From Stuck to Abundant: A Journey of Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Offers Abundant Life, Not a Stuck Life

God’s design for each of us is not to remain stuck, spinning our wheels in frustration or spiritual stagnation, but to experience the fullness of life that Jesus promises. Even when we feel like we’re in a rut or making little progress, God’s will is for us to move forward into a vibrant, abundant life. If you find yourself feeling stuck—emotionally, spiritually, or in any area—remember that Jesus came so you could have life to the full, not just survival or mediocrity. Today, open your heart to the possibility that God wants to move you from stuckness to abundance, and ask Him to show you the next step toward that life. [37:21]

John 10:10 (ESV)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel stuck or just “getting by,” and how might you invite Jesus to lead you into a more abundant experience today?

Day 2: Stand Firm Against Temptation with God’s Armor

Standing is the first step to getting unstuck, and it means taking a firm stand against temptation and the schemes of the enemy. We are called to put on the full armor of God, recognizing that our struggle is not just against what we see, but against spiritual forces that want to keep us trapped. Standing involves honest confession, bringing sin into the light with trusted people, setting wise boundaries, and replacing old patterns with a growing passion for Jesus. When you stand, you resist the pull of sin and begin to break free from what entangles you. [45:23]

Ephesians 6:11-13 (ESV)
"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 temptation or struggle you need to bring into the light and stand against today, and who can you trust to help you do that?

Day 3: Walk Daily in Step with the Spirit

After standing, the next step is to walk—specifically, to walk in daily relationship with Christ and in step with the Holy Spirit. Just as a healthy marriage requires daily communication, so does our relationship with God. Walking in the Spirit means continually submitting to Christ, spending time in His Word, and turning even our everyday thoughts into prayers. This daily walk keeps us from living in the miserable tension between flesh and Spirit, and instead draws us into a life of joy and growth. [52:18]

Galatians 5:16, 25 (ESV)
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh... If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally walk with the Holy Spirit today—through prayer, Scripture, or surrendering control?

Day 4: Run with Perseverance in Christian Community

God calls us not just to stand and walk, but to run—with purpose, perseverance, and in the company of others. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses—heroes of faith and our own faith family—cheering us on as we run the race marked out for us. Running well means going all in with Christian community, throwing off distractions and sin, and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Don’t try to run alone; lean into the encouragement, accountability, and support of others who are running after Christ with you. [01:01:23]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally encourage or run alongside this week as you pursue Jesus together?

Day 5: Train Like a Spiritual Athlete for Lasting Growth

Just as no one runs a marathon without training, spiritual growth requires daily discipline and intentional habits. Training like a spiritual athlete means developing spiritual disciplines—prayer, Scripture, confession, community—that build strength and endurance over time. It’s not about perfection or instant results, but about faithfully showing up and letting God shape you day by day. As you train, you’ll find yourself moving from stuckness to strength, able to stand, walk, and run the race God has set before you. [42:14]

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV)
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can commit to training in this week, and how will you make it a daily habit?

Sermon Summary

Many of us know what it feels like to be stuck—whether it’s physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we find ourselves spinning our wheels, unable to move forward in our walk with God. But God’s desire for us is not to remain in that place. Jesus came so that we might have life, and have it abundantly. The journey from being stuck to living abundantly is not always immediate; it often requires a process of standing, walking, and then running.

Standing is the first step. Just as a vehicle stuck in the mud can’t move until it’s first stabilized, we must first take a stand against the things that entangle us—especially sin. This means confessing our struggles honestly before God, exposing them to the light with trusted friends, setting wise boundaries, and replacing unhealthy patterns with a growing addiction to Jesus Himself. Standing is about refusing to let temptation or shame keep us immobilized.

Once we’re able to stand, we’re called to walk. Walking is about daily relationship and rhythm with Christ. Just as a marriage can’t thrive on one conversation a week, our relationship with God requires daily, ongoing connection. This means submitting to Christ not just once, but continually, letting Him take the driver’s seat of our lives. It means being in the Word daily, and learning to turn even our most mundane or distracted thoughts into prayers, keeping our hearts in constant conversation with God.

Finally, we are called to run. Running is the goal: to live the Christian life with purpose, perseverance, and joy. But we don’t run alone. We need Christian community—people who cheer us on, challenge us, and help us throw off everything that hinders us, even good things that have become distractions. Running well means keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, not on our circumstances or failures, and persevering with the encouragement of those who have gone before us and those who run alongside us.

