Trusting God's Plan: Surrender, Healing, and Urgency

 

Summary

In this heartfelt message, I shared my journey of faith and ministry, emphasizing the importance of surrendering to God's will and trusting Him to guide our paths. Reflecting on my experiences, I highlighted how God has used me in various ministries, from hosting children's programs to writing daily devotions. These endeavors are not just tasks but divine callings that God has equipped me to fulfill. I stressed the significance of leaning on Jesus, allowing Him to direct our lives, and the miraculous ways He provides for our needs when we are obedient to His call.

I also shared personal stories, such as discovering my musical gift at a young age and how it became a foundation for my ministry. This gift, like all talents, is meant to be used for God's glory. I encouraged everyone to seek God's guidance in their lives, emphasizing that He has a unique plan for each of us, which is far greater than anything we could imagine.

Furthermore, I addressed the critical issue of domestic violence, urging those in abusive situations to seek help and emphasizing that God does not condone abuse. I shared my own experiences and the importance of forgiveness, not through human strength but through God's power. This message of hope and healing is vital for those who feel trapped in cycles of abuse.

Finally, I spoke about the urgency of sharing God's love and the imminent return of Jesus. Our time on earth is short, and we must be diligent in our witness, living lives that reflect Christ's love and preparing our hearts for His coming. Through my ministries, I aim to spread this message and encourage others to deepen their relationship with God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Surrender to God's Will: Trusting God with our lives means surrendering our plans and allowing Him to lead us step by step. When we lean on Jesus, He provides everything we need to fulfill His calling. This surrender is not about figuring out our path but about trusting that God has already planned it for us. [18:33]

2. The Power of Forgiveness: Forgiveness is not humanly possible in our strength, especially in the face of deep hurt. However, through prayer, we can ask God to place His forgiveness and love in our hearts, enabling us to forgive others as He forgives us. This divine forgiveness brings healing and freedom. [46:59]

3. God's Provision in Ministry: When God calls us to a task, He also provides the resources needed to accomplish it. This provision often comes in unexpected ways, reinforcing our faith and dependence on Him. Trusting in God's provision allows us to focus on serving Him wholeheartedly. [05:15]

4. Addressing Domestic Violence: It's crucial to recognize that God does not condone abuse in any form. Those in abusive situations should seek help and understand that staying for the sake of children is not beneficial. God desires for us to live in peace and safety, and He provides strength and courage to leave harmful environments. [36:09]

5. Urgency of Sharing God's Love: With the return of Jesus imminent, it's vital to share His love and message with urgency. Our lives should reflect Christ's love, and we must be diligent in our witness, helping others understand the depth of God's love and the importance of preparing for His coming. [49:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Introduction and Ministry Background
- [03:30] - Daily Devotions and God's Provision
- [05:15] - Trusting God with Ministry Needs
- [08:00] - The Power of Art and Music
- [11:32] - Sharing Devotions as a Witnessing Tool
- [14:22] - Discovering Musical Gifts
- [18:33] - Surrendering to God's Will
- [20:42] - Holy Spirit Hugs and God's Guidance
- [25:09] - Family Influence and Spiritual Growth
- [28:34] - Choosing a Life Partner
- [32:56] - Recognizing Red Flags in Relationships
- [36:09] - Addressing Domestic Violence
- [41:30] - Praying Big and Trusting God's Will
- [46:59] - The Power of Forgiveness Through God
- [49:22] - Urgency of Sharing God's Love

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 7:21-23 - "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" [18:33]

2. Matthew 21:22 - "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." [41:30]

3. Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." [46:59]

