Embracing God's Love and Purpose in Our Lives

Devotional

Day 1: God's Eternal Love and Purpose

God's love for us is not a fleeting emotion but an eternal truth. Before we were even born, God knew us and loved us. He created each of us with a specific purpose, and we are fearfully and wonderfully made. This love is not just a distant concept but a personal reality that shapes our identity and destiny. Understanding this can transform how we see ourselves and our place in the world. We are not accidents; we are intentional creations of a loving God who has a plan for each of us. [23:43]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: How does knowing that God loved you before you were born change the way you view your daily life and decisions? Can you identify one area where you need to trust His purpose for you more fully?

Day 2: A Savior Like No Other

Jesus justifies us by faith, giving us peace with God. This peace is not merely a feeling but a profound reality that transforms our lives. Accepting Christ does not mean we are immune to life's problems, but it does give us the wisdom and patience to navigate them. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross bridges the gap between us and God, allowing us to live in freedom and purpose. This peace allows us to face life's challenges with a sense of security and hope, knowing that we are justified and loved by God. [32:57]

Romans 5:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Reflection: In what ways has the peace of Christ transformed your life? Can you think of a current challenge where you need to rely more on this peace and less on your own understanding?

Day 3: Jesus as Our Guide and Companion

Trusting in Jesus means acknowledging Him in all our ways, and He will make our paths straight. Worship is essential; it’s like soap—it only works when applied. Teaching our children about Jesus ensures they have a guide and companion for life, even when we are not around. Jesus is not just a distant figure but a present guide who walks with us daily. By acknowledging Him in all our decisions and actions, we allow Him to lead us on the right path. This trust is built through worship and teaching, both for ourselves and for the next generation. [49:05]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How can you more intentionally acknowledge Jesus in your daily decisions? What is one practical way you can teach your children or those around you about relying on Jesus as their guide?

Day 4: Jesus as Our Rock

Jesus is our unmovable foundation in the storms of life. He promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. This assurance allows us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with us and will provide. When life feels uncertain and chaotic, we can stand firm on the promise that Jesus is our rock. He is the steady presence that holds us up when everything else seems to be falling apart. This confidence in His provision and stability gives us the strength to endure and thrive. [58:18]

Psalm 18:2 (ESV): "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Reflection: What are the current storms in your life where you need to rely on Jesus as your rock? How can you remind yourself daily of His promise to supply all your needs?

Day 5: The Promise of Jesus' Return

Jesus promised to return, giving us hope and purpose as we navigate this life. We are called to help others know Him and experience His love and grace. This hope strengthens us and reminds us that the best is yet to come. The promise of Jesus' return is not just a future event but a present reality that shapes how we live today. It gives us a sense of urgency and purpose in sharing His love with others. This hope is a source of strength and motivation, reminding us that our current struggles are temporary and that eternal joy awaits. [01:04:28]

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV): "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."

Reflection: How does the promise of Jesus' return influence your daily actions and decisions? Who is someone in your life that you can share this hope with today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning and Happy Mother's Day! Today, we celebrate not only the wonderful mothers among us but also the incredible journey we are on with Jesus. As we prepare for upcoming events like Vacation Bible School and Pastor Andrew's Old Testament Survey class, we are reminded of the importance of community and service. Our offering today is a part of our worship, a way to honor God and support His work.

We prayed for leaders for Vacation Bible School and for Sam Hisco, who is awaiting a heart transplant. We trust that God will provide and guide us through these needs. As we delve into the Word, we focus on Ephesians 1:3-6 and 2 Corinthians 4, which remind us of the blessings and treasures we have in Jesus.

God has always loved us, even before we were born. He created us with a purpose, and we are fearfully and wonderfully made. This love is not just a distant concept but a personal reality. We have a Savior like no other, who justifies us by faith and gives us peace with God. This peace is not just a feeling but a profound reality that transforms our lives.

Jesus is our guide and companion. Trusting in Him means acknowledging Him in all our ways, and He will make our paths straight. Worship is essential; it’s like soap—it only works when applied. We need to teach our children about Jesus so they can rely on Him when we are not around.

Jesus is also our rock, our unmovable foundation in the storms of life. He promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. This assurance allows us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with us.

Finally, Jesus promised to return. This hope gives us strength and purpose as we navigate this life. We are called to help others know Him and experience His love and grace. As we go places with Jesus, we are reminded that He was thinking about us long before we thought about Him, and He will always be with us.