God’s promise is that as we stand, walk, and run, we will experience the abundant life Jesus offers. It’s not about perfection, but about taking the next right step, trusting that He will meet us in our stuck places and lead us forward.

Key Takeaways

1. Standing against temptation is foundational to spiritual progress. This involves honest confession, bringing sin into the light with trusted people, and setting wise boundaries to avoid known pitfalls. True freedom begins when we stop rationalizing our struggles and agree with God about them, allowing His grace to pull us out of the ruts we can’t escape on our own. [49:23]
2. Walking with Christ is a daily, ongoing relationship, not a weekly check-in. Just as a marriage would wither without regular communication, our spiritual lives stagnate when we neglect daily connection with God. Submitting to Christ’s leadership, immersing ourselves in Scripture, and turning our constant inner dialogue into prayer are practical ways to walk in step with the Spirit. [54:11]
3. The tension between our flesh and the Spirit is most acute when we try to live in both worlds. The most miserable place is not outright rebellion or wholehearted devotion, but the divided heart that tries to keep a foot in each. Recognizing this tension should drive us to wholehearted surrender, rather than settling for a life of frustration and spiritual mediocrity. [53:21]
4. Running the race of faith requires community and intentionality. We are surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses”—both the heroes of faith who have gone before and the believers who run alongside us. True spiritual growth happens when we go all in with others, allowing ourselves to be encouraged, challenged, and held accountable as we pursue Christ together. [61:23]
5. To run well, we must throw off not only sin but also distractions and even good things that hinder us. Like an athlete who sheds unnecessary weight, we must identify what slows us down—whether it’s busyness, misplaced priorities, or unhealthy attachments—and fix our eyes on Jesus. Perseverance comes from looking up, not down, and trusting that the abundant life is found in pursuing Him above all else. [63:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:03] - Stuck in the Mud: A Personal Story
[35:30] - Realizing You Need Help
[37:21] - God’s Design: Abundant Life
[37:45] - The Three Steps: Stand, Walk, Run
[38:26] - Running the Race: Spiritual Training
[41:29] - Lessons from Marathon Training
[43:05] - Standing Against Temptation
[45:23] - The Armor of God and Spiritual Warfare
[47:26] - Practical Steps to Stand: Confess, Expose, Avoid, Replace
[51:00] - Walking Daily with Christ
[52:18] - The Tension Between Flesh and Spirit
[54:11] - Submitting to Christ and Daily Disciplines
[57:12] - Turning Thoughts into Prayer
[59:10] - Running with Perseverance and Community
[61:23] - Going All In: The Power of Christian Community
[62:05] - Throwing Off Hindrances
[63:53] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
[64:46] - Living the Abundant Life

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 10:10 — “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

2. Ephesians 6:10-13
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

3. Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Observation Questions

According to John 10:10, what is the difference between what the thief wants for us and what Jesus wants for us?
In Ephesians 6:10-13, what are believers told to do in order to stand against the devil’s schemes? What does it mean to “stand your ground”?
In Hebrews 12:1-2, what are the two things we are told to throw off, and what are we supposed to fix our eyes on?
The sermon described three steps: standing, walking, and running. What does each step represent in our spiritual journey? [[37:45]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that standing is about refusing to let temptation or shame keep us immobilized. Why is honest confession and bringing sin into the light so important for spiritual progress? [[48:31]]
The tension between flesh and Spirit is described as the most miserable place to live. Why is it so hard to move from a divided heart to wholehearted surrender? [[53:21]]
The sermon compares walking with Christ to a marriage that needs daily communication. What does it look like to have a daily, ongoing relationship with God, and why is a weekly check-in not enough? [[51:35]]
Hebrews 12 talks about running with perseverance and being surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses.” How does Christian community help us run the race of faith? [[01:01:23]]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about confessing sin and exposing it to trusted friends. Is there a struggle or temptation in your life that you’ve been keeping hidden? What would it look like to bring it into the light with someone you trust this week? [[48:31]]
Are there any boundaries you need to set in your life to avoid known pitfalls or temptations? What is one practical step you can take to protect yourself or your family? [[49:23]]
The idea of “getting addicted to Jesus” was mentioned. What is one daily habit you could start (or restart) this week to help you grow closer to Jesus? [[50:18]]
The sermon described the misery of living with a divided heart. Are there areas in your life where you are trying to keep a foot in both worlds? What would wholehearted surrender look like for you? [[53:21]]
The pastor encouraged us to turn our constant inner dialogue into prayer. What is one way you can practice turning your thoughts into prayers throughout your day? [[57:12]]
Hebrews 12 says to throw off not just sin, but also distractions and even good things that hinder us. What is one “good thing” in your life that might be slowing you down spiritually? How could you adjust your priorities this week? [[01:02:05]]
Running the race of faith requires community. Are you running alone, or do you have people cheering you on and holding you accountable? What is one step you could take to go “all in” with Christian community? [[01:01:23]]

