Trusting God: The Power of Stillness and Decisions
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of being still in the presence of the Lord, as highlighted in Psalm 37:7. This scripture encourages us to wait patiently for God to act, reminding us not to be consumed by the chaos and corruption around us. Instead, we are called to focus on God's presence and trust in His timing. This theme of patience and trust in God sets the stage for a deeper exploration of decision-making and the power of choices in our lives.
As we embark on a new year, it's crucial to reflect on the decisions we make and how they shape our lives. Isaiah 43:18-19 urges us to forget the past and embrace the new things God is doing. This year, we are challenged to make godly decisions that align with our values and God's word. The quality of our decisions directly impacts the quality of our lives, and by choosing to follow God's guidance, we can live fulfilled and purposeful lives.
We also touched on the topic of generosity and giving, acknowledging that while discussing finances can be uncomfortable, it is an essential part of God's teachings. The principle of sowing and reaping, as illustrated in 2 Corinthians 9:6, encourages us to be generous in all areas of our lives, promising that generous sowing leads to generous blessings.
In making decisions, we must prioritize our values over emotions. By committing every aspect of our lives to Jesus, as advised in Psalm 37:5, we invite His guidance and help in our decision-making processes. When our values are clear, our decisions become easier, as demonstrated by the story of Daniel and his friends, who remained steadfast in their godly values despite challenging circumstances.
As we move forward, let us choose today whom we will serve, making decisions that reflect our commitment to God and His values. By doing so, we can live lives that are not only fulfilled but also aligned with God's purpose for us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Be Still and Trust in God's Timing: Psalm 37:7 reminds us to be still in God's presence and wait patiently for Him to act. In a world filled with chaos, focusing on God's presence and trusting His timing can bring peace and clarity to our lives. [11:30]
2. The Power of Decisions: The quality of our decisions determines the quality of our lives. By making godly decisions and aligning them with our values, we can live fulfilled and purposeful lives. Reflect on what you want your life to look like and the decisions needed to get there. [48:17]
3. Generosity as a Principle of Blessing: Embracing the principle of sowing and reaping, as taught in 2 Corinthians 9:6, encourages us to be generous in all areas of life. Generosity leads to blessings, and by giving, we open ourselves to receive God's abundant grace. [38:23]
4. Commit All Areas to Jesus: Psalm 37:5 advises us to commit everything to the Lord. By surrendering all aspects of our lives to Jesus, we invite His guidance and help, ensuring our decisions are aligned with His will and values. [59:30]
5. Clarity in Values Leads to Easier Decisions: When our values are clear, our decisions become easier. The story of Daniel and his friends illustrates the importance of having godly values and sticking to them, even in challenging situations. [01:01:51]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[11:30] - Be Still in God's Presence
[13:06] - Worship and Praise
[36:18] - Celebrating Marriage
[38:23] - Embracing Generosity
[39:55] - The Power of Decisions
[44:58] - Fulfilled vs. Unfulfilled Lives
[46:13] - Misconceptions About Fulfillment
[48:17] - Quality of Decisions
[50:27] - Struggles with Decision Making
[53:13] - Overcoming Decision Fatigue
[56:00] - Emotions and Decision Making
[59:30] - Committing to Jesus
[01:01:51] - Clarity in Values
[01:03:56] - Making Value-Based Decisions
[01:09:43] - Week of Prayer and Bible Reading Plan
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 37:7
2. Isaiah 43:18-19
3. 2 Corinthians 9:6
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 37:7, what are we encouraged to do in the presence of the Lord, and why might this be challenging for some people? [11:30]
2. How does Isaiah 43:18-19 instruct us to approach the past and the new things God is doing? [39:55]
3. What principle does 2 Corinthians 9:6 illustrate about generosity, and how is it related to blessings? [38:23]
4. In the sermon, what example was given to illustrate the importance of having clear values when making decisions? [01:01:51]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might being still and waiting patiently for God to act, as mentioned in Psalm 37:7, impact a person's daily life and decision-making process? [11:30]
2. What does it mean to "forget the former things" in Isaiah 43:18-19, and how can this perspective influence our approach to new opportunities or challenges? [39:55]
3. How does the principle of sowing and reaping in 2 Corinthians 9:6 apply to areas of life beyond financial giving? [38:23]
