Guided by God's Hand: Love, Commitment, and Victory
Summary
### Summary
In Colossians 1:9-12, Paul prays for the believers, asking God to fill them with the knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom, and understanding. This prayer is a powerful reminder that we are constantly under divine intercession. I have been praying for each of you, even before you arrived here today. I pray for every seat, every parking spot, and every person who connects with us online. My prayer is that you live a life that honors and pleases the Lord, producing every kind of good fruit and growing in your knowledge of God.
We are called to be strengthened with God's glorious power, filled with joy, and always thankful to the Father. God has enabled us to share in the inheritance of His people, living in the light because His light shines within us. This divine presence is a guiding hand that leads us through life, much like how Jonah was guided despite his initial disobedience. Jonah's story illustrates that even when we stray, God's hand remains upon us, guiding us back to His will.
In marriage, just like in our spiritual walk, we need to admit our need for God, submit to one another, omit past wrongs, and commit to each other and to God. This commitment is a choice, not based on feelings but on a steadfast decision to love and honor. The hands of God are always upon us, shaping us like a potter with clay, forming us into vessels for His glory.
God's hands provide rest and refuge, guiding and protecting us in times of trouble and uncertainty. His presence brings comfort and security, allowing us to rest in His shadow. We are reminded to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, casting all our worries and cares upon Him because He cares for us.
The hands of God also bring deliverance and victory. Throughout the Bible, we see God's hand leading His people to triumph, whether it's through the story of Jonah, King Jehoshaphat, or Gideon. God's hand is always at work, performing miracles and leading us to victory.
Finally, God's hand is a symbol of His everlasting love. It is a love that never fails, a love that formed us in our mother's womb and holds us when we stumble. This love is unchanging and unconditional, providing us with acceptance, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
### Key Takeaways
1. Divine Intercession and Guidance: Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-12 emphasizes the importance of being filled with the knowledge of God's will, spiritual wisdom, and understanding. This divine guidance ensures that our lives honor and please the Lord, producing good fruit and growing in our knowledge of Him. We are constantly under divine intercession, and God's hand is always guiding us, even when we stray. [32:10]
2. Commitment in Relationships: In marriage and our spiritual walk, we must admit our need for God, submit to one another, omit past wrongs, and commit to each other and to God. This commitment is a deliberate choice, not based on fleeting emotions but on a steadfast decision to love and honor. This principle of commitment is crucial for a thriving relationship with God and others. [39:28]
3. Rest and Refuge in God: God's hands provide rest and refuge, guiding and protecting us in times of trouble and uncertainty. His presence brings comfort and security, allowing us to rest in His shadow. We are reminded to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, casting all our worries and cares upon Him because He cares for us. [46:47]
4. Deliverance and Victory: The hands of God bring deliverance and victory. Throughout the Bible, we see God's hand leading His people to triumph, whether it's through Jonah, King Jehoshaphat, or Gideon. God's hand is always at work, performing miracles and leading us to victory. We can trust in His hand to guide us through challenges and obstacles. [55:43]
5. Everlasting Love: God's hand is a symbol of His everlasting love, which is unchanging and unconditional. This love formed us in our mother's womb and holds us when we stumble. It provides us with acceptance, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This love is the foundation of our faith and our relationship with God. [01:37:25]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:10] - Paul's Prayer for Believers
[32:44] - Living a Life that Honors God
[33:14] - Strengthened with God's Power
[34:04] - God's Provision and Blessings
[35:23] - The Upside Down Way of God
[36:22] - Joy in Life's Events
[38:03] - Four Wheels of Marriage
[39:28] - Commitment in Relationships
[42:05] - The Mighty Hand of God
[43:38] - The Hands of God
[45:43] - Divine Presence
[46:47] - Rest and Refuge in God
[47:11] - The Story of Jonah
[55:43] - Deliverance and Victory
[01:37:25] - Everlasting Love
[01:56:02] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Colossians 1:9-12 (NLT)
2. Psalms 139:5, 10 (NLT)
3. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT)
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific things does Paul pray for the believers in Colossians 1:9-12? How does he want their lives to reflect these prayers?
