From Confusion to Clarity: Embracing God's Word
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we gather to celebrate the work of God in our lives and to send forth our beloved members, Kayla, Casey, Mark, and Robin, to Guatemala. We pray for their mission, asking for divine strategy and revelation to guide them. We bless them in the name of Jesus and declare that the best is yet to come. As we welcome those joining us online, we pray that the Holy Spirit ministers to their needs and that they engage fully in worship and prayer.
In these times of great confusion and delusion, it is crucial to remember that we have a sure word from God through the Scriptures. The Bible provides us with the guidance and power to live above the chaos that surrounds us. Many people today are battling uncertainty and confusion, which can paralyze and hold them back. But God created us to walk in the power of His peace and joy. We are to have a "know-so" salvation, a certainty that we are saved and loved by God. This assurance comes from the Word of God and the Spirit of God, helping us to settle our doubts and fears.
The enemy often tries to sow seeds of confusion and doubt in our minds. For example, in marriages, he can create resentment and distance, leading to thoughts of infidelity. If we are not careful, these thoughts can lead us down a destructive path. We must be wise and use the wisdom from above to discern and reject these thoughts. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. We have the life of Christ in us, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God as our sword.
James 1 teaches us to count it all joy when we face various trials because the testing of our faith produces patience. We can have the same assurance that David had in Psalm 23, knowing that the Lord is our shepherd and we lack nothing. If we lack wisdom, we should ask God, who gives generously without reproach. We must ask in faith, believing that we will receive what we ask for. This faith moves us from a place of confusion to a place of certainty and clarity.
Confusion is like driving with a dirty windshield; it impairs our vision and makes it hard to navigate. We need to cleanse our spiritual windshields through confession and repentance. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin, and we must stay in agreement with God's Word. Confession is powerful; it restores our fellowship with God and clears our vision.
The enemy is a master of deception, often blending false teachings with the truth to lead us astray. We must know the Word of God to discern these deceptions. The enemy observes our weaknesses and sends thoughts to exploit them. Not every thought that enters our mind is ours; some are sown by the enemy. We must reject these thoughts and hold on to the truth of God's Word.
In conclusion, we must move from confusion to clarity by relying on God's Word and the Holy Spirit. We must confess our sins, reject the lies of the enemy, and embrace the peace that God offers. Let us pray for wisdom, peace, and clarity in our lives, trusting that God will guide us through every trial and challenge.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of a Sure Word: In a world filled with confusion and delusion, the Scriptures provide a sure and settled word from God. This divine guidance allows us to live above the chaos and uncertainty that surrounds us. By anchoring ourselves in God's Word, we can overcome the confusion that seeks to paralyze us. [32:46]
2. The Enemy's Strategy: The enemy often sows seeds of doubt and confusion in our minds, especially in relationships. By observing our weaknesses, he introduces thoughts that can lead us down destructive paths. We must be vigilant and use the wisdom from above to discern and reject these thoughts, standing firm in the truth of God's Word. [01:42:32]
3. Faith in Trials: James 1 teaches us to count it all joy when we face various trials, as these tests produce patience and maturity. By asking God for wisdom in faith, we can move from a place of confusion to clarity. This faith assures us that God will provide the guidance and strength we need to navigate life's challenges. [47:17]
4. The Importance of Confession: Confession and repentance are crucial for maintaining a clear spiritual vision. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin, restoring our fellowship with God. By staying in agreement with God's Word and confessing our sins, we can remove the spiritual dirt that impairs our vision and live in the fullness of God's peace. [01:32:06]
5. Discerning Deception: The enemy often blends false teachings with the truth to lead us astray. We must know the Word of God to discern these deceptions and reject the lies that the enemy sows in our minds. By holding on to the truth of God's Word, we can navigate through confusion and live in the clarity and peace that God offers. [01:23:39]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[26:00] - Regional Prayer and Praise
[27:35] - Announcements and Prayer for Missionaries
[31:09] - Blessing and Sending Forth
[32:46] - The Power of a Sure Word
[40:48] - Battling Confusion
[42:33] - Assurance of Salvation
