Finding God in the Ordinary Moments of Life

Devotional

Day 1: Worshiping God in All Circumstances

True worship is bowing before God, our Maker, in every season of life. Whether in times of joy or sorrow, God invites His people to come before Him with humility and gratitude, recognizing that we are the flock under His care. In both extraordinary and ordinary moments, worship is our response to His steadfast love and faithfulness. As we gather, let us remember that the Lord is present with us, deserving of our praise and thanksgiving, not just on the mountaintop but in the valleys and plains of daily living. [24:37]

Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV)
"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand."

Reflection: In what ordinary moment today can you intentionally pause to bow your heart in worship, acknowledging God’s presence and care?

Day 2: God’s Power in Mountaintop and Ordinary Moments

God’s power is revealed both in miraculous mountaintop experiences and in the quiet, everyday moments of life. Elijah witnessed the fire of God consume a drenched sacrifice, a dramatic display of divine power, yet soon after, he found himself afraid and alone. Even after such highs, God’s presence remains constant, inviting us to trust Him not only in the extraordinary but also when life feels routine or challenging. The Lord is just as present in our daily routines as He is in our most memorable spiritual experiences. [53:05]

1 Kings 18:36-39 (ESV)
"And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, 'O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.' Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, 'The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.'"

Reflection: Recall a recent “mountaintop” experience with God—how can you carry the assurance of His presence into your ordinary routines this week?

Day 3: Listening for God’s Still, Small Voice

God often speaks not through dramatic signs, but in a gentle whisper that can be heard when we quiet our hearts. After the wind, earthquake, and fire, Elijah encountered God in a still, small voice, reminding us that the Lord is near even when life is not spectacular. In the midst of noise, busyness, or discouragement, God invites us to listen attentively for His guidance and comfort, trusting that He is always at work in our lives. [01:03:03]

1 Kings 19:11-13 (ESV)
"And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"

Reflection: Set aside five minutes today to sit in silence—what do you sense God’s still, small voice saying to you?

Day 4: Christ’s Presence in the Ordinary

Jesus meets us in the ordinary—at simple tables, with everyday bread and cup—transforming common moments into sacred encounters. Just as He gathered with His disciples in an upper room, He is present with us in our daily lives, working through the familiar and routine to accomplish His Father’s will. The resurrection assures us that even in the most mundane circumstances, the risen Lord is with us, inviting us to trust, rejoice, and find meaning in Him. [01:04:59]

Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'"

Reflection: As you eat or drink something today, pause to remember Christ’s presence with you—how does this awareness shape your attitude or actions?

Day 5: Faithfulness and Trust in Every Season

God calls us to remain faithful and trust Him, whether we feel His presence strongly or not. Our hope is not anchored in fleeting emotions or extraordinary events, but in the unchanging character of God who is always with us. Even when spiritual highs fade and life returns to its usual rhythm, we are invited to continue putting our faith in Christ, rejoicing in our identity as His beloved people, and trusting that He is at work in every circumstance. [01:18:11]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel God is distant? How can you choose to trust His faithfulness and act in hope today, even without strong feelings?

Sermon Summary

In the presence of God, we gather as his people, the flock under his care, to worship and give thanks for his faithfulness. Today, we are reminded that while we often long for extraordinary, mountaintop experiences—those moments when God’s presence feels especially near—most of our lives are lived in the ordinary. Through stories from Scripture, we see that even the greatest heroes of faith, like Elijah and Moses, experienced both the heights of spiritual ecstasy and the lows of discouragement and routine. Elijah, after witnessing God’s miraculous fire on Mount Carmel, fled in fear and despair, only to encounter God not in the dramatic wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a still, small voice. Moses, after receiving the Ten Commandments in God’s glory, descended to find his people worshipping a golden calf, a crushing disappointment after such a holy encounter.

Jesus himself led his disciples up the mountain for the Transfiguration, where the glory of God was revealed, but then they had to return to the valley, to the needs and struggles of everyday life. These stories teach us that God is not only present in the spectacular, but also in the quiet, mundane moments. The Lord meets us in the ordinary: at a simple table, with bread and wine, in the routines of our days. The resurrection of Jesus assures us that God’s power is at work even when we do not feel it, and that his presence is not dependent on our emotional highs.

We are called to listen for God’s voice in the stillness, to trust that he is with us in every circumstance, and to remember that our faith is not built on fleeting experiences but on the enduring reality of Christ’s love and sacrifice. As we share in communion, we are united with Christ and with one another, strengthened to live out our faith in the everyday, trusting that God is always at work, making all things new.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Presence in the Ordinary: While we cherish mountaintop experiences, God’s presence is just as real in the ordinary moments of life. The Lord is not limited to dramatic signs or emotional highs; he is with us in the quiet routines, inviting us to recognize his faithfulness in every season. [63:34]
2. Listening for the Still, Small Voice: Elijah’s encounter with God on Mount Sinai reminds us that the Lord often speaks not through the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. In the noise and busyness of life, cultivating a posture of listening allows us to discern God’s guidance and comfort, even when circumstances seem unremarkable. [62:20]
3. Faith Beyond Feelings: Our relationship with God is not dependent on our emotional state or the intensity of our experiences. Even when we feel distant or spiritually “flat,” God remains faithful, working in our lives and inviting us to trust him beyond what we can see or feel. [63:34]
4. The Power of Communion in Community: Sharing in the Lord’s table is a profound reminder that God meets us in the ordinary—through simple bread and cup, we are united with Christ and with each other. Communion is not just a ritual, but a means by which God assures us of his love and strengthens us for daily living. [68:11]
5. Hope in the Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate assurance that God is at work, even when life feels routine or disappointing. Our hope is anchored not in fleeting experiences, but in the enduring promise that Christ is risen, present with us, and making all things new. [01:04:59]
** [64:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:37] - Opening Hymn and Children’s Dismissal
[29:40] - Opening Prayer and Thanksgiving
[30:18] - Invitation to Communion
[30:50] - Announcements and Fellowship Opportunities
[31:22] - Alpha Course and Volunteer Needs
[31:56] - Joy Fellowship and Upcoming Events
[32:28] - New Members and Church Family Updates
[33:31] - Celebrating Volunteers and Birthdays
[39:07] - Prayer for Faith and Guidance
[48:09] - Mountaintop Experiences and Letdowns
[50:59] - Elijah’s Challenge on Mount Carmel
[53:48] - Elijah’s Fear and Flight
[55:08] - Moses at Sinai and the Golden Calf
[57:18] - The Transfiguration and Coming Down the Mountain
[59:56] - Living Faith in Ordinary Days
[62:20] - God’s Still, Small Voice
[64:59] - Communion: Christ in the Ordinary
[69:18] - Sharing the Bread and Cup
[78:11] - Closing Blessing and Benediction
[81:21] - Final Words and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Kings 19:11-13 (ESV) — > And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

