Embracing God's Guidance Through Life's Choices
Summary
In the quiet moments of life, when we pause to reflect on God's plan and the decisions we face, we are reminded that life is full of choices. These choices are like doors we can choose to walk through or pass by. Walking through the doors God has for us begins with nurturing our relationship with Him. By making time for God, He will guide us to the right doors, transforming our lives. This is the essence of growing in intimacy with God, experiencing His love, trust, and freedom.
Fear is a common struggle, as illustrated by the story of Jeremiah, who faced fear amidst national turmoil. Despite being unpopular for speaking the truth, Jeremiah found himself literally in a pit, yet he called on God, who reassured him with the words, "Do not fear." This story reminds us that God does not want us to live in fear. We can express our frustrations and questions to God, but He calls us to trust Him and not be afraid.
In times of despair, when life seems beyond repair, we must remember that Jesus specializes in restoration. He can bring good out of bad and renew what seems lost. The Bible assures us that if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. Therefore, we must expect Jesus to restore our lives, praying as Jeremiah did for God to restore us and bring back the joy we once had.
As we navigate life's challenges, we are encouraged to turn our focus from our pain to God's love. By spending time in silence and prayer, we can find hope and allow God to change us from within. This journey of faith is about trusting in God's unfailing love and mercy, knowing that He is with us even in the darkest pits of life.
Key Takeaways:
- Intimacy with God Opens Doors: Building a deeper relationship with God is essential for discerning the right paths in life. By dedicating time to God, He will guide us through the doors He has prepared, leading to transformation and growth. [10:19]
- Fear Not, Trust God: Fear is a common human experience, but God repeatedly tells us not to be afraid. Like Jeremiah, we can call on God in our darkest moments, trusting that He hears us and will provide comfort and guidance. [14:21]
- Jesus Restores What is Lost: No matter how broken life seems, Jesus is in the business of restoration. He can renew and restore what appears lost, bringing hope and new beginnings. We must expect and pray for His restoration in our lives. [18:40]
- Focus on God's Love, Not Pain: Shifting our focus from our struggles to God's love can bring hope and healing. By spending time in prayer and silence, we can experience God's unfailing love and mercy, which are new every morning. [20:57]
- God's Plan in Unexpected Places: Even in the most unlikely circumstances, like a prison cell, God can reveal His plan and purpose. Our stories and experiences can be powerful testimonies of God's grace and second chances, inspiring others to seek Him. [24:07]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[10:19] - Doors of Decision
[10:34] - Growing Intimacy with God
[11:19] - The Common Problem of Fear
[12:05] - Jeremiah's Unpopular Truth
[13:08] - Jeremiah in the Pit
[14:21] - God's Assurance: Do Not Fear
[15:16] - Calling on God in Fear
[16:22] - Trusting God Amidst Fear
[17:08] - The Fear of Hopelessness
[18:01] - Jesus' Restoration Power
[19:20] - Praying for Restoration
[20:04] - New Beginnings in Christ
[21:15] - Turning Focus to God's Love
[22:54] - Invitation to Know Christ
[24:07] - Testimony of Second Chances
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Lamentations 3:53-57
2. Psalm 34:4
3. 2 Corinthians 5:17
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Jeremiah's situation when he called out to God, and how did God respond to him? ([14:05])
2. According to the sermon, what are some common fears people experience, and how does God address these fears? ([11:19])
3. How does the sermon describe Jesus' role in restoring what is lost in our lives? ([18:40])
4. What does the sermon suggest is the first step in walking through the doors God has for us? ([10:19])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jeremiah's experience in the pit illustrate the importance of trusting God in our darkest moments? ([14:21])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that fear can be a barrier to experiencing God's love and guidance? ([14:41])
3. How does the concept of being a "new creation" in Christ relate to the idea of restoration discussed in the sermon? ([18:40])
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between spending time in silence and prayer and experiencing God's love? ([21:15])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult decision. How did your relationship with God influence the choices you made? ([10:19])
2. Identify a fear that you struggle with. How can you apply the message of "fear not" from the sermon to this specific fear? ([14:41])
3. Think of an area in your life that feels beyond repair. How can you invite Jesus to restore this part of your life, as discussed in the sermon? ([18:40])
4. How can you make time for silence and prayer in your daily routine to deepen your intimacy with God? ([21:15])
5. Consider a situation where you felt like you were in a "pit" like Jeremiah. How did you call on God, and what was the outcome? ([14:05])
6. What practical steps can you take to shift your focus from your struggles to God's love and mercy? ([20:57])
7. How can you use your personal story of God's grace and restoration to inspire others, as mentioned in the testimony shared in the sermon? ([24:07])
Devotional
Day 1: Intimacy with God Guides Our Path
Building a deeper relationship with God is essential for discerning the right paths in life. In the quiet moments of life, when we pause to reflect on God's plan and the decisions we face, we are reminded that life is full of choices. These choices are like doors we can choose to walk through or pass by. Walking through the doors God has for us begins with nurturing our relationship with Him. By making time for God, He will guide us to the right doors, transforming our lives. This is the essence of growing in intimacy with God, experiencing His love, trust, and freedom. [10:19]
"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: What specific time can you set aside today to deepen your relationship with God, and how will you use that time to seek His guidance for your life choices?
