Living Boldly: Preparing for Our Encounter with God

Devotional

Day 1: The Awe of Meeting God

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves caught up in the busyness and distractions of the world. Yet, there is a profound moment awaiting each of us—the moment we stand before God. This encounter will be unlike anything we have ever experienced, a moment of awe and reverence. The Bible paints a vivid picture of God's glory, where even the highest angels cover themselves in His presence. Those who have glimpsed God have fallen on their faces, overwhelmed by His majesty. This moment should shape how we live our lives today, reminding us of the significance of our actions and choices. [00:12]

Isaiah 6:1-3 (ESV): "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'"

Reflection: How does the reality of standing before God influence the way you live today? What changes can you make to align your life with this profound truth?

Day 2: Bold Faith in Aging

As we age, we should not become more cautious in our faith but rather more bold and radical, like Caleb, who at 85 was still ready to take on challenges for God. In our culture, we often see young people taking bold steps for Jesus, only to become more cautious as they age. This should not be the case. The closer we are to meeting God, the more urgent our actions should be. We should be inspired by the story of Caleb, who at 85 was as vigorous and full of faith as he was at 40. He did not shy away from challenges but embraced them, trusting in God's promises. [02:03]

Joshua 14:10-12 (ESV): "And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said."

Reflection: What is one bold step of faith you can take today, regardless of your age, that reflects a trust in God's promises?

Day 3: Living a Life of Faith

Living a life that requires faith is essential. Many people set up their lives to avoid needing faith, but true preparation for meeting God involves living in a way that demands trust in Him. Imagine standing before Him, your face to the ground, and hearing Him say, "Well done." Is there anything you desire more than to hear those words from God? Let this be your motivation, to live faithfully from your youth to your final years, like Caleb. [07:10]

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you are living comfortably without needing faith. How can you step out in faith in this area today?

Day 4: The Ultimate Goal

Imagine the moment you stand before God and hear Him say, "Well done." This should be the ultimate goal of our lives, motivating us to live faithfully and with purpose. As you leave today, make decisions that align with this vision. Don't just feel convicted; act on it. Prepare yourself to see Him, and live in such a way that you will hear those cherished words, "Well done." [12:15]

Matthew 25:21 (ESV): "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'"

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to ensure that your life aligns with the goal of hearing God say, "Well done"?

Day 5: Decisions for Eternity

As you leave today, make decisions that reflect your desire to hear God say, "Well done." Don't just be convicted; take action and live a life that prepares you for that moment. This involves making choices that are not just for the here and now but for eternity. Consider how your daily decisions impact your spiritual journey and your readiness to meet God. [13:33]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did it align with your eternal perspective, and what can you do to ensure your future decisions are made with eternity in mind?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves caught up in the busyness and distractions of the world. Yet, there is a profound moment awaiting each of us—the moment we stand before God. This encounter will be unlike anything we have ever experienced, a moment of awe and reverence. The Bible paints a vivid picture of God's glory, where even the highest angels cover themselves in His presence. Those who have glimpsed God have fallen on their faces, overwhelmed by His majesty.

As we approach this inevitable meeting, I urge those who are older to finish strong. Now is not the time to play it safe; it's a time to take risks for the Kingdom. In our culture, we often see young people taking bold steps for Jesus, only to become more cautious as they age. This should not be the case. The closer we are to meeting God, the more urgent our actions should be. We should be inspired by the story of Caleb, who at 85 was as vigorous and full of faith as he was at 40. He did not shy away from challenges but embraced them, trusting in God's promises.

What are you doing right now that requires faith? Many set up their lives to avoid needing faith, especially as they near the end. But I challenge you to live in a way that demands faith, to prepare yourself for that moment when you will see God face to face. Imagine standing before Him, your face to the ground, and hearing Him say, "Well done." Is there anything you desire more than to hear those words from God? Let this be your motivation, to live faithfully from your youth to your final years, like Caleb.

As you leave today, make decisions that align with this vision. Don't just feel convicted; act on it. Prepare yourself to see Him, and live in such a way that you will hear those cherished words, "Well done."

Key Takeaways

1. inspiring experience, one that should shape how we live our lives today. We must not underestimate the significance of this encounter. [00:12]
2. As we age, we should not become more cautious in our faith but rather more bold and radical, like Caleb, who at 85 was still ready to take on challenges for God.

3. Living a life that requires faith is essential. Many people set up their lives to avoid needing faith, but true preparation for meeting God involves living in a way that demands trust in Him.

4. Imagine the moment you stand before God and hear Him say, "Well done." This should be the ultimate goal of our lives, motivating us to live faithfully and with purpose.

5. As you leave today, make decisions that reflect your desire to hear God say, "Well done." Don't just be convicted; take action and live a life that prepares you for that moment.

