Embracing God's Process: Trust, Obedience, and Surrender
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the pervasive issues of worry, anxiety, and fear, which are rampant in our culture and even within the body of Christ. We explored how these emotions can hinder us from fulfilling our God-given purpose and destiny. The key message is that there is a process connected to every promise God has given us. This process is crucial for our growth and preparation to steward the promises when they manifest. We often get excited about the promises but overlook the importance of the process, which is where the real growth and warfare occur.
We discussed the importance of trusting God, obeying His commands, and being patient through the process. Trusting God looks like peace and rest, even in the midst of chaos. Obedience is crucial because the promises of God are conditional upon our obedience. Patience is necessary because we do not control the timing or circumstances of the process. We also touched on the story of Joseph, who went through significant trials and tribulations before he could fulfill his God-given destiny. His story teaches us that God uses every trial and tribulation as part of the preparation process.
We concluded with a powerful illustration from "The Chosen," where Jesus tells Mary Magdalene that He just wants her heart. This encapsulates the essence of our relationship with God. He is not after our perfection but our surrender. By giving Him our hearts, we allow Him to work through us, overcoming worry, anxiety, and fear.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trust in God's Process: Trusting God means finding peace and rest in Him, even when circumstances are chaotic. Trust looks like moving at the pace of peace and not going anywhere that peace won't take you. This trust is grounded in the relationship we have with God, knowing He is a good, good Father. [55:16]
2. Obedience to God's Commands: The promises of God are conditional upon our obedience. Disobedience will never lead to the fulfillment of God's promises. Understanding is not a prerequisite for obedience; we must walk in obedience even when we don't fully understand God's plans. [01:01:44]
3. Patience in the Process: Patience is essential because we do not control the timing or circumstances of God's process. The process is often longer and more challenging than we expect, but it is crucial for our growth and preparation to steward God's promises. [01:04:56]
4. God Uses Trials for Preparation: Like Joseph, we may go through significant trials and tribulations, but God uses these as part of the preparation process. No season is wasted; every trial and tribulation is used by God to position us for our next season. [50:59]
5. God Wants Our Hearts: Jesus is not after our perfection but our surrender. He wants our hearts, and when He has our hearts, everything else will fall into place. This relationship with God is the foundation for overcoming worry, anxiety, and fear. [01:14:41]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:04] - Introduction and Humor
[37:13] - Addressing Worry, Anxiety, and Fear
[38:54] - Practical Steps to Overcome Anxiety
[40:27] - The Process Connected to Your Promise
[42:02] - Importance of the Process
[43:33] - Trusting in God's Goodness
[45:10] - Personal Testimonies of God's Goodness
[48:03] - Overcoming Negative Prognoses
[49:25] - The Story of Joseph
[50:59] - God Uses Trials for Preparation
[52:10] - The Crucible of Trials
[53:47] - The Trust Factor
[55:16] - Trust Looks Like Peace and Rest
[58:20] - The Obedience Factor
[01:00:07] - Anxiety Steals Potential
[01:01:44] - Obedience and God's Promises
[01:03:17] - The Patience Factor
[01:04:56] - Timing in God's Will
[01:06:21] - The Importance of Patience
[01:07:52] - Problems as Sources of Promotion
[01:09:35] - Commitment to the Process
[01:10:54] - God's Provision for Our Mistakes
[01:11:39] - Illustration from "The Chosen"
[01:14:41] - Jesus Wants Our Hearts
[01:15:17] - A Call to Surrender
[01:16:04] - Prayer and Commitment
[01:18:05] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:28 (NIV) - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
2. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
3. Hebrews 6:13-15 (NIV) - "When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, 'I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.' And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:28, what does God promise to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose?
2. In Philippians 4:6-7, what are we instructed to do instead of being anxious, and what is the result of following this instruction?
