Shaping Our Future: Purpose, Gratitude, and Growth
Summary
In these uncertain times, it's crucial to actively shape our future selves rather than drift aimlessly. By setting short-term goals, like a 100-day plan, we can navigate the unpredictability of life. I've been sharing six biblical habits that have helped me through tough times, and today, we focus on two more: keeping our purpose firm and maintaining a grateful heart.
Keeping our purpose firm is essential, especially during massive changes. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us that God grants perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and trust in Him. Knowing God's purposes for our lives provides the tenacity and resilience needed to endure hard times. These qualities are vital for success, regardless of the field. Tenacity is the ability to persist when you feel like giving up, while resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Anchoring our lives in God's eternal purposes ensures we develop these traits.
As parents, it's crucial to model and teach tenacity and resilience to our children. The world often seeks to weaken their spirit and character, but by being purpose-driven families, we can pass on a legacy of strength and faith. Even if you're the first believer in your family, you can start a chain reaction of godliness for future generations.
The fourth habit is keeping our hearts grateful. Gratitude is a powerful antidote to discouragement and cynicism. When we face unmet needs, we should request God's help with a thankful heart. Gratitude and praise are essential during tough times, as they remind us of God's strength, unchanging plans, and the ongoing transformation in our lives. Spiritual growth is a gradual process, and we must be patient with ourselves as God shapes us into the people He created us to be.
Baptism is a symbol of spiritual change and gratitude. It's a public commitment to follow Christ and a powerful step in shaping our future selves. If you haven't been baptized, I encourage you to take this step today. It's a declaration of your faith and a commitment to becoming the person God intends you to be.
Key Takeaways:
- Keep Your Purpose Firm: In times of change, anchoring your life in God's eternal purposes provides tenacity and resilience. These qualities are essential for enduring hard times and achieving success in any field. [06:31]
- Model Tenacity and Resilience: As parents, it's vital to teach these traits to your children. By being a purpose-driven family, you can pass on a legacy of strength and faith to future generations. [08:57]
- Gratitude as an Antidote: Gratitude and praise are powerful antidotes to discouragement and cynicism. They remind us of God's strength, unchanging plans, and the ongoing transformation in our lives. [22:31]
- Spiritual Growth is Gradual: Be patient with yourself as God shapes you into the person He created you to be. Spiritual growth is a slow process, but God is faithful to complete the work He started in you. [31:22]
- Baptism as a Commitment: Baptism is a public declaration of your faith and a commitment to follow Christ. It's a powerful step in shaping your future self and aligning with God's purposes. [39:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Setting Short-Term Goals
- [00:37] - Six Biblical Habits
- [01:05] - Theme Verse: Colossians 2:6
- [01:20] - First Two Habits Recap
- [03:26] - Third Habit: Keep Your Purpose Firm
- [05:03] - Tenacity and Resilience
- [07:39] - Teaching Tenacity to Children
- [10:19] - God's Five Purposes
- [14:26] - Reaffirming Commitment to God's Purposes
- [20:53] - Fourth Habit: Keep Your Heart Grateful
- [23:52] - Gratitude in Unmet Needs
- [26:05] - Reasons for Gratitude
- [31:22] - Spiritual Growth is Gradual
- [39:22] - Baptism as a Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
2. Colossians 2:6 - "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him."
3. Philippians 4:6 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Isaiah 26:3, what is the condition for receiving perfect peace from God? How does this relate to keeping our purpose firm? [03:49]
2. In Colossians 2:6, what does it mean to "continue to live your lives in him"? How does this relate to the idea of setting short-term goals? [01:05]
3. How does Philippians 4:6 suggest we approach God with our needs, and what role does gratitude play in this process? [24:19]
4. What are the two qualities mentioned in the sermon that are essential for success, and how are they developed according to the pastor? [05:03]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might keeping one's purpose firm, as mentioned in Isaiah 26:3, help someone navigate massive changes in life? What are some practical ways to anchor one's life in God's eternal purposes? [06:31]
2. The sermon emphasizes modeling tenacity and resilience to children. How can parents effectively teach these traits to their children in today's culture? [08:57]
3. In what ways can gratitude serve as an antidote to discouragement and cynicism, especially during tough times? How does this align with Philippians 4:6? [22:31]
4. The pastor mentioned that spiritual growth is a gradual process. How can understanding this help someone be patient with themselves during their spiritual journey? [31:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent time of change or uncertainty in your life. How did you keep your purpose firm, and what could you do differently next time to anchor yourself more in God's purposes? [06:31]
2. Identify one way you can model tenacity and resilience to your children or younger people in your life this week. What specific actions will you take to demonstrate these qualities? [08:57]
3. Think of a situation where you felt discouraged or cynical. How can you incorporate gratitude into your daily routine to combat these feelings? What are three things you are grateful for today? [22:31]
4. Consider your current spiritual growth. What is one area where you need to be more patient with yourself, and how can you remind yourself that growth is a gradual process? [31:22]
5. If you haven't been baptized, what is holding you back from taking this step? How can you overcome these barriers and make a public commitment to your faith? [39:22]
6. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on God's purposes. What steps can you take this week to minimize or eliminate this distraction? [19:34]
7. Choose one of God's five purposes for your life mentioned in the sermon. What is one practical step you can take this week to align more closely with this purpose? [12:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Anchoring in God's Eternal Purposes
In times of change, it is essential to anchor your life in God's eternal purposes. This anchoring provides the tenacity and resilience needed to endure hard times and achieve success in any field. Tenacity is the ability to persist when you feel like giving up, while resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks. By knowing God's purposes for your life, you gain the strength to face challenges with confidence and hope. This foundation is not only crucial for personal growth but also for setting an example for others, especially your children, as you model a life of purpose and faith. [06:31]
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
Reflection: What specific purpose do you believe God has for your life right now, and how can you anchor yourself more firmly in it today?
