Embracing Miracles: Gratitude and Faith in Christ

Summary

In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound truth that life is filled with miracles, both big and small. As we enter the week of Thanksgiving, it's a fitting time to express gratitude for the miracles in our lives, from the beauty of creation to the ultimate miracle of redemption through Jesus Christ. We explored the story of Joni Eareckson Tada, whose life was transformed by a tragic accident that left her paralyzed. Her journey from despair to a deep, abiding faith in Christ serves as a powerful illustration of how God can work through our doubts and struggles to bring about spiritual growth and understanding.

Joni's story reminds us that while physical healing is not always granted, the miracle of redemption and the transformation of our hearts is available to all. Her experience highlights the importance of prayer, thanksgiving, and meditation on God's truth as tools to overcome emotional doubt. Emotional doubt, unlike factual doubt, is deeply rooted in our feelings and can be challenging to navigate. However, by focusing on the truth of Scripture and practicing gratitude, we can combat these doubts and grow in our faith.

Philippians 4:6-9 provides a roadmap for overcoming emotional doubt through believing prayer, thanksgiving, edifying thinking, and practice. By engaging in these practices, we can experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. This peace guards our hearts and minds, allowing us to trust in God's plan even when our emotions tell us otherwise.

As we reflect on these truths, we are reminded of the importance of knowing Jesus personally. He is the source of true peace and joy, and knowing Him is the greatest gift we can receive. If you don't know Him yet, I encourage you to take that step today. Embrace the miracle of redemption and experience the transformative power of His love in your life.

Key Takeaways:

1. Life's Miracles and Gratitude: Life is filled with miracles, from the beauty of creation to the miracle of redemption through Jesus Christ. As we enter Thanksgiving, it's important to express gratitude for these miracles and recognize God's hand in our lives. Reflecting on these blessings can strengthen our faith and bring us closer to God. [02:05]

2. Joni Eareckson Tada's Journey: Joni's story illustrates how God can use our struggles to deepen our faith. Despite her paralysis, she found hope and purpose in Christ, realizing that spiritual healing is more significant than physical healing. Her journey teaches us to trust in God's plan, even when it doesn't align with our desires. [06:09]

3. Overcoming Emotional Doubt: Emotional doubt is rooted in our feelings and can be challenging to overcome. Philippians 4:6-9 provides a guide for addressing these doubts through believing prayer, thanksgiving, and meditation on God's truth. By focusing on these practices, we can experience God's peace and grow in our faith. [12:29]

4. The Power of Prayer and Thanksgiving: Believing prayer and thanksgiving are powerful tools for overcoming doubt. By maintaining a constant dialogue with God and expressing gratitude for His blessings, we can combat negative emotions and strengthen our trust in Him. This practice leads to a deeper understanding of His love and purpose for our lives. [22:36]

5. Knowing Jesus Personally: The greatest miracle is knowing Jesus personally. He is the source of true peace and joy, and embracing a relationship with Him transforms our lives. If you haven't yet experienced this miracle, I encourage you to seek Him today and discover the profound impact of His love and redemption. [37:47]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:05] - Joni Eareckson Tada's Story
- [05:06] - Struggles and Doubts
- [06:09] - Realization and Faith
- [09:02] - Philippians 4:6-9
- [10:23] - Emotional Doubt
- [12:29] - Examples of Emotional Doubt
- [13:59] - Believing Prayer
- [17:48] - The Power of Prayer
- [20:02] - Reese Howells' Example
- [21:12] - Thanksgiving and Gratitude
- [22:36] - Thanksgiving as Antidote
- [25:50] - Edifying Thinking
- [29:06] - Misbelief Therapy
- [33:02] - Trusting God's Word
- [36:05] - Practicing Faith
- [37:47] - Knowing Jesus Personally

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Philippians 4:6-9
- Ephesians 1:7
- Psalm 13:1-2

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Philippians 4:6-9 suggest as a way to overcome anxiety and emotional doubt? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about emotional doubt? [09:02]

2. How does Joni Eareckson Tada's story illustrate the concept of spiritual healing being more significant than physical healing? [06:09]