3. What does Hebrews 6:13-15 tell us about the relationship between God's promises and patience?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Joseph illustrate the concept that God uses trials and tribulations as part of the preparation process? ([50:59])
2. What does it mean to trust God in the midst of chaos, and how can this trust manifest as peace and rest in our lives? ([55:16])
3. Why is obedience to God's commands crucial for the fulfillment of His promises, and how can we walk in obedience even when we don't fully understand His plans? ([01:01:44])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced significant trials. How did you see God working through those trials to prepare you for a future season? ([50:59])
2. What are some practical steps you can take to cultivate trust in God, especially during chaotic or uncertain times? ([55:16])
3. Think about an area in your life where you struggle with obedience to God's commands. What steps can you take to align your actions with His will, even if you don't fully understand His plans? ([01:01:44])
4. How can you practice patience in your current season of life, especially when you feel like God's promises are taking longer to manifest than you expected? ([01:04:56])
5. Identify a specific worry or anxiety you are currently facing. How can you replace that worry with prayer and thanksgiving, as instructed in Philippians 4:6-7? ([56:47])
6. In what ways can you surrender your heart to God more fully, trusting that He is not after your perfection but your surrender? ([01:14:41])
7. How can you support others in your small group or community who are struggling with worry, anxiety, and fear, helping them to trust, obey, and be patient in God's process? ([01:09:35])
Devotional
Day 1: Trust in God's Process
Trusting God means finding peace and rest in Him, even when circumstances are chaotic. Trust looks like moving at the pace of peace and not going anywhere that peace won't take you. This trust is grounded in the relationship we have with God, knowing He is a good, good Father. Trusting God is not about understanding every detail of His plan but about resting in His character and promises. When we trust God, we can navigate life's storms with a sense of calm and assurance, knowing that He is in control and working all things for our good.
In the story of Joseph, despite the many trials he faced, he trusted in God's process. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned, yet he remained faithful and trusted that God had a purpose for his life. This trust allowed him to rise to a position of great influence and fulfill his God-given destiny. Similarly, we are called to trust God through our own trials, believing that He is preparing us for the promises He has for us. [55:16]
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to find peace? How can you actively choose to trust God in that area today?
Day 2: Obedience to God's Commands
The promises of God are conditional upon our obedience. Disobedience will never lead to the fulfillment of God's promises. Understanding is not a prerequisite for obedience; we must walk in obedience even when we don't fully understand God's plans. Obedience is an act of faith, demonstrating our trust in God's wisdom and goodness. It is through obedience that we align ourselves with God's will and position ourselves to receive His blessings.
In the Bible, we see numerous examples of individuals who experienced God's promises through their obedience. Abraham obeyed God's command to leave his homeland, and as a result, he became the father of many nations. Similarly, our obedience to God's commands, even when it is difficult or doesn't make sense, opens the door for His promises to be fulfilled in our lives. [01:01:44]
Deuteronomy 5:33 (ESV): "You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess."
Reflection: Is there a specific command or instruction from God that you have been hesitant to obey? What steps can you take today to walk in obedience?
Day 3: Patience in the Process
Patience is essential because we do not control the timing or circumstances of God's process. The process is often longer and more challenging than we expect, but it is crucial for our growth and preparation to steward God's promises. Patience allows us to endure the trials and tribulations that come our way, trusting that God is using them to refine and prepare us for what He has in store.
Joseph's journey to his destiny was marked by significant trials, yet he remained patient and faithful. He understood that God's timing was perfect and that every season of his life was part of God's preparation process. Similarly, we must embrace patience, knowing that God's process is designed for our ultimate good and His glory. [01:04:56]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to be patient? How can you shift your perspective to see these areas as part of God's preparation process?
Day 4: God Uses Trials for Preparation
Like Joseph, we may go through significant trials and tribulations, but God uses these as part of the preparation process. No season is wasted; every trial and tribulation is used by God to position us for our next season. Trials are not meant to break us but to build us, shaping our character and increasing our dependence on God.