Day 2: Trust God Amidst Fear
Fear is a common human experience, but God repeatedly tells us not to be afraid. Like Jeremiah, who faced fear amidst national turmoil, we can call on God in our darkest moments, trusting that He hears us and will provide comfort and guidance. Despite being unpopular for speaking the truth, Jeremiah found himself literally in a pit, yet he called on God, who reassured him with the words, "Do not fear." This story reminds us that God does not want us to live in fear. We can express our frustrations and questions to God, but He calls us to trust Him and not be afraid. [14:21]
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a fear you are currently facing. How can you actively choose to trust God with this fear today, and what steps will you take to surrender it to Him?
Day 3: Jesus Restores and Renews
No matter how broken life seems, Jesus is in the business of restoration. He can renew and restore what appears lost, bringing hope and new beginnings. The Bible assures us that if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. Therefore, we must expect Jesus to restore our lives, praying as Jeremiah did for God to restore us and bring back the joy we once had. In times of despair, when life seems beyond repair, we must remember that Jesus specializes in restoration. [18:40]
"And I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you." (Joel 2:25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life that feels broken or lost? How can you invite Jesus to begin His work of restoration in that area today?
Day 4: Focus on God's Love, Not Pain
Shifting our focus from our struggles to God's love can bring hope and healing. By spending time in prayer and silence, we can experience God's unfailing love and mercy, which are new every morning. As we navigate life's challenges, we are encouraged to turn our focus from our pain to God's love. This journey of faith is about trusting in God's unfailing love and mercy, knowing that He is with us even in the darkest pits of life. [20:57]
"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: What is one struggle you are currently facing? How can you intentionally shift your focus to God's love and mercy today, and what practical steps will you take to do so?
Day 5: Discovering God's Plan in Unlikely Places
Even in the most unlikely circumstances, like a prison cell, God can reveal His plan and purpose. Our stories and experiences can be powerful testimonies of God's grace and second chances, inspiring others to seek Him. As we navigate life's challenges, we are encouraged to turn our focus from our pain to God's love. By spending time in silence and prayer, we can find hope and allow God to change us from within. [24:07]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently in. How might God be using this situation to reveal His plan and purpose for your life, and how can you share this experience to encourage others?
Quotes
"Walking through the doors God has for you starts by growing your relationship with him. If you make time for God, he will show you the doors to walk through, and it will change your life. That's why Pastor Rick wants to help you with a daily devotional book called open doors open the door to Greater intimacy with God and experience the love, trust, and freedom that comes from a deeper relationship with him." [00:10:19]
"Fear, fear, the fear of the future, the fear of going broke, the fear of failure, the fear of death, the fear of being alone. This is all of the different fears that people have. Now Jeremiah had a real reason to be fearful because not only was his Nation falling apart economically, socially, militarily falling apart in front of his eyes, he was a Prophet." [00:11:19]
"My enemies threw me into a pit and they dropped stones on me and the water flowed above of my head and I cried out this is the end but I called On Your Name, Lord from deep within the well and you heard me and you listened to my pleading and you heard my weeping yes you came you came at my despairing cry and you told me do not fear." [00:13:08]
"I prayed to the Lord and he answered me freeing me from all my fears. God wants you to be fear free. Psalm 27: 13 look here on the screen David was going through a tough time his world had fallen apart he said you know I would have despaired he said I would have been I would have been under I I I would have given up I would have been ready to throw in the towel." [00:15:16]
"If you think that your life is beyond repair you're wrong if you think it cannot be restored you are wrong if you think that your best days are all behind you you are wrong if you think it is impossible for God to bring good out of bad you are wrong Jesus Christ is in the business of restoration ation reconditioning refurbishing renewing and recovering that which is lost." [00:18:01]
"Jesus said I came to seek and to save that which is lost not only you but what you have lost the Bible says therefore If any man be in Christ he is a new creature the old has passed away the new has come so the last thing you need to do to rebuild a broken life a world that's Fallen apart number six I must expect Jesus to restore my life." [00:18:40]
"Restore us oh Lord restore us oh Lord and bring us back to you again give us back the joys we once had when you let Jesus bring you back he will give you back when you let God bring you back to Jesus he will give you back the joy let's bow our heads." [00:19:20]
"Jesus Christ specializes in New Beginnings and Fresh Starts it's called being born again verse 24 of chapter 3 says deep in my heart I say the Lord is all I need I can depend on him will you say that right now will you pray this prayer dear God you know all the fresh frustrations in my heart you know all the things that I thought were unfair and unrealistic." [00:20:04]
"I want to turn my focus from my pain to your love you have said hope returns when I remember this one thing the Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue thank you that your love for me is sure and strong thank you that you take no pleasure in causing us grief or pain Lord I want to do what Jeremiah did when life is heavy and hard to take." [00:20:57]
"Go off by yourself enter the silence bow in prayer don't ask questions wait for Hope to appear I want to wait for Hope to appear and today I commit to spending 10 minutes in Silence with you every day the next seven days help me to change the things that I can change stop working on changing other people and just start working on changing me." [00:21:15]
"Help me to be ruthless LLY honest to examine my way and test them and return to the Lord and most of all dear God I ask you to relieve my fears when I feel I'm thrown into a pit and the water's rising and the stones are coming down on me and I think it's the end like Jeremiah I call on your name from deep within the well you listen to my pleading." [00:22:54]
"Your story is a great reminder that any one of us can use what we learn through daily hope podcasts devotionals and we can take these things and teach others about God's grace and forgiveness and unconditional love keep it up my friend God bless you." [00:24:07]
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