** [00:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - The Awe of Meeting God
[00:29] - God's Glory and Our Response
[00:58] - A Call to Finish Strong
[01:16] - The Urgency of Faith
[02:03] - Learning from Caleb
[03:28] - Caleb's Speech
[04:24] - Caleb's Strength and Faith
[06:18] - Radical Faith at Any Age
[07:10] - Living a Life of Faith
[08:28] - A Dream of Meeting God
[10:02] - The Reality of God's Presence
[11:32] - Imagining the Final Encounter
[12:32] - The Desire to Hear "Well Done"
[13:33] - Making Decisions for Eternity

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Caleb's speech in Joshua 14:7-12 reveal about his faith and attitude towards challenges, even at an advanced age?
How does the description of God's throne in Revelation 4:5 contribute to our understanding of His majesty and power?
In Isaiah 6:1-4, how do the seraphim respond to God's presence, and what does this indicate about His holiness?
According to the sermon, what is the significance of living a life that requires faith, especially as one ages? [07:10]

Interpretation Questions

What might Caleb's example in Joshua 14 suggest about the relationship between age and faith? How does this challenge common cultural perceptions? [02:03]
How does the imagery of God's throne in Revelation 4:5 and Isaiah 6:1-4 shape our understanding of what it means to stand before God?
The sermon emphasizes the urgency of faith as one approaches the end of life. How does this urgency manifest in practical terms? [01:16]
What does the desire to hear "Well done" from God at the end of one's life imply about the priorities and actions of a believer? [12:15]

Application Questions

Reflect on Caleb's faith at 85. What steps can you take to ensure your faith remains strong and active as you age? [04:24]
Consider the distractions in your life that might prevent you from living a life that requires faith. What specific changes can you make to address these distractions? [07:10]
How can you incorporate the awe and reverence of God's presence, as described in Revelation 4 and Isaiah 6, into your daily worship and prayer life?
What are some practical ways you can take risks for the Kingdom, as encouraged in the sermon, rather than playing it safe? [01:16]
Imagine standing before God and hearing Him say, "Well done." What specific actions or changes in your life would help you prepare for that moment? [12:32]
How can you encourage others in your community, especially those who are older, to live boldly and with faith like Caleb?
What is one decision you can make this week that aligns with the vision of living a life that prepares you to hear "Well done" from God? [13:33]

Sermon Clips

"I don't want us to underestimate what was article just how amazing it's going to be when we see God for the first time. The Bible describes God in all of his glory. It talks about how the high angels cover themselves up with their wings. Those who have gotten a glimpse of God have fallen on their faces, and we are all gonna face him soon." [00:00:12]

"I just want to beg you to finish strong. Now is not the time to play it safe. Now is the time to risk. In America, we do a lot of things backwards. When people are young, they'll do radical things for Jesus, and the older they get, the more safer they play it. That never made sense to me." [00:01:02]

"I love the story of Joshua and Caleb. Remember those were the two spies who believed God. The other ten didn't believe. But I love the words of Caleb towards the end of his life when they were about to enter the promised land. In Joshua chapter 14, he says, 'I was 40 years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land.'" [00:02:36]

"I am this day 85 years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me. My strength now is my strength was then for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakin were there with great fortified cities." [00:04:27]

"It amazes me that elderly people still living for them, living selfishly for their own retirement. Don't you realize you're about to see God? Shouldn't this be the time where you're letting go of your possession? I think about Caleb, who at 85 was still ready to take on challenges for God." [00:06:18]

"What are you doing right now that requires faith? So many save up so that they don't require faith at the end of their lives. They set up a comfortable life so they don't have faith at the end of their life. I'm just trying to say the words that I believe you need to hear before seeing God." [00:07:10]

"I want to close by just sharing a dream that I had years ago. You ever have a dream that's so real that you physically move in the middle of your dream? Years ago, I dreamt that I died. It only happened once in my life where I dreamt and I died. I was and I started to think what am I going to see." [00:08:28]

"I imagined before me was this God with lightning and thunder coming from his throne, like Revelation 4 says, pillars of fire around his throne. My heart was pounding. I was scared to look, and my whole body was just drenched with sweat. And then the thought entered my head, I thought maybe I'm dreaming." [00:09:38]

"Imagine yourself in that position, your faces to the ground, and this is you in God. What would you feel at that moment? And what if at that moment you heard the voice of God speak to you and what if you heard God say, 'Well done.' What would you feel at that moment?" [00:11:32]

"Is there anything you want more than that, to hear God say well done at the end of your life, knowing that you live faithfully for him as you enter the promised land? Like Caleb, you were faithful from your childhood to your final years. That's my prayer for you." [00:12:32]

"I hope that as you go from here, you don't just leave thinking. You don't just leave convicted, but that you make decisions and you actually do something with what you've heard. Prepare yourself to see him. There's nothing more I want on this earth than to hear him say well done." [00:13:33]

"So I make decisions so that I can hear those words. As you leave, make some decisions and follow through. Thank you." [00:14:05]

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