Navigating Life: Becoming Who God Created You to Be

Devotional

Day 1: Becoming Who God Created You to Be**

Understanding that our true destination is not a physical place but the person we are becoming is crucial for navigating life's challenges with wisdom and grace. This perspective shift helps us appreciate the journey and be grateful for the destination. By focusing on becoming the type of person God created us to be, we align our lives with His purpose and design. This involves a deep introspection and a commitment to personal growth, guided by the values that reflect God's character.

When we prioritize becoming who God created us to be, we find that our actions and decisions naturally align with His will. This alignment brings a sense of peace and fulfillment, as we are no longer striving for external achievements but are instead growing in our relationship with God and others. This journey of becoming is ongoing and requires us to continually seek God's guidance and wisdom. [36:40]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to align your actions and decisions with the person God created you to be?

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Day 2: Clarifying Your Values**

Clarifying your values is essential for setting boundaries that guide your actions and decisions. Values act as a compass, helping you navigate through life's complexities and challenges. For example, the value of "nothing off limits" in relationships promotes open and honest communication, which is essential for integrity. When you have clear values, you can say yes to what is good and no to what is not, shaping your journey towards your true destination.

Values are not just abstract concepts; they are practical tools that influence your daily life. By identifying and committing to your values, you create a framework for making decisions that are consistent with your beliefs and goals. This clarity helps you stay focused on your path and avoid distractions that can lead you astray. [39:56]

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

Reflection: What are your core values, and how do they influence your daily decisions and actions?

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Day 3: Jesus' Values and Our Destination**

Jesus had a clear destination—Jerusalem—where He fulfilled His purpose of seeking and saving the lost. His journey was guided by values like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These values are the boundaries that help us live in the rhythm of the kingdom of heaven. By adopting these values, we can navigate our own journeys with the same wisdom and grace that Jesus demonstrated.

Living according to Jesus' values requires intentionality and commitment. It means making choices that reflect His character, even when it is difficult or counter-cultural. As we strive to embody these values, we become more like Jesus and can better fulfill our own God-given purposes. [45:40]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Which of Jesus' values do you find most challenging to live out, and how can you begin to incorporate it more fully into your life today?

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Day 4: Living the Life of Heaven Now**

God invites us to live the life of heaven on earth by adopting the values of His kingdom. This means trusting in the finished work of Jesus and allowing His values to shape our lives. By doing so, we can experience the joy, peace, and fulfillment that come from living according to God's design. Living the life of heaven now involves a daily commitment to align our actions and attitudes with the principles of God's kingdom.

This transformative way of living not only impacts our personal lives but also influences those around us. As we embody the values of the kingdom, we become a reflection of God's love and grace to others. This ripple effect can lead to a more just, compassionate, and loving community. [51:34]

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: How can you intentionally live out the values of God's kingdom in your interactions with others today?

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Day 5: Impact of Wise Decisions**

The decisions we make today, based on our values and destination, have a profound impact on our future and the community around us. Ten years ago, leaders at Active Church made value-based decisions that have resulted in the vibrant, inclusive community we have today. Our choices can similarly shape a better future for ourselves and others. By making wise decisions rooted in our values, we can create a positive and lasting impact.

Every decision, no matter how small, contributes to the larger picture of our lives and the lives of those around us. When we choose to act with integrity, kindness, and wisdom, we set a foundation for a future that reflects God's kingdom. This not only benefits us personally but also helps build a stronger, more loving community. [01:07:51]

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that aligns with your values and has the potential to positively impact your future and your community?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome to Active Church! If you're new, please visit Guest Central for a free gift and consider joining us for the next 90 days to experience the transformative power of being part of our community. Today, we continue our series, "The Way of the Wise," focusing on the importance of knowing your destination in life. Just as driving directions help us reach our physical destinations, knowing our spiritual and personal destinations helps us navigate life more effectively.

We often think of our destination as a specific place or achievement, but wise people understand that the true destination is about becoming the person God created us to be. This involves clarifying our values, which in turn set the boundaries for our actions and decisions. For example, one of my personal values is "nothing off limits," which means open and honest communication in my relationships. This value helps me stay on the path to becoming a man of integrity.

Jesus provides a perfect model for this. His destination was Jerusalem, where He fulfilled His purpose of seeking and saving the lost. Along the way, His values—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—guided His actions. These are the same values we are invited to adopt as followers of Jesus.

By clarifying our values and living according to them, we can navigate life's challenges with wisdom and grace. This not only impacts our personal lives but also our community. Ten years ago, leaders at Active Church made decisions based on their values, and today we see the fruits of those decisions in our vibrant, inclusive community.

As we move forward, let's name our destination, clarify our values, and start living in the direction of our destination. This will not only transform our lives but also the lives of those around us. Let's take communion to remember the sacrifice of Jesus, which makes all of this possible, and commit to living in the rhythm of the kingdom of heaven.

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Key Takeaways

1. control. These values are the boundaries that help us live in the rhythm of the kingdom of heaven. [45:40]
4. Living the Life of Heaven Now: God invites us to live the life of heaven on earth by adopting the values of His kingdom. This means trusting in the finished work of Jesus and allowing His values to shape our lives. By doing so, we can experience the joy, peace, and fulfillment that come from living according to God's design.

5. Impact of Wise Decisions: The decisions we make today, based on our values and destination, have a profound impact on our future and the community around us. Ten years ago, leaders at Active Church made value-based decisions that have resulted in the vibrant, inclusive community we have today. Our choices can similarly shape a better future for ourselves and others.

