Embracing Trust and Transformation in Kingdom Living

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God Beyond Past Hurts

Trusting God fully requires surrendering our brokenness and disappointments, even when past experiences make it difficult to believe He is truly good and trustworthy. Many of us have been let down or wounded, making it hard to trust God with reckless abandon. Yet, God invites us to move beyond just “getting by” and to speak to our situations with faith, trusting that He is present and able to heal every empty and broken place. When we let go of our limited understanding and past pain, we open ourselves to the fullness of His promises and the peace that comes from real trust. [41:51]

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 past hurt or disappointment is making it hard for you to trust God fully? Can you name it and ask God to help you surrender it to Him today?

Day 2: The Principle of Exposure—Awakening to More

God often uses exposure to new experiences, people, and opportunities to awaken a hunger in us for more of Him and His kingdom. Sometimes we don’t even know what we’re missing until God orchestrates a “holy awakening” that stirs our appetite for deeper things. Once we’ve seen or tasted more of God, we can’t go back to settling for less. This principle reminds us that God is always working behind the scenes, arranging moments and relationships that will lead us into greater purpose and spiritual growth, even if we don’t understand it at the time. [01:06:59]

Acts 19:1-6 (NIV)
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Reflection: Where has God recently exposed you to something new—an idea, a person, or an opportunity—that stirred a deeper hunger for Him? How can you respond to that awakening today?

Day 3: Embracing Kingdom Culture Over Church Comfort

Living as a kingdom citizen means moving beyond religious routines and comfort, stepping into the authority and culture of God’s kingdom, and expecting resistance as we take new territory. Many settle for church as usual, but God calls us to a higher standard—one where we put on the full armor of God, walk in the Spirit, and challenge the status quo. This often brings spiritual pushback, but it also brings transformation, healing, and the power to overcome. The kingdom is not just a future hope but a present reality we are called to embody and advance together. [55:09]

Ephesians 6:10-13 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Reflection: What is one area where you have settled for comfort or routine instead of stepping into the authority and culture of God’s kingdom? What would it look like to “put on the full armor” and push forward in that area this week?

Day 4: The Power and Necessity of the Holy Spirit

Many believers remain spiritually stagnant because they have not received or welcomed the Holy Spirit, missing out on the authority and power available to them. The Holy Spirit is not just a church experience or emotional moment; He is the very presence and power of God that enables us to live out our calling, overcome obstacles, and operate in the fullness of the kingdom. Without Him, we are left imitating faith rather than living it. God desires for us to ask, receive, and walk daily in the Spirit, moving from mere knowledge to true activation and transformation. [01:22:41]

Luke 11:13 (ESV)
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Reflection: Have you truly asked God to fill you with the Holy Spirit and welcomed His presence into every part of your life? What is one step you can take today to invite the Holy Spirit to lead and empower you?

Day 5: Thanking God for Closed Doors and Divine Detours

God’s guidance is often most evident in the doors He closes and the plans He interrupts, protecting us from what we cannot see and preparing us for what is ahead. While it’s easy to praise God for open doors and answered prayers, true maturity comes when we can look back and thank Him for the times He said “no” or redirected our steps. What felt like rejection or disappointment in the moment may actually have been God’s protection and preparation for something greater. Trusting His wisdom means learning to praise Him for both the yes and the no. [01:12:18]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Think of a closed door or disappointment in your past that you now see as God’s protection. How can you thank Him for it today, and what does that gratitude stir in your faith for the future?

Sermon Summary

Trust is a word we often use, but for many, it’s a struggle because of past hurts, disappointments, and brokenness. When we talk about trusting God, it’s not always easy to move past our own experiences and truly surrender. Yet, God calls us to trust Him with reckless abandon, to move beyond just “getting by” and step into the fullness of what He has for us. This means not just settling for salvation, but embracing the transformation and citizenship of the Kingdom—a reality that is meant to be lived out here and now, not just in some distant future.

Kingdom living is not a church cliché; it’s a mandate that challenges culture and puts us on the front lines of spiritual warfare. When we push for territory—when we seek to see God’s Kingdom come in our lives, our families, and our communities—we should expect resistance. But with that resistance comes the opportunity for growth, for deeper trust, and for the kind of breakthrough that only comes through the Holy Spirit. Many believers have never truly heard or understood what it means to walk in the Spirit, to receive the Holy Spirit, and to operate in the authority and power that Jesus promised.

God uses exposure—moments, people, and experiences—to awaken in us a hunger for more. Once we’ve seen or tasted what’s possible in the Kingdom, we can’t go back to “church as usual.” Sometimes, the closed doors and the seasons of pain are actually God’s protection and preparation for what’s ahead. We must learn to thank Him not just for the open doors, but for the ones He’s closed, trusting that He sees the future we cannot.

