Transforming Lives: Embracing God's 'But God' Moments

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Intervention in Our Weakness

When we reach the end of our own strength and resources, God steps in with His power and mercy, transforming our impossible situations into opportunities for hope and victory. No matter how overwhelming the temptation or trial, God is faithful to provide a way out and to sustain us, ensuring we are never left alone in our struggles. His intervention is not just a distant possibility but a present reality for all who call on Him, and He delights in rescuing us when we are at our lowest. Trust that God’s faithfulness will always make a way, even when you cannot see it. [02:58]

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV): “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel completely overwhelmed or powerless? Ask God today to show you the “way of escape” He is providing, and take one step to trust Him in that area.

Day 2: God’s Love and Mercy Bring New Life

God’s love is so great that even when we were spiritually dead and lost in our sins, He intervened with mercy and grace, making us alive together with Christ and offering us salvation as a free gift. This divine turning point is not based on our own efforts but on God’s initiative—He made the first move, reaching out to us in our brokenness and restoring us to Himself. His mercy is rich, His love is unfailing, and His grace is the foundation of our new life in Christ. Let your heart rest in the assurance that you are deeply loved and made alive by God’s grace. [09:03]

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NKJV): “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God’s mercy and love in your life, especially when you felt unworthy? Take a moment to thank Him for making you alive in Christ and consider sharing your story with someone who needs hope.

Day 3: God Turns Evil Into Good

Even when others intend harm or life’s circumstances seem hopeless, God has the power to transform evil into good, using every trial for His greater purpose and our ultimate benefit. The story of Joseph reminds us that God’s timing is perfect and His plans are always for our good, even when we cannot see the outcome. Hold on to the promises God has spoken over your life, trusting that He can redeem every situation and bring about His intended blessing, no matter how dire things may appear. [15:32]

Genesis 50:20 (NKJV): “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Reflection: Think of a time when you faced injustice or hardship. How might God be working behind the scenes to bring good from that situation? Pray for faith to trust His timing and purpose.

Day 4: God Delivers and Protects His People

God is our deliverer, faithfully rescuing us from every affliction and providing protection even in the darkest and most uncertain times. Like David in the wilderness or the Israelites at the Red Sea, we may feel trapped or surrounded by impossible odds, but God’s power is greater than any obstacle. He calls us to stand still, trust Him, and watch as He brings salvation and deliverance in ways we could never imagine. Let your faith rise today, knowing that God is fighting for you and will deliver you from every trial. [20:29]

Psalm 34:19 (NKJV): “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

Reflection: Where do you need God’s deliverance or protection right now? Stand still in faith today and ask God to fight for you, surrendering your fears and anxieties to Him.

Day 5: God’s Unfailing Love and New Beginnings

God’s love for you is unwavering and His mercies are new every morning; He delights in rewriting your story, no matter how broken or hopeless it may seem. Because of His great love, He intervenes in our lives, offering forgiveness, restoration, and a fresh start through Jesus Christ. You are not defined by your past or your failures—God is still writing your story, and He invites you to cast all your cares on Him, trusting that He will bring about a miraculous turnaround. Embrace His love today and believe that your “but God” moment is here. [33:50]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV): “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Reflection: What burden or regret do you need to surrender to God today? Take a step of faith and ask Him to rewrite your story, trusting in His unfailing love and new mercies.

Sermon Summary

Today, we celebrate the vital role of fathers, reflecting on how their calling mirrors the heart of our Heavenly Father. Earthly fathers are called to be anchors of hope, strength, and redemption within their families, just as God steps into our lives with mercy and restoration. The phrase “but God” is a divine turning point throughout Scripture, marking moments when human weakness meets God’s intervention, transforming despair into hope and impossibility into victory. No matter the challenges or failures of the past, God is able to use each of us as instruments of change, rewriting our stories with His unfailing love.

Scripture is filled with “but God” moments—times when God’s faithfulness and mercy break through human limitation. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, we are reminded that God provides a way out of every temptation. Romans 5:8 declares that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, turning condemnation into redemption. Psalm 73:26 assures us that when our strength fails, God becomes the strength of our hearts. These moments are not just ancient history; they are living realities for us today. God delights in restoring hope, bringing strength, and intervening in our lives when we least expect it.

The story of Joseph is a powerful example: betrayed, falsely accused, and imprisoned, yet Joseph could say, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” God’s timing and purpose are always perfect, even when we cannot see the way forward. David, too, endured years of affliction before ascending to the throne, learning to trust God’s plan in the wilderness. The Israelites, trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, witnessed God’s miraculous deliverance when there seemed to be no way out.

