Gods path!!

Devotional

Day 1: Building Life on God's Truth, Not Culture

As followers of Christ, we are called to live in this world but not to be defined by its narratives. Our lives are meant to be built and prioritized based on the unchanging truth found in God's Word. This truth sets us apart, enabling us to shine like a lamp in a dark room or a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. When we align our mindset with Christ, rather than the shifting currents of culture, we become a visible testament to His light. This distinct way of living allows all the world to see the difference God makes. [01:43]

John 17:17 (ESV)
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Reflection: How does the culture's narrative currently influence your daily choices, and how might God's truth offer a different perspective in one specific area?

Day 2: God's Word: Lamp, Light, and Straight Path

Imagine walking in complete darkness, stumbling and getting lost because you cannot see where your feet are going or what lies ahead. God's Word is given to us as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, illuminating each step and guiding our way. Not only does He provide the light, but He also promises to make our path straight if we acknowledge Him in all our ways. This divine guidance ensures we don't get lost or fall to the darkness, but instead walk confidently on the path He has prepared. His Word is a clear and reliable guide for our journey. [04:32]

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you currently feel uncertain or lost, and how might intentionally seeking guidance from God's Word illuminate your next step?

Day 3: The Cost of Stepping Off God's Path

Sometimes, in our desire for a shortcut or believing our own way is better, we step off the clear path God has laid out for us. This can lead to unforeseen obstacles, like falling into muddy holes or getting tangled in briars and thorns. The further we stray from the path, the worse things often become, leaving us defeated and lost. While stepping off the path is a mistake, the greater error is knowing the path is there and choosing not to return, often due to pride or ego. God has created a path for all of us, and it is always available for us to re-enter. [11:21]

Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Reflection: Reflect on a time when your own pride or desire for a "shortcut" led you away from God's clear guidance. What did you learn from that experience about the value of His path?

Day 4: God's Will: Salvation and Holy Living

God's Word is not a restrictive rule book, but a love story given to restore and give us abundant life. The foundational will of God is that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life. Once we are on this path of salvation, God's will for us continues with sanctification. This means continually growing in holiness, setting ourselves apart from the world's ways, particularly in areas like sexual purity and self-control. Living a sanctified life allows Christ to be seen through us, bringing glory to Him. [20:40]

John 6:40 (ESV)
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

Reflection: Considering God's will for your sanctification, what is one specific area of your life where you sense an invitation to grow in holiness and self-control this week?

Day 5: Living Out God's Will: Gratitude and Good Deeds

God's will for our lives extends to how we interact with others and navigate our circumstances. This includes actively seeking to do good to everyone, even those who wrong us, choosing kindness over vengeance. It also involves cultivating an attitude of constant rejoicing, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in all circumstances, recognizing God's hand in every situation. When we live our lives in this way, our good deeds become a powerful testimony to Christ, silencing critics and overwhelming darkness with Christ-like behavior. This demonstrates the true hope we have found in Jesus. [29:34]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Reflection: How might intentionally practicing gratitude, even in challenging circumstances, open doors to share the hope you have in Jesus with those around you?

Sermon Summary

As the year begins, Christ-centered priorities are urged over cultural influence: life must be ordered by Scripture rather than by shifting social narratives. God’s Word functions as both lamp and path—offering light for immediate steps (Psalm 119:105) and a straightened course when believers acknowledge God (Proverbs 3:6). Straying from that path may feel expedient or prideful, but it leads to confusion, hazards, and unnecessary suffering, as illustrated in a personal wilderness story where shortcuts produced mud, cuts, and delay.

The will of the Father is spelled out in Scripture and begins with being brought to the Son: true entrance onto God’s way is found in looking to Jesus and trusting in his saving work (John 6). From there, a life marked by sanctification follows: moral distinctiveness, self-control, and the avoidance of sexual immorality testify to a people set apart. Practical responses—doing good instead of repaying evil, rejoicing amid trials, persistent prayer, and thanksgiving in all circumstances—are not optional extras but the very form that God’s will takes in daily life (1 Thessalonians 4–5).

Submission to human authorities for the Lord’s sake and consistent, visible goodness serve as a living apologetic that silences critics and testifies to the hope within (1 Peter 2). Two core realizations reshape everything: Jesus is the origin and center of all things, and human life is made for God, not self. When those truths are embraced, Scripture begins to clarify choices, purpose emerges, and the path that leads to life eternal becomes visible and sustainable. The closing appeal is direct and urgent: feel the conviction as a summons rather than condemnation, return to—or step onto—God’s prepared path, and take the concrete step of commitment now while the altar is open.

