Trusting God: Embracing the Present and Letting Go
Summary
Living in the present and trusting God for today is a powerful message that calls us to focus on the here and now, rather than being burdened by the past or anxious about the future. In Matthew 6:31-34, Jesus teaches us not to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear, but to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This passage reminds us that God knows our needs and will provide for us if we prioritize His kingdom. The challenge is to let go of the past and not be consumed by future worries, so we can fully engage in the work God has for us today.
Imagine your life as a garden that you are responsible for tending. If your hands are full of past regrets and future anxieties, you cannot effectively care for the garden. Similarly, when we hold onto past hurts or worry about future challenges, we miss the beauty and purpose of today. God calls us to live in the now, to trust Him with our past and future, and to focus on the work He has for us today. This requires faith and a willingness to let go of the burdens that weigh us down.
The enemy seeks to trap us in regret, guilt, and pain, preventing us from fulfilling our God-given purpose. By holding onto past grievances or worrying about future uncertainties, we hinder our ability to serve God and others. Instead, we must trust in God's ability to heal our hearts and provide for our needs. As we let go of the past and stop worrying about the future, we open ourselves to the blessings and opportunities God has for us today.
God's love, peace, and joy are available to us right now. By living in the present and trusting God for today, we can experience His presence and fulfill His purpose for our lives. Let us commit to walking by faith, trusting in God's provision, and embracing the work He has for us today.
Key Takeaways:
1. Live in the Present: Holding onto past regrets and future anxieties prevents us from fully engaging in the work God has for us today. By living in the present, we can experience God's love, peace, and joy right now. [43:00]
2. Trust in God's Provision: God knows our needs and will provide for us if we prioritize His kingdom. Trusting in God's provision allows us to let go of worries about the future and focus on the present. [46:46]
3. Let Go of Past Hurts: The enemy seeks to trap us in regret, guilt, and pain. By letting go of past hurts, we free ourselves to serve God and others more effectively. [49:59]
4. Embrace God's Purpose: God has a purpose for each of us, and by living in the present, we can fulfill that purpose. Trusting in God's plan allows us to focus on the work He has for us today. [51:47]
5. Walk by Faith: Walking by faith means trusting in God's ability to heal our hearts and provide for our needs. By living in the present and trusting God for today, we can experience His presence and fulfill His purpose for our lives. [56:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Transition and Announcements
- [03:30] - Preparing for Easter Service
- [06:15] - Introduction to Today's Message
- [09:00] - Living in the Now
- [12:30] - Trusting God for Today
- [15:45] - The Garden Analogy
- [19:00] - Letting Go of the Past
- [22:30] - The Danger of Worrying About Tomorrow
- [26:00] - Trusting in God's Provision
- [29:45] - Embracing God's Purpose
- [33:00] - Walking by Faith
- [36:30] - Call to Prayer and Trust
- [40:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
- [43:00] - Final Announcements and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 6:31-34
- Isaiah 43:18
- Proverbs 3:5-6
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 6:31-34, what does Jesus instruct us not to worry about, and what should we seek first instead?
2. How does the analogy of the garden in the sermon illustrate the concept of living in the present? [43:00]
3. According to the sermon, what are the consequences of holding onto past regrets and future anxieties? [49:59]
4. What does Isaiah 43:18 advise us to do with the former things, and how does this relate to the sermon's message about letting go of the past?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness change a person's perspective on daily worries and needs? [46:46]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between trusting God and experiencing His peace and joy in the present? [56:24]
3. How does the sermon describe the enemy's tactics in keeping us trapped in regret and guilt, and what is the proposed solution? [49:59]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living in the present can help us fulfill God's purpose for our lives? [51:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a specific past regret or future worry that occupies your thoughts. How can you begin to let go of it and trust God with it this week? [49:59]
2. Consider your daily routine. What practical steps can you take to prioritize seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness in your everyday life? [46:46]
3. Identify a situation where you feel anxious about the future. How can you apply the principle of living in the present to this situation? [56:24]
4. Think of a time when you felt trapped by guilt or regret. How did it affect your ability to serve God and others, and what can you do differently now? [49:59]
5. How can you create a habit of acknowledging God's presence and provision in your life each day? What might this look like in your prayer or devotional time? [51:47]
6. Is there a specific area in your life where you struggle to trust God fully? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in that area? [49:59]
7. How can you encourage someone else in your life to live in the present and trust God for today? What specific actions can you take to support them? [58:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace the Present Moment
Living in the present is a call to release the grip of past regrets and future anxieties, allowing us to fully engage in the work God has for us today. When we focus on the here and now, we open ourselves to experiencing God's love, peace, and joy in our lives. The past can often weigh us down with guilt and regret, while the future can fill us with anxiety and fear. However, by choosing to live in the present, we can appreciate the beauty and purpose of each day, trusting that God is with us in every moment. [43:00]
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one past regret or future worry you can release today to fully embrace the present moment with God?
Day 2: Trust in God's Provision
Trusting in God's provision means believing that He knows our needs and will provide for us as we prioritize His kingdom. This trust allows us to let go of worries about the future and focus on the present. When we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, we align our lives with His purpose and open ourselves to His blessings. By trusting in God's provision, we can live with confidence and peace, knowing that He is faithful to care for us. [46:46]
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God more for His provision today?
