Embracing God's New Seasons of Love and Faithfulness
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth of God's unwavering love and faithfulness, even when we find ourselves in seasons of uncertainty and confusion. Drawing from Isaiah 43 and Psalm 91, we delved into the nature of God's promises and His redemptive power. The central theme is that God is always with us, even in the midst of our troubles, and He is continually working to bring about new seasons in our lives.
Isaiah 43 speaks to a time when God's people were far from Him, giving lip service but not truly devoted. Despite their shortcomings, God, through the prophet Isaiah, reassures them of His redemptive plan. He reminds them of His past miracles, like parting the Red Sea, to build their faith for the future. God is not just a God of the past; He is actively doing something new, creating pathways in the wilderness and rivers in the wasteland.
This message is particularly relevant for us as a church. We are on the brink of a new season, one that promises not just numerical growth but deep spiritual maturity. God is calling us to trust Him, to see beyond our current circumstances, and to embrace the new things He is doing. This involves letting go of past successes and failures to make room for new growth and opportunities.
We are encouraged to boast not in our own achievements but in our knowledge and understanding of God. This new season is about moving from a mentality of scarcity to one of abundance, from being mere receivers of life to being givers of life. God is inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him, one that is marked by faith, trust, and a willingness to step into the unknown with courage.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Presence in Trouble: Psalm 91 reminds us that God does not promise to remove trouble from our lives but to be with us in the midst of it. His love and protection are constant, and our love for Him makes a significant difference in how we experience His presence. This is a call to trust in God's unwavering love and to seek His presence even in difficult times. [02:10]
2. Redemption and Restoration: Isaiah 43 emphasizes God's role as our Redeemer. Even when we are far from Him, He sees beyond our current state and envisions our redemption. This is a powerful reminder that God is always working to restore us, no matter how broken or lost we may feel. His redemptive power is a cornerstone of our faith. [05:17]
3. Remembering God's Faithfulness: Reflecting on past miracles, like the parting of the Red Sea, helps build our faith for the future. These "faith memories" are crucial when we face new challenges. They remind us that God has been faithful before and will be faithful again. This encourages us to trust in His plans and timing, even when we can't see the way forward. [11:16]
4. Embracing New Seasons: God is always doing something new, creating pathways in the wilderness and rivers in the wasteland. This requires us to let go of past successes and failures to make room for new growth. Embracing new seasons involves a shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance, trusting that God is leading us into greater things. [17:25]
5. Boasting in Knowing God: Jeremiah 9:23-24 teaches us to boast not in our wisdom, power, or riches, but in our understanding and knowledge of God. This is a call to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from knowing Him and experiencing His unfailing love and justice. [14:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:10] - God's Presence in Trouble
[03:38] - Context of Isaiah 43
[05:17] - Redemption and Restoration
[06:48] - God Doing Something New
[08:17] - Invitation to Know and Love God
[09:46] - God Says, "I Got This"
[11:16] - Remembering God's Faithfulness
[12:48] - New Season for the Church
[14:15] - Boasting in Knowing God
[15:48] - Unity and Revival in the Church
[17:25] - Embracing New Seasons
[19:05] - Rivers in the Wilderness
[20:16] - Deeper Faith and Revelation
[21:44] - Forgetting the Past for New Growth
[23:07] - New Pathways and Rivers
[24:45] - From Wells to Rivers
[26:11] - Personal Testimony and Invitation
[27:40] - God's Plan for His People
[28:52] - Vision for the Church's Future
[30:20] - Closing and Invitation to Next Week
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 43:14-19 - "This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride. I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.' This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 'Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'"
2. Psalm 91:14-16 - "'Because he loves me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.'"
3. Jeremiah 9:23-24 - "This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 91:14-16, what does God promise to those who love Him and acknowledge His name? [02:10]
2. In Isaiah 43:14-19, what are some of the titles and roles attributed to God? How do these titles reflect His character and actions? [03:38]
3. What does God instruct His people to do regarding the past in Isaiah 43:18-19? Why is this significant? [06:48]
4. According to Jeremiah 9:23-24, what should people boast about, and why is this important? [14:15]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise of God's presence in trouble (Psalm 91:14-16) change the way we view our current difficulties? [02:10]
2. What does it mean for God to be our Redeemer as described in Isaiah 43:14-19? How does this understanding impact our faith during challenging times? [05:17]
3. Why is it important to remember God's past faithfulness, and how can this practice strengthen our faith for future challenges? [11:16]
4. How does the call to boast in knowing God (Jeremiah 9:23-24) challenge our usual sources of pride and identity? [14:15]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence in the midst of trouble. How did this experience shape your trust in Him? How can you seek His presence in your current challenges? [02:10]
2. In what areas of your life do you need to embrace God's redemptive power? How can you actively seek His restoration and healing in these areas? [05:17]
3. Think about a past miracle or act of faithfulness from God in your life. How can you use this memory to build your faith for a current or future challenge? [11:16]
4. What are some past successes or failures that you need to let go of to make room for new growth? How can you practically take steps to embrace the new season God is leading you into? [06:48]
5. How can you shift from a mentality of scarcity to one of abundance in your spiritual life? What specific actions can you take to become a giver of life rather than just a receiver? [24:45]
6. Identify one way you can deepen your relationship with God this week. What specific steps will you take to prioritize knowing and understanding Him above all else? [14:15]
7. How can you practically boast in your knowledge and understanding of God in your daily interactions? Share one way you plan to do this in the coming week. [14:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Presence in Trouble
Even in the midst of our troubles, God’s love and protection are constant.