Key Takeaways

1. Choose Jesus and the path Embracing God’s will begins with turning to Christ as the only way and entrusting oneself to his finished work. This first act of faith relocates identity from self-direction to divine direction, making all subsequent obedience a response to grace rather than a means to earn it. Salvation is not a detour from life but the entry onto the only path that leads to true, everlasting life. [16:54]
2. Walk by Scripture’s clear light Scripture functions as the lamp for immediate steps and the framework for long-term direction; following it reduces missteps and provides reliable bearings in moral darkness. The Bible’s guidance is practical—preventing the small stumbles that turn into costly detours—and formative, shaping affections so decisions align with God’s character. Regular engagement with the Word creates a rhythm of recognition: when the path appears, the feet learn to stay on it. [03:11]
3. Pursue holiness and sexual purity Sanctification calls believers to distinctiveness in body and behavior; sexual integrity is not merely prudishness but part of the coherence of a life set apart. Self-control over impulses and honoring marriage as the biblical boundary reflect a deeper commitment to intrinsic holiness, resisting cultural norms that blur covenantal faithfulness. Consistent pursuit of holiness protects both individuals and the church’s witness. [19:30]
4. Live well; silence the critics Active goodness—refusing vengeance, choosing kindness, rejoicing, praying constantly, and giving thanks—functions as the church’s public theology; deeds authenticate doctrine. Submission to authorities for the Lord’s sake and visible, consistent virtue expose the hollowness of accusations and open doors for gospel conversation. Living this way turns ordinary actions into persuasive testimony of hope and transformation. [28:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - Culture vs. God’s Truth
[03:11] - God’s Word: Lamp and Path
[06:52] - Personal Story: Straying From The Path
[16:31] - The Will of God: Salvation (John 6)
[19:30] - Sanctification: Holiness and Purity
[22:38] - Practical Life: Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks
[28:14] - Live Your Faith: Submission and Witness
[32:20] - Two Realizations and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

John 6:37–40
"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

1 Thessalonians 4:1–4
"Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."

1 Thessalonians 5:15–18
"See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

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Observation questions

According to Psalm 119:105, what are the two specific ways that God’s Word functions for a believer as they navigate a dark world? [02:40]
In John 6:40, what does Jesus identify as the specific "will of the Father" for everyone who looks on the Son? [17:33]
What three specific actions are listed in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 as being the "will of God in Christ Jesus" for your daily life? [23:19]
According to 1 Peter 2:15, what is the intended result when a believer focuses on "doing good" in the sight of others? [28:30]

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Interpretation questions

Stepping off a prepared path often feels like a shortcut, but it can lead to unforeseen obstacles like mud, thorns, and losing one's sense of direction [07:17]. Why is the "biggest mistake" often not the initial step off the path, but the prideful choice to stay off it once things get difficult? [11:21]
Sanctification involves a "moral distinctiveness" that sets a believer apart from the world [20:11]. If a Christian’s life looks exactly like the culture around them, how does that impact their ability to be a "lamp on a stand" or a "city on a hill"? [01:07]
Giving thanks is commanded "in all circumstances," not just the easy ones [26:30]. How does an attitude of gratitude help a person recognize God’s hand even when they are walking through a painful trial? [27:14]
Living with "visible goodness" is described as a way to silence critics and testify to the truth [29:10]. How does consistent Christ-like behavior serve as a more persuasive "apologetic" than simply winning an argument with words? [29:34]

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Application questions

As we start this year, the culture is constantly trying to push its own narrative on us. In what specific area of your life do you feel the most pressure to prioritize "cultural influence" over the clear priorities of Scripture? [00:29]
We are promised that if we acknowledge God in all our ways, He will make our paths straight. Is there a "shortcut" you are currently tempted to take—perhaps in a relationship, a financial decision, or a habit—that is actually leading you toward "briars and thorns"? [12:23]
Sexual purity and self-control are essential parts of walking on God's path [21:03]. What practical "fences" do you need to build around your heart or your media consumption this week to ensure you are walking in "holiness and honor"? [19:49]
It is often said that we should "kill things with kindness" rather than repaying evil for evil [24:04]. Is there someone who has wronged you recently? How could choosing a proactive, good response toward them open a door to share the hope of Jesus? [23:38]
Praying "without ceasing" means maintaining a constant, open communication with God throughout the day [26:06]. What is one specific time in your daily routine (like a commute or a chore) that you can dedicate to talking with God this week? [26:30]
Realizing that we weren't created for ourselves, but for God, changes our entire perspective [31:43]. If you truly embraced the truth that Jesus is the "center of all things" today, what is one choice you would make differently tomorrow morning? [31:10]
Conviction is not a bad thing; it is a summons from God to return to His path [33:06]. Is there a specific "muddy hole" or "thorn bush" you are currently stuck in that you need to bring to the Lord today to get back on His straight path? [11:01]

