Preparing for 2025: Faith, Gratitude, and Purpose
Summary
As we stand on the brink of a new season, it's essential to prepare our minds and hearts for what lies ahead. Reflecting on the past, we see that preparation often leads to better outcomes, and this principle holds true in our spiritual journey as well. As we anticipate the promises of 2025, we must allow ourselves to expect and get excited about what God has in store. This preparation involves adopting a mindset of faith and gratitude, much like Joshua, Caleb, and Paul, who saw themselves as more than conquerors because they knew the Lord was with them.
The story of the ten spies serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of a negative mindset. While all twelve spies saw the same land, only Joshua and Caleb focused on God's promise rather than the giants. Similarly, Paul, even while imprisoned, maintained a mindset that saw purpose in his circumstances. He wore his prison chains like a chain of office, understanding that his situation was part of God's plan. This mindset allowed him to be effective in his mission, regardless of his circumstances.
As we move forward, it's crucial to ground ourselves in the Word of God and maintain a heart of gratitude. Romans 10:17 reminds us that faith comes by hearing the Word, and gratitude increases our faith. By setting our minds on these truths, we prepare ourselves to step out in faith when our moment comes. We must decide ahead of time to adopt a heavenly mindset, recognizing that God is our way maker and that there is always more ahead of us in Christ.
In 2025, we are called to be active participants in God's mission, sharing the gospel and leading others to Christ. This requires a mindset shift, where we see ourselves as sent by Christ, much like Paul. We must be ready to engage with the world around us, understanding that God has placed us in our current situations for a purpose. By adopting a mindset of faith over fear and gratitude over grumbling, we position ourselves to receive the fullness of God's promises.
Key Takeaways:
1. Preparation and Expectation: As we prepare for 2025, we must allow ourselves to expect and get excited about what God has in store. Preparation often leads to better outcomes, and this principle applies to our spiritual journey as well. By setting our minds on God's promises, we position ourselves to step out in faith when our moment comes. [02:13]
2. Mindset Matters: The story of the ten spies highlights the importance of mindset. While all twelve spies saw the same land, only Joshua and Caleb focused on God's promise rather than the giants. Similarly, Paul maintained a mindset that saw purpose in his circumstances, allowing him to be effective in his mission. [04:35]
3. Gratitude and Faith: Gratitude increases our faith, and faith comes by hearing the Word of God. By grounding ourselves in these truths, we prepare ourselves to step out in faith when our moment comes. A heart of gratitude and a mindset grounded in the Word are essential for spiritual growth. [08:10]
4. Purpose in Every Situation: Paul saw purpose in his imprisonment, understanding that his situation was part of God's plan. We must adopt a similar mindset, recognizing that God has placed us in our current situations for a purpose. By seeing our circumstances as opportunities for God's work, we align ourselves with His mission. [28:07]
5. Active Participation in God's Mission: In 2025, we are called to be active participants in God's mission, sharing the gospel and leading others to Christ. This requires a mindset shift, where we see ourselves as sent by Christ, much like Paul. By adopting a mindset of faith over fear and gratitude over grumbling, we position ourselves to receive the fullness of God's promises. [20:59]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Preparing for a New Season
[02:13] - The Power of Expectation
[03:07] - Lessons from the Spies
[04:35] - Choosing the Right Mindset
[07:27] - Faithfulness and Future Promises
[08:10] - Gratitude and Faith
[09:29] - Grounded in the Word
[11:17] - Reflecting on Past Lessons
[12:56] - Learning as Worship
[14:33] - Paul's Mindset
[16:48] - Moving Between Worlds
[18:18] - Purpose in Every Situation
[20:59] - Active Participation in God's Mission
[24:31] - Paul's Heavenly Disposition
[26:34] - Applying Paul's Mindset
[28:07] - Chains of Office
[31:08] - Visualizing Purpose
[32:49] - Adopting a Heavenly Mindset
[34:32] - Setting the Mindset for 2025
[39:21] - A Story of Strength and Help
[41:44] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 10:17 - "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
2. Numbers 13:30-33 - The story of the twelve spies, focusing on Joshua and Caleb's faith.
3. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 - Paul's experience of relying on God during trials.