2. According to Psalms 139:5, 10, what are the two actions God takes with His hands in relation to us?
3. In 1 Peter 5:6-7, what are we instructed to do with our worries and cares, and why?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Paul prays for the believers to be filled with the knowledge of God's will, spiritual wisdom, and understanding? How does this relate to living a life that honors and pleases the Lord? [32:10]
2. How does the story of Jonah illustrate God's guiding hand, even when we stray from His will? What does this tell us about God's persistence and patience with us? [47:11]
3. What does it mean to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, as mentioned in 1 Peter 5:6-7? How does this humility lead to being lifted up in honor? [46:47]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt guided by God's hand in your life. How did this experience shape your faith and actions? [32:10]
2. In your marriage or close relationships, how can you practice admitting your need for God, submitting to one another, omitting past wrongs, and committing to each other and to God? Share a specific example of how you can implement one of these principles this week. [39:28]
3. When faced with trouble or uncertainty, how do you find rest and refuge in God's presence? What practical steps can you take to cast your worries and cares upon Him? [46:47]
4. Think of a recent challenge or obstacle you faced. How did you see God's hand at work in bringing deliverance or victory? How can you trust in His hand more fully in future challenges? [55:43]
5. God's love is described as everlasting and unchanging. How does this understanding of His love impact your daily life and interactions with others? Share a specific way you can demonstrate this love to someone this week. [01:37:25]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper knowledge of God's will, spiritual wisdom, and understanding in your daily life? What specific practices or habits can you adopt to grow in these areas? [32:10]
7. Reflect on the story of Jonah and how God's hand guided him back to His will. Is there an area in your life where you feel you are running away from God's direction? What steps can you take to realign yourself with His will? [47:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Intercession and Guidance
Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-12 emphasizes the importance of being filled with the knowledge of God's will, spiritual wisdom, and understanding. This divine guidance ensures that our lives honor and please the Lord, producing good fruit and growing in our knowledge of Him. We are constantly under divine intercession, and God's hand is always guiding us, even when we stray. This is a powerful reminder that we are never alone in our spiritual journey. Just as Paul prayed for the believers, we too are under constant divine intercession, and God’s hand is always guiding us, even when we stray. This divine presence is a guiding hand that leads us through life, much like how Jonah was guided despite his initial disobedience. Jonah's story illustrates that even when we stray, God's hand remains upon us, guiding us back to His will. [32:10]
Colossians 1:9-12 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt lost or strayed from God's path. How did you sense His guiding hand bringing you back? How can you be more attuned to His guidance in your daily life?
Day 2: Commitment in Relationships
In marriage and our spiritual walk, we must admit our need for God, submit to one another, omit past wrongs, and commit to each other and to God. This commitment is a deliberate choice, not based on fleeting emotions but on a steadfast decision to love and honor. This principle of commitment is crucial for a thriving relationship with God and others. In our relationships, especially in marriage, this commitment is not based on feelings but on a steadfast decision to love and honor. This mirrors our spiritual walk, where we must continually choose to commit to God and to one another, fostering a thriving relationship built on mutual respect and love. [39:28]
Ephesians 5:21-25 (ESV): "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
Reflection: Reflect on your relationships, especially your marriage if applicable. Are there areas where you need to admit your need for God, submit to one another, omit past wrongs, or recommit to each other? What steps can you take today to strengthen these commitments?
Day 3: Rest and Refuge in God
God's hands provide rest and refuge, guiding and protecting us in times of trouble and uncertainty. His presence brings comfort and security, allowing us to rest in His shadow. We are reminded to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, casting all our worries and cares upon Him because He cares for us. In times of trouble and uncertainty, God's hands provide rest and refuge. His presence brings comfort and security, allowing us to rest in His shadow. We are reminded to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, casting all our worries and cares upon Him because He cares for us. [46:47]
Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV): "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"
Reflection: What are the worries and cares that you need to cast upon God today? How can you intentionally seek His rest and refuge in your daily routine?
Day 4: Deliverance and Victory
The hands of God bring deliverance and victory. Throughout the Bible, we see God's hand leading His people to triumph, whether it's through Jonah, King Jehoshaphat, or Gideon. God's hand is always at work, performing miracles and leading us to victory. We can trust in His hand to guide us through challenges and obstacles. God's hand is always at work, performing miracles and leading us to victory. We can trust in His hand to guide us through challenges and obstacles, knowing that He is always working for our good and His glory. [55:43]
2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (ESV): "And he said, 'Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem." Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.'"
