WHO TOLD YOU!

Jun 28, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Calculating God Into Life’s Equations

When fear threatens to derail faith, anchoring to divine presence recalibrates perspective. Distractions like anxiety or doubt wear down resolve, but trust in God’s sovereignty silences their noise. Just as Israel faced Pharaoh’s army, stillness before God replaces panic with peace. Fretting corrodes hope, yet choosing to delight in God’s faithfulness shifts focus from chaos to His control. Every crisis becomes an invitation to factor God’s power into the equation. [00:23]

“And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.’” (Exodus 14:13–14, ESV)

Reflection: What current situation feels overwhelming? How might intentionally “calculating God” into it change your response instead of reacting?

Day 2: Offense as a Detour on the Road

James and John’s anger at Samaria reveals how others’ rejection can hijack purpose. Offense distracts from mission, breeding retaliation instead of resilience. Jesus rebuked not the Samaritans but His disciples’ misplaced focus. Fixation on slights or disrespect drains energy meant for eternal priorities. Like travelers en route to Jerusalem, believers must guard their hearts against petty conflicts. The enemy magnifies minor irritations to stall divine momentum. [07:29]

“And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them.” (Luke 9:54–55, ESV)

Reflection: What recent offense have you carried? How might releasing it free you to refocus on God’s greater purpose?

Day 3: When Past Failures Shout Louder Than Grace

Peter’s denial haunted him until Jesus reframed his future. Shame amplifies past mistakes, convincing us we’re disqualified. Yet Christ’s restoration asks not for penance but obedience. The resurrected Jesus didn’t rehearse Peter’s failure—He commissioned him. Voices of condemnation drown in the roar of grace. What we fixate on becomes our prison; what God redeems becomes our testimony. [21:08]

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’” (John 21:15, ESV)

Reflection: What past failure still whispers “you’re disqualified”? How might accepting Christ’s commission silence it?

Day 4: “Who Told You?” Unmasking the Source

Adam hid, believing lies about God’s heart. His question—“Who told you?”—exposes the enemy’s fingerprints on our fears. Insecurities about age, ability, or worth often trace back to toxic voices, not truth. God confronts not behavior first but the faulty narratives enabling it. Freedom begins by auditing the voices shaping our self-perception. Every lie loses power when held to the light of His Word. [26:35]

“But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ And he said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.’” (Genesis 3:9–10, ESV)

Reflection: What negative belief about yourself persists? If asked “Who told you that?”—what answer surfaces?

Day 5: Guarding Against the Subtle Shift

The enemy sought Moses’ body to create a shrine, not to destroy it. Distractions often masquerade as harmless—a slight doctrinal tweak, overemphasis on leaders, or cultural compromises. Small shifts in focus warp entire trajectories. Like Michael contending for truth, believers must vigilantly protect their spiritual center. What seems insignificant today shapes tomorrow’s legacy. [15:21]

“But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’” (Jude 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: What subtle shift in focus—habits, priorities, or influences—might be warping your spiritual clarity?

Sermon Summary

Summertime sets the scene, and the season exposes how easily the heart gets pulled off course. Exodus stands up and says that when fear swells like Pharaoh’s army, God commands, be still, do not be afraid, the enemy seen today will be seen no more. Psalm 37 names the inner drain as fret, a fear that wears a person down, devours strength, and eats through joy. Faith is set over against fear, and faith starts working the moment a disciple begins to calculate with God. John 14 gives the command that cuts through panic and reaction: let not your heart be troubled. Let not is a decision, rehearsed as often as needed, that keeps the soul from reacting and teaches it to respond.

Luke 9 then puts offense on the table. The Samaritans ignore Jesus as he passes through, and James and John want to blow them up. Jesus does not rebuke the Samaritans. He rebukes the disciples for catching someone else’s bad attitude. The call is simple. Master your distractions. Some distractions are good, like a word or a song that interrupts despair. Most are outside voices that work from the outside in. Jesus lives from the voice within, the Spirit’s inside-out leadership that holds the narrative steady.

Jude 9 pulls back the curtain. The enemy contends for Moses’ body, not because a corpse has power, but because a shrine can steal focus. A tiny shift in focus can warp a generation. The mouth sings about God, but the heart fixates on platforms, personalities, and gear. God buries Moses to guard Israel from worshiping the instrument rather than the Lord who delivered them. Even so, hope rises. God is stirring a people who want the God on their lips to be the God in their hearts.

John 21 shows how Jesus handles failure. Peter expects a lecture about denial. Jesus gives a commission. Feed my sheep. God has moved on from what shame keeps replaying. Genesis 3 reveals why. God asks, where are you, then asks, who told you that you were naked. He does not only chase behavior. He goes after the source of belief. The lie says too young, too old, too damaged, too late. The Father asks, who told you that, so the disciple will stop listening there and start listening here.

The Roman road clears the verdict and the promise. All have sinned. The wage of sin is death. If the mouth confesses Jesus and the heart believes, God saves. Philippians 4:13 then settles the pushback. Who told you you could not. Christ strengthens, so stay on track.

