Trusting God: A Journey of Surrender and Holiness

This morning, I shared about the journey my family and I recently took to Nepal, and how God used that trip to deepen my understanding of what it truly means to trust Him. Wearing my Nepali outfit, I reflected on the significance of returning to the place where I grew up, especially after 17 years away, and how God’s timing was perfect—even when my own plans were different. The scripture that has been stirring in my heart is Proverbs 3:5-7: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” This passage has become more than just words to me; it’s a call to live with a deeper, more surrendered trust in God.

During our time in Nepal, I was struck by the hunger for God among the people—how they worshipped for hours, fasted, and sought the presence of God with a passion that challenged my own comfort and routine. I saw the Spirit of God move powerfully, setting people free and transforming lives. It made me question: if Jesus were to walk into our church today, would He feel welcome? Are we truly willing to let Him touch every area of our lives, even the hidden or uncomfortable parts? Trusting God isn’t just about saying the right words; it’s about letting go of what He asks us to release, and aligning our lives with His Word.

I also spoke about the importance of prayer—not as an option, but as our lifeline. Too often, we make decisions without seeking God, relying on our own understanding or “common sense.” But we need “God sense.” Prayer is the foundation for everything we do, both individually and as a church. In a world where evil is increasingly celebrated and the demonic is openly at work, the church must rise up, stand in the gap, and pray with authority. We are called not just to observe the darkness, but to push it back through prayer and holy living.

Finally, I urged us all to acknowledge God in every area of life—public, private, work, and church. When we do, He promises to make our paths straight, even if we find ourselves in crooked places. But this also means turning away from evil, not just in obvious ways, but even in the subtle compromises. Holiness is not optional; it is the mark of those who truly trust and fear the Lord.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Trusting God goes beyond intellectual agreement; it requires surrendering our plans, desires, and even our timing to Him. Sometimes, what feels like a reluctant detour is actually God’s perfect plan unfolding. True trust is revealed when we let go of control and allow God to direct our steps, even when we don’t understand. [63:34]
• 2. Spiritual hunger is transformative. When we approach God with genuine desperation—willing to worship, fast, and linger in His presence—He meets us in powerful ways. The move of the Spirit is not reserved for the past or for other places; it is available to those who are truly hungry and willing to make room for Him. [66:33]
• 3. Welcoming Jesus means allowing Him to confront and transform every area of our lives, including the hidden sins and private struggles. It’s easy to profess faith, but real trust is demonstrated when we obey His call to let go of what is unholy, even if it costs us comfort or pleasure. The authenticity of our welcome is measured by our willingness to change. [72:59]
• 4. Prayer is not a spiritual accessory; it is the very lifeline of our relationship with God. Just as communication is essential in a marriage, prayer is essential for spiritual vitality and discernment. Without prayer, we drift into self-reliance and miss the guidance and power that only God can provide. [79:11]
• 5. Holiness is both a calling and a response. We are sanctified not just from sin, but to righteousness and the purposes of God. In a world that celebrates wickedness, we must make conscious, Spirit-empowered decisions to turn away from evil and pursue the holiness that reflects God’s character. [89:41]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [61:10] - Sharing About Nepal and Family
• [63:34] - God’s Timing and Trusting His Plan
• [66:33] - Returning to the Children’s Home
• [68:30] - Worship and Spiritual Hunger in Nepal
• [72:59] - Would Jesus Feel Welcome?
• [74:44] - The Challenge of True Trust
• [77:02] - Letting Go and Laying Hold of Eternal Life
• [78:21] - The Necessity of Prayer
• [79:11] - Acknowledging God in All Things
• [80:03] - Interceding for the Nations
• [82:27] - Spiritual Warfare and Awareness
• [83:34] - The Church’s Authority and Responsibility
• [84:35] - The Purpose of the Church
• [86:54] - God’s Promise to Make Our Paths Straight
• [88:01] - Turning Away from Evil
• [89:41] - The Call to Holiness and Sanctification
• [91:33] - Closing and Nepal Video Preview

Bible Reading

Proverbs 3:5-7 (ESV) — > Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Observation Questions

1. According to Proverbs 3:5-7, what are the specific actions we are called to take in our relationship with God?
2. In the sermon, what did the pastor notice about the way people in Nepal worshipped and sought God? [[01:06:33]]
3. What does the pastor say is the difference between “common sense” and “God sense” when making decisions? [[01:19:11]]
4. What are some examples the pastor gave of areas in our lives that Jesus might want to touch or change? [[01:12:59]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the writer of Proverbs tells us not to lean on our own understanding, but to trust God with all our heart? How does this challenge the way we usually make decisions?
2. The pastor described a spiritual hunger in Nepal that led to powerful experiences with God. What might be the connection between spiritual hunger and experiencing God’s presence? [[01:06:33]]
3. The sermon asks, “If Jesus were to walk into our church today, would He feel welcome?” What does it mean for Jesus to be truly welcomed in our lives and church? [[01:12:59]]
4. The pastor said that prayer is not an option but a lifeline. Why is prayer so essential for both individuals and the church, according to the sermon? [[01:19:11]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared about God’s timing being different from his own plans, and how a reluctant detour turned out to be God’s perfect plan. Can you think of a time when your plans were changed, and it turned out to be for the best? How did you respond in the moment? [[01:03:34]]
2. The people in Nepal showed a deep hunger for God by worshipping for hours and fasting. What is one practical way you could increase your spiritual hunger or make more room for God in your daily routine? [[01:06:33]]
3. The sermon challenged us to let Jesus touch every area of our lives, even the hidden or uncomfortable parts. Is there an area in your life that you sense God is asking you to surrender or change? What would it look like to trust Him with that? [[01:12:59]]
4. The pastor said that too often, we make decisions without seeking God in prayer. Think about a recent decision you made—did you pray about it first? How can you build the habit of acknowledging God in all your ways? [[01:19:11]]
5. The sermon talked about the church’s responsibility to pray and push back darkness in the world. What is one specific issue in your community or the world that you feel burdened to pray for? How can you take a step to pray with more authority and faith? [[01:23:34]]
6. Holiness was described as both a calling and a response. Are there any “subtle compromises” in your life that you need to turn away from? What is one step you can take this week to pursue holiness? [[01:29:41]]
7. The pastor mentioned that acknowledging God is not just for church, but for every area—public, private, work, and home. What is one area of your life where you find it hardest to acknowledge God? What could you do differently this week to invite Him into that area? [[01:26:54]]