Seeking God: The Giver of Healing and Hope
Summary
In our gathering tonight, we have come together to glorify and honor the name of our Lord, acknowledging His greatness and the countless blessings He has bestowed upon us. We have lifted our voices and hearts in worship, expressing our gratitude for His undeserved love and the hope He has given us. Our commitment is to give Him all the glory, honor, and praise for the things He has done in our lives. We recognize that our help comes from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, who is our refuge and fortress. He is the one who preserves us from all evil and keeps us under His protection.
We have also sought the presence of the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts and this place, asking for a fresh infilling that we may not leave unchanged. We have acknowledged our shortcomings, asking for forgiveness for the times we have neglected our relationship with Him. Despite our failures, we are reminded of His unwavering faithfulness and His promise to never leave or forsake us. Our prayer is for a deeper walk with Him, growing in knowledge and trust.
Tonight, we are not merely seeking His gifts but seeking Him, the Giver. We are reminded that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is our Savior, Healer, and Deliverer. In moments of fear and doubt, we are encouraged to lift our eyes and faith to Him, trusting that He will touch and make us whole. His presence is here, and He is ready to heal and deliver those who reach out in faith.
As we conclude, we are reminded of the power of His name, Jesus, and the joy and deliverance it brings. We are encouraged to whisper His name, adore Him, and trust in His unchanging nature. His presence is rich among us, and we are invited to place our burdens and sicknesses before Him, believing in His power to heal and deliver.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Greatness of God: We are called to recognize and glorify the greatness of God, acknowledging His undeserved love and the hope He provides. Our worship is an expression of gratitude for His blessings and a commitment to give Him all the glory. [08:12]
2. God's Unchanging Nature: Despite our failures and moments of doubt, God remains faithful. He promises to never leave or forsake us, reminding us of His unchanging nature and the importance of deepening our relationship with Him. [23:25]
3. Seeking the Giver, Not Just the Gifts: Our focus should be on seeking God Himself, not just His gifts. Jesus is our Savior, Healer, and Deliverer, and our relationship with Him should be our priority. [31:23]
4. Faith in Times of Doubt: In moments of fear and doubt, we are encouraged to lift our eyes and faith to Jesus, trusting that He will touch and make us whole. His presence is with us, ready to heal and deliver. [34:52]
5. The Power of Jesus' Name: The name of Jesus holds power, bringing joy and deliverance. We are invited to whisper His name, adore Him, and trust in His ability to heal and deliver us from our burdens. [47:05]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[08:12] - Glorifying God's Greatness
[15:06] - Seeking God's Presence
[16:34] - Acknowledging Our Shortcomings
[18:49] - Trusting in God's Protection
[23:25] - Deepening Our Walk with God
[31:23] - Seeking the Giver
[34:52] - Faith in Times of Doubt
[39:24] - Jesus' Unchanging Nature
[44:03] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[47:05] - Adoration and Trust
[49:46] - Whispering His Name
[54:52] - Healing and Deliverance
[55:52] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 121:1-8
2. Hebrews 13:8
3. Psalm 91:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Psalm 121, where does our help come from, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on God as our refuge and fortress? [18:49]
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of Jesus, and how is this supported by Hebrews 13:8? [39:24]
3. In the sermon, what are the specific actions or attitudes we are encouraged to take when facing fear and doubt? [34:52]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in our lives according to the sermon, and how is this reflected in the Bible passages? [15:06]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for God to be our refuge and fortress, and how can this understanding impact our daily lives? [18:49]
2. How does the unchanging nature of Jesus provide comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty? [39:24]
3. Why is it important to seek the Giver rather than just His gifts, and how can this shift in focus deepen our relationship with God? [31:23]
4. How can the power of Jesus' name bring joy and deliverance in our personal struggles? [47:05]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent time when you felt overwhelmed. How can the promise of God as your refuge and fortress change your perspective in similar situations? [18:49]
2. In what ways can you remind yourself of Jesus' unchanging nature when you face challenges this week? [39:24]
3. Identify one area in your life where you have been seeking God's gifts more than God Himself. What steps can you take to refocus on your relationship with Him? [31:23]
4. When fear and doubt arise, what practical steps can you take to lift your eyes and faith to Jesus? [34:52]
5. Think of a situation where you need healing or deliverance. How can you actively trust in the power of Jesus' name to bring about change? [47:05]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of whispering Jesus' name into your daily routine as a way to invite His presence and peace? [49:46]
7. Consider a time when you neglected your relationship with God. What changes can you make to ensure you prioritize your walk with Him moving forward? [23:25]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Recognizing God's Greatness
In our lives, we are often surrounded by the noise and distractions of the world, which can make it easy to overlook the greatness of God. Yet, it is crucial to pause and acknowledge His majesty and the countless blessings He has bestowed upon us. Our worship is not just a ritual but an expression of deep gratitude for His undeserved love and the hope He provides. By glorifying God, we align our hearts with His purpose and commit to giving Him all the glory for the things He has done in our lives. This recognition is not just about acknowledging His power but also about understanding the depth of His love and the hope He instills in us. [08:12]
Psalm 145:3-5 (ESV): "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate."
