Trusting God's Presence Through Life's Challenges

Devotional

Day 1: God's Presence in Our Imperfections

Even when we face challenges or make mistakes, God remains with us. Jacob's journey, filled with deception and fear, ultimately led to a divine encounter where God promised to protect and bless him. This teaches us that no matter our past, God’s grace and presence are constant. Jacob's story is a powerful reminder that God's promises are not contingent on our perfection but on His unwavering love and faithfulness. Despite Jacob's flaws, God chose to reveal Himself and assure Jacob of His continued presence and protection. This should encourage us to trust in God's grace, knowing that He is with us even when we falter. [10:56]

Genesis 28:15 (ESV): "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt unworthy of God's presence due to your mistakes. How can you remind yourself today that God's grace is greater than your imperfections?

Day 2: Trusting God in Sorrow

Naomi's story with Ruth shows us the power of trusting God even in our deepest sorrow. Despite losing her husband and sons, Naomi believed in God's guidance and found hope through her relationship with Ruth. This narrative encourages us to lean on God and the community He provides during our toughest times. Naomi's unwavering trust in God, even in her grief, led to a renewed sense of purpose and hope. Her story teaches us that God can bring restoration and new beginnings out of our deepest sorrows. By trusting in God's plan and leaning on the support of those around us, we can find strength and hope in the midst of our pain. [26:25]

Ruth 1:16-17 (ESV): "But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a time of sorrow in your life. How did you see God's hand at work, and how can you trust Him more deeply in your current struggles?

Day 3: Faith Amidst Life's Storms

Jesus calming the storm illustrates that having faith doesn't mean we won't face storms; it means trusting God to calm them. The disciples' fear and Jesus' calm response teach us to bring our anxieties to God, trusting that He has the power to bring peace in chaos. This story is a powerful reminder that Jesus is with us in the midst of our fears and uncertainties. By turning to Him in prayer and faith, we can experience His peace that surpasses all understanding, even when the storms of life rage around us. [35:23]

Mark 4:39-40 (ESV): "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?'"

Reflection: Identify a current "storm" in your life. How can you actively bring this situation to God in prayer and trust Him to bring peace?

Day 4: Divine Appointments

Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian official shows how God orchestrates moments for us to share His love and message. Despite the unlikely circumstances, Philip's obedience led to the Ethiopian's baptism and joy. This reminds us to be attentive and obedient to God's leading, knowing He has a purpose for every encounter. By being open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can recognize and seize opportunities to share God's love and truth with others. Philip's story encourages us to be bold and obedient, trusting that God is at work in every situation, even when it seems unexpected or inconvenient. [43:30]

Acts 8:29-31 (ESV): "And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.' So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him."

Reflection: Think of a recent encounter where you felt prompted to share God's love but hesitated. How can you be more attentive and obedient to God's leading in future interactions?

Day 5: Sharing God's Love Through Action

Our mission to support UNICEF in Gaza highlights the importance of translating our faith into action. By providing for the physical and educational needs of children, we embody Christ's love and compassion. This teaches us that our faith should inspire us to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. True faith is not just about words but about actions that reflect God's love and care for the world. By engaging in acts of service and generosity, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to those in need. [01:02:28]

James 2:15-17 (ESV): "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: Consider a specific way you can show God's love through action this week. How can you make a tangible difference in someone's life today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This week, we celebrated the incredible efforts of our camp counselors, leaders, and supportive parents who made our camp a success. Special thanks to those who donated supplies and to Michael Brandes for providing our camp shirts. Our Bible stories focused on individuals who faced challenges and how God was with them through it all. We explored the story of Jacob, who, despite his deception, received God's promise and protection. We also delved into the story of Naomi and Ruth, highlighting Naomi's unwavering trust in God even in her sorrow.

We then moved to the New Testament, where Jesus calmed a storm, teaching His disciples about trust and faith in God during life's tempests. We emphasized the importance of bringing our worries to God, just as the disciples did when they woke Jesus during the storm. We concluded with the story of Philip and the Ethiopian official, illustrating how God orchestrates divine appointments to spread His message.

Our mission goal this week was to raise funds for UNICEF to support children in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of sharing God's love through tangible actions. We also announced upcoming events, including a visit from Tanzanian missionaries and our participation in the Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival. We ended with a reminder to trust God in all circumstances, knowing He is with us every step of the way.

