveal about God’s relationship to our past and our brokenness? ([19:23])
The sermon says God “comes down” and is not distant from our pain. How does this shape the way we view God’s involvement in our struggles? ([21:10])
When Moses gives excuses for why he can’t go, how does God respond, and what does this show about God’s expectations for those He calls? ([31:18])

Application Questions

When you come into God’s presence—whether in worship, prayer, or reading the Bible—what is your usual posture? Is it more routine or filled with reverence and expectation? What would it look like for you to “take off your shoes” in your daily life? ([16:09])
Are there areas of your life where you tend to forget the “pit” God rescued you from? How might remembering your past struggles help you stay humble and grateful? ([19:23])
The sermon says God is not distant but comes down into our pain. Can you think of a time when you felt God’s presence in a hard season? How did that change your perspective or actions? ([21:10])
God’s call to “go” is for everyone, not just a few. Where do you sense God might be calling you to bring hope or make disciples—in your home, work, or community? What is one step you could take this week? ([26:03])
Moses felt unqualified and made excuses, but God still called him. What excuses or fears hold you back from stepping into God’s purpose? How can you remind yourself that God’s presence is what qualifies you? ([27:22])
The sermon talked about God “recalculating” our lives after detours or failures. Is there a part of your story where you need to trust that God can redeem your mistakes and still use you? ([28:42])
The pastor shared about fear and shame losing their power when we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). What is one fear or shame you need to surrender to Jesus this week? How can your group pray for you in this? ([36:22])

Sermon Clips

God is there And he says to take your shoes off Why taking your shoes off is a sh sign of humility reverence and awe And this act is setting the tone for Moses as he's going to step into his divine mission It is going to require full surrender and reverence toward God. [00:15:42]

What is your posture when you come into worship is it uh oh my gosh I just get the songs over with Or is it like oh my goodness I can't wait to worship you God I'm showing you reverence I I'm going low so you can go high I'm abandoning myself before you God I I just want to I want to worship you. [00:16:29]

We're not singing songs We're worshiping the Lord And it it's it it's reverence It's I and then we get to you know announcements and offering And there's two postures Uh get that offering stuff over with or God I worship you by putting you first I put my hope and my trust in you. [00:16:54]

He is not just the God of who he's making me to be He is also the God of where he's taken me from He is not just the God of my future and the calling that he has upon my life He is the God of the very pit that he pulled me out of. [00:19:40]

If you and I lose sight of that then we will be some old Christian that is stuffy and complains and whines about everything because we have forgot the pit that God pulled us out of That he is not just the God of who he's using us in and the mighty force that he'll he'll display and show and how he does great things in and through our life He's also the God of the very deepest darkest scariest moments of our life where he pulled us out. [00:20:09]

That God is not up in heaven oblivious to what is happening in the world God is not up in heaven oblivious to what is happening in your life and in your situation He has come down to rescue them He has heard his people with bitter and harsh labor crying out And he he has come down to rescue them. [00:21:10]

I I think it's a reminder to all of us that God has a calling on your life and he is telling you to go to go to make a difference See we confuse sometimes career and calling You need a career Okay but God also has a calling something that he is speaking to you that is going to advance his kingdom. [00:22:44]

What are we doing why are we here on Sunday mornings is it just to listen to a guy talk and teach us like you could get your own time with the word like like you could put on worship Like what are we doing and so one we are gathering together We did a whole series of this to start in this 2025 year looking at first Peter 2:5 What you are a living stone You're coming together to be built into this spiritual house. [00:24:04]

It is so important so vital to be engaged engaged into the family engaged into the relationships of the the place that God has you at Why because life change best happens in the context of relationship So we're gathering together but we're also called to go We are called to go into uh the highways and byways and to tell people about Jesus. [00:24:55]

One of my biggest fears of pastoring a church in America is that many people like Moses are going to come because they see a fire happening and they they come I love the worship They worship at this place It's awesome I want to go and I want to hear the band play and oh I love the pastor He's on fire I love his preaching It's so motivating It's so encouraging It's so this And they come and they watch the fire and they miss a very key component Beyond the fire is the Holy Spirit speaking to you that you have a calling and that calling is to go to go reach those who don't know Jesus. [00:25:39]

Did you know making disciples isn't for the elite group of specialists as we try to label them in church no that is for every believer You go into the world and you make disciples baptizing them in the name of the father the son and the holy spirit and what and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded So if you are married you are uh discipling each other If you have kids you are pouring into them teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded. [00:26:15]

All of Moses's complaints about why he can't were valid complaints And go God's like "That's why I picked you I’m just looking for someone who I I’m going to do the wonder I’m going to do the miracles I’m just looking for someone to say yes." And no matter how many mistakes you've made can I tell you it didn't it doesn't replace the call of God on your life. [00:28:02]

God specializes in taking you right where you're at Even though you're 5.7 miles off of where he originally told you to turn uh he recalculates and still has a call Now you and I let's not do the recalculating thing Let's just make the choice right now to listen to what the Holy Spirit is speaking. [00:30:40]

God said to Moses I am who I am That is what you are to say to the Israelites I am has has sent me to you Now I am is actually the same wording that Jesus used when uh Judas betrays him with a kiss and uh Jesus there they're you know like he said like who you looking for looking for Jesus of Nazareth and he says I am he God like I am Just tell him I am sent you I am the ultimate source of existence I am uh powerful I am transcendent I'm abund all time like just tell them I am sent you. [00:31:58]

I think what happens sometimes is we take a magnifying glass and we put it upon our problems We put it upon the devil We put it upon our weaknesses and it makes it seem so big But instead of putting it upon of what you can't do or putting upon the devil or whatever put your eyes let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and the perfector of our faith Let me put my eyes upon him. [00:36:17]

I'm going to be praying that as they walk into this place that the Holy Spirit is going to transform their life for all of eternity because one moment in his presence can change everything And so it's not just Pastor Justin inviting It's not just uh you know Facebook doing the invite No who are you personally getting a burden for that God is calling you to to pray and to intercede and to invite. [00:39:29]

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