Trusting God Through Fear and Brokenness

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Protection and Guidance

Despite fears and misconceptions about traveling overseas, our mission trip to Africa was a testament to God's protection and guidance. We must not let fear and misinformation deter us from pursuing God's calling. Trusting in His plan allows us to navigate safely and fulfill our purpose. Many people believe that mission trips are dangerous and require numerous vaccinations, but our experience proved otherwise. We must trust in God's protection and not let fear hold us back from fulfilling our purpose. [39:30]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: What fears or misconceptions are holding you back from pursuing God's calling in your life? How can you trust in His protection and guidance today?

Day 2: Generosity and Compassion

The story of the pastor who lost her husband and now lives in the church highlights the importance of generosity and compassion. By raising funds to build her a new home, we enable her to continue her ministry effectively. Acts of kindness and support can significantly impact the lives of those in need. This act of generosity will not only provide her with a home but also enable her to serve her community more effectively. [46:15]

Proverbs 19:17 (ESV): "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."

Reflection: Think of someone in your community who is in need. How can you show generosity and compassion to them this week?

Day 3: Human Connection and Compassion

Meeting Nelson, the young paraplegic boy, reminded us of the power of human connection and compassion. Despite his challenging circumstances, he found joy in our visit. This experience underscores the importance of reaching out and connecting with others, offering hope and love. Human connection and compassion can bring joy and hope to those who are struggling, and it is a powerful reminder of the impact we can have on others' lives. [52:27]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: Who in your life needs encouragement and connection today? How can you reach out to them and offer your support?

Day 4: Letting Go to Preserve Life

Paul's journey in Acts 27 teaches us that sometimes we must let go of certain things to preserve our lives. In the midst of storms, we may need to discard material possessions or toxic relationships to find peace and safety. Trusting in God's plan, even when it requires difficult decisions, is crucial for our well-being. Sometimes, we must let go of certain things to preserve our lives, and even when we face brokenness, God can use those broken pieces to fulfill His purpose. [01:05:01]

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Reflection: What is one thing you need to let go of in your life to find peace and safety? How can you trust in God's plan as you make this difficult decision?

Day 5: God's Purpose in Brokenness

Even when we face brokenness, God can use those broken pieces to fulfill His purpose. Paul's experience of making it to shore on broken pieces of the ship illustrates that our brokenness does not define us. God can transform our struggles into blessings, using our experiences to bless others and fulfill His divine plan. We may lose material things, but our lives and purpose remain intact. As we navigate through life's challenges, we must remember that God is our provider, peace, and healer. [01:16:36]

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV): "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced brokenness. How did God use that experience to fulfill His purpose in your life? How can you trust Him to use your current struggles for His glory?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we reflected on the profound experiences and lessons from our recent missionary trip to Africa. Despite the fears and misconceptions about traveling overseas, our journey was safe and filled with God's grace. We were reminded that Africa is a continent with diverse countries, and with proper planning and God's guidance, we can navigate safely. Our mission team, led by Kathleen, did an incredible job, and we are grateful for their dedication and hard work.

We also discussed the importance of not letting fear and misinformation deter us from pursuing God's calling. Many people believe that mission trips are dangerous and require numerous vaccinations, but our experience proved otherwise. We must trust in God's protection and not let fear hold us back from fulfilling our purpose.

One of the highlights of our trip was meeting a pastor who recently lost her husband and now lives in the church. We are committed to raising $4,000 to build her a new home, allowing her to continue her ministry without the burden of inadequate living conditions. This act of generosity will not only provide her with a home but also enable her to serve her community more effectively.

We also shared the story of a young paraplegic boy named Nelson, who touched our hearts deeply. Despite his challenging circumstances, he found joy in our visit, reminding us of the power of human connection and compassion.

In the latter part of our discussion, we delved into Acts 27 and 28, where Paul faced a tumultuous journey by sea. This story illustrates the importance of having people in our lives who can foresee storms and guide us through them. Sometimes, we must let go of certain things to preserve our lives, and even when we face brokenness, God can use those broken pieces to fulfill His purpose.

Paul's journey teaches us that even in the midst of storms, we must trust in God's plan and remain steadfast in our faith. We may lose material things, but our lives and purpose remain intact. As we navigate through life's challenges, we must remember that God is our provider, peace, and healer. He will see us through every storm and use our experiences to bless others.

###

Key Takeaways

1. being. [01:05:01]
5. God's Purpose in Brokenness: Even when we face brokenness, God can use those broken pieces to fulfill His purpose. Paul's experience of making it to shore on broken pieces of the ship illustrates that our brokenness does not define us. God can transform our struggles into blessings, using our experiences to bless others and fulfill His divine plan.

