Embracing Gratitude and Surrendering a Divided Heart

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Gratitude and Worship

Gratitude and worship are powerful practices that can transform our daily lives. By starting each day with a moment of gratitude, we acknowledge the blessings God has given us, whether they be family, good news, or simple contentment. This act of thankfulness sets a positive tone for the day and aligns our hearts with God's goodness. Worship, on the other hand, invites the Holy Spirit to fill us and guide us. When we use our breath to praise God, as reminded by the song "Great Are You, Lord," we choose to spread positivity rather than negativity. This practice not only honors God but also uplifts our spirits and those around us. [12:53]

Psalm 100:4-5 (ESV): "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."

Reflection: What are three specific blessings you can thank God for today? How can you incorporate a moment of worship into your daily routine to set a positive tone for your day?

Day 2: The Cost of True Discipleship

True discipleship comes with a cost. It's not enough to merely believe in Jesus; we must be willing to follow Him wholeheartedly, even when it means making difficult choices. This commitment often requires us to stand against societal pressures and personal fears. The story of John the Baptist's beheading in Mark 6:14-29 serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of following Jesus. John stood firm in his faith, even when it led to his death. Similarly, we are called to stand firm in our faith, even when it means facing challenges or opposition. [28:05]

Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where following Jesus has been challenging? How can you seek God's strength to stand firm in your faith despite societal pressures or personal fears?

Day 3: The Danger of a Divided Heart

A divided heart leads to instability in all areas of life. Like Herod, who was torn between his fear of public opinion and his curiosity about John the Baptist's teachings, we may find ourselves at a crossroads, knowing the right path but hesitating to take it. James 1:8 warns that divided loyalty between God and the world makes us unstable in everything we do. To avoid this instability, we must strive to surrender our whole hearts to Jesus, laying our fears at His feet and seeking His guidance in every decision. [47:36]

1 Kings 18:21 (ESV): "And Elijah came near to all the people and said, 'How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.' And the people did not answer him a word."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you feel divided in your loyalty to God? What steps can you take today to fully surrender these areas to Jesus and seek His guidance?

Day 4: The Influence of Fear

Fear often prevents us from making the right choices. Whether it's fear of losing relationships, status, or comfort, these fears can lead us to compromise our faith. Identifying and surrendering these fears to Jesus is crucial for spiritual growth. The story of Herod's tragic decision, influenced by the manipulations of Herodias and the pressures of his social circle, highlights the destructive power of fear. By recognizing our fears and laying them at Jesus' feet, we allow His holiness to permeate our lives and guide us in making the right choices. [56:44]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What is one specific fear that has been influencing your decisions lately? How can you surrender this fear to Jesus and trust Him to guide you in making the right choices?

Day 5: The Remedy for a Divided Heart

The key to overcoming a divided heart is to lay our fears at the feet of Jesus. By doing so, we allow His holiness to permeate our lives, guiding us in making the right choices. This act of surrender helps us to live wholeheartedly for Him. As we face various crossroads in our lives, we must remember that we are not alone. Leaning on our church family for support and encouragement can help us stay committed to our faith and make decisions that honor God. [01:06:19]

Psalm 86:11 (ESV): "Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name."

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?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the importance of gratitude and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We began by taking a moment to thank God for the blessings He has bestowed upon us, whether they be family, good news, or simple contentment. We then transitioned into worship, inviting the Holy Spirit to fill us and guide us. As we sang "Great Are You, Lord," we were reminded to use our breath to praise God rather than to spread negativity.

We then delved into Mark 6:14-29, a passage that recounts the beheading of John the Baptist. This story serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of following Jesus and the dangers of a divided heart. Herod, despite recognizing John the Baptist as a righteous man, was torn between his fear of public opinion and his curiosity about John's teachings. This internal conflict led him to make a tragic decision, influenced by the manipulations of Herodias and the pressures of his social circle.

The narrative of Herod's divided heart serves as a cautionary tale for us. It illustrates the peril of being at a crossroads and failing to make the right choice due to fear or the desire to please others. A divided heart leads to instability in all areas of life, as James 1:8 warns us. We must strive to surrender our whole hearts to Jesus, laying our fears at His feet and seeking His guidance in every decision.

In conclusion, we are all at various crossroads in our lives, facing decisions that test our faith and commitment. The remedy for a divided heart is to identify our fears and surrender them to Jesus, allowing His holiness to permeate our lives and guide us in making the right choices. Let us not walk this journey alone but lean on our church family for support and encouragement.

###

Key Takeaways

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2. The Cost of Following Jesus: True discipleship comes with a cost. It's not enough to merely believe in Jesus; we must be willing to follow Him wholeheartedly, even when it means making difficult choices. This commitment often requires us to stand against societal pressures and personal fears.

3. The Danger of a Divided Heart: A divided heart leads to instability in all areas of life. Like Herod, we may find ourselves at a crossroads, knowing the right path but hesitating to take it. James 1:8 warns that divided loyalty between God and the world makes us unstable in everything we do.

4. The Influence of Fear: Fear often prevents us from making the right choices. Whether it's fear of losing relationships, status, or comfort, these fears can lead us to compromise our faith. Identifying and surrendering these fears to Jesus is crucial for spiritual growth.