Key Takeaways

1. Let not is a holy habit Let not your heart be troubled is not a mood, it is a practiced command that retrains the inner life. Fear still knocks, but faith answers when the disciple calculates with God in the middle of the math. Over time, the heart learns to respond, not react, because it has rehearsed trust. The habit becomes ballast when the season gets choppy. [03:37]
2. Do not catch secondhand offense James and John got infected by someone else’s attitude and almost missed the point of the journey. Jesus rebuked them, not the Samaritans, because borrowed offense always derails calling. Guard the spirit, or someone else’s bad day will rewrite a whole week. The mission to Jerusalem is too important to pause for a grudge. [07:29]
3. Worship God, not his instruments The enemy only needs a tiny shift to turn a leader, a church, or a style into a shrine. When the gaze drifts, the song still says Jesus, but the heart is staring at the platform. God buried Moses to protect Israel’s worship, and he is still jealous to keep the focus on himself. Keep the eyes where the deliverance came from. [14:51]
4. Investigate the voice behind shame In Eden, God asked, who told you, because the source of belief steers behavior. Many limits ride in on unchallenged voices, not on truth. Trace the tough thought to its origin and turn down the volume if it is not the Father. The right voice breaks the lie’s spell. [26:16]
5. Past failure does not cancel calling Peter brings denial to the meeting and expects a scolding. Jesus brings a commission and says, feed my sheep. The Lord has moved on, and grace hands the assignment back to hands that once dropped it. The question is not what happened. The question is, will the disciple answer now. [22:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Summer pace and distractions
[01:39] - Do not fear, do not fret
[03:37] - Let not your heart be troubled
[05:33] - Offense on the road to Jerusalem
[07:29] - Jesus rebukes secondhand offense
[09:30] - Inside-out voice of the Spirit
[10:45] - The dispute over Moses’ body
[14:51] - Tiny shifts warp a generation
[19:47] - Peter’s failure and Jesus’ call
[23:12] - Adam, where are you
[26:16] - Who told you that lie
[31:36] - Choose the voice that saves
[35:02] - Strength to do all things
[40:09] - Prayer and blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
John 14:1 (ESV)
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Observation Questions

In John 14:1, what specific command does Jesus give about managing fear or anxiety? How does this connect to the idea of “calculating with God” mentioned in the sermon? [03:37]
In Luke 9:51-55, why did Jesus rebuke James and John for wanting to “call down fire” on the Samaritans, rather than rebuking the Samaritans themselves? [07:29]
What does Jude 9 reveal about the enemy’s strategy regarding Moses’ body, and why did God bury Moses secretly? [14:51]
In Genesis 3:11, God asks Adam, “Who told you that you were naked?” What does this question reveal about God’s focus compared to Adam’s behavior? [26:16]

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus emphasize responding instead of reacting to distractions like offense or fear? How does this distinction shape a disciple’s daily choices?
The sermon warns that “a tiny shift in focus can warp a generation.” What biblical examples or modern scenarios illustrate this principle? [15:21]
How does Jesus’ interaction with Peter in John 21:15-17 redefine the relationship between past failure and present calling? Why is shame ineffective for motivating discipleship? [22:25]
Why does the enemy target “instruments” of God (like leaders or methods) rather than God Himself? How does this align with the warning in Jude 9?

Application Questions

“Let not your heart be troubled” is called a “holy habit.” What practical step could you take this week to “rehearse trust” when fear or anxiety knocks? [03:37]
When have you “caught” someone else’s bad attitude or offense, like James and John? How can you guard your spirit from borrowed negativity in the future? [07:29]
Identify one area where you’ve fixated on a “shrine” (e.g., a leader, method, or style) instead of God. What would it look like to refocus on Him this month? [14:51]
What recurring lie (e.g., “too damaged,” “too late”) have you believed about yourself? How might asking, “Who told you that?” change your response to it? [26:16]
Peter’s past failure didn’t cancel his calling. Is there an assignment you’ve avoided because of shame? What would it look like to say “yes” to it now? [22:25]
Philippians 4:13 says Christ strengthens us for “all things.” What specific challenge or goal feels impossible right now? How could you lean into His strength for it? [35:02]

Sermon Clips

76s

#TraceItBack

“``Instead of arguing with the tough or the thought the tough thought that we have, trace it back to the origin. Is this really what god is saying to me that I just can't be this? I just can't do it. Who told you? Who told you? use this while ago because it works. We've got kids, got grandkids now, and all you parents, all these kids here. If you go to school or go somewhere or stay at neighbor's house or wherever you come back and a kid says a word or has a definition of something that you didn't want them to say or you don't want them to know. Everybody know where I'm going with this. And there's little Jimmy over there. He did I mean, you in the other room doing something totally different, and you hear a vocabulary come out of old old Tommy's mouth over here. As a parent, you're gonna leave that room and go in there and you're gonna say what? Who told you that? Right?”