### [65:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[38:14] - Mission Team Recognition
[39:30] - Overcoming Fear and Misinformation
[40:50] - Leadership and Gratitude
[44:04] - Cultural Experiences and Lessons
[45:15] - Pastor's Vision and Fundraising
[51:56] - Nelson's Story
[57:27] - Paul's Journey in Acts 27
[63:33] - Trusting in God's Plan
[65:01] - Letting Go to Preserve Life
[76:36] - God's Purpose in Brokenness
[79:16] - Powerless Snakes and Divine Healing
[84:00] - Encouragement and Faith
[85:30] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were some of the fears and misconceptions the mission team had to overcome before traveling to Africa? ([39:30])
How did the mission team ensure their safety and well-being during their trip to Africa? ([39:30])
What was the significance of the pastor's story who lost her husband and now lives in the church? ([45:15])
How did Nelson, the young paraplegic boy, impact the mission team during their visit? ([52:27])

Interpretation Questions

In Acts 27, Paul warns the crew about the dangers of their voyage. How does this relate to the importance of having people in our lives who can foresee storms and guide us through them? ([01:00:36])
The sermon mentioned that sometimes we must let go of certain things to preserve our lives. How does this concept apply to both Paul's journey and our personal lives? ([01:05:01])
How does the story of Paul making it to shore on broken pieces of the ship illustrate God's purpose in our brokenness? ([01:16:36])
What lessons can we learn from the mission team's experience about trusting in God's protection and guidance despite fears and misconceptions? ([39:30])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when fear or misinformation held you back from pursuing something you felt called to do. How can you overcome similar fears in the future? ([39:30])
The mission team showed generosity and compassion by raising funds to build a new home for the pastor. How can you practice generosity and compassion in your own community? ([45:15])
Nelson's story highlighted the power of human connection and compassion. Think of someone in your life who might need a connection or act of compassion. How can you reach out to them this week? ([52:27])
Paul's journey in Acts 27 teaches us about letting go to preserve life. Identify something in your life that you need to let go of to find peace and safety. What steps can you take to let it go? ([01:05:01])
The sermon emphasized that God can use our brokenness to fulfill His purpose. Reflect on a time when you felt broken. How did God use that experience for good, and how can you share that testimony with others? ([01:16:36])
How can you cultivate a mindset of trusting in God's plan, even when facing storms and challenges in your life? ([01:03:33])
The mission team planned their trip with proper guidance and support. How can you seek and provide support within your small group or community to pursue God's calling effectively? ([39:30])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Don't allow nothing to cause fear to be in your heart to do something you have an idea and desire to do because you hear a lot of stuff that may not actually be true." [39:30] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You need people in your life who can foresee storms. You need some men, some women in your life that who can foresee a storm that is on the way that you're willing to listen to and heed to their advice." [01:00:36] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for. It is the evidence. It is the proof of things that you cannot see. God says, when I return, I'm going to be looking for faith in the earth. Will he find faith? And you." [01:15:06] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Listen, my word, is you're going to make it even if on broken pieces. You're going to make it. That dream, that vision, that marriage, that thing that's in your heart, I don't know the specificity of what it is you believe in God for. I don't know the mountain. I don't know the valley, but I'm telling you, you're going to make it even if you make it on broken pieces." [01:16:36] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If Jesus is sleeping, ain't worried, you go to sleep and don't worry. But then it says that boat found itself and the boat began to be tossed to and fro with the wind and they got afraid and they began to say, master, care is not that we perish. Listen, if the master, if the person is on the boat with you, if you said Jesus is on here, I know we ain't going nowhere because he ain't going nowhere." [01:17:55] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "What is it in your life that you need somebody who can see further than you can see? Where is it you're about to go? What decisions are you about to make in your life and look great right now? The man looks good right now. The woman looked like the right person right now. But somebody said, hey, I perceive you may want to wait a minute." [01:02:05] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Sometimes you got to get your hands off of the situation. You got to step back and let the wind do what the wind needs to do. It says here in verse number 18, and we've been exceedingly tossed with the tempest the next day they lighten up the ship. Have you ever been there before you had some stuff in your boat in your life certain people on your team but you have to in order to preserve your life and protect your life you have to let some stuff go." [01:03:33] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I want to remind you, it was never about the ship enduring the storm. It was about you enduring the storm. It was never about the ship making it to land. It's about you making it to land. You're more caught up on what you lost than what you found. I know you lost some stuff in this season. I know you like the thing you lost, but you're more caught up on what you lost. You found some good things in this season." [01:26:50] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You need somebody in your life who can give you some hope and some confidence. Come on, somebody. When you ain't got it yourself, you got to find somebody who can give you hope, who can give you confidence, who could give you a sure. It don't mean that they're perfect. Come on, somebody. But you need somebody who got more faith than you have. Particularly when you're going through a storm." [01:17:55] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God used the same hand bitten by a snake to heal the sick. Come on, somebody. I don't know what you're going through, but the same problem that was about to take you out going to be a blessing. See, they thought they needed the island of Malta as a place to reprieve and escape and to get some rest. But the reality is, it turned out that Malta needed them." [01:22:18] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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