Losing is Winning: Embracing God's Guidance in Challenges
Summary
In today's message, we explored the theme "Losing is Winning," focusing on the story of Joshua and the Israelites in Joshua 7:2-4. Joshua sent spies to Ai, a seemingly small and insignificant city, and based on their report, he underestimated the challenge ahead. This miscalculation led to a defeat because Joshua failed to consult God, relying instead on his own perception and past victories. This story serves as a powerful reminder that our perception of a problem's size does not determine its true nature or the spiritual forces at play.
I shared a personal story about my wife, Kanika, who diligently uses an app to save money, illustrating how small, seemingly insignificant actions can accumulate into significant outcomes. Similarly, we must remain connected to God, even in situations that appear minor, because they may be more complex than they seem. Our connection to God is like Kanika's app—it provides the environment for true savings and victory.
We also discussed the concept of pride, which can manifest as either thinking too highly or too lowly of ourselves. Both perspectives can lead us to leave God out of our decisions, which is a form of pride. Whether we feel overconfident or inadequate, the key is to shift our focus from "Am I?" to "I Am," recognizing that God is the source of our strength and victory.
In another illustration, I recounted how my daughter Kelsey attempted to bake cookies without her mother's guidance, resulting in a failed batch. This story highlights the importance of including the "main ingredient"—God—in our endeavors. Without Him, we risk missing crucial elements needed for success.
Finally, I shared a story about my son Camden, who realized the height of a ladder was more daunting than he anticipated. This serves as a metaphor for life's challenges, which often appear manageable until we face them. By relying on God, who is higher than any obstacle, we can achieve victory beyond our own capabilities.
Key Takeaways:
- Perception vs. Reality: Our perception of a problem's size does not determine its true nature. Like Joshua, we may underestimate challenges when we rely solely on our understanding. It's crucial to seek God's guidance, as He sees beyond our limited perspective. [06:19]
- The Subtlety of Pride: Pride isn't just thinking too highly of oneself; it also includes thinking too lowly. Both perspectives can lead us to exclude God from our decisions. True humility involves recognizing our need for God in every situation. [10:05]
- The Importance of Connection: Just as Kanika's app provided savings, our connection to God offers spiritual savings and victory. We must remain connected to Him, even in seemingly small matters, to experience His full provision. [06:45]
- The Main Ingredient: Like Kelsey's cookies, our efforts can fall flat without the main ingredient—God. Including Him ensures we have all we need to achieve the "taste of victory" in our lives. [17:47]
- Relying on God's Height: Camden's ladder experience teaches us that challenges may be higher than they appear. By relying on God, who is higher than any obstacle, we can achieve victory beyond our own capabilities. [21:39]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Theme: Losing is Winning
- [00:19] - Reading from Joshua 7:2-4
- [00:57] - The Underestimation of Ai
- [01:28] - Kanika's Penny-Pinching Story
- [04:45] - Realizing the Value of Connection
- [05:09] - Joshua's Lack of Consultation with God
- [06:19] - Perception vs. Reality
- [09:12] - The Subtlety of Pride
- [11:21] - Moses and the Burning Bush
- [12:30] - The Shift from "Am I?" to "I Am"
- [15:05] - Kelsey's Cookie Lesson
- [17:47] - The Main Ingredient: God
- [20:10] - Spiritual Battles are Higher
- [21:39] - Camden's Ladder Experience
- [22:21] - Conclusion and Call to Connect with God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Joshua 7:2-4
- Exodus 3:11-14
- Ephesians 6:12
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Joshua's initial perception of the city of Ai, and how did it influence his decision-making? [00:19]
2. How did Kanika's approach to saving money illustrate the importance of small actions accumulating over time? [01:28]
3. In the story of Kelsey baking cookies, what was the main ingredient she missed, and what does it symbolize in the context of the sermon? [17:47]
4. How did Camden's experience with the ladder serve as a metaphor for life's challenges? [21:39]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Joshua and the Israelites in Joshua 7:2-4 illustrate the danger of relying solely on past victories without seeking God's guidance? [05:09]
2. In what ways can pride manifest in our lives, and how does it lead to excluding God from our decisions? [10:05]
3. How does the shift from "Am I?" to "I Am" change our perspective on facing challenges, according to the sermon? [12:30]
4. What does Ephesians 6:12 suggest about the nature of the battles we face, and how should this influence our reliance on God? [20:10]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. Did you rely on your own understanding, or did you seek God's guidance? How might the outcome have been different if you had consulted God first? [05:09]
2. Consider a situation where you might have underestimated a problem. How can you ensure that you remain connected to God in future situations, regardless of their perceived size? [06:19]
3. Identify an area in your life where pride might be causing you to exclude God. What steps can you take to invite Him back into that area? [10:05]
4. Think about a time when you felt inadequate to face a challenge. How can shifting your focus from "Am I?" to "I Am" empower you to move forward with confidence? [12:30]
5. In what ways can you create an "environment that saves" in your spiritual life, similar to Kanika's app for saving money? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your connection with God? [06:45]
6. Reflect on a "ladder" in your life that seems daunting. How can you rely on God's "height" to help you overcome it? What specific prayer or action can you take this week to trust Him more? [21:39]
7. How can you ensure that God remains the "main ingredient" in your daily life, especially in areas where you might be tempted to rely on your own strength? [17:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Perception Can Be Deceptive
Our perception of a problem's size does not determine its true nature. In the story of Joshua and the Israelites, Joshua underestimated the city of Ai because it seemed small and insignificant. This miscalculation led to a defeat because he relied on his own understanding and past victories rather than seeking God's guidance. This serves as a powerful reminder that our perception is limited, and we must seek God's wisdom to see beyond what is immediately visible. By consulting God, we can gain insight into the spiritual forces at play and approach challenges with the right perspective. [06:19]
Joshua 9:14-15 (ESV): "So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. Have you taken time to seek God's guidance on this matter, or are you relying solely on your own understanding? What steps can you take today to invite God's perspective into this situation?