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Observation Questions:
1. What mindset did Joshua and Caleb have that set them apart from the other ten spies? How did this mindset affect their actions? [03:07]
2. How did Paul view his imprisonment, and what does this reveal about his perspective on his circumstances? [26:34]
3. According to the sermon, what role does gratitude play in increasing our faith? [08:10]
4. How does Paul describe his mission and purpose in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, and how does this relate to his mindset? [18:18]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it important to prepare our minds and hearts for what God has in store for us, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this preparation impact our spiritual journey? [02:13]
2. In what ways can adopting a mindset of faith over fear and gratitude over grumbling position us to receive God's promises? [20:59]
3. How does Paul's ability to see purpose in his imprisonment challenge our understanding of difficult situations in our own lives? [28:07]
4. What does it mean to be an active participant in God's mission, and how can we apply this to our daily lives? [24:31]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenging situation. How did your mindset affect the outcome, and what can you learn from Joshua and Caleb's example? [03:07]
2. Identify a current situation where you feel stuck or imprisoned. How can you adopt Paul's mindset to find purpose and meaning in this situation? [26:34]
3. What are some practical ways you can ground yourself in the Word of God to increase your faith, as suggested in Romans 10:17? [08:10]
4. How can you actively participate in sharing the gospel and leading others to Christ in your community? What steps can you take to prepare for this mission? [24:31]
5. Consider an area of your life where you struggle with gratitude. What specific actions can you take to cultivate a heart of gratitude in that area? [08:10]
6. Think about a relationship or situation where you feel overwhelmed. How can you rely on God's strength, as illustrated in the story of the boy and the rock? [40:11]
7. As we approach 2025, what expectations do you have for your spiritual journey, and how can you prepare your heart and mind for what God has in store? [02:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Power of Expectation
As we stand on the brink of a new season, it's crucial to prepare our minds and hearts for what lies ahead. Reflecting on the past, we see that preparation often leads to better outcomes, and this principle holds true in our spiritual journey as well. By setting our minds on God's promises, we position ourselves to step out in faith when our moment comes. This preparation involves adopting a mindset of faith and gratitude, much like Joshua, Caleb, and Paul, who saw themselves as more than conquerors because they knew the Lord was with them. As we anticipate the promises of 2025, we must allow ourselves to expect and get excited about what God has in store. [02:13]
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: What specific promise of God are you excited about for the upcoming year, and how can you actively prepare your heart and mind to receive it?
Day 2: Cultivate a Mindset of Faith
The story of the ten spies serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of a negative mindset. While all twelve spies saw the same land, only Joshua and Caleb focused on God's promise rather than the giants. Similarly, Paul, even while imprisoned, maintained a mindset that saw purpose in his circumstances. He wore his prison chains like a chain of office, understanding that his situation was part of God's plan. This mindset allowed him to be effective in his mission, regardless of his circumstances. Choosing the right mindset is crucial for spiritual growth and effectiveness in God's mission. [04:35]
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a current challenge in your life. How can you shift your perspective to see it through the lens of faith and God's promises?
Day 3: Gratitude as a Catalyst for Faith
Gratitude increases our faith, and faith comes by hearing the Word of God. By grounding ourselves in these truths, we prepare ourselves to step out in faith when our moment comes. A heart of gratitude and a mindset grounded in the Word are essential for spiritual growth. Romans 10:17 reminds us that faith comes by hearing the Word, and gratitude increases our faith. By setting our minds on these truths, we prepare ourselves to step out in faith when our moment comes. [08:10]
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: What are three things you are grateful for today, and how can you express this gratitude to God and others in a tangible way?
Day 4: Discover Purpose in Every Situation
Paul saw purpose in his imprisonment, understanding that his situation was part of God's plan. We must adopt a similar mindset, recognizing that God has placed us in our current situations for a purpose. By seeing our circumstances as opportunities for God's work, we align ourselves with His mission. This perspective allows us to find meaning and purpose in every situation, knowing that God is at work in and through us. [28:07]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a difficult situation you are currently facing. How might God be using this situation for His purpose, and how can you align yourself with His work?
Day 5: Engage Actively in God's Mission
In 2025, we are called to be active participants in God's mission, sharing the gospel and leading others to Christ. This requires a mindset shift, where we see ourselves as sent by Christ, much like Paul. By adopting a mindset of faith over fear and gratitude over grumbling, we position ourselves to receive the fullness of God's promises. We must be ready to engage with the world around us, understanding that God has placed us in our current situations for a purpose. [20:59]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can share the love of Christ with this week, and what specific steps will you take to engage with them?
Quotes
"I've noticed in life that especially now that I am older, whether it be school or work or family or sports or food, especially food, but whatever, I've noticed that the longer the preparation time, usually the better the results, and we have been preparing for a while, and it's okay to expect again." [00:02:13] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"All 12, all 12 saw the grapes, but 10 of them focused on the giants. And they said, we are like grasshoppers in our own sight. Grasshoppers. Grasshoppers. Like, what a bad, terrible mindset. We are like grasshoppers, especially for a child of God. Can you imagine? These were Israelites. These were children of God, and we are like grasshoppers. Can I just go on the record and say, that's a terrible mindset. Don't adopt that one." [00:03:07] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Gratitude increases our faith. So let's continue with the heart of gratitude. In my studies this week, I came across Romans 10 .17, which reveals another way to increase your faith. You might write this down in your notes. It says, when faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." [00:08:10] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Paul was good at meeting the needs of whoever he was with. And I think part of it was because he had set his mind, he had a great mindset. And, and it was set ahead of time. And it was on the most important things. He understood what was most important things. And one of those things was to win souls." [00:20:59] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Paul's mindset was different he saw purpose in the prison he saw purpose in the pain he saw purpose in the situation wherever you're at it's a bad relationship it's something about school or work or whatever he saw purpose God what what might you be up to here and now like is there something going on or am I just supposed to sit here and just whine." [00:28:07]
"When you commit to a heavenly mindset, I'm just going to warn you right now that the flesh will fight back. It'll fight back. It's going to resist. Let me give you two examples from Paul's own journey, and then we'll close." [00:35:40] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"When we work for the Lord, I am a prisoner for the Lord. When we work for the Lord, we work with the Lord. Lord okay and our Lord is amazing he is so good he is so able 2025 it's gonna be pretty special this week we got to hear from our pastors just kind of sharing a little bit kind of like leaked out some things that we're gonna be doing things that were me focused on I'll tell you what it's gonna be special." [00:41:44] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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