2. Exodus 32:15-20 (ESV)
> Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand... As soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain... He took the calf that they had made and burned it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it on the water and made the people of Israel drink it.

3. Luke 9:28-36 (ESV)
> Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white... And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone...

Observation Questions

In the story of Elijah on Mount Sinai, what were the dramatic signs that appeared before God spoke, and how did God finally communicate with Elijah? (1 Kings 19:11-13; [01:02:20])
After Moses received the Ten Commandments on the mountain, what did he find the Israelites doing when he came down, and how did he respond? (Exodus 32:15-20; [55:08])
During the Transfiguration, who appeared with Jesus, and what was the disciples’ reaction to this experience? (Luke 9:28-36; [57:18])
According to the sermon, what ordinary elements did Jesus use to reveal God’s presence to his disciples? ([01:04:59])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to speak to Elijah in a “still, small voice” rather than through the wind, earthquake, or fire? What does this say about how God often communicates with us? ([01:02:20])
How did Moses’ experience of coming down from the mountain and finding the people worshipping a golden calf affect his relationship with God and the people? ([55:08])
The disciples wanted to stay on the mountain during the Transfiguration. What does their desire reveal about human nature and our longing for spiritual “highs”? ([57:18])
The sermon says that God meets us in the ordinary, not just the spectacular. How does this challenge or encourage your understanding of where and how God is present in your life? ([01:03:34])

Application Questions

Think about a time when you experienced a spiritual “high” or mountaintop moment. How did you feel when you returned to your regular routine afterward? Did you struggle to sense God’s presence in the ordinary? ([49:52])
The sermon encourages us to listen for God’s “still, small voice” in the midst of daily life. What are some practical ways you can create space for quiet and listening in your week? ([01:02:20])
When have you felt disappointed or let down after a meaningful spiritual experience, like Moses or Elijah? How did you respond, and what helped you move forward? ([55:08])
Jesus used simple bread and wine to reveal God’s love and presence. How might you find God in the ordinary routines, meals, or relationships of your own life this week? ([01:04:59])
The sermon says our faith is not built on feelings or dramatic experiences, but on the enduring reality of Christ’s love and sacrifice. When you feel spiritually “flat” or distant from God, what truths or practices help you keep trusting him? ([01:03:34])
Communion is described as a way God assures us of his love and strengthens us for daily living. How does participating in communion (or remembering it) impact your sense of connection to God and others? ([01:08:11])
The resurrection of Jesus is our hope, even when life feels routine or disappointing. How can you remind yourself of this hope in the coming week, especially in ordinary or difficult moments? ([01:04:59])

Sermon Clips

You remember when Jesus called three of his disciples to go up a mountain with him? The other nine disciples stayed down below. What happened on that occasion? When they got to the top of the mountain, Jesus was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining white. And Moses and Elijah, two people we've already talked about in the last few minutes, appeared to Jesus and talked with him about what was to come. Presumably his death, his resurrection. [00:57:18] (44 seconds) #MountaintopToPlainLife

Elijah had had that mountaintop experience when the fire of God came down and consumed his sacrifice. So simply, it seemed. And yet this threat upon his life by Queen Jezebel made him panic and he ran and he hid. And hiding in that cave on Mount Sinai. The Lord caused there to be a great wind, but the Lord was not in the wind. The Lord caused an earthquake to shake the mountain, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. The Lord caused a great fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. Where was the Lord? In the still, calm voice. [01:01:39] (65 seconds) #StillSmallVoiceSpeaks

And the Lord said to him, elijah, what are you doing here? What are you doing here? Go back. Go back the way you came. And the Lord gave him instructions about who he was to anoint and who he was to bless and what he was to do. And Elijah's faith and trust in the Lord returned. Not because of the earthquake or the fire or the wind, but because he had listened to that still, small voice. [01:03:10] (39 seconds)

When we are going through the ordinary days of our lives, don't ever for a moment feel that God is distant or absent, that he's not hearing your prayers, that he is not right there with you, that he's not at work in your heart, in your relationships, in your circumstances, not at work in this world, because he is. [01:03:52] (26 seconds) #OrdinaryMomentsSacred

Jesus gathered with his disciples in an upper room at an ordinary table with ordinary food, just as we gather today at an ordinary table with ordinary food. And Jesus explained that it was in the midst of these ordinary things, bread, wine, life, death, that the work of his heavenly Father was being accomplished. And the proof that it was was with his glorious resurrection three days later. [01:04:44] (41 seconds) #FromGloryToGoldenCalf

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