Each of us has our own “but God” story—moments when God intervened at our lowest point, bringing salvation, healing, or restoration. God’s intervention is always rooted in His great love and boundless mercy. Even when we were spiritually dead, God made us alive in Christ, not by our own efforts but by His grace. The cross is the ultimate “but God” moment, where Jesus bore our sin and opened the door to new life. No matter what you face, God is not finished with your story. He invites you to trust Him, to cast your cares upon Him, and to believe that He can do the impossible in your life.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s intervention transforms impossibility into hope. When we reach the end of our own strength and resources, God steps in, providing a way where there seems to be none. His “but God” moments are not just for biblical heroes—they are for each of us, right in the midst of our struggles and brokenness. [02:58]
2. The love and mercy of God are the foundation of every turnaround. God does not intervene because of our worthiness, but because of His great love for us. Even when we are at our lowest, His compassion is renewed every morning, and nothing can separate us from His love. [27:22]
3. God’s timing and purpose are perfect, even when we cannot see it. Like Joseph and David, we may endure seasons of hardship and waiting, but God is always at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. Trusting His timing requires faith that He will fulfill what He has promised. [15:32]
4. Our testimonies of God’s intervention are powerful tools of encouragement. Sharing how God has stepped into our lives can inspire hope in others who are struggling with doubt or despair. We are called to let the redeemed of the Lord say so, declaring the goodness and faithfulness of God to those around us. [33:50]
5. God invites us to surrender and trust Him with our stories. When we confess our need and invite Him to intervene, He brings new beginnings, healing, and restoration. No matter how broken or hopeless things may seem, God is able to rewrite the narrative of our lives with His grace and power. [37:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:59] - The Calling and Influence of Fathers
[02:58] - God Heals the Brokenhearted
[07:27] - Ephesians 2: The Ultimate Turning Point
[09:03] - Our Powerlessness and God’s Rescue
[15:32] - Joseph: From Betrayal to Purpose
[18:13] - God Transforms Evil for Good
[20:29] - David’s Wilderness and Deliverance
[22:26] - The Red Sea: God Makes a Way
[27:22] - The Cross: The Greatest “But God” Moment
[33:50] - Sharing Your “But God” Story
[35:01] - God Is Not Finished With You
[37:01] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[38:39] - Prayer for Restoration and Hope
[40:11] - Closing Worship and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:4-5 — But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).

- Genesis 50:20
But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

- Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Observation Questions

In Ephesians 2:4-5, what does Paul say is the reason God intervened in our lives?
According to Genesis 50:20, how did Joseph interpret the harm done to him by his brothers?
In Psalm 73:26, what does the psalmist say happens when his own strength fails?
The sermon mentioned several “but God” moments in the Bible. What are some examples given, and what did God do in each situation? [[15:32]]

Interpretation Questions

The phrase “but God” is described as a turning point in both Scripture and our lives. Why do you think these two words are so significant for believers? [[07:27]]
Joseph and David both went through long seasons of hardship before seeing God’s purpose fulfilled. What does this suggest about God’s timing and our need for patience? [[15:32]]
The sermon says God’s intervention is always rooted in His love and mercy, not our worthiness. How does this truth affect the way we view our failures or struggles? [[27:22]]
The pastor shared that sharing our “but God” stories can encourage others. Why might personal testimonies be so powerful for people who are struggling? [[33:50]]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about times when we reach the end of our own strength and resources. Can you think of a recent situation where you felt powerless? How did you respond, and what would it look like to invite God into that situation? [[09:03]]
Joseph said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Is there a difficult or painful experience in your life that you now see God using for good? If not, is there a situation you need to trust God with right now? [[15:32]]
The pastor encouraged us to share our “but God” stories. What is one specific moment in your life where you know God intervened? How could you share that story with someone who needs hope? [[33:50]]
The message said God’s love and mercy are new every morning. When you wake up tomorrow, what is one way you can remind yourself of God’s love before your day begins? [[27:22]]
The Israelites faced the Red Sea with nowhere to go, but God made a way. Is there an “impossible” situation you’re facing right now? What would it look like to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” in your circumstances? [[22:26]]
The sermon ended with an invitation to surrender and trust God with our stories. Is there an area of your life you haven’t fully surrendered to God? What is one step you can take this week to give that area to Him? [[37:01]]
The pastor prayed for restoration and hope. Who in your life needs encouragement right now? How can you be an “anchor of hope” for them this week, reflecting the heart of our Heavenly Father? [[38:39]]

Sermon Clips

But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring it about as it is this day to save many people alive. You see, a lot of times we want God to answer our prayers, but God has a time and He has the perfect time, amen, because He has a plan to use your life, amen, for the perfect time. [00:16:59] (28 seconds)

I love the scripture that says nothing can separate us from the love of God amen nothing nothing has the ability to separate us from the love of God but you know why God intervenes in our life it says right there because of his great love for you and for me he loved us so much amen and so he's constantly amen trying to intervene trying to make a way trying to produce in you the the character of Christ and he intervenes in our lives because of the boundless unboundless mercy and his unwavering unconditional love for you and for me and yet while I was still a sinner Christ died on the cross for me amen he intervened oh thank you father. [00:27:27] (56 seconds)

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