4. In what ways can committing all areas of life to Jesus, as advised in Psalm 37:5, provide guidance and clarity in decision-making? [59:30]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did your values influence that decision, and what might you do differently next time to ensure your choices align with God's values? [01:01:51]
2. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to be still and wait for God's timing. What practical steps can you take to cultivate patience and trust in that area? [11:30]
3. Consider a past experience where you felt stuck in old patterns. How can embracing the new things God is doing, as encouraged in Isaiah 43:18-19, help you move forward? [39:55]
4. Think about your current approach to generosity. What is one specific way you can practice generosity this week, and how do you anticipate it impacting your life and those around you? [38:23]
5. Evaluate your decision-making process. Are there emotions or external pressures that often influence your choices? How can you prioritize your values over these influences? [56:00]
6. Is there an area of your life that you have not fully committed to Jesus? What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him and seek His guidance? [59:30]
7. Reflect on the story of Daniel and his friends. How can their example of steadfastness in values inspire you to stand firm in your beliefs, even in challenging situations? [01:01:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Timing
In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, Psalm 37:7 calls us to be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act. This is a profound reminder that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our own expectations. By focusing on God's presence and trusting in His timing, we can find peace and clarity amidst the noise of life. This trust requires a conscious decision to let go of our need for control and to rest in the assurance that God is working all things for our good. [11:30]
"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling." (Isaiah 30:15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's timing? How can you practice being still and patient in that area today?
Day 2: The Impact of Godly Decisions
The decisions we make shape the quality of our lives, and as we enter a new year, it's crucial to reflect on the choices we make. Isaiah 43:18-19 encourages us to forget the past and embrace the new things God is doing. By aligning our decisions with godly values, we can live fulfilled and purposeful lives. This involves a deliberate effort to seek God's guidance and wisdom in every decision, big or small, and to trust that His ways are higher than ours. [48:17]
"Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a recent decision you made. Did it align with your values and God's word? How can you ensure your future decisions reflect your commitment to God?
Day 3: Generosity and Blessings
Generosity is a principle deeply rooted in God's teachings, as illustrated in 2 Corinthians 9:6. The act of giving, whether it be time, resources, or love, opens us up to receive God's abundant grace. While discussing finances can be uncomfortable, embracing the principle of sowing and reaping encourages us to be generous in all areas of life. This generosity not only blesses others but also enriches our own lives, as we experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from giving. [38:23]
"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want." (Proverbs 11:24, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you practice generosity today, beyond financial giving? How might this act of generosity impact your relationship with God and others?
Day 4: Surrendering to Jesus
Psalm 37:5 advises us to commit everything to the Lord, inviting His guidance and help in our decision-making processes. By surrendering all aspects of our lives to Jesus, we ensure that our decisions are aligned with His will and values. This act of surrender requires humility and trust, acknowledging that God's plans for us are far greater than anything we could imagine. It is through this surrender that we find true freedom and purpose in our lives. [59:30]
"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." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Clarity in Values
When our values are clear, our decisions become easier. The story of Daniel and his friends illustrates the importance of having godly values and sticking to them, even in challenging situations. By committing every aspect of our lives to Jesus, we invite His guidance and help in our decision-making processes. This clarity in values not only simplifies our choices but also strengthens our resolve to live lives that are aligned with God's purpose for us. [01:01:51]
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your core values. How do they influence your daily decisions? Are there any areas where you need to realign your values with God's word?