Day 3: Release Past Hurts
Letting go of past hurts is essential for freeing ourselves to serve God and others more effectively. The enemy often seeks to trap us in regret, guilt, and pain, hindering our ability to fulfill our God-given purpose. By releasing these burdens, we allow God to heal our hearts and open ourselves to His love and grace. This act of letting go requires faith and a willingness to trust in God's ability to restore and renew us. [49:59]
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a past hurt you need to release to God today? How can you begin this process of healing and forgiveness?
Day 4: Fulfill God's Purpose
Embracing God's purpose for our lives involves living in the present and trusting in His plan. Each of us has a unique purpose, and by focusing on the work God has for us today, we can fulfill that purpose. This requires a commitment to walk by faith and a willingness to embrace the opportunities and challenges that come our way. By aligning our lives with God's purpose, we can experience the fullness of His presence and the joy of serving Him. [51:47]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can actively pursue God's purpose for your life today?
Day 5: Walk by Faith
Walking by faith means trusting in God's ability to heal our hearts and provide for our needs. By living in the present and trusting God for today, we can experience His presence and fulfill His purpose for our lives. Faith is not just a belief but an active trust in God's promises and His character. As we walk by faith, we learn to rely on God's strength and wisdom, allowing Him to guide us through life's challenges and uncertainties. [56:24]
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today to deepen your trust in God?
Quotes
We live in balance by the past, preoccupied with the future. Now, the word of God says, trust in the Lord with all thine heart. But lean not in your own understanding, but in all thine ways, acknowledge him, and he will direct that path. Live in the now. You see, the ease becomes so focused on either the past or the future that we don't do what God's called us to do today. [00:45:31] (30 seconds)
There are people that are suffering. There are people that are always in need and they need to realize you've got to let go of the past. You've got to begin to let go of what's coming your way and start dwelling on what may happen or what possibly could happen tomorrow. And attend to his will today. He has the blessing for somebody today. He's got peace for somebody today. [00:46:06] (22 seconds)
And so at some point, we have to realize the way we're going about things is not working for us. It's time to turn it all over to Jesus and let God help us. And so there is a danger right now in living in the past. You're carrying the weight of yesterday. Now, just so I kind of get an idea here, have you already started stepping on anybody's toes? All right. We're good. All right. Well, let's keep going. The enemy wants to trap you in regret, guilt, and pain. [00:47:44] (36 seconds)
You've got to get to a place where you turn it over to God and just let God take it. It's sometimes when you're holding on to that junk, it's changing you. You're becoming bitter and you don't make things, let things go and so because of this, it's causing you to do something. You mistrust God. Now nobody's gonna come up and tell me, Pastor Tucker, I'm mistrusting God, but that's how you're acting. [00:49:31] (27 seconds)
At some point, you've got to believe that God can take away every pain. He loves you. And that the word of God says, let us lay aside every weight and let's sin with us easily but set us. And let's run with patience, the race that is set before us. You got to lay aside all that junk. And people will continue to tell me, I'm not holding on to things. I'm not holding on to things. [00:50:40] (21 seconds)
And as we begin to embrace God's will, the reason why we have to let go of that is because God has the work for you to do today. If you can't talk to black people because a black person offended you before, then you're wrong before God. God has called you to speak to that person, regardless of the color of their skin. But in your mind, that black person did this to me, or that Hispanic person did this to me, or the Filipino person did that to me, or whatever the case may be. [00:53:07] (31 seconds)
We want to do God's will. And the only way we can serve God is if we actually just go ahead and, God, I'm waiting on you. I want to do whatever you want me to do. But you can't put any qualifications on what we do for God. I'll serve you, God, as long as I'm not talking to somebody who's Hispanic. I'll serve you, God, no matter what you want me to do, as long as I'm not a white person, as long as I'm not a family member, as not that particular family member. [00:54:34] (22 seconds)
See, this is a trap the devil wants to put you in. We lose our peace when we dwell in what if and what might be. He said, which of you thinking, taking thought, can add one cubit unto your stature? Has worry never helped anybody? Has anybody ever paid a bill by worrying about that bill? It doesn't happen like that. And so this is why the word of God is showing us here. [00:55:21] (33 seconds)
If your mind and your heart is not in what God's doing today, you're missing out. You're worried about next week and the week after that and on and on. But the word of God says, he that observes the wind shall not sow. And he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. How are you going to reap when you're looking at the clouds? How in the world are you going to be able to sow seed when you're observing the wind? [00:57:38] (27 seconds)
If you'd open up your heart to let God do something you may not realize that somebody your neighbor may want to come over and ask for prayer. There may be somebody who's watching your life. You may not believe it this morning but there are people that are looking at your life. And we need to show them something. We need to be available to Almighty God. See the word of God is showing us here. [01:00:02] (21 seconds)
I can't walk around in fear. I can't even walk out my door. I was reading about different ones that have a fear of walking out their door. Was that anoraphobia or something like that? Afraid just to leave your house? Can't have that. I don't want to have the spirit of fear. I don't want that fear on me in the name of Jesus. I cast that fear off right now God and the name of Jesus. You are enough. Can somebody say God you're enough? [01:01:39] (30 seconds)
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