Finding Purpose and Perspective in Challenging Times

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God's Sovereignty in Uncertain Times

In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, it is essential to remember that God is in control. The story of the plagues in Exodus chapters 7 through 12 serves as a powerful reminder that even when God's people faced severe trials, those hardships were ultimately part of a divine plan leading to freedom and fulfillment of God's promises. Today, we face our own challenges, such as the coronavirus pandemic and societal distractions, which can feel overwhelming. However, these trials are opportunities for God to guide us toward His purpose, shaking us free from the chains that hold us back. Trusting in God's sovereignty allows us to navigate these times with hope and assurance. [00:27]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's control? How can you actively surrender this area to Him today?

Day 2: Embracing a Positive Perspective

The story of the two children, one positive and one negative, illustrates the transformative power of perspective. The positive child, despite being in a room full of horse manure, believed there must be a pony somewhere. This teaches us that our perspective can significantly impact our experience. By choosing to see potential and purpose in our struggles, we can find hope and motivation to persevere. In times of difficulty, shifting our perspective to focus on growth and opportunity can lead to spiritual and personal development. [02:42]

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you reframe your perspective to see the potential for growth and opportunity in this situation?

Day 3: Prioritizing Family and Faith

This time of isolation presents a unique opportunity to refocus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and our families. By setting aside distractions, such as electronics, we can grow closer to God and strengthen our family bonds. This period allows us to return to the basics, to the little things that matter, and to deepen our dependence on God. Embracing this time as a chance to nurture our spiritual and familial relationships can lead to lasting growth and fulfillment. [03:41]

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can intentionally invest in your relationship with God or your family today?

Day 4: Finding Assurance in God's Grace

Just as we protect ourselves from physical harm with gloves and masks, our faith in Jesus Christ provides a spiritual covering. This assurance allows us to face challenges with confidence, knowing we are protected and purposed by God. Our faith offers a greater covering, one that promises eternal life and a deeper understanding of His purposes. Embracing God's grace enables us to navigate life's trials with peace and assurance, knowing we are never alone. [05:35]

"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." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on God's grace? How can you remind yourself of His sufficiency in your daily life?

Day 5: Preparing for God's Promised Future

This period of isolation is a time to return to our spiritual roots and prepare ourselves for the future God has planned. By focusing on the little things, we can grow and be ready for the promised land God has for us. This preparation involves deepening our spiritual practices, nurturing our relationships, and aligning our lives with God's purposes. As we embrace this time of preparation, we can look forward to the fulfillment of God's promises with hope and anticipation. [06:14]

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific step you can take today to prepare yourself spiritually for the future God has planned for you?

Sermon Summary

In these challenging times, as we navigate the uncertainties brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, it's crucial to remember that God remains in control. Reflecting on the plagues in Exodus chapters 7 through 12, we see that even though God's people had to endure hardships, those trials were ultimately meant to lead them to freedom and a promised destiny. Today, we face our own modern-day plagues, such as narcissism and cultural distractions, which can hold us back from fulfilling God's purpose. Yet, God is using these trials to shake us free from these chains and draw us closer to Him.

The story of the two children, one positive and one negative, illustrates the power of perspective. The positive child, despite being in a room full of horse manure, believed there must be a pony somewhere. This teaches us that even in the midst of our struggles, there is purpose and potential for growth. We must shift our perspective to see the opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper relationships with God and our families.

In my own life, I've realized the importance of being present with my family and using this time to grow closer to God. By setting aside distractions, like electronics, and focusing on family and faith, we can find purpose in the pain. This period of isolation is a time for us to return to the basics, to the little things that matter, and to strengthen our dependence on God.

We are covered by God's grace, just as people wear gloves and masks to protect themselves from the virus. Our faith in Jesus Christ assures us of a greater covering, one that promises eternal life and a deeper understanding of His purposes. This time of isolation is an opportunity to return to our spiritual playbook, to prepare ourselves for the future God has planned for us.

Let us remain steadfast and unmovable, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. God has a promised land for us, and together, we will reach it.

