Living by God's Higher Standard in Daily Life

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Unseen Work

Description: Even when we cannot see it, God is working in our favor in every circumstance. This truth calls us to declare and believe that He is making a way where there seems to be no way. Our faith in God's unseen work strengthens our trust in His plans and purposes for our lives. By acknowledging His constant activity, we can find peace and assurance, knowing that He is orchestrating everything for our good. This perspective helps us to remain hopeful and steadfast, even in challenging times. [39:39]

Bible Passage: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel uncertain or anxious. How can you remind yourself today that God is working behind the scenes for your good?

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Day 2: Daily Dependence on God

Description: We need to acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily, not just on Sundays. In these dark times, our daily dependence on God is crucial. Through the new covenant, we have direct access to Him every day, which empowers us to face life's challenges with His strength. This daily reliance on God helps us to navigate through life's uncertainties with confidence, knowing that He is our constant source of support and guidance. By making it a habit to seek Him daily, we build a stronger relationship with Him and grow in our faith. [45:35]

Bible Passage: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can start your day by acknowledging and depending on God? Can you commit to this practice for the next week?

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Day 3: Living by God's Blueprints

Description: Jesus calls us to a higher standard, emphasizing that we must follow His teachings rather than the distorted versions we may have heard. We are to do what He has said, not what we have heard. This involves living lives that reflect Christ and His teachings. By adhering to God's blueprints for our lives, we align ourselves with His will and purpose, which leads to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. This commitment requires us to be intentional in our actions and decisions, ensuring that they are in line with God's Word. [51:38]

Bible Passage: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have been following the world's standards instead of God's teachings. What steps can you take today to align this area with God's blueprints?

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Day 4: Being Right with All People

Description: We must do everything in our power to be right with all people, even if it means making amends and seeking forgiveness. This higher standard of living requires us to let go of pride and strive for peace and reconciliation in our relationships. By prioritizing harmony and understanding, we reflect Christ's love and grace to those around us. This commitment to being right with others not only strengthens our relationships but also serves as a powerful testimony of our faith. [57:15]

Bible Passage: "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." (Romans 12:18, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to seek forgiveness from or make amends with? How can you take the first step towards reconciliation today?

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Day 5: Avoiding and Eliminating Temptations

Description: We must avoid situations and eliminate things that cause us to sin. Recognizing our weaknesses, we should take proactive steps to remove stumbling blocks from our lives, ensuring that we live according to God's higher standard. This involves being vigilant and intentional about the influences we allow into our lives and making conscious choices that honor God. By doing so, we protect our spiritual well-being and grow in our walk with Christ. [01:21:37]

Bible Passage: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." (Romans 13:14, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific temptation or stumbling block in your life. What practical steps can you take today to avoid or eliminate this temptation?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This morning, we turn our attention to God, acknowledging His holiness and worthiness of our praise. We recognize that even when we cannot see it, God is working in our favor in every circumstance. We stand in agreement with those praying for lost loved ones, divine health, healing, and breakthroughs in various areas of life. We declare that God is making a way where there seems to be no way, and we walk through the paths He creates for us. We have a reason to praise Him for His faithfulness and mercy.

We are reminded of the importance of acknowledging, trusting, and leaning on God daily, not just on Sundays. In these dark times, we need God more than ever, and through the new covenant, we have direct access to Him every day. There is power in community and collective worship, but we also have the privilege of accessing God individually. We are encouraged to live by God's blueprints for our lives, not by our own plans or the world's standards.

Jesus calls us to a higher standard, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount. He repeatedly says, "You have heard that it was said, but I say to you," emphasizing that we must follow His teachings rather than the distorted versions we may have heard. We are to do what He has said, not what we have heard. This higher standard includes being right with all people, avoiding situations that cause us to sin, and eliminating things that lead us into temptation.

We must be distinguishable as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, living lives that reflect Christ. This involves forgiving others, making amends, and striving to live peaceably with everyone. We are called to avoid and eliminate anything that causes us to sin, recognizing that we are not strong enough to resist temptation on our own. By following God's blueprints and living to His higher standard, we become more like Christ each day.

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Key Takeaways

1. 7I8U&t=2379s'>[39:39]
2. Daily Dependence on God: We need to acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily, not just on Sundays. In these dark times, our daily dependence on God is crucial. Through the new covenant, we have direct access to Him every day, which empowers us to face life's challenges with His strength.

3. Living by God's Blueprints: Jesus calls us to a higher standard, emphasizing that we must follow His teachings rather than the distorted versions we may have heard. We are to do what He has said, not what we have heard. This involves living lives that reflect Christ and His teachings.

4. Being Right with All People: We must do everything in our power to be right with all people, even if it means making amends and seeking forgiveness. This higher standard of living requires us to let go of pride and strive for peace and reconciliation in our relationships.

5. Avoiding and Eliminating Temptations: We must avoid situations and eliminate things that cause us to sin. Recognizing our weaknesses, we should take proactive steps to remove stumbling blocks from our lives, ensuring that we live according to God's higher standard.

