Embracing Spiritual Growth Through Life's Challenges

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Trials for Spiritual Growth

The trials and challenges we face are opportunities for spiritual growth and formation for eternity with Jesus. By viewing difficult situations as tools for our spiritual development, we can extract valuable lessons and virtues that prepare us for eternal life. When we encounter hardships, it is essential to remember that these moments are not just random occurrences but are allowed by God to shape us into the people He wants us to be. This perspective helps us to endure and even find joy in the midst of suffering, knowing that it serves a greater purpose. [02:57]

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: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you view this situation as an opportunity for spiritual growth and what virtues can you develop through it?

Day 2: Crucifying Sinful Reactions

Our reactions to life's events reveal the sin within us. By taking up our daily cross and crucifying these sinful reactions, we allow the life of Christ to manifest in us. This transformation turns our lives into a testament to God's glory and praise. Each day presents us with situations that test our patience, kindness, and faith. By consciously choosing to respond in a Christ-like manner, we can overcome our sinful tendencies and reflect God's love to those around us. [04:17]

Galatians 5:24-25 (ESV): "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."

Reflection: Identify a specific reaction or behavior that you struggle with. How can you take up your daily cross and crucify this reaction to allow Christ's life to shine through you?

Day 3: Resolving to Live for Jesus

As we enter the new year, let us resolve to live for Jesus with a firm and decided mind. Our prayer should be for God to give us His Spirit so that we can live for His glory and use every opportunity in His service. This resolution requires a daily commitment to seek God's will and to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. By doing so, we can ensure that our actions and decisions align with His purpose for our lives. [06:00]

Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure that your actions and decisions are aligned with living for Jesus and His glory?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Plan

Although we may not understand why God allows certain events to happen, we trust that He has a plan. All suffering will eventually be taken away in the new heaven and new earth. As Christians, we should see every situation as an opportunity to serve God and grow spiritually. Trusting in God's plan means surrendering our understanding and accepting that His ways are higher than ours. This trust brings peace and helps us to navigate life's uncertainties with confidence in His divine purpose. [07:35]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you struggled to understand God's plan. How can you surrender your understanding and trust in His higher purpose today?

Day 5: Aligning Our Will with God's Will

When we align our will with God's will, we find peace and rest, regardless of the circumstances. Living according to God's will brings blessings and a deep sense of security. This past year has taught us that this alignment is the key to a fulfilling and blessed life. By seeking God's guidance in our daily decisions and being obedient to His direction, we can experience the fullness of His promises and the joy that comes from living in harmony with His will. [13:54]

Psalm 37:4-5 (ESV): "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act."

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

As we reflect on the past year, it's clear that 2020 was unlike any other. It was a year filled with unexpected challenges and unique experiences that none of us could have predicted. However, these difficult times have also provided us with opportunities for spiritual growth and formation. We are reminded that our ultimate goal is to be formed for eternity with Jesus. The trials we face can help us develop virtues and live a life that glorifies God if we approach them with the right mindset.

As we enter 2021, we should not expect things to return to "normal." Instead, we should focus on our relationship with Jesus and use the experiences of the past year to navigate whatever comes our way. Our reactions to both everyday situations and global events reveal the sin that still resides within us. By taking up our daily cross and crucifying these sinful reactions, we can allow the life of Christ to shine through us, turning our lives into a testament to God's glory and praise.

This new year, let us resolve to live for Jesus with a firm and decided mind. Let our prayer be that God gives us His Spirit to live for His glory and use every opportunity in His service. Although we may not understand why God allows certain events to happen, we trust that He has a plan and that all suffering will eventually be taken away in the new heaven and new earth. As Christians, we should not expect a life free from adversity but should see every situation as an opportunity to serve God and grow spiritually.

Ultimately, our goal is to align our will with God's will. When we do this, we find peace and rest, regardless of the circumstances. This past year has taught us that living according to God's will brings blessings and a deep sense of security. As we look forward to 2021, let us remember that God yearns to have communion with us and has a glorious plan for our lives. By living in fellowship with Him, we can transform our lives into a source of hope, joy, and praise.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Formation for Eternity: The trials and challenges we face are opportunities for spiritual growth and formation for eternity with Jesus. By viewing difficult situations as tools for our spiritual development, we can extract valuable lessons and virtues that prepare us for eternal life. [02:57]
2. Daily Cross and Sin Crucifixion: Our reactions to life's events reveal the sin within us. By taking up our daily cross and crucifying these sinful reactions, we allow the life of Christ to manifest in us. This transformation turns our lives into a testament to God's glory and praise. [04:17]
3. Firm Resolution for 2021: As we enter the new year, let us resolve to live for Jesus with a firm and decided mind. Our prayer should be for God to give us His Spirit so that we can live for His glory and use every opportunity in His service. [06:00]
4. Trust in God's Plan: Although we may not understand why God allows certain events to happen, we trust that He has a plan. All suffering will eventually be taken away in the new heaven and new earth. As Christians, we should see every situation as an opportunity to serve God and grow spiritually. [07:35]
5. Aligning Our Will with God's Will: When we align our will with God's will, we find peace and rest, regardless of the circumstances. Living according to God's will brings blessings and a deep sense of security. This past year has taught us that this alignment is the key to a fulfilling and blessed life. [13:54]
### [13:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Reflecting on 2020
[02:57] - Formation for Eternity
[04:17] - Daily Cross and Sin Crucifixion
[06:00] - Firm Resolution for 2021
[07:35] - Trust in God's Plan
[11:15] - Salvation and Liberation
[13:54] - Aligning Our Will with God's Will
[16:50] - Listener Feedback and Break Announcement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to James 1:2-4, what should be our attitude towards trials and why?
In Luke 9:23, what does Jesus say is required to be His disciple?
How does Romans 8:28 assure us about the events in our lives?
Reflecting on the sermon, what are some examples of how 2020 provided opportunities for spiritual growth? [02:57]

