Transforming the Inner Life: God's Unseen Work

Devotional

Day 1: God Sees and Rewards the Inner Life

Jesus teaches that true prayer and spiritual life happen in the unseen places, where God alone sees and rewards. The world often celebrates what is visible—eloquent prayers, impressive actions, and outward success—but God’s focus is on the hidden infrastructure of our hearts. When we prioritize the inner work of meeting with God in secret, we build a foundation that can withstand life’s challenges and opportunities. The invitation is to step away from performance and ritual, and instead cultivate a real, honest relationship with God in the quiet places. [01:39]

Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Reflection: Where in your daily routine can you intentionally create space to meet with God in secret, away from distractions and the expectations of others?

Day 2: Focus on the Inner World, Not Just the Outer

God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance, and calls us to prioritize inner transformation over external achievements. While the world shouts at us to chase after status, success, and image, God’s way is the opposite: when we focus on letting Him shape our inner world, the outer results will follow. Outward rituals and religious performance, without inner change, lead only to burnout or hypocrisy. But when we let God work on our hearts, we become people of substance, ready for whatever life brings. [23:02]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you’ve been focusing on outward success or appearance, and how can you invite God to do deeper work in your heart there?

Day 3: Daily Bread Means Daily Dependence on God’s Word

Jesus’ teaching about “daily bread” is not just about physical provision, but about seeking God’s word and presence every single day. The story of manna in the wilderness and Jesus’ own words show that true life and readiness come from daily dependence on what God speaks, not from storing up achievements or relying on yesterday’s strength. When we ask God for our “daily bread,” we are asking Him to give us what we need for today—His word, His wisdom, His presence—so that we are ready for whatever comes. [41:25]

Matthew 6:9-11 (ESV)
"Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.'"

Reflection: What would it look like for you to seek a fresh word or encouragement from God each morning before you face the day’s demands?

Day 4: Spiritual Disciplines Prepare Us for Life’s Unexpected Moments

Just as athletes train daily for a crown, we are called to practice spiritual disciplines—prayer, scripture, generosity, solitude—so that Christ is strengthened in us and we are ready for whatever comes. Readiness is not about wishing or hoping, but about the daily, often unseen, work of letting God transform us from the inside out. When the unexpected moment arrives—whether opportunity or crisis—those who have built a life of inner discipline will be able to stand firm and respond with wisdom and faith. [34:41]

1 Corinthians 9:25 (ESV)
"Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."

Reflection: Which spiritual discipline do you sense God inviting you to strengthen this week, and how can you take a practical step to build it into your daily rhythm?

Day 5: God’s Word Transforms Us, Not Just Self-Help

Transformation is not about self-improvement or willpower, but about allowing God’s living and active word to do deep work in our hearts. The Bible is not just information; it is a scalpel that gently but powerfully shapes us, revealing our true motives and giving us the strength we need. When we show up and open ourselves to God’s word, He provides what we need for growth, healing, and readiness—far beyond what we could accomplish on our own. [45:33]

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Reflection: When was the last time you allowed God’s word to challenge or change you, and how can you open yourself to its transforming power this week?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the unseen, the “infrastructure” of our lives—the inner world that God sees and values above all else. While the world celebrates what’s visible—achievements, appearances, and outward success—God is most concerned with what’s happening beneath the surface. This is true for individuals, families, and even for our church as we pursue bold visions like the 10x push. The visible wins, like reaching hundreds of thousands in prisons or launching new ministries, are only possible because of years of unseen, faithful work. The real question for each of us is: are we ready for the moments that matter most, the ones that come unannounced and demand more than we think we have?

Readiness isn’t about wishing or even believing the right things; it’s about daily, intentional inner work. Jesus’ teachings, especially in the Sermon on the Mount, consistently point us to focus on the heart, not just the outward appearance. He warns against the trap of religious ritual that’s all show and no substance, urging us instead to “clean the inside of the cup.” If we neglect our inner world, we risk a slow erosion that eventually leads to collapse—what Gordon MacDonald calls “sinkhole syndrome.” Outward success built on a hollow interior is unsustainable.