Key Takeaways

1. God's Control Amidst Chaos: Even in times of uncertainty and chaos, God remains in control. The plagues in Exodus remind us that trials can lead to freedom and fulfillment of God's promises. We must trust that God is using our current struggles to guide us toward His purpose. [00:27]
2. The Power of Perspective: The story of the two children teaches us that our perspective can transform our experience. By choosing to see potential and purpose in our struggles, we can find hope and motivation to persevere. [02:42]
3. Family and Faith Focus: This time of isolation is an opportunity to refocus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and our families. By setting aside distractions, we can grow closer to God and strengthen our family bonds. [03:41]
4. Covered by Grace: Just as we protect ourselves from physical harm, our faith in Jesus Christ provides a spiritual covering. This assurance allows us to face challenges with confidence, knowing we are protected and purposed by God. [05:35]
5. Preparation for the Promised Land: This period of isolation is a time to return to our spiritual roots, to prepare ourselves for the future God has planned. By focusing on the little things, we can grow and be ready for the promised land God has for us. [06:14]
** [06:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Is This a Modern Plague?
[00:27] - God's Control in Chaos
[00:40] - Experiencing the Plagues
[01:03] - Purpose in Pain
[01:15] - Cultural Chains
[01:41] - Families Reunited
[02:06] - The Power of Perspective
[02:42] - Finding Purpose in Struggles
[03:29] - Refocusing on Family
[04:06] - New Family Rules
[04:29] - A Time of Covering
[05:24] - Covered by Grace
[06:01] - Spiritual Preparation
[06:50] - The Promised Land Awaits

Sermon Clips

"I know that God is in control. And it took me back to exodus chapter 7 through Exodus chapter 12 when all of those plagues were happening and God's people were experiencing them. Just because those plagues were there to free the people doesn't mean that the people didn't have to experience the plagues that were there to free them." [00:29:54]

"But even in the pain, they had to remember and have trust and belief and faith that those plagues that were there, were there to send them to a purpose, to send them to a promise, to send them to a destiny, to unleash them from bondage that had been holding them back." [00:56:22]

"God is shaking us up right now because He wants to set us free from those things in the culture that are holding us back. Being more cultural than biblical has been holding us back. Families being split that now have to be together based on all of these things that are happening, those things have been holding us back and God is using pestilence to set us free." [01:31:04]

"In other words, even though you're going through a stinky situation, even though this is bad, understand there must be purpose somewhere and there's a lot of complaining that's been going on even in my life when I thought about, you know, all the stuff that I have and all the the toys that God has given me and all of the promises that I have in my life." [02:51:34]

"What can you do right now to shovel in this mess? What can you do right now to actually have purpose in this pain? What can you do right now to actually grow closer to God and use this time? For me, it's gonna be my family. You know my son just got on me the other night." [03:24:49]

"And so I sit my children around the table with my wife and and we learn God's Word and yes, they're rolling their eyes and they're saying, 'Oh my gosh, here we go again.' You know, all of those different things. But I know that this is going to be a fruitful time because God is sitting us down." [04:18:29]

"You have to believe that this is a time of covering. This is the time where God is using this to take you, to take me, to take our families, to take the church, to take the community, to take the whole world to a whole nother level of dependency on Him." [04:39:10]

"Well, understand all the believers out there, those who have placed faith in Jesus Christ, there is a purpose in this, and we are covered in this. He's covered more than our hands and our mouth from the coronavirus, He's covered us for an eternal experience with Him but also to understand how to take his purposes and use it right now." [05:39:40]

"Right now you're in the huddle, right now you're in the training room, right now we're all marginalized and kind of put in this situation of isolation. And when we're in this situation we need to get back to the book, get back to our families, get back to the little things, because it's the little things that produce big things." [06:14:14]

"Continue to be steadfast, unmovable, always abound in the work of the Lord and know that this situation, no matter how bad it gets, it will not go in vain, because God has a promised land for us, God has a promised land for his church, God has a promised land for all of those who are believers in Him and we are going to get there together." [06:41:77]

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