###

Key Takeaways

1. God's Eternal Love and Purpose: God has always loved us, even before we were born. He created us with a specific purpose, and we are fearfully and wonderfully made. This love is not just a distant concept but a personal reality that shapes our identity and destiny. [23:43]
2. A Savior Like No Other: Jesus justifies us by faith, giving us peace with God. This peace is a profound reality that transforms our lives, allowing us to live in freedom and purpose. Accepting Christ is not an immunization against life's problems, but it gives us the wisdom and patience to navigate them. [32:57]
3. Jesus as Our Guide and Companion: Trusting in Jesus means acknowledging Him in all our ways, and He will make our paths straight. Worship is essential; it’s like soap—it only works when applied. Teaching our children about Jesus ensures they have a guide and companion for life, even when we are not around. [49:05]
4. Jesus as Our Rock: Jesus is our unmovable foundation in the storms of life. He promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. This assurance allows us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with us and will provide. [58:18]
5. The Promise of Jesus' Return: Jesus promised to return, giving us hope and purpose as we navigate this life. We are called to help others know Him and experience His love and grace. This hope strengthens us and reminds us that the best is yet to come. [01:04:28]
### [64:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:51] - Announcements and Offering
[09:55] - Prayer for VBS and Sam Hisco
[16:58] - Introduction to the Sermon
[18:06] - Praying for Leaders and Sam Hisco
[19:10] - Prayer and Transition to the Word
[22:27] - Mother's Day Photo Booth Announcement
[23:43] - Ephesians 1:3-6 and 2 Corinthians 4
[25:16] - Going Places with Jesus
[28:17] - God's Eternal Love and Purpose
[32:57] - A Savior Like No Other
[37:53] - Testimony from Janet
[49:05] - Jesus as Our Guide and Companion
[50:34] - Trusting Jesus in Dark Times
[51:55] - Teaching Children About Jesus
[52:42] - Jesus as Our Rock
[54:32] - Testimony from Michelle
[58:18] - Jesus as Our Rock (Continued)
[64:28] - The Promise of Jesus' Return
[66:42] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 1:3-6, what are some of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ?
In 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, what does Paul mean by describing believers as "jars of clay"?
How does Psalm 139:13-14 describe God's involvement in our creation?
What specific needs were prayed for during the sermon, and how does this reflect the church's trust in God's provision? [18:06]

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) impact our view of ourselves and others?
What does it mean to have "peace with God" through Jesus Christ as mentioned in Romans 5:1, and how does this peace transform our daily lives? [32:57]
How can the metaphor of Jesus as our "rock" (2 Samuel 22:3) provide comfort during difficult times? [58:18]
What is the significance of Jesus being our guide and companion, and how does this influence the way we live and make decisions? [49:05]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt God's love and purpose in your life. How did this experience shape your faith and actions? [28:17]
How can you actively apply the concept of worship being like soap, which only works when applied, in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to make worship a more integral part of your routine? [49:05]
In what ways can you teach your children or younger people about Jesus to ensure they have a guide and companion for life, even when you are not around? [51:55]
Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can the assurance that Jesus is your unmovable foundation help you face this challenge with confidence? [58:18]
How does the promise of Jesus' return give you hope and purpose in your daily life? What actions can you take to help others know Him and experience His love and grace? [01:04:28]
Identify one area in your life where you need to trust Jesus more fully. What practical steps can you take this week to acknowledge Him in all your ways and allow Him to make your paths straight? [50:34]
How can you support and pray for the needs of your church community, such as the upcoming Vacation Bible School and those awaiting medical procedures, like Sam Hisco? [18:06]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We make a lot about Jesus around here, about having Jesus in your life, and throughout history, God has been a part of the plan that included you so that you could know him, and you could know him not just about him, but you could know him personally as your God and as your Savior, and that's been a part of the plan that God has had since the beginning of time." [23:43] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus doesn't just give you what you need, Jesus is what you need, and your heart was created by him and for him, and you can fight and claw to gain the world, but without Jesus, you'll never be completely satisfied. He's the one, and so we celebrate him today, and what a difference knowing having Jesus in your life, what a difference that can make for all of us, for you and I personally, even our community." [25:16] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God was thinking about you and I long before we were thinking about him. He has always loved us. His purpose for our life goes beyond. Past the moment of life beginning for us. He planned it before you and I existed. Without any input from us. Without any input from us. God planned the life for us." [28:17] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We are the focus of his love. And the most valuable part of God's creation is right here. And we are the focus of his love. And the Bible says that God decided to give us life through the world, through the word of truth, rather, so that we might be the most important things of all that he made." [31:28] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We have a Savior like no other. Like no other. No other. Going places with Christ, not only has he always loved us, but we have a Savior like no other. There's a verse over in Romans chapter 5 verse 1 that says, Therefore, since we have been just, justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." [32:57] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "When you and I have those questions spinning around inside our heads in the middle of the night when the world is dark and we're alone, and we wrestle with who am I to fool that there's a God? Yes, I believe there's a God. And yes, I believe there's a God who loves you. And yes, I believe there's a God who hears you. And yes, I believe there's a God who cares." [32:57] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Worship is like soap shampoo soap it doesn't do much good until it's applied you're learning some deep things today you see your shower showering and you you miss one day showering and you might notice it if you miss a week of showering your family notices it you miss a week or a month of showering and everybody notices it." [49:05] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Trust in the lord all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your straight your path well that that's a part of our story many of us do that many of us have learned that we do need to trust him he is our companion and our guide and psalm 23 has that great verse it says goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." [50:34] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The word we want to give you and leave with you today is the word turn to Jesus trust in him and he will guide you he will direct you trust in Jesus when it's dark and we don't know which way to go and sometimes that road is not easy no one said it would be easy but we've learned to trust him I've learned to trust him." [50:34] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We have a rock. Look over in Samuel second. Samuel 22 says my God, my rock and whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior. You saved me from violence. It was Lisa. Turkist who says this real faith isn't a hopeful wish. Real faith is making the decision that no matter what the outcome will choose to see it as God's perfect answer through the good through the not so good and even through the downright awful. We will trust God." [58:18] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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