Quotes
"Be still in the presence of the Lord. Do you know that God's presence is here today? He's here with you today. He's here, he's with you every day, but he is here with you also today. The verse goes on, it says, and wait patiently for him to act. How many of you struggle with patience, right? I struggle with patience. Just ask my wife, right? Wait patiently. Wait patiently for him to act." [00:11:30] (30 seconds)
"It goes on to say, don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. You know, sometimes as believers, we get so caught up in what evil is doing and what the corruption of the world is happening around us. We get so caught up in that, and we begin to worry, and we begin to fret. But God's word tells us, be still and wait patiently for God to act." [00:12:25] (28 seconds)
"He's been telling me that, you know, that was fine up to this moment in time. But I'm I'm asking you to talk about everything in God's word and finances is something in God's word. Right. And so he also convicted me and said, you know, the people you love the most are the people you're cheating." [00:38:09] (23 seconds)
"Do you know that there is power in your decisions there's power in your decisions i want to read a couple verses out of god's word isaiah 43 18 and 19 it says forget the former things do not dwell in the past so we just switched years right we're now in 2025 the things of 2024 are gone they're over with and we're going to be talking about the you know we learn from them if we did wrong we repent of them uh if things went well for us we rejoice in god for them but we don't dwell in them we we are asked to move on into a new thing and the word says see i am doing a new thing i am believing for you for me for lighthouse for this community that god will do a new special thing in our lives in 2025 do you believe that this morning amen some of you do all right we believe joshua 24 15 and i'm gonna paraphrase some of this this morning says choose today whom you will serve" [00:42:31] (74 seconds)
"The choices that we make make the difference. You see, I believe that the quality of your decisions determine the quality of your life. And I believe that the quality of your decisions determines the quality of your life. Let me say that again. I believe that the quality of your decisions determines the quality of your life. I'm going to ask you two questions and I give you the freedom to let the Spirit speak to you even as I'm preaching and you can start thinking about this even right now." [00:47:19] (36 seconds)
"First of all, we should make decisions based on our values instead of our emotions. Our values. It starts by committing all areas of our life to Jesus. Psalm 37 .5 says, Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him and he will help you. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Who we are, what we are, how we live, how we behave, who we date, who our friends are, who we marry, our business decisions, how we handle our finances, the things that come out of our mouths." [00:59:17] (39 seconds)
"We need to be the same person at church as we are at home, as we are at work, as we are at school, as we are with our friends. Wherever we are at, we need to hold true to God's values in our lives. No matter what's going on, God's values tell us how to behave and what to do. Psalm 119 .11, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. God wants us to spend time in his word, spend time with him, fill our hearts, our lives with his values." [01:00:53] (41 seconds)
"They were his slaves in his palace, and they refused to surrender their values. King Nebuchadnezzar told them, you got to eat my food and you got to drink my wine. And they resolved in their heart that they would not do that because they knew that it wasn't what God wanted for them. They knew God's word. In fact, Daniel 1, 8 says, but Daniel resolved not to defile himself. He was determined. He knew ahead of time what God valued, what the plan was. And he was determined and resolved himself to not sin against God. The young men had already decided what their values were going to be. And when they were in the moment, they stuck to their values. They did not compromise, even in a tough situation." [01:02:45] (60 seconds)
"You see, when our values are clear, when we know what God wants for us, then our decisions are much easier. We're no longer making them based on our emotions or how we feel in the moment, but we're making those decisions based on what God wants for us. We're no longer making them based on how we feel in the moment, but we're making those decisions based on how God feels about them." [01:03:56] (19 seconds)
"choose today whom you will serve that's our first choice always always our first choice maybe you're here today and you have never surrendered your heart to jesus you've never dedicated your life you've never made the decision to choose jesus i want you to know that jesus chose you jesus chose you so maybe you're here today or you're watching online and i want you to know this is your moment of choice this is an opportunity for you to give your life to jesus to choose him to surrender your heart to him if you're here today and you want to make the decision to choose jesus today then i just want you to slip your hand up right now so i can pray with you see that hand see that hand see that hand see that hand see that hand see that hand maybe you're here today and maybe you chose jesus when you were a kid or a long time ago and you have have wandered away from following him i want you to know that you can start over today today you can start over so today if if that's you if if the holy spirit's speaking to you and and you chose to follow him in the past but you wandered away and you want to rededicate your life today i just want you to raise your hand right now i see that hand see that hand thank you jesus thank you jesus i see that hand amen at this time what i want to do is i just want And I'm going to ask every one of us to pray this prayer with us today and meet it in your heart. And even if you didn't raise your hand, I want you to just rededicate your life or dedicate your life to the Lord today." [01:05:57] (120 seconds)
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