[43:38] - Navigating Through Confusion
[45:03] - Facing Trials with Joy
[47:17] - Faith and Wisdom
[48:25] - Asking in Faith
[49:15] - Believing and Receiving
[50:09] - Moving from Confusion to Clarity
[51:33] - The Importance of Faith
[52:52] - The Standard of God's Word
[54:32] - The Wisdom from Above
[55:17] - Earthly, Sensual, and Demonic Wisdom
[57:45] - Seizing the Promises
[58:29] - Understanding Confusion
[01:01:18] - God is Not the Author of Confusion
[01:04:06] - God Sends Confusion to the Enemy
[01:06:50] - Jesus is Our Promised Land
[01:07:09] - Recognizing Confusion
[01:08:11] - Demonic Influence
[01:09:18] - Peter's Revelation
[01:10:04] - Satanic Influence
[01:11:11] - Being Wise About the Enemy
[01:12:30] - The Enemy's Limitations
[01:13:29] - The Enemy's Tactics
[01:14:25] - The Enemy's Plan
[01:15:07] - The Enemy is Not Omniscient
[01:16:02] - The Enemy's Bidding
[01:17:18] - The Fall of Man
[01:18:34] - The Virus of Sin
[01:19:34] - The Need for a New Software
[01:20:34] - The Enemy as a Scammer
[01:22:11] - The Danger of False Doctrine
[01:23:39] - Discerning Deception
[01:24:25] - The Importance of Doctrine
[01:26:15] - Cultural Confusion
[01:28:34] - The Cleansing Power of Jesus
[01:29:49] - Confession and Agreement
[01:30:34] - The Power of Confession
[01:31:19] - Restoring Fellowship
[01:32:06] - Cleansing Our Vision
[01:33:30] - The Peace of God
[01:34:42] - Walking in Peace
[01:35:34] - The Power of Peace
[01:36:36] - Praying for Wisdom and Peace
[01:37:09] - Rejecting the Enemy's Thoughts
[01:38:22] - The Enemy's Seeds
[01:39:25] - Breaking Agreements with Lies
[01:40:18] - Standing Against Lies
[01:41:15] - Holding Up the Truth
[01:42:32] - The Enemy's Strategy
[01:43:33] - Prayer for Deliverance
[01:44:06] - Renouncing Confusion
[01:45:09] - Receiving God's Peace
[01:46:14] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. James 1:2-8 (NIV)
> "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."
2. Psalm 23:1-4 (NIV)
> "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
3. 1 John 1:7-9 (NIV)
> "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
### Observation Questions
1. According to James 1:2-8, what should our attitude be when facing trials, and why?
2. In Psalm 23, what are the different ways the Lord provides and cares for us as our shepherd?
3. What does 1 John 1:7-9 say about the importance of confession and walking in the light?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the testing of our faith produce perseverance, and why is this important for our spiritual growth? ([45:55])
2. What does it mean to have a "know-so" salvation, and how can this assurance impact our daily lives? ([42:33])
3. How can confession and repentance help clear our spiritual vision and restore our fellowship with God? ([01:29:49])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial you faced. How did you respond, and how might you apply James 1:2-8 to find joy and growth in future trials? ([45:55])
2. Think about a time when you felt confused or uncertain. How did anchoring yourself in God's Word help you navigate through that period? ([40:48])
3. Are there any areas in your life where you feel the enemy is sowing seeds of doubt or confusion? How can you use the wisdom from above to reject these thoughts? ([52:52])
4. Confession is powerful. Is there a sin or burden you need to confess to God today to restore your fellowship with Him? How can you make confession a regular part of your spiritual practice? ([01:29:49])
5. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of peace in your life, especially in times of confusion or chaos? What practical steps can you take to invite God's peace into your daily routine? ([01:33:30])
6. Identify a specific area where you need wisdom. How can you actively seek God's guidance and trust in His provision for that need? ([48:25])
7. Reflect on the importance of discerning deception. How can you better equip yourself with the knowledge of God's Word to recognize and reject false teachings? ([01:23:39])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of a Sure Word
In a world filled with confusion and delusion, the Scriptures provide a sure and settled word from God. This divine guidance allows us to live above the chaos and uncertainty that surrounds us. By anchoring ourselves in God's Word, we can overcome the confusion that seeks to paralyze us. The Bible is not just a historical document; it is a living and active source of wisdom and direction for our lives today. When we immerse ourselves in the Scriptures, we find the clarity and peace that the world cannot offer.
The enemy often tries to distract us with lies and half-truths, but the Word of God stands firm and unchanging. It is our anchor in the storm, our light in the darkness. By regularly reading and meditating on the Bible, we can discern the truth from the lies and navigate through life's challenges with confidence and assurance. Let us commit to making the Word of God a central part of our daily lives, trusting that it will guide us in all truth. [32:46]
Isaiah 40:8 (ESV): "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."