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Matthew 7:21-23 suggest about the importance of doing God's will over merely performing religious acts? [18:33]
2. How does the speaker describe the role of prayer in receiving God's provision for ministry needs? [05:15]
3. What personal story does the speaker share to illustrate the discovery and use of their musical gift? [14:22]
4. How does the speaker address the issue of domestic violence in the sermon? [36:09]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In Matthew 7:21-23, what might be the implications of doing God's will versus performing religious acts in one's personal life? [18:33]
2. How does the speaker's experience with God's provision challenge or affirm your understanding of faith and dependence on God? [05:15]
3. What does the speaker's journey with their musical gift suggest about the use of personal talents for God's glory? [14:22]
4. How does the speaker's approach to addressing domestic violence reflect the broader Christian responsibility to care for those in harmful situations? [36:09]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to surrender your plans to God's will. What steps can you take to trust Him more fully in your current situation? [18:33]
2. Consider a situation where you need to forgive someone. How can you rely on God's strength to offer forgiveness, even when it feels impossible? [46:59]
3. Identify a talent or gift you have. How can you use it more intentionally for God's glory in your community or church? [14:22]
4. If you or someone you know is in a harmful situation, what practical steps can be taken to seek help and ensure safety? [36:09]
5. How can you be more proactive in sharing God's love with urgency, considering the imminent return of Jesus? [49:22]
6. Think about a time when you experienced God's miraculous provision. How can this testimony encourage others in your small group or community? [05:15]
7. What are some ways you can support ministries or individuals who are working to address issues like domestic violence in your community? [36:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God's Plan Through Surrender
Surrendering to God's will involves letting go of our own plans and trusting that He has a path already laid out for us. This act of surrender is not passive but requires active faith, believing that God will provide for our needs as we follow His calling. When we lean on Jesus, we find that He equips us with everything necessary to fulfill His purposes in our lives. This trust is built through daily reliance on Him, allowing His guidance to lead us step by step. [18:33]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, 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 2: Divine Forgiveness and Healing
Forgiveness is a profound act that often feels beyond human capability, especially when faced with deep wounds. However, through prayer and reliance on God, we can ask Him to instill His forgiveness and love within us. This divine forgiveness not only frees us from the burden of resentment but also brings healing and restoration to our hearts. It is a process that requires us to continually seek God's strength, allowing His love to flow through us to others. [46:59]

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?


Day 3: God's Provision in Our Calling
When God calls us to a task, He also provides the resources needed to accomplish it. This provision often comes in unexpected ways, reinforcing our faith and dependence on Him. Trusting in God's provision allows us to focus on serving Him wholeheartedly, knowing that He will supply all our needs according to His riches. As we step out in faith, we witness the miraculous ways God supports and sustains us in our ministry and daily lives. [05:15]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when God provided for you in an unexpected way. How can this experience encourage you to trust Him more in your current circumstances?


Day 4: Seeking Safety and Peace from Abuse
It is crucial to recognize that God does not condone abuse in any form. Those in abusive situations should seek help and understand that staying for the sake of children is not beneficial. God desires for us to live in peace and safety, and He provides strength and courage to leave harmful environments. By seeking His guidance and support, individuals can find the courage to break free from cycles of abuse and move towards healing and restoration. [36:09]

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." (Psalm 9:9, ESV)

Reflection: If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, what steps can you take today to seek help and find safety? How can you support others in finding the courage to leave harmful environments?


Day 5: Urgency in Sharing God's Love
With the return of Jesus imminent, it is vital to share His love and message with urgency. Our lives should reflect Christ's love, and we must be diligent in our witness, helping others understand the depth of God's love and the importance of preparing for His coming. This urgency compels us to live intentionally, making the most of every opportunity to share the hope and salvation found in Jesus. [49:22]

"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about God's love today? How can you intentionally share the message of Jesus with them in a way that reflects His love and urgency?

Quotes

"God will give you that strength and that courage. And I can tell you the three most, the most powerful prayer you could ever pray is just three words. Jesus, save me. When I prayed, Jesus, save me. You know, beaten to death. My teeth were up here were buried in my bottom lip. These aren't my real teeth. You know, ribs broken. I could hardly even expand my chest to breathe. The pain was so intense." [00:38:13]

"I believe I'm going to die that day holding my baby bleeding out all over her. And I prayed, Jesus, save me. You know, I know I'm a walking miracle. I know I shouldn't be here. I know Jesus saved me. And I thank him every day. And you asked me earlier, what would be my motivation? My motivation is my love for Jesus. It's your love for Jesus. It's my love for Jesus. I couldn't possibly." [00:38:47]