Reflection: What specific blessings in your life can you attribute to God's greatness, and how can you express your gratitude for them today?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Unchanging Nature
Life is filled with uncertainties, and our own failures can often lead us to doubt. However, God's nature is unchanging, and His faithfulness is unwavering. Despite our shortcomings, He promises to never leave or forsake us. This assurance invites us to deepen our relationship with Him, growing in knowledge and trust. By focusing on His steadfastness, we can find peace and strength in times of trouble, knowing that He is always with us, guiding and protecting us. [23:25]
Hebrews 13:8-9 (ESV): "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God's unchanging nature, and how can you actively remind yourself of His faithfulness today?
Day 3: Seeking the Giver, Not Just the Gifts
In our spiritual journey, it is easy to become focused on the blessings and gifts we receive from God, rather than on God Himself. However, the true essence of our faith lies in seeking a deeper relationship with the Giver, not just His gifts. Jesus is our Savior, Healer, and Deliverer, and our priority should be to know Him more intimately. By shifting our focus from the gifts to the Giver, we open ourselves to a more profound and fulfilling spiritual experience, rooted in love and devotion. [31:23]
James 1:17-18 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."
Reflection: How can you prioritize your relationship with God over the blessings you seek, and what steps can you take today to deepen your connection with Him?
Day 4: Faith in Times of Doubt
Fear and doubt are natural human emotions, but they can hinder our spiritual growth if left unchecked. In moments of uncertainty, we are encouraged to lift our eyes and faith to Jesus, trusting that He will touch and make us whole. His presence is always with us, ready to heal and deliver those who reach out in faith. By focusing on His promises and power, we can overcome our fears and doubts, finding strength and courage in His unwavering love. [34:52]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What specific fears or doubts are you facing today, and how can you actively place your trust in Jesus to overcome them?
Day 5: The Power of Jesus' Name
The name of Jesus holds immense power, bringing joy, healing, and deliverance to those who call upon it. We are invited to whisper His name, adore Him, and trust in His ability to heal and deliver us from our burdens. By embracing the power of His name, we can experience the fullness of His presence and the transformative impact it has on our lives. This act of faith not only strengthens our relationship with Him but also empowers us to face life's challenges with confidence and hope. [47:05]
Acts 4:12 (ESV): "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the power of Jesus' name into your daily life, and what burdens can you lay before Him today, trusting in His ability to deliver you?
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Quotes
1) "He shall preserve each one of you Keep each one of you In his hand he carries you Into the land of Israel Tonight, dear Jesus Again we tell you how much we love you And trust you For you declared, I shall love you never leave I shall never forsake forgive us for the times we have forgotten that promise forgive us for the time we have forgotten you even the times we have forgotten you yet you've said in your words yea ye may forget me but I shall never forget these sayeth the Lord thank you for never having forgotten thank you not for getting us forgive forgive each one of us for the times we did not pray forgive the times we walked away from you forgive us for the times we've neglected time with you you forgive us for the times we've forgotten your love and doubted and questioned even your love thank you for being faithful to us and i pray that our walk with you will deepen increase in knowledge increase increase in your knowledge and i pray wonderful jesus that every person in the stadium will get closer and closer to you and father and father from this world and themselves i will trust in you" [23:25] (145 seconds)
2) "He still is, saints He has not changed And Hebrews declares He is the same yesterday Today and forever The same Lord Word. You're a blessed Redeemer, living Word. Everyone standing, please. Everyone standing. you. We adore you. Glorify your name. Glorify your name in all the earth. Jesus. We love you. We praise you. We adore you. Glorify your blessed name. Glorify Your Name in all the earth Your name Glorify Your name In all the earth The earth In Jesus' mighty name Wonderful Jesus, tonight we're not seeking salvation We're seeking You, the Savior We're not seeking healing, we're seeking You, the Healer We're not seeking deliverance, we are seeking You, our Deliverer You are the I AM And tonight all we need is You, blessed Jesus All we need is You Eyes closed" [34:52] (60 seconds)
3) "The one who walked the dusty roads of Jerusalem has not changed. The one who walked around the Sea of Galilee has not changed. The same precious Master whom Peter called the harmless, gentle has not changed. Jesus of Galilee is the same. And He'll touch you. He'll touch you tonight like He touched so many before. He'll heal you tonight if you only reach out in simple faith and ask Him to heal you. Lift your hands to Him and whisper His name. He still answers prayer. He still rescues and delivers. He is not changed. And when He touches someone, they always cry me. Oh, the joy. Oh, the joy. Oh, the joy. Oh, the joy. Oh, the joy. now I know I know he has been and has been before And he's the Savior I know I know soul With hands uplifted just to whisper Jesus Jesus Out in the name of Jesus Jesus He in his mighty voice Jesus Delivers in that mighty voice Jesus He's the Savior He's the Savior My soul He's the Savior He's the Savior He's the Savior My soul Every one of us is aware tonight of the fact That you are the son of the highest You're the best The Son of the Living God, able to save, able to deliver. Whisper that precious name. Adore Him. Love Him. Hallelujah. There's none like you. No. Hallelujah." [49:46] (60 seconds)