Trusting God: A Journey of Transformation and Faith
Summary
In today's gathering, I shared a personal journey of healing and transformation, drawing parallels between my experiences with horses and our spiritual walk with God. I began by recounting my past as a bareback rider and how an old injury has changed my approach to riding. This physical limitation has taught me humility and the importance of relying on God's strength rather than my own abilities. I emphasized that just as I had to learn to trust and communicate with horses, we must also learn to trust and communicate with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him full access to our lives.
I introduced a horse that had never been trained, highlighting the importance of establishing authority and trust. This mirrors our relationship with God, where we must recognize His authority and allow Him to guide us. The horse's initial resistance and eventual submission serve as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. We often resist God's authority due to past hurts or misunderstandings, but true transformation occurs when we yield to His guidance.
I also discussed the concept of being "born again," not just as a religious term but as a profound transformation that changes our very nature. This transformation is not about acquiring knowledge or following rules but about experiencing a deep, personal encounter with God. I encouraged everyone to embrace this transformation, to become "fire-breathing believers" filled with the Holy Spirit's power and conviction.
Throughout the message, I stressed the importance of childlike faith and the joy of being in God's presence. I urged everyone to let go of the narratives they've built to protect themselves and to trust in God's love and provision. This trust allows us to dream again, to live with hope and expectation despite the chaos in the world.
Finally, I invited everyone to take a step of faith, to not waste the opportunity for transformation and to experience the fullness of God's love and fatherhood. Whether through prayer or personal reflection, the call was to engage actively with God and not take His presence for granted.
Key Takeaways:
- Trust and Authority: Just as a horse must learn to trust its rider, we must learn to trust God's authority in our lives. This trust is built through relationship and understanding that God's authority is meant to protect and guide us, not to control or harm us. [18:13]
- Transformation Over Knowledge: True spiritual transformation is not about acquiring more knowledge but about experiencing a personal encounter with God. This encounter changes our nature and aligns us with His purpose, moving us beyond mere religious practices. [32:38]
- Childlike Faith: Embracing a childlike faith allows us to experience the joy and wonder of God's presence. This faith is not naive but is filled with anticipation and trust in God's goodness and His plans for our lives. [29:03]
- Breaking Old Narratives: We often build narratives to protect ourselves from past hurts, but God invites us to let go of these stories and trust in His love and provision. This trust enables us to dream again and live with hope and expectation. [21:48]
- Active Engagement with God: Transformation requires active engagement with God, not passive observation. Whether through prayer, worship, or community, we are called to step forward in faith and experience the fullness of God's love and fatherhood. [57:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [11:07] - Introduction to the Horse
- [18:13] - Establishing Authority and Trust
- [20:09] - The Concept of Being Born Again
- [21:48] - Breaking Old Narratives
- [23:08] - Embracing Childlike Faith
- [24:39] - Trusting the Unseen God
- [29:03] - The Joy of God's Presence
- [32:38] - Transformation Over Knowledge
- [33:47] - Becoming Fire-Breathing Believers
- [35:44] - Personal Testimony of Transformation
- [40:21] - Overcoming Attachment Disorders
- [47:45] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
- [50:30] - Finding Confidence in Following God
- [54:13] - Invitation to Engage with God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 3:3 - "Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.'"
2. Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
3. Matthew 18:3 - "And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'"
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Observation Questions:
1. What parallels did the pastor draw between his experiences with horses and our spiritual walk with God? [11:07]
2. How did the pastor describe the process of establishing authority and trust with the untrained horse? [18:13]
3. What does the pastor mean by being "born again," and how does it relate to transformation? [20:09]
4. How does the pastor describe the importance of childlike faith in experiencing God's presence? [29:03]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "trust and authority" in the sermon relate to our relationship with God? [18:13]
2. In what ways does the pastor suggest that true transformation differs from merely acquiring knowledge? [32:38]
3. How does the pastor's story about breaking old narratives challenge us to rethink our personal stories? [21:48]
4. What does the pastor mean by "active engagement with God," and why is it essential for transformation? [57:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you resisted God's authority in your life. What steps can you take to build trust in His guidance? [18:13]
2. How can you create space in your life for a personal encounter with God that leads to transformation rather than just gaining knowledge? [32:38]
3. What narratives have you built to protect yourself from past hurts, and how can you begin to let go of them to trust in God's love? [21:48]
4. In what ways can you cultivate a childlike faith that allows you to experience the joy and wonder of God's presence? [29:03]
5. Identify one area in your life where you can actively engage with God this week. What specific action will you take to step forward in faith? [57:01]
6. How can you embrace the concept of being "born again" in your daily life, allowing it to transform your nature and align you with God's purpose? [20:09]
7. Consider a situation where you need to trust the unseen God. How can you practically apply this trust in your current circumstances? [24:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Authority in Our Lives
In our spiritual journey, learning to trust God's authority is akin to a horse learning to trust its rider. This trust is not about control but about understanding that God's authority is meant to guide and protect us. Just as a horse initially resists but eventually submits to its rider, we too may resist God's guidance due to past hurts or misunderstandings. However, true transformation occurs when we yield to His authority, recognizing that His plans are for our good. This relationship is built on trust and communication, allowing us to experience the fullness of His love and guidance. [18:13]
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV): "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's authority? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 2: Experiencing Transformation Through Encounter
True spiritual transformation is not about acquiring more knowledge but about experiencing a personal encounter with God. This encounter changes our nature and aligns us with His purpose, moving us beyond mere religious practices. It is a profound transformation that goes beyond understanding and rules, inviting us into a deep, personal relationship with God. This transformation is about being "born again," allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us with power and conviction, leading us to live as "fire-breathing believers." [32:38]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you felt a deep encounter with God. How did it change your perspective or actions? How can you seek such encounters more regularly?