### [39:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[39:39] - God is Always Working
[42:59] - Reason to Praise
[44:47] - Introduction and Church Mission
[45:35] - Daily Dependence on God
[46:33] - Current World Events
[47:22] - Power of Community Worship
[48:15] - Constant Dependence on God
[49:18] - Celebrating New Life
[51:04] - God’s Plan for Us
[51:38] - Living by God's Blueprints
[53:19] - Following God's Plan
[55:21] - Being Distinguishable
[57:15] - Being Right with All People
[81:37] - Avoiding and Eliminating Temptations
[89:56] - Seeking God’s Guidance

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Isaiah 43:19, what does God promise to do in the wilderness and wasteland?
In Matthew 5:21-22, what does Jesus say about anger and its consequences?
How does Jesus expand the understanding of adultery in Matthew 5:27-28?
What are some examples given in the sermon of how God is working in our favor even when we cannot see it? [39:39]

Interpretation Questions

How does the promise in Isaiah 43:19 relate to the idea that God is always working in our favor, even when we cannot see it? [39:39]
Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of addressing anger and lust at the heart level in Matthew 5:21-22 and 5:27-28? How does this relate to living by God's blueprints? [51:38]
What does it mean to have daily dependence on God, and how does this empower us to face life's challenges? [45:35]
How can being right with all people and making amends reflect the higher standard Jesus calls us to? [57:15]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt God was working in your favor, even if you couldn't see it at the moment. How did this experience strengthen your trust in His plans? [39:39]
What are some practical ways you can acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily, not just on Sundays? How can you incorporate this into your daily routine? [45:35]
Jesus calls us to a higher standard by addressing the heart issues of anger and lust. What steps can you take to address these issues in your own life? [01:00:27]
Think of a relationship where there is unresolved conflict. What steps can you take to make amends and strive for peace, even if it means letting go of pride? [57:15]
Identify a situation or habit that causes you to sin. What proactive steps can you take to avoid or eliminate this temptation from your life? [01:21:37]
How can you be more distinguishable as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven in your daily interactions? What specific actions can you take to reflect Christ more clearly? [55:21]
Reflect on the importance of community worship and individual access to God. How can you balance and integrate both aspects into your spiritual life? [47:22]

Sermon Clips

1. "We need God. Not just on a Sunday morning. And the amazing thing is that in the new covenant, because we live in the new covenant. You and you and you and you and you, all of you watching online. We have access to God. Direct access through the blood of Jesus. Every single day, anywhere we are. There's power in community. There's power in collectively worshiping. Don't quit doing that. That's why Hebrews says, don't forsake the assembly. As some had the custom to do so." [47:22] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The longer we are believers, the more like Christ we should be. So, for example, you come to Miami. You move to Miami. You don't speak English. You started learning it. You know, ¿Qué pasa, USA style? I grew up on ¿Qué pasa, USA? And the more you speak the language, the more the accent leaves, and you sound, quote, unquote, normal. You leave New York long enough, and some of the New York accent starts to leave. You get here, and you begin to spend time, and you start looking and sounding. Sounding like the place." [58:17] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We must do everything in our power to be right with all. With all. It doesn't mean that they're gonna be right with you, but you're doing everything within you to be right with them. Again, we're being called to a higher standard. I heard Dr. Tony Evans share this story some time ago. Love listening to Pastor Tony Evans, Dr. Tony Evans. And he was saying that his son, when he was in high school, he was good at basketball and he played a lot of basketball and he said, Dad, I need you to come to the gym. I wanna show you all these things I've learned and what I'm doing." [01:10:21] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We must avoid situations that will cause us to sin. We must avoid situations that cause us to sin. Yes, right here is talking specifically about the sin of adultery. And within the heart already doing this, if you're looking at someone lustfully. So what does that mean? Get out of the situation. Listen, I say this to the men. I'm going to say, I've said this before. You're in your shopping cart and you're in line and you get in the short line and the lady in front of you wearing something she shouldn't be wearing out in public. Go to the longer line." [01:21:37] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We must eliminate things that cause us to sin. Avoid the situation and eliminate them. You know what's so hard to do as a parent who's now 45 years old and if you look at a cookie, you gain a pound? It's to have little kids that love cookies. That love double stuffed Oreos and mega stuffed Oreos. Because they're not on a diet. So I got to walk by and use every ounce of self-control today's and tomorrow's. Here's the question. What situations are we putting ourselves in that we don't need to be in?" [01:25:43] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We need to be honest with ourselves. Man, I can avoid the mega stuff Oreos just so long before I grab one. Samantha yesterday was like, Dad, can I have four of the cookies? I was like, yes, please have them all. She's like, I ate both. I ate my whole lunch. Can I get four for dessert? Yes. Why? Because I was this close. I went to Publix yesterday and I came back. I sinned, man. I messed up. They were buy one, get one free. I came back with two key lime pies." [01:28:25] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We must do everything in our power to be right with all. Everything in our power to be right with all. Listen, some of you, perhaps you're even saying, hey, I don't get it. I'm trying to do the biblical part of sowing and reaping. Why don't I see God's blessing? I'm gonna ask you, is something in your heart hindering you from God's blessing? Jesus told them, if you're on your way to the altar with your offering and there you remember somebody's got something, go make it right." [01:15:59] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "We gotta grow up as Christians and totally surrender every ounce of our pride and our arrogance and be willing to give up. Get right with people. If it's within your power, get right with people. Get right with them. Look what it continues to say. Look at verse 27. Because now he's going to really hit us. You heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not commit adultery. How many of you know that one? You shall not commit. Again, top 10. It's one of the 10 commandments, top 10." [01:20:16] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We need God. Not just on a Sunday morning. And the amazing thing is that in the new covenant, because we live in the new covenant. You and you and you and you and you, all of you watching online. We have access to God. Direct access through the blood of Jesus. Every single day, anywhere we are. There's power in community. There's power in collectively worshiping. Don't quit doing that. That's why Hebrews says, don't forsake the assembly. As some had the custom to do so." [47:22] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The longer we are believers, the more like Christ we should be. So, for example, you come to Miami. You move to Miami. You don't speak English. You started learning it. You know, ¿Qué pasa, USA style? I grew up on ¿Qué pasa, USA? And the more you speak the language, the more the accent leaves, and you sound, quote, unquote, normal. You leave New York long enough, and some of the New York accent starts to leave. You get here, and you begin to spend time, and you start looking and sounding. Sounding like the place." [58:17] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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