To enter into new seasons, we must be willing to exit old ones. Paul’s journey in Acts 19 shows us that spiritual stagnation often comes from a lack of knowledge or exposure to the fullness of what God offers. The Holy Spirit is not just a tool or an experience; He is the very presence and power of God, meant to be a lifestyle. As we surrender more of ourselves, we make room for Him to move, transform, and empower us to live out our Kingdom assignment. This is not about religious performance, but about authentic, Spirit-led living that brings hope, healing, and transformation to everyone we encounter.

Key Takeaways

1. True trust in God requires us to confront our own brokenness and past disappointments. It’s not enough to trust God just enough to get by; we are called to trust Him with everything, even when our experiences make it difficult. This kind of trust is the foundation for Kingdom living and opens the door to God’s presence and power in our lives. [41:51]
2. Kingdom culture is not a church trend or a set of behaviors—it’s a radical shift in citizenship and mindset. Moving from an earthly to a Kingdom perspective means embracing transformation, authority, and responsibility. It also means expecting resistance, because pushing for Kingdom territory puts us in direct opposition to the enemy, but it’s in this struggle that our faith is refined and our purpose clarified. [48:09]
3. God uses the principle of exposure to awaken us to what we didn’t know we needed. When we encounter the Holy Spirit or see glimpses of God’s promise in others, it stirs a holy dissatisfaction with the status quo. Once exposed to the reality of the Kingdom, we can’t unsee it, and God uses this to draw us into deeper hunger and pursuit of Him. [66:59]
4. Closed doors and painful seasons are often God’s way of protecting and preparing us for what’s next. What feels like rejection or loss in the moment may actually be divine redirection. Learning to thank God for both the open and closed doors is a mark of spiritual maturity and trust in His sovereign plan. [72:18]
5. The Holy Spirit is not an optional add-on but the essential power source for Kingdom living. Many believers remain spiritually stagnant because they have not been exposed to or have misunderstood the Holy Spirit’s role. Receiving and walking in the Spirit is the key to moving from religious routine to empowered, transformative living that impacts the world around us. [83:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:51] - The Challenge of Trusting God
[42:45] - Moving Beyond Just Getting By
[43:24] - Pushing for Kingdom Territory
[46:25] - The Reality of Kingdom Culture
[47:17] - The Cost and Mandate of Kingdom Living
[48:09] - Discipleship and True Transformation
[50:09] - The Power of God’s Presence
[51:58] - Repeating Tests and Spiritual Growth
[53:23] - Walking in Authority and Dominion
[55:09] - Embracing Kingdom Culture
[59:10] - The Price and Reward of Leadership
[66:59] - The Principle of Exposure
[72:18] - Thanking God for Closed Doors
[78:37] - Exiting Old Seasons for New Entrances
[83:29] - The Essential Role of the Holy Spirit
[90:56] - Growing in the Spirit and Generosity
[93:57] - When Kingdom and Culture Collide
[96:12] - Wrestling with God in Brokenness
[98:16] - Trusting God for the Next Step
[101:41] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[106:37] - Closing Prayer and Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 19:1-7 (NIV) — > While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Observation Questions

In Acts 19, what was the main thing the disciples in Ephesus were missing, and how did Paul address it?
According to the sermon, what does it mean to “push for Kingdom territory,” and what kind of response should we expect when we do? [[47:17]]
What is the “principle of exposure” as described in the sermon, and how does it relate to our spiritual growth? [[01:06:59]]
How does the sermon describe the difference between just “getting by” in faith and living in the fullness of the Kingdom? [[42:45]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul asked the disciples in Ephesus if they had received the Holy Spirit? What does this reveal about the importance of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life? [Acts 19:2]
The sermon says that “Kingdom culture is not a church trend or a set of behaviors—it’s a radical shift in citizenship and mindset.” What does it look like to move from an earthly mindset to a Kingdom mindset in everyday life? [[48:09]]
The pastor shared that sometimes closed doors and painful seasons are actually God’s protection and preparation. How does this perspective change the way we view disappointments or setbacks? [[01:12:18]]
According to the sermon, why do many believers remain spiritually stagnant, and what is the key to moving forward? [[01:23:29]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to trust God with “reckless abandon,” not just enough to get by. Is there an area of your life where you are holding back trust because of past hurts or disappointments? What would it look like to surrender that area to God this week? [[41:51]]
When you think about “Kingdom living,” do you see it as something for the future or something to be lived out now? What is one practical way you can embrace Kingdom culture in your daily routine? [[48:09]]
The “principle of exposure” means God sometimes lets us see or experience more so we hunger for more of Him. Can you recall a time when God exposed you to something new spiritually? How did it change your hunger or direction? [[01:06:59]]
The pastor encouraged us to thank God not just for open doors, but also for closed ones. Is there a closed door or disappointment in your life that you can now see as God’s protection? How can you express gratitude for it? [[01:12:18]]
Paul had to leave old places to enter new ones. Is there something in your life—an old habit, relationship, or mindset—that you sense God is asking you to exit so you can enter a new season? What step could you take this week to begin that exit? [[01:18:37]]
The sermon says the Holy Spirit is not an optional add-on but the essential power source for Kingdom living. Have you ever asked God to fill you with the Holy Spirit? If not, what holds you back? If yes, how has it changed your walk with God? [[01:23:29]]
The pastor shared about wrestling with God in brokenness and coming to a place of deeper trust. Is there a struggle or area of brokenness in your life where you need to invite God in and trust Him more deeply? What would it look like to do that this week? [[01:36:12]]