Psalm 91 reminds us that God does not promise to remove trouble from our lives but to be with us in the midst of it. His love and protection are unwavering, and our love for Him makes a significant difference in how we experience His presence. This is a call to trust in God's unwavering love and to seek His presence even in difficult times. When we face challenges, it is easy to feel abandoned or alone, but Psalm 91 assures us that God is our refuge and fortress, a constant presence in times of trouble. [02:10]
"Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:9-11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively seek God's presence and trust in His protection during this time?
Day 2: Redemption and Restoration
God sees beyond our current state and envisions our redemption.
Isaiah 43 emphasizes God's role as our Redeemer. Even when we are far from Him, He sees beyond our current state and envisions our redemption. This is a powerful reminder that God is always working to restore us, no matter how broken or lost we may feel. His redemptive power is a cornerstone of our faith. God’s promise of redemption is not contingent on our perfection but on His unwavering love and grace. He calls us back to Him, offering restoration and new beginnings. [05:17]
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." (Isaiah 43:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt far from God. How did you experience His redemptive power in that season, and how can you trust in His restoration today?
Day 3: Remembering God's Faithfulness
Reflecting on past miracles builds our faith for future challenges.
Reflecting on past miracles, like the parting of the Red Sea, helps build our faith for the future. These "faith memories" are crucial when we face new challenges. They remind us that God has been faithful before and will be faithful again. This encourages us to trust in His plans and timing, even when we can't see the way forward. Remembering God's past faithfulness can provide the strength and confidence needed to face present and future uncertainties. [11:16]
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds." (Psalm 77:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: Take a moment to write down three specific instances where you have seen God's faithfulness in your life. How can these memories encourage you in your current situation?
Day 4: Embracing New Seasons
Letting go of the past to make room for new growth.
God is always doing something new, creating pathways in the wilderness and rivers in the wasteland. This requires us to let go of past successes and failures to make room for new growth. Embracing new seasons involves a shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance, trusting that God is leading us into greater things. It is an invitation to step into the unknown with courage, believing that God is orchestrating new opportunities and growth in our lives. [17:25]
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)
Reflection: What past successes or failures are you holding onto that might be hindering your growth? How can you let go of these to embrace the new season God is leading you into?
Day 5: Boasting in Knowing God
True fulfillment comes from knowing and understanding God.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 teaches us to boast not in our wisdom, power, or riches, but in our understanding and knowledge of God. This is a call to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from knowing Him and experiencing His unfailing love and justice. In a world that often values achievements and possessions, this passage reminds us that our greatest treasure is our relationship with God. [14:15]
"Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your relationship with God today? How can you shift your focus from worldly achievements to deepening your understanding and knowledge of Him?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I don't know what you're going through. You may have confusion on your life. You may be suffering physically and need healed. You may feel like you're in a dry, weary place. Maybe you're confused about what God's doing in your life. Maybe you're in a dry, weary place. I want to speak to you right now and says, can you see it? Behold, God is about to do something new." [07:20] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Every time there's conflict, every time you feel broken, every time you feel isolated and lonely, grab on to this. It's a new season about to happen, but this is where we experience. Remember in Psalm 91, I read earlier, God says, listen, I love you, I'm going to love you in the midst of your trouble, but I'm going to rescue those who love me." [13:20] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you feel far away from God, there's a new season. And how we get close to God, we got to take the first step. Do you have a day, a moment or time where you began with Jesus Christ, God, the father, the creator of the universe, the holy one, Israel? Yeah. If you didn't, it starts with repentance." [29:00] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "No matter how far away you feel, or no matter how far estranged, God is only one prayer away from experiencing him. Let us boast in this, that we know him and we understand him. And we know that he's a redeeming God. He's a God who wants to reveal himself to us. Let's brag about that." [26:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "What do I believe about God? When I don't know what to believe, I believe that he's going to bring me to a new season. I believe that he's a good God, full of unfailing love and mercy and grace. And every conflict is an opportunity for courage. Yeah. And every obstacle is an opportunity to step, is an opportunity for God to step into faith." [30:20] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "When we are not experiencing the fullness of God, we run the risk of being taken into a place of confusion, chaos. That's what Babylon represents, a worldly system, chaos and confusion. So this is where it is. So let's pick it up. Chapter 43. This is what the Lord says in verse 14. Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Number one, whenever we feel far away from God, and I'm not sure what I believe, what we need to go back to is what does the Lord say?" [03:38] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need to begin to review our, our challenges as an opportunity for courage. Remember every time that we have conflict, whether it's in a relationship here on earth or even a relationship with what my will and God's will, every time we have conflict, it's an invitation of trust. That's right. I don't care if it's brother to brother in, in church or sister to sister, you're having conflict or conflict, what you read in the word." [09:46] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need good memories with God. We need faith memories with God. Why? Because when things get tough, when we find ourselves maybe feeling abandoned, maybe feeling like God's far away, we need something to pull on. We need God's word in this case, but we also need, remember when God met us here? Remember when God did this or your that? Whatever that may be here." [11:16] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are in a season in Pittsburgh where we don't care who gets the credit as long as God gets the glory. That's what's going on right now in our city, and I'm so excited about it. I see walls coming down, and I see us uniting, for a greater purpose than I've ever seen before, and I'm excited." [15:48] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We need to settle. We need to settle. We need to settle. We need to settle. We need to settle. We need to settle. We need to settle. Who's speaking? Is this just a friend talking? Is this Pastor Rick talking? Or is this God talking? But we need to boast about this. We need to boast about, I know and understand God. And this is what I understand God. I don't always understand what God's doing, and I don't like his timetable, but I understand that he is God, and he has good thoughts towards me, and his unfailing love will never leave me, nor forsake me, and he's with me in the midst of everything." [14:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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