### [45:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:42] - Introduction and Guest Central
[28:35] - Prayer and Gratitude
[29:15] - The Gift of Driving Directions
[31:51] - Vacation Mike and Knowing the Destination
[33:04] - The Way of the Wise Series
[33:52] - Direction Determines Destination
[35:08] - What's Your Destination?
[36:40] - Becoming the Person God Created You to Be
[39:56] - Clarifying Your Values
[45:40] - Jesus' Values and Our Destination
[51:34] - Living the Life of Heaven Now
[54:38] - Self-Control and Its Components
[59:29] - Jesus' Destination and Purpose
[67:51] - Impact of Wise Decisions
[69:50] - Communion and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the nine attributes listed as the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23?
According to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, what are some characteristics of love?
In Luke 9:51, where was Jesus determined to go, and why is this significant? [59:29]

Interpretation Questions

How do the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 serve as boundaries for our actions and decisions? [45:40]
Why is it important to clarify our values, and how does this help us navigate life's challenges? [39:56]
How did Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and His values guide His actions and decisions? What can we learn from His example? [59:29]

Application Questions

Reflect on the nine attributes of the fruit of the Spirit. Which one do you find most challenging to exhibit in your daily life, and why? [45:40]
Think about a recent situation where you had to make a difficult decision. How did your values influence your choice? If you didn't consider your values, how might the outcome have been different? [39:56]
Jesus had a clear destination and values that guided Him. What is your personal destination, and what values will help you reach it? [59:29]
Identify one value that you want to clarify and live by more intentionally. What practical steps can you take this week to align your actions with this value? [39:56]
How can you incorporate the fruit of the Spirit into your interactions with others, especially in challenging situations? Share a specific example. [45:40]
Reflect on the impact of wise decisions made by leaders at Active Church ten years ago. How can your current decisions shape a better future for yourself and your community? [01:07:51]
During communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice. How does this act of remembrance inspire you to live according to the values of the kingdom of heaven? [01:09:50]

Sermon Clips

1. "And so I love, I love knowing where I'm going because I've learned that when I know the destination, when I know where I'm headed, I can enjoy the journey. I can appreciate all that's happening leading up to that. And there is power in that statement, friends. And I want to tease out the power in that statement for you today. We're in week two of a series called The Way of the Wise because I want to be wise and I'm assuming that you want to be wise." [32:25] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Your direction, not your good intentions, determine your destination. Meaning that you can have all the good intentions you want, but it doesn't necessarily lead you to anywhere good. Because good intentions stay within you. You want it to be good. You long for it to be good. But what we learned last week is that wise people take their good intentions and they participate in good action." [33:52] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Wise people don't make their destination a place. It's not about arriving for them. But instead, wise people focus on the person that they're choosing to become. Instead of going, I want to get to that place, in that time, in that season of life, wise people go, I want to be the type of person that can appreciate, and be grateful, and be powerful, and effective, and make the most of every opportunity, leading up to, and at that destination." [36:40] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When you decide, instead of trying to arrive at a place but become the type of person that God created you to be, then you will find yourself handling those situations that can be overwhelming and frustrating. The bill paying and the kid raising and the marriages and the dating and the relationships and the work. You'll find yourself in those situations being led with wisdom because you know the type of person that you want to be." [38:23] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When you clarify your values, it does something really important in your life. Values determine boundaries. It shapes what you will say yes to and what you will say no to. If you've been around active for a while, you've heard me talk about one of the values that my wife and I have in our home and in our marriage. If you haven't been around for a while, one of the things that we, from the very beginning of our dating life, one of the things that we named was that we wanted to be in a relationship where there was nothing off limits." [39:56] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "If you're choosing to follow Jesus or if you're considering following Jesus one of the greatest things of all the things that God does through the person and work of Jesus is that Jesus invites us when we choose to follow him to value what he values to allow what he values to be the boundaries of our life so that we would know the destination where he is leading us." [44:17] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The fruit of the spirit is love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control and against such things there is no law that last part just for clarity that last part that Paul drops in there what he's saying to the reader the first audience and to you and I is this that God doesn't need a law to behave himself and so these things aren't done by God because there's a law that says he has to do this this is who God naturally is." [45:40] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "God's work is completed and finished and now he's inviting you to trust in this work he's inviting you to be confident in this work and so if you find yourself especially as a follower of Jesus a little wonky a little crazy a little like vacation Mike there is grace for you because you're learning to trust God and you're learning to trust God and you're following the way of Jesus that is finished and complete and he's inviting you to trust him take this step and then take that step and then take this next step this is how God works in our lives." [47:11] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Self-control has three components to it the first component is mouth control you have self-control when you have mouth control right because your words carry great weight with certain people your words can be powerful in certain situations and those who are wise understand that they understand the weight of their words they understand the tone of their words they understand their posture they understand their they understand timing and they understand trust." [54:38] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Jesus came to do a good work and the good work that Jesus came to do was to make us right with God not from anything that you can do but from everything that he can do through the cross and the resurrection this is the work of Jesus in fact one of the writers in the document of Hebrews in the New Testament put it this way for the joy set before Jesus he endeared the cross he went to the cross went through the cross died on the cross for the joy set before him and you might ask well what's the joy set before him you you because he came to bring you back to God." [01:02:56] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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