3. In the sermon, what role does gratitude play in combating emotional doubt, according to Philippians 4:6-9? [22:36]

4. How does the pastor describe the difference between emotional doubt and factual doubt? [10:23]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the practice of thanksgiving, as described in Philippians 4:6-9, transform a person's approach to emotional doubt? [22:36]

2. What does Joni Eareckson Tada's journey teach about the relationship between suffering and spiritual growth? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on redemption? [06:09]

3. How does the pastor suggest believers should handle emotional doubt when it arises, and what biblical principles support this approach? [12:29]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that knowing Jesus personally can impact one's experience of peace and joy? [37:47]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a miracle, big or small, in your life. How did it affect your faith and gratitude towards God? [02:05]

2. Joni Eareckson Tada found hope and purpose in Christ despite her paralysis. How can you find purpose in your own struggles, and what steps can you take to trust in God's plan even when it doesn't align with your desires? [06:09]

3. Emotional doubt can be challenging to overcome. What practical steps can you take this week to apply Philippians 4:6-9 in your life to address any doubts you may have? [12:29]

4. The sermon emphasizes the power of prayer and thanksgiving. How can you incorporate these practices into your daily routine to strengthen your faith and combat negative emotions? [22:36]

5. Knowing Jesus personally is described as the greatest miracle. If you haven't yet experienced this relationship, what steps can you take to seek Him today? If you have, how can you deepen your relationship with Him? [37:47]

6. The pastor shared a story about overcoming emotional doubt through prayer and thanksgiving. Can you identify a specific area in your life where you need to apply these principles? What will you do differently this week? [22:36]

7. Reflect on the concept of "edifying thinking" from Philippians 4:8. What are some specific thoughts or beliefs you need to challenge and replace with truth this week? [25:50]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing Everyday Miracles
Life is a tapestry woven with miracles, both grand and subtle. As we approach Thanksgiving, it's a time to pause and express gratitude for these wonders, from the intricate beauty of creation to the profound miracle of redemption through Jesus Christ. By acknowledging these blessings, we strengthen our faith and draw closer to God. This practice of gratitude not only enriches our spiritual lives but also opens our eyes to the divine presence in our daily experiences. [02:05]

Psalm 77:14-15 (ESV): "You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph."

Reflection: What is one small miracle in your life that you often overlook? How can you express gratitude for it today?

Day 2: Finding Purpose in Struggles
Joni Eareckson Tada's journey from despair to faith illustrates how God can use our struggles to deepen our spiritual understanding. Despite her paralysis, she discovered hope and purpose in Christ, realizing that spiritual healing is more significant than physical healing. Her story teaches us to trust in God's plan, even when it diverges from our desires. By embracing our challenges, we can experience profound spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God. [06:09]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: Think of a current struggle in your life. How might God be using it to deepen your faith and understanding?

Day 3: Navigating Emotional Doubt
Emotional doubt, unlike factual doubt, is deeply rooted in our feelings and can be challenging to navigate. Philippians 4:6-9 provides a guide for overcoming these doubts through believing prayer, thanksgiving, and meditation on God's truth. By focusing on these practices, we can experience God's peace and grow in our faith. This peace guards our hearts and minds, allowing us to trust in God's plan even when our emotions tell us otherwise. [12:29]

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: Identify a specific emotional doubt you are facing. How can you apply Philippians 4:6-9 to address this doubt today?

Day 4: The Transformative Power of Prayer and Thanksgiving
Believing prayer and thanksgiving are powerful tools for overcoming doubt. By maintaining a constant dialogue with God and expressing gratitude for His blessings, we can combat negative emotions and strengthen our trust in Him. This practice leads to a deeper understanding of His love and purpose for our lives. As we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's peace and joy. [22:36]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to maintain gratitude? How can you incorporate prayer and thanksgiving into this area today?

Day 5: Embracing a Personal Relationship with Jesus
The greatest miracle is knowing Jesus personally. He is the source of true peace and joy, and embracing a relationship with Him transforms our lives. If you haven't yet experienced this miracle, I encourage you to seek Him today and discover the profound impact of His love and redemption. Knowing Jesus personally is the ultimate gift, offering us a life filled with purpose, peace, and joy. [37:47]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take today to deepen this relationship and experience His transformative love more fully?