Day 2: Building a Legacy of Tenacity and Resilience
As parents and leaders, it is vital to teach tenacity and resilience to your children. The world often seeks to weaken their spirit and character, but by being a purpose-driven family, you can pass on a legacy of strength and faith to future generations. Even if you are the first believer in your family, you have the opportunity to start a chain reaction of godliness. By modeling these traits, you equip your children to face life's challenges with courage and determination, ensuring they grow into strong, faith-filled individuals. [08:57]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you intentionally model tenacity and resilience to your children or those you mentor this week?
Day 3: Gratitude as a Source of Strength
Gratitude and praise are powerful antidotes to discouragement and cynicism. When you face unmet needs, approaching God with a thankful heart reminds you of His strength, unchanging plans, and the ongoing transformation in your life. Gratitude shifts your focus from what is lacking to what is present, fostering a spirit of contentment and joy. This practice not only uplifts your spirit but also strengthens your faith, enabling you to navigate life's challenges with a positive outlook. [22:31]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: What are three things you can thank God for today, even amidst challenges, and how can this gratitude change your perspective?
Day 4: Embracing the Journey of Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth is a gradual process, and it is important to be patient with yourself as God shapes you into the person He created you to be. This journey requires trust in God's faithfulness to complete the work He started in you. As you grow, you will encounter challenges and setbacks, but these are opportunities for growth and refinement. Embrace the process, knowing that each step brings you closer to the fullness of who you are meant to be in Christ. [31:22]
2 Peter 3:18 (ESV): "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to exercise more patience with yourself as you grow spiritually, and how can you trust God more in this process?
Day 5: Baptism as a Declaration of Faith
Baptism is a public declaration of your faith and a commitment to follow Christ. It symbolizes spiritual change and gratitude, marking a powerful step in shaping your future self and aligning with God's purposes. This act of obedience is a testament to your desire to live a life that reflects God's love and truth. If you have not yet taken this step, consider the significance of baptism in your spiritual journey and how it can deepen your relationship with God. [39:22]
Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: If you have been baptized, how can you live out the commitment you made? If not, what is holding you back from taking this step, and how can you seek God's guidance in this decision?
Quotes
You Lord give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you. This is the third habit for handling hard times: keep your purpose firm. Would you like to have peace on hard times? Then keep your purpose firm. [00:03:57]
Knowing your purpose—why you do what you do—is the secret to two very important qualities that you have to have in your life if you're going to succeed in life. Those two absolutely essential qualities are tenacity and resilience. [00:04:51]
Focusing on God's purposes for your life will produce tenacity and resilience. When I find people who give up and don't know how to bounce back, they've lost their purpose. Now in your life, this is the third habit to make it through hard times: keep your purpose firm. [00:06:04]
As parents, you're gonna have to model and you're going to have to teach tenacity and resilience to your kids, or sadly, they're not going to make it in life because the world wants to take your kids down. The world wants to destroy, wants to weaken, wants to make your kids be impoverished in spirit and in character. [00:07:37]
If you as parents model tenacity—okay, keep it on keeping on when you feel like giving up—and resilience, bouncing back when you've been put down, if you model those two things because you have your purpose firm, you're gonna model it for your kids. They'll learn it and you know what? They'll pass it on to their kids, your grandkids. [00:08:36]
Gratitude and praise are antidotes to discouragement. When you get discouraged, gratitude and praise are antidotes. That's great. You can't be grateful and depressed at the same time because gratitude destroys depression. [00:22:31]
When you make that request, you request it with a grateful heart. God, I'm grateful for everything you've already done, but here's what I really need right now. I need your help right now, but I'm so grateful you've helped me in the past. I know you're going to help me in the future. [00:23:52]
We are grateful even in tough times because God will give us the strength to get through that hard time. We know he's going to give us the strength to make it through the heart, so you can be grateful that even though you're going through a hard time, God's going to give you the strength to get through it. [00:25:44]
Our lives are being changed little by little, inch by inch, step by step, day at a time. It's not instant change; it is gradual, but it is consistent. What God started in your life, he's going to finish. He's not going to take you halfway there; he's going to take you all the way. [00:29:50]
Spiritual growth is a slow process. There's no pill you can take that you're instantly mature. There's no event you can go to, no experience you can have, no book you can read that's going to bring you to instant maturity. Fruit ripens slowly; it doesn't ripen instantly. [00:31:22]
The symbol for spiritual change and gratitude to God for that spiritual change—you know what that symbol is? It's baptism. And Romans 6 gives us the true meaning of baptism. Look at this verse there on your outline. Romans 6 verse 3 in the message paraphrase: This is what happens in baptism. [00:39:22]
Anytime you want to see a big change or a major change in your life, you need to start it with some kind of dramatic step that says, okay, I'm all in. It's a symbol. I'm all in. Something that drives a stake in the ground, a public commitment of some kind. [00:43:35]
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