Reflection: Think of a current challenge or obstacle you are facing. How can you trust in God's hand to guide you to victory? What steps of faith can you take today to stand firm and see His deliverance?
Day 5: Everlasting Love
God's hand is a symbol of His everlasting love, which is unchanging and unconditional. This love formed us in our mother's womb and holds us when we stumble. It provides us with acceptance, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This love is the foundation of our faith and our relationship with God. God's everlasting love is unchanging and unconditional. It formed us in our mother's womb and holds us when we stumble. This love provides us with acceptance, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [01:37:25]
Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV): "The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's everlasting love in your life? In what ways can you share this love with others today, reflecting His acceptance, forgiveness, grace, and mercy?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God's hand is still in it. God's hand is still with Jonah even though he's going in the wrong direction. Because remember I always said God is a true gentleman. He's going to lead you and guide you, but he's not going to force you. But he does say His goodness and mercy are going to follow you all the days of your life. So even though you're going in the wrong direction, is he still with you? Yes, he's still with you. Even when you stumble, if his hand's holding you and you stumble, you're still in his hand." [49:17] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you receive it, then start walking in it. Who has some joy? Who has some joy? Who has some things that are happening? I got a testimony today that somebody ran out of baler wire because it has so much hay. The baler ran out and they didn't even know that it was going to have enough for a cut. But our God is what? More than enough. More than enough. He always supplies your needs according to his riches and glory through Christ Jesus." [33:43] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Don't let anyone be the cause while you leave church. They're not going to go anywhere. They're not the reason why you go to church in the first place. I was like wow, that's pretty neat. Pretty profound. But then I saw this other one I read and it's one of those things. It's like, you got to remember, why do we come to church? To strengthen, build up, and encourage." [36:53] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you see a dog on the side of the road and you go what? When you see the person pushing the cart that's homeless, what do you say? Do you pass judgment and say that's what you get? I mean it's a hard issue. But do you know what the good thing is? Once we understand and see these things, we can have light to them. And we know that God is with us and we have that revelation." [01:02:11] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It's not his desire to destroy anybody. You'll have to see that. He just wants you to have a better life. A life with him. And then verse 4 is really neat. This change of plans greatly upset Jonah. Hold on a second. Does that make sense? Don't think about it really. Does that make sense? Yes or no? The interactive preaching let's go. Does that make sense? It does not make sense to me." [57:49] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "When the hand of God is on you, God brings victory, deliverance. Throughout the Bible, we witness it all the time. From all the way, actually, even from Adam to all the apostles, to all, to Timothy, Jonah, David, Samson, Moses, Abraham, Paul, I mean Mary, Joseph, Jesus. It just keeps on going. And what it is, is his hand continues to work miracles in our lives. When we face challenges, when we face obstacles, we can trust in his hand to lead us to victory, to lead us to deliverance." [01:22:17] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you understand there's a rest, there's a refuge, what happens is now you get to embrace and understand that there's an intimacy and identity that happens. I'm gonna show you. There's a what? An intimacy that happens and an identity that happens. This is the hands of God. And I watch in the scripture in Psalms 139.5 and it says, 'You hem me in behind and before and you lay your hand upon me.'" [01:15:03] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So humble yourself under the mighty power of God. Humble yourself. And at the right time, he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares of God for he what? Cares for you. All your worries, anxieties, problems, trouble. He's the one who's going to carry them. He's holding you." [01:12:22] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you receive it, then start walking in it. Who has some joy? Who has some joy? Who has some things that are happening? I got a testimony today that somebody ran out of baler wire because it has so much hay. The baler ran out and they didn't even know that it was going to have enough for a cut. But our God is what? More than enough. More than enough. He always supplies your needs according to his riches and glory through Christ Jesus." [33:43] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you see a dog on the side of the road and you go what? When you see the person pushing the cart that's homeless, what do you say? Do you pass judgment and say that's what you get? I mean it's a hard issue. But do you know what the good thing is? Once we understand and see these things, we can have light to them. And we know that God is with us and we have that revelation." [01:02:11] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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