Sermon Clips

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians, he says, Don't you realize that in a race, everyone runs, but only one gets the prize? So run to win. All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So run with purpose in every step. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. [00:38:37] (27 seconds)

Here's some practical steps for standing up against temptation. The first one is to confess it. Pastor Blake always says, confession means agreeing with God. God. And so many times, for whatever reason, we don't want to agree with God about our sin. We'd rather rationalize it or argue with God about our sin. It's really not that bad, God. But true confession is saying, God, this sin is what puts you on the cross. And I agree with you in that. [00:47:49] (40 seconds)

Secondly, expose it. Mildew, rot, fungus, those things grow in the dark. And so does sin. And you'd be amazed at the cleansing power of light. One way to disinfect things is with light, with UV light. In the same way, we need to expose those things. Now, I don't mean you have to get up here on a Sunday morning and tell everybody your dirty laundry. But there should be a few people in your life, a few trusted individuals that you can go to and say, hey, let me tell you what's going on. And I can tell you when you do that, when you get that out in the open, it doesn't have the power and the grip and the bondage that it has had on you when it was hidden. [00:48:28] (54 seconds)

And then fourthly, we've got to replace it. I don't know if you can relate to me, but I have an addictive personality. I tend to get addicted to things. I can't touch alcohol or I'd be an alcoholic. I get a new project at work, and man, I'm all in and I become a workaholic. When I was younger as a kid, video games. Whatever it is, I think last time I preached here, I shared about my closet NASCAR addiction. So even like useless things, I can get addicted to. And what I found is that, you know what, God made my brain. God made that dopamine system in my brain. And you know what, he actually made it to draw him back to you or to draw me back to him. And so use that to my advantage. Get addicted to Jesus. Start doing the things day after day after day that are bringing you closer to Jesus and get addicted to him. Use that dopamine system to your advantage. Have a quiet time in the morning where you're just pumped and you're excited and you want to go back and do that again tomorrow. Get addicted to Jesus. [00:49:55] (74 seconds)

What Paul's describing here is this tension. This tension between two parts of our nature. The old nature, the fleshly nature that pulls us in one direction and the spiritual nature that pulls us towards God. And I'll tell you, the most miserable person in the world is that person right there in the middle. The unbeliever can be completely fine and happy in their sin. The guy that's walking with Christ daily in relationship, super joyous. But that place in the middle where you feel that tension constantly, that's not a place where you want to live. It's a place of frustration. [00:52:34] (51 seconds)

In Hebrews, Hebrews chapter 12 begins, therefore, since we're surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. [00:58:50] (20 seconds)

And lastly, we want to run our race with perseverance and keeping our eyes on Jesus. One of the worst things to do when you're running is to look at your feet. Just pound after pound after pound, pounding the pavement. That's when it really gets boring. I found if you just lift your eyes up, look at the beautiful mountains, look at the scenery, it's a lot more enjoyable. In the same way in our Christian walk, we've got to lift our eyes up, keep our eyes on Jesus, not on our current surroundings. Right? Not where our feet are currently, in our current circumstances, the condition of things right here. But lift those eyes up and keep it on Jesus. [01:03:45] (45 seconds)

``So if we do these things, I don't promise you, but God's word promises you. That if we stand up against temptation, that if we walk daily in relationship with Christ and in step with the Holy Spirit. And if we run with purpose, the race that's marked out for us. That we can live what Jesus talked about when he said, I've come that you might have life and you might have it more abundantly. We can live that abundant life. [01:04:31] (29 seconds)

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