Sermon Clips

See, when I was in the middle of it, I called it rejection. But now that I'm out of it, I called it God's protection. See, when I was in it, I called it a closed door. But now that I'm out of it, I thank God for leading me away from that door. I wish I had some help. Now, everybody's not about to feel what I'm fixing to say, but some of you will. And I want you to have enough spiritual discernment to thank him for the closed doors, to praise him for the closed doors, to honor him for the closed doors. [01:12:33] (28 seconds) Edit Clip

This principle simply suggests that God will use exposure to awaken in us an appetite for something that we did not know we needed because we didn't know it existed there's things on the inside of you that you don't know you need because you don't even know they're there so God arranges these exposures to orchestrate what I like to call a holy awakening where he awakens your appetite for more of him not just simply settling for church as usual or chasing after the things of the world but chasing after the best for your life. [01:07:03] (38 seconds) Edit Clip

You can't walk into something new if you're unwilling to walk out of something old. Dr. Henry Cloud wrote that. And so for a period of time, Paul was on his third missionary journey. It was his third stop. He had a few stops on the journey. What does that mean? He would go to a specific place. For a period of time, he would make a ministry contribution. He would teach, train, disciple, and then he'd leave. [01:18:53] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

If you are going to it says the kingdom suffereth violence right so when you push for territory expect some fights expect some pushback if you want to be the cute Christian this probably ain't the place for you we still love you I'll still preach as hard as I can but you're going to be looking around folks going to be gone they're going to be up to rush say wait a minute I want it to go well come on nothing holds you back but you [01:03:44] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

Most people Becky cannot inherit the kingdom because they've never heard of it they cannot operate in the kingdom because they've never heard of it it's cool in prayers and it's cool vernacular in Christian circles but all Jesus he talked about salvation once the rest of his ministry throughout the four gospels was the kingdom is like the kingdom is like the kingdom is like and if it wasn't important LB I don't think you would have kept talking about that's all he talked about. [01:05:40] (38 seconds) Edit Clip

Because he understands once you activate that, nothing's impossible. Nothing's that's your tactical gear to take territory some of the disciples tried to cast out a demon he said Paul I know and Jesus I know but who are you they were saved they knew Jesus they knew what Jesus done for them they didn't have the authority to operate on his behalf because they didn't even know about the Holy Spirit they were just trying to emulate acts stuff they had seen Jesus do so if we're real disciples and we follow Jesus we ought to be able to do what Jesus done but they didn't understand Jesus said I go to prepare a place in who I'm sending but if you don't receive what I'm sending that's a major key to open a major door. [01:23:22] (71 seconds) Edit Clip

Everybody in this room has been hurt. Everybody in this room has been let down. Everybody in this room has been broken. Everybody in here has had their trust violated at one time or another. So when it says, I trust in God, it's kind of hard when you still have some unfilled places or some broken places or some empty places. [00:41:48] (36 seconds) Edit Clip

Discipleship means discipline. And we think that that means our lives have to transform and they do. But there's a reason because you are walking from one realm of citizenship to another realm of citizenship. You are saying, I'm leaving this earthly mindset behind. And I want to be resurrected into the kingdom. [00:48:23] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

Their lack of information has put them in a place of spiritual stagnation. and they didn't even know. Remember when we started today I said we feel like we're just spinning our wheels sometimes. We're going to church camp. We're doing the right thing. Praying, reading the word, tithing, show up at the hot dog setting, show up at the ministry meeting. It just feels like we just keep...They didn't even know there was more. And it's hard to activate something you're not aware of. [01:22:30] (41 seconds) Edit Clip

The Holy Ghost is not a tool. Prayer is a tool. Fasting is a tool. Worship is a tool. Praise is a tool. The Holy Ghost. That's a lifestyle. That means I crucify myself through my flesh. [01:29:06] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

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