Faithful Pursuit: Embracing God Through Life's Challenges
Summary
In the journey of life, we often face challenges that test our faith and resilience. As we age, we encounter physical limitations and health issues that can lead to discouragement and bitterness. However, it's crucial to remain thankful and trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. This journey of faith requires us to show up and engage in spiritual disciplines, regardless of how we feel. It's about pursuing God with passion and allowing Him to guide us through our struggles.
One significant aspect of this pursuit is the discipline of fasting. Fasting is not just about abstaining from food; it's a spiritual reset that helps us focus on God and discipline our flesh. It's a reminder that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we must steward them well. The struggle with gluttony and overconsumption is real, but through fasting, we learn to rely on God's strength and not our own. It's about breaking free from the chains of self-indulgence and seeking God wholeheartedly.
Moreover, the pursuit of God requires humility and brokenness. We must lay down our pride and self-sufficiency to truly experience His presence. Our satisfaction without God is the greatest hindrance to drawing near to Him. We must be willing to surrender our hearts fully, allowing God to transform us from the inside out. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous process of seeking God and allowing Him to work in our lives.
In this pursuit, we must also be aware of the enemy's tactics. The devil seeks to destroy our testimony and hinder our relationship with God. But through persistent pursuit, we can remain in God's arms and experience His peace and joy. It's about pressing into God, even when we don't feel like it, and trusting that He will renew our strength.
Ultimately, our pursuit of God should be our number one priority. It's about seeking Him with all our hearts and allowing His love to fill us. As we pursue Him, we find true fulfillment and purpose, and our lives become a testimony of His grace and power.
Key Takeaways:
- Thankfulness in Trials: Embrace a heart of gratitude even amidst life's challenges. It's easy to become bitter and discouraged, but choosing thankfulness shifts our perspective and aligns us with God's will. This attitude of gratitude is a powerful antidote to bitterness and opens the door for God's peace to fill our hearts. [13:14]
- The Discipline of Fasting: Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us focus on God and discipline our flesh. It's not just about abstaining from food but about seeking God wholeheartedly and breaking free from self-indulgence. Fasting resets our spiritual compass and draws us closer to God. [18:05]
- Humility and Brokenness: True pursuit of God requires humility and brokenness. We must lay down our pride and self-sufficiency to experience His presence fully. This surrender allows God to transform us from the inside out, leading to a deeper relationship with Him. [39:16]
- Overcoming the Enemy's Tactics: The enemy seeks to destroy our testimony and hinder our relationship with God. Through persistent pursuit, we can remain in God's arms and experience His peace and joy. It's about pressing into God, even when we don't feel like it, and trusting that He will renew our strength. [51:19]
- Prioritizing the Pursuit of God: Our pursuit of God should be our number one priority. It's about seeking Him with all our hearts and allowing His love to fill us. As we pursue Him, we find true fulfillment and purpose, and our lives become a testimony of His grace and power. [52:18]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [12:16] - Facing Midlife Challenges
- [13:14] - Embracing Thankfulness
- [14:21] - Showing Up Despite Discouragement
- [17:02] - Developing Passion for God
- [18:05] - The Call to Fast
- [19:38] - Health and Spiritual Discipline
- [22:30] - Overcoming Perfectionism
- [25:42] - Letting Go of Pride
- [29:11] - Pursuing God Regardless of Feelings
- [32:14] - The Hindrance of Satisfaction Without God
- [35:03] - The Challenge of Spiritual Complacency
- [39:16] - The Power of Humility and Brokenness
- [44:31] - Spiritual Detox and Surrender
- [51:19] - The Value of Your Testimony
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
2. Matthew 6:16-18 - "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full."
3. James 4:6 - "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
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Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the physical and spiritual challenges mentioned in the sermon that can lead to discouragement and bitterness? [12:44]
2. How does the pastor describe the role of fasting in one's spiritual journey? [18:05]
3. What does the pastor identify as the greatest hindrance to drawing near to God? [33:12]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of humility and brokenness in pursuing God? [39:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pastor suggest thankfulness can change our perspective during trials? [13:14]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest fasting can be a spiritual reset rather than just abstaining from food? [18:05]
3. How does the pastor describe the impact of pride on one's spiritual journey and relationship with God? [39:16]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of persistence in pursuing God, even when it feels difficult? [51:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond, and how might embracing thankfulness have changed your perspective? [13:14]
2. Have you ever tried fasting as a spiritual discipline? If so, what was your experience, and if not, what might be holding you back? [18:05]
3. Identify an area in your life where pride might be hindering your relationship with God. What steps can you take to practice humility in that area? [39:16]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of pursuing God as a priority. What practical steps can you take this week to make your pursuit of God more intentional? [52:18]
5. Consider a time when you felt distant from God. What role did persistence play in renewing your relationship with Him? [51:19]
6. How can you be more aware of the enemy's tactics in your life, and what strategies can you implement to overcome them? [51:19]
7. Think about a specific area where you feel spiritually complacent. What is one action you can take this week to reignite your passion for God? [35:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude as a Shield Against Bitterness
In the face of life's challenges, maintaining a heart of gratitude can transform our perspective. When we choose thankfulness, we align ourselves with God's will, allowing His peace to fill our hearts. This attitude is a powerful antidote to bitterness, which can easily take root when we focus on our struggles rather than God's blessings. By embracing gratitude, we open ourselves to experiencing God's presence and strength, even in the midst of trials. [13:14]
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a current challenge in your life. How can you intentionally practice gratitude in this situation today?