Reflection: How can you make time each day to immerse yourself in God's Word, allowing it to guide and anchor you in truth?
Day 2: The Enemy's Strategy
The enemy often sows seeds of doubt and confusion in our minds, especially in relationships. By observing our weaknesses, he introduces thoughts that can lead us down destructive paths. We must be vigilant and use the wisdom from above to discern and reject these thoughts, standing firm in the truth of God's Word. The enemy's tactics are subtle and deceptive, often blending falsehoods with just enough truth to make them seem plausible.
In our marriages, friendships, and other relationships, the enemy seeks to create division and discord. He knows that if he can plant seeds of doubt and resentment, he can weaken the bonds that hold us together. We must be wise and discerning, recognizing these tactics for what they are and rejecting them in the name of Jesus. By staying grounded in God's Word and seeking His wisdom, we can protect our relationships from the enemy's schemes. [01:42:32]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Are there any thoughts or feelings in your relationships that you need to bring before God for His wisdom and clarity? How can you actively resist the enemy's attempts to sow discord?
Day 3: Faith in Trials
James 1 teaches us to count it all joy when we face various trials, as these tests produce patience and maturity. By asking God for wisdom in faith, we can move from a place of confusion to clarity. This faith assures us that God will provide the guidance and strength we need to navigate life's challenges. Trials are not meant to break us but to build us up, refining our character and deepening our trust in God.
When we face difficulties, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain. However, God promises to be with us in the midst of our trials, providing the wisdom and strength we need to persevere. By keeping our eyes on Him and trusting in His promises, we can find joy even in the midst of hardship. Let us remember that our trials are temporary, but the growth and maturity they produce in us are eternal. [47:17]
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: What current trial are you facing that you can bring before God, asking for His wisdom and strength? How can you shift your perspective to see this trial as an opportunity for growth?
Day 4: The Importance of Confession
Confession and repentance are crucial for maintaining a clear spiritual vision. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin, restoring our fellowship with God. By staying in agreement with God's Word and confessing our sins, we can remove the spiritual dirt that impairs our vision and live in the fullness of God's peace. Confession is not just about admitting our wrongs; it is about realigning our hearts with God's truth and receiving His forgiveness and grace.
When we hold onto unconfessed sin, it creates a barrier between us and God, clouding our spiritual vision and hindering our relationship with Him. By regularly confessing our sins and seeking His forgiveness, we can keep our hearts pure and our vision clear. Let us make confession a regular practice, trusting in the cleansing power of Jesus' blood to restore us to right relationship with God. [01:32:06]
1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: Is there any unconfessed sin in your life that you need to bring before God today? How can you make confession a regular part of your spiritual practice?
Day 5: Discerning Deception
The enemy often blends false teachings with the truth to lead us astray. We must know the Word of God to discern these deceptions and reject the lies that the enemy sows in our minds. By holding on to the truth of God's Word, we can navigate through confusion and live in the clarity and peace that God offers. The enemy's deceptions are subtle and can easily lead us off course if we are not grounded in the truth.
In a world filled with conflicting messages and false teachings, it is more important than ever to know the Word of God and to be able to discern truth from error. By immersing ourselves in the Scriptures and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can develop the discernment needed to recognize and reject the enemy's lies. Let us commit to growing in our knowledge of God's Word and to standing firm in His truth. [01:23:39]
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
Reflection: Are there any teachings or beliefs you have encountered that you need to examine in light of God's Word? How can you grow in your knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures to better discern truth from error?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We are really in need of a sure word for our lives. And thank God that we have the Scriptures, the Holy Bible, a sure, a secure, and a settled word. There is so much confusion that's basically encasing planet Earth right now. I feel like in this last 20 years or so, there's just been a great unleashing of delusion and confusion. Now, I'm not trying to dump darkness on you in any way. I'm just making a statement because the good news is we have God's word to us. His word given us that allows us to live above all that. To have power over it. It's not intended to have power over our lives or to somehow direct our lives, much less determine our lives. We have a very sure word given us from God about how we are to live our lives." [32:46]
2. "Confusion, question mark. There's people I know in the last few years particularly, it seems like there are growing numbers of people that are just having to battle greater levels of uncertainty and confusion. It seems like it's having more impact and effect on people as far as shutting them down. Locking them in. Holding them back. And I'm here to announce to you this morning that if that kind of characterizes how you feel your life is right now or you're in a season like that, just listen up to the truth from God's word this morning. Because God created us to walk in the power of his peace. The joy of the Lord is our strength. We are to have a no-so salvation." [40:48]