Joseph's life is a testament to how God uses trials for preparation. Despite being betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and unjustly imprisoned, Joseph remained faithful. These trials were not wasted; they were instrumental in preparing him for the role God had for him. In the same way, we can trust that God is using our trials to prepare us for His purposes. [50:59]
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How can you see God's hand in using that trial to prepare you for your future?
Day 5: God Wants Our Hearts
Jesus is not after our perfection but our surrender. He wants our hearts, and when He has our hearts, everything else will fall into place. This relationship with God is the foundation for overcoming worry, anxiety, and fear. When we give God our hearts, we allow Him to work through us, transforming us from the inside out.
In "The Chosen," Jesus tells Mary Magdalene that He just wants her heart. This powerful illustration encapsulates the essence of our relationship with God. He desires our love and devotion, not our perfection. When we surrender our hearts to Him, we experience His peace and rest, even in the midst of life's challenges. [01:14:41]
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: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "How to Crush Worry, Anxiety, and Fear. Number one, stop watching stupid stuff. Number two, stop listening to stupid people. And number three, stop hanging out with stupid people. Boom. Mic drop right there. How many know that probably about 95 percent of all that we're dealing with would go away if we just listened to the right people?" [38:54] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There is a process connected to your promise. Say that with me today. There's a process connected to your promise. In other words, we have to learn to lean into the process that leads to our promise." [40:27] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God is a good, good father. Okay? This message won't make a lot of sense to you if that's not your theology. He's a good, good father. And you and I can trust him in the process. Even when Satan tries to throw things at your life and to discourage or distract you, and that is his assignment, he does come to steal, kill, and destroy." [43:33] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God doesn't waste anything in your life. God, there's no season that you're in now or ever will be going through that is wasted as a man or a woman of God. God uses every trial and every tribulation, just like he did for Joseph, as part of the preparation process to position you. To rule and to reign in the next season of your life." [50:59] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus is not hard to please, friends. He's easy to please. He just wants your heart. For some of you, this can be like a reset moment in your life. This can be the moment where, you know what? I've gotten this thing so complicated and so distracted and so frustrated and, you know, anxiety and worry. And Jesus said, look, let's just start here. Let me just have your heart. And everything else is gonna be okay." [01:15:17] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Everything God wants to do through our lives is going to be determined a lot on how we deal with anxiety and worry and fear in our life. Because, you see, the enemies always... They're like the three amigos. They're like the three big hitters. And they all work seamlessly. I don't know which comes first. Does worry come first, and then you get anxious? Or does anxiety worry, and fear come? I don't know. All I know is that these are like the three amigos in Satan's arsenal, and he always uses them to try and stop you from fulfilling your God-given purpose and your destiny." [39:54] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The process is just as important as the promise. Because you see, it's what God does in the process of your life that determines how you will steward the promise when it comes. And if you skip the process that leads to the promise, there's a good chance that you'll screw up the promise when you get it. You won't steward it appropriately. You won't steward it the way you're supposed to." [42:02] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The peace of God, my friends, is not accidental. The peace of God is intentional. It's intentional for you to lean in and you replace your worry with something instead of leaning into the worry. Amen? So the T stands for the trust factor. Everybody say trust. The O stands for the obedience factor. The obedience factor you see anxiety and worry and fear will steal your miracle." [56:47] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Your problems may actually be the source of your promotion. That's the way it was for Joseph. He didn't know it, but God's just saying, hang in there. I'm taking you through. There's an outcome here. There's a promise at work here. Lean into my goodness. Trust me. Obey me. Be patient, right? Maybe that's the key to James when it says, count it all joy." [01:07:52] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If one of the goals here at the Father's house is to impact this community and literally the world, then it's going to require raising up leaders who are fully equipped and committed to fulfilling their God-given destiny. People who refuse to be stopped or limited by anxiety and worry and fear. So don't be afraid of failure. Trust God. Obey God. Let him do his work in you." [01:09:35] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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