Day 3: Embracing Childlike Faith
Embracing a childlike faith allows us to experience the joy and wonder of God's presence. This faith is not naive but is filled with anticipation and trust in God's goodness and His plans for our lives. It invites us to let go of our defenses and the narratives we've built to protect ourselves, trusting instead in God's love and provision. By doing so, we open ourselves to dream again, to live with hope and expectation despite the chaos in the world. [29:03]
Matthew 18:3 (ESV): "And said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice childlike faith today? How can you approach this area with trust and anticipation in God's goodness?
Day 4: Breaking Free from Old Narratives
We often build narratives to protect ourselves from past hurts, but God invites us to let go of these stories and trust in His love and provision. These narratives can hold us back from experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us. By breaking free from these old stories, we allow ourselves to dream again and live with hope and expectation. This requires a conscious decision to trust in God's love and to actively engage with Him, allowing His truth to redefine our identity and purpose. [21:48]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: Identify a narrative from your past that you hold onto. How can you begin to let go of this story and trust in God's new narrative for your life?
Day 5: Actively Engaging with God
Transformation requires active engagement with God, not passive observation. Whether through prayer, worship, or community, we are called to step forward in faith and experience the fullness of God's love and fatherhood. This engagement is about taking a step of faith, not wasting the opportunity for transformation, and allowing God's presence to permeate every aspect of our lives. By actively engaging with God, we open ourselves to His transformative power and the joy of His presence. [57:01]
James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to actively engage with God? How can this step help you experience His transformative power in your life?
Quotes
"Many of you haven't had an experience with that with people because people that have had authority over you have misused it and they've used it to bully you or make you feel like you're less than them. Ones that are actually powerful, they're the ones that help you see how powerful you are with them. And so we've just had to rewire a few things for her for a second so that we could start on the right page." [00:19:15] (26 seconds)
"The only thing that's going to help her is this next step. And that is that she understands what it's like to become one with me. And because no one's ever been on her and they haven't put stuff on her. And having something on her back is the most threatening thing for a horse. Because it's, they've just got an instinct. It's almost like a reflex. And that reflex is to get it off your back." [00:21:41] (28 seconds)
"The first song that they were singing, it was like, can we become childlike again for just a moment? Not childish, just childlike, to where we would be filled with this anticipation of the goodness of God and what he's going to show us in the land of the living, that we would be people that get to recognize the gifts that he's pouring out on us." [00:29:38] (24 seconds)
"And he said, you search the scriptures thinking that there's life in them and that they've got this form of godliness but they've denied the power that's in it. That their knowledge has been the thing that they've taken so much pride in. There's some things that you just can't be taught through just learning. Just reading about it. Just watching other people do it." [00:32:47] (28 seconds)
"Learning is only going to help you. It's only going to happen or transformation is only going to happen from these encounters. It's when what it is that we've read about becomes real to us. And so I suspect wherever she grew up, she's seen other people ride horses. She's got the knowledge." [00:33:33] (26 seconds)
"I have faith for like every one of us leave this place like fire-breathing believers. We carry so much fire and so much power and so much of the conviction of the Holy Spirit that we're not gonna go out of here just trying to figure out how to just do damage control. But we're gonna get some victories while we're in this room." [00:34:17] (20 seconds)
"There's nowhere we can't go together. There's nothing that she can't do that I ask her to do. I'm not cruel to ask her to do things that she can't do. And by the way, this doesn't feel any more than her whipping herself with her tail. So just in case you think I'm beating the horse, I've been accused of that. I'm like, well, I love animals and I wouldn't do that." [00:54:41] (27 seconds)
"Y'all are needing some encouragement. I'm not sure why you're so stuck and why it is that the fun, the joy of being childlike and expectations and the hope that gets to come alive in a world that's continually just an onslaught of one bad news after another, one horrible thing happens after another. And no time in human history have we ever been so aware of what's going wrong in the world as we are right now." [00:55:14] (27 seconds)
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