3. "Don't be anxious about anything. Oh my goodness. It's a lot of times we're anxious about everything. The scripture says don't be anxious about anything. But we're anxious about everything. It says don't be anxious about anything. But in everything. With prayer and supplication and thanksgiving. Let your request be made known to God. He's the one with the wisdom that comes from above. He's the author of peace. Let your request be made known to God. And it goes on to say. And the peace of God. Which surpasses all understanding. All that stuff that's going on at the cognitive level. The mental level. All the stuff that's blending in your brainiac blender. It'll surpass that. And it says. And the peace of God will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus." [01:33:30]
4. "If any of you lack wisdom, let me put a redneck spin on that. If you're in a pinch and you don't know what to do and you need somebody to help you know what to do, go vertical. Right? If any of you lack wisdom, if there's some wisdom you need that you don't have, God wants you to know he's got it. And he wants you to know he wants to give it to you because look what he says. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach. He's not going to get on your case because you've come before him and asked for it. Are you hearing his heart? He's saying, here it is. Come and get it. I'm not going to, you know, humiliate you or jump on you for coming and asking for wisdom. I will give it to you liberally. I'll give it to you. What a promise." [48:25]
### Quotes for Members
1. "When we get wisdom from the Lord, that's direction. That's guidance. That sets a path, a mark, a way for us to move forward. And that's what we need. But if we have doubt in our heart, if we don't think we can access it or that God won't give it to us, then we're going to be that. He loves me. He loves me not. Wishy-washy. Well, is this the right way? Is that the right way? Is this wrong or is that wrong? Is this right or is that right? That's the kind of thinking. There's no certainty. There's uncertainty. There's no stability. So it's a picture of someone who's unstable, basically like confused. What do I do? Which is the very thing he's saying he wants to help you with. If you need wisdom." [51:33]
2. "We need to live that way. We need to know the word of God so that we can discern. Stay with me because this is where the dots connect. We need to know what the word of God says so when someone else that's deceived by the enemy wants to blend in to the scriptures, mix in to the scriptures their own philosophy or their wrong interpretation or their cultic error or their outwardly heretical thinking and teaching to kind of mix that in because a little leaven will go through the whole loaf. I mean, somebody can make you a thing of brownies that are brownies. They can be 95% brownies and 5% strychnine. Look like brownies, taste like brownies, swallow like brownies, go down like brownies, but it's not going to be long until it takes you down. And that's like false doctrine." [01:23:39]
3. "Confusion is like driving down the road on a foggy morning. It's hard to navigate. Hard to see where you are. Where you need to turn. It's like the picture before you. You know, in cicada season. When cicadas splat in your windshield. You know, it's like your field of vision is blurred. There's stuff between you and where you're going. And it creates uncertainty. Doubt. Confusion. And sometimes it's simple as, you know, I might need to get this car washed. You know, you can just get a dirty windshield. A bad wiper. There's a lot of reasons. But it impairs your ability to move forward with assurance. Knowing that you're going. You can end up in the ditch. You can make the wrong turn. You can even end up going the wrong direction. And we don't want to live that way." [43:38]
4. "The enemy. He sets us up. And he strategically will send his message. Just let me give you an example. Say you're in a marriage. In your marriage. You and your spouse. You start getting a little distance. You start getting resentful. I just feel ignored. I feel neglected. I don't even know if you really care. I don't seem like you listen to me. Well the enemy. He doesn't know intuitively what you're thinking. But he observes. Oh. I see some resentment here. Oh. I see. So what he does. Then he'll start sending some thoughts. Some sweet nothings into your mind. About somebody that said something sweet to you. Somebody that gave you a little attention. And if you are not careful. If you grab hold of those thoughts. And you receive them. And you. Meditate on them. They'll lead you right down to. Adultery Avenue. And you'll find yourself in an affair." [01:41:36]
5. "The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from how many? All sin. Oh, this is such good news. Whatever you've done, there's forgiveness. Well, I blasphemed the Holy Spirit. Well, you won't want forgiveness. If you want to be forgiven, if you're concerned about what God's saying, if you want to be saved by Jesus, you have not blasphemed the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit's the one that leads you to Jesus through the Word of God. But the blood cleanses us from all sin. And he goes on to say, if we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Part of dealing with confusion, sometimes we need to be cleansed. We need to confess sin. We've opened the door to the flesh, and maybe even opened the door to the demonic, and it's brought the confusion, the blending, the mixing. It's unpure. It's sensual. It's not from above." [01:28:34]
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