5. The Remedy for a Divided Heart: The key to overcoming a divided heart is to lay our fears at the feet of Jesus. By doing so, we allow His holiness to permeate our lives, guiding us in making the right choices. This act of surrender helps us to live wholeheartedly for Him.

### [12:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:53] - Gratitude and Worship
[22:42] - Reflecting on Our Words
[28:05] - Introduction to Mark 6:14-29
[30:53] - The Story of Herod and John the Baptist
[38:44] - The Cost of Following Jesus
[47:36] - The Danger of a Divided Heart
[56:44] - The Influence of Fear
[66:19] - Remedy for a Divided Heart
[70:19] - Church Family Support
[72:21] - Closing Remarks and Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were some of the blessings mentioned at the beginning of the sermon that we should be grateful for? [12:53]
How did Herod react to John the Baptist's teachings, and what internal conflict did he experience? [30:53]
What does James 1:8 say about a divided heart, and how does it relate to Herod's story? [47:36]
What role did fear play in Herod's decision to behead John the Baptist? [56:44]

Interpretation Questions

Why is gratitude and worship important in setting a positive tone for our day, according to the sermon? [12:53]
How does the story of Herod and John the Baptist illustrate the cost of following Jesus? [38:44]
What does it mean to have a divided heart, and how can it lead to instability in our lives? [47:36]
How can identifying and surrendering our fears to Jesus help us overcome a divided heart? [56:44]

Application Questions

Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate a moment of gratitude and worship to start your day positively? [12:53]
Have you ever faced a situation where following Jesus required you to make a difficult choice? How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? [38:44]
Identify an area in your life where you feel divided in your loyalty between God and the world. What steps can you take to surrender this area to Jesus? [47:36]
Think about a fear that has prevented you from making the right choice in the past. How can you lay this fear at the feet of Jesus and seek His guidance? [56:44]
How can you lean on your church family for support and encouragement when facing difficult decisions or crossroads in your life? [01:10:19]
Is there a specific relationship or situation where you feel pressured to compromise your faith? How can you stand firm in your commitment to Jesus in this context? [01:03:20]
What practical steps can you take this week to ensure that your heart is fully surrendered to Jesus, avoiding the instability of a divided heart? [47:36]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "There is a cost to following Jesus. I mean, a true follower of Jesus Christ. Not someone who's like, well, I believe he exists. You know, I believe. I believe God. I believe in God. No. A follower of Jesus Christ. There is a cost to that." [38:44] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you follow Jesus, if you follow God, we want to follow him wholeheartedly. And so Jesus, so again, James says, you're, you're not just unstable in that area of your life. You're unstable in everything. Your whole life is unstable." [49:19] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You need to identify your greatest fears and lay them at the feet of Jesus. You need to identify your fears and lay them at the feet of Jesus. I'm afraid what people are gonna think about me. I'm afraid of losing my status with this group. Whatever the fear is, the backlash of family members, whatever it is, you need to lay that fear at the feet of Jesus." [01:06:19] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Don't let fear stand in the way of your faith. So, a divided heart looks like a crossroads. There's an opportunity there. And then there's a remedy. How do you cross the street? How do you make the choice? You identify your fears and you put them at the foot of Jesus. At the cross of Christ. Every day. I crucify this. I lay it at the foot of Jesus." [01:08:42] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you're at a crossroads, you need to listen to the voice of God, not your fears. Listen to the voice of truth. You've been set free. You're not a slave to fear anymore. You don't need to do that. Jesus set you free from that. Do not listen to your fears. Listen to the voice of truth." [01:07:34] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The tragedy is not John the Baptist. John the Baptist did his job. He prepared the way and he died a glorious death for Christ. A martyr for Christ. A martyr for his faith. So, the tragedy is not John the Baptist. The tragedy is about King Herod. The tragedy is all about King Herod. And John Mark shows this. He wants us to get from the story is this. The danger of a divided heart." [40:22] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "It is possible for a Christian to have a section or a corner of your heart that you're like, you know, I'm going to do this. I'm going to do this. I'm going to do this. I follow Jesus. But this over here, I don't really need to follow him. I have my Christian friends and I have my other friends. I have my hobbies. I mean, I go to church. I have my actions. I, you know, I read the Bible. But there are some things that I just, I can't surrender." [47:36] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If you continue over and over again to not make that choice that God is telling you to make. And it's not just salvation. It's other choices in our life. If we continue to ignore the voice of God, the voice of truth, time and time again, that voice will become silent. It will. I'm checking out. I'm out. And we see that. We see that." [58:46] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You know, we could probably think of people in our life that are like that. You know? They've heard the truth. They know the truth. They just can't, at the opportune time, cross over that line of faith and make that decision. And it gets to the point to where crickets. That's all there is. Just crickets. And their heart just becomes more hard." [01:00:02] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you follow Jesus, if you follow God, we want to follow him wholeheartedly. And so Jesus, so again, James says, you're, you're not just unstable in that area of your life. You're unstable in everything. Your whole life is unstable. Unstable. And it's really talked, I mean, this really goes into the biblical principle of, of sort of yeast affecting the whole batch of the entire batch." [49:19] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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