Quotes

"I want to start out today with a truth that I've known through my life. And that is that life is full of miracles. Amen. I think if we think back, we can think back. We can think back to times in our life. So I want you to do this. I want you to think back to a time, a memory that you have, that you know a miracle happened in your life. For some of us, it's watching our first child be born. That was a miracle. For some of us, it's watching them get through junior high. That was a miracle. Perhaps for some of us, it was ourselves getting through school. That was a miracle. But I think if we're honest, we can look back and see, different times in our life where the miraculous happened." [00:01:17] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Eventually, after years and years of praying for and seeking healing, she learned a lesson. She said, I learned that the core of Christ's plan is to rescue us from sin. Our physical aches and pains and broken relationships aren't his ultimate focus. He cares deeply about those things, but they're symptoms of the chief problem in this fallen world. God's goal is not to make us comfortable. He wants to teach us to hate our transgressions as he grows our love for him." [00:07:26] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Philippians four, verse six through nine. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things." [00:09:02] (0 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Emotional doubt is doubt that emanates from passions or moods. That involve a subjective response by the individual. Factual doubt is not primary in people who deal with emotional doubt. Rather, it's the emotions behind the facts that drive this kind of doubt. So this kind of doubt can be summed up, I think, very succinctly by King David in Psalm chapter 13, verse 1 and 2. To the chief musician of Psalm of David, how long, O Lord, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?" [00:11:12] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Let me ask you, when was the last time you prayed? Have you prayed today? Do you make it a pattern in your life to practice prayer without ceasing? Do you find that prayer works in your life? I do. John Piper said, you should not begin your days or end your days or live any part of your day without prayer. This is what Paul is saying here, that we should pray without ceasing. We should be constantly in a state of prayer conversation with God. And guess what? You can rest assured that God hears your prayer. It's a promise found in scripture." [00:17:48] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Thanksgiving is the antidote to doubt. Thanksgiving is the antidote to doubt. Psalm 42, 11. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise him, the help of my countenance and my God. It is in the thanksgiving and the inevitable inevitable, praise that follows that we are led away from our doubt. Thanksgiving doesn't come naturally. You have to will it to be. You have to practice it in your life every day." [00:23:20] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Stop focusing on the what -ifs and focus on the truth of scripture. Usually the facts expose the doubt. According to Paul, one of the keys to overcoming emotional doubt is to meditate on the truth. Bacchus and Champion tells us that this is what they call misbelief therapy. Misbelief therapy. They suggest a three -part approach to overcoming emotional doubt. Locate your misbeliefs, remove them, and replace your misbeliefs with truth. Let me say that again. Locate your misbeliefs, remove them, and replace your misbeliefs with truth." [00:28:22] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Base your Christianity on the truth of scripture. But don't just dismiss those feelings. Actively argue against them with the truth of scripture. We should care less about feelings and care more about truth. Feelings will eventually go and I can prove it to you. Think back to that time when you were in high school where you had, girlfriend or a boyfriend, or maybe think back to your best friend from elementary school and you thought, oh, this is the one. I'm going to always be friends with this person or this girl. I know we're going to get married. Now, in my case, I actually did marry my high school sweetheart. But for some of us, we had these emotions. We had these thoughts." [00:31:43] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Through practice, we get better. Same thing is true in our life. When we practice Thanksgiving, when we practice these things that Paul has shown us, when we practice the things that are noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy, your life will begin to change for the better. I promise you it will. Practice these things, your doubts will begin to fade and your trust in the Lord will soar to new heights. Psalm 56 .3, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you and God whose word I praise and God I trust and am not afraid." [00:34:54] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Christ is our coach who implores us to watch him and to imitate him, to act like him, to talk like him, to walk like him, to think like him, to love like him, and yes, even to cry like him. This is how we practice our faithfulness. Our faith and overcome our emotional doubts. If we do these things, we will experience the peace of God. Verse 7, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." [00:35:45] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Knowing him is the best thing that ever happened to me. And if you know him today, you can agree with me this morning that knowing him is the best thing that ever happened. If you don't know him today, you can. You don't have to go through life not knowing him. If you're embarrassed or if you're shy about this, overcome that. Take the best gift that has ever been given to you. It's never been given to anyone. Salvation in Jesus Christ." [00:38:50] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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