But the good news is that God doesn’t leave us to do this work alone. The transformation we need is not self-help, but God-help. Jesus, the “bread of life,” invites us to receive daily nourishment from Him—His word, His presence, His wisdom. The Lord’s Prayer’s request for “daily bread” is a call to seek God’s word and sustenance every day, not just material provision. This daily dependence is what prepares us for the unexpected crossroads of life, whether they are opportunities or challenges.

At Crossroads, we’re committed to this inner work, not just as individuals but as a community. Our staff and key volunteers annually recommit to spiritual disciplines, knowing that outer fruitfulness flows from inner transformation. Whether you feel overwhelmed, collapsed, or ready for more, the invitation is the same: let God do His work in you, every day. Communion is a reminder of this—Jesus’ body and blood given for our transformation, not just our outward conformity.

Key Takeaways

1. The Unseen Infrastructure Determines the Outcome What truly shapes our lives is not what others see, but the daily, hidden work of the heart. Outward achievements and visible success are built on years of faithfulness, discipline, and spiritual formation that no one applauds. If we neglect this inner infrastructure, we risk collapse when life’s pressures mount. The world may reward the visible, but God rewards what is done in secret. [01:39]
2. Readiness Is Built, Not Wished For Being ready for life’s defining moments isn’t about desire or even correct beliefs—it’s about daily preparation. The moments that matter most are rarely scheduled; they demand a reservoir of wisdom, faith, and resilience that can only be built over time. Readiness is the fruit of consistent, inner spiritual practices, not last-minute scrambling. [19:36]
3. God’s Focus Is the Heart, Not the Show Jesus repeatedly confronts the temptation to focus on outward appearance, whether in religious ritual or worldly achievement. He calls us to “clean the inside of the cup,” knowing that true transformation starts within. When we prioritize the inner world, the outer world is changed as a result, not the other way around. [27:12]
4. Daily Bread Is Daily Dependence on God’s Word The Lord’s Prayer’s request for “daily bread” is not just about physical needs, but about seeking God’s word and presence every day. The story of manna in the wilderness teaches us that what sustains us is not bread alone, but every word from God. Jesus, the bread of life, offers Himself as our daily sustenance, inviting us to a rhythm of dependence and transformation. [41:25]
5. Transformation Is God’s Work, Not Self-Help The inner change we need is not something we can manufacture by willpower or self-improvement. God delights in teaching us wisdom in the “secret heart,” and His word is a living, active force that shapes us from the inside out. Our role is to show up, open ourselves to Him, and let Him do the work only He can do. [45:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:39] - The Power of the Unseen: Infrastructure and Faithfulness
[05:09] - Prison Ministry: Reaching the Unreachable
[07:25] - Real Stories from Prisoners
[09:03] - Launching 1824: Investing in the Next Generation
[13:46] - Are You Ready for the Unexpected?
[16:23] - Surface Questions vs. Deeper Life
[19:36] - Readiness in Life’s Crossroads Moments
[21:34] - Challenges: Chosen and Unchosen
[23:02] - God’s Perspective: Inner vs. Outer World
[27:12] - Jesus on Cleaning the Inside
[28:47] - Sinkhole Syndrome: The Danger of Ignoring the Inner Life
[32:27] - Crossroads’ Commitment to Inner Transformation
[34:41] - Spiritual Disciplines: The Secret of Strength
[37:29] - The Lord’s Prayer and the Meaning of Daily Bread
[41:25] - Jesus, the Bread of Life
[45:33] - God’s Word: The Living Scalpel
[48:57] - Three Kinds of Listeners: Where Are You?
[50:03] - Communion: Remembering the Inner Work of Christ
[51:38] - Reflecting Before Communion
[52:51] - Taking the Bread
[53:43] - Taking the Cup and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:6, 9-11 (ESV) — > “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. … Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread…’”

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) — > “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’”

