Starts Here Week 3
Sharable notes for the June 18, 2023 message. You can post these notes on your social platform!
Scriptures used: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Matthew 14: 13-22
Passages referenced: Matthew 14:1-12; 23-36
Being a follower of Christ does not isolate a person from pain, grief and misfortune. We face those, but we face them through faith and perseverance to get through.
The most important parts of our life as a follower of Christ is the part that only God sees: our time alone with Him.
Even in the face of disappointment, tragedy, and exhaustion, God’s call still exists in our life to allow Him to work through us.
If we desire to be like Christ, we have to be people who are moved with deep compassion for those around us who are lost without Christ in this life.
When our hearts are moved by compassion, our bodies should be moved into action.
Don't allow your insufficiency to impact your faith in God’s sufficiency.
God may lead you into situations that seem impossible, but don’t avoid them. Don’t focus on what you don’t think you have to give. Stay open to God and experience Him in a new way. What God calls you to, He enables you for.
How available are you to God working through you? How obedient are you to His call to serve?
Our greatest moments of ministry and our greatest acts of faith may just come from our greatest moments of pain and fear.
Reflect or meet with someone to discuss:
Have you experienced grief or a traumatic situation in your life? How have you come out of that experience a different person?
Have you ever spent time serving somewhere when you didn't feel like it? Did your attitude change once you began to serve?
Have you ever considered the idea that your greatest disappointments may become God appointments and opportunities? How does that change your mindset when facing disappointments?
How does knowing that God comforts you in order for you to comfort others encourage you to serve even when you may not feel like it?
Click the image to start a new 4 day devotion in YouVersion:
Throughout the journey of life, we will experience many hardships and trials. I've experienced addiction, depression, molestation, and loss. Despite the pain that was brought by each one, I was able to find purpose through the pain. In this 4 day devotional, you will receive words of encouragement and love showing the goodness of God and how he uses our most difficult circumstances for a greater cause.