Sermon Clips

``Jesus says, leaves heaven, comes to earth in human form just like you and me, except Jesus lives a perfect life. He never sins. He never makes any mistakes. He's fully god. He's fully man. Bring salvation to all of mankind by allowing the very people he created in his image to crucify him on a cross to pay for the penalty of sin, which by the way, he wasn't guilty of. So that when the day comes and your time on this earth is finished, instead of you paying for the penalty of your sin and you dying for the sins that you committed, god sees the sacrifice that the son made and the blood of Jesus as payment for your sin. [00:17:50] (53 seconds) #JesusPaidItAll

We talked about as Christ followers, we don't build or prioritize our lives based off the culture's narrative, but that we build and prioritize our lives based on truth, and that truth comes from the word of God. Because as Jesus tells us in John chapter 17 that we are in this world but not to be of this world. You see, we're to be a part of this world but yet be separate from the world. So separate that we are like a like a lamp on a stand giving light to those in a room of darkness. So separate that we are to be like a city set on a hill so that it can't be hidden, so that all the world can see. [00:00:49] (60 seconds) #InWorldNotOfIt

Church, God has created a path for all of us to walk on. His word tells us that if we will acknowledge him with our thoughts, with our intentions, and with our actions, he will make your path straight. You step off the path, or in other words, if you think your way is better, expect briars and thorns. [00:11:48] (34 seconds) #WalkGodsPath

But that's not the most embarrassing part. Here's the most embarrassing part, church. All I had to do at any point in time during that entire journey was get back on the path. The path that has always taken me where I needed to go. But because of my pride and my ego, because of my pride and ego, church, You see, stepping off the path was not the first mistake or was the first mistake I made, but it wasn't the biggest mistake. The biggest mistake I I made was knowing that the path was there and choosing not to get back on it. [00:10:50] (58 seconds) #GetBackOnThePath

Simply put, don't just say it, live it. Let your life be a testimony of Christ no matter who's watching. No matter who's watching, let your light shine. Live your life in a way that your good deeds leave the critics with nothing valid to say against your faith. Live your life in a way that through your good deeds overwhelms the darkness with Christ like behavior. Live your life in a way that you the good deeds that you're doing testify to the truth about your faith. Live your life in a way that shows true hope that you have found in Jesus Christ. [00:28:50] (65 seconds) #FaithInAction

one morning at 5AM, I was headed into the woods on a deer hunt. I was on this nice clean mode path that you can't get lost on, and I decided all of a sudden, I'm gonna try to hunt in a different spot. And instead take it instead of taking the mode path all the way around to that spot, I just decided I was gonna take shortcut to get to this tree that I wanted to hunt. And so I made mistake number one. I stepped off the path that has always taken me where I needed to go. And let me tell you, church, the further I got away from the path, the worse it got. [00:06:41] (51 seconds) #DontTakeShortcuts

me and the girls own a small piece of ground outside of town here, and so one of the first things I did when I purchased this property is I mowed about a six foot wide trail around the entire property. A nice clean trail, no sticks, no trees, no debris. Just a nice clean six foot wide trail around the entire the entire property. Now I did that for a couple reasons. One was so it's easy to walk in. Right? But the main reason I did it is so that I don't get lost. [00:05:37] (39 seconds) #KeepThePathClear

And so there I stand, and I'm going somewhere with this church. Bear with me. So there I stand at the bottom of my tree. I'm full of mud. I'm freezing cold because of the sweat on my body and the water in my boot. My hands and my face hurts because I'm all cut up by the thorns. I'm pretty sure there isn't a deer within a mile of my property because I scared them all off, and I'm defeated. And so what do I do? I go back to the house. [00:10:12] (37 seconds) #TurnBackToGod

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Gods path!!

Devotional

Day 1: Building Life on God's Truth, Not Culture

Day 2: God's Word: Lamp, Light, and Straight Path

Day 3: The Cost of Stepping Off God's Path

Day 4: God's Will: Salvation and Holy Living

Day 5: Living Out God's Will: Gratitude and Good Deeds

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Gods path!!

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