John 6:35 (ESV) — > “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 6:6, what does Jesus say is important about the way we pray? What does He promise about what is done in secret?
According to 1 Samuel 16:7, what is the difference between how people see and how God sees? [23:02]
In John 6:35, what does Jesus call Himself, and what does He promise to those who come to Him?
The sermon described “infrastructure” as the unseen part of our lives. What are some examples the pastor gave of this “infrastructure” in the life of a person or a church? [01:39]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasizes praying in secret rather than in public? What does this reveal about God’s priorities for our spiritual life? [23:02]
The world often celebrates outward success, but God looks at the heart. How might this truth challenge the way we measure our own lives or the lives of others? [23:02]
The pastor talked about “sinkhole syndrome”—a sudden collapse caused by years of neglecting the inner life. What are some warning signs that someone’s “infrastructure” might be eroding? [28:47]
Jesus calls Himself the “bread of life” and teaches us to pray for “daily bread.” What does it mean to depend on Jesus daily, not just for physical needs but for spiritual nourishment? [41:25]

Application Questions

The sermon said that readiness for life’s big moments is built through daily, unseen faithfulness. What is one small, daily practice you could start (or restart) this week to strengthen your inner life? [19:36]
Are there areas in your life where you’ve been more focused on outward appearance or achievement than on your heart and character? What would it look like to “clean the inside of the cup” in that area? [27:12]
The pastor mentioned that neglecting the inner world can lead to collapse when life gets hard. Have you ever experienced a “sinkhole” moment, or do you see warning signs now? What steps could you take to address it? [28:47]
Jesus invites us to seek “daily bread”—His word and presence—every day. What is one practical way you can make space for God’s word in your daily routine this week? [41:25]
The sermon said transformation is “God-help, not self-help.” Are you trying to change something in your life by your own willpower? How could you invite God into that process instead? [45:33]
The Crossroads staff and volunteers recommit each year to spiritual disciplines. Is there a spiritual discipline (like prayer, Bible reading, fasting, solitude) you want to commit to or try in a new way? What would help you stick with it? [34:41]
Communion is a reminder of Jesus’ work inside us, not just an outward ritual. How can you approach communion (or another spiritual practice) with a focus on inner transformation rather than just going through the motions? [51:38]

Sermon Clips

Everything we're going to talk about today is about what's going on under the surface, the behind the scenes stuff, the stuff that no one sees, no one celebrates. But if you've ever led anything, a business, a church, a family, you know that the stuff that happens under the surface is what actually determines whether you win or whether you lose. [00:00:11] (23 seconds) #DepthDeterminesVictory

Readiness is not, despite what people say, about wanting to be ready. It's not, it's not about a mindset of readiness. It's not about wanting to be ready. It's not even about the beliefs behind it. I've seen many people who, if you give them the survey, if you give them the questionnaire, fill out what are the beliefs, what are your beliefs, they would have checked many of the right boxes. And yet when life came at them, when the moment rose, when the pressure filled up, they crumbled. There was nothing underneath the surface. [00:22:11] (37 seconds) #ReadinessIsDailyWork

We naturally pay attention to the exact opposite things. We pay attention to the outer stuff, the outer appearance. And the reason for that is because the world shouts at us about it. Everything around us, all of the pressures, all of the systems, they're built to get us to think about the outward, outward stuff, outward appearance stuff. [00:23:32] (21 seconds) #InnerFocusOverOutward

But what God says is you've got it exactly backwards. God says if you'll focus on the inner world, what you'll find is outer results. That's the only path that actually works. [00:24:47] (15 seconds) #IgnoringInnerWorldCollapses

On the other hand, if you see somebody who has been faithful for a long time, who's weathered the storms, who's borne the weight, who's grown, who's not backed down, every single time, what you'll find is not someone who was obsessed over the success that you see. You'll find somebody who was obsessed over the stuff you never will, over the inner life, over becoming somebody who was ready for whatever God would bring their way. [00:31:29] (30 seconds) #StrengthFromInnerGrowth

The word of God is not just any word. And the word of God is special. The word of God is different. The word of God is like a sharp scalpel that does surgery on you that nothing else can do. This is why I say this is not a self -help message. This is a God helps you message, is what it is. [00:45:34] (15 seconds) #AuthenticNotFake

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