51s

#GuardYourMindset

“``You try to find your way back. I actually use the word warp. I wonder if it was the right word and so I looked it up. Here's what the word warp means. So, I guess it was it was out of my spirit and I was like, does it make any sense? The way of thinking that is twisted, distorted, or deviates significantly from the standard social, moral, or rational norms and that's what the enemy tries to do. He tries to get us off. He tries to get us off just a little bit. Can you imagine which is happening? That's the reason why we have to we have to we have to you have to have faith and you have to you have to stand for something. If you don't, you'll fall for anything because all it takes is just a tiny shift and focus and it will change an entire generation.”

63s

#WorshipGodNotMan

“``The good news is, is I see now a a generation coming back into the presence of god to where we don't just want god on our lips and somebody else on our heart. We want the god on our lips, the one that brought us out is the one that we're give worship and praise and honor and glory to it. Amen? Let the god that brought us out be the ones that we worship, not his people. So, we see all kinds of deviations. We see all kinds of distractions and we get twisted. Biblical, biblically is thinking that is deviated from god's truth but let me finish with this about on Moses and I'll I'll get on something else. Is that just to answer the question, the devil did not get the body of Moses. He didn't get him. God buried him. He never found him and what that tells us is a life that truly belongs to god cannot be”

72s

#CheckYourSources

“``Some come from people who were speaking from their own wounds. Man, I couldn't do that. There's no way you can do that. There's no way you can have that. I sure can't. Maybe you can do it. I know I couldn't. Who you listening to? Who you I can't ever be the man of god like that. I know I just can't do it. Who you listen to? How many of those stories do we accept as truth without investigating the source? Y'all, there's voices talking to us all. And right now, because we're just I mean, we'll get it back together. I mean, let the let let the kids start going back to school and think it's the the weather start changing a little bit, and we're all getting back between the ditches again. We start doing it this way. But right now, man, we're cast off restraint. We're just free, man. It's it's summertime. And we just and we and we don't we don't if we don't if we don't careful, we'll allow just a little bit”

66s

#BeliefOverBehavior

“``Adam, where are you? See, god doesn't just deal with behavior. He deals with a source of belief. Yeah. We have, let me go ahead and say this, we all have a behavior problem. You're welcome. We all have a behavior problem. God has caught you dealing with our behavior problems, and he deals with our behavior problems and he has an antidote for our behavior problems and he teaching us how to deal with our behavior problems. But our behavior problems, ugh, I'm getting ready to get slammed for this. That's okay. I can handle it. It's not the behavior problems that he that he has a problem with. It's our source of belief that he has a problem with. Now watch this. I'll show you this. And so here it is. And here it is. So Jesus so so god comes and the bible says in in Genesis three and nine, then the lord god called to Adam and said to him, Adam, where are you? Adam's in the wrong place.”

48s

#MasterYourDistractions

“``Stop it. Stop allowing everybody else's bad day to get on you. Everybody else's bad attitude to get on you. Everything that somebody has to say about what you're doing to to get on you. Stop it because why do you want him to stop it? Because it's going to affect you. It's gonna distract you, and we're supposed to be on our way to Jerusalem. Something great is gonna happen in Jerusalem, but we're getting distracted here, and that's what the enemy does. He tries to distract us so that we cannot do and have what god will have us to do and have and so Jesus is teaching us here that you got to master your distractions. There are good distractions and there are bad distractions. Do realize there are good distractions and bad distractions?”

61s

#FocusOnGodNotPeople

“``We we we sing the songs about god but we're really consumed with the men and women that god is using. Guys, that's a distraction. In the church. We're so consumed with translations of the Bible. We forget about the god of the Bible, about the prayers we're supposed to pray. What is the enemy's teaching is? All it takes is a tiny shift in focus and a entire generation's faith can be warped. It don't take anything huge. It don't take a giant just colossal attack on your family to get you just a tiny shift of focus in your life. Guys, it can take July. You're having a great January, February, March, April, May, June, and then you have just a tiny shift in your focus. And before you know it, your entire thought process is now warped. You can't find your way back.”

67s

#WhoToldYou

“``You see the different and that's what god does. I said all that to say this. That's what god does. Whenever we say we're not good enough, we we always mess it up. We'll never be that. Nobody in our family ever done that. God doesn't scream at you. He says, who's who's telling you that? Who's telling you that? Wanna know why? Because he wants you to quit listening to them and keep listening to him. And he does it out of love. He does it as an encouragement. Who's telling you that? Just like a parent would a child. Who's when we have these kids in here, they come here especially summer. We got all these new kids. We got they come in here and and the first couple of weeks, you know, we got to we got to clean some things up because they picked up some stuff along the way. We gotta let them know. You who's telling you that? It's not how we do it because that's what god tells us. Do not allow the enemy to distract you. Always ask the questions. Who's told you that you can't be, do, and have everything that god told you to be, do, and have?”

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WHO TOLD YOU!

Devotional

Day 1: Calculating God Into Life’s Equations

Day 2: Offense as a Detour on the Road

Day 3: When Past Failures Shout Louder Than Grace

Day 4: “Who Told You?” Unmasking the Source

Day 5: Guarding Against the Subtle Shift

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

WHO TOLD YOU!

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