Day 2: Pride in Disguise
Pride can manifest in unexpected ways, not just as arrogance but also as self-doubt. Both extremes can lead us to exclude God from our decisions, as we either overestimate our abilities or underestimate our worth. True humility involves recognizing our need for God in every situation, shifting our focus from "Am I?" to "I Am," acknowledging that God is the source of our strength and victory. By doing so, we align ourselves with His purpose and power, allowing Him to guide us through life's challenges. [10:05]
James 4:6-7 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did pride, in any form, influence your choice? How can you practice humility by inviting God into your decision-making process today?
Day 3: The Power of Connection
Just as small actions can lead to significant outcomes, our connection to God provides spiritual savings and victory. In the same way that Kanika's app accumulates savings over time, our relationship with God accumulates spiritual strength and wisdom. By staying connected to Him, even in seemingly minor matters, we open ourselves to His full provision and guidance. This connection is essential for navigating life's complexities and experiencing true victory. [06:45]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: Consider a small area of your life where you have not been seeking God's guidance. How can you intentionally connect with Him in this area today to experience His provision and wisdom?
Day 4: God as the Main Ingredient
In our endeavors, God is the main ingredient that ensures success. Just as Kelsey's cookies fell flat without her mother's guidance, our efforts can fall short without including God. By inviting Him into our plans and actions, we ensure that we have all the necessary elements for success. God's presence and guidance are crucial for achieving the "taste of victory" in our lives, as He provides the wisdom and strength we need to overcome obstacles. [17:47]
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
Reflection: Think about a project or goal you are currently pursuing. Have you included God as the main ingredient in your efforts? What steps can you take to commit this work to Him today?
Day 5: Overcoming Life's Ladders
Life's challenges often appear manageable until we face them, much like Camden's experience with the ladder. By relying on God, who is higher than any obstacle, we can achieve victory beyond our own capabilities. God's strength and perspective allow us to see challenges for what they truly are and equip us to overcome them. Trusting in His height and power enables us to face life's ladders with confidence, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. [21:39]
Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV): "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: Identify a challenge that seems daunting to you right now. How can you rely on God's strength and perspective to overcome this obstacle? What practical steps can you take to trust Him more fully in this situation?
Quotes
Here Joshua is, and he's about to send men up there and go attack Ai and think that he can just go ahead and go to battle against Ai and he come to the realization because they were fleeing from the men of Ai when they just got through saying that it's small and it's not a big deal but they were going to find out that it was much higher than they thought. [00:01:02]
Kanika being connected to that app was an environment that saves, and it took her a whole lot higher than what I thought. We have to be connected to an environment that saves, never thinking that our perception is enough, because he sent his spies up there and his boys came back down and they said it's not a big deal. [00:06:45]
How many times do you and I go forward, put the God app in our pocket, don't use it to scan this circumstance in our marriage, don't use it to scan this circumstance in our business or finance, scan this circumstance and what we're going through with forgiveness in relationships and all of these different things? [00:05:50]
Most people think pride is when I think high of myself, but pride is also when you think low of yourself. Pride is any time you are the subject or the object through which you decide to leave God on the sideline. Whenever God is on the sideline because you think too high of yourself like they did in Joshua 7. [00:09:54]
Moses used himself to determine whether he could do what God told him to do, whether he can face the battle that God told him to face, whether he could face the situation that's at hand because he was looking at the situation as so huge, then he looked at himself and said am I and God said I am. [00:11:59]
Joshua made a mistake that would hurt him because it says the men of Israel fled before the men of Ai after saying it's not a big deal. We need God all the time. He is the main ingredient that helps us experience the taste of victory. [00:13:34]
A lot of us are having to eat things that we cooked without God. A lot of us are having to taste defeat when victory's right there if we bring the main ingredient and scan the God app on that particular situation so that he can give us all the ingredients necessary. [00:17:59]
Joshua miscalculated, the spies miscalculated that even though it was small, it was up that even though you perceived something physically it was a lot higher than you thought. See a lot of us are perceiving things physically and not realizing that it's up. [00:19:18]
My son Camden, he wanted to reach a ball and so he jumped up on the ladder. I told him the ladder is too high, don't go up there, it's too high, but he said dad I can do it. And if you know how I parent, I said all right, go ahead. [00:20:26]
All of us have experience going up too high thinking the problem is small and something that we can reach, and we go up there and now we're shaking. God will ask you to come down one step at a time, and when you get down you'll say that was higher than I thought. [00:21:49]
Connect to him because he can take you up when it's a situation that's higher than you think. [00:22:21]
We need victory. We need victory in our country, our world, we need victory in our families, we need a victory in our church. We need victory so we can no longer say as people and as a church and in our marriages we can no longer say am I and let that be the determining factor on whether we go forward or whether we quit. [00:14:07]
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