Day 2: Fasting as a Spiritual Reset
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that goes beyond abstaining from food; it is a means of focusing on God and disciplining our flesh. This practice serves as a spiritual reset, helping us to break free from self-indulgence and realign our priorities with God's will. Through fasting, we learn to rely on God's strength rather than our own, drawing closer to Him in the process. It is a powerful tool for overcoming the struggle with gluttony and overconsumption, reminding us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. [18:05]
"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of overindulgence in your life. How might fasting help you refocus on God and discipline your desires?
Day 3: The Power of Humility and Brokenness
True pursuit of God requires humility and brokenness. By laying down our pride and self-sufficiency, we open ourselves to experiencing God's presence more fully. This surrender allows God to transform us from the inside out, leading to a deeper relationship with Him. Our satisfaction without God is the greatest hindrance to drawing near to Him, and it is only through humility that we can truly experience His transformative power. [39:16]
"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility and surrender in your daily life to deepen your relationship with God?
Day 4: Resisting the Enemy's Tactics
The enemy seeks to destroy our testimony and hinder our relationship with God. However, through persistent pursuit of God, we can remain in His arms and experience His peace and joy. This requires pressing into God, even when we don't feel like it, and trusting that He will renew our strength. By being aware of the enemy's tactics, we can stand firm in our faith and continue to grow in our relationship with God. [51:19]
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area where you feel spiritually attacked? How can you actively resist the enemy's tactics and press into God for strength?
Day 5: Making the Pursuit of God a Priority
Our pursuit of God should be our number one priority. By seeking Him with all our hearts, we allow His love to fill us, leading to true fulfillment and purpose. As we prioritize our relationship with God, our lives become a testimony of His grace and power. This pursuit requires intentionality and dedication, but the rewards are immeasurable as we experience the fullness of life in Christ. [52:18]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to make your pursuit of God your top priority? How might this change your daily routine?
Quotes
I had to begin showing up regardless of how I felt and I still remember those sermons on Wednesdays and Sundays oh God honored it even though I would leave home discouraged I leave here discouraged a lot of it cuz like I can't even get off the altar anymore my knees are hurting my like what is what's going on [00:15:23]
I knew I had to do it and again I don't want to um praying this whole a whole week about how much to share but it's it's hard when a preacher doesn't want to preach and when you feel like that the last thing you want to do is come and share and look people in the face [00:14:40]
The reason I was having all those health issues was because of overconumption that guys this is huge we don't talk about gluttony anymore in the church many pastors rarely talk about that or physic we'll talk about stewarding our marriage but not stewarding our health and I would say both are pretty important [00:18:52]
God showed me just as much as important as a fasting is the self-discipline that I need to take from here on out cuz I used to fast it's over go back to my old ways fasting needs to be a reset a breakthrough why would you get the flesh under disciplined and then run back to the very same thing that put you in that bondage [00:27:33]
I had to pursue him regardless of how I felt the pursuit became an all-consuming passion everything else had to wait that's why I love some of Richard Andrews songs he says he writes the songs based on my sermons a lot and I my sermons based on the songs and just that ministering to my heart [00:29:20]
The real test will you follow me when you don't feel like it will you follow me when you don't feel like it and I know what the word says and I tell you guys all the time but it sure is easy to speak it than it is to live it and it was like Lord come on this is it's a it's a process [00:29:47]
The greatest hindrance to drawing near to God is our satisfaction without him i don't know what's going on guys i just can't because that's what prevents us doesn't it in this church and yet here that's what prevents us from going deeper with God and experiencing fullness of spirit i'm satisfied without him [00:33:15]
Humility and brokenness flow out of you let that flow out of you how can God pour into your heart if it's already full full of self self-willed self-sufficient self-made self must die in you before God can really live within you and humility is the undertaker brokenness and humility [00:39:41]
Some of you are never changing because you're not surrendering you're not pursuing God how how long are you going to keep coming and going through the motions as pride speaks to you right now in your head who's that guy think he is he's got his own issues yeah so do you put on your big boy pants and surrender your heart [00:40:32]
Strength through strain builds passion the strength on the inside must be greater than the pressure on the outside guys that's how you make it in this world that strength on the inside well how do I do that you pursue God like never before barna said for Christians for Christians us in this room suffering is at the top thing they struggle with understanding about God [00:42:34]
Think how valuable your soul is with the devil going after it in full force have you thought about that think how valuable your soul is with the devil going after it full force christian how important is your testimony if that's what he's after do you know how many pastors who start in the ministry make it make it to uh age 65 one out of 10 [00:51:04]
Pursuit is the only thing that will keep you in God's arms because that's what it is isn't it that's what pursuit is yeah but I study the Bible good so do I hours and hours and hours and hours and hours but it points me to the one I'm supposed to pursue you can be so full of head knowledge you have no heart engagement with God [00:52:18]
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