"I hear so many people that will get a bad diagnosis that's, you know, a death sentence, really. And we say, oh, we'll pray for you. But we don't really pray big. We don't pray faith that God can heal this person. We hear that, you know, they've got a brain tumor. It's a glio. Whoops. Okay. They probably got three months left. You know, we don't pray big. And we serve a great big God who can and does work miracles today. I'm walking proof." [00:40:27]

"What's more important is that we're in God's will for our life. And when I say that, I say that cautiously because so many times we get mixed up God's permissive will and his divine will. It's God's will that we have life and have it more. Of course. That's God's will for us. But we need to, when we hear and we're praying for someone, we need to pray big. We need to pray God's will be done, but we need to pray big and pray with faith." [00:41:07]

"Matthew 21. 22. Anything we pray, believing we will receive. Hugely important to pray big. And so I really, I think that that is my prayer always is that I want to be in God's will for my life. And it may be my healing is going to come because God is always going to answer our prayer for healing. It may come instantly. It may come a few months from now. It may be that my healing isn't going to come until I get to heaven." [00:41:47]

"Whatever God's plan. If God has a plan for me, I'm good. But however much time I have on this earth, I'm good. If God tells me that, you know, okay, it's time to be, you know, to go to rest. I say, thank you, Jesus, for the time that you've allowed me to serve you. And I await whatever, you know, whatever time I have here. I'm fine with that. I'll sleep in Jesus knowing the next voice I hear will be his voice. Thank you, Jesus." [00:42:27]

"Hallelujah. You know, so I have nothing to fear. We don't have anything to fear. If you love Jesus, if he's Lord of your life, you are really, truly a Christian through and through. You have nothing to fear. Not even death. Amen. Yeah. So I'm healthy. I'm good. I don't have any even, you know, side effects. There's some things that I have scars left over from my first marriage. I, you know, I had permanent nerve damage in my nose because of being hit in the nose so much." [00:43:07]

"But. I take a medication in the morning. Otherwise, my nose will just drip all day because it caused vasomotor rhinitis where your nose will just drip. I take some medicine and and for 12 hours it doesn't do that. So, you know, which helped me get through my day. But I don't complain about that. I'm thankful to be here. Thank you, Jesus. You know, you know that it could have been a lot worse. I mean, his my ex -husband's third wife, though I was number two, the one after me, she's brain dead in a home right now." [00:43:47]

"So, you know, when I say thank you, Jesus, that I'm a living miracle. I know that I am. My Lord. I thank Jesus for every day he's given me. I would tell them, first of all, that Jesus is their best friend. I would talk to them about their relationship with God. Is there anything standing between you and me? And I would say, we are all hellbent on God because should it be God's choice to heal them when Jesus comes and their time here on Earth is short, the most important thing is they're heart ready." [00:44:27]

"It's not how many days we live on this Earth. mean, it's not we're going to make it. It's, it's, is our heart ready to, for heaven? Right. And that's the most important conversation I can have with someone that, that fears death. I just, a few weeks ago was in New Zealand speaking and I had someone come to me afterwards saying, saying, look, this week I was just diagnosed with a very fast progressing or progressive brain cancer. I just found out this week." [00:45:07]

"Said, my husband has cheated on me for years and I've never really forgiven him. Even though he's given his heart to the Lord, he's baptized, he's told me he's sorry. There's something in me that I just, I still hold against him for every affair. And she said, I know, and I'd been speaking about that for the church service and that God used that to speak to her heart. And she said, I know if, if Jesus was to come right now, I would be lost. I know that if I was to die tonight, I would be lost and tears are streaming down her cheeks." [00:45:47]

"And I had to take her to Calvary and back. Help her explain how much. Jesus loves her, that he died for her and nothing on this earth is worth losing out on eternity. And it came down to this, it's this simple. You, that's justified anger, right? You could say, I can hang on to all that justified anger, or I can accept God's gift of joy, but I cannot have both. I have to accept. I can either have anger and the bitterness nobody would blame her for, or you can have God's." [00:46:27]

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Transcript
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