Summary of this week's sermon
Every week we want to have a 5 day devotional recapping our previous sermon so we can grow deeper together.
This Sunday Pastor Scott continued our Summer series, "You Ask the Questions"...
This is a chance for our church members to ask questions about Faith, Christianity, and life.
To Re-watch, please go to our YouTube Channel, linked below.
Day 1: The Mystery of an Infinite God
Devotional
Have you ever tried to explain something complex to a young child? No matter how carefully you break it down, some concepts are just beyond their current understanding. Similarly, when it comes to comprehending God's nature, we're like those children - our finite minds wrestling with infinite truths. This isn't a weakness; it's simply the reality of being human. Just as a parent doesn't expect a child to understand everything, God doesn't expect us to fully grasp all His ways. Instead, He invites us into a relationship of trust and wonder. When we accept that some things about God will exceed our understanding, we open ourselves to a deeper, more authentic faith - one that acknowledges both our limitations and God's limitless nature.
Bible Verse
"Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit." - Psalm 147:5
Reflection Question
In what areas of your faith journey have you felt the tension between wanting to understand everything and learning to trust despite uncertainty?
Quote
Would you want to worship a God that you could completely wrap your mind around? Would you worship a God you can logically explain every detail or decision about a God that would fit in your box? I wouldn't. Because if God can be explained completely by me, what kind of God is that?
Prayer
Lord, help me embrace the mystery of who You are. Give me peace when I don't understand everything, and help me trust in Your infinite wisdom. Amen.
Day 2: God's Sovereign Timeline
Devotional
Time is a fascinating concept. We experience it moment by moment, like watching a movie frame by frame. But God's relationship with time is entirely different. He exists outside of our linear timeline, seeing the beginning and end simultaneously. This truth brings both comfort and complexity to our understanding of how God works. While we make decisions in real-time, God already knows the outcomes. Yet this doesn't make our choices any less real or significant. Think of it like a parent watching their child learn to walk - they know the child will eventually succeed, but each step and stumble is still meaningful and necessary for growth.
Bible Verse
"Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." - Psalm 90:2
Reflection Question
How does understanding God's eternal nature change your perspective on the decisions you face today?
Quote
God is not restricted to the time frame in which we live. We think of everything in a linear pattern. But God doesn't live linear.
Prayer
Father, thank You for being the eternal God who sees all. Help me trust Your perfect timing and guidance in my life. Amen.
Day 3: The Gift of Choice
Devotional
Free will is one of God's most precious gifts to humanity. Unlike programmed robots, we have the ability to make real choices that stem from our hearts, minds, and desires. This freedom makes our relationship with God authentic and meaningful. When we choose to love and follow God, it's not because we're forced to, but because we want to. This reality makes our faith journey personal and genuine. However, with this freedom comes responsibility - our choices have real consequences, both positive and negative. Yet even in our mistakes, God's grace remains constant, always inviting us to choose Him again.
Bible Verse
"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." - Joshua 24:15
Reflection Question
How has having the freedom to choose influenced your relationship with God?
Quote
God does not force himself on humanity, but God loves humanity so much that he gives us the option to choose to accept him, to accept his free gift of salvation.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for the gift of free will. Help me use this freedom wisely and always choose paths that honor You. Amen.
Day 4: Divine Sovereignty in Our Daily Lives
Devotional
God's sovereignty doesn't just exist as a theological concept - it's a practical reality that touches every aspect of our lives. Even when circumstances seem chaotic or our choices lead to unexpected outcomes, God remains in control. His sovereignty means that nothing catches Him by surprise, and He can work all things together for good. This truth doesn't eliminate our responsibility to make wise choices, but it does provide comfort knowing that our mistakes and challenges aren't beyond God's redemptive power.
Bible Verse
"For it is not by human will or effort, but by God's mercy." - Romans 9:16
Reflection Question
Can you recall a time when God's sovereignty was evident in turning a difficult situation into something good?
Quote
What God allows in this world will accomplish what God wants it to accomplish. And yes, that includes hardened hearts. That includes bad things. That includes the good things that come out of the bad things.
Prayer
Sovereign Lord, help me trust Your control over my life, even when circumstances feel uncertain. Thank You for Your faithful guidance. Amen.
Day 5: Living In the Balance
Devotional
Walking the line between God's sovereignty and our free will requires wisdom and trust. We make decisions based on what we know, while God operates with perfect knowledge of all outcomes. This dynamic creates a beautiful partnership where our choices matter, yet God's purposes prevail. Instead of becoming paralyzed by trying to perfectly understand this mystery, we're called to live faithfully in the balance. We can make decisions confidently, knowing that God guides us while respecting our freedom to choose. This truth should bring peace, not anxiety, as we navigate life's choices.
Bible Verse
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD." - Isaiah 55:8
Reflection Question
How can you better balance making wise decisions while trusting God's sovereign guidance in your life?
Quote
I don't function in what God knows. I function in what I know.
Prayer
Lord, grant me wisdom as I make decisions, and help me trust Your sovereign guidance even when I don't understand. Amen.