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Key Takeaways

1. God's Presence in Challenges: The story of Jacob reminds us that even when we face challenges or make mistakes, God remains with us. Jacob's journey, filled with deception and fear, ultimately led to a divine encounter where God promised to protect and bless him. This teaches us that no matter our past, God’s grace and presence are constant. [10:56]
2. Trusting God in Sorrow: Naomi's story with Ruth shows us the power of trusting God even in our deepest sorrow. Despite losing her husband and sons, Naomi believed in God's guidance and found hope through her relationship with Ruth. This narrative encourages us to lean on God and the community He provides during our toughest times. [26:25]
3. Faith Amidst Life's Storms: Jesus calming the storm illustrates that having faith doesn't mean we won't face storms; it means trusting God to calm them. The disciples' fear and Jesus' calm response teach us to bring our anxieties to God, trusting that He has the power to bring peace in chaos. [35:23]
4. Divine Appointments: Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian official shows how God orchestrates moments for us to share His love and message. Despite the unlikely circumstances, Philip's obedience led to the Ethiopian's baptism and joy. This reminds us to be attentive and obedient to God's leading, knowing He has a purpose for every encounter. [43:30]
5. Sharing God's Love Through Action: Our mission to support UNICEF in Gaza highlights the importance of translating our faith into action. By providing for the physical and educational needs of children, we embody Christ's love and compassion. This teaches us that our faith should inspire us to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. [01:02:28]
### [62:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:37] - Introduction to Bible Stories
[10:56] - Jacob's Dream and God's Promise
[14:43] - God's Assurance to Jacob
[19:37] - Naomi and Ruth's Journey
[26:25] - Ruth's Loyalty and Naomi's Trust
[31:12] - Jesus Calms the Storm
[35:23] - Lessons from the Storm
[40:05] - Trusting God with Our Worries
[42:08] - Philip and the Ethiopian Official
[45:40] - The Ethiopian's Baptism
[53:46] - Sharing Love Through Song
[58:08] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[62:28] - UNICEF Mission for Gaza
[66:24] - God's Promise to Be With Us

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What did Jacob see in his dream, and what promise did God make to him? ([10:56])
How did Naomi respond to the loss of her husband and sons, and what was Ruth's reaction? ([26:25])
Describe the situation the disciples found themselves in during the storm and how Jesus responded. ([35:23])
What was the Ethiopian official doing when Philip encountered him, and what was the outcome of their meeting? ([43:30])

Interpretation Questions

How does Jacob's dream and God's promise to him illustrate God's presence in our lives, even when we make mistakes? ([10:56])
In what ways does Naomi's trust in God during her sorrow provide a model for us in times of personal loss and grief? ([26:25])
What can we learn from the disciples' reaction to the storm and Jesus' calming of it about handling our own fears and anxieties? ([35:23])
How does Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian official demonstrate the concept of divine appointments and the importance of being obedient to God's leading? ([43:30])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge or made a mistake. How did you experience God's presence and grace during that time? ([10:56])
When you are in a period of sorrow or loss, what practical steps can you take to trust in God's guidance like Naomi did? ([26:25])
Think about a current worry or fear you have. How can you bring this to God in prayer, trusting Him to bring peace in the midst of your storm? ([35:23])
Have you ever experienced a "divine appointment" where you felt God orchestrated a meeting or event for a specific purpose? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([43:30])
Our mission goal this week was to support UNICEF in Gaza. What are some tangible ways you can share God's love through actions in your own community? ([01:02:28])
How can you be more attentive and obedient to God's leading in your daily life, especially in unexpected or challenging situations? ([43:30])
Reflect on the upcoming events mentioned in the sermon, such as the visit from Tanzanian missionaries and the Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival. How can you get involved and support these initiatives to further share God's love? ([58:08])

Sermon Clips

1. "Our Bible stories for this week were also all about people who faced challenges and how God was with them through it. The Bible was full of stories about God and God's relationship with humanity." [08:37] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And as Jacob slept, he had a dream. He had a dream that he saw a raised staircase. Its foundation was on earth and its top was touching the sky. And God's messengers, the angels, were ascending and descending on the stairs." [10:56] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The Lord continued, I am with you now. I will protect you everywhere you go. And I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I've done everything that I promised you. When Jacob woke up from his sleep, he had finally learned that God would go with him." [14:43] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And yet even in her sadness Naomi trusted God and she believed in God and she believed in God to lead the way and in time her relationship with Ruth helped Naomi's Great job, everybody. And there's more good news, too. God will lead us just like God led Naomi and Ruth." [26:25] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus' followers learned that even having Jesus with them didn't mean that there wouldn't be problems. Things still got scary, and there were even storms." [31:12] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "But through all this, Jesus was asleep in the boat, and the disciples couldn't believe it. Jesus, the one whom they had left everything to follow, was sleeping in a moment of crisis. They woke him up, asking if he even cared that they were about to die." [32:26] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "So we're going to talk about trusting in God. That means taking our worries to God. And when we pray, we give thanks to God for all the blessings God gives to us. But we also tell God what we're worried about and the problems we're facing. Just like the disciples woke Jesus up in the boat when they were scared, we should tell God when we're scared or worried." [40:05] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "So Philip baptized the Ethiopian man. When they came up out of the water, the Lord's spirit suddenly took Philip away. The man never saw Philip again, but he went on his way rejoicing. Did you know the word good news is the gospel?" [45:40] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We learned that while hearing about God's is is great it's even more wonderful when we share God's love with others. Our mission goal was to raise one hundred and fifty dollars to help the United Nations Children's Fund or Gävärde UNICEF to care for children in Gaza." [53:46] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Thank you for sharing God's love with the children of Gaza. Learned this week. And I'm going to sing a line and you sing it back. So you can sing it. All the kids can sing it. And all the congregation can sing it. No, they can stand up where they are and turn around to the congregation. Hear this as God's words for you. It's a promise. I will be with you." [01:06:24] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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