Interpretation Questions

How can viewing trials as opportunities for spiritual growth change our perspective on difficult situations? [02:57]
What does it mean to "take up our daily cross" and how can this practice help us crucify sinful reactions? [04:17]
Why is it important to have a firm resolution to live for Jesus as we enter a new year? [06:00]
How can trusting in God's plan provide comfort even when we don't understand why certain events happen? [07:35]

Application Questions

Think about a recent trial you faced. How did you react, and how could you have viewed it as an opportunity for spiritual growth? [02:57]
What are some practical ways you can take up your daily cross and crucify sinful reactions in your everyday life? [04:17]
As we enter 2021, what specific steps can you take to live for Jesus with a firm and decided mind? [06:00]
Reflect on a time when you struggled to understand why God allowed something to happen. How did you find peace in trusting His plan? [07:35]
How can you align your will with God's will in your daily decisions and actions? What changes might this require in your life? [13:54]
Identify one area of your life where you need to trust God's plan more fully. What steps can you take to grow in this trust?
How can you use the experiences and lessons from 2020 to navigate the challenges and opportunities of 2021? [02:57]

Sermon Clips

1. "I always go back to that quote that I really love, that we've spoken a lot about, that we're living here to be formed for eternity. And if I really see that these situations, they're helping me, if I take it in the right way, that they're helping me to be formed for an eternity with Jesus, and that we really get so much out of these situations." [02:57] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You feel like you're turning a new page, you make your New Year's resolutions, and you think this year's going to be a good year, and you're expecting things to, in one way, move on as they always have. But this last year's taught us that that's absolutely not something that we can expect in any way that things are going to be as we're used to. And we don't know what 2021 will bring, in any way or form, but what we do know is that we have this relationship to Jesus and experiences we've had in 2020, they can also help us through 2021 whatever comes our way." [04:17] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I can find that and do something about it through the cross of Christ we've talked about that several times several podcasts this year really how the cross the daily cross that Jesus talks about we can use that to crucify sin sin our flesh those reactions and what comes out instead that's virtues the life of Christ and that really our life can be to God's glory and praise." [06:00] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Does God with that same purpose in our life this God with the same plan for our life so that that's a good question Job should we only accept the good and not the adversity but then the question is times yeah or do you think that's a good question to ask yourself yeah I think that's a good question yeah and that end can be looked at in different ways as well of course you've got the end which is the eternal life that will be together with him uh that that he he has promised that to me but there's also an end here on this earth." [07:35] (99 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If I take up that cross if I if I do what Jesus has taught me and what God intends for me the result is that I I can be finished with all that negative all that stuff that wants to drag me down and the that the situation turns into a source of death and I can be finished with all that negative all that stuff that wants to life deep within right and it's got to do with my attitude of mind right." [11:15] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "If my whole attitude of mind changes that I my life that is to serve God so if I want things to go my way then what I'm what I'm really interested in is that things get done according to God's will that his will is done on earth as it is in heaven in my life and when that's my way then I'll never be disappointed then then life with everything it throws at me is a gold mine really that I can I can just keep on getting these nuggets of gold from the situations where which is that God's will is done and I get blessed and my spirit becomes peace peaceful and um and just this this security more and more in my own life." [13:54] (80 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Just think about those words he who guides the course of earth and heaven and who holds the oceans in his hand he's yearning to possess my spirit and for us he has a glorious plan that God wants to have communion with me God himself the eternal God this is what this is his plan for me and this is why he is allowing me to go through this and this is what this new year is going to bring for me you know that I can have fellowship communion with God himself we can believe in that with all of our hearts right and that my my life my body my situations the result is that I show forth God's glory and his praise right instead of someone complaining or being bitter or you know all those normal human reactions out of this comes someone who's hopeful and full of joy and full of praise and full of blessing for other people who who has learned for listening this year it's been really good for us to do this as well." [16:50] (105 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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